Pillion carrying.

Oakesy2001uk · 12 Sep 2006 at 14:08

I noticed a few people around here take pillions, I have tended to avoid this at all costs for the last 3 years, and have very little experience.

Im taking my mate to the road racing in scarborough (200 miles) this weekend. I'll try and stck him on the back of someone else for a bit of the journey (mainly the twisty bits) but any tips?

He's about 12 stone and just under 6 foot, so is a fair lump. The little experience I have had hasnt been too bad, just low speed controll a little more difficult, but not really done much, none at all on the R6.

Also I run 34psi front, 36 psi rear, shall I stick more like 40 in the back when carrying, maybe a little more pre load?

GSXRMovistar · 12 Sep 2006 at 14:17

Oakesy2001uk said:
any tips?

I know this sounds silly but don’t get too used to them being on the back, after a few miles you will get use to the extra weight etc and adapt your riding style but just be careful to still give extra time for manoeuvres/stopping just in case you need to make any quick actions (ie something pulling out on you).

Oakesy2001uk · 12 Sep 2006 at 14:25

GSXRMovistar said:
I know this sounds silly but don’t get too used to them being on the back, after a few miles you will get use to the extra weight etc and adapt your riding style but just be careful to still give extra time for manoeuvres/stopping just in case you need to make any quick actions (ie something pulling out on you).

yea, makes sense, I have just put braided hoses and HH pads in it actually so the brakes are stunning, still getting used to them, they were very good before hand!do you agree on a few more PSI in the back tyre, dont want to shred it! 400 mile round trip!

jpmonkey69 · 12 Sep 2006 at 15:09

Oakesy2001uk said:
400 mile round trip!

Tell him to get a train!

Oakesy2001uk · 12 Sep 2006 at 15:27

jpmonkey69 said:
Tell him to get a train!

lol, I think I will be the only one carrying a pillion In quite a fast bunch as well, oh well, have to try harder! Its about 180 miles there, then 180 miles back a couple of days later.

Rotty · 12 Sep 2006 at 15:33

I use to hate carrying a pillion

best thing I used to do was to tell them to sit still and not try and help through the bends :eek:

Oakesy2001uk · 12 Sep 2006 at 15:38

Rotty said:
I use to hate carrying a pillion

best thing I used to do was to tell them to sit still and not try and help through the bends

he is a good pillion apparently, my mate who was going to take him before he pulled out (alternator broke on his GSXR600 K1) takes him on the back all the time, so he should sit still and shut up!

I'll do some test runs tommorow afternoon down some decent roads and see what I think.

Bug One · 12 Sep 2006 at 15:59

Although I'm not an overly experienced rider, I've taken my missus out quite a lot on the back.

You do get used to the extra weight and dynamics of the bike. Its different riding with a passenger. I drive very sensibly and carefully. Both because I know of the extra weight, but I also dont want to scare the crap out of them.

Seeing as I recently took my test, I know the 'official' rules of taking a pillion. It said nothing about adjusting the tyre pressures, but you are suppose to slacken your chain off a bit, and adjust your braking to 50% front and 50% rear.

Oh and from experience, dont accelerate too hard in 1st and 2nd. The front wheel comes up way easier with some weight on the back.

Glaucus · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:15

NUMBER 1 ADVICE, make sure you tell them to lean with you. Otherwise your cornering will be very eractic.

2) tell them never to put there feet down when you stop.

3) make some sort of signal up. If they need to stop for anything, cramp, **** what ever. Jab in the ribs or something.

Other than that just take it easy and realise you have someone else's life in your hands.

Was · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:16

Aye, extra air in the tyres (will say in the manual, mind you my current bike says not to change pressure) also you will need to adjust the rear suspension to stop bottoming out.

Wheelies become a lot easier, especially if you accelerate quickly without him expecting as he will lean back and you can picture the rest....

Stopping distances will be increased and with an extra 12st it may well surprise you. dont forget ground clearance may not be quite so good, ie corners or on off kerbs (all way park right outside cafe's and so means going up the kerb)

One thing that almost ctaches me sometimes, you have someone on the back for an hour or so down some long roads/motorway, then you come to a stop somewhere, your legs are a little numb, you go to put your foot down and youve forgottenm the extra weight..... can lead to some frantic repositioning!

Apart from that it shouldnt make much difference

PS agree before hand if you are happy for him to hold onto your waist when you are giving it some and also make sure he tells you before changing his seating position or getting off the bike....

Rotty · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:31

AcidHell2 said:
NUMBER 1 ADVICE, make sure you tell them to lean with you. Otherwise your cornering will be very eractic.

.

I always used to tell them not to lean and found that better

Glaucus · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:32

Rotty said:
I always used to tell them not to lean and found that better

you what, that makes the bike wobble about. But the main thing is what ever they do, do the same thing on every corner.

EddyG · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:39

I have rode nearly as much with a pillion as without, it is really easy and there is not much noticable difference.

I took a pillion on the same day I passed my test

Rotty · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:39

AcidHell2 said:
you what, that makes the bike wobble about. But the main thing is what ever they do, do the same thing on every corner.

just consider them a dead weight on the bike , much rather have that than a weight shift that I had no control over

AlexG12 · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:47

Tell em to be like a bag of spuds, and if they are gonna wibble about get em to do it whilst your going along at a reasonable speed

.

Rotty · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:53

AlexG12 said:
Tell em to be like a bag of spuds, and if they are gonna wibble about get em to do it whilst your going along at a reasonable speed .

that's how I see it

Pug · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:58

best bit about taking a pillion on a 600?

When they get off. It feels like you've just upgraded to 1 litre bike - its immense!

Just be careful, no great need to change anything on your bike (well i never have in 12 years, tho havent done as long a run before)

Braking is the biggest thing, and the wheel coming up under hard acceleration.

As for the leaning thing, i tell them to just relax on the back, and not fight anything. That way, when i lean they follow me as opposed to fighting me...

signal to stop/slow down is a good one too

tho its easy enough to talk below 60 mph...

mrgubby · 12 Sep 2006 at 17:37

Rotty said:
just consider them a dead weight on the bike , much rather have that than a weight shift that I had no control over

I agree with that , been carrying pillions for 28 years :eek:

, They are told to stay in line with the bike , I DO THE LEANING !! and prod me if they want to stop.

Oh , 12st pillion + R6 == very carefull in 1st & 2nd , It can flip .

atpbx · 12 Sep 2006 at 17:58

AcidHell2 said:
NUMBER 1 ADVICE, make sure you tell them to lean with you. Otherwise your cornering will be very eractic.

Number one bad advice that.

You dont want them moving at all, especially if he hasnt taken a pillion before, the guy needs to stay still and keep his weight in a constant position.

Number one advice for people who havnt been on the back of a bike as well, keep still.

Jonny69 · 12 Sep 2006 at 18:21

Rotty said:
I always used to tell them not to lean and found that better

Me too. And tell them not to move around while you're cornering or you'll end up over the other side of the road. Try and make sure your first go is in the dry too, if it's his first time he's bound to shift during a bend. Even if it's him swapping his head from left to right side it'll make you change course and in the wet that can be a bit pantcraptastic for you.

Pillion carrying.

Man of Honour