The freedom of riding pillion on her husband’s motorbike is being made possible for Brisbane woman Christine Seary, with the support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Christine of Capalaba is using her NDIS funding to continue to attend events run by her social motorcycle club, including a 2000km five-day trip through New South Wales at the start of the year.
“I really love the freedom it gives me,” says Christine who has been a member of the Social Motorcycle Club since 2002 with her husband, Marty.
“Once I’m on the bike I don’t feel disabled as I have to pillion like any other pillion and I just love leaning on corners.”
Christine started using a wheelchair after having a brain tumour removed in 2004.
While the operation affected her balance, she was still able to ride pillion with her husband.
However, after her sixth stroke in 2007, Christine couldn’t ride anymore.
Disability support
After four years of strengthening exercises with a physiotherapist, Christine began to ride again.
“Marty traded in his Harley for a bigger Harley and added special footboards and armrests so I could pillion once again,” she says.
Soon after, they explored ways to incorporate a wheelchair on the bike, and haven’t looked back.
“We found a small 8kg wheelchair and a friend made a small rack which sits on the right-hand side of the bike where a saddle bag usually sits.”
When Christine isn’t on the back of the Harley, she uses NDIS support to also get out more into the community in other ways.
“With NDIS funding, I have someone come every weekday to shower and dress me. On two of those days, I also go shopping and once a week the housework gets done. I’m also accessing physio and occupational therapy.
“The extra outings really give me a sense of freedom and I can go to more local businesses, shopping centres and nurseries.”
Christine received assistance to apply for and implement her NDIS funding from Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Brisbane region.
She said once her Local Area Coordinator, Yi, met with her and explained how the NDIS worked, everything became much clearer.
“Yi was very patient and assisted me greatly in putting my plan together. Everyone we’ve met at Carers Queensland has been so friendly and inviting and they certainly know their stuff.”
Carers Queensland
Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.
If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can also help you identify and link to options for support in your community.
To find out more about how the NDIS and Local Area Coordination program can work for you, contact Carers Queensland on [email protected]
A female pillion rider in her 40s has died in a three-vehicle crash in Sydney’s south west today (19 July 2020) and the ride has been rushed to hospital.
Police say the accident about 10am on Moorebank Avenue, near Church Road, Moorebank, involved two cars and a motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a man believed to be aged in his 30s, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.
The pillion, a woman believed to be aged in her 40s, died at the scene.
The driver of a Lexus, a 36-year-old man, and the driver of a Mazda, a 43-year-old man, were both uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Specialist officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit attended and examined the scene.
Investigators are appealing to motorists who witnessed the crash or who may have dash cam vision to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the woman killed in the crash and our best wishes to the rider for a full and speedy recovery.
Riders seeking extra comfort often add a backrest to their seat and pillions love them, but are they a good investment in comfort or simply a waste of money?
Some big touring motorcycles come with backrest options, otherwise you can buy an aftermarket seat from brands such as American companies Sargent and Corbin which have backrest accessories.
Corbin backrests
The latter has just released their range of Edge Ovalbac backrests which they say look “perfectly at home on a cruiser or a sportbike”.
Corbin backrests
It works with all Corbin seat models and is not cheap at $US283 (about $A400+), so you better make sure it’s worth it!
For seats that take two rests, the Corbin backrests can be used on the front as a rider’s rest or at the rear as a passenger rest.
The angle of the backrest adjusts and is slightly curved for a greater area of body contact.
Corbin’s backrests can be made in matching materials and colours so they don’t look like an afterthought.
And they are quick to install.
Waste of money?
Ok, so they look good and have been ergonomically designed. But are they of benefit or a waste of money?
For some the very idea of taking a pillion sounds horrendous, like carrying a bag of potatoes on the back, it upsets the handling; bikes are made for one. However, the other side of the argument is that motorcycling can be fun to share!
Personally, I enjoy taking a pillion, whether it’s a gentle ride out with my wife on the back, or charitable pillion laps on a race track at race pace – I enjoy them both equally.
Steve Martin or Troy Bayliss often take a pillion for a lap at ASBK rounds
Obviously, some bikes are more suitable than others, and the same can be said for pillions. However, over 20-years of professional testing, I’ve picked up a few tips which I’m sharing with you. If you’ve never taken a pillion before don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it may appear – that is unless you are planning to take an England rugby player for a spin.
Have a chat
Have a little chat with your pillion. Is it their first time? Have they been on a bike before? And without being rude, calculate their size.
If you’re 5’2″ and about to give your basketball playing husband a lift home, is that wise? Also is the pillion sober? If your pillion is affecting your riding, you can be charged with a criminal offence.
Is the bike suitable for a pillion?
Do you have a pillion seat and pegs? Do you have a grab rail? Can you adjust the rear shocks pre-load to compensate for the extra weight of your pillion? Adding pre-load to the rear helps with stability and improves the steering. Most bikes will have pre-load adjustment.
Some bikes are more suitable than others – Zarco getting a lift on the back of a KTM at COTA – Image by AJRN
If you’re lucky you’ll have semi-active suspension which will automatically adjust the suspension to compensate for the extra weight with a touch of a button. Don’t worry too much about the front suspension if only doing two-up duties as a once-off.
Hoever, if you’re planning on riding the majority of the time two up, touring Europe for a few weeks for example, you can see a specialist, who can set up your bike specifically for two-up riding.
You need to be able to communicate
It’s a good idea to build up some simple hand signals, as at speed it’s hard to communicate without an intercom. My wife and I have a simple system. One tap from me on her left knee means hold on, fast overtake coming along. Tap on the right knee, back to normal speed and you can relax.
If she is navigating, and knows the area a tap on the left for left and vice versa. A strong tap on my back indicates for a speed camera or to slow down. Pointing at the fuel cap means we are stopping for fuel shortly and a tap of the chin bar, means hungry or rest. Agree on some basic signals before riding.
A communication system, or hand signals is very useful
The safe and correct way to mount up
I’m only 5’6″ so I’ve always struggled with pillions getting on and off, especially if they are taller and heavier than me. However, when I worked as a Limo bike rider around London, they taught me a secret.
You get on first, then put the side stand down, place your foot behind it so it can’t flick up and always insist your pillion gets on from the side-stand side. All their weight is then taken by the side stand and not your inner leg – simple.
Get your pillion to mount up with the side stand down and locked in place by you – the rider’s – foot
Once they are comfortable, lift the bike up from the side stand. Repeat the same process when stopping. Get the side-stand down, foot behind and ask your pillion to climb off on the side-stand side. Try it – it’s ever so simple.
The first few feet
For many this is the hard part. If you’re new to taking a pillion make sure it’s as simple as possible, you have a clear straight run on smooth ground, you don’t want to attempt a U-turn in a gravelly pub car-park.
Getting going is similar to a hill start, use a little more power balance on the back brake and feed the clutch in. Once you’re above 5 mph, you’ll hardly notice your pillion.
Don’t go too fast
You have more weight on the back, less on the front. On hard acceleration the front will feel light and might even wheelie in extreme situations in the lower gears. Short-shift, change gear early and keep the change as smooth as possible.
Riding pillion on a motorcycle
Stopping
The opposite of the above. More weight on the front, less on the rear. The brakes won’t feel as strong as you’ve significantly increased the weight, and again in extreme situations the forks may dive excessively or the rear may even rise.
Remember your braking distances will have increased. Try to be smooth, use a little more back brake and engine braking than normal to give the front stoppers an easier time.
Cornering
Your pillion doesn’t need to hang off the inside with their knee down, but equally they need to flow with the rider and bike. If you’re pillion is new to bikes, ease them into it.
Consider the extra weight a pillion adds to the bike and the stress that places on the tyre and suspension
Remember you’re asking more from the tyres. When going into the corner try not to trail-brake as much as you would solo. Mid-corner ground clearance will be less as the suspension has sagged with the extra weight, pegs may scrape or even the exhaust or centre stand.
On the exit remember the front is now light and the rear tyre is taking all the extra strain, smoothness is key.
Touring
If you’re clocking up some serious mileage and you’re getting tired so is your pillion. I’ve had pillions fall asleep on many occasions. Make sure they are ok, check the mirrors to make sure they’re awake.
Bike checks & maintenance
If you’re riding two up with luggage for the majority of the time, consumables won’t last as long. Your fuel range will be less, tyres and pads will also wear out quicker, especially if riding aggressively two-up. So keep this in mind when it comes to checking wear and consumables and thinking about servicing.
Brakes, tyres and more will wear more quickly riding two-up all the time
‘Ball in a bowl’
The key to riding with a pillion is riding smoothly. Here is a little tip. Imagine you have a bowl on your petrol cap. Inside the bowl is a ping-pong ball. Now ride without the ball leaving the bowl – get the idea?
“Men just have to think about sex and can have it, but women need time to build up,” Sharon says.
Sharon and husband Brien
“Riding together can be part of that build-up to a more physical intimacy. Even talking and sharing the emotional experience of a ride can put women more in the mood for sex.”
Riding two-up is more intimate than riding alongside your riding partner as it involves physical touching.
It also shows an incredible amount of love and trust.
For the riders, it shows that they are willing to jeopardise their bike’s performance by taking a pillion along. How much more love can you show! (Just kidding.)
For the pillion, it shows they have the utmost trust in your riding skills.
Mr and Mrs MBW
Could there be any greater showing of trust that to entrust your very life to someone else?
So get out there with your partner this Valentine’s Day and go for a nice ride.
Apparently, it is in honour of a Christian martyr in Roman times.
The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr, Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in AD 269.
Valentine’s Day is a time for celebrating our love for those important in our lives, particularly our partner or spouse. When your significant other is also in love with their motorbike, consider combining their two greatest loves in one gift to show how much you care. This includes gifts for those who may no longer take to the road on two wheels, but still, hold a love for motorbikes in their heart. There are now many opportunities to create your own customized gifts, providing you with many options. Here are some creative ideas for those in love with their bikes almost as much as they love you:
Jewelry
Valentine’s day is a day for jewelry, particularly if you are planning to ask for your partner’s hand in marriage, in which case diamonds are your primary choice. Jewelry is also a gift of love on other days on the calendar too. So, if it’s your wedding anniversary you can check out these wonderful ideas at goldenweddinggifts.com. One thing is for sure, no matter what the occasion is, you cannot go wrong with jewelry. A classic braided bracelet made from leather come in a range of styles, including one that can be wrapped twice around the wrist and secured with a strong twist magnet clasp, which will look good on any man. For her, a set of diamond earrings will add a touch of class or a pendant to show off her décolletage.
Experience gift
Superbike weekend
Surprise your partner with an action-packed weekend of high-speed thrills and two-wheeled racing at a Superbike Weekend, whether you choose the world-famous Brands Hatch or a circuit anywhere else in the world, you have always wanted to visit. Perhaps your partner wants to ride their own bike round a track which is easy to arrange, or a guided off-road biking experience is one that will create memories that will last forever.
Born to ride
Mrs MotorbikeWriter in her RSD jacket
Full leather jacket
A touring jacket made from leather can be in a variety of styles.If your biker has hung up their riding boots, a full leather jacket will still be appreciated to keep the biker’s blood flowing through their veins.
If still biking a two-piece riding suit that fits your beloved’s own style would make a great gift. These offer full body coverage and protection, designed to be abrasion resistant in the event of any accident. Other options that are easier on the bank balance are leather gloves, advanced knee protectors, all-weather riding pants, or balaclava, available from a range of biking accessory manufacturers and retailers.
Riding gloves
Full-hand or half-gloves that are abrasion resistant protect the hands from constant friction yet are soft and comfortable inside. You can choose gloves with pre-curved fingers for a snug fit and shock-absorbing padding in the wrist area for added protection.
Saddlebags
Saddlebags make a great Valentine’s Day gift for biking enthusiasts. Riders will always have things they need to carry on their journey, which can be placed in saddle bags that are available in various capacities and for different uses. It is best to buy waterproof saddlebags with lockable facilities so contents can be kept dry and safe in all weather conditions.
Motorcycle Art
Personalized motorcycle name
For those who find it difficult being parted from their bike, a gift that can be hung in the home is a way to keep them connected to their pride and joy. Using high-resolution photographs of Harley Davidson, Honda, and other brand motorcycle parts, there are companies who can create a customized work of art showing your lover’s name or nickname using the shapes of motorbike parts, covering every letter of the alphabet without having to use the same photograph twice.
Home sign
A sign for your home can be fun, such as “Born to ride, forced to work” will look great hung on the wall of your home or propped up on a windowsill or sideboard. These come in a range of styles and in a range of wordings too, so there will be one that suits you best. Available in wood, clay, and metals
Motorbike technology
GPS device
A GPS device is an ideal valentine gift to make sure your partner gets to their destination on time. These can be stand-alone devices or can be used with a smartphone. Many of these devices come fitted with the latest software, allowing maps to be updated and also with city guides. Garmin devices can work without mobile data or internet connection, through wireless Bluetooth technology.
GoPro Camera
Take fabulous photos and videos whilst out on the bike with a GoPro camera. These are waterproof and remain stable when mounted on a bike.Of course, this does not have to be just for use on the bike, the camera can go with you on holiday whether you’re skiing, snorkeling up to depths of 33 feet or taking in the sites of a foreign city, which is where the stereo audio facility and wind noise reduction are an added bonus.
Being creative doesn’t mean you cannot be traditional if you want to gift chocolates and flowers. Search out some delicious Belgian chocolates shaped as motorbikes, for your chocoholic motorcycling Valentine and pair with a dozen red roses or your sweetheart’s favorite blooms. Many flowers have specific meanings around love, such as red roses for passion and everlasting love, but also luxurious orchids, colorful tulips and more.
Florida woman Jennifer St Clair, 33, was killed when she was run over by several cars after she fell off a motorcycle pillion seat on her first date with the rider.
Florida Highway Patrol are not sure of the details of the incident last weekend and are calling for witnesses.
The rider has been identified and the matter is being treated as a traffic homicide.
Witnesses say the rider sped off and left the woman for dead on the highway.
This is terribly sad news and we can only speculate on what might have happened.
The general rule is that the more comfortable the passenger is, the safer you both are.
But that doesn’t mean you can only carry a pillion if you own a Gold Wing or Ultra Classic.
Perhaps the most enjoyable pillioning my wife and I have ever done was on a Triumph Bonneville T100.
Mr and Mrs MBW
She prefers light bikes because she feels I’ll be able to hold it up. She also prefers they aren’t too powerful and intimidating. The Bonne is also low enough for to just throw a leg over, rather than having to step on the footpeg and hoist over.
But there is no use buying a bike your regular passenger will hate, so ask their opinion. They may actually prefer the budgie perch of a sportsbike because it satisfies their desire for sportiness over comfort.
That means lots and lots of test rides together.
2 Mounting and dismounting.
Advise your pillion to ask permission before hopping on so you have a good hold of the bars and both feet on the ground. Don’t try to do this on the side stand as you may bend it, nor the centre stand as you may not be able to rock the bike to get it back down.
Request your passenger to alight as soon as you stop, then park your bike without them. Don’t be a hero and try to do it with them on board unless you are certain of your abilities and the ground surface. If you drop it, you will quickly go from hero to zero.
Mrs MotorbikeWriter in her pillion position aboard an Indian Roadmaster
3 Exhaust warning.
Warn your pillion about putting their foot or leg on the hot exhaust. Nothing spoils a two-up trip more than a quick visit to the emergency ward to treat a leg burn.
4 Don’t scare your pillion.
They won’t have any trust in you if the first time you take them for a ride you hoist it up on one wheel or whittle down your knee sliders in the corners.
As their level of trust rises, you may add these to your repertoire, but always give them a tap on the leg first to broadcast that you are about to do a wheelie (easier with a pillion) or go for a radical lean angle.
