General ryding question

[Jenfz09]

I'm going to travel from NY to PA tomorrow on the Spyder we just bought, a distance of about 220(?!?) miles. This will be my longest trip to date and I typically avoid highways. Tomorrow will be mostly highways.

My Spyder RT experience has been two demo rides on back roads, a few miles at a time, top speeds around 40 mph, once on the manual, once on the automatic.

I am a motorcycle rider (two wheels) and have been for a few years.
I read the manual and read the new to Spyders stickie.

Any general tips for a first time trip like this as a two-wheel rider? Thanks!

[Pampurrs]

The transisition from two wheels to three takes a bit getting used to, especially around curves and when cornering. Since the Spyder doesn't lean, you have to deal with inertia. It takes some getting used to, but can be accomplished. What helps is to shift your body weight slightly into the turn to mitigate the inertial effect that seems to be pulling your body away from the direction of the turn. After awhile, you will barely notice the centrifugal force.

Have fun, and ride safe.

Pam

[BilltheDiver]

No white knuckles! Loosen your grip and relax. Stop for breaks before you get too tired or uncomfortable. Take advantage of the cruise control if you have it and have the opportunity to use it. You will get accustomed to the speed very quickly.

[Bfromla]

With above just relax & enjoy You know your comfort levels so you dont have to test them, plan alternate routes so you can mix highway & backroads Have you taken On some of your favorite known roads? Get better feel of the differences, it will help your comfort level greatly. Prolly rack few hundred miles doing just that Report back for us

[ARtraveler]

Most find there is about a 500 mile "learning curve." Take it easy at first, heed the warnings about death grip. By the time you make the return trip, you will have accumulated most of the learning curve miles.

Enjoy your trip and be safe.

[PistonBlown]

If it reassures you any when I first picked up my Spyder having never ridden one before I had to go straight onto the highway after just a few minutes of riding up and down on a back road. I was really worried as the Spyder had felt jittery at the low speeds, which of course was because of the usual death grip we all do at first. When I got on the highway and the speed increased it actually got easier to ride, partly because I had time to think properly without having to worry about junctions etc but also because the power steering stiffened up as higher speeds and it felt more bike like.

[flaggerphil]

As others have said, relax and keep a very light hand on the bars. That will help immensely.

[jerpinoy]

Read the do and don't post and have great ride have fun.

[GeorgiaBill]

If by highway you mean I-95, the 18-wheelers create a lot of turbulence.

I was transferred from Kingston to Valley Forge in 4th quarter 1970, and I seem to remember that motorcycles were not permitted on the Garden State Parkway. If memory serves I used back roads at least on part of the trip.

Let us know how it goes. Safe travels.

-Bill

[Jenfz09]

We are going to leave after rush hour. I'll go reread that stickie thread again.
Once we get to PA, I'll register the Spyder, take some pictures, and change my avatar

[rwc]

Put pressure on outside foot and lean slightly to front and inside of curve. Just enough pressure on hand grips to start around curve. Like steering a car.

[copilot]

If it seems to pull to the left or right, check air pressure in front tires. I run mine at 18 psi.

[AY4B]

Caution! It can be additive.

[Vader]

Having lived in the lower Hudson Valley region of NY for most of my life, and having made the trek to Pa since 1984 maybe a kajillion(thats a word, i looked it up) I will weigh in. I am not sure of which route you are taking, and I would have volunteered to join you..killing two birds with one ryde and visiting my folks who live just over the NY/PA boarder off Route 84. I have ridden pretty much all the backroads to and from the Milford area. Most are fine on the Spyder.
Major highways, esspecially those with truck traffic can be intimidating on the Spyder. I for one don't mind. I give plenty of room and pass when needed. But I really do enjoy back roads. There are some real nice routes.
Please let us know how it went and the route you took.

[Bob Denman]

This isn't about "Do's & Don't's".
Relax; take your time, and enjoy the ride!
You'll be home before you know it, and wanting to hit the road again.

The "nuts & bolts" of riding can come later! You're a rider, so your current skills be more than enough to carry the day.

[SpyderWalter]

The biggest threat you will face are gawkers who are fascinated by your steed. Many will wave or give you a thumbs up, others will creep uncomfortably close to take a picture (unfortunately some of these will be drivers). Forgive the cagers, they are rightfully jealous of your Ryde! When you stop for gas you will have to explain your beast to at least one other person. When you mount up at a restaurant you will attract. Welcome to the Spyder!
SpyderWalter

[Jenfz09]

We are on Long Island, on the Nassau/Suffolk border, so as far as the route:

Long Island Expressway to the
Cross Island to the
Cross Bronx (ack!) to George Washington Bridge to
I80 to
278 to
78 to 222 to
Lititz

Wave if you see a blue RT Spyder..

Hmm...do we still wave to motorcycles on a Spyder and do they wave to us? I never considered that.

Still waiting on my husband to leave. He will be following me. I have the MC license, so I'm riding. He has a permit and hopefully will take the road test soon.

[Bob Denman]

[Hosch6]

I'm on Nas/Suf border too. Let me know if you want to get together for Sunday morning rides sometime. I often ride Ocean Parkway out to Oak Beach.


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[Jenfz09]

I'm on Nas/Suf border too. Let me know if you want to get together for Sunday morning rides sometime. I often ride Ocean Parkway out to Oak Beach.


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We keep the bikes in PA and are there on the weekends. You are always welcome to ride with us or our group if you are ever in Lancaster!

The only reason that the Spyder is on LI now is because we bought it locally. We do work in NY so we are local during the week.

[dlby]

2 wheels for 45 years

Took me 2k to learn the Spyder to full comfort level
Pretty strange at first

Glad I stuck with it
Never going back!

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[Vader]

..how did it go??!!

[Bob Denman]

How was your trip??

[Jenfz09]

The biggest threat you will face are gawkers who are fascinated by your steed. Many will wave or give you a thumbs up, others will creep uncomfortably close to take a picture (unfortunately some of these will be drivers). Forgive the cagers, they are rightfully jealous of your Ryde! When you stop for gas you will have to explain your beast to at least one other person. When you mount up at a restaurant you will attract. Welcome to the Spyder!
SpyderWalter

You are 100% correct.
1) got gas, had three people come over, 20 minutes
2) got gas, had to explain again.
3) stopped at Chic fil a- people were surrounding it and taking pictures. I went outside and explained what it was.
I told them they could put their little girl on it if they wanted and I went back inside. I saw them put the girl on, fine, then the dad started to BOUNCE THE SPYDER!! The whole thing compressed. I was beside myself and losing my mind. They were gone before I got outside. I'm done with anyone touching it.
4) my husband told me that people were pulling up and looking at the Spyder when I was riding it
5) I had to explain what it was to my neighbors in PA. More little kids pointing and smiling.

I really wasn't expecting any of this!

[Jenfz09]

How was your trip??

I love the Spyder!
- pot holes didn't matter
-rough roads and bad pavement didn't matter
-dead animal in the road wasn't an issue
-sitting in traffic was great, no clutch or front brake to hold
-hills were a non issue and we had some steep hills with stop signs at the top, stopping on a hill on a motorcycle requires lots of coordination and skill, especially turning on a steep hill from a stop
-the Spyder has a radio, feels like a rolling couch, has cruise control, keeps the wind off of you, keeps your hand warm, and can hold tons of stuff

I love this thing! I should have gotten one eight years ago. Yes, it's absolutely addicting. I'm moving my Camaro out of the garage and am putting the Spyder in there tonight. That says something.