Riding on a pillion is not much of a task. You have to just
sit there till you reach your destination. The guy who rides the bike should be
the one concentrating and adjusting his body according to the situation. If
anything happens, it's all the fault of the person riding the bike, isn't it?
Nope, it can be true sometimes but the pillion passenger
holds some responsibility too on how good the ride is.
Confused? Yeah, I too used to think the same as you are now.
What does the passenger have to do on a bike ride?
In fact, a passenger is a crucial person who can make the
ride smooth as well as chaotic.
Let's get into the subject now. We are going to discuss the
rules or say practices one should follow while riding a bike with a pillion
rider and what should the guy on pillion do to make the ride smooth/safe for
both of them.
1. Choosing Appropriate Bike for the Ride
Choosing the right bike for your short/long journey will be
a tricky decision as the pillion rider is going to be
Always remember, the bike you decide to take for your
short/long tours should be chosen in consideration with the person who's going
to be your companion.
Let's make this
clear. You can't go and pick up your old mom or grandpa in the same sports bike
with high pillion seat in which you dropped your girlfriend home. And your
girlfriend won't be impressed by the cruiser you bought to go on a ride with
your uncle. Sure the cruiser is comfortable and smooth for the old chaps but
not impressive to your girlfriend.
2. Getting On and Off the Bike
Always ask the pillion rider to communicate while getting on
and off the bike. Also, park the bike only after the passenger in off the bike
as it will be difficult to bend the bike with a passenger to put it on the
stand. The same rule goes for the time when you lift the stand to ride the
bike.
3. Don't make them Passenger Panic
You may be good at doing a wheelie and taking sharp curves
while bending the bike almost your knee touching the ground. But dude, do you
want to give the passenger a heart attack? Understand the rider then ride the
way they prefer, as the next time you ask for a trip, they may not be
interested because you scared the hell out of them the last time.
4. Communicate well before doing something
You can drive your bike as you wish when you are riding
solo, but when you have a passenger, you must talk to tell them the way you
ride and what to expect so that they will be ready for it.
Tell them when you are about to go on high speed in highway
and when there is a sea of potholes are coming. Slow down where there is
traffic as you may be confident at overtaking in traffic but they are not.
Pillion riders are more scared while going fast in traffic than in highways (I
personally agree).
5. Safety of passenger
The helmets are a must in some states in India for even the
pillion riders. Some states have loosened the rule but an alternative hasn't
been imposed or just the police aren't much concerned about this rule. If you
are really concerned about the pillion rider, then buy a helmet for him/her.
Other motorbike gears can be fitted to the riders both front and pillion as
additional safety.
6. Suspension and seat comfort
The back pain due to riding a bike is not a myth. Yes, the
pillion riders too get backache after a long rider. Be sure to put the best
suspension in your bike as you are taking a passenger.
Tips to be a Good Pillion Rider:
1. Avoid unnecessary movement
This is the most serious thing you should focus on. Yes, not
moving unnecessarily. I know it is difficult to contain your excitement while
going places but, it is not a car, it is a two-wheeler with very limited
safety. Try to remain calm and not to move your body which may hinder the
balance the rider is maintaining. You can move your head as much as you want
and your upper body can be moved slowly. Be careful to not give sudden movements
and weight shifts while riding.
2. Awareness of the Riders movement and position
Be an observer of the rider’s movement and try to match with
him/her a little. At turns try to imitate a little as sitting
straight(perpendicular to the road) while the rider takes a sharp turn by
bending the bike will not be a good idea (if you understand physics).
3. Holding the Rider properly
Holding on to the waist is the best option you have which
will affect the least on the balance and ride quality. If you are uncomfortable
or the other person is, you can hold on to the sidebars of pillion seats for
safety.
4. Avoid leaning on the Rider
It may not be a good the idea to lean on the rider if he is
not your boyfriend or husband (pun intended). Leaning on can be uncomfortable
to many in a physically and in psychologically too.
5. Concentrate on The road as the Rider
Riders have to be concentrating on the road fully but the
pillion rider must look at the road now and then. There can be situations when
the pillion guy has to move his/her body more than required and sometimes they
have to hold on to the rider or sidebars and all this could be done if s/he
concentrate on the road with the rider.
6. Do not sleep while riding
Of course, do you need an explanation for this, do you?
7. Do not make the Rider Panic with sudden sound or loud
talks
See dude, if you want to live, you have to leave behind your
stupid. Awkwardly shouting and moving can distract the rider from the road and
guys, even losing concentration from the the road for a second can cost you so
much.
8. You should not drink even if you are a Pillion Rider
It is generally accepted when we say the driver/rider
shouldn’t drink, but it is not enough if you are on a two-wheeler. Safety is
fully assured when you are in full control of your body and mind and you lose
both when you drink.
Be active and ride with your partner safely. Maintaining
safety in a bike ride or a car is upon everybody hoped in the vehicle. If you
gained any useful information and benefitted from this article, please let us
know in the comment.
Information courtesy: https://motorbikewriter.com/tips-for-pillion-riding/
