Here be a newbie - with a bunch of questions about riding, twitchy handling, & brakes

I is now the proud owner of a 2015 F3s. My, after riding two-wheelers for 62 years, this new-fangled three on the ground is a tad different.
Now, if I can avail you wonderful folk to instruct me, I have a question or two.
1. This thing appears to have the twitches. I've only ridden it 100 miles, so I'm not too familiar with its foibles, but ye gods, the front end feels loose.
2. Crosswinds are now a real pleasure - not!
3. Having had both knees replaced, reaching the brake pedal is a contortionist's nightmare. (I'm 78, and about as supple as a bridge abutment.). Anyone out here have installed the handlebar brake control?
Spyder has 4780 miles on it, the tires are new, and everything has been inspected by the pros.
I'm totally up for any advice.
Much thanks.
Murph in Las Vegas.

Hi pop, welcome to the Forum & posting! :yes:

As for your questions, everything you mention is a quite common experience for newbies to Spyders, which is why your Welcome Thread
( https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...poprivit-to-SL ) included links to the "Do's & Do Nots" Sticky, a thread which might be long, but it contains a heap of info that will at least start answering those questions and more. See the link below to go straight there.

Do's & Don'ts for new Spyder Owners

Check it out, it'll help you a lot, especially if you make sure that the bits you pay the most attention to refer to the 1330 powered Spyders. :thumbup:

:congrats: On the new to you 2015 Spyder F3s Poprivit. The first thing I think you need is more seat time to get use to the way the Spyder handles. Its way different than 2 wheels for sure. for some tips you might try reading this "click: https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...Spyder-owners/ lots of good info there. once you get get a little more time than I would say look at adding stuff if you think you need to at that point. Again :congrats: nice machine :2thumbs:

It took me at least 1000 miles on the Spyder before I started feeling comfortable. Stop riding a motorcycle and start driving a quick steering sports car. A light touch makes things happen quickly. Feeling twitchy will become this is fun, but it takes awhile.

You're in the 'Hump' stage. Where your brain is telling you you're on 2 wheels and it's all wrong. Everything your brain tells you to do will make it worse. Sure, it knows what to do with 2 wheels. But this is a different animal. Your conscious brain knows this. But the part of your brain that is instinct and muscle memory is going to do what always worked before. When it doesn't work and makes it worse. Your conscious brain is going to blame the machine. All of us 2-3 wheel converts went through the same issues.

Once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder why it seemed so hard. It's like learning to ride a bicycle. Seems all wrong in the beginning. Hang in there and you'll find the Spyder is one of the best rides you ever had. Just ride it as much as you can and RELAX-RELAX-RELAX!

Took me about 600 miles to get comfortable enough to enjoy the ride.

Good luck!

Twitchy might be wheel alignment. If this hasn't been done, you're never going to feel right on it. They don't come aligned from the factory and half the dealers know nothing about it.

:congrats: :welcome: :agree: You've gotta retrain. Think of it more like a highway speed 4wheeler, that might help adjusting yourself. Really can’t force oneself anything faster as far as learning curve - you've just gotta do the miles 'til your body adapts. Then nothing but smiles! :popcorn: :thumbup: Relax your grip; white knuckles ain’t gonna help none. Be mindful of your new width & the humps in travel lanes. With 2 wheels, you would ride on OR in; with 3 wheels, they are trying/fighting to do both.
** Avoiding potholes/road-kill - If centered, it will kick like a mule when the rear tire hits, so aim to put it under your foot & between the tires! **

:welcome:

poprivit, don't get to discouraged. It takes a while to get used to three wheels.
I started riding motorcycles in the mid sixties. Got a Ryker last July.
I was lucky in the sense that before I was able to sell the two wheeler and waiting to buy the trike, I found this group.
Reading posts and asking questions, so I had some idea of what I was getting into.
Even so the first few rides were interesting, but not to scary.
Stayed away from heavily traveled roads and took my time.
Just went out for a few hours at a time and got better each time.
Only put 2400 KM's before winter and was really enjoying myself at the end of the season ( can't wait for spring)
Even had the wife out for a few short rides.
So just take your time it will come.

I agree with all the above advice, especially the relax part. If you are at all tense on the handlebars, everything your body does will be translated into the Spyder. In addition, if you feel that reaching the brake pedal is difficult, consider that the F3 has 5 possible pedal positions. If your F3 is stock, it is in the middle position, and "could" be moved up to 2 inches in either direction. Meaning if you are taller or long legged, you'll want to move it out, and vice versa. The change is easy, but involves buying a different brake rod. They run about $40. A hand brake conversion will set you back much more.

Congrats on the new Spyder and Welcome! I can't add on anything extra.

When I first got mine it felt twitchy as well to me especially on some of the secondary roads around Md. and Pa.

Just grip lightly and maintain control the spyder will handle the rest.

You've been given great advice ..... After switching from two wheels to a Spyder, the best advice I got was "steer it like a car". You should also test the brakes - they may surprise you! And a light grip on the handlebars works best ..... so GUIDE it don't steer it .... unless you are going speed record fast in the twistie's ..... which you shouldn't try until you've mastered that Spyder ..... good luck and :welcome: .....Mike :thumbup:

Ps: 99% of the folks here have learned that Real Auto tires make a big difference (I recommend Vredestein's ;) )

Welcome Pop :welcome: Nice looking Spyder just watch out for the upgrade bug :ani29: once it takes hold you might be a little poorer :yikes: because of MS I have a handbrake kit as my right foot does not really work that well you just have to remember you will stop quicker when you use your foot than using your hand, but what everyone has said is spot on, so ride safe and have fun it's a :spyder2:

:welcome: All good advise above!!! Let us know how you feel after about 1000 or so miles, yes there's a bunch of things to check out and change to suit your riding style, but you have to get through the what the heck did I do stage! RELAX!!!

