How fast can Spyder really take a curve? Fess up.

[0228lisa]

As most of you already know, I just got my bike yesterday. How fast can these things take a turn? I figured it was better to ask then to try it and find out the hard way. :ani29::D

[zzneonzz]

i've taken 90 degree left turns at as high as 45 i'm sure others have done it faster but not me LOL. I have taken 25-30 mph S curves at about 50

[hawkiii]

The Spyder is like any other vehicle when it comes to curves. As you become more familiar with the Spyder your speed will increase in the turns. Probably better to take the same ride a couple times to see how you and the Spyder respond to each other. IMHO.

[SpyderRider2492]

I have been riding bikes since the begining of time it feels like, however it took me quite a while to get used to the :spyder:. Once you have a few hundred miles on it (it took me about 500 to really understand it) your confindence will be gained and you will ride like the wind, corners and all. Our machines are very different that bikes or cars and they handle well but need different input going really fast in the twisties, as stange as it seems since I have relaxed a bit and allowed the machine to use all of the items designed for it, I can hold my own on it.

It is not as fast as it appears to you when riding it, but the fun part is so worth it and riding it hard is what it was made for - you get good fuel consumption as well as stange as that may seem too.

Start slow and work up don't exceed your own comforft level regardless what others may be inclined to do and you will enjoy this like no other machine riden or driven before......... I guess you get the idea I like it and I do drive it hard and corner to 'my' max and its a blast.

[0228lisa]

I have been riding bikes since the begining of time it feels like, however it took me quite a while to get used to the :spyder:. Once you have a few hundred miles on it (it took me about 500 to really understand it) your confindence will be gained and you will ride like the wind, corners and all. Our machines are very different that bikes or cars and they handle well but need different input going really fast in the twisties, as stange as it seems since I have relaxed a bit and allowed the machine to use all of the items designed for it, I can hold my own on it.

It is not as fast as it appears to you when riding it, but the fun part is so worth it and riding it hard is what it was made for - you get good fuel consumption as well as stange as that may seem too.

Start slow and work up don't exceed your own comforft level regardless what others may be inclined to do and you will enjoy this like no other machine riden or driven before......... I guess you get the idea I like it and I do drive it hard and corner to 'my' max and its a blast.

It's a different ride for sure. I'm not to comfortable at high speeds on turns yet. Can't wait to see what it can do and get more comfortable. It SO easy to ride though.:doorag:

[Star Cruiser]

I have been riding bikes since the begining of time it feels like, however it took me quite a while to get used to the :spyder:. Once you have a few hundred miles on it (it took me about 500 to really understand it) your confindence will be gained and you will ride like the wind, corners and all. Our machines are very different that bikes or cars and they handle well but need different input going really fast in the twisties, as stange as it seems since I have relaxed a bit and allowed the machine to use all of the items designed for it, I can hold my own on it.

It is not as fast as it appears to you when riding it, but the fun part is so worth it and riding it hard is what it was made for - you get good fuel consumption as well as stange as that may seem too.

Start slow and work up don't exceed your own comforft level regardless what others may be inclined to do and you will enjoy this like no other machine riden or driven before......... I guess you get the idea I like it and I do drive it hard and corner to 'my' max and its a blast.

:agree:Great advice. Take your time and you will be suprised. Careful, YOU are more likely to slide off than flip the Spyder. I have had no problem at all keeping up with Ducati's and F1's on the twisties. As you ride more you'll really belive that you can trust the Spyder to keep you uprightand out of sight

[0228lisa]

:agree:Great advice. Take your time and you will be suprised. Careful, YOU are more likely to slide off than flip the Spyder. I have had no problem at all keeping up with Ducati's and F1's on the twisties. As you ride more you'll really belive that you can trust the Spyder to keep you uprightand out of sight


You can't be serious. Keep up with a Yamaha F1 on the turns??? That's what my boyfriend has parked next to my Spyder. Shhhhhhhhh.......Let's not let the cat out of the bag. Yes, I'm a speed demon. My other toy is a 327ci, 365hp engine 1964 corvette convertible.;):D

[sleepman]

It's hard to form a general opinion of how fast you can take turns when every road and riding condition is different. In general I'm hitting turns at least 10 mph faster than I do when riding 2 wheels. From time to time you will lift a front tire, I've got one turn that I do this in just about everyday.

