SPEEDTRIPLE
Pack Dog
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2008
- Messages
- 254
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Panorama, Cape Town
- Bike
- Triumph 1050 Tiger
I did a quick search. Couldn't find anything here (sorry if i missed it). :-[
Hereby a good read to all...
It's fair to acknowledge that there are many ladies out there who are happy never to own their own bike, but want to experience motorcycling with a loved one, or even with any guy or gal who'll take them for a spin. To ensure that you're asked again make sure you learn how to be a good pillion. Being a pillion takes concentration and experience. It may come naturally to you, but take a look at these pointers anyway - your rider may be too shy to tell you what you need to know or what you are doing wrong.
As an experienced pillion you will be able to:
Identify the best grab points on a motorcycle.
Grip tightly with your knees to cope with all but the heaviest braking/accelerating situations.
Identify in advance when to put a hand on the tank or the grab rail for hard braking.
Identify in advance when to grab the rider for hard accelerating.
Realise when you need to concentrate hard, and when you can relax and watch the scenery.
Know when there's time to shout a couple of words and when it might risk distracting the rider too much.
Carry a rucksack without complaint.
Minimise knocking helmets together.
Withstand numb bum for at least 50 miles before demanding a cuppa.
Inspire such confidence in the rider that it improves his cornering and he wants you there all the time. Believe it or not, bikes can corner faster with a pillion weighing them down.
Have a chat with the rider:
Find out if he has taken a pillion before, where the best grab points on his bike are, how he'd like you to hang on and how close you're allowed to snuggle up.
What to hold on to:
The normal pillion position depends on the bike, the type of riding you will be doing, your size and how well you know the rider.
Tourer/Sports Tourer:
As a rule the "default" position is with 4 to 12 inches gap between you both on the seat (depending on the size of the seat and if there is a separate pillion perch). Lean forward slightly and try holding on gently to the sides of his jacket - if there are straps there then use those. Grip gently to the sides of the bike and his bum with your knees. You will very rarely need to adjust your position for steady riding. If there is excessive braking put your hand back and grab the aptly named grab rail. If there is excessive acceleration move your arms further around his waist and hang on (if you're not an item it may be best to check before you get on whether this will be OK!).
Cruiser:
Usually these come with a huge soft pillion seat and a "cissy bar" - which is a large metal contraption just behind the seat which you can lean against and grip onto. You're very unlikely to need any more help staying on.
Get out there and have fun - it's a hoot if you go with the flow and don't worry too much.
To fit onto these machines it helps if you are under 5 foot tall, less than 7 stone with a Kylie sized arse, but us normal sized females can have fun as pillions too!
The best position is tucked in as tight as possible and squeezed up as close as you can get. If you're lucky and the bike has a grab rail then hang onto it until your arm goes numb, then swap arms at a suitable point (i.e. stopped at traffic lights). The other arm should be tight around his waist as far as you can get it to take the acceleration. If there is no grab rail (most supersports bikes) and you can't persuade him that an aftermarket one doesn't mar the smooth lines of his pride and joy, then both arms should be around his waist as tightly as possible.
Your knees should be in a vice-like grip around his legs and bum.
If he's really going hell for leather then turn the "round the waist" hand round so that your palm is towards the tank - this is so that under hard breaking you can push against the tank to stop all of your weight catapulting into him. He'll really thank you for this because riding a sports bike is hard enough on the arms without having to bear the weight of a pillion too.
He'll probably like the cuddling up feeling of it too!
Intimacy:
You can't really get away from it as a pillion. It can be great with a partner or someone you fancy, but you can keep your distance if you want to. Make use of all the grab points, the sides of the seat and grip on with your knees too. If you really don't like someone, what are you doing getting on his bike?
The lean angle:
You should always move your body with the bike. When you get used to it the flow will be natural and the ride will feel smooth.
NEVER be tempted to sit up because you don't think you're going to make it round a corner. Rest assured that if you do this you will NOT make it round the corner. Have a little faith in the rider's abilities and recognise that bikes can lean to scary angles - watch some bike racing and you'll see. If you don't trust the rider then don't get on the back!
If you are on a supersports bike and adopting the position described above, then you won't have any choice but to go where the rider goes.
Try this on other types of bikes too if you find you are uncomfortable and keep trying to sit up - snuggling up to the rider is the best way to "be in harmony" with him and the bike.
The intercom:
This is a bit of a standing joke for the boys. Cue jokes about turning it off and letting her "nag away to her heart's content". But it's invaluable for whiling away long touring hours, giving him directions if you are map reading, passing comments about the scenery / state of the roads / how much you need the loo / how numb your bum is / did you see that copper?
The good ones can be OK up to 50 or 60mph but you really can't expect to hear much over that. Don't forget that you still need to wear earplugs.
Communication:
If you don't have an intercom then establish a rule for various prods, signals and gestures before you set out, for instance:
Push the middle of his back = go faster, I'm bored
Bash on the right shoulder = take the next turn right
Bash on the left shoulder = take the next turn left
Bash around his head several times whilst gesticulating wildly = I'm a little nervous, would you slow down now please?
Lean forward and wave to the side of his helmet = slow down so I can tell you something
Pat his legs or a give big hug = I'm really enjoying the ride, thanks, keep going.
