Passenger tips?

[aalmode12]

Hey guys,

So I rode with my first passenger tonight. Do you guys have any advice to tell my passenger???

I feel like she leans too much weight on me. Should she sit straight, or should she lean forward? Should she scoot forward or be towards the back?

Thanks!

:eek:

[ThEGr33k]

Whatever feels best for you both tbh. When you are going quick maybe crouch behind you. Try not to put weight on you. Sit up when you are cruising. make sure they hold on and dont kick you in the back of the legs :p

Dont know what else really... Lean in with the rider, makes the work easier.

[petevtwin650]

She should be constantly monitoring her position as you no doubt move around the bike too. Depends on what you both are comfortable with. I like Lissa tucked in close behind, spooning if you will :), but when a twisty bit comes up she slides slightly back and gives me room to move.:cool:

Also if she needs to stretch her legs or stand up on the pegs for a minute make sure she knows that it can unsettle the bike and to choose her moment carefully.

You in turn must be as smooth as possible with the throttle and brakes. Maybe using lowers gears to help with engine braking and more rear brake too to avoid the dreaded helmet clash. Make her feel confident and reassured and she will relax and enjoy the ride more.

[fizzwheel]

Sit still, shut up and hang on.

[Lozzo]

Tell the woman to get her own bike.

[mister c]

I always tell my pillions to sit like a bag of spuds, let me do the work & dont be afraid when I lean into a corner, the bike wont fall over.
I haven't had any complaints yet :)

[STRAMASHER]

I hate having to tell them to stop screaming.:wink:

[yorkie_chris]

Sit still, shut up and hang on.

+1

[lookskyward1]

The bag of tatties system always works for me. You have to ride smoothly and anticipate slowing down earlier so you don't get head butted from behind, don't accellerate too aggressivly and you will both be fine.

The weight of your passenger can have a detrimental effect on the bikes handling, you may well have to think about increasing the preload on your rear shock if you feel the front end wallowing.

Over the years i have found the best bit of kit for a pillion passenger is a belt with handles that you wear and they hang onto. http://www.pillionpal.com/pillion/pillion.htm

The belt allows you to move around on the bike while letting the passenger relax without giving you the death grip around your waist or contorting their arms around tho the pillion handle.

[southy1978]

I used to tell pillions if i was going round a left bend to try and look over my left shoulder and right shoulder for right bends. Now i've removed the pillion pegs and seat i just tell them where the bus stop is, best option of all :p

[dizzyblonde]

I've always been told to sit like a bag o spuds. I just sit and watch the world go by and enjoy the view.


However I've never taken a pillion on any of the 4 yrs I've been riding, so what are the tips for the rider???

[muffles]

I've always been told to sit like a bag o spuds. I just sit and watch the world go by and enjoy the view.


However I've never taken a pillion on any of the 4 yrs I've been riding, so what are the tips for the rider???

I just leave more time to do everything, braking, accelerating, cornering. It seems to make the bike really sluggish, if you will. And make sure the pillion does not move unless you know about it and ideally have your feet down.

In answer to the OPs question, is it under braking that you feel the weight? Because that is the area I found the worst - it must magnify the weight on my wrists by 5x at least!

[Lozzo]

However I've never taken a pillion on any of the 4 yrs I've been riding, so what are the tips for the rider???

Show them the bus stop and chuck them a couple of quid towards the fare.

[empty]

I've always been told to sit like a bag o spuds. I just sit and watch the world go by and enjoy the view.


However I've never taken a pillion on any of the 4 yrs I've been riding, so what are the tips for the rider???

Simple really, explain to your pillion how and when to get on and off, be smooth with all of your controls, and take your time. Gripper mat on the pillion seat will stop them sliding around which will benefit both of you. If you have the C spanner for the suspension with you, wind the preload up a bit, the SV has pretty soft rear suspension so if your pillion is even average weight, you are going to run out of rear suspension travel pretty quickly, which makes bumps somewhat uncomfortable. The first few yards will feel totally alien, it gets better once you are moving properly. And be prepared for your arms to ache, some pillions will brace themselves on the tank while braking, but don't expect it. Take it relatively slow until you are both used to it. I really enjoy having the missus on the back, admittedly the GSX is so heavy that the extra weight makes almost no difference (and it's not like she's particularly heavy anyway) and we have fun riding around, it's a different experience to riding alone.

MT

[Seggons]

The way I'd sum it up is everything takes double the time to complete. Acceleration takes longer so don't make the mistake of going for gaps you can normally achieve.

For braking I'm not normally one for using them that often, I plan far enough ahead for the powerful V-Twin engine brake to take care of it which is great for when your 2-up. The last thing you want to do with someone on the back is keep grabbing handfuls of brake.

