Stay Upright - Pillioning

As fuel prices soar and the cost of parking leaves us feeling we just bought the land under the parking spot, commuters are increasingly turning to motorcycles and scooters as a practical, efficient and fun way of getting to work. While it's not a legal option for learner and provisionally licensed riders, those with a full rider license can share with a friend or partner the benefits of riding to work by taking them along as a pillion passenger. Recreational pillioning is also on the rise in line with spiralling numbers of bikes on today's roads.
It would be fair to say that anyone who has ever been a pillion can vividly remember their first time. In my case it was a thrilling experience that left me wanting more. For others it was a time of unqualified terror, never be repeated but recounted frequently whenever a conversation turned to the antics of lunatic two-wheeled "temporary Australians".
I believe we as motorcyclists have a duty to introduce people to our world and there is no easier way than to give them a go on the back. Our approach and delivery of their first pillion ride will have a major bearing on whether they decide to adopt our sport.
A few minutes preparation will be time well spent so make sure you first explain the basics. Safety gear, especially a helmet in the way it reduces hearing, vision and ventilation can be unsettling for the first time wearers. Ensure they know to await your signal before they mount and dismount, many a bike has been toppled by an over-exuberant pillion. Explain how they must minimise unnecessary movement or distraction to ensure you maintain control at all times, they may hold on to your waist or grab rail. Describe what to expect and do and not do when you accelerate, change gears, turn, brake and comes to a stop. Unless you have an electronic means of communicating, agree on an alternative, e.g. a tap on the leg or shoulder means they want you to stop as soon as possible.
When cornering, the manner in which bikes lean over can be very scary for someone who's only on road experience is in a car. They should mimic your upper body movements, leaning with you in the turn, keeping their head up and eyes level with the horizon, pointing their chin and looking towards the exit of the turn. When stopping, the desire to put their feet to the ground can be overwhelming so make sure they know to keep their feet on the pegs at all times.
Plan to make the first ride short and ride in a manner more restrained than you normally would.
Following the briefing and when you are up and running, the following tips may help you get a good report car at the end of the first ride:
_ aim to impress with your smoothness of control operation, especially throttle, clutch and gears.
_ avoid doing things that might frighten a novice pillion, especially fast cornering. Having a pillion sit bolt upright to counter an extreme lean angle could bring the ride to an abrupt halt.
_ resist the temptation to demonstrate the power or speed of your bike. Even a gentle roll will accelerate a motorcycle at a rate far beyond the average car's performance and 60kph in the open air will feel very fast to someone who is used to being enclosed in a "tin top".
_ brake early and gently
_ be even more vigilant than normal when seeking out hazards, you don't want to demonstrate your emergency stopping competence (or lack thereof) while having an inexperienced pillion slide up the seat and push you onto the tank. Did you know a pillion's weight can add 20% or more to the normal bike/rider combination and will cause a corresponding increase in braking distance if you have to stop quickly.
_ under no circumstances 'show off' with a pillion on the back. Never forget you have someone else's well being in your hands.

By following these tips you will have pillions clamouring for their next ride and you will never again be short of a riding partner.

Until next time,
Stay Upright in a pair!

Dave Gibson
ACT State Manager
Stay Upright
Motorcycle Techniques