South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hi, my name is Dan, I ride a BMW R1200gs. My wife has recently expressed an interest in going on a couple of trips, trouble is I've neven taken pillion passenger. Anyone konow of anyone who offers pillion training in the Exeter area?
Thanks and ride safe.

I'm not sure I've seen anyone offering such a thing?

Best advice I can give is start with some short journeys, and obviously practice getting on and off. Underway, you shouldn't notice a huge difference, depending on the bike, but make sure you are well footed when you stop.

Try and keep your riding smooth and even, no sudden acceleration/braking, etc., ...... Get her to sit in a comfortable position, and lean with you/the bike. "Love handles" are far better than grab-rails in terms of comfort for the pillion, and they also encourage the pillion to sit closer to the rider so they have less adverse effect in corners.

Your bike really shouldn't notice a pillion too much. I reckon the biggest issue will be her getting on and off comfortably without upsetting your balance. Make sure you are comfortable and firmly footed, then she can stand on a pillion peg and swing her leg over .....

I never had lessons, best thing I found is just take it steady to begin with so you both get used to it, and get them to make sure they sit upright on the seat, no matter what angle it is, so that they follow in the bends and don't try to lean the opposite way. They must follow you, also try to get them to avoid looking round you or over your shoulder.

It's not difficult once you and her get used to it you should not even notice they are there.

Just have to take it one step at a time. Explain what she can and can't do when on the bike - moving about, turning etc.

Then start with short journeys, round the block, down to the cafe, round town, next town etc etc.

Or is it you that wants training ?

As per the lads posts above, I find most problems with passengers are at junctions and off camber junctions whilst pulling away, can cause significant loss of balance if your passenger moves when your looking left and right especially if your front wheel is turned to a side. Best to approach full stop juctions with the intention of stopping with the bike vertical with a solid footing so as to minimise the effects of unbalance, and approach to stop to wait, with the bike lined up ready to pull ahead in a straight path untill forward momentum is obtained. On the open road mirrors may be more obstructed, front wheel will feel light on acceleration and you'll be clunking your helmets together if you don't maintain a smooth riding technique. Look to ride like your carrying a £5million vase on the back! You two will soon learn and pick it up.

Like the others said really. I came to pillion carrying after 20 years off and still found it fine and that is on a smaller bike. just do everything you ought to do anyway and ride smooth and well within yourself.

From the passengers point of view two things made a difference - both already mentioned. One was getting on by standing on a peg and the other was the buddy belt I wear so she can attach herself to me rather than the bike. Well worth £20-30.

ALWAYS RIDE TO THE PILLIONS ABILITY.

ANY FASTER AND THEY WILL TENSE UP MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR YOU AND MORE NERVOUS FOR THEM.

Pillion riding is good if you have an understanding with the pillion, trust is a large part in my eyes,
Most people have an understanding that you have to look after the pillion rather than just yourself and ride a bit more cautiously.

In my opinion, just short journeys on roads you know so you can get a feel of what she will do in corners. Just relax and long smooth riding.

I have known me bikes be dropped with Pillions getting on and off as the weight unsettles the bike.
The gs is supposed to be a great 2's up bike as the weight is so low.
Just get some time in the saddle, and enjoy yourself.

A road I used to use is exeter to Princetown as not much traffic and plenty of variation. And a decent cafe at the end!!

boylard100 wrote:A road I used to use is exeter to Princetown as not much traffic and plenty of variation. And a decent cafe at the end!!

Also that road is officially part of biker heaven

Hi,

I've taken pillions a lot, I actually found it improved my solo confidence as you realise that with a pillion you can make certain corners without an issue so on your own you can too.

The only things I found is as already said is that when on junctions your balance can be off set very easily so make sure you are sure footed when at a stop.

Also one of these are cheap enough and it means you can talk to her, and coach her as you go, if she needs to stop of isn't comfortable you can sort it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Mot ... 5660d0a960" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have one similar, could even be the same, they are easy to use and actually quite clear to talk through.

Darren

Agree with that about the intercom. Also useful to warn them if you need to have a blast occasionally. If you don't like the wires all over these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

work well and leave no dangly bits. The speakers are a fair size though so can might on your ear if you have a helmet not designed for them. Worked OK (just) in an old Arai and new Lidl flip-front (also just).

Volume is fine and reasonably clear. Pick up the grunts getting on and off really well (or maybe that's just us). Haven't tested range myself but is reputed to be half a mile for when he/she gets their own bike;-)

dchurch1604 wrote:..........Also one of these are cheap enough and it means you can talk to her, and coach her as you go, if she needs to stop of isn't comfortable you can sort it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Mot ... 5660d0a960" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
.......

Ooooh, hell no!! It's bad enough you have to share the bike with her, the last thing you want is her breaking whats left of the enjoyment of peace and solitude on your ride by giving her the freedom to nag you in the ear as you ride along! Remember, she'll have little else to do stuck on the back of you, so will be nagging, grumbling and moaning at every opportunity .......

Anyway, if it's that important you'll soon find there is ample means of communication - usually a sharp jab to the kidneys for doing something enjoyable (speed/high lean angle) a hard thump to the back of the helmet (hard braking) or a thump on the back/arm followed by pointing to the side of the road (stop, I've had enough). Anything else is unnecessary

On that beamer you probably won't even know she is there.

TLS-Moose wrote:

dchurch1604 wrote:..........Also one of these are cheap enough and it means you can talk to her, and coach her as you go, if she needs to stop of isn't comfortable you can sort it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Mot ... 5660d0a960" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
.......

Ooooh, hell no!! It's bad enough you have to share the bike with her, the last thing you want is her breaking whats left of the enjoyment of peace and solitude on your ride by giving her the freedom to nag you in the ear as you ride along! Remember, she'll have little else to do stuck on the back of you, so will be nagging, grumbling and moaning at every opportunity .......

Anyway, if it's that important you'll soon find there is ample means of communication - usually a sharp jab to the kidneys for doing something enjoyable (speed/high lean angle) a hard thump to the back of the helmet (hard braking) or a thump on the back/arm followed by pointing to the side of the road (stop, I've had enough). Anything else is unnecessary

or all of the above

I just give a double tap on her left knee prior to opening the taps for overtaking, we had an autocom intercom, but to be fair unless your intercontinental touring it's less stress without it. You'll soon find out that "two-up" knee down antics though rewarding to youself, don't go down well with them, as their head is just skimming above the grass, which is normally as mentioned above, followed a swift sharp jab to your kidney's! Worth it though Oh how I miss Podimore roundabout prior to the traffic lights!