A few pointers for riding with a pillion passenger, for those who are inexperienced or have yet to try it. Thanks for watching, please comment, like, subscribe & share. See you soon, Leanna
Fantastic, thank you so much. Just in time too as I’ll be taking my 72yr old mother on our local charity “egg run” in Stoke this weekend. She’s hated bikes all her life but for some reason is having a change of opinion and desperately wants to join me on the back. Anyhow, I’ll take your advice on board and most certainly will go out to practice first. Nick
I enjoy taking my wife on the back of my Bonnie for a ride out. Bike feels heavy for the 1st couple of minutes when you first set off, but I find you soon adjust your riding style and braking distances etc and after a couple of minutes it all feels natural and the pillion becomes un noticeable. The main thing is the ride is a gentle plod with a pillion and smooth everything out throttle, braking etc.
Pillion is a new word for me. "Passenger" is closer to my french word while "pillion" is closer to pillar in french ! Interestingly the are affectionately called "sand bags" but I prefer "my +1" if it would be my girlfriend, but I didn't use the latest for long. ^^ For my 2 cents: if the pillion pushes with it's leg on the peg to get over the bike instead of grabbing the bike and the rider and pull on them, it will be a lot easier for the rider to keep the bike upright. The weight can be barely noticed by the rider. Think of "sending" it's weight to the other side of the bike to help to stand on the peg instead of pulling on the arms to get up on the peg. I hope this can help and not mentioned in a part of the video I missed or didn't understood well enough. 😇
That is interesting. "Sand bags" made me laugh. I'm glad it's affectionate and not derogatory! Thank for your comment. I think the more we have a pillion, the easier it becomes to cope with the various issues, especially climbing on and off. You're right, that if the pillion excessively leans on the rider it's much worse! 😊
Hi Leanna, Good talk through carrying pillion I'm going on a camp trip in a months time and I guess that it is pretty much the same carrying the camping gear. I did have panniers on as well but decided to leave them off for first trip. I do struggle with the weight of bike as not as strong as I was being a old fart haha. I would just like to say nearing the end of your video I noticed a Pedestrian crossing on a left turn right on the turn into it how dangerous is that surely it should be moved further down that side turn. That must catch a few people out who aren't paying attention. As always Leanna Ride safe and look forward to your next one. Dale 👍
Haha yes only the good thing about camping gear is that so long as it's properly secured it won't move about! It's a good idea to invest in the most lightweight gear you can for such trips. Plan where you put your side stand down so it's not in a hole... It's a pain if you can't get the bike up off the sidestand because it's too heavy! Have a lovely time and thanks for the comment 😊
@@motorcyclelessonsuk Hi glad you are good. I’m ok thanks 🙂 I had another video content idea for you this morning, how learners and motorcyclists in general should behave when riding near horses and riders (or riding near to other animals). There is a fee by the way for these ideas hahaha 🙂
@@motorcyclelessonsuk haha, that sounds good to me, there’s the ideas fee, the content fee, agent fee, management fee, copyright fee, repeat fee, idea usage fee, so I think all that equates to a mug of tea 🤣
Hi Leanna, i have no friends so i don't have to worry about a Pillion riders and if i did have friends i wouldn't for long as they would probably get fed up with the headaches' id give them 🤣🤣🤣 on a serious note in this moment in time i am not nearly confident enough to have someone on the back.. Maybe later on but not now :) i have taken my pegs off and don't have insurance for a passenger which makes it super easy to say No!! when asked 🤣🤣 maybe once i can super smooth stop with my back brake then just maybe ill put the pegs on 🤣🤣 great video and everything you said makes sense. take care, safe ride and stay healthy Kev
I want to take my son on the back but I've only had my ticket since november. I dont feel ready to do so but its note worthy that your insurance needs to cover a pillion. If you get pulled by the police and dont have the requisite insurance you are looking at 6 points and a fine. That can also mean loss of licence if you are a new rider. Leanne great video thanks.
Hi, thanks for the comment. Whilst I agree that it would be very wise indeed to have pillion insurance cover, as far as I can see it's not actually written in any regulations that you MUST have it. That's not to say that the insurance companies won't be very awkward about it if you don't have it, have an accident and then your pillion tries to sue you for damages. I can't find any clear cut legislation that suggests you would get points for not having pillion cover. I'm not advocating not having it however! It's an interesting comment as I suspect it would depend on the insurance company as to their decision. If you can find legislation that specifically states you must have pillion cover then let me know. I wonder if it's one of those slightly grey areas.
May I also ask that you check if your insurance covers pillion passengers? I was asked specifically about that and have not got insurance to cover pillions as I do not intend to share my first year riding & also have no friends lol. I wish you well and safe riding.
I always ask the pillion to hold onto me rather than the grab rails (obviously not too tight)I find the bike easier to control especially at lower speeds, what are your thoughts on this?
