02iomtt wrote:I always tell mine not to lean into corners but instead just to go with the movement of the bike. Years ago I had one of my mates on the back and he was a right cocky know it all and he was trying to steer the bike into every corner for me which really wasn't good and you always get the odd one that sits up when you go into a corner.
As for how to hold on, I tell my pillions to put their arms round me and put their palms against the back of the tank that way I don't get headbutted so much when I'm braking and they can grab me really easy when I'm pulling away if they go a bit off balance...hope this helps.
As a pillion rider I agree there is absolutely no need to lean into corners, or anything else for that matter. Let the rider do the steering and sit back and relax. Also a good tip for the pillion to use their knees when slowing down as it stops the pillion bumping into the Rider. I'm sure you'll both do fine and like the guys say take it easy.
speedaddictedberk wrote:I've said this before but...
Give it death from the moment she's on the bike. Do drag starts and wheelies when possible, skid when stopping. If you can filter stupidly fast do it.
Burnouts at the lights that turn into wheelies will also be good.
That way you can happily ride on a bike that goes and handles like it should without having to take a pillion every time you go out. If she likes it you're stuffed!
02iomtt wrote:I always tell mine not to lean into corners but instead just to go with the movement of the bike. Years ago I had one of my mates on the back and he was a right cocky know it all and he was trying to steer the bike into every corner for me which really wasn't good and you always get the odd one that sits up when you go into a corner.
As for how to hold on, I tell my pillions to put their arms round me and put their palms against the back of the tank that way I don't get headbutted so much when I'm braking and they can grab me really easy when I'm pulling away if they go a bit off balance...hope this helps.
As a pillion rider I agree there is absolutely no need to lean into corners, or anything else for that matter. Let the rider do the steering and sit back and relax. Also a good tip for the pillion to use their knees when slowing down as it stops the pillion bumping into the Rider. I'm sure you'll both do fine and like the guys say take it easy.
Thanks for that I never thought of telling my pillions to use their knees, I will in future though. Every time someone head butts me when I'm slowing I was think FFS stop it
Just a thanks for all the advice, I took her out yesterday for a few wee runs while we were doing messages and she loved it, I certainly noticed her on the back (a fact I vocalised in the wrong way in front of her ) but was a lot easier than I had thought it would be and she is that light .
Didnt do any real twisty roads though, but will do in time.
Now I just need to get her to not lean on me so much, I might sit on the back seat with her that will save my nads from the ocasional punishment (on the bike......easy now )
That's great glad you both enjoyed the run. Remeber to get her to use the knees, it won't stop her sliding into you, if you break too soon but it will help. Also if she is a bit road savvy, if she keeps her eyes on what's coming up she will be able to anticipate you slowing down.
I remember the first time I took the (soon to be) Mrs pillion as her bike was getting fixed.
It was the first time she had been on the back of an "Adventure Sport" bike and was trying to sit it up on the first few corners as she wasnt used the large arc of movement it has from sitting so high up - mind you I do like tipping her on her side. (the bike, not the Mrs)
Once she realised the bike wasnt going on its side she was fine
Don't know if this helps but here are a few anyway.
1- Tell them, dont take thier feet off pegs unless the bike is stopped, in the vertical position
2- Make sure the are wearing proper PPE.
3- make sure you pick a nice day for the first run, dry roads no fog etc...etc....
4- Make sure your insurance covers carrying a passenger.......Just in case.
5- Dont ride round town centre on the first run, plan a route thats smooth and sweeping to start off.(smoother for her and safer for you till you get use to carrying a passenger
6-work out a signaling code, i use to use the tap on leg code, 1 tap chill 2 taps hold on a bit.
7- practice riding with seamless gear changes so you dont have her falling off the back when acceleration or sticking the head on you when braking.
8-advise them to move to get comfortable on the straights not as your going round a bend, this can off balance the bike and you.
9-Make sure the trousers are leather or something that tends to stick to the seat rather than sliding around on the seat.
10-if braking and she is moving forward tell her to put hands on tank to save her pushing you onto the bars.
11- as mentioned before, comms are not a bad idea.
12-love handles are ok to.
13-remember and tell her not to carry silly items in her trouser or jacket pockets like knife of scissors or anything that can stab you in a spill and keep all pockect zipped closed or she will loose whats in them, mobile phone...etc...etc..
14-get her to wear her boots and gear around the house a couple of times before going out on the bike so she gets use to the gear.
15-make sure she has earplugs, can be noisy on bikes.(even if you dont use them at first on a decent run the wind noisy can annoy and be uncomfortable.
16 -oh remember if she wear dangly earings to take them off, i saw a nasty one years ago when a girl took her lid off .
hope this helps.
Main thing is enjoy...................