do you like passengers
 

i really like taking my friends

Re: do you like passengers
 

I thought there was nothing better than going for a blast on your own - but it turns out I was wrong, I actually really enjoy going for a ride with my wife on the back.

I think it is something to do with the having someone to share the buzz and excitement with.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Same here. In days gone by pillions are just fun spoilers. Now a days though, I enjoy MrsApe riding pillion almost as much as I enjoy riding solo. Notice the almost.

If I were on the Deauville the I would actually prefer having Jo on the back. Makes riding the Deauville almost worth while. :lol:

Re: do you like passengers
 

Never taken a pillion, may try and find someone foolish enough to put their life in my hands this summer!

Re: do you like passengers
 

Let's not get carried away here !! :p :D

Re: do you like passengers
 

Really, you sure that it just doesn't give you a very good excuse for having it in the first place :D




To be fair, I know I could get my Mrs on the back if I had something like a Dullsville too..... (But maybe that's why I don't have one)

Re: do you like passengers
 

Yick, absolutely hate it.

But then I'm teeny and weigh less than your average sparrow - so 99% of pillions are going to be bigger and heavier than me...

... which is just going to really mess up the dynamics of the bike. ;)

Ahh, the joys of an insurance discount for saying you'll never take a pillion. :twisted:

Re: do you like passengers
 

I'll tell you later. Today is D-Day for me n the good lady - first time out together.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Depends on the mood & the reason for pillion.

If I'm taking a pillion just to get them from point A to point B. Sod that, they can use a car, or walk! My bike is no taxi!

If I fancy a jolly up in the hills with someone, well, mood dependant. If I'm in the mood for a sharp blast, pillions are bad. If I'm in the mood for a bimble, hop aboard!

Re: do you like passengers
 

No not really. As a shortie I'm never both feet steady down. Have done it tho, but prefer not too.

Re: do you like passengers
 

took a pillion for the first time about 2 weeks ago - my only pillion ever in fact. she's small and light which was a good introduction!

the main difference i found from solo riding was the braking - i know its meant to be worse but it REALLY was. it wasn't helped by the fact she preferred to hold onto me rather than the grab rail because it puts an incredible amount of weight through your wrists when braking with a pillion leaning on you! we tried some of those handle things that strap round you after that, much much better.

other than that, the only thing i did differently was to put both feet down when coming to a stop - just for safety more than anything, i could probably have done it with 1 foot but for future, heavier, pillions, perhaps 2 is better!

Re: do you like passengers
 

i like the extra weight through corners, makes the bike a bit more planted. Nothing worse than a pillion who can't keep still -especially when filtering!

Re: do you like passengers
 

But surely, if you took a pillion who was heavy enough they'd squish that ol' BMW suspension down far enough for you to get both feet on t'ground.:p

Re: do you like passengers
 

Thats true to some extent except the front gets real squirrely if you dont rack the back up to compensate.
Oh and that I say no to big 'uns :p

Re: do you like passengers
 

Really?
I pretty sure it made bugger all difference to me. 10 quid or something.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Which is probably about 10% of K's premium :lol:

Re: do you like passengers
 

No way, not confident enough to be that responsible for someone else! Also being a more shall we say "mature" girlie (well just plain old:rolleyes: ), Im just strong enough to be fine on my own. My Son sat on the back once at home in the garden for about 2 seconds just so I could see what it felt like - I soon turfed him off!!

Re: do you like passengers
 

Heh heh - yeah, not far off.:rolleyes:

Girls or boys?:smt047

Re: do you like passengers
 

i agree it felt really stable when i had a passenger on the back and was riding back roads

Re: do you like passengers
 

Part of the reason i got the SV was because it had more pillion comfort than the VFR's I had in mind. I really like taking maria pillion, its good to share and its almost like she isnt there as she is very good at keeping still.

I dont like, on the other hand, taking my dad pillion. He holds onto the grab-rail and everything feels top heavy and wobbly, and I can feel him lean too much into corners (like he's almost riding himself!)

But I'll do it if I have too!

On the whole, I like taking anyone pillion. I'm trying to get my twin to agreen to come on the back, but he;s reluctant!

Matt

Re: do you like passengers
 

No not personally, though I dont mind being pillion. I feel really wobbly and unsafe with someone sat on the back...I think its a lot to do with weight & height....

I had my bike modded to a single seater so this eliminates the taking pillion issue entirely.

Re: do you like passengers
 

I don't mind it when I'm, going along, I had a good pillion for a bit and she was 'invisible'. But low speed stuff I'm not keen on with a pillion.

