Female Ryder Advice

[Tenfour57]

I need advice, please....
I am a female ryder, want to know what you experienced Spyder ryders think...

Based on the fact that:
1. I am a new motorcycle rider
2. I am under 150 lbs.
2. I am looking for a safe, controlled ride

what do you think my suspension settings and tire pressure settings should be?

Also, advice for high speeds/freeway driving... I haven't tried yet and want to be "prepared". So far, I have been told to not hold too tightly...

Thanks!
Dana

[bikeguy]

I'm male but I'm 5' 3" and about 143 pounds so not far off your size. I have the front shocks set on the stiffest pre-load position, rear shock is at 35 PSI, front tires are at 17 PSI, and rear tire is set at 28 PSI. The only change I make when two up is to increase the rear shock pressure to 45 PSI.

Cotton

[Barbwire]

I am 5' and female and have ridden 2 wheels for years. I was over thinking and oversteering at first. I love the Spyder on the freeway it loves to cruise at 75, I make it stay within the speed limits though. :lecturef_smilie:
Obstacles in the road make me think sometimes about which wheel I am going to hit it with if I have to hit it at all.

The best advice is to keep your eyes on the horizon where you want to go and don't force it, just relax and lean into your turns as you steer where you want to go.

Remember you go where you look, I have been in a couple of ditches over the years thanks to that rule of thumb!

Good luck and enjoy!!!!

[Yazz]

Also, advice for high speeds/freeway driving... I haven't tried yet and want to be "prepared". So far, I have been told to not hold too tightly...

Thanks!
Dana

Ease into ryding. Learn how you and your Spyder react to each other.

Ryde your own ryde. Pushing the envelope is ok but don't ryde harder than your guardian angels fly.

You don't have to prove nothing to nobody.

And enjoy your newfound freedom!:ohyea:

[pierrelogic]

Far from an experienced Ryder here. But racking up the miles by the day and I actually read both my owners and maintenance manual cover to cover.

You could easily dial down the shocks a notch or two from factory to experiment with how it rides. Less shocks the more smooth the ride. Ratchet them up and you will feel those bumps in the road. In simple terms if you ride more aggressively you'll want the shocks nice n tight. If you're more of a cruiser then dial them down a notch or two. Best to try both and see which you like.

With the tire pressure a little goes a long way. Mine were at the low end of the specks when I drove it off the lot. Taking turns was..."spongie" to me. So I added a little in both fronts (make sure they always match) and the ride felt more natural to me. Again, check the specks, there is an acceptable range and a little adjustment one way make a big difference.

Freeway driving - scan far ahead, anticipate the "cagers" moves that are near you, stay out of others blind spots and r-e-l-a-x! Let the Spyder do the work. People ask me about how it is to ride in traffic on the freeway and I always tell them both me and the President maintain our "bubble" and it's fine. :D

Enjoy the Ryde!

[M2Wild]

Lots of wind and draft from other cars when on the highway. I find back roads far more enjoyable than any freeway riding I have done. Avoid rush hours as much as you can. Nothing worse trying to ride with traffic at peak hours. Lots of rude aggressive drivers and cell phone talkers. All my close calls on the Spyder so far is during rush hour traffic.

[syclemom]

I guess someone should be the realist, this seems to be a very safe machine respect it and its safety features should take care of you, remember you are invisible. assume NOONE sees you , never forget this EXPECT them to turn in front of you and you will be fine. I do not know if you will ride alone, I struggled at first worrying my wife has had two trikes before her RTS, she has more than 125,000 safe miles on three wheels and uses her bike DAILY, please remember , you will get approached alot because of a female rider alone and the bike garners attn. ,I had to get my wife to learn to get her purse and get moving ,it takes longer to get ready to ride than drive and you are vulnerable and visible during this time . Without details lets say my wife has learned, dont let this deter you she uses her bikes as primary transportation as I , just be alert to your surroundings when you ride alone, Oh yeah we are from Texas and yes she now carries a handgun as allowed by Tx. law , be safe .

[canchess]

very good. well said and words to be paid attention to. thank you. i just rode a 100 mi today alone. smooth.
Canchess:f_spider:

[burntup]

An old man once told me to check my mirrors every five seconds. Also to leave yourself an out( make sure you have space to avoid others). Also to make sure they see you, make eye contact when possible. Plan ahead. My biggest pet pee is I try to allow myself space even If I have to slowdown. I try to leave space in front and at least to one side. Hope it helps and enjoy

[syclemom]

Please dont take my post as a paranoid lunatic, only a concerned husband, my wife regularly makes the 5 1/2hr. ride to our daughters in Austin alone, and I have the utmost confidence in her and her daily riding alone as I work for a living and she says she is a proffessional biker,just have a good understanding of your machine , how to jump off, correct tire pressures, how to check your own oil, etc. and always be aware of your surroundings on the road ,at gas stations, parking lots, etc., SPARE key , my wife has one hidden tyrapped on her bike because she bent over to close the front trunk and her key fell out of her purse as she shut it, thankfully she was only an hour away, enjoy the wind, for some this is their first bike and should be a good experience, have fun see the U.S. from riding a motorcycle there is nothing like it.