changing from two wheels to three

[bikeit02]

I would like to hear from owners of trikes how do they go around corners can you be happy with one after riding two wheels for 40+ years. We like to ride the mountain curves and howis the wind rain and heat on the spider. I now ride a victory vision tour premium.

[JKMSPYDER]

To me the Spyder is just as much fun as a two wheeler. You can't lean the Spyder around curves like a two wheeler but it has a thrill of it's own. The only way for you to be sure is to test ride a Spyder at your dealer. But I can tell you this; you will never have to worry about going down on a slick spot or gravel or worry about putting your feet down at stop signs and traffic lights.

[Cruzr Joe]

Some times it takes a little more than a test drive to fall in love with a Spyder, but when it hits ...................... You know it.

I much prefer a reverse trike (SPYDER) than a traditional trike, we literally run circles around them.

Cruzr Joe

[Netminder]

Rented one for a day and that did it for me, and the dealer reimbursed the rental when I purchased my spyder. Good luck with your decision.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

.....I have 7 yrs. on Spyders now, and I can ride my 2014 RT as fast or faster than I ever road my 2003 Gold Wing .................and I rode that like a Bat out of Hell ......Mike

[Deer Slayer]

Only things the same, da wind in yo face, you git wet, and yes you can fall off.

[Yazz]

Once I got used to doing curves on the Spyder, then figuring out the safety systems built in, I am way more aggressive in the twisties on a Spyder than my two wheeler. Don't have to watch for gravel patches or wet leaves either.

As far as wind, rain and heat on the spider, it's the same as any other motorcycle.

[HayRog]

We went from years on assorted 2 wheels, last one being an FJR1300. Rented the Spyder for a day to get a feel for it and see if we really wanted to make the transition.
We DID !! That was a few months ago and we're real happy about the decision.
Different way to ride for sure but just as exhilarating. Took me probably 300 miles to used to it, little more upper body finessing to it but nothing adverse at all.
Best advice I had from this forum was "to relax and let yourself go with it"
The need to put my feet down at a stop never has happened for me and I've only grabbed for the handle bar brake once to remember it doesn't exist in stock form LOL

Go for it !!

Oh - they corner just fine :-))

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I would like to hear from owners of trikes how do they go around corners can you be happy with one after riding two wheels for 40+ years. We like to ride the mountain curves and howis the wind rain and heat on the spider. I now ride a victory vision tour premium.

You familiar with riding ATVs? The Spyder handling in a corner is much like an ATV. Different than two wheels for sure, but just as, if not more, thrilling than on two wheels. Mostly because of the secure feeling you have of not being apprehensive about the bike slipping out from under you. At least that has been my experience. On the Interstate I feel safer at 80 mph on the Spyder than I ever did at 70 on my 2005 Goldwing.

[bodymanpainter]

I have both a Victory Cross Country Tour and a Spyder RTS and I think both are a blast
to ride for different reasons. The Spyder will do the twisties as good or better than the
Victory, and it is safer as you are not going to drop it or fall off of it unless you jump off!
But I still have the urge to ride 2 wheels and can't think of giving it up as of yet anyway
but I ride the Spyder as much as my wife will let me and it is the bike we take on vacation
every year. But when the day comes for me to give up 2 wheels the Spyder F3-T will take
the Victory's place in the garage!
Toby

[Ron2andia]

I switched because I love the Spyder.. Soooo much fun to drive... Most fun I have had on a bike! I had 2wheelers for about 15 years. Honda Cbr 600rr was my last bike before the F3s.. Try it but you won't be sorry if you take the plunge!

[Bfromla]

To me the Spyder is just as much fun as a two wheeler. You can't lean the Spyder around curves like a two wheeler but it has a thrill of it's own. The only way for you to be sure is to test ride a Spyder at your dealer. But I can tell you this; you will never have to worry about going down on a slick spot or gravel or worry about putting your feet down at stop signs and traffic lights.

It's a blast. I still have my two wheeler but only to rent to buds so we can go ride It takes some getting use to but can spoil you too. The curves are one thing but putting a pothole in right spot is the trick ( right under either mirror fyi) if you center it you will get a quick kick from the rear tire. You will learn. Rain i find is more acceptable on spyder. Still not nice but, not as bad,now with windshield,heated grips, nanny, storage for my dry stuff my other bikes have not had. better all around

[POD KonB GA]

I went from two wheels to three back in July. Absolutely one of the best decisions in my life. Cornering is definitely different, but is more fun to me now because of how much safer I feel. I was in the mountains this past October with a group on two wheels. I had to hit the brakes to keep from running into them in the curves. If you do wind up getting one, look into the trike MSF class. Well worth the time. I say go for it!

[Deanna777]

To me the Spyder is just as much fun as a two wheeler. You can't lean the Spyder around curves like a two wheeler but it has a thrill of it's own. The only way for you to be sure is to test ride a Spyder at your dealer. But I can tell you this; you will never have to worry about going down on a slick spot or gravel or worry about putting your feet down at stop signs and traffic lights.