K, big girls and especially big boys :smt103 :p

Re: do you like passengers
 

no.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Mama she tell MR.HRC to put plastic seat on my bike so no passenger can coming for ride. She not wanting Brolly Dolly lady take advantage of her little boy.:rolleyes:

Re: do you like passengers
 

Well, just got back in from my first ever two up ride - and also the pillions first time out (the good wife to be).

I really can't grumble. Bit wobbly on very slow manouvers as I'm not the longest legged person, and she ain't the tiniest person. n the whole though it was great.

Dropped into Squires for a brew then out and about ending up stopping for icecream at Newmiller Dam.
Think we've just found a new hobby :-D

Re: do you like passengers
 

pmapp - thats what I like about taking my girlfreind out, its something we can share together. I like going places, stopping off and looking at the scenery together. Somehow, although you can do it in a car, you dont feel like doing it in a car. On a bike it all just feels better!

As for slow manouvers, that'll come with practice since you'll become better with the controls. Genrally, more revs. I find that this helps balance the bike alot.

Matt

Re: do you like passengers
 

I prefer being on my own most of the time. but fun from time to time to have a pillion. Intercom makes a big difference, we can chat away if we like, and I can tell her to stop moving about too. :roll:

Re: do you like passengers
 

Not really that keen on taking passengers although my 13 year old and bike mad godson usually persuades me to take him.

But I like being a passenger myself, especially if whoever's at the controls knows what they're doing - you get all the fun with none of the responsibility.

Re: do you like passengers
 

then there again that is how i have found the last two women i am with because i have a bike

Re: do you like passengers
 

I like taking passengers, obviously it does change the way your bike goes and handles, but it needn't be bad, and it's fun too.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Nah, not by choice but would do it to help a mate out. Used to take mrs T on my bandit but didn't like it much. Iused to get all wobbly when pulling up at lights etc. Both have bikes now and it suits us both. Don't have a rear seat or pegs on my trumpet :cool:

Re: do you like passengers
 

i don't mind at at all, both my daughters and Bev come on the bike, it's much better on the t'cat than the sv though, the bikes heavier and the seat is better shaped.

Daryl.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Just had the same experience this morning - my fiancee (still sounds weird that!) has always said she'd never go on the back of a bike because it's dangerous and scary.

Over a couple of months I've persuaded her to at least try it once - I think buying her a flowery Rossi-design lid helped!

Anyway, this morning we tried it - although I made her meet me in B&Q car park in case I binned it the moment she got on - I didn't want to do it in front of the neighbours.

Ten miles later, she was off the back and in the car, and we were off to Hein Gericke to see if we could get her a pair of textile pants to match her jacket as I said I wasn't happy to go much further without her having full gear. The only ones HG had were £200, so we decided to go without and look on eBay instead - but the bug has bitten, slightly... just got to persuade her to take her test now too!

Re: do you like passengers
 

I took my mate for the first time on the SV the other day, was a bit nervous with it being a first on the bike but more confident now I've got the lower seat cos I'm a short ass. Bike felt crap round slow corner but fast ones were fine, and up a steep hill I actually had to drop down to find pulling power which I was surprised about. He enjoyed it though as he's never been on a twin with that sound its a good experience.

Taking the missus out for her first time tomorrow which will be nice, for those who haven't done pillion riding I found the pillion section on this site was well written and asked the missus to read it.

http://www.survivalskills.clara.net/rskills.htm

Re: do you like passengers
 

Yeah and his big trick is to take passengers on their OWN bike :P

The key phrase to look out for is "Yeah, come round for a cuppa, but it will have to be quick I am going out soon after......"

Mind you, despite it being my 1st pillion ride - it was fun :)

If Sid Squid ever offers to take you pillion, say yes - its like being in one of those YouTube videos :)

David

Re: do you like passengers
 

Now for my proper post to this thread :)

Yes I DO like passengers - had 3 on my bike, and as above, been one myself on it.

Passengers have ranged from Vixis (Mrs Soulkiss) who just did 600 miles to Aberdeen, only falling asleep twice, (and is currently suiting up to do the 600 miles back from Aberdeen) a mate of mine who is 6'+ and my mate John who only has the use of one arm due to a previous bike accident.

David

Re: do you like passengers
 

at the same time!!?? :o;)

Re: do you like passengers
 

I guess that depends on what you drive. I love taken the ST out for a sunny ride with the Mrs, in fact, we've just got back in from Longleat :driving:

.

Re: do you like passengers
 

Depends on the bike really. On teh bigger more comfy bikes I don't mind taking pillions but some bikes are not very pillion friendly (Z1000 for instance).

Re: do you like passengers
 

Well- I've only taken a passenger once- my bro down the road to pick a scooter up (his bike's sick)- was quite nervous, but it wasn't too bad. He's about my weight and the only time I was less confident was when the bike was stopped...

Though I am trying to pull a skinny bird at the moment- go figure... :D