Now I know this seems like a strange question but it's worth an ask, is there such a thing as a course on how to be a good pillion ?
My pillion had never been on a bike until we met 6 years ago and at first to her credit she took to it like a duck to water, but lately and especially since we've become grandparents she has changed and sadly she's become very afraid, I've tried to reassure her by explaining the ride/cornering etc plus we have some top kit in our own riding gear and extras on the bike ie - ohlins, carbon fibre wheels, PR4's but despite all this I can her her nerves through the intercom. My riding style has changed much in that I'm much slower now, hardly overtake on singleways but don't enjoy the ride like I used too. BTW I have a RoSPA Gold and I.A.M pass so I'm not a nutter.
Any sensible suggestions please ? (and don't say get a new pillion or dump her or ride solo as it's not the least funny and is isn't going to happen).
That's an interesting question. Have you made any enquiries regarding such a course with for example, IAM or Rospa?
Have you asked your partner what specifically it is that makes her apprehensive on the bike these days, is it perhaps the fear that she is now a Grandparent and perhaps feels that she has a greater responsibility to others and shouldn't take such risks or get involved in risky hobbies?
Thats a very good point Dave. I am a Rospa tutor and have never heard of such a course. I will try and make a few enquiries
good question
Gill will only entertain being a pillion if there is a good top box on the bike, which of coure there is, (it provides her with confidence), she would never consider riding pillion on any of my Triples.
I must say she's a very good pillion, and I hardly know she is there, she's only a size 10 though
Ummmmm....get her her own bike?
I haven't heard of a pillion course. My wife will only go pillion with a good top box as well. The only advice I gave her as a pillion was, when we get up to speed she can move around, stretch legs etc, but when travelling slowly approaching junctions or as we are coming to a stop, sit still. Other than that go with the bike and think, and this may sound daft, "sack of potatoes". And she has been an excellent pillion.
However, my riding style changes with a pillion and I will hold back more than I would if solo.
I'm not a nutter either, IAM and bikesafes, and riding with Police motorcyclists.
Quote from: The Wolf on September 26, 2016, 10:47:52 PM
That's an interesting question. Have you made any enquiries regarding such a course with for example, IAM or Rospa?
Have you asked your partner what specifically it is that makes her apprehensive on the bike these days, is it perhaps the fear that she is now a Grandparent and perhaps feels that she has a greater responsibility to others and shouldn't take such risks or get involved in risky hobbies?
Wolf,
You've hit the nail on the head really, since becoming a grandparent she's become a "safety nanny" and lost her mojo although she says she still enjoys ride outs, I think the best thing is for short rides until our riding season ends this year. I've tried to explain how safe and quickly a 200bhp superbike (zzr1400) can overtake but I think she judges everything by car standards/limits
Quote from: moayling on September 26, 2016, 11:12:09 PM
Thats a very good point Dave. I am a Rospa tutor and have never heard of such a course. I will try and make a few enquiries
Thank you, much appreciated
My wife tried twice to be a pillion then before realising should the worst happen it's your legs and head which take the punishment, that was enough for her and she said "no" this was 35 years ago and has never sat on a bike since, although my daughter who is 28 loves to go on the back.
Weird.
When we were first married Cheryl was very happy whizzing about on her Honda Melody.
But time moved on and even when I was involved with a multi franchise business we did not get out together (busmans holiday, young family etc)
I was given clearance for a 2 wheel boy toy and hoped she would share the adventure with me. To that end a bike with strong topbox to add a feeling of security, panners to ensure the road is not visible directly under the legs has helped but.........
She is a very cautious pillion and I have to be super smooth and slow.
I've ensured that she has the best I can afford in the way of protection and warmth as she suffers from the cold.
Is it like one of my brothers and his fear of flying ? He knows he is more likely to be run over crossing the road that die as a result of an air crash but he says .................
"it's the feeling of not being in control"
Our thoughts are with you on this one Dave
Guess i am a lucky one too as Angela loves the pillion and also having her own bike she is aware of everything around us. When a vehicle moves over etc to let us through / overtake she will always wave a thank you. she will also give me a ticking off if i get a bit excited with the throttle and tell me how crap i was taking that particular corner etc. its a confidence thing, ride within your capabilities and all should be well with both of you.
