Can't get my leg over!

[RedQuail]

Sorry if the title misled you but it is just that but on a motorbike!

I have recently started going on my husbands motorbike as a passenger. Really enjoyed it but I am struggling a little with getting on and off. The bike is quite tall and I am not.

I get on the foot rest and throw my leg over as you would on a horse. When I am on I am fine but worry about then getting off although this is not as bad as getting on.

I am definitely not as agile as I used to be and keep banging my leg on the metal frame/ rack at the back of the bike (behind my seat).

Hubby keeps saying it's something I will get used to and not to worry about it, but at the weekend I hit my shin on the metal frame and now have a sore black and blue swollen leg and feel I need to do something, I am sure with practice it will be fine as I am new to this but just wondered if anyone had any tips or easier ways of getting on a motorbike as a passenger ?

Hubby also said about getting a top box so I have bit of a back rest for longer journeys but I am worried this is going to make things even worse for getting on and off.

You jump on his back then he gets on the bike...

Sorry not helpful I know but I saw a video in instagram of this and it remains in my head the only way to do it...

You definitely want a top box to feel more secure. You could try getting on the bike before your husband gets on - get on the main seat and shuffle yourself back. It's a bit of a technique and definitely easier on a smaller bike than a tall one.
Or just learn to ride! It's a lot more fun than pillion.

Thank you. I would love to ride and be in control. I would enjoy nothing more than having my own motorbike. Sadly due to a health condition I am unable to get a license hence I am a passenger.
Loving it and feel fine when I am on. Hubby said I sit still and do all the correct things it's just the getting on and off, mainly getting on. I am not very nimble!

I might have to try getting on first and then shuffling back, I am not sure he will be too impressed but if he wants me to go out on rides with him then it might have to be a way of doing it, certainly until I get more practice.

This may be a ridiculous suggestion but could you use a folding plastic step… which then goes in the top box?

Hmm actually I don’t think a step would fit in the top box actually, so step might help for your initial journey from home but no good if you get off anywhere else & need to get back on again.

Would it help if you stood on the driver's footpeg rather than the pillion one? Might put you a bit further forward to avoid banging your shin as you swing it over.
I think you will get better with practice.

Buy a collapsible stool. You can get ones that fold down really small. I used to ride out with my friend who had a double hip replacement and an 18hh horse. We always took a stool in a back pack to ensure that if she had to get off (with an 18hh horse and overhanging branches on a narrow bridleway it did happen!) and we couldn't find a gate or rock that she could get back on.

Look up a hip mobility exercise regime that suits your level of fitness. It'll be beneficial outside of going on the bike as well

These!

Can he get you a side car rather than going on the back

Thank you all. I stand on the foot peg so I'm not sure a small enough step to be viable would be much bigger than the foot peg. But I will look.

The side car made me laugh - No he wouldn't he just brought a sports tourer so he will not entertain the idea of a side car. I think I would prefer to be on the back too.

I think exercises would be good and yeah I think it's a practice thing. Although I will try his foot peg as well as getting on first and shuffling back.

Not a realistic option but look at Goldwings, like driving round on an armchair.

Are you wearing proper protective gear, OP?

There's absolutely no way I'd bruise my shin by bashing it getting on the bike as my leathers and boots have more Kevlar and other armour in them than a bullet proof vest. 😂

Seriously though, I'd concerned about the level of protection if you're being injured so easily. Bashing your leg getting on the bike is nothing compared to even a really minor low speed crash.

@AllyCart Thank you and yes absolutely. I have a brand new helmet, jacket and gloves. I had Jeans on and leather Jodhpur boots. I am only trying it at the moment to see how I get on hence I have not opted for trousers yet too. It was just a little ride 5 mins to the café just to see how I got on. I did like it and I was apparently very good as a passenger so the following day went a little further but still only local and again all was good. So I am now getting some trousers probably going for some ladies motorbike jeans. This too should help my legs when getting on 😂

Do you mean riding boots or motorbike boots?

If not proper motorbike boots then please do get some when you get the trousers

I was witness to a crash last year where the motorbike boots were what saved the bikers foot from being smashed to bits when some stupid teenagers overtook on a blind bend

Motorbike boots (borrowed my 18 yr. old daughters luckily were the same size) . I have more than enough safety gear for the ' trial period' The only thing I did not have on was motorbike trousers, but seems I like it, I am now getting some.

Thank you for the concerns.

I ride my own but occasionally get on pillion and I've never conquered it. Somehow like you say getting off is worse than getting on. I'm tall which doesn't help, there's just too much leg involved to squeeze it into gaps to get over the top box or into the gap between him and the top box. I've tried getting off with the right leg going forwards and up and over, or backwards, and nothing really works or looks good. I end up with the left leg on the ground and my right leg sort of stuck half way and slithering over the seat. This is on a 1250GS and an S1000XR so tall bikes - it's not elegant!

I'm sure there's a better way! You might have to do some observing at the local biker cafe next time or something?

FWIW other than in my track leathers and boots, I could still probably bang a shin - there's not much exposed in longer boots and longer knee pads, but enough for me to find a chink, and if I'm in shorter boots and shorter knee pads, there's plenty of leg for me to bang!

Can you sit on the saddle before your husband gets on and swing around rather than over?

Also agree with proper boots.

@dgirluk Thank you. Yes I will keep watching others and practicing. I agree and thought the same with trousers. When my daughter did her test the instructors told her to wear Jeans. I will get some biker jeans though.

My husband has a Tracer 9 Gt so a tall bike and I am not tall so it is not elegant but I am sure with practice I hopefully will get better.

@billyt When out, it's easier for husband to get the bike out and started up and in a position for me to get on so messing about having it on it's stand for me to get on and then him is bit of a palaver. He is tall hence the tall bike so he may have probs with me on first. Not sure we will try some different suggestions and see which is best for both of us. I do swing my leg around rather than over and this is when I tend to hit my leg/shin. I was wearing proper boots. Thanks

Same problem here, leave bike on side stand, you get in rider seat, put your feet on pillion pegs and scoot backwards. Dismount, him off first then you , again bike on side stand.