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Active Member
Riding On Wet Surfaces
I'm under 150 miles as a Spyder owner and was wondering how well the Spyder handles on wet surfaces. For sake of my "broad question," I'm talking about riding on improved, level roads during conventional precipitation (e.g. not a down pour, but a "normal" rainfall).
If so inclined, comment on other types of precipitation as well (during and after).
I thought about going out to a nearby parking lot (with approval, and all of the safety related issues addressed) following a conventional rain and just practice stopping and swerving. No, I haven't completed the Spyder recommended training (per the manual). What I have been doing is riding short distances on the backroads where I live (little to no traffic, but plenty of curves and straight roads; no traffic lights).
Thanks to all in advance.
Jack
2015 F3S SE6
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Very Active Member
SAFETY
SAFETY FIRST.....
our SPYD3Rs have relatively no issues on damp to water running on the road surfaces... keep your speed down, and be aware that a lot of throttle is NOT A GOOD IDEA... you need to TEST yourself... during rain, find an empty parking lot, and play with your new toy... you'll soon find out that these will hydro-plane and the rear tire WILL break loose.... keep in mind that there is not a lot of weight back there...
learn about your ride, and enjoy it...
Dan P
SPYD3R
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Agree...
now-a-days tires come into play. Many have changed to other brands. I do ryde Kendas and they do well. Just give it time for the rain to wash off the surface goop before you get to going to fast. Really same safety you use in your car with the added fact you are out there.... getting rained on....
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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Very Active Member
Secret to riding in the rain, OR snow...
As we are into our second significant snowfall of the season and as eloquently conveyed by Trooper Lewis, the Secret to driving on slick roads..
https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSta...6355953072229/
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Originally Posted by SPYD3R
SAFETY FIRST.....
our YD3Rs have relatively no issues on damp to water running on the road surfaces... keep your speed down, and be aware that a lot of throttle is NOT A GOOD IDEA... you need to TEST yourself... during rain, find an empty parking lot, and play with your new toy... you'll soon find out that these will hydro-plane and the rear tire WILL break loose.... keep in mind that there is not a lot of weight back there...
learn about your ride, and enjoy it...
Dan P
SPYD3R
Amen on hydroplane! However, one must learn to ryde on wet roads. Take it slow and easy. I rode half way across Tennessee last May. And today I rode on snow packed roads. Lit all the lights and went to limp mode!
Nanny may never speak to me again. And fore ya'll start, I did not ryde on a salty road.
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Active Member
Originally Posted by AeroPilot
Loved the video; shared in on my FB page. THANKS.
2015 F3S SE6
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With the stock Kendas you will hydroplane the rear. Done it many times... even a couple on purpose. Sypder is fairly predictable when hydroplaning the rear as long as the fronts stay planted. I've only had one very bad experience hitting some standing water at speed and got lucky... But without having done it many times before, I might have done something in a panic and been unlucky.
I've also had the fronts hydroplane which is more of a consider. You get different feedback from the spyder when that happens.
Since I made the switch years ago to quality car tires, I haven't hydroplaned at all under the same conditions.
As for wet traction, your tires will dictate that. Some feel a bit greasy on wet roads when starting from a dead stop and you can spin them up easily. The one I have now is perhaps the best tire I've had (not made anymore) and it sticks really well even in wet conditions.
So... As someone who has done a lot of spyder riding in the rain and some bad storms at that, the Spyder handles it pretty much like any other vehicle. You can vastly improve on that by changing out the Kendas when they are ready to be replaced with some cars tires that are good tires (some people buy the car tires as they are cheaper - I suggest you buy the right tire which may be only $20 more). Ride or drive your spyder with the same wet weather caution you would your car and you'll be fine.
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Very Active Member
WET ROADS
If you now have car tires .... I highly recommend 21 psi ( cold )(For rear tire ) .... Car tires are meant to carry a much heavier load and rated as such .... So to get the SIPES to work at their optimum this lower pressure is necessary .... Mike
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Deer Slayer
And today I rode on snow packed roads. Lit all the lights and went to limp mode!
Nanny may never speak to me again. And fore ya'll start, I did not ryde on a salty road.
You need to live closer to me. I posted on my local facebook spyder group about riding today, but no one took me up on the idea.
But really, the salt is already down in my area, and I wouldn't do that to my baby.
2021 RTL , brake pedal from "Web Boards" chalk white
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Originally Posted by AeroPilot
LOL
As soon as he said "secret" I knew ....
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Originally Posted by AeroPilot
The "hidden truth" is revealed here
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Rain happens...
Just slow down, and you'll be fine!
