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Should I get rid of my pillion seat? Should I get rid of my pillion seat?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  • 1 Post By krtw
  • 1 Post By backofbeyond
  • 1 Post By AnTyx

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  #1  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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Should I get rid of my pillion seat?
Hey folks. I am in the process of modding my bike for an RTW trip. I'm re-designing the entire back end of my bike to move the turn signals, brake light and license plate and license plate light further back on the bike for improved visibility.

AND - I have been pondering modding my seat to a single seat - no passenger or pillion seat. This would allow me to create a lower back rest - I have one of these on my old bike and LOVE it. It would also give me more storage room on the bike - less in panniers.

As I ponder there are certainly times I could imagine missing having a passenger seat - but for the most part it may even be advantageous to not have one. My biggest concern is in an emergency being able to help someone.

What do you folks think.
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  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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I've dumped the pillion seat on a couple of bikes where it's convenient to do it (on some bikes it looks odd). It does, as you say, give more room for luggage but it also sends a signal that this is one person only, so no giving border guards lifts down the road, or finding joyriding locals jumping on at traffic stops etc - both of which I've had in the past. Emergencies, well yes but it's been a lesser consideration for me
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  #3  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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I have found giving lifts to locals and fellow travellers have lead to some interesting and memorable interactions which have added to my trip and occasionally helped other people, I would keep it.
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  #4  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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If you really had to, could you still transport someone without the pillion seat, albeit uncomfortable?

Can you keep the seat and still construct a removable backrest?
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  #5  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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+1 for Mark’s view - my experience too
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  #6  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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I've done it on a couple of bikes. Usually where the seat was designed to double as a torture rack and ironing board. Fixing the front and not worrying about the rear made the job easier.

Anything mass produced will be more reliable than shed-made, so consider how it will stand up. More racks etc. just seem to lead to carrying more crap.

I've never had the need to give a lift to friendly goat herds etc. but maybe I have missed out on that score.

I wouldn't rush to modify anything you aren't 100% sure needs changing, but maybe the back rest does feel into that category.

The NC definitely needed it, access to the fuel filler without taking a bag off the seat took seconds to prove itself correct.

Andy
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  #7  
Old 25 Feb 2022
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Luggage
The lower and the more forward you get the weight.
The better.

The place for the pillion seat is a good place to have a luggage rack.

Take a look at pizza delivery bikes or "posties"

Honda CG xxx Cargo and
Honda CT xxx


https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr5L0ypKC...25282%2529.jpg


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Old 26 Feb 2022
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Check out the shops tailored for scooters - they have a ton of options (backrests with luggage racks) - and they are fairly inexpensive. Some of those might be easy to modify to your bike to make it removeable. Sip scootershop is the best one.

Otherwise, there are many sissy bar options for choppers, that also have a luggage rack
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  #9  
Old 26 Feb 2022
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It is as expected...my choice. Thanks for the great replies. Still undecided but at least I have some ideas. Being able to interact with folk by having a seat would be great, and having the extra space would be great, But having both would be even better. Going to look at removable racks and see what I can find. Or maybe invent something, like a seat I can use while camping, that fits on the bike as a secondary seat when needed. Multiple use.

So much to ponder. Its ponderous...
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  #10  
Old 26 Feb 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krtw View Post
Going to look at removable racks and see what I can find. Or maybe invent something, like a seat I can use while camping, that fits on the bike as a secondary seat when needed. Multiple use.

So much to ponder. Its ponderous...
Having come up with the curmudgeonly 'no passengers' preference at the start of this discussion I would add that one of my bikes has the rack extending over the pillion seat, so that with a 'few' spanner turns it can be removed and normal service resumed. It was a DIY construction though - nothing commercial fitted the bill.

Re camping chairs, just buy a £20 Chinese Helinox copy. They fold down to next to nothing and mine has lasted about eight years now with no issues.
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Old 28 Feb 2022
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Plus one for having a plus one, I’ve enjoyed giving rides to folk in the past, I’m sure a thin seat pad over a rack would suffice for a temporary lift
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  #12  
Old 28 Feb 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krtw View Post
This would allow me to create a lower back rest - I have one of these on my old bike and LOVE it. It would also give me more storage room on the bike - less in panniers.
I've found that a drybag on the back seat (strapped to the pillion grabhandles) does the job of a lower back support very well indeed, without limiting your options otherwise.
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Old 28 Feb 2022
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Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
I've found that a drybag on the back seat (strapped to the pillion grabhandles) does the job of a lower back support very well indeed, without limiting your options otherwise.
This I can attest to. I feel stupid for not remembering. It is an easy, inexpensive and flexible solution. Sometimes simple is best.
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