Test fleet: Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin
Bertie Simmonds has been ‘solo moto’ for a while, but now it’s time for some two-up action
It’s something we take for granted really, in a car. Taking a passenger is a commonplace thing and yet we are being entrusted with another life. I first fully realised this as a newbie biker when I passed my test and mates wanted a ride on the back. It’s fair to say I’ve done my share of ‘taking the p’ (for pillion), including a two-up trip to the Isle of Man and back, but I’ve not done much two-up work in recent years.
TRY AND ENJOY IT…
That was in my mind when the day finally came to take my current other half on the back of the Africa Twin. Would she enjoy it?
Even on this day (one of the hottest of the year) I was insistent that Rebeca (correct spelling, she’s Spanish) wore all the right kit. I’d made sure I got the best we could from RST (Pro-Series Adventure X outfit, RST gloves and boots and an Arai Tour-X4). Of course, not being used to bike kit, Rebeca found it a tad heavy and clumsy (she says the same of me), but I told her the need to wear decent kit, even if others on bikes often did not.
ALL ABOARD!
After explaining the intricacies of the ‘Double D-ring’, I told Rebeca that she should lean with me and the bike and keep her head in line with me as much as she could. I’d love to say this gorgeous, lithe lady leapt aboard my steed with the grace of a gazelle, but… I can’t: she’d not been on the back of a bike since 2003 and the Twin is a trifle tall. With the prospect of nearby Cleethorpes being packed, I decided on the countryside of the lovely Lincolnshire Wolds instead…
With the initial miles being urban as we headed out of Grimsby, the Africa Twin took it all in its stride – as did Rebeca. ‘Pillion peck’ was an issue, not just as Rebeca got used to acceleration and braking, but the Tour-X4 has a peak, but soon she was peeping over my shoulders and enjoying the ride.
THE OPEN ROAD…
By the time the lovely, open Lincolnshire roads had welcomed us, I could really sense that the Twinkie needed tweaks to take the load. I’m a whopping 17 stone, Rebeca a slight 9 stone 7lb (62 kilos), but with her on the back I could feel more preload was needed at the back as the crisp handling wasn’t quite there.
A stop for lunch after 25 miles and she was all smiles. “Oh my God – that was amazing! I love it! The feeling you have on the back is brilliant. I was worried about hanging on to you too much and about hitting the back of your head, but I soon got the hang of it. It’s hard to be graceful getting on and off such a tall bike but I felt safe, secure and comfortable when on it, I think that top-box and back-rest really helped. I got to looking over your shoulder as I wanted
She didn’t know quite how much the lid was worth and when it was revealed it was at least £579.99 she fell in love with it… WOMEN!
to experience what you see.”
With this seal of approval and after a nice late lunch – plus with two clicks ‘harder’ on the easy-to-get-to preload wheel – we saddled up for a longer route home. Handling was much better and increasing confidence with both passenger and rider means I will tweak the front next time. Looks like I’ve got a pillion pal!