h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Right then, I have a big chopper and a Harley Heratage and a Ducati: Whatever the bike the dynamics are the same. Remember the old party trick where someone tries to lift you up, then you slump down and let your tummy swell and imagine all your weight is in your stomach? They try and lift you again and it is impossible. This is the physical attitude you need to adopt to be a good pillion. Basically you sit like a sack of spuds on the back. It sound silly but if all your weight is in your upper body it will affect the handling of the bike. So relax and slump.

Secondly. Do not lean with the bike. If you are slumped correctly you will be part of the machine and it will take you. The pilot will do the dynamics according to his attack of the corners. I mentioned my chopper at the beginning. It has long forks and is about 8ft length. It is a pig to steer and I love it to death. Because the steering is not too responsive it takes a lot of effort to haul around corners. Therefore anything fighting the pilot is eggagerated tenfold. I once took a novice pillion for a ride and she was very nervous. she was so tense all her weight was in her upper body, but worse than that she sheid away from every corner and leant away from it. The result was that no matter how I coaxed the bike around the corner all my efforts were cancelled out by her efforts. The result, the bike carried going straight ahead and we mounted the pavement.

So; Sit like a sack of spuds and become part of the machine. Dont lean just go with the flow. Biking takes effort from the pilot. If a pillion is good then the pilot will not even notice you are there: if the pillion is bad the pilot will be knackered ten miles down the road.

Bon Route. from Harry, Terri;s friend

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that

Keep her shiny side up