First time carrying a pillion passenger

Any suggestions for the first time carrying a pillion passenger? I've put 2000 miles on this, my first bike, since I got it this spring. One of my friends wants to go for a ride with me now. However, I am slightly hesitant to take her life into my hands. Not because I dont' feel I'm ready... but unexpected things, things out of our control, do happen. And I would feel horribly if something were to happen to her on my "watch".

So, any suggestions on how to make it as safe as possible? I've read the primers on carrying passengers, but I'd also like some "real life" forum experiences. The passenger will weigh less than me, and have full safety gear on as well. The bike is only a 400, so there should be no risk of "hot-dogging" it, as I'm expecting it will start to struggle to get out of its own way.

Thanks!

I have about 1500 miles under my belt and have been riding for 3 months. I just started taking my wife for rides on my FZ6 a week ago it is definitely different. You feel a lot heavier and everything you do feels like it's slow motion. Just keep all of your transitions smooth and remember you can't accelerate, stop, or swerve as quickly with a passenger and you should be fine.

The first time I took her out it felt really awkward, now that I've had her for 4 or 5 trips it only feels weird coming up to a stoplight.

I was talking to a friend about that and shentioned the MSF course suggests about a year of riding. I believe they are correct since there are many obstacles you need to experience first before you have that second rider. I have 4500 miles on my bike since about April and I do not feel I am ready yet. Just my opinion.

Like most things motorcycle related I would say whenever you feel comfortable go for it.

Remember stopping distances become slightly longer & bike feels heavier. Instruct your pillion to keep both feet on pegs at all times and encourage them to keep their body in line with yours - no twisting round to look at the scenery!
For the first time pillion carrying, use roads you are familiar with and take it steady until you are used to the extra weight on the back.

I was told to ride with a heavy backpack to get used to the extra weight before attempting it with a real person.

Instruct your pillion to keep both feet on pegs at all times and encourage them to keep their body in line with yours - no twisting round to look at the scenery!


Ha! When I first started dating my wife I was new to riding. She wanted to go for a ride, so we got her a helmet and took off. I couldn't figure out why I had to LEAN into the turns now. I never had to before. and I mean LEAN. The turns where freaking her out a little so she was leaning out of the turns, which was necessitated me leaning in to keep the bike on track.

Keeping your footing while on sand is also more difficult. Go easy and watch out for crazy little things like leaning.

Thats a good one cmonstart. I will remember that.

I would start out slow, maybe just a ride around the neighborhood out of heavy traffic before planning a longer trip.

The bike will behave a LOT differently than what you are used to. It will take a little more throttle and a tad slower on the clutch to take off. You will need to use the brakes more and also sooner. Plan on turning wider than normal as well. The center of gravity will be a lot higher than what you are used to.

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One statement I've heard a number of times is "Wait a year before carrying a passenger". In my mind there are many factors more important than time. For example: How many miles you've ridden (I rode 1300 my first week), what kind of roads you've been on (and whether or not you've been experimenting with moves to make yourself familiar with the bike), what kind of bike you have (a 250 couldn't handle the difference as much as a large cruiser), what kind of training you've had (and how much you retained from your lessons), how your reactions are, how much your rider helps or hinders you, and the size of your passenger, what the weather is like, what kind of traffic will be on the roads you will be on, what time of day, etc.

These things, I think, are more important than some arbitrary time.


RonK