As for flat out speed and sweeping turns. I ran with a couple R6's on some twisties up in Ocala and hung with them the whole time. We were running 70 - 80 going through them. It was a huge blast. :thumbup:

[NancysToy]

One of the key ingredients in cornering a Spyder fast is to shift your weight slightly to the inside of the turn. You can lean into the turn at your waist, shift over on the seat, or both. You will find it makes a world of difference. Will you keep up with your boyfriend's crotch rocket? Hard to say. I do know that within a couple of weeks, my novice rider wife was staying right with my BMW through the corners, or even gaining on me. I can easily do mild 40-45 mph posted twisties at 70-80. We are old fogies, however, and probably ride pretty sanely. If you haven't done some parking lot practice, I highly recommend it. You get a quick feel for the machine, its needs, and your technique and capabilities. Enjoy the Ryde!
-Scotty

[AMTJIM]

You can't be serious. Keep up with a Yamaha F1 on the turns??? That's what my boyfriend has parked next to my Spyder. Shhhhhhhhh.......Let's not let the cat out of the bag. Yes, I'm a speed demon. My other toy is a 327ci, 365hp engine 1964 corvette convertible.;):D
I would see if you can do a track day any where, sometimes(with enough people) you can rent the track as opposed to attending a class. You will find your body language just as radical as a sportbike. It's like catamaran sailing or sidecar racing for 1, trying to keep the inside wheel from rising off the ground...trying to ride without the VSS raising a red flag and intervening. It seems the machines abilities are limited to the riders body length. On a technical course bikes are limited in the cornering solutions before you are. If the course is less tangled, they will easily pull away if the rider has any talent. Because you carry so much weight on the spyder, passing is very difficult...be careful not to trip other riders up with you front wheels. Ride lead or lag.

[Don in E Texas]

"Don't ride faster than your Angel can fly".... old, but very true saying. Enjoy your :spyder2: but don't exceed your skill level --- don't compare yourself with others --- if someone is faster than you in the curves SO WHAT? Easy does it.... live to make the turn another day..

don

[Greg H.]

How fast? No idea! But, faster than I am willing to push it, I'm sure. I never was a knee dragger when I rode 2 wheels back in the 70s. I'm not racing. So, I'm taking it pretty easy, I'm sure, compared to some folks here. :)

That's not to say, I don't enjoy the 'Back Road Boogie'. I love the back roads. I'm just careful.

[FANG]

If you haven't done some parking lot practice, I highly recommend it. You get a quick feel for the machine, its needs, and your technique and capabilities. Enjoy the Ryde!
-Scotty


Great advise, from the Master. :agree:

[bone crusher]

One of the key ingredients in cornering a Spyder fast is to shift your weight slightly to the inside of the turn. You can lean into the turn at your waist, shift over on the seat, or both. You will find it makes a world of difference. Will you keep up with your boyfriend's crotch rocket? Hard to say. I do know that within a couple of weeks, my novice rider wife was staying right with my BMW through the corners, or even gaining on me. I can easily do mild 40-45 mph posted twisties at 70-80. We are old fogies, however, and probably ride pretty sanely. If you haven't done some parking lot practice, I highly recommend it. You get a quick feel for the machine, its needs, and your technique and capabilities. Enjoy the Ryde!
-Scotty

Scotty,

You're hardly an old fogie!!! I agree with the leaning into the turn...I know BRP says leaning is not necessary...sure, not at highway speeds on the highway, but on a twisty ramp on/off the highway at 45-50 mph, you'd better lean!!

[Greg H.]