I haven't really noticed a difference to be honest but I can see how it might help by bringing their weight in towards you more, thus centering it more to help with balance. I did once take a pillion on a 125cc and had to ask him to sit really close to me because the front end was weaving and he was heavier than me (and the bike!). Once he had shifted position it was muc easier to handle if a touch trickier getting my feet up and down 😂
Great advice, smoothness seems to be the biggest key in riding. Is it true one of the things you can say in the show me tell me part of your test, is to tell your pillion ,to sit facing forward when getting on?🤪🔥👍👍
Haha, you can say what you want, but the main things they're looking for are the pillion holding on, keeping their feet on the pegs and leaning with you. Thanks Craig 😊
Is there any official guidance on how much extra tyre pressure is required when riding with a pillion? The owner’s manual for my Honda NC750S is silent on this point and I have not managed to get hold of their customer service yet.
As far as I can see in my NC750X manual (very similar bike), there is actually no difference for tyre pressures under load or without extra load. If you have your own manual double check the tyre pressure chart for reference. Thanks 😊
It's easier to ask them to lean with you. Their shoulders will be higher up than yours usually so that might complicate things. If they're not leaning and you have an intercom then talk them through it as you're riding. I once had someone who wasn't leaning on a 125cc and I had to say "lean left lean left, lean right lean right, lean left lean left" just to get round a roundabout 😂 All good fun 😂😂
😂 A friend of mine was telling me he used to fall asleep on the back of his dad’s bike, as a kid, all the time. I’m amazed it’s even possible and that they wouldn’t literally, drop off! 😊
😂 I think that's a very personal thing, as I actually quite like being a pillion with Russ (Roadcraft Nottingham), but that's because I trust his skills and judgement. I'm not a great fan of taking pillions for the aforementioned reasons in the video, but will do so if necessary. Thanks for making me smile ☺️
![When to change gear [timing your gear changes]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3SW3l1rQhKQ/mqdefault.jpg)
"I don't have a pillion because I don't have a friend" - how relatable!
I'm much happier that way 😂
Fantastic, thank you so much. Just in time too as I’ll be taking my 72yr old mother on our local charity “egg run” in Stoke this weekend. She’s hated bikes all her life but for some reason is having a change of opinion and desperately wants to join me on the back. Anyhow, I’ll take your advice on board and most certainly will go out to practice first. Nick
How lovely! Practising makes quite a difference. Enjoy it and take care of your mum, I hope she loves it 😁😊
I enjoy taking my wife on the back of my Bonnie for a ride out. Bike feels heavy for the 1st couple of minutes when you first set off, but I find you soon adjust your riding style and braking distances etc and after a couple of minutes it all feels natural and the pillion becomes un noticeable. The main thing is the ride is a gentle plod with a pillion and smooth everything out throttle, braking etc.
Took my 12 year old out with me after 3 months of solo riding. Totally agree with all your points. She loves it by the way
Glad she's enjoying it 😊 thanks for the comment 👍
Pillion is a new word for me. "Passenger" is closer to my french word while "pillion" is closer to pillar in french ! Interestingly the are affectionately called "sand bags" but I prefer "my +1" if it would be my girlfriend, but I didn't use the latest for long. ^^
For my 2 cents: if the pillion pushes with it's leg on the peg to get over the bike instead of grabbing the bike and the rider and pull on them, it will be a lot easier for the rider to keep the bike upright. The weight can be barely noticed by the rider. Think of "sending" it's weight to the other side of the bike to help to stand on the peg instead of pulling on the arms to get up on the peg.
I hope this can help and not mentioned in a part of the video I missed or didn't understood well enough. 😇
That is interesting. "Sand bags" made me laugh. I'm glad it's affectionate and not derogatory! Thank for your comment. I think the more we have a pillion, the easier it becomes to cope with the various issues, especially climbing on and off. You're right, that if the pillion excessively leans on the rider it's much worse! 😊
Hi Leanna, Good talk through carrying pillion I'm going on a camp trip in a months time and I guess that it is pretty much the same carrying the camping gear. I did have panniers on as well but decided to leave them off for first trip. I do struggle with the weight of bike as not as strong as I was being a old fart haha.
I would just like to say nearing the end of your video I noticed a Pedestrian crossing on a left turn right on the turn into it how dangerous is that surely it should be moved further down that side turn. That must catch a few people out who aren't paying attention. As always Leanna Ride safe and look forward to your next one. Dale 👍
Haha yes only the good thing about camping gear is that so long as it's properly secured it won't move about! It's a good idea to invest in the most lightweight gear you can for such trips. Plan where you put your side stand down so it's not in a hole... It's a pain if you can't get the bike up off the sidestand because it's too heavy! Have a lovely time and thanks for the comment 😊
Hi Leanna, another great video, thank you 🙂
Hope you’re keeping well 🙂
Thanks Ian, yes all good here thanks. Hope you're keeping well too 😊
@@motorcyclelessonsuk Hi glad you are good. I’m ok thanks 🙂
I had another video content idea for you this morning, how learners and motorcyclists in general should behave when riding near horses and riders (or riding near to other animals).
