Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

hey guys ,
anyone got any ideas for rides were i can get some pillion confidence , I am fine riding buy myself but as soon as someone tries to get on the back I freak a bit and say no. Guess I just dont wanna hurt them, but in sayin that need to get over the fear wanna start taking the missus

cheers James

Simple really.
Tell her you cant take her on the back because she is too heavy and then enjoy the rest of your life riding ( and doing everything else ) solo!

Practice. Practice. Practice. Quiet back streets? It's one of those things that seems daunting at first but then you just do it, and it becomes easy. Depends on the pillion though of course, and how much they want to stand the bike back up and stuff.

Find a quiet straight bit of road and have her get on, do everything slowly and smoothly as possible and just take it easy until you get a feel for it. The bike will feel really weird but you will get used to it. Tell your pillion to just sit on the back straight up hold the grab handles with both hands and don't do anything.

felt weird having the gf on the back of the 250 but just takes some getting used too... light fornt end, vague steering, slow tip in but if you tip in too far it will keep going

its just experience tho, the more u do it, the more it will feel natural...

The biggest problem with pillions is getting them to not fight the bike. They have to become part of the bike, moving as it moves.

When taking corners of any sort, tell your pillion to look over the shoulder of the turn (ie: left turn, look over left shoulder). This forces their weight to go with the turn.

cookeetree wrote:The biggest problem with pillions is getting them to not fight the bike. They have to become part of the bike, moving as it moves.

When taking corners of any sort, tell your pillion to look over the shoulder of the turn (ie: left turn, look over left shoulder). This forces their weight to go with the turn.

This is good. Impress on them that they have almost as much control of the bike as you do. I have steered a bike from the back before (with permission from the captain). If you've got a pillion that is scared though, the best thing I find is to tell them to wrap their arms around you, close their eyes if they want, and stay close. Having them keep their shoulders touching yours means they will always be putting weight in the right direction and makes it easier to teach them how easy being on the back can be.

Each passenger may require their own techniques and tricks were getting them confident is concerned. Try all the techniques and see what works best.

But I think we may have deviated from the actual question of the thread in saying that? You're the one wanting confidence aren't you? In that case might I suggest an experienced rider as passenger? Someone whom you can trust to make your life easier by always doing the right thing. That way you can just concentrate on the bike and get used to the dynamics of it like would you if you just bought a new bike, and ignore your friend.

The first time I pillioned anyone was on my zx9r, on grass, on rough terrain - and it was Dave#3 on the back.
I think I scared the shit out of both of us at one point
Seriously just try it - the above points are good. I suggest that if you're really very nervous, get someone who's a rider, or who's experienced as a pillion, to go on the back first for a bit - so that you get the idea. Then get the missus on the back.
ty
PS. I just realised lifeofcrimeguy just said that too, so ignore me until I learn to read every message before posting (like that'll happen )

There's a couple of things i explain when i have a new pillion. The main one being how important it is to lean with the bike (not more, or less).

Then it's just practice.

Unless you hit that bump on Victoria road just after the Iron Cove bridge and realise your pillion is beside you hanging off the bike

Unless you hit that bump on Victoria road just after the Iron Cove bridge and realise your pillion is beside you hanging off the bike

wouldnt laugh if i saw it the the mental image is funny as f**K HAHA thanks for the laugh mate

i know the bump dave.... its a bitch.... such dodgey road work...

Six Addict wrote:i know the bump dave.... its a bitch.... such dodgey road work...

Try commuting that for 10 yrs on a bike, i know every bump on that bloody road

Tell me about it... there's a time and place to play leap frog - that's not it!

You'll get used to it - it's just a practice thing and it's important to make sure you're 100% comfortable by yourself first!!

Go easy on brakes, acceleration and cornering and work up to a better pace as time goes on. You would be best on a road that isn't stop-start and has a few curves, but isn't the "twisties" as such because that's too technical - for example Old Cleveland Road and Waterworks Road, both in Brisbane, are great - they're main roads but mostly 60km/h and with quite a few smooth curves and that's great for building confidence. You could even start with something more simple, like a trip on the highway somewhere, just remember when you stop that you're heavier than normal and you need to plan where you're putting your foot. Always keep your head up as that helps with balance, if you look down you can lose your reference point and put yourself at risk of toppling over.

I'm 5'7" and pillion my missus on my ZX12R with no problems - the only drama I've ever had was when I got my draggins caught on the footpeg and couldn't put my foot down.... that NEARLY wasn't pretty!

LOL my gf seems to anticipate the corners to early and i can feel a bit of weight shift in the back before we hit hte corner! She wants to go over further than necessary also!
I think she has green blood, maybe its time to get her into 2 wheels