View Full Version : Passenger helmets - who should buy me or them?!?!
aalmode12
27-12-07, 09:26 PM
OK, so I want my girlfriend to ride with me as a passenger. I am kinda new still and want to start practicing with her on the back (obviously very carefully).
So she needs a helmet (law) and I would like her to have a jacket and gloves.
I ask her to buy some. She says no, I should buy them for her. She says I should have a second helmet for passengers.
What do you guys think/what did you guys do?
(silly question....it all depends on the relationship, etc. but just wondering what most riders have done....)
Gazza77
27-12-07, 09:39 PM
I borrowed some stuff from my sister so my gf could have a go pillion - they are a similar size fortunately. Once she had been out a few times and I knew she was happy to continue going pillion, I bought her some kit of her own, as I wanted to bee 100% it all fitted perfectly.
Is there anyone you could borrow some stuff from at least to give her a trial? If not, it's going to be very expensive for one of you if it turns out she doesn't like it!
ethariel
27-12-07, 09:44 PM
Bought the full kit twice in the past, iand proceeded to loose the lot, Basic kit to get her on the bike now is ok, but not an Arai and leathers again unless its ring time [-X
fizzwheel
27-12-07, 09:59 PM
Do you want to take her on the back or does she want to go of her own accord ?
If it were me I'd just take her shopping for what she needs get her to have a look round and find stuff that she likes and that fits her and then I'd pay for it.
Sounds like her hearts not really in it or she's just skint and can't afford to shell out for kit.
I want my girlfriend to ride with me as a passenger.
Do you want to take her on the back or does she want to go of her own accord ?
I think that answers it.
I would say that as I am happy to take a passenger I have a spare helmet & my spare gear for someone who wants to come. Once you have a long term relationship with someone that is going to be pillion a lot, they would normally want to have their own stuff - who pays for it depends on the relationship.
trickywoos
27-12-07, 11:23 PM
Or if u want to trial first, find a friend with gear to borrow.
StreetHawk
27-12-07, 11:50 PM
Try ebay for the clothing - I got my g/f the whole kit for £50. Brand new jacket and boots, used leather trousers and gloves but in new condition.
Just need the helmet now which i'll need her to try in a shop first. Did buy a used once Arai but it turned out to be too old (10yrs!).. Not worth the risk with helmet second hand.
ASM-Forever
28-12-07, 12:43 AM
IMO she should shell out for her own gear, unless the relationship is pretty secure(engaged/married). Assuming you are going to do it properly, it could well end up costing £500+. If she wants to share your hobby, then she shold pay for the privilege. If on the other hand you're dragging her into it, then expect to pay for it.
Personally i don't see the point on spending money on something i will never use. Maybe i'm a miser. :)
Luckily for me my g/f has absoloutely no interest in bikes, or going on the back, so its not an issue. But if if was then she would be paying!
yorkie_chris
28-12-07, 12:49 AM
Don't even think about buying her gear, get a seat cowl and a high level can instead :p
... I'm one to talk: me and Miss yorkie_chris sort of split the cost of her gear.
I still refuse to consider an intercom
Don't even think about buying her gear, get a seat cowl and a high level can instead :p
Bang on the money there.
I'll requote my mate Grumpy Steve:
"If the woman wants to ride, tell her to get her own bike"
I have been in a similar situation lately. I ride with my gf as a pillion and in the past 2 years we have both paied for some of her gear. Some was bought as a present others she bought them cause she needed it.
The question I wanna ask is WHY she doesn't wanna pay for it........the answer might be something you are missing out of your decision making process ;)
If she's just skint then fair enough - offer to buy her some basic gear and she can pay you back later on. If she doesn't wanna pay because she sees it as your responsibility to buy gear for your "passengers" then ask yourself how many helmets will you buy for your other passengers to come?
If it's the later then tell her to F off and get yourself a fellow biker as a pillion!
Luckypants
28-12-07, 09:16 AM
If it's the later then tell her to F off and get yourself a fellow biker as a pillion!
He! He! Tell it like it is!
FWIW I agree with the if she wants to come, tell her to get her own gear - if you invite her out, you need to get some decent gear for her.
However, if your plan is to be able to take pillions whenever you like, then you will need to invest in some gear. I have two spare sets of leathers of different sizes, gloves, boots and helmet. Most of it is 'old' gear that I've hung on to in order to be able to take folks on the bike in (relative) safety. Lately was a friend of a neighbour who had not been pillion for 10 years, she loved it. Having my own pillion gear means I am able to give friends a lift / ride should I want to.
If she has already stated she isn't going to help buy any gear then spend the money on the bike instead. She obviously isn't that interested in riding pillion.
ArtyLady
28-12-07, 10:44 AM
"If the woman wants to ride, tell her to get her own bike"
You beat me to it Lozzo, although I would say it slightly differently - to her...
If you cant beat 'em, join em - its so much more fun - and you can see where you are going! :cool:
having said that I went pillion for 30ish years, but always had and paid for my own kit...but only because I wanted to be on the back whenever possible :D
He! He! Tell it like it is!
:) You know I do speak of my mind in the most truthful and blunt way......remember old geezer on plastic automatic bike on our Lakes trip? :D :D
having said that I went pillion for 30ish years, but always had and paid for my own kit...but only because I wanted to be on the back whenever possible :D
I think the word in bold says it all really! If she wants to join you and be part of your life that is.....