Scotty,

You're hardly an old fogie!!! I agree with the leaning into the turn...I know BRP says leaning is not necessary...sure, not at highway speeds on the highway, but on a twisty ramp on/off the highway at 45-50 mph, you'd better lean!!

lmao! Common sense dictates that the rider leans into the turn when cornering at just about any speed over 15mph into a corner.

This should be no mystery whatsover. I have never ridden a quad, snowmobile, or personal watercraft. But, for anyone wondering, just look at any photo of any of these vehicles making a turn, including a Spyder.

This Cornering topic...... Talk about a topic beating a dead horse. :chat::bdh:

[bone crusher]

lmao! Common sense dictates that the rider leans into the turn when cornering at just about any speed over 15mph into a corner.

This should be no mystery whatsover. I have never ridden a quad, snowmobile, or personal watercraft. But, for anyone wondering, just look at any photo of any of these vehicles making a turn, including a Spyder.

This Cornering topic...... Talk about a topic beating a dead horse. :chat::bdh:

did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or did you just wanna use the cool 'beating a dead horse' graphic?

One of the Spyder's big selling points was no need to lean...whoops! They are wrong!

[Greg H.]

did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or did you just wanna use the cool 'beating a dead horse' graphic?

One of the Spyder's big selling points was no need to lean...whoops! They are wrong!

:clap: Well.. ya know! It's the first time I've used this: :bdh:
It was time, I think. :thumbup:

Hey! Besides, my Spyder has been in the shop over a week! :)

[NancysToy]

Scotty,

You're hardly an old fogie!!!
Been riding over fifty years now...I'm no spring chicken! You may think that all this gray hair was caused by stains from the excess brain cells leaking out, but the truth is age, plain, pure and simple. Not that it matters, it's the mileage that really counts. :D
-Scotty

[Firefly]

"Don't ride faster than your Angel can fly".... old, but very true saying. Enjoy your :spyder2: but don't exceed your skill level --- don't compare yourself with others --- if someone is faster than you in the curves SO WHAT? Easy does it.... live to make the turn another day..

don

A Spyder has 8 legs to hold on with, angels don't.

Who you gonna take with you on the ride?

SPYDER!

[bjt]

One of the key ingredients in cornering a Spyder fast is to shift your weight slightly to the inside of the turn. You can lean into the turn at your waist, shift over on the seat, or both. You will find it makes a world of difference. Will you keep up with your boyfriend's crotch rocket? Hard to say. I do know that within a couple of weeks, my novice rider wife was staying right with my BMW through the corners, or even gaining on me. I can easily do mild 40-45 mph posted twisties at 70-80. We are old fogies, however, and probably ride pretty sanely. If you haven't done some parking lot practice, I highly recommend it. You get a quick feel for the machine, its needs, and your technique and capabilities. Enjoy the Ryde!
-Scotty


"Don't ride faster than your Angel can fly".... old, but very true saying. Enjoy your :spyder2: but don't exceed your skill level --- don't compare yourself with others --- if someone is faster than you in the curves SO WHAT? Easy does it.... live to make the turn another day..

don


How fast? No idea! But, faster than I am willing to push it, I'm sure. I never was a knee dragger when I rode 2 wheels back in the 70s. I'm not racing. So, I'm taking it pretty easy, I'm sure, compared to some folks here. :)

That's not to say, I don't enjoy the 'Back Road Boogie'. I love the back roads. I'm just careful.

:agree: I agree with all these comments.

I'll add that there is no magic speed that you should never exceed in turns. Obviously banked or gradual turns can be taken faster than sharp or flat turns. Riding skill and personality also play a big role.

