First time taking a pillion.

odd my GF will sit on the back of my bike like sitting on the sofa even at 120+ on my runway .... but she wont go over 70 when shes driving the car, she says she's scared of the speed yet as i say will sit on the back of my bike doing silly speeds and just sits there like shes watching tv on the sofa

Yeh, and if I was pillion and the rider braked as hard as the bike allows for no good reason, not only might I slide into them but they would sure as hell get a punch for it...when safe for me to do so obviously.

It's not all about whether the bike can do it or not, it's about whether it is safe to do it. Why would you brake to the limits of the bike if you could just brake earlier and smooth it all down? Common sense suggests you wouldn't.

I have been pillion a few times, before I got my licence and after, and I do enjoy it and apparently folk don't even notice I am there (in fairness, I am quite little, and most of the blokes I have pillion with have been quite ruffty tuffty big guys). Just have some agreed signals ready for both of you and take it nice and slow until you are comfortable and you will be fine.

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

Yeh, and if I was pillion and the rider braked as hard as the bike allows for no good reason, not only might I slide into them but they would sure as hell get a punch for it...when safe for me to do so obviously.

It's not all about whether the bike can do it or not, it's about whether it is safe to do it. Why would you brake to the limits of the bike if you could just brake earlier and smooth it all down? Common sense suggests you wouldn't.

I have been pillion a few times, before I got my licence and after, and I do enjoy it and apparently folk don't even notice I am there (in fairness, I am quite little, and most of the blokes I have pillion with have been quite ruffty tuffty big guys). Just have some agreed signals ready for both of you and take it nice and slow until you are comfortable and you will be fine.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound as if it's what I would do. Just gave my thoughts on "braking distance", not that he should drive like that.

When my gf is on the back, I do ride very relaxed and give plenty more space for braking, in order to do it smooth and without alarming her. It's more about cruising relaxed so we can both enjoy the ride. Plus, I don't enter corners at the same speed I would if I were alone. I just feel more responsable and couldn't live with putting her at any form of increased risk.

I'm pretty sure that if I were to push the limits and such with her on the back, she wouldn't come along the second time, and the whole point is to have both enjoy it. Going like a nutter defeats this purpose.

Btw, make sure your pillion is fully kitted. I wouldn't put pillions on my back without decent protection (which is to say, pillion protection should be better then yours at all times)

And there's one more point regarding ridding with a pillion on long distances. Sometimes, if they're new to this, they wont know to watch some of the vittals.. Things like dehydration and heat stroke can set in without them noticing anything other then fatigue. Make sure your pillion is well looked after.

Originally Posted by andreis

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound as if it's what I would do. Just gave my thoughts on "braking distance", not that he should drive like that.

When my gf is on the back, I do ride very relaxed and give plenty more space for braking, in order to do it smooth and without alarming her. It's more about cruising relaxed so we can both enjoy the ride. Plus, I don't enter corners at the same speed I would if I were alone. I just feel more responsable and couldn't live with putting her at any form of increased risk.

I'm pretty sure that if I were to push the limits and such with her on the back, she wouldn't come along the second time, and the whole point is to have both enjoy it. Going like a nutter defeats this purpose.

Btw, make sure your pillion is fully kitted. I wouldn't put pillions on my back without decent protection (which is to say, pillion protection should be better then yours at all times)

And there's one more point regarding ridding with a pillion on long distances. Sometimes, if they're new to this, they wont know to watch some of the vittals.. Things like dehydration and heat stroke can set in without them noticing anything other then fatigue. Make sure your pillion is well looked after.

Cool, I knew you weren't saying to go all out and brake as hard and as late as you could, just trying to emphasise the keeping it smooth point!

And that's a good point about pillions getting fatigued, because you do, whenever I have been pillion I have used a lot of muscles in legs, lower back and arms in order to stop me from sliding and bracing myself from braking and acceleration and such like.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

Strangly enough she really likes going on the back now so much so that a VFR might be required in a year or so. However i think ill go witht he sprint as you have to be reeeaaallllyyy old to have a VFR dont ya?

Yes Andy, cos VFRs are really slow aren't they?

To the OP, the advice already given is sound, the only extra advice I can give is that the extra weight at the rear will tend to make the bike run wider than normal in a bend. Just be prepared to give more steering input if getting a bit of a move on and possibly lean the bike more. Also beware of pegs/exhausts touching down earlier due to the suspension being squashed down more, giving less ground clearance.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Yes Andy, cos VFRs are really slow aren't they?

aye ya barsteward! you scared the fecking crap outta me!!!

Cheers for all the pointers guys, just want to be prepared as i can be before the wife gets on the back, i'd never hear the end of it if something happened. I know that the SV isn't exactly made for 2 up riding power wise but how much is performance effected two up. Just thinking about going for overtakes etc?

Originally Posted by Rob969

Cheers for all the pointers guys, just want to be prepared as i can be before the wife gets on the back, i'd never hear the end of it if something happened. I know that the SV isn't exactly made for 2 up riding power wise but how much is performance effected two up. Just thinking about going for overtakes etc?

Tbh its not the power imo, its adequate, its the suspension i found to be struggling with 2 up.
Im not a lightweight and my wife aint no kate moss waife (thankfully) so i found it really struggled sometimes.

I don't plan on doing to many trips just want to get her on and see what she thinks, i'm looking at changing bikes next year and it could help decide what bike i get next, depends if she wants to go out on the back on a regular basis or not

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

However i think ill go witht he sprint as you have to be reeeaaallllyyy old to have a VFR dont ya?

Excellant choice, how ever i sat on the pillion seat yesterday on the sprint,when it was parked to see what it was like, **** me i wouldn't get on the back for anything, it is well high, scary scary, lol