Author Topic: Pillions (Read 6852 times)

Anonymous · « **on:** July 04, 2008, 18:32:06 »

Right. I am prepared to lose all credibility with this post (assuming I had any in the first place).

I've never taken a pillion on the 'Strom. I'm up for some kind of big Euro tour this year and, unfortunately, I have a mate who wants to tag along. The trouble with this is, he doesn't ride, so it's pillion duty for him. I don't have too much of a problem with that idea, apart from the fact I'm 6ft 4, and he's 6ft 3.

Leaving aside for the moment that it might look like The V-Strom Basketball Team on Tour, what do you lot think the chances are of the 'Strom's suspension being able to handle the load (two blokes from Lanky-shire, plus panniers)?

How many of you blokes 'n' gals take pillions? How do you/they find it?

Tanzy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2008, 18:56:12 »

Never taken a pillion, however, I recon that it will be OK. It is more the weight issue than height I think. I know the manual says about altering the suspension.

Then again, I've only been riding for a month

doebag · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2008, 20:44:39 »

have you experience with taking pillions?

The bike itself is more than capable IMO. The book recommends increasing the rear tyre pressure, and increasing the rear shock pre-load. If youare two up plus luggage, I would go all the way to 'five' on the rear shock.
As has been mentioned elsewhere here, the bike can feel a bit light on the front, you may want to consider raising the forks through the yokes if your front suspension is not adjustable.

Chris Graves · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2008, 23:51:25 »

Took my son out last for the first time since about a year ago, he's about 6'2" and 11 and half stones. I certainly noticed the difference from my wife, 5'4" and about 8 stones wet through. I'm around 5' 10" and with my son on board I find I'm a little short of space and don't sit quite the same as when solo or with my wife as pillion. It's the only time I've had any problem with buffeting but then again I was going quite briskly.

I'd agree with Doebag and alter the rear suspension, suck it and see maybe. Certainly spend some time getting used to having your pal on board and seeing how it goes. The bike will handle it but it will feel a lot different to solo riding, especially when you have you luggage on.

Take it steady and don't be too ambitious with cornering and overtakes and you'll be fine.

doebag · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2008, 00:07:17 »

Quote from: "Chris Graves"

It's the only time I've had any problem with buffeting but then again I was going quite briskly.

Take it steady and don't be too ambitious with cornering and overtakes and you'll be fine.

Yep me too. Shorty wife or tall son, I get a head shake at a certain speed, cannot remember what speed though.

Heebeegeebee · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2008, 05:42:24 »

I take the gf out all the time mate and it makes hardly one jot to the suspension.
She's no petite girl either and if she reads this I won't be taking her out ever again........... :limp:
The bike will handle it no probs.

Anonymous · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:04:48 »

If your mate hasn't ridden pillion before remember to take him through the rules - main ones being that he NEVER puts his feet down and that he only gets on and off when you say. As for leaning on bends just ask him to sit like a sack of spuds on there I.e go with it and don't try and lean.

Heebeegeebee · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2008, 09:06:51 »

......and try not to move around when stopped at lights. That one drives me nuts!!
It's much easier on the rider if the bike is moving at reasonable speed when they (Pillion) move to get comfortable.
Nothing worse than a fidget sitting behind you at slow speed. Unless she's fidgeting with........ :o

Catballou · « **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2008, 10:00:40 »

As a pillion myself I get shouted at for not paying attention

and dancing to the music on my ipod

so don't let your mate dance , or jiggle too much behind you :D

Anonymous · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2008, 11:29:53 »

Heh, well it will be first time on a bike for him (and first time taking a pillion for me) so we'll be doing a few test runs beforehand. I'll be wiring his lid up to the Autocom so he'll get shouted at fairly quickly if any 'jiggling' occurs.

Some people say "don't lean" and some say "lean with the rider" - is it just down to personal preference in the end?

Cheers, blokes.

stonehenge · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2008, 12:35:03 »

Hi,

Just be careful and take it slowly at first - tell your friend to lean with the bike, don't resist it or over do it. A 6ft3 bloke will make a BIG difference to the bike - if you countersteer, it will come in handy!

Steve

doebag · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2008, 14:18:06 »

In your OP, you said your mate does not ride. In that case,I would get quite a bit of practice in before you go, and tell him to adopt the 'sack of spuds' posture. If he has no idea of the amount of lean required, he mat be a bit too enthusiastic

Heebeegeebee · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2008, 14:49:25 »

All he has to do is go with the bike when it leans. He doesn't do any extra leaning as he doesn't need to. The bike does the leaning. He just goes with the flow so to speak...

Heebeegeebee · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2008, 15:00:39 »

Quote from: "Catballou"

As a pillion myself I get shouted at for not paying attention and dancing to the music on my ipod so don't let your mate dance , or jiggle too much behind you :D

Didn't know Suzuki did dance floors as an accessory........

Anonymous · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2008, 16:31:28 »

We've been snowmobiling two-up before, and that involves a pretty good understanding of weight distribution when you're going for it, so I'm sure we'll be fine.
:snowman:
Plus I'm not the kind of rider to get excited about wearing out my hero blobs - although I did notice the other day a respectable lack of chicken strips on my rear tyre.

I was really more concerned about whether the baby Strom is up to it, or if I should concede defeat and borrow a Pan instead. Sounds like you blokes think it's man enough. Cheers.
:box:

stonehenge · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2008, 18:29:51 »

The 650 is quite low geared and has a healthy motor so you should be OK. Be prepared to cane it though if you need to overtake etc....

Steve

KLV-Rider · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2008, 18:18:31 »

I like taking pillions, it makes wheelies a lot easier....

Only thing I'd add is that your braking is seriously changed with two people on the bike, I gave a mate a lift to the pub the other week, he's 6'2 and about 15 stone....needed an anchor to stop.... :D

mysticknight · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:09:51 »

hi munki, I take a pillion loads of time, but the thing you must watch is the overall carrying capacity,two big blokes and very little luggage,is about right, don't forget you have a alloy frame, and they won't carry as much as a steel frame,so check your owners manual,otherwise have a great trip.

pagan and proud,ride the wind :bike:

Piglumps · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2008, 12:44:39 »

I think we're talking 420kg all-up. Substitute the passenger for beer!

Anonymous · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2008, 16:21:29 »

When OH first bought the strom (which he's now passed onto me 4 years later), we "ran it in" by taking the Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry and cruising around north Spain for a week, clocking up the necessary miles to the first service. I pillioned (12 stone, 6'1") and Will (13 stone, 5'10") on the front. Strom seemed completely unbothered at being 2-up. Plus Givi topbox and 2 soft panniers so quite a weight.

As a pillion, it's got a very comfy wide seat and as a tall pillion, it's got a nice lot of room between seat and footpeg so you don't end up with blood circulation cut off from knee-downwards due to acute bend at knee. The Givi topbox backrest was very nice.

So definitely comfy for a larger or taller rider.

Author Topic: Pillions (Read 6852 times)

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