Wave in front of his face when passing a sign = I want to go there (e.g. service station, cafe, fine restaurant, Paris) - just make sure you don't obscure his vision.
Have fun!
Hereby a good read to all...
It's fair to acknowledge that there are many ladies out there who are happy never to own their own bike, but want to experience motorcycling with a loved one, or even with any guy or gal who'll take them for a spin. To ensure that you're asked again make sure you learn how to be a good pillion. Being a pillion takes concentration and experience. It may come naturally to you, but take a look at these pointers anyway - your rider may be too shy to tell you what you need to know or what you are doing wrong.
As an experienced pillion you will be able to:
Identify the best grab points on a motorcycle.
Grip tightly with your knees to cope with all but the heaviest braking/accelerating situations.
Identify in advance when to put a hand on the tank or the grab rail for hard braking.
Identify in advance when to grab the rider for hard accelerating.
Realise when you need to concentrate hard, and when you can relax and watch the scenery.
Know when there's time to shout a couple of words and when it might risk distracting the rider too much.
Carry a rucksack without complaint.
Minimise knocking helmets together.
Withstand numb bum for at least 50 miles before demanding a cuppa.
Inspire such confidence in the rider that it improves his cornering and he wants you there all the time. Believe it or not, bikes can corner faster with a pillion weighing them down.
Have a chat with the rider:
Find out if he has taken a pillion before, where the best grab points on his bike are, how he'd like you to hang on and how close you're allowed to snuggle up.
What to hold on to:
The normal pillion position depends on the bike, the type of riding you will be doing, your size and how well you know the rider.
Tourer/Sports Tourer:
As a rule the "default" position is with 4 to 12 inches gap between you both on the seat (depending on the size of the seat and if there is a separate pillion perch). Lean forward slightly and try holding on gently to the sides of his jacket - if there are straps there then use those. Grip gently to the sides of the bike and his bum with your knees. You will very rarely need to adjust your position for steady riding. If there is excessive braking put your hand back and grab the aptly named grab rail. If there is excessive acceleration move your arms further around his waist and hang on (if you're not an item it may be best to check before you get on whether this will be OK!).
Cruiser:
Usually these come with a huge soft pillion seat and a "cissy bar" - which is a large metal contraption just behind the seat which you can lean against and grip onto. You're very unlikely to need any more help staying on.
Get out there and have fun - it's a hoot if you go with the flow and don't worry too much.
To fit onto these machines it helps if you are under 5 foot tall, less than 7 stone with a Kylie sized arse, but us normal sized females can have fun as pillions too!
The best position is tucked in as tight as possible and squeezed up as close as you can get. If you're lucky and the bike has a grab rail then hang onto it until your arm goes numb, then swap arms at a suitable point (i.e. stopped at traffic lights). The other arm should be tight around his waist as far as you can get it to take the acceleration. If there is no grab rail (most supersports bikes) and you can't persuade him that an aftermarket one doesn't mar the smooth lines of his pride and joy, then both arms should be around his waist as tightly as possible.
Your knees should be in a vice-like grip around his legs and bum.
If he's really going hell for leather then turn the "round the waist" hand round so that your palm is towards the tank - this is so that under hard breaking you can push against the tank to stop all of your weight catapulting into him. He'll really thank you for this because riding a sports bike is hard enough on the arms without having to bear the weight of a pillion too.
He'll probably like the cuddling up feeling of it too!
Intimacy:
You can't really get away from it as a pillion. It can be great with a partner or someone you fancy, but you can keep your distance if you want to. Make use of all the grab points, the sides of the seat and grip on with your knees too. If you really don't like someone, what are you doing getting on his bike?
The lean angle:
You should always move your body with the bike. When you get used to it the flow will be natural and the ride will feel smooth.
NEVER be tempted to sit up because you don't think you're going to make it round a corner. Rest assured that if you do this you will NOT make it round the corner. Have a little faith in the rider's abilities and recognise that bikes can lean to scary angles - watch some bike racing and you'll see. If you don't trust the rider then don't get on the back!
If you are on a supersports bike and adopting the position described above, then you won't have any choice but to go where the rider goes.
Try this on other types of bikes too if you find you are uncomfortable and keep trying to sit up - snuggling up to the rider is the best way to "be in harmony" with him and the bike.
The intercom:
This is a bit of a standing joke for the boys. Cue jokes about turning it off and letting her "nag away to her heart's content". But it's invaluable for whiling away long touring hours, giving him directions if you are map reading, passing comments about the scenery / state of the roads / how much you need the loo / how numb your bum is / did you see that copper?
The good ones can be OK up to 50 or 60mph but you really can't expect to hear much over that. Don't forget that you still need to wear earplugs.
Communication:
If you don't have an intercom then establish a rule for various prods, signals and gestures before you set out, for instance:
Push the middle of his back = go faster, I'm bored
Bash on the right shoulder = take the next turn right
Bash on the left shoulder = take the next turn left
Bash around his head several times whilst gesticulating wildly = I'm a little nervous, would you slow down now please?
Lean forward and wave to the side of his helmet = slow down so I can tell you something
Pat his legs or a give big hug = I'm really enjoying the ride, thanks, keep going.
Wave in front of his face when passing a sign = I want to go there (e.g. service station, cafe, fine restaurant, Paris) - just make sure you don't obscure his vision.
Have fun!