-Ralph-
28-12-07, 12:43 PM
Is there anyone you could borrow some stuff from at least to give her a trial? If not, it's going to be very expensive for one of you if it turns out she doesn't like it!
+1, where are you? Maybe someone on here could lend you a lid and a jacket to give her a trial run. She might get on the bike once and refuse ever to go near it again.
Saying that you should have a spare lid for passengers doesn't really wash unless your gonna buy three different sizes. My wife has all the gear but I can generally only take women on pillion using her gear as it's too small for most blokes.
sv-robo
28-12-07, 04:11 PM
+. My wife has all the gear but I can generally only take women on pillion using her gear as it's too small for most blokes.
hmmmm :-k;)
aalmode12
28-12-07, 06:58 PM
Hmmmmmmm....very interesting.
Well, ok, I want her to ride with me and she says she would. Its ME doing the asking. OK....then I guess I will buy her gear, but its not gonna be HERS obviously. It will be for any other person I want who will fit in it.
Now, I live in Washington, DC. I have been riding for a year and don't really do any "extreme riding" yet. I just use a helmet, jacket, and gloves. I wear jeans and a some high ankle basketball shoes.
I want her to have at least that much protection. You guys are talking about full kits, leather pants, etc... Her safety is more important than mine to a degree - is what I am thinking sufficient, or you guys really recommend a full leather suit??? I am not racing down any tracks or streets!!!!
yorkie_chris
28-12-07, 07:01 PM
Get some 2 piece leathers or textiles for her, at the very least some draggin jeans or similar.
I've fallen off in jeans, trust me when I say it really really hurts!
Also get some proper boots on, you don't need the latest SIDI titanium this kevlar that, but something beefy (or indeed leathery) Army boots are great. Trainers won't do a right lot for you.
You don't have to spend a fortune, I found my girl a set of zip together leathers for about £50, that and a new, ACU rated lid and its sorted.
maultin
28-12-07, 07:02 PM
sounds like she doesnt want to get on the bike to me (IMO)
next time you go out, make a big deal of it & leave her behind
Buy yourself some new stuff and lend her your old stuff...
Pedrosa
28-12-07, 07:41 PM
You should be glad that the lady wants to participate in your hobby. Buy her a bloody helmet and stop being a tight wad. There are enough of those around here already!:rolleyes:
If she wants to ride with you, I can't see why she can't buy her own gear, or at the very most you could help with part of the cost.
When I started riding pillion with the ex, I bought all my own gear. Made it easier when we split as I left with ALL my gear.:D
Mousetrapper
30-12-07, 05:24 PM
Buy the gear for her under the condition she has no right to complain when you take the sexy barmaid down the road out for a quick 'ride'.
Fizzy Fish
30-12-07, 05:38 PM
Not sure you can really expect her to fork out for gear if she's never been on the back of a bike and therefore has no idea if she's gonna like it!
Best bet is to give her some basics (lid, gloves, jacket and pref boots) to use as a temporary thing - either old stuff of your own, or borrow from someone else. TBH a spare lid/gloves always come in handy anyway. If she does like it and decides to come out with you more often, I'd suggest that you shop around for some decent gear that she likes and fits her properly.
As for who pays, well that depends a bit on how minted each of you are, but it's only fair that whoever bought it gets to keep the gear in the event of a split. If it was you, you could always sell it on ebay, or give it to the new girlfriend?!
-Ralph-
30-12-07, 09:20 PM
or give it to the new girlfriend?!
Yep, sure that would go down a treat! ;)
Remember if you buy her a diamond get that off her and give that to the new girlfriend too. Could be quite an investment, just keep it changing hands until you find "the one", then you don't need to fork out for an engagement ring. :p
Hmm I dunno. I nicked my Dad's bash hat and gave her mine, wore my dads jacket and gave her mine, let her wear my summer gloves (pfffft.. i bought winter gloves *I'm* wearing them) and she was well chuffed. But she asked to come out. If I asked someone to come out with me, I'd expect to give them all the gear.
I must say, I could get used to having a girls arms wrapped round me like that.. :)
-Ralph-
31-12-07, 01:12 PM
I must say, I could get used to having a girls arms wrapped round me like that.. :)
The novelty wears off if you take her out too much, then you end up fitting a seat cowl and telling her you threw the pillion seat away.
I do like taking my wife out, but if you hit your favorite set of twisties you end up wanting to drop her off, go do the twisties, then go do it backwards and pick her up again. I've just never had the guts to stop and say "errm, would you mind just waiting here on this grass verge for ten minutes? I'll be back!"
shonadoll
31-12-07, 01:16 PM
The novelty wears off if you take her out too much, then you end up fitting a seat cowl and telling her you threw the pillion seat away.
I do like taking my wife out, but if you hit your favorite set of twisties you end up wanting to drop her off, go do the twisties, then go do it backwards and pick her up again. I've just never had the guts to stop and say "errm, would you mind just waiting here on this grass verge for ten minutes? I'll be back!"
Hahah!:thumleft:
OK, so I want my girlfriend to ride with me as a passenger. I am kinda new still and want to start practicing with her on the back (obviously very carefully).
So she needs a helmet (law) and I would like her to have a jacket and gloves.
I ask her to buy some. She says no, I should buy them for her. She says I should have a second helmet for passengers.
What do you guys think/what did you guys do?
(silly question....it all depends on the relationship, etc. but just wondering what most riders have done....)
Try and borrow some gear that you know has been looked after first of all. If she likes the experience then what on earth is wrong with going 50/50 with the costs?
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