Carrying Passengers | Proner & Proner

Going Down the Road Trying to Loosen Your Load...

by Mitch Proner, New York AIM attorney, NCOM attorney committee chair

Carrying Passengers Sometimes you need to carry a little extra weight. A pillion is a mostly British English term for a secondary pad, cushion, or seat behind the main seat or saddle on a horse, motorcycle, bicycle or moped. A passenger in this seat is said to "ride pillion" or may themselves be referred to as a "pillion." Some American bikers refer to the passenger as "riding Bitch."

Before carrying a pillion passenger on a motorbike, it is advisable to alter the suspension and adjust the headlight as the extra weight towards the back might tip the motorcycle backwards. A passenger will alter the handling characteristics by reducing stability at low speeds, as well as reducing the bike's braking and acceleration capacities.

A motorcycle's dynamics will change when there is a passenger. It is the driver's responsibility to compensate for this and keep both rider and passenger safe. The driver can and should brief the passenger to avoid mounting or dismounting when the driver is unprepared, to use the footpegs, let the driver lean into curves instead of trying to help, relax, anticipate braking and acceleration, avoiding a clash of helmets or a lean backwards respectively. Most drivers prefer the passenger to keep his feet on the footpegs when the bike is standing at a red light etc.

The passenger should know signals to give to the driver, which the driver should recognize. Similarly the driver should consider the passenger, as well as the changed dynamics of the motorcycle, taking curves much slower, and leaving a longer braking distance, for instance.

Pillions/Passengers

To carry pillions safely you must:

Make sure your motorcycle is equipped and adjusted to carry passengers.
Instruct the passenger before you start.
Adjust your riding technique for the added weight of the passenger.

You should also adjust the cycle to handle the extra weight. While your passenger sits on the seat with you, adjust the mirrors to the change in the motorcycle's angle. And it is a good idea to add a few pounds of pressure to the tires if you carry a passenger.( check your owner's manual .) Then adjust the suspension to handle the additional weight.

1. Instructing Passengers

Don't assume the passenger knows what to do - even if he or she is a motorcycle rider. Provide complete instructions before you start.

To prepare your passenger for riding, tell him or her to:

Get on the motorcycle after you have started the engine.
Sit as far forward as possible without crowding you.
Hold firmly to your waist , hips, or the grab rail.
Keep both feet on the pegs at all times, even when the motorcycle is stopped.
Keep their legs away from the muffler.
Stay directly behind you, leaning as you lean.
Avoid any unnecessary talk or motion.
Watch you and look where your head is pointed to.

Also, be sure to tell your passenger to tighten his or her hold when you;

Approach surface problems.
Are about to start or stop.
Warn that you are going to make a sudden move.

2. Riding with passengers

Your motorcycle will respond slower with a passenger on board. The heavier your passenger, the longer it will take to slow down, speed up, or make a turn - especially on a light cycle. Here's what you should do to adjust for the differences in handling:

Go a little slower, especially when taking curves, corners, or bumps.
Start slowing earlier as you approach a stop.
Open up a larger cushion of space ahead and to the sides.
Wait for larger gaps when you want to cross, enter, or merge with traffic.

Carrying Loads

Most motorcycles are not really designed to carry much cargo. however, small loads can be carried safely if they are positioned and fastened properly.

Keep the load low - Fasten loads to the seat, or put them on the saddle bags. Placing a load high raises the cycle's center of gravity and disturbs balance.

Keep the load forward - Place the load over or in front of the rear axle. Tank bags are one way to keep loads forward. Mounting loads behind the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes.

Distribute the load evenly - If you have saddle bags , make sure each is loaded with about the same weight.

Secure the load - Fasten the load securely with elastic cords ( bungie cords ). A loose load can catch in the wheel or chain. If that happens, the rear wheel may lock up and skid. Do not use ropes as it tends to stretch and knots come loose permitting the load to shift or fall off.

Check the load - Stop and check the load every so often. Make sure it has not worked loose or moved.