Portsmouth to Liverpool with 1st time pillion

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Elky

Sshhhhh, dont say things like that, haha.

My Mrs can quite happily sleep @ 70mph on the Motorway.

She usually wakes up if I get too near license loosing speeds (while taking avoiding action due to the cnut in the BMW occifer)

Will I use much more fuel with 2 of us on the bike?

Originally Posted by Elky

Will I use much more fuel with 2 of us on the bike?

Nah, you're doing a motorway run. So keep to sensible speeds, and you'll probably use less fuel.

There's no real additional drag increase as you're sat in front of her, and the weight only comes into play if you're changing speed a lot - which on a motorway, you generally won't do that much.

Main advice is get some practice in first, you both don't want to have to do 250 miles on your first ever pillion experience!!!

Best person to speak to is Lissa, PM her, as she is a member of this site that rides pillion everywhere!

Originally Posted by Baph

Arrange a system for stops and turns etc. For example, she hits your shoulder to say "turn here" and digs you in the ribs to say "stop you fool, I need a pee and I don't think you want a wet back!"

Plus

Agree that she won't get on/off untill you nod your head

Let her know if she needs to wiggle about to get comfy to do it when the bike is moving and not when you slow down/stop.

Don't accelerate or brake hard - its knackering for the pillion - been there & done that.

Love handles are a good idea or you'll have her clamped around you like a limpet for 400 miles.

Originally Posted by Elky

Will I use much more fuel with 2 of us on the bike?

Warning, your missus will take any real or perceived MPG loss as a direct comment on her weight However you phrase this question it will be interpreted as "the missus is a bit of a porker, the MPG will be shot to hell won't it?"

Oh, similarly when adjusting the preload, best just not to say anything unless it comes out as "just stiffening the suspension dear, on account of the extra lard".

Hahaha. Well she's def not a porker thats for sure!

I take it its pretty easy to adjust the suspension?

Got to find jacket and jeans yet as well actually!

Rear suspension adjustment should be easy but you may strip a few knuckles as it can be a bit fiddly to reach. You can do it ok with the supplied toolkit but a c-spanner ratchet attachment thingy makes it so much easier.

As people have mentioned,take her for a few little trips out first,that way she gets use to being on the back and you get used to the differant feel of the bike having a passenger on the back ie,the bike will feel a little more sluggish with the extra weight + handling will be a bit more restricted....cornering etc.