Pillion question

12933 Views 58 Replies 24 Participants Last post by Miss-M, Sep 13, 2010

mewnz

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2010

A close friend was brave enough to practise some pillion stuff with me this evening. Just went to a quiet spot with a nice long straight bit and a decent turn at one end.

Turning I was very nervous because well I didn't want to stack it and injure my friend. I think this is mainly a confidence thing though and will get exponentially better with time in the saddle.

My question is, with her 'locking on' to me with her knees, I am a quite restricted as far as opening my hips to the turn (which I tend to when setting up for a corner). Should I still try to do this with a pillion? I don't want her to have nothing to hold onto with her knees.

Appreciate any general tips as well

I've read up on pillioning but it's always good to refresh stuff/maybe read something new.

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ajpennypacker

· #2 · Jun 10, 2010

Ask Bren...

[hr]

I suppose it comes down to what works for the both of you. depends on the pillion as well. I'd say the most important part of pillioning is trust. Trust and the rider having good enough skills to control and rectify any issues that may arise.
Some pillions you wont be able to move around on the bike at all, but others you will be able to drag your knee.

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2

G

· #3 · Jun 10, 2010

Fuck mate, what are you racing around eastern creek?

Just sit in your seat and ride. If your passenger is sitting still then it just makes your bike a bit heavier and slower to change lean angle. It also increases your stopping distance.

It's not hard. Dont think about it to much. Dont try to ride fast. Just plant your ass and ride the fucking thing.

Blackness

· #4 · Jun 10, 2010

^^ Raaaage lol

mewnz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 10, 2010

I'd rather ask the question and get told to 'just ride the damn thing' when it comes to my friends on the back.

crazylegs

· #6 · Jun 10, 2010

ajpennypacker said:
Some pillions you wont be able to move around on the bike at all, but others you will be able to drag your knee.

back in the day riding with my dad, he'd keep reachin back to push me back on the bike as i'd keep wanting to lean over more, even at roundabouts. lol

but i have been told that most ppl dont even notice im there which is good.

i wanna try it too soon but i have noone that will get on it with me lol.

Glenn R

· #7 · Jun 10, 2010

crazylegs said:
i wanna try it too soon but i have noone that will get on it with me lol.

That's what hookers are for:angel:

crazylegs

· #8 · Jun 10, 2010

Glenn R said:
crazylegs said:

i wanna try it too soon but i have noone that will get on it with me lol.

Click to expand...

That's what hookers are for:angel:

lol i'll see if the missus will buy that, but good idea though, its not like they'll feel any worse if she comes off.

opcorn:

Blackness

· #9 · Jun 10, 2010

I'd take the hooker choice man, you'd get a pillion and a tug! Awesome combo

GG

· #10 · Jun 11, 2010

mewnz said:
A close friend was brave enough to practise some pillion stuff with me this evening. Just went to a quiet spot with a nice long straight bit and a decent turn at one end.

Turning I was very nervous because well I didn't want to stack it and injure my friend. I think this is mainly a confidence thing though and will get exponentially better with time in the saddle.

My question is, with her 'locking on' to me with her knees, I am a quite restricted as far as opening my hips to the turn (which I tend to when setting up for a corner). Should I still try to do this with a pillion? I don't want her to have nothing to hold onto with her knees.

Appreciate any general tips as well I've read up on pillioning but it's always good to refresh stuff/maybe read something new.

^^ Sounds like she was a little nervous and could be stiff which defintely can affect your ability to ride how you would like to, especially if she is not leaning with your body.

My first pillion ride was on Harry's but i haven't asked him how i was :blush: but my first pillion ride on Jeebs, aparently i was shit!! ... I made it difficult for jeebs to steer the bike as i wasn't following his body etc.

Hessian

· #11 · Jun 11, 2010

If shes hot, let her ride in front

richo

· #12 · Jun 11, 2010

I've had a pillion a fair bit lately on the 250. It's pretty much all good, just leave some "in case" room for error until you're sure that she's going to be predictable.

Cerberus

· #13 · Jun 11, 2010

mewnz said:
A close friend was brave enough to practise some pillion stuff with me this evening. Just went to a quiet spot with a nice long straight bit and a decent turn at one end.

Turning I was very nervous because well I didn't want to stack it and injure my friend. I think this is mainly a confidence thing though and will get exponentially better with time in the saddle.

My question is, with her 'locking on' to me with her knees, I am a quite restricted as far as opening my hips to the turn (which I tend to when setting up for a corner). Should I still try to do this with a pillion? I don't want her to have nothing to hold onto with her knees.

Appreciate any general tips as well I've read up on pillioning but it's always good to refresh stuff/maybe read something new.

might have been said before.. but...

her locking in with her knees is exactly what she should be doing. as for being restricted to open your hips.. it sounds like you are the one doing the wrong thing. you should in turn be gripping the tank with your legs not have them loose when in a corner. its what stabilises the bike in turn.

as for general tips, get her to rest her arms on the tank, that way she can brace herself against it while you break and switch to holding to your waste during acceleration. other than that, she just needs to lean in with you in the turn.. pretty simple. if she is new to it, take it slow and practice and she will work it out.

then you can move on to this and pillion wheelies....

