Passenger tips?

[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???

Originally Posted by 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???

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!

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

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.

Originally Posted by 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???

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.