Deanna

[BajaRon]

Many people feel like going from 2 to 3 wheels is a downgrade forced upon them by circumstances beyond their control. And this is probably true with most trikes. But NOT true with the Spyder. Yes, the Spyder does not lean so you do give that aspect up. But you get a boat load of advantages in return.

And the bottom line is you can still keep up with any 2 wheeled machine, (excluding crotch rockets which most sane people are not concerned with keeping up with in the 1st place). The Spyder is every bit as exhilarating and fun as riding 2 wheels, though granted, it is a different kind of fun.

So, will you miss 2 wheels? Maybe. Will you be sorry you got a Spyder. NOT LIKELY!

[Chupaca]

I'm only sorry I didn't switch back in 07 when they came out... and rode two Wheeler longer than you did. ..

[PaladinLV]

50 years on 2 wheels
I can now go longer, faster, and safer.
Plus, unlike a UltraTrike or similar, after a day of twisties, my arms are neither sore nor ache

AJ

I would like to hear from owners of trikes how do they go around corners can you be happy with one after riding two wheels for 40+ years. We like to ride the mountain curves and howis the wind rain and heat on the spider. I now ride a victory vision tour premium.

[Pat Clark]

You guys forgot to mention it's a "Chick magnet", I get more waves from women (who can't see the gray hair with a helmet) I do get more slaps in the head from my girl friend for waving back though.

[Bob Denman]

You familiar with riding ATVs? The Spyder handling in a corner is much like an ATV.

... Or even a snowmobile!

[ThreeWheels]

Converting from two wheels to three highlights the different features of each type of motorcycle.
The spyder is more physical in the turns. You have to lean your body into a turn, because the motorcycle doesn't lean.
By the same token, the three wheller is far more stable in bad weather, as well as just sitting at a stoplight. I never went down at speed on any of my two wheeled bikes, but I did go down several times having my feet slip on gravel while backing up, stopping with my feet in a depressed part of the asphalt, or the ever embarrassing "I swear the kickstand was down".
In the twisties, I prefer a Spyder over a traditional trike. The two wheels up front make the Spyder more stable than a traditional trike.
More importantly, you can see both wheels, so you can cut through the turns without having to worry about the outside wheel falling off the road.
What I found most difficult to transition ? I know this sound stupid (and it is) was just going straight on a level road.
Like most of us, I always got in the habit of riding in the left tire track on the highway. When I positioned myself in the left tire track while riding the Spyder, the left wheel protruded into the land next to me.

[Lew L]

To answer your question about "how to go around turns" on a ?

Like skiing------when turning " with vigor", step hard on the outside peg or floorboard and bend the inside elbow a bit. Moves your CG to the inside and lower. A bit like hanging off a sport bike. 2 wheels for decades--and I feel more comfortable at speed in the twisties on the Than on 2 wheels for all the above reasons. My wife----even more so.


Gravel and oil on the road cause::::::::

Kaos

PS: Consider an RT--With a few mods they corner really well and can take all your stuff. Wind/rain protection. Heated grips.

[ARtraveler]

All good answers above.

There is a short "learning curve" since the handles differently from a two wheeler or a conventional trike.

: Avoid over control. Grab the hand grips like there are eggs between your hands and the grip. Don't break the eggs. A light push, pull is recommended. White knuckle driving will make the seem like it has a mind of its own.

: Accelerate as you make your turn. If you have to hit the brakes prior to entering a turn, you are going to fast.

: Put your weight on the outside peg or footboard.

: Lean slightly into the curve. This reduces the "g" forces.

: Drive like the race car drivers do--always enter from the inside of the curve and cross over to the outside (keeping between the lines).

You will feel in control of the and can exceed posted speeds in curves by 20 mph and still be in control. Not recommended of course.

[DonST]

My biggest adjustment between two wheels ( still ride my ST1300 and Goldwing) to three wheels (2014 Spyder RT-S) was changing from the delayed apex technique on the 2 wheels to turning sooner on the Spyder. I could use the delayed apex with the Spyder, but I had to use more force to turn and there was more centrifugal force on me as well as my passenger than initiating the turn sooner with much lighter effort on the bars and less body lean-in needed. Rolling on the throttle in the turns seems to help the Spyder turn as well as it does for the 2 wheelers.


PS: For those who may not know, the delayed apex technique has you ride deeper into a corner before initiating your lean-in on a 2 wheeler. You turn sharper but spend less time leaned over. It also allows you to see farther through the turn.

[Mr. White]

... Or even a snowmobile!

Bob, what is a snowmobile? I did not start riding until 1947, loved my two wheelers but would not go beck to them. Mr. Cognac is great and Punkin' is a runner too. Love both....



Bob, please don't move to south Texas, our roads are cluttered with motorcycle trash....12 months a year....

[OverHillAndDale]

Much easier on the 60 year old knees, as much fun as two wheels after becoming acclimatized.