In my last post I said how I’m not wild about having a pillion ride with me on my bikes.
Well, just like waiting for a bus, nothing for ages then two come along almost at once!
First it was G, to go collect his new bike and then last weekend nephew Chris twisted my arm to take him for a ride on Baby Blue. I’ve introduced Chris previously, but if you want to read a bit more about him and his back story then click here.
For the non-riders amongst you let me try to explain…
When I ride a motorcycle solo, it’s just me, the machine and the road.
I suppose it’s a bit elemental, but I definitely get “in tune” with the bike and can “read” the feedback it’s giving me as we progress along our way. Little signals from the bike give me an indication as to how much grip the tyres have, what the road camber is doing as well as how gradients are affecting things. Because I spend so much time riding solo, all this information goes haywire as soon as someone else climbs on the back and the bike feels….weird!
The most obvious thing is the extra weight, even on a big touring bike such as the Harley Davidson Ultra Limited it’s very noticeable. Sometimes there have been pillions trying to ride the bike for me and leaning this way and that, usually at the wrong time. Then there’s that other matter that I call “Wriggle Bum” and that’s basically when the pillion just won’t sit still, particularly at critical moments, such at junctions and intersections; it can quite easily lead to “interesting” domestic conversations!
When I agreed to give Chris a ride, I must admit that lots of thoughts about the above went through my mind.
Chris usually rides a Yamaha 125 on the road and a various trials bikes off it, so he’s well used to the niceties of motorcycling, but this would be his first time as a pillion.
Last Saturday morning we set off from Dookes H.Q. and had a nicely varied ride-out covering around 55 miles of beautiful North Cornwall countryside. We Stopped for petrol and collected some Cornish Pasties for lunch from Aunt Avis at St Kew Highway, before a spirited, though sensible, loop back home.
All smiles, Chris tries out the front seat….
Hands off nephew!
Well I needn’t have worried, Chris was a dream to have sitting on the back!
All the time he sat perfectly still, allowed the motion of the bike to flow under him and basically trusted me to get on with my job of piloting the beast!
Chris, you can ride pillion on Baby Blue anytime!
“I’m cruising fast on a motorcycle down this winding country road.”
Catch you soon
Dookes
Hogrider Dookes 
I remember my first time riding pillion (many years ago), i had to be told a few times not to look where we were going and not anticipate the lean; JUST STAY STILL! I learned quickly but it is unnerving at first. Been a very long time since I did it so I think I might need practice before doing it again now though
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We’d better agree for you to stick with your push-bikes then!😂😂😂
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😀
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I wrote a guest post for pillioness.com on rules for passengers! I ride 2up almost as often as not and this is were the rules came from!
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I’ll go take a look.
Thanks for the comment.
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Nice photo, Dookes, that is some machine!!⛵
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Thank you my friend.
To be honest I have a love/hate relationship with it; it’s such a heavy lump to manoeuvre at low speed or on rough ground, but stick it on an open road and go mile munching then it’s the machine for the job!
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I see what you mean, it must weigh a ton!
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With me (89kg) on board and a full tank of fuel, it’s 535kg all up!
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Every day’s a school day! Never heard of the word pillion until now. Don’t judge me…
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😂😂😂😂😂
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Never even thought about how hard it is for the driver before. You’re educating me on all aspects of motorbikes D! 🙂
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Part of the service that Hogriderdookes aims to deliver!👍👍👍
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I hear you about the pillion. I have a rule that my pillion rider can’t outweigh me or be taller than me (I’m 5′ 2″ 😉) which disallows almost everybody. You are right though – when it’s just you and the bike it’s like a ….melding of souls where the two of you become one. Course many a friend has said to their pillion BOOBS TO THE BACK meaning hug in tight and don’t anticipates. It seems to work. Cheers. Ride safe.
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That’s all sensible stuff and I’ll remember it in future….especially the boobs bit!😂😂😂😂
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‘ course if it’s a guy and they have boobs…… 😳
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You know those rules of yours?
I’ve just added one to mine;
“Never carry a guy on the pillion if he has boobs!”
😂😎😂😎😂😎
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Sometimes a guy has to have some rules/standards. It sets us apart from the other animals. 😉
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PS Thanks for the comment!
Dookes
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