The leaning part was the biggest surprise because the SV is so easy to throw around when solo. As soon as you have more weight over the rear it's not quite as agile as what it was, so don't try and straight line roundabouts too quickly.

Low speed riding (1 - 10 mph) when approaching a roundabout is something hard to master I find. All small adjustments on the bar seems to be delayed when there's 2 of you. So what you find is you end up countering the counter steer.

This is what I've learnt in the couple of times I've gone 2-up with my brother.

[cornishrider]

I find it alot easier on my wrists if my passanger braces against the tank under braking. And also if they look over the shoulder of the corner we are going round. Just experiment with different holding on and bracing places.

[muffles]

Oh I have those pillion pal grips mentioned earlier btw, it *really* reduced the amount of weight the pillion puts on you under braking - they're only £10 or so, so recommended!

[ASM-Forever]

I HATE taking pillions. It ruins the ride completely for me.

[pencil shavings]

What I always tell my pillions 1) dont try and steer the bike with your body. 2) dont lean against the bike in the corner. 3) lean with the bike but not trying to steer it.

thats about it really, a pillion sitting stiff on the back ive always found to be counter productive. you dont sit stiff in the saddle, so why would that help your pillion?

for the rider, take your time, you are now also responcible for someone else. acceleration is slower, brakeing takes longer. but ive found with a pillion that listens to your instructions, cornering is fine.

Ive ridden with lots of pillions and done lots of miles with them, if they do this then ridding with them is fine :)

[yorkie_chris]

Be a sack of spuds, basically luggage that attatches itself. It's not the pillions job to ride the bike.

[mister c]

Would have to say that Pillionpals are the best & cheapest invention for pillion passengers.
I remember seeing them advertised when they 1st came out by, i think, performance bikes mag. Those prats, as normal, were pulling wheelies, stoppies & all manner of idiotic things 2 up using a pillionpal, they said it was far safer than using the grab rails on the bike, so I bought 1 - still got it as well :)
My ex wife used to ride pillion & she said the same. It is more natural to sit on the back of the bike with your hands in front of you, than reaching behind for the grab rail. Sorry went off topic slightly there, as a rider, just basically remember there is someone else on the bike with you, so as has been said before, ride smoothly & more progressively, no snatching at throttles, brakes or gears.
Also, just a quick point, ride to the pillions capabillities. The number of stories I have heard from CBT students that go something like "Well I went on the back of my mate & he scared the cr@p out of me". All I can say is.... It isn't big & it isn't clever, the more people that enjoy biking & take up riding, the better I say :cool:

[aalmode12]

Thanks guys. (some of you are....um, hilarious).

I understand its more fun to not have a passenger, but I want to develop the skills to ride well with one.

Anyways, the thing that I was most concerned about (now that I have read the replies and thought about it) was the weight on my back and arms. Oh...and her legs squeezing my waist....damn girl, get off me!

Is it okay (safe) to tell her to sit upright and sit back a bit? Or should a passenger be close on my back?

I am sure more practice will help us figure this out....but just wanted some opinions...

Thanks!

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah sit wherever she want's, a human backpack isn't good though as thats what puts a lot of weight on your arms. You also need to grip the tank a little harder and let your stomach muscles take the weight

[Alpinestarhero]

I cant say what she should do, but I'll tell you what me and maria have worked out:

1) she dosnt get on or off the bike until I say so. This is very important!!!

2) when she is on the bike, her arms go around me; never on the grab rail. My dad held onto the grab rail when I took him on the back, I hated it.

3) the advantage of her holding around me is that she can push against the tank underbraking. This is better for her and me, since she dosnt push against me, and better for weight distrubution aswell.

4) when we go left, she looks over my left shoulder

5) when we go right, she looks over my right shoulder

Points 4 and 5 ensure she leans with the bike, and not against it, ensuring that although the handling is heavier, its not drasticly differant - still that amazing, awesome planted feel you get from the SV.

For yourself, remember everything needs a bit more effort - turning, braking, and you need to give yourself a bit more time for everything.

Have fun!

Matt

[philbut]

I guess just experement a bit and see how it works for you and them. i much prefer my missiz to hold the grab rail and brace with her arms rather than put weight on me (or crush my crown jewels on the tank if she isn't expecting me to break) but we are both very used to riding together and she trusts me. She sits quite happily leant over at 120 and doesn't bat an eyelid. New pillions will probably feel better holding onto you - just make sure they know to use the grab rail or tank under heavy breaking unless you fancy being winded - From experience it's not what you want!!! I've never found having a pillion lean back upsets the bike, its when they decide to shift their ar*e mid corner that causes an issue. So long as they can sit still, I think just let em sit how they feel most comfortable.

[Girth]

Tell the woman to get her own bike.


