Don’t ride it like you stole it or someone will think you have. Made with Xara Web Designer When you take a pillion passenger on the back of your bike then you need to bear in mind one key word - SMOOTH. When you turn the bike into the corner, don't try and pitch it onto your knee in the blink of an eye as you may find your pillion grabbing you so hard it hurts! Make your turn-in smooth. Getting started on the throttle smoother and more progressively, the easier the roll on the better it will be for the pillion. If you pin it (get aggressive with the throttle), expect your pillion to lurch backwards putting more weight behind the rear wheel spindle and making the front end of the bike feel light and "loose" in the corner. Of course, if you do this on the straight then you will wheelie! When you are braking apply pressure to the lever smoother and earlier than normal. The more warning your pillion has the better they can brace themselves against the forthcoming forces and prevent you having to lock your arms solid to hold them back as they try and climb over your shoulders when the forks compress with the additional weight transfer. Smoother braking also stops your pillion from smashing into the back of your crash helmet. There is nothing worse for your pillion than you riding like a complete idiot, thinking you are going fast whilst your pillion is being thrown about all over the place. It can make your bike seriously unstable. If it's the first time for the pillion then slow it all down. Ride well within your self and agree with the pillion on a couple of signals to keep the speed manageable for them. For example, a squeeze on the left arm could mean slow down a little. A tap on the right leg means you can up the pace a little more. The same goes for you and an experienced pillion. If you get your doors blown off by another rider and you want to play tap the pillion on the left knee to let them know you are going to up the game. But be prepared for and respect a sudden squeeze on the left arm from your pillion who isn't quite so keen for you to prove a point. But above all else - Be SMOOTH with your control actions: • Turning • Accelerating • Braking • Changing gears But that's not the whole deal is it? You also need the pillion to do some work too, so pillions; this next bit is for you. If a rider refers to you as a sack of spuds take it from me that that is one of the best compliments you can get as a passenger on a bike. It rates as highly as "I didn't know he/she was there." Your job as a pillion is to give the rider and the bike as little additional work to do as possible. The extra weight (you), which is slung up high and behind the rear wheel spindle will cause the bike to feel very different for the rider and the more unstable you are the harder it will be for the rider to keep everything smooth and under control, i.e. stable. Some bikes are more suitable for a pillion, most modern sports bike are not really ideal because: • The foot pegs are too high and close to the seat. • The seat is too narrow and too far back. • There are no grab rails All three of these things make it very difficult for you, the pillion to keep yourself secure and locked in place under cornering, acceleration and braking. On older bikes and non sports bikes a grab rail does help and the rear seat was an integral part of the same seat and therefore you could grab hold of the rider more easily or use the grab rail more easily. On a sports bike the simple act of trying to hold the rider is no easy task.  You have to lean a long way forward and you end up looking like a rucksack on their back rather than a person who is out to enjoy the ride. The key is all about using your inner thigh muscles and where you place your hands. Each time the rider accelerates grip them tightly with your knees.  This alone should be enough to stop your legs ending up under their armpits if the rider accelerates too hard. If the rider is really gunning it then one hand on the tailpiece will also help to keep you on board. Under braking you will also need to grip with those thigh muscles and also place your hands on your knees and lock your arms to brace your upper body against the braking forces. I have seen some passengers who place their hands on the fuel tank to brace. There is nothing wrong with this other than it makes the rider feel a little nervous as you are close to the groin and your arms are under the rider's armpits reducing the control they have over the handlebars. Finally, gripping with the knees helps you to keep in line with the bike and rider when you go around a corner. Remember, you will not fall off the inside just because the bike is leaning, centrifugal force will push you into the seat and keep you aboard. Sitting up in the turn makes the bike run wide and can make the rider very angry/nervous/run wide/crash! This article has been reproduced with the kind permission of Andy Ibbott, school director of the California Superbike School,  and discusses riding techniques when carrying a pillion and being a pillion.