No more pillions?

[risticuss]

It seems that there are still ever growing disparages between us motorcyclists and car drivers.


http://www.motorcyclenews.com/insurance/2011/may/may2511-no-pillions-say-leading-motorcycle-insurer/

[risticuss]

OK... stupid me,


Apparently coming up on the front page of MCN doesn't mean it's recent news. 


Bloody computers.

[brooker81]

lol. good read though.

[Dave48]

On arranging insurance for MT-07 recently I was asked if I would be carrying pillions. I asked what the difference in premium would be & was told £3. So i had it included for the rare occasions I carry anyone.
Obviously there is a higher risk of  injury for riders & pillion passengers than for occupants of cars. However now & again we hear of young inexperienced drivers killing/seriously injuring themselves/passengers.
Am coming to the conclusion that more legislation isnt the answer since how many ignore seat belt/mobile phone use laws but how do you educate road users to be more responsible towards others?
By its very nature car driving "insulates" many drivers from their surroundings in a glass/steel cocoon.
So few have any notion of the level of skill motorcyclists have to employ simply to avoid the dangers out there.
I used to think it was young men in "souped up" boy racers that were the biggest danger but recently have come to believe its young women in the 17-30 year age range who seem to think they can ignore bikes and seem to have no understanding of whats involved for us.

[the cueball]

I get asked every year about pillions... thankfully the Fazer is my only bike with 2 seats, and doesn't seem to cost any more to have it...

[BBROWN1664]

anyone who goes as a pillion on a sports bike should be forced to sign a disclaimer stating they will not claim for any injuries sustained through their act of complete stupidity

[fazersharp]

Any who ---- why are they called pillions and not passengers or even co-riders 

[bigralphie]

A pillion is a supplementary seat rather than a person

[Dead Eye]

I've always added pillion cover since I've had my licence just on the off chance I would take someone on the back. Wasn't until about 6 months ago that I finally did

[chaz]

I'm of the age that I can remember when pillion insurance was made compulsory, a lot of companys stopped doing bike insurance and I had to change, my insurance went from £5 to £20 that was for third party on a 650cc bike.
When I took out insurance on my fazer and MT-01 I got pillion insurance (although I believe you have it anyway) and the premium went DOWN by about £8.