Hi people. Now I have my st1050 and the weather will be spectacular in a few months (hmmm), I would like to do a bit of touring. Trouble is I want the old.....my lovely wife to accompany me going pillion. She has no interest on getting on the bike no matter how short the journey. Any ideas on how to get her to change her mind? It would be great to have her along to share my passion.
Depends on her reasons, some options:- Arrange to accidentally meet with friendly pillions her age at a cafe whilst going somewhere in the car, she might be attracted. Try some trendy new helmet/gear suggestions. Attraction works better than promotion, light hearted comments about what you did. She might just think she is missing out. Possibly a sidecar or trike, if the problem is fear of falling off. Failing all else, accept, and know you have tried, let go and just leave her to follow her own directions in social matters. Good luck :upyeah:
I think we have to face facts. It takes a very special type of person to enjoy sitting on the back of a motorcycle for hours :wink: Although my wife is OK as a pillion I would never subject her to a very boring and uncomfortable time on a bike if I can help it. We've found the perfect compromise for us. I ride to a destination and she takes the train or the plane. I prefer to ride by myself as I'm driven by what I want to do and not have to worry about someone else. I also like the solitary nature of riding a bike. I've ridden in small groups before but tbh I generally avoid bikers whenever I can. She's happy as she swaps 2 days on the bike for an hour or two in a plane. She's also happy to go out on the bike when she gets there but it's short trips at slow speeds and it's generally HOT :smile: I carry her helmet and gloves and her luggage and she wears her jacket and boots on the plane. So my advice is tempt her with a trip to the South of France and meet her down there. Perhaps after a few short trips in a different environment she might even consider a longer trip. Good luck.
Not sure what to say here as it took me over 3 years to convince the wife not to go on the back of the bike :wink:
My misses used to ride pillion with me but since turning sixty she decided that riding pillion was not for her anymore.
Short pillion trips to a country pub or the coast are one thing but sat on the back for few hours must be boring - I wouldn,t do it (not that 2 up touring on the Bonnie is really an option). I also prefer to ride solo if I'm really honest. Solved it for the German trip - I'm on the bike and she will be in her MX5.
I had a similar experience, loved bikes all my life but the mrs was never interested in going pillion. I started to meet up with a few like minded friends and we would clear off on one or two long weekend trips and on return I would often rave about what a great time had been had. After I returned from a week at the Isle of Man TT (without her) again raving about the trip, new mates and talking about the next trip she decided she had had enough of me going off enjoying myself without her! Now this strategy could have gone two ways........ Divorce or she could learn to ride a bike herself. Luckily she thought it would be a good idea to have her own bike, she did a direct excess course and bought her own Street Triple. We now do loads of biking holidays together and we belong to a closed facebook group of 12 friends 6 of which are lady riders. Lets be honest its not much fun being a pillion but great fun riding; perhaps you should suggest she tries a few lessons??
I agree with Richard,show her what a good time your having and that might perk her interest. If you do manage to get her on the back go to places she like's.A short ride to a favorite pub or restaurant might be a good start. I'm lucky as I like bikes and my wife loves to travel so she figured the best way to get me to go was to get her own bike and combine both our interests.
I'm lucky I think because my wife has been pillion since we met (her ex was an old L plated scooter rider with bright red socks!!). It didn't do it for her but she really likes the look of old Brit bikes (heartbeat influenced) so she actually got me interested in my current bonneville as I was a Ducati monster fanatic. I always do my best with her comfort wise and just do lotsa mini rides and country picnics. Buying her new posh bike gear helps too as it's just another reason to wear new clothes for her (and on the bike for me)
Lol Crispey I still want to use that part of the anatomy, but thanks for the input. Thanks to all for the input, I can see where trying to make it seem like the holy grail may work, but to be honest, riding at the moment I normally get home moaning about how many genuine idiots there are on the road that I did not notice as a cager. So will try to woosaaaaah and glam it up.
My misses was sorting out the riding gear yesterday. She has decided to donate her old leathers and textile jacket to the Salvation Army clothing bank:upyeah:. Even her boots are going. I hope they find a good home.:smile: She was never really happy riding pillion and lost her confidence a couple of years back when we were rear ended by another motorcyclist who wasn't paying attention to those around him.
what's the chances of getting her to take her test & ride a bike of her own ? if it's a non starter you might be best having a little separate holiday of your own
I see your in Oxfordshire(same as me) why not pick a nice day and pop over to H's Cafe and we could meet for a coffee and bacon sarnie and she can have a chat with my Mrs. Enjoy the social side to start with.
My misses prefers the comfort and protection of the car these days. When I'm off on my travels she will often follow on later and take a more direct route to our destination. It does mean that I can travel lighter on the bike if I want too. She has ridden pillion with me for over forty years and I do miss having her ride with me. But I do respect her wishes and she knows what's best for her.
Sorry to butt in and change the subject but have you an address for H's cafe as I often ride to Oxfordshire to visit family and would give me somewhere else to stop off at Thanks
No problem, the proper address is Oxford Road, Dorchester, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7LY It's on the A4074 at the Berinsfield roundabout you can miss it,got an Infinity shop next door. If you go on a weekend when the weather is good keep an eye out for the Police,they're very "pro active" at times. Usually a few bikes most times,weekend can be packed.