Oh just one more thing, when i go out on my own i do tend to let loose a bit and give it some welly, she always knows when i have done this as she looks at the MPG and its slightly down from the norm.
My wife loves to go riding with me. I'm extremely lucky in that regard. She even took a MC course. This was in case something happened to me along the road. So I asked her "So let me get this straight. You're going to ride off into the sunset whilst I'm lying in a ditch or worse?" "Yes." She said. "To get help, of course" Right, I thought.
Get her a 125 and she can ride with you
Colin
Quote from: virginiajim on September 28, 2016, 02:41:47 AM
So I asked her "So let me get this straight. You're going to ride off into the sunset whilst I'm lying in a ditch or worse?" "Yes." She said. "To get help, of course" Right, I thought.
:mfr_lol: Classic..........only could the female of the species think of such a plan...................Boot on 'tother foot....my thoughts would be on life insurance to get a '16 er in the garage alongside the '08 workhorse!
Quote from: virginiajim on September 28, 2016, 02:41:47 AM
You're going to ride off into the sunset whilst I'm lying in a ditch or worse?" "Yes." She said. "To get help, of course" Right, I thought.
:mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: virginiajim on September 28, 2016, 02:41:47 AM
My wife loves to go riding with me. I'm extremely lucky in that regard. She even took a MC course. This was in case something happened to me along the road. So I asked her "So let me get this straight. You're going to ride off into the sunset whilst I'm lying in a ditch or worse?" "Yes." She said. "To get help, of course" Right, I thought.
Hide the insurance policies Jim :mfr_lol:
Quote from: zedmeister on September 27, 2016, 09:56:31 PM
its a confidence thing, ride within your capabilities and all should be well with both of you.
I'm a smooth rider, never really cane the bike in first or second, confidence isn't an issue for me and I'd never willingly put us in danger, I wear oxford pillion pal belt which she holds onto, bike has a top box fitted for holidays which makes it a nightmare for her to get on/off and ZZR's look shite with a TB fitted, this is a newish issue which I hope we can resolve, on the subject of getting her a 125, she's always said being pillion will do but last weekend she did comment on how handsome the z300 is, I'll bring up the subject again and see what she says
Rooting for a +ve result Dave :punk:
try speaking to Tom or 1 off his staff at i2i motorcycle training (google for details) his courses are without doubt the best out there. he offers rider training with a different's and welcomes pillions to attend
Quote from: stoketim on September 29, 2016, 08:19:26 AM
try speaking to Tom or 1 off his staff at i2i motorcycle training (google for details) his courses are without doubt the best out there. he offers rider training with a different's and welcomes pillions to attend
Now thats interesting Colin.
Do you all think a formal pillion training course for both rider and pillion is a good idea ?
Or does common sense cover it ?
Have to say (confess ? ) I'm an apprehensive pillion myself :yes:
Quote from: Charlie747 on September 29, 2016, 08:39:34 AM
Now thats interesting Colin.
Do you all think a formal pillion training course for both rider and pillion is a good idea ?
Or does common sense cover it ?
Have to say (confess ? ) I'm an apprehensive pillion myself :yes:
Now THAT is an interesting point Charlie. ........I would admit that I have only rarely ridden as a pillion, the last time was on the back of a mates Triple, and he is a self confessed "spirited rider" we got about a mile down the road when I discovered he'd taken the pillion footpegs off his much modified Triple .......yeah really :yes:
Nothing worse Dave when your pillion looses confidence for no apparent reason and I agree that it's possibly as now she is a gran the protective mode has kicked in again .
This happened a few yrs ago to one of my group.
All is not lost . As my late Father practised MEDICAL hypnosis ( he was also a dental surgeon and yes he used hypnosis on nervous patients) we sent the lady affected to see him.
In only 2 sessions her worries were calmed and was back as a confident pillion in 2 weeks .
Hope this helps buddy