Sypder's Handling

[Questions]

I am searching for a Spyder to buy in Colorado and as I look I am interested to here how owners feel the sypder handle when cornering and how fast can you corner?
Thanks for the input

[Texmac1011]

Handles great for me and will corner faster than I want to.
Good luck with your Spyder hunting!

[GeminiJane]

While corners are "different" on Spyder than 2 wheels, based on your level of experience and your lack of fear (same as on 2 wheels), there's no limit!

[3whlLefty]

The Spyder is pretty capable in the corners but won't keep up with your sport bike friends. You won't lean so your butt will tend to slide off the seat toward the outside of the turn. Leaning your body into the turn helps and pressing the inner knee against the body panels helps and pushing down on the outside foot peg helps. In a hard left the right foot may also need to feather the brake. That can get tricky.

Adding the Comfort Seat helps a bit. I did that and am looking at the Russel Day Long as an even better choice. My previous ride was a GW trike with a Diamond seat with a fabric surface. That held me in place with no problem. I've had my Spyder for about 2k miles now and I'm still experimenting with spring settings, tire psi, etc. The Peak to Peak highway is my testing ground and I'm having a blast doing my 'research'.

[BajaRon]

The stock Spyder handles pretty well. It will meet or exceed the capabilities of most motorcycles/riders (excluding crotch rockets)

If you add the upgraded swaybar this will put your cornering up several notches. You still won't keep up with the sport bikes but they won't leave you quite so redily.

I don't have the Elka's but I am told they add a little more to the equasion.

So while not the ultimate mountain road carver, the Spyder is no slouch either!

But if you come around a curve to find sand, water or other debris in the road be careful! You'll have to slam on your brakes to keep from running over that Go-Fast crotch rocket rider that just had to back off to keep from laying it down!

On the other hand, if there isn't anyone in front of you (or if it's another Spyder) ride on! Stuff in the road isn't any big deal when you are riding the 'Y' Factor!

[MoonChaser213]

than the Law wants me to. My Spyder is stock

[dryheat]

tuck your inside elbow in and pull, and slide your butt off the seat to keep that inside wheel on the ground. Visualize those videos of sidecar racers and you get the idea! It is a lot more physical than simply leaning a two wheeler over. In those "S" curve you will get a workout hopping back and forth across the seat. Hang on and have a ball!

[Fire Joe]

The fastest I have gone around a corner is 78mph and at that speed I was pretty much off the seat and instead was hanging off beside it with my inside knee pressing against the side panel. Man was it fun!!!

Oh, I have an 08 by the way.

[Raptor]

I believe Dryheat has the idea! Learning the technique with the inside elbow tuck and pull worked wonders for me when I discovered it (by trial, error and a near off after a stupid mistake! ) and I have been very solid with the machine ever since. You can throw amazing body english at this machine and it will keep that inside wheek on the ground. I also think that a smooth throttle is key to good cornering. You don't want to throw a crap-load of brake at a turn; you must keep downforce on the chassis so it doesn't over-steer on you. And it is physical, but that's the fun of it!

BTW, Jaanpla, you are an animal! And I say that with much respect..

[Questions]

Thanks for the input on the Spyder's turning capabilities that makes sense. I have a 2008 Harley Fat Bob and it is a lot of fun to ride that is for sure
Sounds like a new learning curving of fun here. My friends all have Harley's and they don't want to buy the Spyder lol but you know those Harley guys!

[SpyderWolf]

Once you get used to ryding the Spyder, you will be grateful for the antilock brakes as they will keep you from running over your Harley friends in the curves. I experienced this first hand ryding through the twisties on our way to Maggie Valley, NC, and then again on The Dragon.

The owners manual, and DVD, have some good practice course layouts for you to set up and get really familiar with the handling of your Spyder. I highly recommend you run through those exercises early on.

