Re: Im a newbie!
 

Oh she knows me too well!

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Hide the bike keys. :smt116

Welcome to this place we like to call home, erm, the madhouse.

Like other said, don't move when bike is moving slow, brace yourself against the tank (squashed privates during hard braking isn't the fuzziest feeling in the world), and most important, don't "adjust" the mirrors to check your make-up. HTH.

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Ahoy! :D

Re: Im a newbie!
 

I am also a pillion only on my boyfriends bike (alpinestarhero) and I dont have much to add to the tips everyone mentioned above! However I do agree strongly with what Lissa said; do find a position that is comfty for you, and do find some sort of code to communicate. If I want to get off the bike/want matt to pull over/need the loo, I just jab him really hard in the side until he nods and acknowledges my request :D

Going around corners does take some getting used to, but you will not drop off. Just relax and lean with the rider :) (I personally think cornering is really fun and love it the more it leans!). bear in mind though, that if you try and resist leaning (i.e. try and stay upright or lean the opposite way), there is more chance of you dropping off because the rider has to work harder because the bike ends up being more unstable and heavy.

You'll be super-duper once you've got used to bike :D

Maria

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Best advice.....forget being a pillion, learn how to ride yourself and you'll never want to be a pillion again:D

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Think I remember being told it's like being a sack of spuds, just sit there and go with it rather than actively leaning as such. Agree with the good tips so far, but especially on the importance of:

a) Looking where you are going when on a swift ride in order to brace for braking or acceleration.

b) When beginning it may intially be better to hold the rider. I find this works for 2 reasons; firstly, it makes you more a part if the 'unit' of the bike rather than perched over the back wheel. This makes it easier to get used to the motion. Secondly, it makes it easier/less disruptive for the rider until you are more comfortable.

An additional point related to where you hold on only came up recently, even though I've been taking pillions for years as my mates always pester me to take them away from uni for a day trip to the Lakes. With my gf recently, she was getting really travel sick. After making sure she was watching where we were going I told her to hold on to me not the grab rail. Cured it in a jiffy, as she became one with me and the bike, whereas previously she'd been on her own personal rollercoaster.

Hope it helps, and enjoy!

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Welcome and sit still;)

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Welcome!

Again, what a lot of users have said - learn to ride! I started off as pillion, and as much as I enjoyed it, I wanted to be in control. Mr Lou and I have some brill ride outs, and the best bit is getting home, sitting in the garden with a beer with the bikes pinging away at the side of us. We have a good chin wag about the day and what we saw, what car did what etc.

Hate going pillion now, and hate taking pillions, I get too worried about them.

Lou x

PS, do you have a first name?

Re: Im a newbie!
 

Hey,
sorry its been ages! It's a constant battle with Mr24_7 to get on the damned computer!! Its like he's surgically attached to it!
My first name is Kate.
I would like to have a bike of my own and learn to ride but it looks too intimidating! And bikes are soooo heavy. x

Re: Im a newbie!
 

I have spent a little more time on the bike lately and feel im slowly getting used to it! Don't feel quite so scared now and the screaming has stopped!! Being a driver I find it hard to relax and just enjoy the scenary, i find myself watching the road and atticipating dangers etc! I know I should just relax and let Phil do the driving, but leavng a man in control is nerveracking!!