First time taking a pillion.

Been riding now for just over a year and now feel more than confident enough to take a pillion, apart from the obvious of taking it easy has anyone got any tips for when someones on the back. I know the rear shock is pretty useless and i'll be winding up the preload to max (its already on 5 of 7) but any other hints or tips will be very useful.
Thanks

dont snap the throttle back it will wheelie lol, and expect some banging of helmets, specially if its the pillions first time on the back, the bike will also be slower compared to normal so take things a bit easy, the bike will turn slower as the geometry changes ohh and on stock springs the bike will feel very wallowy

one of the most important things to remember is to be smooth - brakes, acceleration, gears, position.........also a relaxed passenger is safer for the rider.

[maviczap]

Keep it smooooooooth

[mikerj]

Check your insurance to see if you are covered for pillions!

The actions of the pillion have a massive effect on the bike, if you have someone nervous who keeps trying to straighten the bike up when cornering you will have a job controlling the bike.

Originally Posted by mikerj

Check your insurance to see if you are covered for pillions!

The actions of the pillion have a massive effect on the bike, if you have someone nervous who keeps trying to straighten the bike up when cornering you will have a job controlling the bike.

agreed, and its usually pillions that are riders as well that cause the problems

On my first pillion ride my mate told me to pat his front a couple times if I needed him to pull over for any reason.

Tell your pillion to sit still, ie no shuffling about when moving, and to lean with the bike, and could also tell them to watch ahead and anticipate what your going to do, ie needing to brake so pillion would brace themselves ect.

use the rear brake as well if you dont allready, helps stop the front diving, especially when stopping.

Originally Posted by martin15s

one of the most important things to remember is to be smooth - brakes, acceleration, gears, position.........also a relaxed passenger is safer for the rider.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Keep it smooooooooth

Originally Posted by bluefishman

use the rear brake as well if you dont allready, helps stop the front diving, especially when stopping.

All good tips, regular stops and maybe autocom so they can tell you if they need to shuffle.
Smoothness is the key though, gentle acceleration and braking stops the pillion falling off the back and headbutting you on braking