[Roger]

:agree: AMEN

[sabunim5]

Just because the Spyder will go around a corner at a certain speed, doesn't mean a wise person should do it. One of the survival rules I try to follow, but am not always successful at, is that your should always be able to stop in the distance you can see ahead. That broken down delivery truck or the family dog just around the corner :yikes: could do more than just make your butt pucker. Don't get me wrong, I love to crank through the curves too :yes:, I just want to still be doing it years from now. :D Some curves you can see through and/or around and some you can't. As one of the women I worked with used to say to her children every day before they headed to school; Make Wise Choices. Ryding Safe and Enjoying are not mutually exclusive. Do both to the best of your ability :thumbup:.
sabunim5:spyder:

[GA-SPYDER]

did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today or did you just wanna use the cool 'beating a dead horse' graphic?

One of the Spyder's big selling points was no need to lean...whoops! They are wrong!
That's funny right there! You know I have been looking at that graphic for months now and thought it was a cow with a saddle on it!:yikes:
About leaning on the :spyder2:, I found that the first time I rode in the mountains in north GA, several months ago, I DIDN't know what I was doing, fighting it in the twisties, trying to sit straight up, etc. After riding it for several months and then going back to the mountains, it was like night and day! I was able to keep up with a couple of "hot rod M109's",and even pick up a front wheel on occasion. I can definately ride it harder through the twisties than I can my M109. :thumbup:

[cousin]

[quote=Don in E Texas;81117]"Don't ride faster than your Angel can fly".... old, but very true saying. Enjoy your :spyder2: but don't exceed your skill level --- don't compare yourself with others --- if someone is faster than you in the curves SO WHAT? Easy does it.... live to make the turn another day..

don[/ I must say that quote "don't ride faster than your angel can fly " is right on time!!:clap: I have been in the big iron fast!! large green iron fast!! & heavy flying iron fast!! BUT CAN YOU GET IT ''STOPPED" :dontknow:

[bone crusher]

:clap: Well.. ya know! It's the first time I've used this: :bdh:
It was time, I think. :thumbup:

Hey! Besides, my Spyder has been in the shop over a week! :)

Oh no...Spyder in shop for a week? I feel for you, my friend...
:bdh::bdh::bdh::bdh::bdh:

Hmmmm...why is he getting whacked in the crotch? Argh!

[bone crusher]

That's funny right there! You know I have been looking at that graphic for months now and thought it was a cow with a saddle on it!:yikes:
About leaning on the :spyder2:, I found that the first time I rode in the mountains in north GA, several months ago, I DIDN't know what I was doing, fighting it in the twisties, trying to sit straight up, etc. After riding it for several months and then going back to the mountains, it was like night and day! I was able to keep up with a couple of "hot rod M109's",and even pick up a front wheel on occasion. I can definately ride it harder through the twisties than I can my M109. :thumbup:

Does look like that...lamonster used it some time ago and it was only recently that I discovered where the heck it was hiding...

[GeminiJane]

0228lisa ---
Glad you are loving the Spyder. Sounds like you're really caught up in the excitement of a fun, new ride....we can all identify with that! I'm not sure there is any real answer to your question about how fast you can take turns. I ride my Spyder over and over on the same twisty roads that I ride my two wheelers - sometimes on the same day back to back. I'm not real big (5'3, 106 lbs) and have found I definitely have to ride a different style. I find on slower, tight curves the descriptions someone gave sometime back works best for me - pull the handle bar toward you and lean down like you're going to kiss the end of it. On the other hand, on faster sweepers and S's I have to literally shift my entire body - consciously moving my rear end to the insider of the seat (in my mind like I'm putting as much weight as possible on that wheel)and also lean into the bar. Having said that, though, I've scared myself on some corners that feel like I can take with my eyes closed on my BMW or Street Triple but due to the radius and camber, the Spyder reacts totallly differently. On a 2 wheeler, if you don't panic, a bit more throttle and a stiffer lean will usually see you through most any corner (assuming the road surface allows you enough tire traction to hold it). I don't find that the same on the Spyder...there have been times I felt like I had turned in as much as I physically could and that due to too much speed, etc. that I had not had much margin for error left - a feeling I don't enjoy!
Bottom line...don't take things too fast. Riding is a forever learning and improving experience - you can't do it all in the first week, month, year, etc. You can always improve - assuming you're still alive and healthy. So enjoy a ride at your own comfort level and feel your own way along - don't let us or anyone you may be riding with 'cause you to make a bad decision.
As you know, riding beyond your comfort level doesn't allow you to enjoy the ride - it just makes you feel stressed.

