I can't counter steer

[Rogue Hawk]

So I try to lean into the turn in a kind of exaggerated manner, but the seat is grabby and won't let me move far. Even at low speed, there is quite a lot of centrifugal force to overcome. So I don't think what I am doing would work well at any speeds above 20 mph. Any tips for a former sport bike rider who wants to do the twisties?

[petegtsv10]

Do you countersteer your car?? Spyder steers like a car.

[Dudley]

Count the wheels...one, two, three. Many of the twisty riders use body lean to keep them from being thrown off the Spyder from the counter force of the turn. I can't tell you how to do this because I am a very conservative rider. But counter stearing is not to be had on a Spyder, from what I understand. After 100,000 combined miles on 3 Spyders and over 500,000 accident free miles on 2 wheels, that's all the experience I have.

[Pennyrick]

So I try to lean into the turn in a kind of exaggerated manner, but the seat is grabby and won't let me move far. Even at low speed, there is quite a lot of centrifugal force to overcome. So I don't think what I am doing would work well at any speeds above 20 mph. Any tips for a former sport bike rider who wants to do the twisties?

You need to unlearn the unconscious act of counter steering... it will lead you to disaster on a Spyder.

This machine is not like a two wheeled vehicle. Drive it like you would a Cobra, a Vette or a Lambo. It has similar characteristics.

[PrairieSpyder]

In the twists, I stay on my feet about as much as on the seat. That way I can shift my whole body as needed to counterbalance.

[Deer Slayer]

I am unlearning 58 years of motorcycles. Now that I have learned to dig the thigh into the fake tank and plant the other foot on the peg on curves, life on a Spyder is much better. The only motorcycle likeness with a Spyder is, the wind blows in ya face and you can fall off!

[Tom in NM]

I am unlearning 58 years of motorcycles. Now that I have learned to dig the thigh into the fake tank and plant the other foot on the peg on curves, life on a Spyder is much better. The only motorcycle likeness with a Spyder is, the wind blows in ya face and you can fall off!

. . . . . as you go into a turn to the Left, straighten your Right Leg and "stand" on the peg - it will support your bodies weight and the centrifugal force acting on it. Your butt will come up off and back into the seat a little providing a nice firm brace. And keep your Left knee snug to the F3's body. Your hips may twist a little, but your torso can stay upright with hardly any effort. When I do that, I never feel like I am being pushed off the bike - it feels more like skiing.

The other part of that I think most people miss is that you are Pulling the Left handlebar grip in and Pushing the Right grip/throttle out - not hard, but keeping it in balance for the turn and control of the throttle. That supports your upper body. I find I tend to lean a little left, but nothing like being on a bike and in a left turn that is mostly from tucking in my elbow from pulling the handlebars.

There is a lot going on ( throttle, handlebar, ready on the brake, ect. ) so take it easy at first, but if you "stand" on the peg, you should not feel like you are being pushed off the bike.

Tom

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

So I try to lean into the turn in a kind of exaggerated manner, but the seat is grabby and won't let me move far. Even at low speed, there is quite a lot of centrifugal force to overcome. So I don't think what I am doing would work well at any speeds above 20 mph. Any tips for a former sport bike rider who wants to do the twisties?

The Spyders are Motorcycles in NAME / category only...............drive it like a car or you are going in the DITCH fast......JMHO.....Mike

[Motorcycledave]

Being a former crotch rocket rider and also a sport touring rider as in ST1100 & ST1300 you can not counter steer
a Spyder ... it does not lean... for those who don't know what counter steer is... that means you lean the opposite
way you are turning, with the Spyder or any type of Quad you must lean into the turn or you will be thrown off.
I must say I do miss 2 wheels and am looking for another ST1100.... like in my avatar
Dave

So I try to lean into the turn in a kind of exaggerated manner, but the seat is grabby and won't let me move far. Even at low speed, there is quite a lot of centrifugal force to overcome. So I don't think what I am doing would work well at any speeds above 20 mph. Any tips for a former sport bike rider who wants to do the twisties?

[Chupaca]

What I have found is it is like driving a formula one car while on horseback. Turn it into the turns like a car shift your weight to stay on and be comfortable. If you over do it the nanny will scold you by countering for you. Relax you will get the hang of it and love it...

