OzSTOC
General Category => LADIES & PILLION'S of OzSTOC => Experiences/Backseat Advice/The Perfect Pillion => Topic started by: StinkyPete on May 09, 2013, 08:22:11 AM
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Here is a set of instructions I give to pillions who have never ridden before. This list came about after I had some inexperienced pillions do some quite alarming things while sitting behind me.
:well
If you don’t own dedicated motorcycling protective clothing, then wear jeans, long socks and decent shoes like hiking boots, a warm jacket, sunglasses and gloves.
Only mount and dismount when instructed
Keep your feet on the pegs at all times, even when stationary
There is a grab rail behind you if you feel the need to hang on to something, but there is not really any need to hang on.
Relax and sit upright on the bike like a “lump of luggage”. You don’t have to lean during cornering, as the bike will do that for you. Take your lead from the rider’s body position
If you feel disoriented when cornering, just point your chin into the corner, so that your head remains vertical. Take your lead from the rider’s head position
Sit still, particularly when cornering or at slow speed. This is really important, as any movement at these times makes controlling the bike much more difficult for me.
Under heavy braking, squeeze your knees together to grip the seat, and if necessary brace your hands against my waist, and not my shoulders.
But most of all, relax and enjoy the ride
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All good and true. I'd only add the need to hold the head firmly and back a little to control "helmet knock".
Much of the jerkiness that causes the knocking can be eliminated by smooth controls by the rider.
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You for got the important bit..
If you know the bike is about to tip over, as quickly as you can, if not faster, throw your self under the low side so that the bike doesnt get damaged
This instruction at times brings about a violent reaction from potential pillion, dont understand why but..
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All good and true. I'd only add the need to hold the head firmly and back a little to control "helmet knock".
Much of the jerkiness that causes the knocking can be eliminated by smooth controls by the rider.
I totally agree Biggles. One of the biggest mistakes that a rider can do is to ride in a manner that frightens your pillion, so accelerate gently, brake gently, corner conservatively, and be aware that the life behind you is not yours to risk and play with. Your pillion must feel safe or they'll never want to get on a bike again.
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All good and true. I'd only add the need to hold the head firmly and back a little to control "helmet knock".
Much of the jerkiness that causes the knocking can be eliminated by smooth controls by the rider.
I totally agree Biggles. One of the biggest mistakes that a rider can do is to ride in a manner that frightens your pillion, so accelerate gently, brake gently, corner conservatively, and be aware that the life behind you is not yours to risk and play with. Your pillion must feel safe or they'll never want to get on a bike again.
Amen :grin
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Another important instruction for pillions. Keep your boots off the muffler. :well :||||
:grin :blk13 :grin
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Or in other words...... Sit down, Shut up and Hang on...... :crackup
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Or in other words...... Sit down, Shut up and Hang on...... :crackup
Is that right Michael !!! :Whipped
You should know by now there is no possible way a woman can shut up when we have a man in our sights in needed of direction LOL :nahnah
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Or in other words...... Sit down, Shut up and Hang on...... :crackup
Is that right Michael !!! :Whipped
You should know by now there is no possible way a woman can shut up when we have a man in our sights in needed of direction LOL :nahnah
I wasn't talking about you Jean....I..I ...I. Was talkin about someone else um, yer um someone else nobody anyone knows..... :-++
Chris, help........she bites.... :runyay :crackup
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Well it was nice knowing you mate....glad we got to ride together that one time.....see you in the next life :p
:beer
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Thanks Sabie - Tag ur it :nahnah :butt Now I am back in Pockeys good books again :grin :clap
:slvr13
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Thanks Sabie - Tag ur it :nahnah :butt Now I am back in Pockeys good books again :grin :clap
It doesn't work that way. There's more than one page in the Bad Books.
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Haha your safe this time Michael, but that's once !! :grin love the banter :thumb
But Roosters enter the Hen House at your own risk :law :p :p
Pockey
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Haha your safe this time Michael, but that's once !! :grin love the banter :thumb
Pockey
Reminds me of a story an old guy told me years ago.
Back in the horse and buggy days a young married couple were on the way home. After a little while down the road the horse starts to play up, strong willed with a mind of its own. The young Husband hops down goes to the horses head grabs it by the reins and says in a stern voice..."Once"!!!
Hops back on board and continuues down the road. Well the new bride is taken aback by this.
A few miles further down the road the horse palys up again not doing what the driver wants. The young Husband hops down grabs the reins again and states.... "Twice"
Away they go again and things have settled down for a while, but sure enough the horse plays up for a 3rd time. The young Husband jumps down takes a rifle from the back of the buggy and shoots the horse...
