Pillion Tips

[satchmo]

The better half has borrowed a helmet for tomorrow and we're thinking about going up to Matlock for the afternoon. Has anyone got any tips on carrying a pillion? Is it safe to just gag her and gaffa tape her to the backrest?!?

[Spence]

Make sure the helmet fits and is fastened properly, and she wears some sensible clothes and footwear.

Tell her to lean with you, not against you, when you're taking bends. Tell her not to put her feet down when you come to a stop. And tell her not to start pointing at birds and cows in fields, because that looks like hand signals to vehicles behind you.

If she goes quiet, squeeze her leg now and then to make sure she's not falling asleep. That's not a joke by the way.

Oh yes, and check the weather forecast. It's snow for this weekend, so one trip in freezing conditions and she may never ask to come with you again.

[satchmo]

Now there's a plan ;-)

[Spence]

[Ian]

Brake earlier, and rear tyre pressure should be set for pillion. Also the front end / steering may become lighter !! If she gets too close she'll head butt the back of your head......... Although my missus said she just did it on purpose ..LOL

[Spence]

Ah yes, I forgot that one. Expect to be headbutted every time you brake. Good one Ian.

[Devo McDuff]

I've only recently started to carry a pillion regularly and it did feel like a very different riding experience at first, didn't acutally enjoy it that much, I think mainly because the handling is heavier. The biggest thing you notice is the need to brake a fair bit earlier.

With you being like me on a PX125, get any sort of long gradient and you'll know notice the extra weight a fair whack too (if you were a jockey you'd be reaching for the whip!). Has made me really want a kit now

But you get used to it soon enough. Just got back from a rideout to Knutsford with the scooter club now, had a pillion on the back and had a great time ;D

[skrappey]

Yes, as already said about the set-up for pillion.
Had my missus on the back in IOW last year for the first time, best advice to her was..............................KEEP BLOODY STILL WOMAN.

[satchmo]

Thanks for the tips I notice the hills enough already. They usually slow me down to 40mph for a long gradient with just me going solo so it should be fun!

[mark]

Bungees work better than gaffer tape less mess .

[skrappey]

But gaffer-tape does tend to keep them quieter.