[OJ UK]

Neither can I!! At least not on a Spyder!
Worry not Rogue Hawk! You'll soon get used to the differences. All you have to do is
simply forget everything you learned about riding on two wheels!
As you have an F3, your learning curve will be slightly easier than with an RS or RT.
You sit in the F3 and much lower thus the forces that seem to want to throw you off the bike
are much reduced.
Give it a couple of hundred miles and you'll have it down pat!

[Bob Denman]

Of COURSE you can counter-steer...


...right before the whole crashing part comes into play...


Read the riding tips in your manual.

[Deer Slayer]

. . . . . as you go into a turn to the Left, straighten your Right Leg and "stand" on the peg - it will support your bodies weight and the centrifugal force acting on it. Your butt will come up off and back into the seat a little providing a nice firm brace. And keep your Left knee snug to the F3's body. Your hips may twist a little, but your torso can stay upright with hardly any effort. When I do that, I never feel like I am being pushed off the bike - it feels more like skiing.

The other part of that I think most people miss is that you are Pulling the Left handlebar grip in and Pushing the Right grip/throttle out - not hard, but keeping it in balance for the turn and control of the throttle. That supports your upper body. I find I tend to lean a little left, but nothing like being on a bike and in a left turn that is mostly from tucking in my elbow from pulling the handlebars.

There is a lot going on ( throttle, handlebar, ready on the brake, ect. ) so take it easy at first, but if you "stand" on the peg, you should not feel like you are being pushed off the bike.

Tom

Ha, 10-4 Tom that is what I wanted to say. Sure made a difference for me. I went out and flogged tht Blue Ridge Parkway gap road this week, WOW.

[Highwayman2013]

Lean your body into the turn. Move your head toward the handlebar grip on the inside of the turn. You will be able to attack the twisties. No counter steering! Just steering.

[Pennyrick]

What I have found is it is like driving a formula one car while on horseback. ..

That is the best description I have read so far.... and it is very accurate.

[Rogue Hawk]

Yes, thanks. Some very logical ways to handle it.

I wonder if anyone ever made a three wheeler than leans like a bike. I'm not a mechanical engineer, so I don't know if that would work.

[Tom in NM]

Yes, thanks. Some very logical ways to handle it.

I wonder if anyone ever made a three wheeler than leans like a bike. I'm not a mechanical engineer, so I don't know if that would work.

. . . . Yes, they have. No, it isn't really practical or useful. Remember, like many have stated, it is steering, like a car. If it was a good thing to lean the body ( beyond the normal suspension ), race cars would do it.

Spyders are made to be ridden, they are not a means of conveyance like an elevator or escalator where you passively stand around while you are being moved.

Tom

[Queasyrider]

So I try to lean into the turn in a kind of exaggerated manner, but the seat is grabby and won't let me move far. Even at low speed, there is quite a lot of centrifugal force to overcome. So I don't think what I am doing would work well at any speeds above 20 mph. Any tips for a former sport bike rider who wants to do the twisties?

The inability to countersteer didn't bother me as much as having no front brake lever. Last time I had that was fifty years ago when I removed the front brake on my Harley chopper because it was cool!! I still go for the front brake lever, fifty years of muscle memory is hard to ignore...

[ABQSpyder]

I think you can't still incorporate a lot of what you used when riding two wheels.When approaching a corner, move to the outside of the lane before entering the curve. I always hold my knees into the tank head level same as on two wheels. Look through the turn. I ride with a guy who Raced bike's for many years and watching him do twisties is like I'm follow a BMW or FJR it's smooth and effortless. just my 2 cents. Each individual has what works for them.

Enjoy

[ARtraveler]

Post #7 and #13 have you covered. That is the way I do it. The G force seem to melt away.

[bluestratos]

What I have learned is that the RT is inherently stable, I run twisties near my home that put any bike to the test. The sensation of falling away from the turn can be unnerving but It never acts out in the corners even when I am far above the recommended speed. As I enter the turn I follow the typical motorcyle protocals and from there I add:

1. Clamp my thighs to the sides
2. shift my body slightly away from the direction of the turn
3. Look into and ahead of the turn
4. Down shift and break aggressively as I come into the turn
5. Full throttle as I move through the curve

I found that letting go of the throttle in the turn tends to make the bike swing wide, powering into the curve keeps her in the lines.

I never had as much fun on a 2 wheeler as there is very little body english in a counter steer. The RT connects me to the machine and I fell I am part of the action, not just a rider.