Motorcycle Pillion
Want someone to share your riding experience, take a motorcycle pillion!
Imagine you are winding your way through a narrow coastal pass. To your left are beautiful green rocky mountains
and to your right a sheer drop down to where the waves are crashing along the shore. The sun is setting over the sea
and you pull over so that your can take in the awesome display of colour bouncing off the clouds and the water
from the sunset. It’s the most incredible site you’ve seen. Unfortunately, you’re riding solo so you have no one
to share it with…
Riding on your own can be great fun but sometimes having a friend or partner with you can make motorcycling an unforgettable experience. A motorcycle passenger is called a pillion.
There are a number of things to check and bear in mind before you set off on a road trip with your motorcycle pillion (mate).
- Guide to the Pillion Ride
First and foremost, is safety! The safety of you & your pillion should always be of the utmost importance. Knowing that you have taken all possible precaution necessary will add to your riding enjoyment and make it a much more memorable adventure. Check out my guide for tips and instructions for both the pillion and the rider.
- Pillion Gear
Second is safety! (I’m starting to sound like a broken record here for good reason.) The pillion should be wearing the same level of protective clothing as the rider, not less! All too often it freaks me out when I see naïve pillions wearing sneaks, a jersey and jeans on the road. Read more about this in my section on pillion gear.
- Motorcycle Pillion Communications
Lastly, finding a way to communicate on the road is key. If you are going to become a regular motorcycle pillion I would recommend buying helmets for you and your partner that have an intercom system. If not I have suggested some hand signals to get you started.