Just came back from my first 100-mile trip, and boy, do I feel different.
Thanks all for the good words. Much appreciated!

Hi, poprivit,

I rode two-wheelers for 70 years. When I discovered I couldn't pick a Goldwing up after it took a dirt nap, I started looking at alternatives. I tried hanging sidecar on the Wing. It worked fine, except my wife hated sitting at eye level with the rotating sabers found on 18-wheelers. She pounded on my leg when I "flew" the car. I bought a Goldwing Trike. Rode it for 50,000 miles. I did not like the feeling of doing a forward summersault when forced to brake on a downhill curve.

I bought an early model Spyder. I absolutely hated it! It ricocheted from one hump in the road to the next. It skittered sideways when the narrow track didn't fit the road grooves. In crosswinds, I felt like I was riding on the knife edge of disaster. Being too stupid to quit, or too stubborn . . . I continued to ride. Amazingly, after I adjusted the tire pressures to suit my riding style, I quit strangling the handgrips and was able to go from point A to point B without cursing.

A friend suggested that the newer model Spyders handled better. Well, my machine needed tires and a tune-up. To save money, I traded it for a new Sea to Sky. Holy Mackeral! It went down a cement slab highway in a straight line. I rode it for 1,000 miles. Nothing fell off or broke. I filled all the storage areas with essentials (too many clothes and not enough money) and rode 9,313 miles in 27 days as reported on this forum. (48 states etc.)

I've ridden on flat concrete, grooved concrete, frost-heaved asphalt, gravel, and dirt. The Spyder still rides like a snowmobile. It doesn't lean. It isn't supposed to lean. If it leans, it means one front wheel is off the ground and I am going way too fast! I can't corner with a pro-rider on a crotch rocket while riding The Tail of the Dragon, but I keep up with or lead any other group through the twisties.

I'm now 85. I just installed a car tire (advertised to go 75,000 miles) on the rear of my Spyder. I plan on wearing it and its offspring down to where the tread is gone.

Hang onto your Spyder, gently. It's just like being on a dance floor. You don't arm wrestle your partner while waltzing. It won't be long before you will hear and FEEL the music.

If all else fails, Google the words to The Ride by Chris Ledoux and "and enjoy your ride."

John M.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911

You've been given great advice ..... After switching from two wheels to a Spyder, the best advice I got was "steer it like a car". You should also test the brakes - they may surprise you! And a light grip on the handlebars works best ..... so GUIDE it don't steer it .... unless you are going speed record fast in the twistie's ..... which you shouldn't try until you've mastered that Spyder ..... good luck and :welcome: .....Mike :thumbup:

Ps: 99% of the folks here have learned that Real Auto tires make a big difference (I recommend Vredestein's ;) )

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That is what I tell people "guide " it with a slight pressure forward on the opposite handlebar. I am normally on cruise control with my hands resting on top of the handlebars.

:welcome:


Deanna

Hang in there Poprivit. I have ridden your Spyder and can attest all is normal. It was the first Spyder I ever rode and it convinced me that it was the way to go. This after decades on Harleys, with the last 5 years on a TriGlide. I should have switched sooner. It just takes a little getting used to.

I would go with the alignment. I bought a new 2021 RT Limited and I hated it. Thought it would kill me. It was my first Can Am. Owned over 30 Harleys, BMW's etc. I had to get rid of it because it handled like crap. Wish I would have found this forum to get advice before I sold it off. Really only needed an alignment in my mind now.
Not giving up I bought a 2022 Ryker sport. New game, handled the way it should and how I expected. Only problem it was a bit small for the wife and I.
Bought a 2021 F3S last January and I LOVE it. Handles like a dream. Just wish I would have worked out the problems with the new 2021 RT Limited.
Dealers really should check alignment before the bike leaves the showroom. Good Luck

Welcome, I agree with what everyone has said. It took me 500 miles to get the feel of riding 3 wheels and about 1000 to really start feeling comfortable on different types of roads.

As for hand brakes, here are links to the 2 that I know of:

https://www.slingmods.com/canam-spyd...ke-system-isci

https://www.martinthevlogger.com/pro...3t-f3ltd-canam

Also, an install video from Martin: https://youtu.be/Ibqh8k1yv9I

Hello POP, the biggest thing to watch out for is the upgrade bug, as my wife has threatened to make my pockets deeper so I cannot reach the bottom. :doorag:
By the way :congrats: and :welcome:

Regarding the "brake pedal contortionist's nightmare". My right foot just didn't want to turn naturally inward to hit the brake pedal. It helped me considerably to install a longer brake pedal. The factory pedal is too short and too close to the bike. The other thing was getting the full length F3 floorboards which allow for infinite foot positions.

GRH - I have been looking for an extended pedal. What company sold you theirs?
('Course, being a Spyder part, It costs in the four figures ;)

search EBAY or AMAZON for spyder brake pedal, several choices $20 up