There is a fee by the way for these ideas hahaha 🙂
@@iansheff hahaha I'll put.the kettle on and pay you in tea... 😂
@@motorcyclelessonsuk haha, that sounds good to me, there’s the ideas fee, the content fee, agent fee, management fee, copyright fee, repeat fee, idea usage fee, so I think all that equates to a mug of tea 🤣
@@iansheff 😂😂😂😂
Hi Leanna, i have no friends so i don't have to worry about a Pillion riders and if i did have friends
i wouldn't for long as they would probably get fed up with the headaches' id give them 🤣🤣🤣
on a serious note in this moment in time i am not nearly confident enough to have someone on the back.. Maybe later on but not now :)
i have taken my pegs off and don't have insurance for a passenger which makes it super easy to say No!! when asked 🤣🤣
maybe once i can super smooth stop with my back brake then just maybe ill put the pegs on 🤣🤣
great video and everything you said makes sense.
take care, safe ride and stay healthy
Kev
Haha, I don't blame you Kev. Take your time, and if you don't want to take a passenger, don't! 😊
I want to take my son on the back but I've only had my ticket since november. I dont feel ready to do so but its note worthy that your insurance needs to cover a pillion. If you get pulled by the police and dont have the requisite insurance you are looking at 6 points and a fine. That can also mean loss of licence if you are a new rider. Leanne great video thanks.
Hi, thanks for the comment. Whilst I agree that it would be very wise indeed to have pillion insurance cover, as far as I can see it's not actually written in any regulations that you MUST have it. That's not to say that the insurance companies won't be very awkward about it if you don't have it, have an accident and then your pillion tries to sue you for damages. I can't find any clear cut legislation that suggests you would get points for not having pillion cover. I'm not advocating not having it however! It's an interesting comment as I suspect it would depend on the insurance company as to their decision. If you can find legislation that specifically states you must have pillion cover then let me know. I wonder if it's one of those slightly grey areas.
May I also ask that you check if your insurance covers pillion passengers? I was asked specifically about that and have not got insurance to cover pillions as I do not intend to share my first year riding & also have no friends lol. I wish you well and safe riding.
Hi Dave, thanks for this. See my response to anotehr comment regards insurance. Thanks 😊
@@motorcyclelessonsuk I do apologise if this has been menetioned before. I wish you well and safe on our roads.
@@davecarrera not a problem, just saves me writing it twice, thanks Dave 😊
I always ask the pillion to hold onto me rather than the grab rails (obviously not too tight)I find the bike easier to control especially at lower speeds, what are your thoughts on this?
I haven't really noticed a difference to be honest but I can see how it might help by bringing their weight in towards you more, thus centering it more to help with balance. I did once take a pillion on a 125cc and had to ask him to sit really close to me because the front end was weaving and he was heavier than me (and the bike!). Once he had shifted position it was muc easier to handle if a touch trickier getting my feet up and down 😂
Great advice, smoothness seems to be the biggest key in riding. Is it true one of the things you can say in the show me tell me part of your test, is to tell your pillion ,to sit facing forward when getting on?🤪🔥👍👍
Haha, you can say what you want, but the main things they're looking for are the pillion holding on, keeping their feet on the pegs and leaning with you. Thanks Craig 😊
I have noticet that problem when i have heavy backpack on...... its difficult to get stable to drive on to slow speed
Yes, your centre of balance will be different.
Is there any official guidance on how much extra tyre pressure is required when riding with a pillion? The owner’s manual for my Honda NC750S is silent on this point and I have not managed to get hold of their customer service yet.
As far as I can see in my NC750X manual (very similar bike), there is actually no difference for tyre pressures under load or without extra load. If you have your own manual double check the tyre pressure chart for reference. Thanks 😊
Is it a good idea to tell the pillion to keep their shoulders aligned with you?
It's easier to ask them to lean with you. Their shoulders will be higher up than yours usually so that might complicate things. If they're not leaning and you have an intercom then talk them through it as you're riding. I once had someone who wasn't leaning on a 125cc and I had to say "lean left lean left, lean right lean right, lean left lean left" just to get round a roundabout 😂 All good fun 😂😂
not always your fault they headbutt you. if they fall asleep they can do it at anytime, its very off putting
😂 A friend of mine was telling me he used to fall asleep on the back of his dad’s bike, as a kid, all the time. I’m amazed it’s even possible and that they wouldn’t literally, drop off! 😊
😂 that's slightly different
Have you ever used a bike trailer or side car ?
No, but I've been a passenger in a sidecar of a Rocket, which was noisy, bumpy, and quite enjoyable 😊
Make sure you ask your partner first or remember to put the foot pegs up before you get home 🤣
😂
The only thing worse than carrying a pillion, is being one!
😂 I think that's a very personal thing, as I actually quite like being a pillion with Russ (Roadcraft Nottingham), but that's because I trust his skills and judgement. I'm not a great fan of taking pillions for the aforementioned reasons in the video, but will do so if necessary. Thanks for making me smile ☺️