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F3-T: First Ryde Report
The lousy weather here finally cleared today, so I decided to take my first real ryde on my 2016 F3-T. The ryde was on country roads thru mostly farmland in Washington County. No traffic and a beautiful day - what more could I ask for? Here are my observations (with a few questions):
1. First of all, is this thing fun? Hell, Yeah!
2. I had a few scary moments on portions of road with a crown or slope down to the right - especially if it also turned left at that moment. The Spyder wanted to go off the road to the right and I had to really fight it a couple times. But on well-graded roads, it was great. Any hints on how to handle poorly graded roads?
3. I find that my right hand falls asleep. Is it because I'm gripping the throttle too tight? (I don't think I am. But if I grip it any looser, how do you maintain throttle control?)
4. My main complaint continues to be pain/tightness/cramping in the hips. I'll have to play with the foot pegs a bit to try and address this. But I'm also thinking that a narrower and slightly longer seat my do the trick for me as well, since I get relief when I scotch my butt onto the very front of the passenger seat and straighten out my legs. Any suggestions on seats that might fit the bill?
5. Turning left from a standing start is still a bit of a problem (due to unexpected acceleration), but it's getting better. I'm thinking that it may be that it's a bit of a reach to stay on the throttle when the handlebars are turned to the left. So maybe I need the bar adjusted as well. Thoughts?
6. Oh - and did I mention that this thing as a hell of a lot of fun (in spite of the cramps)!
Thanks.
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Very Active Member
Looks like....
Your gonna need more time on the road. Rule of thumb around 500 miles to finally relax which will help most of your issues. You will also get used to things and may still need the adjustments you are thinking of already and maybe not. But it is a lot of fun getting to know her... let us know how it goes....
Gene and Ilana De Laney
Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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Very Active Member
Gene's right on the money! Regarding the hip cramps, do you do any kind of hip flexibility evercises? Suggest you look at some yoga hip stretches; they're a hell of lot cheaper than a new seat -- more money to go to other farkles!
Artillery lends dignity to what would
otherwise be a vulgar brawl.
******************************
Cognac 2014 RT-S
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Very Active Member
Glad you like it! As time goes by you will absolutely love it!
As said, it will take some time to get the hang of it. Try to let your arms just hang on the grips, don't try to fight to keep it on the road. Spyders pitch side to side due to the uneveness of the road. It's rolling side to side and, in most cases, is not actually going off in some undetermined direction, though you may swear that it is.
Try staying on good roads at first to gain confidence in it's steering. Remember, it's most likely just you feeling the undulations in the road. If it's actually very skittish regarding the steering, make sure your front tires are at the proper pressure and are within .5 (half) of a pound of each other. If that doesn't help, have it laser aligned. I thought my Spyder handled pretty good (no problems with road crown, but some with cornering and windy days) but decided to have it "Squared Away" by Joe and Ann. The difference was AMAZING! Give it some time and try not to fight the steering but if it doesn't improve, get the alignment done using lasers.
There is a sticky about do's don'ts regarding Spyders. Read it if you haven't already, lot's of good info there. I have an RT, so I can't address the other issues.
Be safe and get to know your Spyder! They're the most fun you can have, legally!
On the road again...........and forever young!
2013 RT-S SE 5
Yesterday is a cancelled check.
Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is cash.......spend it wisely.
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Active Member
Get a cramp buster.
That will help with the throttle control without squeezing the throttle. Cheapest high-value mod possible.
F3S Steel Black Metallic
Former owner of '12 RT-S SE-5 and '09 GS SM5
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Active Member
Hi Newbert:
You and I are both new owners and new ryders; we have each bought Spyders recently, and I have seen/read some of your earlier posts; your questions have often paralleled my own. I'm on a new 2017 F3 Ltd. I've just turned up about 800 miles after 3 rain-filled weeks. I have to agree with the advice that more experienced folks have offered above. Here are some thoughts from an equally new ryder with perhaps barely a few more miles than you have.
Both you and the Spyder are new - you're both breaking in and getting used to roads, traffic, obstacles, etc. You're both tight and just beginning to learn to flex. You and your bike will both loosen up and relax, given a bit of time. I said pretty much the same things you just wrote about when getting off after my first few rydes: I found the Spyder very road-senstive, even 'twitchy' at first. Yes, it did seem to react to camber and surface changes. That's lessening now with a few hundred miles on both of us. The bike is less stiff, and I'm also ryding more relaxed. I have hip cramp problems too. It was one reason I went with the F3 instead of an RT - I simply found the F3 less bothersome to my hips and right leg, which felt cramped on the RT. I wasn't going to pass up owning a Spyder, even if it meant a sore butt/stiff hip for a while. My wife chides me and insists that Yoga will help; probably I'll give in and try - she is often right, though I'm not always quick to admit it. I have floorboards in mid-position. I may think about moving them a bit forward; instinct tells me that may help. I'm going to wait a few more months, then perhaps think about a seat change, something along the lines you mention. Before that though, I'm more likely to swap out my low windshield for a medium height F4, or similar. When turning, try leaning forward a bit, and into the turn; you'll be a bit closer to the controls. Your handlebar position can be altered, if need be, but you may find leaning a bit does everything you need, at no further expense.
Give yourself some more time before making a lot of changes. Both you and your bike need the break-in period to adjust. Pick better roads, preferably low traffic, paved, secondary roads to enjoy. Stay well within your ryding and knowledge limits while you educate yourself. Try flattening out your hands occasionally while ryding, stretching/pointing your fingers forward with your palms on the grips. You still have control, you can still react, if needed. My semi-arthritic right hand can become numb, too, sometimes. I find this finger exercise helpful. It also teaches me to relax.