[Raptor]

I reckon I can understand that. The hard-cores may not have much use for a Spyder. I'm telling you though, these things are a ton of fun once you learn what they want in terms of riding technique. And even though they don't look it, these things can move. I've had mine 100+ a few times now. It did it pretty quick and it wanted more. The stability was much more than I expected; this chassis LOVES downforce! No match for a real sport bike, but pretty impressive to be sure.

One more thing; The traction control is wonderful, especially in the wet. I got surprised by some unexpected weather just yesterday and I was nervous at first. But I had tons of grip, and the Spyder took the road beautifully.

[Raptor]

Yes, the DVD is great. I watched it a couple of times and it really gave me a sense of knowledge right away. Good point about the brakes too. I don't use mine much, but when ya need 'em, they are there!!
_______________________

2010 RS-S, Ultra Touring Windshield, 2" Risers, waiting for my Sport Rack and Back Rest to come in

[spydsense]

Once you get used to ryding the Spyder, you will be grateful for the antilock brakes as they will keep you from running over your Harley friends in the curves.

[krb1945]

Familiarity with the machine will increase your confidence when riding the spyder. If you remember the following you will love it
because they are a "blast to ride".

1. use high quality speed H or better rated tires.
2. Traction AA or A... you can use a lesser but not
advised
3. Temperature A... "ditto the above ^^^^^^^^^^^
4. Proper tire inflation... many of us use 18 to 20 front
28 to 32 rear. Others may use less or more depending
on their preference.
5. Extremely important... always lean into the curve or
you will leave the seat and be flapping in the breeze
as seen in the cartoons.
6. Most Import of all... if you are going to do extreme
performance riding... know and understand your
machine and your skill level, practice makes perfect.
7. I know I sound like and old era "old" maid school
teacher but remember this... the key word is "OLD".
You don't get to be old by being careless.

8. Wear high quality "Safety Equipment" when performance riding.

9. Just like in the military and in everyday life... "safety is the number one priority!"

10. Like General Patton... "now you know where I stand!"

Ride 'em safely and survive! Ken krb1945

[Lowflyingowl]

My experience is that the Spyder corners faster/better than my VTX 1300 but not quite as good as a 20-year old on a Ducati. It will likely corner better than your buddies' Harleys -- I almost ran some over last year out on a ride...

I can, however, keep up with no problem in the twisties with an old fart like me on a Honda VFR. He's a pretty good rider, though...

[Questions]

Thanks for all the good input. Now I just need to sell one of my other toys to make room in the garage and try one of these out.
My only concern is that these seem pretty touch and will need a good dealer near by. The best for me is in Denver (RPM) and about an hour and 15 mins away so that sucks
Hope I can ride this summer and sell either of my toys and get a spyder to joy the ride

[M2Wild]

Thanks for all the good input. Now I just need to sell one of my other toys to make room in the garage

That or it might be easier to just add another bay onto the garage

I was out with a group of experienced rider this past SUnday for a nice Father's day ride. I am still a little timid on my Spyder so I had a hard time keeping up wth them on the narrow curves. But then again these guys were going at a pretty good clip doubling or nearly doubling the speed limit. It was a good ride for sure and since I got the wider bike, I am bringing up the rear.

[Questions]

haha yeah I wish I could ad a third garage bay and move forward so hoping to sell a toy or two soon and move forward. until then reading about the good and the bad and how to best handling the spyder
thanks

[WackyDan]

Thanks for the input on the Spyder's turning capabilities that makes sense. I have a 2008 Harley Fat Bob and it is a lot of fun to ride that is for sure
Sounds like a new learning curving of fun here. My friends all have Harley's and they don't want to buy the Spyder lol but you know those Harley guys!

There isn't a Harley that can keep up with with a Spyder in the Twisties except maybe a V-Rod.... Talking average riders here.

I spent a week riding with my brother who has an HD ElectraGlide. The first set of twisties we hit, he tried to keep up... and almost lost it dragging the floor boards. He has a new respect for the Spyder now.

