Course for pillions

[davetherave]

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).

[Lonewolf]

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?

[moayling]

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

[O.C.]

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

[jonathan]

Ummmmm....get her her own bike?

[GTRpilot]

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.

[davetherave]

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

[davetherave]

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

[BigAlan]

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.

[Charlie747]

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

[zedmeister]

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.

[virginiajim]

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.

[coman37]

Get her a 125 and she can ride with you

Colin

[snowy]

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.

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!

[O.C.]

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.