Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Ok on the weekend I took someone pillion on the 10R (yes it was a girl)
Other than being cold, the massive difference to the handling took me by a bit of a surprise
The roads were damp and I kept seeing oil rainbows on the road (must have been a Harley up the road earlier)
The black padded thing that sits next to my desk fitted where the pod goes and the fold down thing that I hang the helmet on when parked seemed to have been for the pillion to put her feet
Wonders will never cease
The pillion was great with little movement and lent with me
But this did stop me moving on the seat

We rode about 300k through tight corners and long sweepers
I did slow down a lot which is a good thing for my license
Suppose I’ll get use to it

Don’t think it’s really a bike set up for a pillion or maybe I should just relax a bit
Any suggestions?

Not really the best pillion bike. Just have to work with what you have there Lucas. I agree with the different riding style though. Good luck with the pillioning mate..

Your alive!!


Well there are a few white lies in this story...


Lent it over... Mate we've all seen that front tyre of yours, and the only leaning it gets is when it is put on the side stand

Slow down? Can't remember the last time I have seen you on that black beauty let alone open her up...


3rdly come pick your stuff up, I've had it since the Supers... rofl... slack b@stard



Dan

Dan wrote: Lent it over... Mate we've all seen that front tyre of yours, and the only leaning it gets is when it is put on the side stand

Slow down? Can't remember the last time I have seen you on that black beauty let alone open her up...


3rdly come pick your stuff up, I've had it since the Supers... rofl... slack b@stard

Dan

dontcha just luv Admins

seriously mate
you said it..the bike is not pillion friendly
but having said that..any decent rider can take a pillion
on such a bike, not to reefton
but yeah for a coffee or what

rider and pillion do need to follow the simple rules
'How to be a passenger'
http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurv ... passenger/
...bloody good article btw

hth

cheers

My wife has been on the back of my 10 once, on a nice bumpy road, and she spent most of her time sliding forward on the seat. Plus she could see the speedo over my shoulder

...but she has been talking about coming in to work with me on it, so she must have forgotten what it was like...bugger, there goes the lane splitting

Ok Lucas, mistake number 1, removing the pod to attach the black padded thingy, mistake number 2, that actually is a helmet hanger on the back and should only be used for its "true" intended purpose.

I think the the 6 is very like the 10 as regards pillions, just not suited, they are too "targeted use" bikes.

I took my Mrs on the back through the twisties once and asked how she liked it. Only time I have ever heard the "F" word out of her mouth....as in "never f*cking again" so off came the rear pegs, on went the cowl and that was the end of that!!

Yep not really the ideal pillion mount. Having doubled a 95 odd kg Pom (or is that a 95kg odd Pom) back down the Putty Rd in half dark and occasional rain I can attest to their lack of pillion friendliness.

Unfortunately so can Damon the poor bastard, who spent a good hour and a half with a busted up knee sitting on it and Madkaw who was the poor bugger who had to lift him off it.

The first thing Damon said that didn't start with an F was that he kept feeling like he was gonna slide off the back.

If it is anything like the six of the same year you probably had sore wrists when you finished....

I thought Lainie would be posting something here but in her absence let me.
I have had pillions before (ZX12R) but not like Lainie who was excellent.
The 12 is not that much different to the 10 to double on but the weight difference will be more pronounced.

What Lainie taught me -
Tell your pillion to relax and when they feel the rider tense up get ready for brakes !!!
When the rider brakes put one (or two) hand on the tank rather than let the rider take the force (hurts MY wrists SO much)
Use your thighs rather than your hands to hold on
Send your pillion to Tone to learn off (apparently he is harsh but fair ) he guy must be a legend to train Lainie so well (sorry Lainie )

What Lainie MAY nhave learned from me -
DONT shut your eyes !
Speed doesnt automatically mean danger (well until AFTER she left )
Monos are kewl in the right place and time

What you need to do before pillioning
Up your preload and compression damping a bit on the rear
Up your ride height to "standard" with pillion on if avail
KNOW that it is going to handle like shit (well worse)
KNOW that it is going to brake like shit (HEAPS worse)
KNOW you wont change direction as quick
etc. etc.

What you need to do before the PROPER ride (with pillion on)
Test that your suspension adjustments were correct (take the tools to adjust with you)
TEST all the KNOW's above, ie - Test how well it accelerates, leans and stops with your pillion in a "Controlled" place within your limits obv.
Whilst doing the above COMMUNICATE with your pillion as to how they feel and want them to do and vice versa.
Then you will REALLY KNOW what it does before you NEED to find out eh?

Another LONG Froggy post but hope it keeps you rubber side down (unlike me)

Thanks Froggy. was a pleasure

I haven't been a rider of a 10 but as a pillion I think its important to rely on the rider as little as possible. I guess there is always going to be that time where you are pushing the rider forward that comes without saying.
What may help is get Pillion to put her/his arms round you and use the tank to stop them coming forward. If also possible to use thighs as well. On Tones bike it's easier as foot pegs are not around your throat so you can use these as well. Seems you pretty much had it all under control though and yes just relax. Good Luck with it all and Stay safe.

If all else fails and pillion gets to close pop it on the back wheel and yeah will push them back a bit

I bought a seat cover, from Triboseat, I think that is the right spelling, on ebay.It is made from some kind of rubber, and all you have to do is take the seat off, slip it over the seat and pull the draw string so it is a tight fit, it doesn't look too bad either. I had it on the bike for the first time over the weekend, my wife had to adjust the way she got on the bike, eg. she couldn't just put the foot on the pillion peg and get on, she had to make sure that she got right up and lowered herself down on the seat without sliding on the seat. After riding all day not once did I feel her pushing on my back, one time when we were heading home, I had to brake unexpectedly, and all that happened was we hit helmets. I would highly recomend them, I was thinking of buying a grabrail for the back of my Z but I don't think I will have to now, let you know after I have had it for awhile, because that was next on my to buy list for the bike.

oop should have added the same.
I have a non slip cover for my pillion too.
But it cost $1 for a square metre from Clark Rubber

frogzx12r wrote:oop should have added the same.
I have a non slip cover for my pillion too.
But it cost $1 for a square metre from Clark Rubber

I'll have to go and have a look, I do believe mine is going to wear out at sometime or another.

Different sorts for different applications (I guess)
The one I got was black and is V strong... grips like buggery too....

When the rider brakes put one (or two) hand on the tank rather than let the rider take the force

Yeah, I've had pillions that have done this, and it works alot better than a sudden push in the middle of ya back that nearly breaks your wrists or pushes ya over the front.

I have a ventura rack that is also very helpful with providing two-up stability, the grab rails stops 'em from rocking back and forth so much, making it more comfortable for both.(Geez i must be gettin old)