How to Be a Good Pillion Rider

Being a pillion rider on a two wheeler isn’t as simple as it might look. Of course, a person isn’t riding the motorcycle when he’s sitting behind, but the concentration required is as much as when riding one.

A good pillion can make a journey, no matter how big or small, worthwhile. It must be understood that the rider’s concentration, to a great extent, depends on how the pillion behaves.

Here are important pointers on how to be a good co-rider as a pillion:

1. Avoid Moving Your Body Unnecessarily: A motorcycle (or any two wheeler) rides on two wheels and so it is sensitive to any unnecessary change in the weight distribution. Maintaining the balance of a two wheeler is not just the responsibility of the rider but also of the pillion. Moving unnecessarily could disbalance the motorcycle, and even if it doesn’t, it could still distract the rider.

Important thing is to always communicate it to the rider if you’re uncomfortable for some reason and you have to move.

2. Be Aware of the Rider’s Body Position/Movement: Being a pillion, you have to be in sync with the rider when he moves from side to side while riding a motorcycle. While you don’t have to move as much as the rider himself, but just keep your body position/movement in sync. For example, when the rider moves or leans his upper body to the left while making a left turn, follow his body just enough to keep the overall balance perfect.

3. Hold the Rider around His Waist: If you have to hold the rider, then wrap your arms around his waist while making sure that you aren’t holding too tight so as to make it uncomfortable for the rider. Alternatively, you can also gently hold the waist at either sides if it’s a slow and nice ride.

Do NOT put your arms on the shoulders as it can restrict free body movement of the rider.

4. Avoid Putting Your Body Weight on the Rider: Do not rest yourself on the back of the rider. Also, when the rider brakes, avoid putting your body weight on the rider. Many or most motorcycles come with grab rails at the rear so that the pillion can hold them whenever required. Holding them especially in case of hard braking (when the vehicle is losing speed rapidly pushing the pillion forward) can help you in preventing from putting unnecessary weight on the rider.

5. Be as Concentrated on the Road as the Rider Himself: Just because you aren’t riding the motorcycle doesn’t mean you can be oblivious of what’s going on the road. A pillion must be as concentrated on the road as the rider himself. Think yourself as a co-pilot.

As a pillion, you can help the rider in being aware of what’s around him since his major concentration would be at the front, naturally. Keep communicating regularly without distracting the rider. Keep it short, simple and clear.

6. Do Not Fall Asleep: No matter how obvious this is, do not ever doze off while riding as a pillion. Nothing can be more dangerous for the pillion and the rider if the pillion starts to fall asleep.

If you are too tired to ride on a motorcycle, then avoid going on a motorcycle altogether. However, let the rider know absolutely clearly that you are tired so that he knows. This doesn’t mean that you can sleep away at the back after letting the rider know!

Keep talking to the rider regularly so that you can distract yourself from the sleepiness. Also, keep your concentration on the road by regularly looking around. Lastly, have a cup of coffee before the ride if it keeps you awake.

7. Do Not Surprise the Rider by Hysterically Pointing Out at Anything Unusual You See on the Road: A good rider is always concerned of his pillion’s wellbeing. Hence, when riding as a pillion, it is our responsibility to help the rider concentrate more on the road.

If you notice anything unusual on the road about which the rider should know, make the rider aware of it as quickly as possible without sounding hysterical because it could distract. Be assertive in your communication if you have to but avoid screaming.

8. Do Not Drink Because You Are Just a Pillion: Remember, you are not sitting in a car as a passenger with a seat belt on. On a motorcycle or on any two wheeler, do not drink even if you are not riding. It weakens your senses and in all the ways harder to fight against than fighting tiredness.

We believe these pointers can help us all in becoming better pillion riders whenever the need arises. Like we said earlier, a good pillion can make a journey worthwhile.

Ride safe.