Talked to a guy at the HD dealership when my brother was getting a new tire. He has an R1 crotch rocket and had a Spyder trailing him closely through the Tail of the Dragon.... which surprised him. Now... A well ridden crotch rocket or sport bike will out pace a Spyder in the Twisties... So maybe he sucks at riding. Either that he had someone like Lamont, Doc, or Seth riding behind him.

The Spyder is a different sensation and a more physical ride ***If you want to ride it hard... I find riding just as enjoyable as ever if not more so since I got mine.

[BajaRon]

I was out with a group of experienced rider this past SUnday for a nice Father's day ride. I am still a little timid on my Spyder so I had a hard time keeping up wth them on the narrow curves. But then again these guys were going at a pretty good clip doubling or nearly doubling the speed limit. It was a good ride for sure and since I got the wider bike, I am bringing up the rear.

Narrow curves are actually an advantage for the Spyder. 2 Wheels can use a wider road to take some of the angle out (start wide, apex and then drift wide coming out). Of course a Spyder can do this too but not nearly as much because of our width.

Squeezing those 2 wheeled guys hurts them much more than it does the Spyder.

As your skill level increases you'll be able to give them something to think about.

I rode a real windy road behind my brother on his FJR. It was a road he was very familiar with and I'd never ridden. Plus, I'd just put the swaybar on and was not sure how much I could push my Spyder. I could have done better.

My brother is a good rider and I cannot say for sure that he was trying to leave me behind as he's not that kind of guy. But I was right on his tail and later he said it worried him seeing all that front end so close behind him in his mirrors. There were a couple of washouts on curves and he had to slow down because the sand was a problem for him.

Of course, I didn't care about the sand at all but I had to slow to keep from hitting him. When we got back he asked me how well my Spyder would stop if needed!

[Raptor]

It's amazing how you can change the way the Spyder turns. Just recently I was workin out on some twisties up in a place they call the 4 corners. I had my line picked out, started to execute and then I hit a bump that threw me wide. Bad news!

I didn't even think about it; I just changed my body positioning, pushed back on the bars which made me kind of sit back on it, which in turn gave me more rear bite, and gave a good inside pull. It basically slid the back a little and dove the front end which made the correction to the line. It was like a split second! And right after apex, I grabbed some extra throttle and powered out. I have no idea how I did that, but I went with what the bike was feeling like and it worked out.

Now we must take into account this thing has a great traction control device and such, so I am not that good; the bike helped ALOT!!

[spydrn]

Thanks for all the good input. Now I just need to sell one of my other toys to make room in the garage and try one of these out.
My only concern is that these seem pretty touch and will need a good dealer near by. The best for me is in Denver (RPM) and about an hour and 15 mins away so that sucks
Hope I can ride this summer and sell either of my toys and get a spyder to joy the ride

I take it since you are only 1hr away from Denver you live in the Springs. There is a dealer located there. Colorado great outdoors..Dont know if have any 2010-11 models yet. I am currently out of the country right now and I havent seen my Spyder in 2 months now..Good luck on you search..

[Questions]

I was in the Army from 1973 - 1976 and appreciate the military men and women who serve these days.
I am in Europe right now for work and return next week and need to go up to Denver to test ride one of these. I guess you either get a good or spyder from all the comments on hear and I talked to RPM and they sound responsive to helping out with potential issues.
It sounds like these Spyders cant handle really well. I was hoping more of the kinks were cleared up by now but not sure that is the case.
But hell they still sound fun as hell to ride!

[bone crusher]

I was in the Army from 1973 - 1976 and appreciate the military men and women who serve these days.
I am in Europe right now for work and return next week and need to go up to Denver to test ride one of these. I guess you either get a good or spyder from all the comments on hear and I talked to RPM and they sound responsive to helping out with potential issues.
It sounds like these Spyders cant handle really well. I was hoping more of the kinks were cleared up by now but not sure that is the case.
But hell they still sound fun as hell to ride!

'Can't handle realy well'??? Hardly....these bikes handle great!