what's legal? - Motorcycling Matters

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Pillion Paradise The rider has bars to grip and the tank to clench with thighs and knees. But what of the pillion? Johnny Tipler looks at the holds and techniques available Solo's free as a bird, but two-up's a different game. For the rider, there's that extra weight affecting the handling, and the responsibility of ensuring another's safety. But the passenger isn't just along for the ride: they can deploy a host of skills to boost the quality of the on-board partnership. It starts from the moment of mounting: the footpegs are not stirrups, they're just footrests once astride. Normally the pillion gets on when the rider has the bike balanced, but if there's a top-box on the back and the bike has a centre-stand it's easier for the pillion to cock a leg over from the front rather than straddle the box. Then there's the saddle to consider. Touring bikes come with a reasonably padded saddle, and there's always the aftermarket option of a palatial Corbin, or the whole hog of the Electra Glide armchair. At the other end of the comfort spectrum, state-of-the-art super-sports machines offer little relief between posterior and bodywork. The pillion perches high over the back wheel, visor-face full in the airstream, hanging tight onto a pair of handles either side, gripping the rider's hips with their knees, legs doubled back jockey-style. It wasn't always like this; back in the vintage days of individual sprung saddles, there was a hoop between them, and classic double-saddles often had a loop for the pillion to clutch. A transverse bar behind the saddle affords a reliable two-handed grip, though it's a test of the pillion's confidence in their rider. At least with side or rear handles on the back seat there's more of a feeling of controlling one's own destiny. There is another way of course. Between consenting adults, and indeed children, it's OK for the pillion to embrace the rider around the waist. There need be no inhibitions about intimacy when lives depend on it, so if this works for both parties so much the better. As a compromise, grasp the rider's jacket – not so easy with leathers but viable with a Belstaff waterproof where there's material to spare. And that's the crucial factor in double-trouble biking. The frontman has to be considerate and ride courteously, otherwise the pillion is no more than a dangerous sack of potatoes that could turn you both to chips. Aggressive starts – let alone wheelies – and heavy braking are highly antisocial. At worst the unwary passenger could hit the deck back-first, but even a clash of lids might be a knock out for both parties. It's up to the rider to change gear and roll on the throttle as smoothly as possible without the jerking that'll throw Something to hang on to... For sports bikes, a neat pillion solution is this Duodrive grip which attaches easily to the tank
A commuter Honda with a decent grab rail for the pillion. It is essential that rider and passenger operate in harmony the pillion forward. And as for the pillion, your main task is to sit tight, keep alert, avoid head-to-heads, and lean the right way in corners. The right way? That's always with the angle of the bike, although not in an exaggerated fashion which would pitch the bike into the turn more acutely than the rider is expecting. If the pillion is looking ahead up the road, head to the inside of the rider's, they'll automatically lean with the bike. So in a left-hander the passenger's head needs to be to the left of the rider, and in a right-hander to the rider's right. A good pillion moves along with the rider, tucks up at full speed, and keeps still at low speed when it's easiest to upset the balance of the bike. Like the rider, the passenger should take the opportunity to relax body muscles and stretch legs at traffic lights. Don't get off until the rider indicates that it's OK to do so. Communication matters – the rider has to know what their pillion is up to. There are other implications for the rider when carrying a pillion and these involve the bike itself and the rider's insurance policy. As the suspension is likely to sag between 30 and 40mm twoup, suspension pre-load could do with being raised, especially if you are carrying a pillion regularly. Manufacturers' recommended tyre pressures err on the high side because a bike's handling will be less adversely affected when riding with high inflation than with low. Your bike will have recommended pressures for riding solo and pillion or laden, but if you're uncertain, raise the pressures according to the manufacturer’s specification depending on the extra weight being carried. You should advise your insurance company when filling in the proposal form that you intend to carry passengers, and it shouldn't affect the premium dramatically, if at all. An insurance company may say that it is RIDING PILLION <strong>legal</strong> to carry a pillion but in the event of an accident any injury to the pillion is not covered, although a pillion is a third party in any accident and as such should be covered by the third party clauses of your insurance. Better play safe and get it locked into your policy. Clothing for pillions matters, too. We don't have skin to spare, so if it's daft for the rider to ride with just a helmet and jeans it's equally foolhardy to ride pillion without a full set of protective clothing and a decent lid. Apart from being proofed up against the elements, even trivial accidents could threaten a beautiful friendship. So, if being on the back is a regular role, the pillion should ideally be kitted out with similar quality kit as the rider. And for longer rides there's no substitute for a comfortable saddle with grab handles and fairings. And of course you can always ask your local motorcycle instructor for a lesson in proper pillion proceedure. ●
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