The Joy of Two – What Makes the Honda Gold Wing Special as a Pillion Rider
Pillion riding is an excellent way to take a journey. No matter how big or small the excursion is, it is made more worthwhile with a secondary rider. To fully enjoy the trip, you want to choose the best bike, equip yourself with special gear and prepare for some excitement. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Honda Gold Wing unique as a pillion rider.
What Does it Mean to Ride Pillion?
The pillion is a secondary cushion, seat or pad located behind the primary seat of a motorcycle. It’s the same term used for horse, bike or moped riding as well. Riding pillion refers to the passenger in this second seat.
Touring motorcycles offer the ideal way to carry a passenger. They are specifically created with longer journeys in mind and provide additional space for luggage and another body.
When Did Pillion Motorcycles Start (How Have They Grown)?
Motorcycles with room for two riders have a long history and it’s unclear to know which manufacturer created the first capable of holding two people. Still, we see that there’s a correlation between pillion riding dating back to the Battle of Dunkirk.
The British Army instated a requirement for officers to the rank of colonel that they needed to know how to use a motorcycle. All officers with the status of brigadier were also required to know how to ride pillion. The reasoning behind this was that many cars had gotten lost in action. Once Jeeps became part of the war, this practise was no longer needed.
Still, pillion riding continued, but more for touring purposes. Today, you will find many bikes with room for two. In fact, it’s become the standard practice with cruisers and touring motorcycles. As more people fall in love with long-distance riding, we expect that the popularity of pillion riding will continue to grow as well.
Best Motorcycle for Riding Pillion
While there are plenty of bikes designed for touring and spending time with a friend, there’s a particular model that continues to rank highest with any reputable publication. The Honda Gold Wing remains at the top of everyone’s list as the best option.
In fact, Motorcyclist ranks it high because it features a “cloud-like suspension, more infotainment options than your smart TV, and it can carry loads of cargo.” Devitt Insurance says that it’s possible for a passenger to fall asleep on the Gold Wing. Even RideApart says that sitting on the back of a Gold Wing “feels like sitting in a Lay-Z-Boy.”
Of course, searching online yields plenty of other reputable sites that recommend the Gold Wing as a pillion-riding motorcycle if that’s not enough proof for you.
History of the Honda Gold Wing and Why It’s Design is Special
The first versions of the Gold Wing launched back in 1975. It featured a 999 cc flat-four engine. By 1979, it came with a 1085 cc engine. That further increased to an 1182 cc flat-four engine in 1984. Initially, there were two versions to this bike: The Interstate, base model and the Aspencade, the higher-spec model.
The Honda Gold Wing has long been seen as a comfortable touring motorcycle. It changed the way riders look at motorcycles.
Toward the end of the 1990s, the Honda tourer faced some massive styling changes. The engineers lowered the seat heights, produced a narrower frame and added a standard electronic air-suspension.
The generation of bikes from 2001 to 2017 got bigger than the previous motorcycles. Not only did it receive a more massive, fuel-injected 1832 cc motor, but it also came with an aluminium frame to offer better handling. Cruise control and the electronic air suspension were standard on all models during this time. From 2012 on, there was a new styling package included plus ABS and a combined braking system was also standard.
The Latest Gold Wing is a Pillion Dream
None one denies that the latest Gold Wing is the best model to purchase for pillion riding. A quick glance at the design shows you it was meant to feel like sitting in an armchair. With the complete backrests and armrests, it’s clearly fitted with a passenger in mind.
The other luxuries that come with this bike include a stereo, GPS, airbags, ABS, large luggage capacity and two heated seats. The handling and comfort continue to rank high on everyone’s charts, further ensuring that this is the bike to own when you travel long distances.
The Los Angeles Times offered a rave review on the 2018 Honda Gold Wing, with a considerable focus on pillion riding. They couldn’t stop bragging about the lighter weight, better fuel economy, nimble feel and plush, full seats. In fact, they named it a “superior touring machine.”
Joys of Riding Pillion – Perspective from the Back-Seat Rider
Even if you’ve spent years riding a motorcycle, you will quickly realise that becoming a back-seat rider is an entirely different experience. At first, it can be a little scary having no control over what’s coming. Once the pillion rider loosens their muscles and relaxes, it’s much more possible to enjoy the scenery.
By using core muscles to guide and direct movements, riders experience some of the same freedoms the rider does. Of course, there’s no room for fidgeting or you might compromise the balance of the bike. That’s why it’s critical to have a touring motorcycle that ensures maximum comfort for the passenger.
