Any one for a ride ?

Passed my test 7 months ago and have built up enough experience / courage to consider inviting a pillion to take the plunge. Had plaenty of requests but always turned em down to date....after considering their welfare and my bikes current good looks.
For those who take a pillion - how different does it feel to solo riding ? and what should I look for. Any hints or tips would be gratefully received....Ta

[mattSV]

nicked from www.hartside.com:-

Notes for Pillions

If you've never been on the back of a bike before, chances are that your friend will take it easy to start with. We've put a few tips together to make your ride more enjoyable.

Relax, don't sit there as stiff as an old board.
Lean with the motorbike. That is don't deliberately lean around corners. Just relax and go with the bike.
Don't try to sit bolt upright around corners.
Don't fidget at high or low speeds.
Arrange a signal with the rider if you are uncomfortable. A dig in the ribs usually works!
Don't get off the motorbike until the rider has both feet on the ground and is aware that you are about to get off , again it's good to arrange a signal.
If your rider is filtering through traffic, remember that the bike is harder to handle at low speeds, so the less movement you make will help steady the bike.
Expect the unexpected. Watch the road so you can anticipate any sudden braking or accelerating.
During braking, you will lunge forward slightly and will probably nut your riders lid, prepare yourself on the approach of junctions and roundabouts by a) gripping the grab rail to steady yourself or b) if you are holding on to the rider twist your hand to the tank to take off the strain and to prevent you sliding into the riders seat.
During acceleration you will lunge back a little. If your holding on to a rear grab rail then just grip a bit tighter to steady yourself, leaning forward will help so long as you are not putting your body weight on the rider.
If you are holding on to the rider during acceleration then it is easier to steady yourself.
Don't distract the rider whilst moving. They need their concentration on the road.

Notes for Riders

The worst motorcycle pillion, is a fast rider themselves. Taking your mate on the back who rides like a looney themselves on their road or track bike, will undoubtedly be a rubbish pillion.
The reason is that they put themselves in the position of being the rider, your style of riding will be different from theirs. If you take your fellow motorcyclist as pillion, no doubt they will get off and tell you that you are the WORST rider in the world - don't take it to heart - you'd say the same if you got on the back of Neil MacKenzie's Bike.

If you've never taken a pillion before, and want a few tips.

Prep your pillion before you set off.
Arrange a signal that they can give you if they are uncomfortable. Don't let them sit there scared witless at 70mph afraid to move.
Stop frequently to check they are ok.
Take it steady to start with. Having a pillion on the back effects braking and acceleration. So allow time in judging gaps during overtaking and don't break suddenly.

Whoa Déjà Vu Have ya been posting in the tweaking forum.

You need to remember the suspension will be worse and the stopping distance will be far greater. IMO I don’t think the Sv is all too clever with a pillion.

It also depends on the pillion you have on the back. Find someone who has done it before and is quite used to it and have a slow ride. A n00b pillion can be a handful. Remember what you were like the first time you ever got on a bike and take away the handlebars

Oh yes and if at any time you bike suddenly feels a lot better to ride they have fallen off :P

Only done it once. Most difficult part for me was cornering. You do feel the extra weight at the back and it does tend to pull you the other way. It was her first time on a bike and she did pinch/grab me very hard everytime I went past 30-40mph, but apart from that I enjoyed having my other half as a pillion.

[sv4me]

Ahhh I thought this was about going for a ride.....thought Id made a friend there

As long as your a fairly confident,smooth rider you'll be fine and get used to it. The main thing you should worry about is the bugger on the back,ive had some terrible pillions. Wont stop fidgeting,lean the opposite way in corners and some that wouldnt hold on properly

Tell them to lean into corners with you or better yet,just sit there like a sack of spuds! Hold on at all times and maybe say to them youll give them a little tap on the leg if youre about to go faster,so theyre not caught napping

For you id say remember to leave more time for braking and space for overtakes with the extra weight.

Otherwise enjoy

Originally Posted by sv4me

Tell them to lean into corners with you

Dissagree. Tell them not to lean, but that they should be prepared for the bike to move around underneath them. They should try and keep their head line astern with yours (easier if they're holding you). Even better, get them to look over your left shoulder in left hand bends and over your right shoulder in right hand bends.

Ideally they'll hold onto the grab rail, but if they feel unconfortable doing that, then they should hold you. Some prefer the Egyption sand dance i.e. one hand on the grab rail, one in the middle of your back.

You need to remember the extra weight, keep the revs higher, and slip the clutch plenty. When you brake, close the throttle, pause, then brake, it gives them chance to move for the braking forces.

Bike handles loads better with a pillion imo, loads more planted. My pegs have hit the deck with a mate on the back, but not on my own, but thats usually cos im hanging off going for the kd, while i just crank the bike over with a pillion.

Can't get the bloody quote thing to work, tips please!

We're just up the road from you Kev D, so keep your eyes peeled for two black SV's, matching number plates, my other half and I always ride together. (no smutty jokes please )

And Mr Prideaux, I bet you make that excuse that holding onto the rider is better, to all the girls!

[embee]

about the best tip I had from a very good pillion was they should gently lean against the rider as you approach twisty bits. This gives both rider and pillion a feel for what each other is doing and leaning forwards helps balance the overall bike better in corners.

Try it, it really does work.

On straights the pillion can sit back and relax a bit.

First time you take a pillion, try to find someone who is reasonably lightweight and has done it before. You'll have your work cut out with trying to get used to the extra weight and rear bias without having to teach them what to do aswell.

Thanks all for all your advise / time and effort - now I'm really confused - not really !!!
I think the best advise is not to find a heavy weight bruser for the first time out. A light weight who's done it before sounds like the way to go and then gradually increase the weight of the pillion until you feel you can handle Tyson on the back - I'll feed the Mrs a curry a night for the rest of the year I think - thanks again all..........