:p

[-Ralph-]

Sag of spuds theory is spot on for me. The best pillion is a relaxed one (except my mother who is so relaxed she gets bored and fidgets, shifts in the seat, digs about in pockets and generally drives me nuts). Some of the best rides I've done with my wife on the back is late at night when she's fallen asleep!

I tell new pillions "Relax, forget anything you've heard about leaning in the past and do whatever comes naturally, if there's a problem we'll stop at the side of the road and fix it!".

90% of the time theres no need to stop. Natural balance and centrifugal force keeps them non-intrusive. If pillions start conciously leaning on purpose they'll get the lean wrong and they'll stiffen up as they think about what their muscles are doing too.

[Ed]

I like being a passenger, all the fun with no responsibility.

When I take a passenger - usual advice is not to fidget, not to put feet down, and lean with me - pretty well what others have said.

[$tevo]

My worst passenger - my mate, been riding 30 years, who thinks he knows best when to lean over - he nearly had us off at one junction when he unexpectedly pre-empted a turn, I had to give the bike beans and go for it just to keep us from making me look like an idiot :D

As has been said, the sack of spuds method is the best, tell your passenger to relax and go with the bike - human tail pack mode

[gettin2dizzy]

I get them to give me a tap at the lights to say they're ready to go. That way they can relax at red lights.

Make sure they don't lean on you; your arms will be knackered in no time.

[plowsie]

Hard braking I've always told my pillions to lean back, seems to give grip under braking. Acceleration, lean forward through it, Expect a gear change*...Keep looking over my shoulders as we're through corner, right bend right shoulder, vice versa, this ensures they are leaning for ya.

*This comes with time and knowing of the rider, me and my mate got it down to a nack after about 6 rides, me and my missus after one. The acceleration and braking thing can be forgot about after time because they do it without knowing. Me and the missus pulled outta my street when she came on and she clanged helmets with me, i pulled over and said, all the stuff i have told you, the aim of the game also is not to clang helmets.

[lily]

I sit with one hand on the grab rail and one hand round drew, sitting up, when we are in slow built up areas...ready for when he breaks to put my hand on the tank to brace myself so that I don't put my weight on him.

When we are going at speed I hold onto drew with both hands and just go the way the bike goes. Also means if he suddenly has to slow I can brace myself with both hands on the tank. Only been on the bike a few times (started in January). But I've changed the way I sit since then, use to sit as far to the back of the seat as I could, I now sit as near to drew as I can but still giving him room to move.

It just depends on what you are comfortable on and will take time to get use to.

Just make sure they don't move as when I first was on the bike I got uncomfortable and moved my bum on the seat. It earned me a slap on my leg at the next junction!!! (I haven't done that since- well while moving anyway, now wait till we are at a junction with drew's feet firmly on the floor). :eek:

[Gazza77]

Two best bits of kit I've bought for a pillion to use are a pair of love handles (questionable whether I needed more :rolleyes:) and especially a Triboseat cover. The triboseat stops the pillion sliding forward when you brake or a going down steep hills and in my opinion was well worth the money. For less than £30 in total, they transform riding two up.

[sv-robo]

Most folk seem to scared to get on the back of me............don't know why,lol;)

[missyburd]

I started off on the back of YC with one hand on gripped firmly on the grab rail and the other round him but after a couple of long rides have experimented a wee bit with what I find most comfortable. Went from one hand on the grab rail to two (which did my wrists in) and now just sit with them in my lap occasionally one hand on YC if need be. Means I can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride :D

I like to see where we're going so I tend to look over both YC's shoulders, that way I can tell when he needs to brake either suddenly (where I'll being my hands forward and use the tank) or otherwise (where I might use the grab rail or just sit back a bit). Can also tell when he's going to speed up and crouch down behind him. Mainly to use him as a wind-breaker and thus stop my head from being knocked off ;)

I wait for him to tell me when to get on and off, seems to work perfick, no complaints as yet :p

P.S. I love being a pillion, tis just like dancing with your hips :lol:

[Tomtoms]

With breaking, get the pillion to take some of their weight by putting a hand on the tank. works for me and doesnt make your wrist and forearms ache like hell!!

[yorkie_chris]

Mainly to use him as a wind-breaker

And as a surfboard when daftc###t here bins it...

[ocr_sv]

i'd pretty much has pillions soon as i learnt to ride, bearing in mind it was always the girlfriend who is of a light build, and my mate who is like 4 foot f**k all, but i never found any problems, and felt totally at home with it, and so felling quite confident with the whole thing give a mate from work a lift home and oh my god, it was the hardest riding i've ever done, he was soooo heavy and just would not stop moving around

waffling really, but mainly need to be aware that all pillions will be different