A_morti wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:06 am
Depends what your passenger prefers, but IME the aftermarket "hoop behind the back" type of grab rail is so uncomfortable to use as to be basically worthless.
How about getting something off another bike and mashing up some brackets? I've been told before that these off a Divvy are pretty "handy" due to the rubberised coating, for example. If you can find somewhere to put them, they're pretty integrated to the fairing. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225130379732
Sure there would be less ugly and more adaptable options off more-recent bikes. Go obscure, and you'll also get cheap. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185459767939
I don't know what shape is best, I suspect the last bike I went on the back was an LC in the 80s, so I've no idea what works best.
I only want one for occasional use by my daughter next summer and my wife used to say that the Renntec ones were uncomfortable to use when I had them on GSXRs 25 - 30 years ago.
Not sure if this has been suggested, but have you thought about a Givi rack for your bike? I realise this takes you firmly into the realm of Topbox Terrys, but from what my pillion passengers have said, the mounting hardware that Givi use can make for a useful grabrail. Alternatively look at the fixing points on the subframe that the various manufacturers use and try to adapt their creations to your needs.
KungFooBob wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:31 am
Get some of those 'love handles' that you strap around your waist or those handles that attached to the fuel cap.
That could be a bit up close and personal for me and my daughter
Those four bolts they used would give you somewhere solid to make a bracket for those handles I've linked above.
@Le_Fromage_Grande I pick up my little girl (7 years old) from school most days on my CB300R, and we go out on a weekend sometimes. It has some handles which she uses, but for her the big thing to make it feel safer was a top box with a back cushion. That thing @Taipan linked above would do it, but I think a topbox might actually look less bad, and would also give you somewhere to lock your/her helmets when you get off at wherever you're going.
Last edited by A_morti on Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Given that Triumph (in the picture above) provide decent looking grab handles on the bike, I'd be happier if a pillion used them rather than regulating my waist size randomly.
KungFooBob wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:31 am
Get some of those 'love handles' that you strap around your waist or those handles that attached to the fuel cap.
That could be a bit up close and personal for me and my daughter
They're not actually - and they're easier to use for inexperienced pillions.
mangocrazy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:44 am
Given that Triumph (in the picture above) provide decent looking grab handles on the bike, I'd be happier if a pillion used them rather than regulating my waist size randomly.
I've used the pillion-pal (I've still got it somewhere) with my new GF, until she got used to being on the back - you don't notice the belt at all once you're moving ..... well - unless you're so ham-fisted that the pillion is being thrown around, and if you're riding that badly, they're not going to want a second go.
As I've never used a 'pillion-pal' I'll take people's word for the fact that you don't notice it in use, but I can't see how it would be as effective in use as a properly designed grab rail. If a grab rail is designed properly it allows the pillion to brace themselves against forward and back movements; the pillion-pal only works for backwards (accellerative) movements - I can't see how it would work if the rider had to brake suddenly.
But if it's useful as a training aid for rookie pillions then that has to be a good thing.
Rockburner wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:51 am
I daresay the material itself (the steel) will be a certain quality (the minimum that Renntec can get away with no doubt)
Is there any point (assuming higher quality = higher cost) from doing anything more?
Rockburner wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:51 am
I daresay the material itself (the steel) will be a certain quality (the minimum that Renntec can get away with no doubt)
Is there any point (assuming higher quality = higher cost) from doing anything more?
Depends on how safe/strong you want the thing to be.
If you take manufacturer's specification as a starting point, then that should be the minimum 'quality' level. If you want a larger safety margin go up on the wall thickness/dimension of tube/bar or use steel of the same size instead of aluminium. Either way the cost of raw materials probably won't be the major cost item. Getting the parts welded/plated/powder coated will probably be the main cost component.
Rockburner wrote: ↑Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:51 am
I daresay the material itself (the steel) will be a certain quality (the minimum that Renntec can get away with no doubt)
Is there any point (assuming higher quality = higher cost) from doing anything more?
Depends on how safe/strong you want the thing to be.
i.e. the minimum needed?
Potentially it could be thicker-walled tube, wax-filled, anti-rust coated (or stainless). At higher cost. But is any of that actually required?
How strong does it need to be to qualify as 'safe' or 'safer'?
If you compare that with things like Priest's plastic fuel pipe connectors, aging and breaking ...
