I took my mum for a Honda CBR600RR pillion ride and here's what she thought of the experience

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the Honda CBR600RR is a focused, rider-centric machine. And yet, over the last 5000 miles, it has proven to be a frugal filtering dream – demolishing big rides and commutes while achieving more than 50mpg when you aren’t pushing. Yes, it gets heavy on your wrists on the motorway, but daily life has been fuss free. 

Read more

• Update one: Dan nips across to the Isle of Man for some TT fun
• Update two: The hits and misses of the Honda CBR600RR after 1675 miles
• Update three: Hitting a Cadwell Park trackday on the CBR
• Update four: Pros and cons of riding 1000 miles per month

The next task I was keen for it to perform was carrying a pillion. The thin passenger perch and tall pegs would clearly make it an odd choice for a few weeks away in Europe, but I wanted to investigate its ability to perform short jaunts to and from town, as well as the occasional weekend run to a café.

For this, I roped in the help of my mum, Nicki – an experienced pillion with seat time on everything from Kawasaki ZZR1400s to Honda Fireblades, to Kawasaki ZX-9Rs and 1970s Z900s, to even my 2023 long-term test Suzuki GSX-8S. 

Heading out one Friday evening in the late summertime, I planned a 60-mile route through the heart of Lincolnshire – snaking across B-roads before a brief stint through the city centre, a dash around the bypass, and back. It was a bone-dry day, with a temperature of around 25-degrees – the kind of weather we’re all dreaming about right now.

“That was fun,” she said, “but around five minutes before the end, I was thinking ‘I’ve had enough now’. My knees were alright, taller pillions might have a problem,” mum continued. “The exhaust is lovely, and kept me warm, but it’s not uncomfortable. The Suzuki GSX-8S from last year was much worse for exhaust heat by my foot.”

Given how hunched over the rider is in relation to the pillion, I decided to dust off my old Oxford Pillion Grab Handles so that there was something sturdy for my passenger to hold onto. 

“In town, because you’re higher than the rider, you can have a good look around,” mum added. “I think you could do a hop to the beach two-up, but I wouldn’t go on tour, and you need those handles because there’s nothing to grab onto.”

Heavier braking forces are still transmitted into the rider’s forearms and wrists, but I could’ve been smoother in my application in places. The suspension would’ve also benefitted from a heftier tweak ahead of the journey – especially at the back end. This is easier said than done though, as there’s no remote preload adjustment.

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