[pathfinderjoe]

I'm 60 years old and this is my first street machine - bought it 2 months ago. I have had birt bikes and 4 wheelers that I used for camping, hunting, fishing etc. but rode very few miles on pavement. I live in a part of Oregon were the roads are any thing but straight so I've been getting a lot of practice taking curves - wet curves since it is still raining most the time. All of the above advise is good and sound. I would like to add that it helps when leaning into tight turns taken at a good clip to keep your elbows in, squeese the tank (or where a tank is normally) with your legs and relax your grip. If an old guy like me can learn to crank it up through the turns anyone can. :thumbup:

[SpyderRider2492]

I'm 60 years old and this is my first street machine - bought it 2 months ago. I have had birt bikes and 4 wheelers :thumbup:

Not everyone has had a chance to ride a Birt bilke either (LOL, it happens to me all the time).

[chris56]

I think following - if you speak with a newcomer - don`t tell him to lean left or wright ..all this things
after some (long ?) practice he will find out by himselve what to do... beleive me - was also my mistake with some friends testing my spyder
(can you tell a child how to drive a bycicle)
...but then its much faster than you would ever think
the differnt to the bikes is : you can brake/speed up in the middle of the curve - no biker would be able to do that..
so if you go up a pass with different curves - some ideal for the bikes - some for the spyder - nobody (BMWs/KAWAs..)had ever to wait for me
I drive here on the Austrain/Italian pass-streets where 100edts of bikes are on there way (never seen any other spyder in 5500 mls)
..there is a Rotax-Test-Driver who is definitive faster than the bikes ..
this is another sory
chris

[Greg H.]

Oh no...Spyder in shop for a week? I feel for you, my friend...
:bdh::bdh::bdh::bdh::bdh:

Hmmmm...why is he getting whacked in the crotch? Argh!

:yikes: A week! Crazy, I know. For me, that's a first! And, hopefully, the last time.. :)
The shop had to order the exhaust gasket. Turns out, I was the first one from our dealer to have reported a blown exhaust gasket. But, the replacement came in, and my Spyder has been ready since Wednesday. Tomorrow, it comes home. :thumbup:

[docdoru]

IMHO the cornering speed is different for the SM5 versus SE5 :chat:

[opticat]

GeminiJane, I think you've summed it up perfectly! It's all about the comfort level.

[Greg H.]

GeminiJane, I think you've summed it up perfectly! It's all about the comfort level.

+1 Absolutely! It's way too easy to get in over your head while cornering. That's what about got me killed back in 1978, and ended my riding until I bought the Spyder.

[0228lisa]

Well it has been very interesting reading all the different approaches to this question. I had the bike out last night and had a blast riding it around the beach. I took it to 100 on the open road with no problem. Leaning on a fast curve definitely helps. It's only my third day of ownership and I am finally starting to feel like this machine might be able to perform. My problem is that I am somewhat of a daredevil always wanting to do too much, too fast, too soon so hearing everyone's comfort level on here gave me a level of trust before I even backed her out of the garage. Thanks to all of you who are continuing with me on my Spyder journey ......first on negotiating a price :read: and now learning the in's and out's of it's street performance "cred".:doorag:

[Roaddog2]

Be carfull but ride it like you stole it :2thumbs:

[bone crusher]

Well it has been very interesting reading all the different approaches to this question. I had the bike out last night and had a blast riding it around the beach. I took it to 100 on the open road with no problem. Leaning on a fast curve definitely helps. It's only my third day of ownership and I am finally starting to feel like this machine might be able to perform. My problem is that I am somewhat of a daredevil always wanting to do too much, too fast, too soon so hearing everyone's comfort level on here gave me a level of trust before I even backed her out of the garage. Thanks to all of you who are continuing with me on my Spyder journey ......first on negotiating a price :read: and now learning the in's and out's of it's street performance "cred".:doorag:

