PILLION QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What should I advise my pillion to do?
Just go with the bike; lean as it leans and use the grab handles rather than their arms around your waist. The less they move around, the easier it is for you. It’s also worth advising them to grip you with their knees under braking and for you both to work out a communication system for stopping, etc if you don’t have an intercom.
What should my tyre pressures be?
If you’re taking a pillion and holiday clobber, you usually need to add between 4 and 6psi but check your handbook.
Should I fiddle with my suspension?
Yes. Piling an extra ten stone (or thereabouts) on the back of a bike means the rear preload definitely needs adjusting (assuming it was about right in the first place). Check your manual to get a start point but be prepared to tweak it until you’re happy. The front preload will need to be increased too to take account of the greater weight transfer under braking. Don’t forget this will still apply if you have semi-active suspension without an auto preload adjustment facility — the semiactive only does the damping.
Any other adjustments?
Once you’ve fiddled with the preload, it’s worth checking the headlight alignment — it’s easy to end up with the dipped beam pointing into oncoming drivers’ eyes.
What’s the best way for a pillion to get on the bike?
You need to get on first and plonk both feet down to create a stable platform. If you can’t get both feet down, make sure the foot you do have on the ground is the side the pillion is getting on. Then tell your pillion to step onto a pillion footpeg and hold your shoulder to steady themselves as they swing their other leg over. Prepare for a slight rock to the side they’re climbing on but for light pillions, you’ll hardly notice.