What's your secret recipe?

[Jeffmal]

So many threads about tires, windshields, alignments, shocks,
swaybars and more...
There are still a lot of us that are still uncomfortable with their Spyder especially at
highway speeds.
So...give us your best recipe that made your Spyder ryde as comfortable and smooth as possible!

[Bob Denman]

Nothing much special at all...
The standard 25" windshield at it's lowest setting...
BRP's rider backrest
BRP's adjustable air deflectors

Easy-Peasey...


Oh! I also had a Misty Mountain Sheepskin seat cover on my 2014: I'll have to consider getting another one for the new bike.

[al0vely]

It took me 500 - 1000 miles before I felt very comfortable at highway speeds. I have not subscribed to all the must haves - but added the accessories that increased my comfort as I continue to ride. I am even planning to remove the BRP vibration dampner because it fixes one problem temporarily then could cause another.

Keep riding - comfort and security will come to you.

[SPYD3R]

on my very 1st ride, i was very uncomfortable because i was expecting my SPYD3R to handle like a 2 wheeler....
i thought to myself, "wow, i've wasted some serious buck$"....
after about 200 miles of share fear and reservations, it & i started to feel way more comfortable....
by the time i hit 500 miles, it was all SMILES....
had the SPYD3Rs been around back in the 1960's, i would have gone this route vs. 2 wheels...

farkle it to your liking, and give it a few hundred miles, and you'll be all SMILES like all the rest of us...
good luck & ride carefully....
Dan P
SPYD3R

[JayBros]

What specifically are you uncomfortable with about your Spyder at highway speeds?

How about some numbers, please. "A lot of us" doesn't cut it without some empirical data.

[Jeffmal]

What specifically are you uncomfortable with about your Spyder at highway speeds?

How about some numbers, please. "A lot of us" doesn't cut it without some empirical data.

Still trying to figure out if the wind buffeting is causing the "twitchiness" or tires etc...
I did have the laser alignment and it made 0 difference to me. Still getting used to the Ryde, right at 1000 miles
but not completely comfortable that's why I'm looking for the secret recipe!

[Easy Rider]

but not completely comfortable that's why I'm looking for the secret recipe!

Just noticed that you are in Florida......not too far from me, I think.

I still believe that the wavy roads (the 2 lane ones mostly) in Florida are part of my problem.
It's hard to keep the surface level when the road is built on SAND.

Finding a wavy section of pavement while going around a curve is particularly unsettling.

[Blue Star]

Just noticed that you are in Florida......not too far from me, I think.

I still believe that the wavy roads (the 2 lane ones mostly) in Florida are part of my problem.
It's hard to keep the surface level when the road is built on SAND.

Finding a wavy section of pavement while going around a curve is particularly unsettling.

I had this same problem with the wavy roads when I lived in Southern California, and it bothered me at first too. Once I realized it was the road, and not the bike it got better. I just learned to not hold on so tight, and adjust when the wavy part hit.

One thing I did to improve my confidence was to find a non-wavy road, and let go of the handle bars to see how straight the Spyder rode.
*Note: I had the cruise on, and held my hands about a half inch above the grips for safety when I did this.

Just give it some time, and miles. It will get better.

[Jeffmal]

Just noticed that you are in Florida......not too far from me, I think.

I still believe that the wavy roads (the 2 lane ones mostly) in Florida are part of my problem.
It's hard to keep the surface level when the road is built on SAND.

Finding a wavy section of pavement while going around a curve is particularly unsettling.

You're probably correct...the real challenge is over 60mph!

[Jimboregon]

You're probably correct...the real challenge is over 60mph!

What made a huge difference for me was the realization that the Spyder comes with Power Steering!! Never rode a 2-wheeler with Power Steering..... I'm now over 15,000.

[UtahPete]

Still trying to figure out if the wind buffeting is causing the "twitchiness" or tires etc...I did have the laser alignment and it made 0 difference to me. Still getting used to the Ryde, right at 1000 miles but not completely comfortable that's why I'm looking for the secret recipe!

It's not the bike. Get out there and RYDE!

[JayBros]

Still trying to figure out if the wind buffeting is causing the "twitchiness" or tires etc...
I did have the laser alignment and it made 0 difference to me. Still getting used to the Ryde, right at 1000 miles
but not completely comfortable that's why I'm looking for the secret recipe!