Your street performance is not as important as the performance of the car coming around a turn when you're on the inside...meaning, drive with passion but be extra aware the harder you ride...too many times we get too comfortable with what we're driving but we forget that others can cause us harm...case in point...a friend of a friend was riding with a group and he was the lead bike (very experienced)...he was going around a decent turn on the inside when a car coming around clipped his lane (to the inside) and took him out...almost killed him...needless to say, 2 riders behind dropped their bikes before everyone could properly assess and get out of the way...they had broken bones and were considerably hurt as well...

[trikester]

Because I'm always switching between my Spyder and one of the TWTrikes I built (see profile photo) I probably take the curves slower in the Spyder than I otherwise would. However, I do take them faster in the Spyder than on one of my TWTrikes.

The dual-sport trikes I built are much lighter than the Spyder with a narrower track between the front wheels, they don't have a VSS system, and they raise a front wheel much easier in a turn. Therefore, I can't allow myself to forget which trike I'm riding when on the pavement. Of course if I'm dirt riding then it is automatically the TWTrike, no problem getting them mixed up there.

The beauty of a "front wheel trike" is that you can always bring a wheel down by cutting throttle or braking. Try that on a "rear wheel trike"! Ouch! :yikes:

[Firefly]

IMHO the cornering speed is different for the SM5 versus SE5 :chat:

Is that because of the automatic downshifting?

They should have made that so it can be shut off.

While I'm typically too bush watching the road to really look at my speed, I've noticed that most times I can take the curves at twice the posted limit with no problem at all.

[The_Spyderwoman]

:congrats:0228lisa!! Hope you are having a safe blast riding on the beach!! I have a certain "twistie" on my way to/from work and I am definately taking it 20/30mph faster now than when I first took it. :trike:This has been a very interesting post you started!!

:bdh:roflmao

sorry I just had to.

[M2Wild]

I have the twisty right by my house. Been taking it at or under the speed limit. Not going to push it until I get real comfortable. Seen waaaaay too many accidents there over the years.

[mike3069]

..there is a Rotax-Test-Driver who is definitive faster than the bikes ..
this is another sory
chris

Hi Chris

That Rotax Test Driver.

Is his last name Zimmerman?

Mike Murphy

[Pete Denzer]

Rider skill and guts are huge factors. But do the math: A heavy cruiser with limited ground clearance and power will not do turns as well as a vehicle which has no ground clearance issues and is lighter and more powerful, giving it better braking going into turns and better acceleration coming out, as well as the traction of larger tires and ability to handle rough and loose surfaces safely.

The Spyder could use better brakes though they are not awful; my wife drove the Spyder to town tonight with me riding pillion and she agrees. A vehicle that runs that fast two-up deserves better stoppers, maybe a thorough bleeding would help, though it's a dealer-only job as BUDDS must be used.

On the other hand, a fully-faired 175 hp 400 lb two-wheeler with race replica tires and brakes on a reasonably smooth road will outrun anything on three wheels and 'most anything on four.

Car & Driver magazine has done comparo tests on racetracks between the hottest sports cars and middlin' hot sport bikes -- the bikes occasionally turn faster lap times, kick ass in the quarter mile and brake tests, and surprisingly are better on the skid pad. Some of the cars get to higher top-end speeds, but they take a longer time to do it. Has to do with hp to drag coefficient ratio, I think.

I'd like to see a similar test pitting a Spyder against a factory big-twin Moto-Trike or Lehman, a Boss Hoss trike with a 400 hp V-8, and a couple of hot two- and four-wheelers thrown into the mix. Now THAT would be a race!

Mainstream press, are you listening?

[chascarpenter1]

Get lots of practice and when trying to hotrod it through the twisties make sure you go with a riding partner who knows the road.