How smooth are spyders

[TMC]

I am looking at possibly getting a spyder but concerned about riding on rough roads. I talked to a local rider and she stated that they are the worst bike for rough roads but she likes her because she is not afraid of tipping over.
I have back problems and prefer a smooth ride but need a three wheeler because of other problems. I would like other opinions on this, living in Western NY the roads are always being worked on and there are mostly dirt roads so they are very rough but I was hoping that a spyder would be as smooth as my current bike if not smoother.

[Mick N]

So, what's your current ryde?

[DJFaninTN]

smoother than any trike out there on the market in my opinion

[Pampurrs]

I've ridden all kinds of motorcycles in my life, on all kinds of different surfaces, and don't find the Spyder to ride any rougher or smoother than any of the others. Of course my experience is limited to the RT. I can't speak for the other models.

In all honesty, the only way your going to get a perfectly smooth ride on a crappy road is on a magic carpet.



Pam

[spyderCodes]

An RT-S or Limited with the air suspension is as smooth as an open road vehicle could be.

[debbiepalamar]

I find my RT smoother than my Kawasaki, but it's harder to miss things in the roadway. It does feel less stable on uneven surfaces. I got used to it pretty quickly.

[SPYDERGUY1]

For what it is worth. I had mine on a gravel road before, too me wandered all over the place. Other's that I know live in the country and travel mostly gravel and no issues. As far as smoothness, I still like the ride. 08 GS, also not in the position where I need it due to health or other issues, so unable to say anything on that.

[ARtraveler]

I think of the :ani29: as another Goldwing and having two wheels in front and one in back. Can't heft a wing around, but am not unhappy with the :spyder2:

[SPYDERGUY1]

AK, how ever did you come up with the factoid of 6 miles per post ??

[ARtraveler]

AK, how ever did you come up with the factoid of 6 miles per post ??


130,000 miles / 24,375 = 5.3 miles per post for now. More posts currently and I am driving a few less miles due to health. I hope to be back up to six or more mpp when I re-calculate in a couple months or so. I usually wait until I have 10,000 more miles to add to the pile. Gotta give you credit, you like to read the fine print. :bowdown:

My daily average for posts still hangs in at 10.5. I just post when I like and my numbers are what they are.

[Retired 2012]

I have two blown disc and the pain of riding Harley's and other two wheeled bikes made me decide to quite riding, then I demo tested the F3S and fell in Love with riding all over again.
even with the crappy stock shocks it was much less painful for me then the other bikes.
with the feet forward it relieves the pain and stiffness in my lower back.
Just recently I got Elka stage 2 shocks in front and back with the hyd. adjuster for the rear.
That was another step forward in reducing pain.
So while I am not pain free, I can still enjoy the open rode.
At least for a few more years....
just my 2 cents

[SPYDERGUY1]

Do you still offer personalized tours of your area ? Am seriously looking at a trip up that way, and read the posts of the previous North To Alaska, sorry can't remember who all went, but got my mouth watering, and my mind going crazy .

[SPYDERGUY1]

At the very least, YOU ARE STILL RIDING. :yes:

[SPYDERGUY1]

Just curious, which ride did/do you prefer, the 08 gs or the 10 rs ? I recently tried a new unit and am swaying but did not like the backrest set up.

[ARtraveler]

Do you still offer personalized tours of your area ? Am seriously looking at a trip up that way, and read the posts of the previous North To Alaska, sorry can't remember who all went, but got my mouth watering, and my mind going crazy .

I like to get together with those who wish to venture their way to Alaska. If I am able, we can get in a ride or three. :yes:

[trikermutha]

Go ride a TriGlide its like riding a truck on rough surfaces. Then go try a Spyder or a Trike with IRS

[Bswank]

I have a bad lower back and neck and I ride a RTS and it's ok for me.

[ruralgirl]

I have a 2015 RT-S and I live where it's a toss-up as to which is more killer; our dirt/gravel roads or our paved roads. My ride is as smooth as my husband's Ford Escape but not a smooth as my F250 Super Duty. I'm totally happy with the comfort of my Spyder on our battered roads, but I also believe that there's a psychological factor which can make one think the ride is bumpier than it is, and that's the noise of all the plastic rattling (windshield, etc).

To me, the biggest difference between a Spyder and most 2-wheelers isn't the smoothness, it's the worry of rotten ground clearance at 4.5" sans rider, and the fact that Spyders have belts, not chains, so trapped gravel can be destructive. The first thing I'd do (and did, thanks to everyone's advice in here) is install a SpyderPops Missing Belt Guard, which covers the large oblong hole that BRP inexplicably leaves in their guard.

I'd go for it! There are several of us in here who live on very rough roads and think our Spyders are the greatest ryde there is.

[Ron2andia]

I feel the bumps but love the bike... F3S here.

[Dragon Moth]

I have ALS (Lou Gurig's) with serious head-drop and loss of upper body strength. I wear a neck brace to combat the drop. I find the '14 RTS comfortable with a very smooth ride. It's power steering means that I can still control the bike. A friend has a G/W trike and I find the fore-aft pitch very hard on my neck and the steering impossible for me to handle. I feel the Spyred makes it possible for me to ride for another season or two. Strongly recommend them for aging or hurting riders. The three wheels negate the increasing balance concerns.:clap:

[PrairieSpyder]

An RT-S or Limited with the air suspension is as smooth as an open road vehicle could be.