5 Communicate.
Rider and pillion communication used to consist of hand signals or, more likely, a vice-like thigh grip from your pillion when they are scared or a whack on the back of the helmet when they want you to stop and let them off.
Agree on a set of signals before you even put on your helmets and mount the bike. You’ll need signals for when you can mount, hazard coming up (bump, sharp turn etc), slow down, speed up, stop, and when to get off.
If it all sounds too complicated, get a Bluetooth communications system. It not only clears up any confusing hand signals, but also means you can enjoy a chat with your pillion.
6 Be smooth.
Anyone who has ever carried a pillion will be aware of “helmet bump”.
As you accelerate, your pillion tenses their stomach muscles and pulls themselves forward. Your pillion doesn’t know when you are going to change gears, so they stay tense. As soon you dip the clutch, momentum slightly lags and they naturally rock forward, banging their helmet into yours.
There are two ways you can prevent this.
First is to be smooth with your gear changes. The second is to move your head and shoulders forward as you pull the clutch in, leaving the lower part of your back as a buffer to soak up your pillion’s forward movement.
After a while, most pillions learn to listen to the engine revs and brace themselves for the coming gear change.
The “pillion in a million”
7 To lean or not to lean.
Of course, pillions shouldn’t lean opposite to the rider.
But some riders tell their pillion to lean into the corner with them.
I don’t agree as you never know how much they will lean and therefore how tightly the bike will corner.
It’s best to tell them to remain fairly still throughout your journey. In fact, advise your pillion that any fidgeting can cause instability and a possible topple, especially at slow speeds and when stopped at the traffic lights.
8 Suspension adjustment.
Most bikes have their suspension set at the factory for the “standard rider” weight of about 80kg. If you weigh substantially more or less, you should make suitable adjustments to the suspension.
However, a pillion changes the load even more significantly. A rider might vary several kilograms above or below the standard rider weight, but a pillion can more than double that difference.
Also, the centre of gravity is now much higher and further back, which will upset the handling and make the steering light.
If your bike has suspension adjustment, make sure you use it. Usually pumping up the preload on the rear spring is enough.
If there is no adjustment and you are going to be doing a lot of two-up riding, it is wise to fit an adjustable rear shock.
Other areas that may need adjustment include the tyres, chain and headlights. Consult your manual for ideal tyre pressures for two-up and how to adjust the chain and headlight beam.
You can reduce handling and steering anomalies by asking your pillion to sit as close as possible to you. Then you will move together in harmony with the bike and better focus the bike’s centre of gravity. But be aware this will prevent you moving around in your seat and you will have to adjust your riding style to suit.
9 Braking.
A pillion’s weight will also reduce braking efficiency.
Not only will the bike take longer to stop, but in a panic situation, your pillion may be flung on to your back. You not only have to support all your weight on your wrists, but also the weight of your pillion. This can cause riders to lose grip on the bars with inevitable consequences.
Also, the rearward weight bias will make the rear brake more effective and less likely to lock up, so use it more. But that does not mean you should use the front brake any less.
10 Gear up.
Just as riders should always wear the right gear, so should pillions.
Your pillion deserves the same level of equipment protection as you.
That also means warm gear when it’s cold, hot weather gear for summer and wets for when it rains.
Riders should also be aware that they block much of the breeze from their pillion, so in summer your pillion is going to need even better ventilated gear.
In winter, riders get some comfort from the heat that comes off the engine, but their pillion may not, so it’s advisable they rug up even more than you.
Bike accessories are also important to a pillion. Luggage will allow them to bring an extra pair of high heels and cocktail dress with them and a sissy bar will provide extra confidence.
However, a loud aftermarket pipe might just be too annoying. Remember, they are a lot closer to it than you. At least put the baffle plug in when carrying a pillion.
Do you have any other pillion safety tips? Leave your comments below.
The seats on my old Bonnie were NOT made of roo leather, so settle down, guys!
Not much room for a pillion!
Mr and Mrs MBW
