Riding with a passenger is a great way to share experiences, but it does require a few changes to the way you ride. Here’s what you need to know!

Pillion, passenger, two-up, someone on the back… whatever you call it, life can be better with a partner. If you’re thinking about taking a passenger on your motorbike but don’t know where to start, our FAQ should give you all the info you need before heading out on the open road.

Firstly, make sure you can legally carry a pillion

Legal requirements for carrying a pillion passenger are not totally straightforward, but in most cases you will need a full motorcycle licence. If you ride on L plates, even if you have completed the CBT, you won’t be able to have someone on the back, sorry!

You also need to ensure your bike is suitable for carrying a passenger. If it’s been designed to be ridden solo (ie: it’s only got a single seat and/or no rear footpegs) then it’s no passengers for you. You’ll need to check your insurance policy too. Pillion cover is not automatically included in all motorcycle insurance policies, so check the documents and, if in doubt, contact your insurance broker for advice.

Can anyone ride pillion?

There’s no minimum age for your passenger, but the law states that they must be able to safely reach the footpegs and any supports/grab handles so, a bit like going on a rollercoaster at a theme park, you have to be a certain height rather than age to be a passenger on a motorcycle. And as that can vary from bike to bike too, it’s not a standard size.

So kids can ride pillion but, as is the case for everybody, they have to wear a correctly fitting helmet – so they can’t just throw one of your old lids on if it’s too big. You’ll also need parental consent for under 17s, an important thing to know if the pillion isn’t actually your child.

And, finally, it’s important that your passenger is comfortable being on the back. If they’ve never been pillion before, make sure they’re comfortable and make sure you have a system of communicating, especially if they are nervous. We’ll get on to that in a bit…

Does the pillion need protective gear?

Passengers have to follow the same rules as riders when it comes to the wearing of protective equipment, which means they must wear a suitable crash helmet.

Of course, this is a minimum requirement and we’d always recommend all the gear all the time. Proper bike boots, jacket, jeans and gloves should be the standard. If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for them.

Is it more difficult to ride with a passenger on the back?

It’ll change the dynamics of the bike for sure, but it needn’t be more difficult. Remember, you’re putting a big lump of person over the back wheel of your bike. The bike will be heavier and will sit lower at the back. Depending on the weight of the passenger and the dynamics of your bike, you might barely notice them when riding – or it might change the feeling quite significantly.

On a lightweight sports bike, with a high rear end, it’ll probably feel a bit odd at first. With big touring and adventure bikes, which are designed from the outset to carry passengers and luggage, the feeling will be less pronounced.

Expect braking distances to be a bit longer and for the steering to be slower. You’ll have to work the engine harder too, especially on smaller capacity and high revving bikes. On the move you want the passenger to lean gently into corners with you, helping with the weight transfer, and this is something you might want to discuss with your pillion before riding together for the first time.

Do I need to adjust my riding or my bike?

The added weight of a pillion on the bike will put more demands on you to keep the bike stable from the moment they climb on. It’s good to practice getting on and off the bike before you set off, rather than ending up having to deal with it away from home (nobody needs an audience for that!). Make sure you’re all kitted up when you practice too. Mounting a bike is much easier when there’s no luggage attached, or when you don’t have your thick riding gear on.

Having a pillion passenger will also demand more from your bike’s engine and brakes. Your acceleration will be slower, and your braking distance longer. Again, get a feel for how this affects the ride before you’re in traffic, and don’t expect the bike to accelerate or stop as quickly as it does with just you on it.

You should also aim to ride smoothly, accelerating and braking with more care and finesse than on solo rides. Avoid harsh use of these controls (of course, we know this is good practice with or without a passenger – but we also get that people sometimes like to ride aggressively).

Most bigger bikes have adjustable suspension and you might have heard of preload. Generally speaking you’ll be winding this up when you have more weight on the back (such as luggage, or a pillion) but your handbook will give recommended settings. If you have electronic suspension, you may well find that you have the ability to make a change at the touch of a button! Again, your bike’s handbook should give good base settings for you to work with.

What should I say to a first time pillion passenger?

It's a good idea to take time to explain to your pillion exactly how you want them to behave on the bike. Most people will not know how to get on the pillion perch or appreciate how body movement affects the riding dynamics, unless they have ridden a bike themselves.

Not briefing the pillion before the ride may cause you more trouble in the long run and could put your pillion off, so having a quick chat to go through the basics before you set off is a great way to make sure you’re all on the same page and to help them enjoy the ride. It might also help to keep the side stand down until you’re ready to move off, just as a little extra precaution in case of a wobble when your pillion gets on.

We’d also recommend agreeing a system of communication, like squeezing the rider or tapping the helmet to signal if the pillion wants the rider to slow down or stop. Of course, if you want to go the whole hog, a helmet-to-helmet intercom is a great way to be able to speak to each other (and pretty indispensable for long trips in our opinion) but this is not always necessary or possible for short or occasional rides.

Any other tips…?

It goes without saying, but you should refrain from showing off your undoubtedly amazing riding skills by riding too fast, pulling wheelies and the like. Scaring the pillion is not cool, and, asides for the danger aspect, it won’t make the experience a pleasant one for either of you.

Indeed, start out taking it easy. Don’t make your first two-up trip a holiday to the Alps. Head out for an hour’s bimble at first, then a bit longer, then a bit faster… Stop frequently to check in with your passenger at first, and eventually you’ll develop a kind of symbiotic connection on the bike.

Finally, if you are a new rider, make sure you are comfortable riding your bike solo before you take on a pillion. Even when you move on to riding two-up, take your time to get used to the extra weight, and how that affects the bike. If you want some more pointers, or just want to fast-track your learning, speak to a qualified motorcycle trainer or visit a training school, and you will get up to speed in no time.

Photos courtesy of Ducati Mediahouse.