Riding a motorcycle is both great fun and a brilliant experience that provides efficient transport as well as a means for adventure, but it can also be a fairly solitary activity, which is why taking a passenger has huge appeal. But carrying a pillion (as the passenger is typically called) requires a whole set of skills and considerations of its own – especially if you, your passenger, or both of you, are inexperienced.
Which is where this guide comes in. Taking a pillion and introducing your friends or partner to motorcycling can be hugely rewarding – as long as you both approach it wisely. You also need to get the basics right and know the law. Learner riders are not allowed to carry pillions, for example, but did you know there’s no minimum age for passengers?
Children can be passengers on a motorcycle in the UK, although they must wear an approved helmet, be tall enough to place both feet on the pillion footrests and be able to hold on securely. You should also check your insurance covers carrying a passenger too, as this is not always automatically part of the cover.
If haven’t taken a passenger before, it would be good if you can find an experienced pillion for your first rides, preferably, also someone who is fairly small and light. If you’ve never been a passenger on a bike before it might also be an idea to ask an experienced rider to take you for a spin on the back too. It’s always good when you can understand things from your passenger’s perspective.
Whether that’s possible or not, start small and work your way up. Preparation is key, whether that’s trying on the gear and practicing getting on and off the bike before your first journey, try to iron out any issues before you actually go for your first ride. Don’t simply jump on the bike and assume everything will be ok before heading off on a big adventure. It’s a recipe for disaster and a surefire way to put your pillion off riding before they’ve even started.
With all those things taken into consideration, here are our top 10 tips for taking a pillion passenger…
Before you ride – have you optimised your bike for taking a pillion? You’ll be carrying significant extra weight so it may be wise to adjust the preload setting of the rear suspension and possibly also increase the tyre pressures slightly to suit the extra load. Your motorcycle’s manual should give you recommended settings and any other important advice. You may also consider making some modifications to the bike, such as improving the seat (with a grippier, more comfortable cover, for example), adding a grab handle or even fitting a passenger back rest (which might also come in the form of a top box).
Riding gear – as a rider, you’ll be familiar with what to wear but your pillion may be a novice. Before even considering taking them on a ride, ensure they not only have an appropriate, well-fitting helmet (and that they’ve tried it and become familiar with its strap and visor in advance) but also a sturdy jacket and boots, gloves and maybe even a neck tube and earplugs, as long as they’re comfortable with them. Also ensure that they are not too hot or cold for the conditions. Their comfort and safety is paramount, and as important as yours.
Do a pre-ride check/briefing. Again, if your pillion is a novice or inexperienced, take time beforehand to talk them through what they can expect and how you want them to behave. Ensure they feel secure and try to make sure they relax. They should sit close to the rider and lean with you through bends. If you don’t have an intercom system, ensure you establish some basic hand signals to communicate. Some riders also adjust their left-hand mirror in order to be able to check on their passenger on the move too.
Once ready, get on… carefully. The rider should always get aboard first, ideally on flat ground, then, with bike stable, two feet on the ground (some also lean the bike onto the sidestand), pillion pegs folded down and front brake applied, let the pillion climb onboard. If they’re inexperienced this may be awkward but reassure them that they can clamber over you and use you to hold on to – which is why you need to brace yourself. If the pillion’s a complete newbie – practice. Do two or three dry runs until they are comfortable, have familiarised themselves with their holding on points and are ready to go. Similarly with dismounting, the pillion should always get off first – but only when the rider is braced and ready. Getting off unexpectedly could lead to the bike toppling over.
Rider comfort. It’s vital that the rider is comfortable too. The bike will most likely feel significantly different to ride (remember that a bike which might usually weigh 200kg could now weigh over 270kg with your passenger on board), as it will be heavier and more awkward to manoeuvre (especially at low speeds when putting both feet down is advised). It will be less responsive on the move, having reduced acceleration, different steering characteristics and increased braking distances. Take your time to become acclimatised.
Setting off. As mentioned above, the whole bike, two-up, is heavier, lower and more awkward, so adjust accordingly when setting off. Bigger touring style bikes are built for two-up travelling and will likely be less sensitive to a passenger than smaller, lighter and sportier bikes, but you’ll still have to make adjustments. Your bike may require more revs and more clutch slip than usual. Try to take things slowly, smoothly and keep things stable. Relax – and practice!
Riding in a straight line. Although still different, this is the easy bit, but there are still things to adjust. Ensure your lane positioning is consistent and leaves plenty of room. Give other road users a wider berth than when riding solo. Try to keep gearchanges as smooth as possible and change up earlier than usual. In fact, make all your actions earlier than usual to avoid jolts and jars as much as possible. Don’t accelerate aggressively – but don’t brake hard, either.
Observation and planning ahead. Allow for the fact that you require extra braking distance and take extra care as you’re less manoeuvrable and responsive, and don’t want to surprise the pillion.
Corners. This can be the most foreign – but potentially most rewarding – part of taking a pillion. Ensure (in your pre-ride discussion) they lean with you, not against you, take a wider, smoother line than when riding solo and try not to change direction mid-turn. Remember, not only is your bike now heavier, the weight over the back is also not in a fixed position. This means you have to factor in the weight distribution being different to solo rides, and that can move around too. When working in harmony, cornering two-up can be very satisfying.
And, finally, and perhaps most importantly, if you or your pillion is a novice, make a stop after a short period, maybe 10 minutes, to discuss how it’s going, identify any problems or concerns and adjust accordingly! Build up to that big adventure and use short trips to gain confidence and ensure any little niggles are ironed out. Most importantly, don’t try to show off!
Words Phil West
Pics Kawasaki, BMW, Suzuki and Harley-Davidson
