Hi all,

Is there anything i should know about setting up the bike for pillion riding?

I put the son on last night and it was #*$!*&@ scary! It might have been because he is 6ft 4 and 100 kgs and i am 5 11 and 75 kgs, the bike was all rear end and wanted to weave around corners, apart from the rear tyre pressure are there any 'rules' about bike setup? Old Man.

Hmmm, come on boys! someone must have taken a pillion before!

I feel like im answering my own question here, but it might help those of you who havnt taken a pillion before so here goes....

The guys at work who ride ( all much bigger bikes than the GS) have imparted the following:

Generally the pillion is either the missus, GF or a mate who is under or close to your own weight, this is generally OK and setting the rear shock 1 or 2 notches harder and uping the tyre pressure will sort most issues with the bike, the rest is general ridng position:

However if the pilloin is like my son then you may need to go harder again (i will try this and report later)  The height that my son is sitting above me makes the center of gravity all wrong. last night i got him to sit almost on top of me and grab me not the rear grab rail (apparently he was doing this the first night and sitting well back too!) after changing the riding position we went through the DONT LEAN around  corners as he was also doing this too, (it made the bike want to fall into the corners) the change in the handling was immeadiate, i didnt weave in the corners and i felt that i had control again. I will change the rear shock and tyre Pressure and take him out again and let you all know what happens.

If you can add to this please do.

Old Man

Well its seems that i am the only aussie GS rider that takes a pillion!

A quick update: Changing the  rear shock 2 clicks harder helped with the extra weight, changing the pillions riding position also worked a little, but from being top and rear end heavy he became annoyingly close, and on the odd heavy braking he slid onto me pushing me onto the tank. When he got off the bike the rear sus was too hard for me and having to change it, and the tire pressure back to solo is becoming tedious.

In other news i took my wife pillion, didnt change the rear shock at all, had a great trip up to Katoomba and back. So the problem is definately with the weight and height of the pillion.(Something to keep in mind when choosing who you take riding!.)

Old man

PS: Is there a chart  anywhere that shows 'Rear Suspension Hardness to Riders Weight Ratio'?

I'd swap out the stock rear shock for one from a katana 600.

You need to ask yourself how often are you gona have someone on the back & set the
rear preload to suit.
Here's some light reading for ya.

http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm#Rear Rebound

Depending on who you carry & how often, it will end up a compromise between rider &
rider + pillion.
And don't worry to much about static sag.

Quote from: bucks1605 on April 16, 2008, 08:38:16 PM
I'd swap out the stock rear shock for one from a katana 600.

Probably your best bet in the long run if you plan on extended two up riding.

I use to take the wife everywhere on the back of my GSX ES550 years ago along with about 35kg of camping gear on the back.  Once she was comfortable and settled I could hardly feel her.  Here are a couple of quick tips

* Set your pre load to MAX.
* If you are going to do it frequently go and practise in a car park first to get feel of the bike.
* Educate your pillion on HOW to be a pillion and size should not matter to much.
* Most important point is trust.  Your pillion must trust you and not freak out when cornering, overtaking, breaking etc.

Tall pillions are a challenge but as long as they know HOW to be a pillion then all should be good.  Keep your pillion relaxed same as you and not fight the bike when cornering etc.

Good Luck