I came to Spyderworld after a long two wheel hiatus and via a different route not worth detailing here. Safe it to say, I had absolutely no problem adjusting my RT; a 50-mile test ride convinced me it was the bike for me. Yes, I could have bought a Harley trike or a Gold Wing conversion but opted for the Spyder. As a result of a lot of reading here on SL I had a Bajaron sway bar installed by the dealership and the rolo laser alignment before I took possession. After a couple of weeks toodling around the countryside I headed for a local stretch of milti-lane interstate where the speed limit is 60 but if you're not doing almost 80 you get run over. I intentionally went looking for two semis with an open lane between them and ran right up to the tactor noses. Yes, I felt wind buffeting about my shoulders and upper torso but with a light grip on the bars the Spyder tracked like an arrow shot from a crossbow. IMO, your arms from shoulders to fingertips need to be fully relaxed or any movement in them will be transmitted to the handlebars.

If you are uncertain about the stability of the Spyder itself find a long stretch of straight road and safely ride with hands off the bars. If the bike doesn't track perfectly straight take it back to the shop that did the laser alignment. If it's tires, I'm sorry, can't help. My crappy Kendas have performed well for me except for the shorter life of the rear tire that I will replace very soon with an Altimax; have never had a problem with the fronts.

I wish you'd said you have only a grand on the clock in your OP. Some folks take longer than others to get acclimated to a Spyder than others. It's nothing to worry about; just keep adding the miles and see what happens.

[fjray]

I gave the 15RTL 15,000 miles and never made friends with it so re-homed it to someone else and went back to two wheels. We never got comfortable with the ride or the handling. Went through laser alignment,shock adj.,new tires on both ends, RDL seat and played with air pressure up and down the scale. I loved it in town and thought the sissy shift was the greatest thing going but as soon as I was in the twistys is handled like a truck. It's like drinking scotch as it is an acquired taste. I do like scotch but not so much the spyder. YMMV.

[Jeffmal]

I gave the 15RTL 15,000 miles and never made friends with it so re-homed it to someone else and went back to two wheels. We never got comfortable with the ride or the handling. Went through laser alignment,shock adj.,new tires on both ends, RDL seat and played with air pressure up and down the scale. I loved it in town and thought the sissy shift was the greatest thing going but as soon as I was in the twistys is handled like a truck. It's like drinking scotch as it is an acquired taste. I do like scotch but not so much the spyder. YMMV.

Do the sway bars really help on the highway or just on the curvy roads?
btw- I take it up to 85 mph to really get out of my comfort zone and it is feeling better as I log on the miles. I was just wondering if I needed to add a taller windshield or sway bar to enjoy the ryde more...

[Highwayman2013]

Twitchy, alignment. Swaybar for better handling.

[azprince]

I gave the 15RTL 15,000 miles and never made friends with it so re-homed it to someone else and went back to two wheels. We never got comfortable with the ride or the handling. Went through laser alignment,shock adj.,new tires on both ends, RDL seat and played with air pressure up and down the scale. I loved it in town and thought the sissy shift was the greatest thing going but as soon as I was in the twistys is handled like a truck. It's like drinking scotch as it is an acquired taste. I do like scotch but not so much the spyder. YMMV.

The additions of sway bar, tires, grips, windshield are not helpful, if you don't follow this advice, from an earlier post:

IMO, your arms from shoulders to fingertips need to be fully relaxed or any movement in them will be transmitted to the handlebars. very simple.
RELAX!

[Little Blue]

There is a learning process for the Spyder. Maybe like learning to play 'Golf or Tennis'. Some things come easy. Some things take more time. Try it and just do it at a comfortable pace for YOU. I have learned to enjoy my RYDE and YES it was a learning Process. For me, I ryde at my own pace. PS: GOOD LUCK in what ever YOU Decide.

[mavrik]

well...it starts off with 3 eggs and some bread crumbs....oh wait wrong forum...hahha

[Jeffmal]

I gave the 15RTL 15,000 miles and never made friends with it so re-homed it to someone else and went back to two wheels. We never got comfortable with the ride or the handling. Went through laser alignment,shock adj.,new tires on both ends, RDL seat and played with air pressure up and down the scale. I loved it in town and thought the sissy shift was the greatest thing going but as soon as I was in the twistys is handled like a truck. It's like drinking scotch as it is an acquired taste. I do like scotch but not so much the spyder. YMMV.

I’m gong to install the Baja Ron anti sway bars within a week to see if that settles down some of the twitchiness from wind buffeting, etc..
I’m not so sure it’s going to make a big difference on the f3t. I really don’t do the twisties in south Fl but maybe will hit them some day!

