R1 pillion - too heavy on everything, any tips on posture? (be good!)?

Question

Hi
I've taken 2 pillions on my R1. My minime ex girlfriend. No sweat. And my taller new girlfriend. The latter seems to apply all her weight on to my back which transfers itself to my wrists and groin under breaking. Its a bit irritating and tiring. Alright for short trips, but I think its gonna be difficult for longer ones. Anyone got any tips from experience. (I don't intend to change bike/ girlfriend, just so noone says that...).

Thanks

Declan

PS HAve to say, lots of good advice so far. Although the suggestion of pressing against the tank wouldn't work on an R1 as the pillion seat is high and distant.

Other point, the R1 is not a rice rocket. Its a bike GOD. If you have ever ridden one and not felt that you've had too much of a good life I'd say. Mine has a power commander, Akrapovic and K&N as well as fuel injection, putting down an extra 30bhp (total 160bhp) at the back wheel. A-ha ha haaarrrrhhhh.. Harleys? Hmmm when I'm 50, got a dodgy tasseled jacket and oddball chaps maybe,... naaah.

Should also say I've had a good few bikes and pillions (including fat lumps) before. Never had this degree of problem though. Problem with the R1 is the long length of the rider's seat and height of the back seat (plus no grips, strap). I used to hold on the the underside of the seat fairing years ago, but the R1 has a smooth finish, so no joy.

Answer 1

My wife usually holds on to her knees, gives her some thing to pull against on acceleration/push against on braking. Best tip is to be a smooth as possible with your riding and telegraph your what your going to do next as much as you can, that way she will get used to your riding style and eventually will be able to anticipate when you going to change direction, brake ,accelerate etc

Answer 2

2-up riding is an entirely different animal. a good backseater is 1 that u basically cant feel there. i'm assuming u 2 are on a rice rocket. she's gonna have to brace herself on the gas tank. having her weight against u at any time while on the roll is a recipe for a deadly disaster.
rice rockets isnt really the bike of choice for long distance riding; rides over 150 miles 1 way. u'd be better off renting a harley road king if u plan on doing a real long haul; their built for that.
my rules for backseaters:
1: feet stay on the pegs at all times.
2: look into the turn with me.
3: there's 2 'lines' between our shoulders. keep em lined up.
4: RELAX. operator has control of the bike. u just go with the flow.
5: anticipate the power up's to eliminate helmet clanking.

from what u say, i see an extremely dangerous situation here. she must keep her weight off u, but due to the design of the bike, that's gonna be a bit tough. u simply cannot afford even a split second of slowed reaction time.
i ride a sportster. my old lady does the same dam thing...leans too much into me. makes the bike hard to control and maintain good situational awareness at the same time, and i've had 190 pound backseaters who i couldnt even feel back there while on the roll, and still couldnt feel them while blasting into corners as if i was solo.
i will tell u this: 1st time u decide to crack the gas unexpectedly, she wont be riding with u anymore after that. she's already nervous. scaring her with unexpected manuvers will make things worse, and could even cause u to go down.

Answer 3

Worst thing you can do is have your pillion hold on to you or brace against you, its a disaster waiting to happen.

If you dont have have grips behind the pillion seats then get some installed, and get the pillion to use them.

You may also want to look at your spring set up as it would seem your bike is really diving under brakes.

Check the oil in the forks and see it matches the levels it should, check the seals as well and set your springs at the rear.

If you cant adjust the rear springs throw them away and get ones you can, you should not ride your bike with the same set up for one person as for two.

Try using a bit more back brake as well especially when first stopping or slowing then apply a bit more front. , that will take some of the weight back.

Riding with pillions is totally different to riding solo and calls for a whole new group of skills and riding style.

But chicks love bikes ...what are we meant to do?

Answer 4

lulu's right. I've had the same experience. As she gets more comfortable riding with you, she should relax some. Having her hold on to something other than you would help, but might make her more nervous. My grandson, who's not a big kid yet, did the same to me so badly it hurt. He was a little scared. I told him to sit up a little and relax. He wasn't going to fall off. Within 1/2 mile, I was checking to make sure he was still there, he was so off me. The last time I saw a smile that big was his birthday. Wasn't on an R1, you probably have less to hang on to. Don't worry, it will come. Or it won't.

Answer 5

posture, (if she has ever ridden a horse tell her that its the same concept.)
#1 have her hold her weight with her hands on the tank, not your back, she will feel more comfortable that way (allieviating you). have her cross her hands togeather where the thumb and fingers come togeather, the reasion for this is so that when she feels you take off it is easier for her to lock her hands together around your waist.
# 2 have her hold her weight between her feet, her knees and her butt combined rather than just her butt.
#3 have her also hold onto you with her knees.

last thing here, she should be wearing secured footware (no sandles) so that her feet will feel the "grip" when she applies pressure with her foot to the peg, same as you do. that will allow her to feel more in control of her posture and should help with the leaning on your back problem.

Answer 6

Hi there - you've also asked a question about luggage. If you bought a luggage rack (and used your own bag), that would provide bars for her to hold on. The rack might also act as a sissy bar behind her so you can accelerate even harder! Never used fixed luggage so don't know about hand holds on that. As she gets more confident I'm sure she will be much happier holding on behind her - I know I was - until I got my own bike! You won't even know she's there, leaving the crown jewels intact! BTW - luggage rack and R1 doesn't sound v sexy so make sure you can take it off easily for solo riding !!

Answer 7

The "fiddle with your springs and suspension" answer above is silly at best.

Have her squeeze with her thighs on the outside of your legs to feel anchored. She can also press with her calves to anchor better. You should be squeezing on the tank to hang on too by the way. Try getting some tank grip like "tech spec" and I bet you find this all a bit easier.

Tell her she is leaning too hard fwd too, she might have no idea.

I loved my R1...enjoy those 2nd gear roll on's!!!

Answer 8

Hi not sure where your from but my local Halfords sell pillion straps they go round the front of your waist and they hold onto the handles that way your girlfriend will be able too lean back more.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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