(what? brenny gets to be a show pony with pillion pics too

)

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Sneddy

· #14 · Jun 11, 2010

when i used to pillion on my mates bike, i would put my arms on the tank and only lock knees during straight line accel. Leading up to a corner, i would pop the inside leg out, move the inside arm to hold the ducktail behind me and the rider would jump off the seat in the gap i made and turn like normal.

Was kinda scarey cos as a pillion you're used to looking at the back of a riders head, then in corners i'd be looking at open road. Lol.

mewnz

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 12, 2010

Cerberus said:
her locking in with her knees is exactly what she should be doing. as for being restricted to open your hips.. it sounds like you are the one doing the wrong thing. you should in turn be gripping the tank with your legs not have them loose when in a corner. its what stabilises the bike in turn.

In your picture the rider is doing what I am talking about - knee out to open the hips to the turn. Are you saying not to do this until I'm more experienced with a pillion?

Sneddy said:
when i used to pillion on my mates bike, i would put my arms on the tank and only lock knees during straight line accel. Leading up to a corner, i would pop the inside leg out, move the inside arm to hold the ducktail behind me and the rider would jump off the seat in the gap i made and turn like normal.

Was kinda scarey cos as a pillion you're used to looking at the back of a riders head, then in corners i'd be looking at open road. Lol.

I will try and practise this with her next time. Thanks!

Kate

· #16 · Jun 12, 2010

:lol: @ AJ!! Miss those times. Can you send me those pics? I have to find the video. AJ - I think you got knee down with me as pillion up at the Spur too?

+ 1 on the trust issue. You have to trust the person who is in control of the bike.

The only time I ever hold onto the rider is taking off at lights etc, otherwise my hands were always placed on the tank pushing myself back so you don't crowd the rider. Never held on with my knees either, I remember using my elbows as an anchor on my knnes going around corners at the Spur. That way the rider can move their body position. Quite a few times whoever was riding had to tap my leg to make sure I was still there, same with Kimmy. She's an excellent pillion.

The only person I've ever taken pillion was Greg (brave guy he was) and that was around a big open area. Since then I've taken the pegs off (when I put my bike in glass) so whenever anyone asks me for a spin I actually can't take them.

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richo

· #17 · Jun 12, 2010

I've got pics of Rick 2 up on a zx12 at broady (it was a PMC day, not a champions day) but I'm keen as fuck to get out to broady with a pillion.. pretty curious how fast a bike can be dragged around with 2 peeps.

Randy Mamosa can definately do a decent job of it.

Cerberus

· #18 · Jun 12, 2010

mewnz said:
Cerberus said:

her locking in with her knees is exactly what she should be doing. as for being restricted to open your hips.. it sounds like you are the one doing the wrong thing. you should in turn be gripping the tank with your legs not have them loose when in a corner. its what stabilises the bike in turn.

Click to expand...

In your picture the rider is doing what I am talking about - knee out to open the hips to the turn. Are you saying not to do this until I'm more experienced with a pillion?

yeah ok... how do i explain this best.. in that pic yes i have my knee out but thats because it was a poser shot where 1 - i was getting stuck into it for a lap, 2 - i was getting kneedown for the camera. but as i said.. poser shot.. and it does take a very good pillion to do it safely i suggest.

apart from that tho i never stick my knee out when with a pillion (its barely necessary at best of times on the road unless you are getting really stuck into it. even then hanging off relies on you locking your legs around the bike to stabilise yourself and bike mid turn) as there is not need and the bike is more settled that way.

so.. what i am saying is.. pillion, unless you're posing for pics, keep your knees in holding the tank. fact is that that "just" hanging your knee out wont make cornering more efficient.

not sure if that makes sense lol

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Legz11

· #19 · Jun 14, 2010

Cerberus said:
then you can move on to this and pillion wheelies....

(what? brenny gets to be a show pony with pillion pics too )

Memmmmorieeeess

Mewnz, don't try that until you've been riding with a pillion for a couple of years. Cerby and I have a big trust thing and I'm very comfortable as a pillion on his bike. I've even fallen asleep on the back of the bike as a pillion on his old R1 lol.

Tell her to either stare at the back of your helmet or look through the corners with you, arms braced on the tank ready for braking and gear changing so she doesn't crash into the back of your helmet hehe. Strength in the legs is the key, otherwise she'll get tired and get sore arms.

mewnz

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 14, 2010

Yeah I asked her to grip with her legs, she holds on with both hands around my waist/hips and used one on my lower back for braking at the moment. She is 5'4" or something tiny, I don't think she can reach the tank haha... we will see if there is a next time.

Also yeah, her legs were feeling it even after the simple ~15min or so we did. On the plus side didn't bang helmets at all.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

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