What your motorcycle pillion wishes you knew

Riding solo and riding with a pillion are two different skill sets. While your motorcycle’s throttle, brake and lean angles may not change on paper, everything about the way you ride should. That’s because carrying a passenger shifts the dynamic: your bike handles differently, your stopping distances increase, and your pillion’s comfort and confidence become part of your responsibility.

The most enjoyable two-up rides are the ones where both people feel involved. Some pillions love chatting through the intercom, snapping photos at stops or planning the route. Others prefer to simply sit back and enjoy the scenery. Either way, ask what makes the ride fun for them – and don’t assume silence means they’re fine.

Ultimately, being a good two-up rider isn’t about showing them how fast or skillful a rider you are. It’s about creating a ride that feels safe, enjoyable and connected. And when that’s done right, it can make every ride even better – for both of you.

Most pillions aren’t mind readers. If it’s their first time on the back, a quick run-through of where to hold on, what to expect and how to sit makes a huge difference. Even seasoned passengers appreciate a heads-up if you’re about to accelerate hard, take a sharp corner or hit a bumpy road.

Helmet intercoms can help, but even basic hand signals or shoulder taps go a long way. And if your pillion says they’re uncomfortable, believe them – and adjust your pace or riding style accordingly. Confidence is built through clear, ongoing communication.

And build in beaks. Riding two-up can be tiring, especially for your pillion. They don’t have the same level of control or freedom to stretch, and poor posture or tense muscles can take a toll over long rides. Build in breaks where they can get off, walk around and reset – and take the opportunity to check in on how they’re feeling.

The most common pillion complaint is feeling like they’re sliding forward under brakes or being left behind on acceleration. You can help by riding gently, but it’s also worth investing in decent pillion gear. Grippy seat covers, proper pillion footpegs and even a rear grab rail or strap can make a difference.

Encourage your pillion to sit relaxed and centered, with their body aligned with yours. Some like to wrap their arms around the rider, others prefer the grab handles – let them choose what works, and never criticise their instinctive reactions, especially under stress.

What feels normal to you might feel scary to someone without a handlebar to hold onto. As the rider, you’re in control – you’re anticipating the next corner, feeling every input through the handlebars and foot controls, and engaging your body in ways that help stabilise the bike. But your pillion doesn’t get that same level of feedback or involvement. Instead, they’re perched higher, reacting to every movement after it happens, often with nothing more than grab rails or your waist to steady themselves.

That lag in perception can make even a gentle lean feel extreme, or a minor brake check feel jarring. It’s not because they’re ‘scared’ – it’s the realities of being a relatively inexperienced passenger. Riding with empathy means recognising that their experience is different from yours and adjusting your riding accordingly.

Aim for progressive inputs and predictable movements, especially in corners, on the brakes or in heavy traffic.

Cornering can be one of the most disorienting parts of the ride for a pillion – especially if they’re not used to leaning with the bike. From their perspective, it can feel like they’re tipping into the unknown with nothing to hang onto, especially on tighter or faster bends. Sudden lean angles, abrupt changes in direction or charging into a corner without warning can easily unsettle your pillion. 

The solution is to enter corners smoothly, maintain a consistent line and avoid mid-corner corrections. Encourage your pillion to relax, look over your inside shoulder and move naturally with you – but understand it’s your responsibility to make the process feel predictable and safe.

Braking needs to be feathered – that extra weight on the back means your front-end dives more, and your pillion can lurch forward if you’re too abrupt. It’s also worth considering your suspension settings or tyre pressures, especially if your bike has adjustable preload.

Stop-start traffic is rarely fun, but it can be especially nerve-wracking for your pillion. Frequent braking, low-speed wobbling and unpredictable gaps between cars can all add to their anxiety – particularly if they feel like they’re at the mercy of whatever’s happening around them. Avoid aggressive filtering or tight lane splitting unless you’re both experienced and confident. Use your mirrors and situational awareness to anticipate traffic flow and keep your throttle and clutch inputs as smooth as possible. A calm, measured approach helps your pillion feel that you’re in control – even when the conditions around you aren’t.