Well... the new Wife is shocked, and starts up on the Husband.... You idiot, now we have to walk, what are we going to do with the buggy and so on and so on ...
The Young Husband turns to her and says..... "ONCE".
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All good and true. I'd only add the need to hold the head firmly and back a little to control "helmet knock".
Much of the jerkiness that causes the knocking can be eliminated by smooth controls by the rider.
I totally agree Biggles. One of the biggest mistakes that a rider can do is to ride in a manner that frightens your pillion, so accelerate gently, brake gently, corner conservatively, and be aware that the life behind you is not yours to risk and play with. Your pillion must feel safe or they'll never want to get on a bike again.
Agree totally with both of you. Just to add to it a bit................... I always tell, inexperienced pillions to place their hands on their knees. If they do this they can push down on their knees if/when heavy braking is required. This prevents them transferring their weight to the riders back (trying to brake your arms in the process) and 'helmet kissing', it also tends to keep them sitting square in the saddle and discourages them from leaning against corners.
Always worked for me.........................
Poppy :wht13
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I have to keep waking Heather up
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I always tell, inexperienced pillions to place their hands on their knees. If they do this they can push down on their knees if/when heavy braking is required. This prevents them transferring their weight to the riders back (trying to brake your arms in the process) and 'helmet kissing', it also tends to keep them sitting square in the saddle and discourages them from leaning against corners.
Hadn't heard that one. I've seen it done and didn't quite "get it", but I see the point now.
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You should know by now there is no possible way a woman can shut up when we have a man in our sights in needed of direction LOL :nahnah
That's why I don't have helmet communications, hand signals so much quieter. :grin
:bl11
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Way easier STeveo to have the Comms verbal between us.....less likely to cause pain to my melon from constant belting upon my helmet. :grin
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PitSTop and I went for a ride yesterday. The last time I rode I had taken the top box off. It had been on since new. I just wanted a bit of a change so off it came.
Yesterday before we left I asked PitSTop if she wanted it on but she said no. Off we went and after a few minutes I noticed she was holding the rear top box plate and she wasn't settling like she normally does - I normally don't notice she is on the bike at all. She couldn't use the side grab handles as the Sargeant pillion seat is a lot wider for comfort but stops the pillion using the grab handles if they need to.
I asked if she was ok and she said she didn't feel secure like she normally does sitting between me and the top box. I took it nice and easy for the rest of the ride. She said as the top box had always been on from when she started to pillion with me she was just used to having the support / security there. I have never seen her use the grab handles before.
When we got home she said she will always want the top box on the bike. It was interesting how a small change can make such a big difference to the comfort of your pillion :wink1
Cheers
:slvr13
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Absolutely Tony, I don't think that I would like the top box taken off either. I find it a security blanket for myself as well.
I guess if we as pillions feel comfortable and more secure the whole riding experience for both of us will be more relaxed.
Pockey :grin
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Agreed... My Wife won't ride without it... and every time she see a bike with a pillion and no top box, she dies a little on the inside thinking they are going to fall off... And also because she would constantly feel the need to hang on to something
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My daughter also freaks a bit without a topbox behind her. She's usually a very relaxed pillion, but not without that security blanket. My son on the other hand can be a scary pillion, either he's really stiff, gripping with his knees, or so relaxed he falls asleep, he's 6'1 to my 5'7 so I really know he's there!
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Wendy, sounds like you need a sidecar for your Son, while your Daughter Pillions..
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I actually have a sidecar Sabie, but I'm thinking my bike is getting a bit long in the tooth to go to the bother of mounting it. It's not that my son is a bad pillion, he's just so much taller than I am that I really know he's there
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Ya just gotta remember Wendy, a family that rides together....is gunna need a bigger bike.... :rofl
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It's only 13 months until my boy can get his own bike. He's already asked me to pay for his METAL courses for his 16th birthday and is saving for his first bike. I'm thinking a road/trail will suit his height (and build...6'1 and only 60kg!), can't see him being comfortable on too many of the LAMS bikes....
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Many of us carry our beloved pillions on a regular basis and I note that there has been no additions to this thread for ages. :eek
To give the thread some life, here's a great summary of pillion issues from "FortNine" who has some great stuff on his YouTube channel. See..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5vUZouBNgE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5vUZouBNgE)
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Hi all, yes he does some great vids on relevant topics. Always worth a look. :eek
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Keeping your pillion as comfortable as possible makes for 100ks of pleasant riding. Alert your pillion on your moves, like overtaking, coming to a quick stop etc. A good pillion knows your riding style and does everything in sync, some can be like a sack of potatoes on the back 😄