Just passed test - How long til taking pillion?

Having a passanger makes the back sit down a lot further, even with Pre-load adjusted right. It slows the steering and makes the fron wheel VERY flighty.

Once in a bend you tend to get it lent in well, easy to see edge of tire without realising it, the extra weight actually seems to make the bike settle into corners better so mid corner is quite good. Though im a light **** ~10Stone so most people I have on weigh more than me. Infact all so far except one. The lighter the easier... obviously I guess.

Just take care and be sure you know what you are doing and make sure the passanger does too.

Go out and buy a pillion pal belt to use, it's a belt that goes around your waist and has 2 handles for your pillion to hold onto, super piece of kit and highly reccommended.

Daryl.

i agree totally with shifter, try taking some one who is confident and experience on the back first so u can see how it feels and u know wot to expect? not that i wud dare take any one on the back neither do i know any one stupid enough to get on the back of me lol

[yorkie_chris]

I did about a thousand miles on the SV before I took a pillion anywhere. Don't push the pace at all untill you've gotten used to the differences in handling and braking.

[dyzio]

It's up to you, when you'll be feeling confident enough.
I took a friend on the back 2 months after the test. Me 75kg, she 55kg, felt kinda weird on the first junction but after that it was ok.
An important thing to remember is not to wear a backpack, the pillion will push against it and what follows, your wrists will hurt as ****.
Apart from that remember, that you will no longer be responsible only for yourself but also for her. So take it easy and remember that acceleration won't be as good as usual and what's more important, the extra weight WILL AFFECT YOUR BREAKING DISTANCE!

Once in a bend you tend to get it lent in well, easy to see edge of tire without realising it, the extra weight actually seems to make the bike settle into corners better so mid corner is quite good.

I've noticed that too, seems the bike just leans in and sits in the corner much more happily with the two of on. Makes the chicken strips magically disappear, doesn't do much for the boots if I forget to move my toes up and back though.

I waited about 2 months before taking my first pillion, I wanted to be sure I was happy with how I rode it without a pillion before I took one.

Thanks again for all the advice.

I took her today. I've riden 150 miles since passing and feel quite confident. I took it very easy, mainly just followed the car in front with a couple of very safe overtakings. Nice and slow on all bends and junctions.

The worse part is when braking, you're bracing both of your weight against the handlebars. As said the key is being as smooth as possible, reading the road, leaving big gaps and using engine braking as much as possible.

She loved it, and it was quite nice getting out together.

No doubt if I took her out a month later we'd have gone a lot faster, but I suppose its about knowing your ability and what you feel confident with, and then riding well below that with a passenger.

Nice one.

When braking wherever possible she should either hold the grabrail or brace herself against the tank (if you're not too much of a fat bar steward to get your arms around).

If you do a lot of miles with her using you as a brake-stop you're going to end up with wrist problems.

My Mrs. usually holds on to me with both hands and just reaches one back for the grabrail when she anticipates a braking moment.

Tell her to get her own bike...