:agree: I don't have the depth of ryding experience as many here, but an RT with proper suspension and alignment is about as comfortable as you can get.

[SPIDR1]

Just to let you know, I also have back and leg problems. Best thing I ever did was to buy my 13 RTL. I have no problems with riding on it and I thank BRP for inventing it.





I am looking at possibly getting a spyder but concerned about riding on rough roads. I talked to a local rider and she stated that they are the worst bike for rough roads but she likes her because she is not afraid of tipping over.
I have back problems and prefer a smooth ride but need a three wheeler because of other problems. I would like other opinions on this, living in Western NY the roads are always being worked on and there are mostly dirt roads so they are very rough but I was hoping that a spyder would be as smooth as my current bike if not smoother.

[SteveP]

I've had different 2 wheelers over the years and now a :spyder:. I've never owned a big Goldwing or Harley Glide etc so can't compare those to the Spyder , but.... I own a 2008 GS , stock shocks set on stiff for 2 up Ryding . Other than being on roads that are badly worn in with a hump in the middle and pot holes ... I find the Spyder to be at least as smooth as anything I have owned or driven . You can't dodge holes and bumps as easy having 3 wheels but if I want to spend all day on those kind of roads I will buy an enduro or Multistrata or other "dual Sport " set up . As a passenger my wife says our Spyder is smoother to Ryde on than my brothers Suzuki Boulevard ( his wife says the same thing )

[robertl]

I would agree with all of the above, a Spyder will likely be the smoothest open air transportation you can find.
Which model specifically, well you'd really need to ride them to see.
Some say the F3/cruiser with feet forward puts more pressure on the back, others say the opposite.
The F3 seat is pretty comfortable but there are aftermarket seats for all models. Comfort seat on my RS made a huge difference in every aspect.

The RT with the air suspension seems the best as far as comfort and adjustability.

I was a little nervous about some of the craters on the interstate near my house but after gliding over a few like they were barely there that concern disappeared. The front tires definitely take bumps better than the rear but I have a RS so no adjustment on the rear.
Then I read a lot of great feedback on the upgraded shocks available for most models.

My Buell is pretty harsh in comparison (those craters beat me up pretty bad). Heavier vehicles typically ride smoother so in comparison the Spyder weights twice my Buell.

Hope you find one that you are pleased with.

[Chupaca]

As compared to what..?? As you can see from all the posts above it is a smooth ryde to the vast majority. I have back and leg issues as well and find the spyder (I have an RS) allows me the most wiggle room for comfort for my condition. A good test ryde is always the best way to go for whatever condition each mention is not yours. Once you master the hit and miss of a spyder on a rough road it is a great ryde. You have to remember that what you manage to strattle with the front wheels you will hit with the rear and that can be uncomfortable. I call it Artistic manuvering....:roflblack: may not be an option in your case but I avoid rough roads....

[Illinois Boy]

I will slightly differ with many of the posts on here. I own several types of vehicles and ride them often.

For me, my Harley Ultra Limited is much smoother than my Spyder(s) (900 series and 1330). My experience with HD trikes is that they are also smoother than my Spyder(s).

As mentioned, I get the opportunity to hop on one or another often, with little to no time between them, so the subtle differences are noticed immediately.

Lastly, it was mentioned, trikes cover more road surface, so the chance of hitting more bumps is increased, versus a two-wheeler.

Just my honest opinion...

You need to test ride the choices and make your own decision. No one knows you body more than you.

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: I've heard everybody saying how great Spyders are on rough roads...

But as with ANY "three-track" vehicle: you're going to be hitting bumps and dips, that you might avoid on a "single-track" one. nojoke

Having said this: the Spyder's suspension is far more compliant than a Tri-Glide, or Free-Wheeler's. :thumbup:
I haven't ridden enough of the conversions, to make a fair comparison; but I'd still bet that the Spyder is smoother than them also.

[PrairieSpyder]

I have to say, I was concerned about my F3T on the way to Hot Springs. Going over rough areas, I found my arms going akimbo trying to keep hold of the bars. After Harvey put on the Baja Ron bar, it's be sooooooo much better.

[SPIDR1]

A friend of mine bought a used RTL and the ride was not right. He took it in for a laser alignment and it worked wonders. Also, he had the front 2 wheels balanced. Says it rides like a new bike. My 13 RTL rides great and no problems with the suspension or alignment. The only thing that I did was buy some insurance for the long trips, an air cushion. So far, no problems with my seat being uncomfortable.




QUOTE=PrairieSpyder;1142468]:agree: I don't have the depth of ryding experience as many here, but an RT with proper suspension and alignment is about as comfortable as you can get.[/QUOTE]

[IndyBill]

I have had 3 Goldwing trikes, all Hannigans, which most Goldwing people consider the smoothest conversion. My wife's RT-S is every bit as smooth. I have rented and ridden Harley Tri-Glides on some trips and they are the most ill handling and rough riding of any trike. But since they are Harleys there will always be a market for these outdated machines.

You will always get a rocking side to side motion with a trike but and solid rear trike is much worse.

My F3-S is also a smooth ride.

Bill

[skak72]

I've only been riding our spyder for 2 years...it's the RSS which already has a tight suspension. Even on Rough roads I found it easy to handle, and I don't feel road beaten. Here in IL you don't always know road condition until you get to it... it's such a smooth ride, it feels weird to drive my car afterwards. Lol

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk