Advice on carrying passengers

[Kam]

Hey, im a Cg owner on L plates and have bombed about on the back of my uncles bandit plenty of times and he hasnt complained about my body positions. Ive taken 3 ppl on the back of my CG around an empty car park (and one up a quiet road) and found that one of my mates tenses up when im taking him round the corners and the bike jerks back and forward. Was just wondering what 2 tell him 2 stop him tensing up, what should he be doing? leaning with the bike into the turn or moving away from the direction of turn so that his body remains upright? Is it cos he is overweight? (dont mean 2 sound sly) cos the bike does sink down when he gets on and I dont have as much power with him on it :S Please help! hoping 2 pass my test in a couple of months and be able 2 take people about on missions, after all, i need someone on the back firing dual uzis at chavs thanks in advance
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Proud owner of a Honda CG 2005 model with 1005 Miles on the clock - Bought on 19/12/2005

[DynamiteBoy]

The main advice i was given was for the passenger to 'lean' with the bike - dont fight it as this will make your job more difficult. Saying that im s**t scared as pillion...

Only just started carrying a pillion myself - but she's 5ft and weigh's very little so i hardly notice her...lol.
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"I dont like my Job anymore - I dont think i'll go" OfficeSpace

Honda CG125 (sold) - Kawasaki GPZ500s (sold) - Kawasaki Zephyr 550 (sold) - Kawasaki er6n (current work horse)

[Davo]

I've always told first time pillions to wrap their arms around my waist, that way they've got no option but to lean with me.

Don't forget when you do carry a pillion you may need to stiffen the rear suspension, increase the tyre pressures etc..

[map]

[veeeffarr]

Hi,

There's two collars at the base of the rear shocks on your bike.

You need the tool you have in your kit to rotate these collars until the suspension is tougher.

[Dark]

I agree with Davo, get the pillion to hold on to you until they are familiar with leaning with the bike.

You need to ride smoother too and i mean every aspect of your riding smoother, from acceleration, braking, gear changing, leaning into corners etc etc
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[Makaveli_Rydah]

I'va rode pillion quite a bit and have always been told to act as " a dead weight " on the back - don't lean into corners with the rider just let the bike take you with it .
And don't lean the opposite direction as they will alter the weight over the bike and make it unstable
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Bike History:- Vision / Phantom 100 / Aerox 100 / Runner VX125 / Honda VFR400 NC24 / Kwak ZX9R B3 / Honda CBR600 F / ZZR400 & K2 GSXR 750 / Suzuki VZ800

[Scorpius]

People who take pillions, do you bother adjusting the suspension, tyre pressures etc? Does it make a noticeable difference to the ride?
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Cagiva Mito 125 (sold)
Honda CBR400RR NC23 (sold)
Currently riding: Honda CBR600F

[Kam]

thanks alot all great info, Karma will be given out
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Proud owner of a Honda CG 2005 model with 1005 Miles on the clock - Bought on 19/12/2005

[Dark]

[The Tot]

I put 2 psi more on my rear tyres normally for pillion rides. Most suspension on bike's i've owned have been non adjustable so that's one variable out the way.

I tell my pillions to give me the reach around as i find it gives the most feedback as to where and what the pillion is doing behind you.

After about 2 rides with a new pillion, they get used to the idea of leaning with the bike. Prior to setting off, i usually give a demonstration of what i mean.

I've always told them to either stick their head either on my shoulder so that they can see the revs and speedo and judge when i'm about to break - i brief them on getting their hands to brace the tank. Also, the shoulder rest thing ensures you dont get clattering of helmets which does hurt and is offputting.

If they want to act like a cowboy at a rodeo, i insist they get off and walk. I only want pillions to ride in the way i want them to as they'd have a more profound effect on the way your ride compared to driving a car and that their inputs are just as critical as yours. As a result of through briefing before rides, pillions enjoy their trip more, and i can focus more on the road than the extra passenger. I think once they've got the knack of it, they can more or less balance on the bike without much input. I can certainly tell what they're doing at the back be it changing a tune on their I-pod or waving at girls, you adjust your riding to whoever's on the back. But for the first timers, careful briefing is the key, which is summarised by the previous posts.

Ironically, despite all the briefing i give my mates when they're on the back, i mate a rather shit pillion myself Too used to giving lifts as opposed to sitting on the perch.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism