Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Imo, you dont need to do a course to learn to pillion someone, but thats just my opinion.

I used to pillion my ex quite often on his CBR1000 (yeh, he used to get off on it - something to do with people looking at us in shock cos it was a girl doubling a guy) ... anyway, I pillioned Rod recently and he's a good 30odd kgs heavier than me. I was nervous, but was ready to take on the task.

The bike definately feels different, bit like a truck when taking some corners, and the acceleration is a bit like having a car full of people vs just yourself but otherwise its just like riding a bike.

I was extra aware or careful when coming to a stop, cos I too am tippy toed on the bike. I think I did Ok, altho I dare say the video footage and Rod may say otherwise

I would probably suggest for your first time, that you take someone that is a rider as they will be more considerate in regard to how they get on the bike and generally moving on the bike, and will no doubt be more relaxed than a novice ... assuming youre not doing 100 coming into a 45, that really is a 45

Good luck Cath, altho I dont reckon you'll need it tbh. Its just like riding a bike, and we all know that youre no girl when it comes to that!!
You Go Girl ~ get outta the box

I've found that it's actually easier to learn with a heavier person. When I have my skinny 10 year old on I hardly even notice him, apart from his fidgeting. I always worry I won't notice if he falls off, lol

When I have my average 16 year old on I notice her a lot more and take more care around corners, roundabouts etc. The heavier weight also makes my feet more flat on the floor which means I have both feet down and feel more stable.

Having pillioned my wife quite a bit (up until 5 months pregnant) I found the following the to work the best -

1) make sure the pillion can not slip forward and is not transferring weight on to your shoulders (you can get seat covers that work really well to help with this)
2) make sure they are not heavier than you (to start with)
3) give them a simple message, tell them to look where they/ you want to go. I told my wife quite simply if you look at the tree you will drag the bike that way because your head will drag you shoulders and the bike with you. I found that with the pillion looking through the corner I could drop the bike in really well and corner as if she wasn't there.

My wife got so comfortable with she all but fell asleep riding on the back a couple of times. Though I wouldn't recommend that.

Nick

Mel wrote:I'll be your bitch Cath!

I was going to suggest this actually (if you could organise it) because Mel is an awesome pillion and your first experience needs to be a good one...it's a shame you can't pillion yourself too because you are also an awesome pillion.

MickLC wrote:...... and your first experience needs to be a good one...

What a world of interesting threads could be generated by that quote !!

Get someone who is extremely athletic to just simply jump off the bike every time you come to a stop.
This may take a certain degree of timing , and synchronisation but after the first couple of times
i think it would work a treat, now thats the dismount sorted

For the Re-mount just simply take off at a reasonable running pace for the pillion , whom will just simply grab you by the sholders
a swing the right leg over the seat landing firmly with the buttocks on the pillion seat at this time remember to hold onto the handlbars
firmly and keep a constant and steady throttle control.
After all is good the pillion should then give you the tap on the sholder
to comence normal riding.

If that fails then maybe modify your sidi's so that your soul of your boot is significantly thicker

Failing that , I Will be your guiena pig if you like Cath

I only weigh 50kg's in the wet

RIGHT EE OOOO!!!

Pick me up, 8:45am Sunday morning . ..

Just Do It!

Gazza wrote:
I only weigh 50kg's in the wet

what the hell??? in the wet????? what do you weigh in the dry?

If you want Cath I am happy to pillion, have pillioned more than ridden, but happy to be your test pillion.

Cath wrote:Has anyone pillioned someone bigger and heavier than them?

I pillioned Mina around Phillip Island on a zzr 250... not much risk of falling over though, his knees were dragging on the ground.

Learn how to take a pillion
Just HTFU

it's just like riding a fat bike.......or a barge

Mel wrote:Actually - calling ZXRobyn! She's had people bigger than her on the back!

Sorry Mel, I didnt see your call out till now

Gosling1 wrote:

MickLC wrote:...... and your first experience needs to be a good one...

What a world of interesting threads could be generated by that quote !!

Couldn't there just

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement everyone. I'm going to do it. Maybe this weekend, before TheLad comes home and worries me out of doing it!

So, now I just need a guinea pig. Or two guinea pigs, really - one really light rider who I will barely notice, and one heavy bastard, so I can flat foot

Love your call MickLC/Gos Cracked me up

Gaz - I didn't know you were so into gymnastics

I'd offer to be the heavy bastard - but my weekend's pretty full.
I'm sure it won't be hard to find another one though

I've pillioned 3 people - the first was your Dave and I think I almost dumped both of us in the grass at the time. Should've waited until I was on solid ground instead of muddy grass
Other 2 times was someone who had broken down and needed a lift, and then Vick for her one and only ride on the back. Having already pillioned Dave those 2 were just like having a heavy pack on the back cos I had a better idea of what to expect.

HART used to do a pillion course - don't think they do anymore.
ty

ijuschill wrote:You need a unsuspecting child to pillion, offer them some candy as a reward. Does any one want to offer up one of their offspring as a sacrifice?

Ewwwwwww. A child. On my bike. Ewwwwwwwwwww get it off get it off get it off

red_dave wrote:You could pick someone with long legs that can help hold the bike up when stationary...

That would be a great idea... except I've forgotten what you look like and you may have forgotten how to sit on a bike! Are we going to see you this Sunday?

Ali600+150 wrote:HART at St Ives used to run a 'learn to take a pillion' course. Not sure if they still have run it though. A few of the girls I used to ride with did it to get their confidence up in a 'controlled' environment and said it was a good experience.

Thanks for the tip Ali - I checked their website and it wasn't in their course list