Just a few thoughts from someone in the same boat (on the same bike) as you. We're both having fun, and on the learning curve.
Cheers.
Last edited by bushrat; 07-02-2017 at 03:10 PM.
2017 F3Limited , lowered brake pedal Intense Red Pearl w. Metallic Black topside
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Very Active Member
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Originally Posted by bushrat
Hi Newbert:
You and I are both new owners and new ryders; we have each bought Spyders recently, and I have seen/read some of your earlier posts; your questions have often paralleled my own. I'm on a new 2017 F3 Ltd. I've just turned up about 800 miles after 3 rain-filled weeks. I have to agree with the advice that more experienced folks have offered above. Here are some thoughts from an equally new ryder with perhaps barely a few more miles than you have.
Both you and the Spyder are new - you're both breaking in and getting used to roads, traffic, obstacles, etc. You're both tight and just beginning to learn to flex. You and your bike will both loosen up and relax, given a bit of time. I said pretty much the same things you just wrote about when getting off after my first few rydes: I found the Spyder very road-senstive, even 'twitchy' at first. Yes, it did seem to react to camber and surface changes. That's lessening now with a few hundred miles on both of us. The bike is less stiff, and I'm also ryding more relaxed. I have hip cramp problems too. It was one reason I went with the F3 instead of an RT - I simply found the F3 less bothersome to my hips and right leg, which felt cramped on the RT. I wasn't going to pass up owning a Spyder, even if it meant a sore butt/stiff hip for a while. My wife chides me and insists that Yoga will help; probably I'll give in and try - she is often right, though I'm not always quick to admit it. I have floorboards in mid-position. I may think about moving them a bit forward; instinct tells me that may help. I'm going to wait a few more months, then perhaps think about a seat change, something along the lines you mention. Before that though, I'm more likely to swap out my low windshield for a medium height F4, or similar. When turning, try leaning forward a bit, and into the turn; you'll be a bit closer to the controls. Your handlebar position can be altered, if need be, but you may find leaning a bit does everything you need, at no further expense.
Give yourself some more time before making a lot of changes. Both you and your bike need the break-in period to adjust. Pick better roads, preferably low traffic, paved, secondary roads to enjoy. Stay well within your ryding and knowledge limits while you educate yourself. Try flattening out your hands occasionally while ryding, stretching/pointing your fingers forward with your palms on the grips. You still have control, you can still react, if needed. My semi-arthritic right hand can become numb, too, sometimes. I find this finger exercise helpful. It also teaches me to relax.
Just a few thoughts from someone in the same boat (on the same bike) as you. We're both having fun, and on the learning curve.
Cheers.
Bushrat - Your post sounds like the two of us are living in parallel universes! I will take your advice (and the advice of others here) to take my time and wait before doing anything drastic. (But, the problem is that I'm an impatient sort....). So far, I only have about 130 miles on the Spyder, but I plan on getting out and ryding everyday weather-permitting.
Look forward to hearing more of your experiences.
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I have had my 2018 F3t for about two weeks, now. I have been experiencing everything you have. So happy to see your post, and see that I'm not alone. When I received my bike, the pegs were set at the #3 position. They had to order the brake linkage rod, in order to move the pegs forward. It came a few days later, and I installed it, and moved the pegs to the #5 position. Wow! That made a huge difference in my comfort, and feeling of control. I am about 6'3", with a 32" inseam. I have put about 600 miles on the Spyder, and it just gets more and more comfortable. My only problem, now, is riding at 70 mph on the highway. I'm used to riding a Honda Gold Wing, and I think the problem might be the wind buffeting my upper body and head. I've ordered an F4 windscreen, which should do the trick. I had one on my Gold Wing, and it was amazing.
2018 F3T , Position 5/ full size Matt Black
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About your right hand falling asleep. Use your cruise control more often on open roads, and better yet get aftermarket grips. They make all the difference in the world.
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Active Member
Originally Posted by TerryTheSpyderRyder
About your right hand falling asleep. Use your cruise control more often on open roads, and better yet get aftermarket grips. They make all the difference in the world.
Try Grip Puppies or something similar - a foam wrap which slides over your grips. Easy on easy off, much easier than installing new grips and you can see if the diameter increase / vibration damping make a difference for you.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by newbert
the lousy weather here finally cleared today, so i decided to take my first real ryde on my 2016 f3-t. The ryde was on country roads thru mostly farmland in washington county. No traffic and a beautiful day - what more could i ask for? Here are my observations (with a few questions):
1. First of all, is this thing fun? Hell, yeah!
2. I had a few scary moments on portions of road with a crown or slope down to the right - especially if it also turned left at that moment. The spyder wanted to go off the road to the right and i had to really fight it a couple times. But on well-graded roads, it was great. Any hints on how to handle poorly graded roads? Get an enhanced sway bar with solid heim joints. One of our sponsors is Baja Ron. It is by far the best addition I made.
5. Turning left from a standing start is still a bit of a problem (due to unexpected acceleration), but it's getting better. I'm thinking that it may be that it's a bit of a reach to stay on the throttle when the handlebars are turned to the left. So maybe i need the bar adjusted as well. Thoughts? see adding a sway bar above. Try steering left by pulling the left bar rather than pushing the right (throttle) bar
thanks.
fun fun fun. There is a learning curve as folks have mentioned> I had NO learning curve having ridden QUADS for years and years. quadinwoods.jpg
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