[Highwayman2013]

Still trying to figure out if the wind buffeting is causing the "twitchiness" or tires etc...
I did have the laser alignment and it made 0 difference to me. Still getting used to the Ryde, right at 1000 miles
but not completely comfortable that's why I'm looking for the secret recipe!

Was it a laser alignment? Who did the alignment? We put the BRP Tallboy windshield on. I rode over 7,300 miles on our F3L last summer ( Las Vegas to Lake George, NY and back) and noticed no twichiness. Laser alignment by Squared Away, Bajaron swaybar, Roadster Renovations vibration dampener, 18 psi front Kenda tires, 22psi rear General Altimax tire. 30 psi in rear airbag. Currently at 18,500 miles.

[Jeffmal]

Was it a laser alignment? Who did the alignment? We put the BRP Tallboy windshield on. I rode over 7,300 miles on our F3L last summer ( Las Vegas to Lake George, NY and back) and noticed no twichiness. Laser alignment by Squared Away, Bajaron swaybar, Roadster Renovations vibration dampener, 18 psi front Kenda tires, 22psi rear General Altimax tire. 30 psi in rear airbag. Currently at 18,500 miles.

Alignment was done by Tricled with a small out of the box setup.
I don't know what the setup is supposed to look like but I am assuming these guys are doing it correct (hopefully).
My arms are relaxed while ryding, I'm thinking it may be due to wind buffeting at the higher speeds as I do have the short, stock windshield.
I just wasn't sure if the taller windshield will move the bike more even though it's diminishing the wind hitting me...

[SpyderAnn01]

Alignment was done by Tricled with a small out of the box setup.
I don't know what the setup is supposed to look like but I am assuming these guys are doing it correct (hopefully).
My arms are relaxed while ryding, I'm thinking it may be due to wind buffeting at the higher speeds as I do have the short, stock windshield.
I just wasn't sure if the taller windshield will move the bike more even though it's diminishing the wind hitting me...

I don’t know how tall you are but the top of your windshield should be even with your nose. Too high and you will be buffeted from behind. Too low and you’ll feel a lot of pressure on your chest. TricLED uses the Rolo Laser Alignment system, which is the best one so I’m sure your alignment is good. You need a BajaRon Sway Bar and the ”twitchy” will go away.

[Lew L]

Still trying to figure out if the wind buffeting is causing the "twitchiness" or tires etc...
I did have the laser alignment and it made 0 difference to me. Still getting used to the Ryde, right at 1000 miles
but not completely comfortable that's why I'm looking for the secret recipe!

A proper windshield vent moves the buffeting zone above the rider. The windshield WILL cause turbulence in the air flow , ALSO a low pressure area behind it. A $50 Gold wing vent installed in a stock windshield fills the low pressure area and pushes it above the rider ( and passenger, according to my wife)


Its just simple aerodynamics.

Lew L

[Easy Rider]

What specifically are you uncomfortable with about your Spyder at highway speeds?

How about some numbers, please. "A lot of us" doesn't cut it without some empirical data.

Add me.

But your request is unreasonable; I suspect on purpose. Not nice.

In it's stock configuration, the Spyder has an UNSTABLE feel to it.
It tends to "dart" around with little or no input from the rider.

Part of that is real and part is just a feeling.
Some riders are more sensitive to it than others, it seems.

Just because YOU don't find it a problem does NOT mean that there is something wrong with the riders that DO find it to be a continuing problem.
And I resent the implication that there IS something wrong with them (us).

I strongly suspect that the tires have a LOT to do with it, soft sidewalls and poor tread pattern and that a lot of the other "fixes" that we are encouraged to spend a TON of money on by well other well meaning owners would just be a waste of money for your average "old fart" sedate-style owners. But that's just a theory. I won't be testing that until I am thoroughly convinced that just more miles in the seat won't solve most of the problem. But so far, there was a big improvement and then a plateau where I am mostly comfortable except in "unusual" situations......and speeds above about 55 MPH seem to magnify the little things that are uncomfortable.

[JayBros]

Add me.

But your request is unreasonable; I suspect on purpose. Not nice.

Did I accuse the OP of intentionally fabricating numbers? Not at all. Do I suspect the OP of being a troll? Absolutely not. Would I like to know how many Spyder riders are unsatisfied with how their bikes handle? Sure, absolutely. If there are unsatisfied riders then data is important in attempting to assess the reasons for the dissatfaction. Kindly do not impugn my questioning when I was simply asking the OP to give us an idea of just how many owners are unsatisfied with their Spyders.