Pillion

jmc160

Whenever I took a pillion on my bike (It's been a few years now), if they had not done it before, I always told them the same thing:

1. Find a holding position that's comfortable for you. This could be holding on to either the pillion rails if the bike has them, or wrapped around the rider's waist. Most people I took found it easiest to put one arm around me and rest the other hand on the tank. This way they were holding on for acceleration and would not dive into my back when braking.
2. ALWAYS keep your feet on the foot pegs. Leave the "putting the feet down" bit to the rider.
3. when the bike is turning, try to look over the rider's shoulder that's closest to the turn they're making. So if turning right, look over his/her right shoulder. If turning left, look over the left shoulder. You will then find yourself leaning with the bike just right without having to think about it.
4. Relax, and enjoy it! If you find it's too fast for you or something is making you nervous, find a way to let the rider know. Maybe work out a couple of signals beforehand, like "if I tap your right leg, slow down.. etc.

caeler

jmc160 wrote: »

1. Find a holding position that's comfortable for you. This could be holding on to either the pillion rails if the bike has them, or wrapped around the rider's waist. Most people I took found it easiest to put one arm around me and rest the other hand on the tank. This way they were holding on for acceleration and would not dive into my back when braking.

Holding on round the waist is by far the best, don't feel funny about doing this with your friend, you will feel safer. I once held on to the rails and felt so uncomfortable and like I was going to fall off. PS. I hate going pillion as have own licence.

Norman_Castle

ALWAYS keep your feet on the foot pegs. Leave the "putting the feet down" bit to the rider.

You have reminded me of a friend who used to do this.He was much taller than me and I would trip over his feet whenever we stopped.He would also grip me with his legs incredibly tightly making it impossible for me to get comfortable.We came off one day,in the snow,while I was riding pillion on his bike.Not a problem,no injuries.As he rolled over to get up he kicked me with his heel right on my nose.I also lent him my helmet one day so he could take his girlfriend home.When he came back with the helmet hanging from the helmet lock it was resting on the exhaust and nicely melted to it.Looking back,I think he had it in for me!.

jmc160

bluefuzzybug wrote: »

Holding on round the waist is by far the best, don't feel funny about doing this with your friend, you will feel safer. I once held on to the rails and felt so uncomfortable and like I was going to fall off. PS. I hate going pillion as have own licence.

Funnily enough, when I was carrying a pillion, I was also much more comfortable when they were holding on round my waist.

Especially when it was a nice girlie I was interested in

jmc160

Norman_Castle wrote: »

You have reminded me of a friend who used to do this.He was much taller than me and I would trip over his feet whenever we stopped.He would also grip me with his legs incredibly tightly making it impossible for me to get comfortable.We came off one day,in the snow,while I was riding pillion on his bike.Not a problem,no injuries.As he rolled over to get up he kicked me with his heel right on my nose.I also lent him my helmet one day so he could take his girlfriend home.When he came back with the helmet hanging from the helmet lock it was resting on the exhaust and nicely melted to it.Looking back,I think he had it in for me!.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Awesome!