It’s difficult to stay completely still for long rides. If the passenger isn’t comfortable, their muscles get tired and worn out. Muscle cramps can set in and the highly anticipated excursion can quickly turn into a nightmare.
With a Honda Gold Wing, there’s nothing but rave reviews about how comfortable the pillion seat is. It’s not uncommon to hear about people falling asleep during a ride because they are that relaxed. Of course, we don’t recommend this, but it says something about the bike.
Riding Pillion: What Does a Rider Need?
When you generally ride by yourself, there are some critical considerations to give before adding a pillion rider. You must be able to control and manoeuvre your bike with that added weight on the motorcycle. That’s why you want the Gold Wing with its reasonable seat height, smooth control, ideal riding position and wider bars.
Riding Pillion: What Does a Passenger Need?
Your next thought should be about what your passenger requires. First, they must have a spacious seat. This allows them the room they need to adjust to a different position during the longer rides. If the seat is situated just slightly above the rider, they also receive enough room to look around without being dangerously exposed.
As stated previously, the armrests and backrest of the Gold Wing allow your passenger to receive optimal levels of comfort. Of course, the heated seats on the newer models help as well, especially on chilly mornings.
Make Your Pillion Rider More Comfortable
Before you head out with a passenger, there are some steps you can take to ensure they remain comfortable. Here are some of our best tips for pillion riding.
1. Wear Appropriate Clothing
The secret to a comfortable ride is the right clothing. It’s vital for all pillion riders to wear head-to-toe gear. This includes trousers, a helmet, gloves and a jacket.
2. Teach them to Be a Good Passenger
Before heading out, you want to offer some instruction. Teach them that they should only ever mount or dismount the bike when you tell them too. When they do, it should always occur on the left-hand side.
3. Adjust Your Riding Style
When you have a pillion, you need to do things differently. Keep the ride as smooth as possible by dragging the back brake at low speeds to maintain stability. You also should avoid quick and heavy braking, when possible.
A good indication of whether you are providing a smooth ride is if their helmet taps yours. If so, consider adjusting your technique further.
4. Adjust the Suspension
If your bike allows you to adjust the suspension, do it. You want to handle the additional weight as much as possible. At the least, you should crank up the preload.
Tips for Being a Pillion Rider
As a pillion rider, there are several tips you must follow to keep everyone safe on the road.
1. Don’t Move Unnecessarily
Remember that the bike is only on two wheels, so there is less stability. Any change in weight distribution could lead to disaster. Even if the rider can maintain control, it’s incredibly disruptive. If you must move, make sure you communicate the action to the rider in advance.
2. Watch Rider Position and Body Movement
You must be in synch with the rider. When he or she moves from side to side, you need to respond. It’s not necessary for you to shift your weight to the same extent, but you want to be in a comparable position with the rider.
3. Hold the Rider around the Waist
If you must hold the rider, wrap your arms around the waist. Make sure you don’t hold on too tightly, or it will become uncomfortable. Never put your arms on the rider’s shoulders as this restricts body movement.
4. Don’t Put Excessive Weight on the Rider
It’s unwise to rest yourself on the rider’s back. You also must be conscious of how much body weight leans on the rider during braking. If your motorcycle has grab rails in the rear, it’s wise to use them during hard braking.
5. Concentrate on the Road
While is essential to enjoy the scenery around you, you must also pay attention to the road. You are a co-pilot on the bike, and you can’t zone out into dreamland. If there’s something dangerous coming up, you can communicate that with the rider. Just make sure your instructions are clear, short and straightforward.
Never hysterically point out something unusual. It’s vital that the rider keep concentration on the road and creating panic won’t help to stay in control.
6. Avoid Falling Asleep
Even though you can fall asleep on the back of a Gold Wing, you shouldn’t. You put your life at risk and the riders. If you get tired, it’s time to stop for the day. Let your rider know that you are tyred and you can take a break.
7. Don’t Drink
Sure, you aren’t operating the bike, but it’s still unwise to drink while on a motorcycle. Your senses must always be keen and you don’t want anything to hinder that.
8. Respond Properly if Scared
If you get scared, close your eyes, hold on and don’t move. Once it is safe to do so, gently tap the rider and ask him to pull over. Once you are off the bike safely, you can discuss the issue that scared you and take steps to prevent it from happening again.
Enjoying the View – Rider or Pillion
It doesn’t matter what part of the Honda Gold Wing you sit on; you still have a responsibility to enjoy the ride. There’s so much to see in the world and the back of a bike is the perfect place to view it from. So, get out on the road with a loved one and see what new areas you can explore. You’ll soon find that pillion riding offers many benefits that can’t be achieved when riding alone.
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