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Very Active Member
Don't be shocked when, if you hydroplane unexpectedly, you feel and see cruise control suddenly disengage. Nanny is quick to turn of CC when the tires start slipping around or spinning loosely.
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
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Very Active Member
With a passenger on Ive went through quite a bit of all types of rain & wind. Pretty impressed with the rt! Even better since yokahama s drive rear tyre.
Rode wings & lots of HD before that. Wind & rain not even close to feeling as safe.
But I love em all
I love R&R put another dime in the jukebox baby!
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Very Active Member
Did anyone else notice that the image in the video was reversed? Look at his left side - right side on your screen - and you can see that his name tag "Lewis" is reversed.
"A Wise Man Once Said, I Should Ask My Wife."
2017 Champagne Metallic RT-S SE-6 Rivco Dual Flag Holders; Slingmods Highway Pegs; (Hate Them) Airhawk Seat Cushion; Show Chrome Black Touring Rack w/ Risers & Touring Windshield; RAM X Mount For TXTAG; TackForm Phone Mount; Lidlox; Magic Mirror Mounts; Guardian Bells; WOLO "Bad Boy" Air Horn; Dual USB Power Outlet With Voltmeter; 12V outlet for misc. stuff; Spyderpops Full View Mirror Turn Signals; Large Brake Pedal; Kott Grilles; Large Mud Flap; BajaRon 3 Piece Sway Bar, Last But Not Least, Kuhmo Rear Rire, Vedrestien Fronts.
2017 RT-S , Brake pedal extender is twice the size of the stock pedal. Champagne Metallic
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Hydroplaning can happen and speed will be a one big factor in determining that BUT I don't think you should become paranoid about it. If I was not experienced on riding the Spyder and other 2 wheeled touring bikes and read this thread, I might get overly concerned.
Yes, slow down some and get a feel for your Spyder in the rain but don't be terrified that at any moment you might start to hydroplane cause you won't enjoy your ryde very much. Just take it easy.
There are things that can be factored in. The amount of tread on your tires have can factor into it so if you are on new tires you will be a little less likely than on older worn tires regardless of the brand.
Particularly in areas that don't get much rain or after any prolonged dry spell, the roads will get a coating of dust and oil/grease. If the rain is light and/or has just started, these roads will be far worse than after it has rained for a while and the oily coating has washed off so keep that in mind.
Watch out for standing water and puddles. Hitting those too fast can cause problems so if you see that coming ease off the throttle and try to slow a little if you can.
Another thing is that because our Spyders have 3 tracks instead of 1 for bikes and 2 for other vehicles you are constantly dealing with watching all 3 but that usually means that your rear wheel is on a bit of a center crown. That crown is usually the oiliest. Many roads end up with ruts caused by 2 track traffic and that is where your 2 front tires will be and they can, if deep enough, collect water. I usually in rain try to move just a little right or left of the tracks to avoid the heaviest pooling. I don't obsess over any of this but just try to make it a little less likely to have a problem.
Mostly just do what you are doing and get experience in the rain. It has never stopped most of us from our travels.
Enjoy your new Spyder.
Gary
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I had made 1 long trip in the rain and got caught in 1 downpour that I wasn't expecting (got drenched before I could find a place to stop and get out the rain gear lol)
My RS handled better than I expected. If you slow down and watch what you're doing you'll be fine.
Try to get your gear on before it rains though lol
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Very Active Member
I have skidded tires on two wheels
and I have been afraid to get "down" on the brakes on wet and slick roadways. So far the Spyder has given me better confidence in wet conditions, and I am glad to have nanny there to keep me in line should one of the three wheels start slipping and not equal the others' rpms. I've usually felt this when the lane tracks start filling with water on older "furrowed" roads, and just another reminder to SLOW down. Overall, the driver protection from the elements and nanny along with the three wheels makes for a better ryde even in the rain!
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Active Member
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Very Active Member
The Spyder will hydroplane--if you open up the proper gateways. There is at least a half page in the manual giving all the warnings including not to operate the Spyder in snow conditions.
Driving through any standing water in inch deep or more and at a speed of over 50 mph will both kick it in. I have had this happen to me twice in 130,000 miles. Nanny, saved my bacon both times. It was a big wake up when it happened on the highway at 65 mph for the first time.
Alaska is one of the few states that allows the use of studded tires. The downside is that they cut channels in the asphalt and the whole highway needs to be re-paved every three years or so or the channels fill will rain every time it happens. With major budgetary issues this last season--there was very little repaving.
Last edited by ARtraveler; 01-13-2017 at 03:35 PM.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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