Horrible handling issue with major wind gusts

[SpyderLady1968]

NEED TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD OR HAVING THIS ISSUE. I've had my 2015 F3 just under a year (rode a Harley for almost 30 years before that). Yesterday while on a 400 mile road trip we started getting a LOT of wind with major gusts (the kind that can topple empty semi's). We were averaging about 75 MPH (I was riding sweep behind the group). I started having a lot of problems keeping my Spyder on the road when we got hit with these gusts. It almost felt like a rocking horse going from side to side. I finally pulled off at an exit when one of the gusts almost took me out. I left a message for a friend who just bought a 2018 F3 (this is her 3rd Spyder but first F3). She said on a recent trip she also had the same issues. I was loving my Spyder but this has got me worried. I don't want to be out on a road trip and all of a sudden get into winds and have the same problem. The bike had all recalls done before I bought it, I just had the 9,000 mile service and had a new back tire put on the day before the trip. I am so frustrated I am thinking about selling it. Any comments or suggestions?

[UtahPete]

NEED TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD OR HAVING THIS ISSUE. I've had my 2015 F3 just under a year (rode a Harley for almost 30 years before that). Yesterday while on a 400 mile road trip we started getting a LOT of wind with major gusts (the kind that can topple empty semi's). We were averaging about 75 MPH (I was riding sweep behind the group). I started having a lot of problems keeping my Spyder on the road when we got hit with these gusts. It almost felt like a rocking horse going from side to side. I finally pulled off at an exit when one of the gusts almost took me out. I left a message for a friend who just bought a 2018 F3 (this is her 3rd Spyder but first F3). She said on a recent trip she also had the same issues. I was loving my Spyder but this has got me worried. I don't want to be out on a road trip and all of a sudden get into winds and have the same problem. The bike had all recalls done before I bought it, I just had the 9,000 mile service and had a new back tire put on the day before the trip. I am so frustrated I am thinking about selling it. Any comments or suggestions?

Sounds like you must be having other misgivings if this one experience is enough to make you want to sell.

Was anyone else on the ride experiencing what you were? Were they Spyders or what?

I just experienced extreme winds on a ride today. It was unpleasant being buffeted about like that but I never felt unsafe. My 2014RT has a bone stock suspension.

My guess is you would have felt even less safe on your Harley. It's not the Spyder, but if you think you can find a safer ride then go for it.

[samewok]

I have been hit with winds over 45 you just have to use to it.

[SpyderAnn01]

Do you have a BajaRon Anti Sway Bar installed? If not, you need one. I can ride in steady crosswinds over 30 mph (gusts of 50+) at speed of 80 and only need to use one finger on the bars. Now my body may get blown around and i may have a stiff neck at the end of the day, but my Spyder does not get blown about.

[Devious56]

Great call SpyderAnn01, I'd say those winds were a bit excessive, but, a heavier sway bar like Baja Ron's will improve your handling so much you will wonder why Can Am doesn't put it on at the factory.

David VonStein

[SpyderLady1968]

Do you have a BajaRon Anti Sway Bar installed? If not, you need one. I can ride in steady crosswinds over 30 mph (gusts of 50+) at speed of 80 and only need to use one finger on the bars. Now my body may get blown around and I may have a stiff neck at the end of the day, but my Spyder does not get blown about.

I was literally fighting with it to stay on the road. Not a good feeling. I doubt it has the sway bar but I will have my mechanic check or can I tell by looking? This is why I am asking. If there is something I can do, I will do it. I don't really want to sell it. I have been telling everyone what a fun time I am having and even planned on taking my 14 year old grand daughter for a little road trip. But I can only do that if I feel safe. Yesterday, I did not feel safe. Thank you for your advice.

[UtahPete]

I was literally fighting with it to stay on the road. Not a good feeling. I doubt it has the sway bar but I will have my mechanic check or can I tell by looking? This is why I am asking. If there is something I can do, I will do it. I don't really want to sell it. I have been telling everyone what a fun time I am having and even planned on taking my 14 year old grand daughter for a little road trip. But I can only do that if I feel safe. Yesterday, I did not feel safe. Thank you for your advice.

Until I left California, I was an avid sailor. There were conditions that many sailors would not go out in because of wind-whipped waves, etc. The same weather conditions brought other sailors out to test their boats and themselves against the elements. There is no right or wrong, there is only what works for you and what you're comfortable with.

[IGETAROUND]

has your bike ever been laser aligned??

[UtahPete]

has your bike ever been laser aligned??

That's not necessarily the problem. The problem is the rider, I think.

[CentralCoastCA]

Hi SpyderLady1968, I see you live in the high desert in SoCal and you get very heavy winds in that region. I live along the coast in Ventura/Santa Barbara County and we get blown around by offshore winds and Santa Ana’s. SpyderAnn01 has a great point for the BajaRon sway bar.

When I first got my ‘08 GS six years ago, I was ryding along the coast with heavy winds and semi trucks on the 101 and had the same experience you did. My hubby installed the BajaRon sway bar and 90% of the wind related problem went away. Bought an RT in ‘14 and the first thing hubby did was the sway bar and Heim Links, both tighten up the front end and keep the frunk nose more firmly planted on the pavement. A laser alignment is not a bad idea either as my GS was sooooo far out, it was a wonder I could keep it straight on the road.

Hopefully these farkles will improve your ryde.

[SpyderLady1968]

has your bike ever been laser aligned??

Yes, I had it aligned two weeks ago when I had it serviced. I wanted bike in good shape for the road trip. Thanks.

[SpyderLady1968]

Yes, I had it aligned two weeks ago when I had it serviced. I wanted bike in good shape for the road trip. Thanks.

I had a long talk with my mechanic yesterday and I found out the alignment was not a lazer alignment. He also explained to me how much lighter the F3SE6 is especially in the front compared to the RT and the RS models. I wish I had known this as I bought the F3 after ONE demo ride at the local Spyder dealer because I liked that the seat seemed farther back. I sure have a lot to learn!

I would like to thank everyone for your input.

[SpyderLady1968]

. . . is enough to make you want to sell.

Was anyone else on the ride experiencing what you were? Were they Spyders or what?

I just experienced extreme winds on a ride today. It was unpleasant being buffeted about like that but I never felt unsafe. My guess is you would have felt even less safe on your Harley.

UtahPete, I have a lot of arthritis and when I sold my Harley last year, I was thrilled to find something that was easier on my body. Yesterday was NOT easy and am paying for it today and I don't want this kind of a ride if this is what I have to go through in the wind. Just trying to find out if something possibly wrong with it. I was the only Spyder (Harleys and Hondas made up the rest and they were all being buffeted). Yes, I am a new Spyder rider (less than one year) so maybe it was just me (as other replies have implied). In the 30 years of riding my Harley, I experienced many a wind storm and handled the buffeting and it just seemed like the Spyder wasn't handling well so thought I'd get some input from all of you more experienced riders. Thank you.

[UtahPete]

UtahPete, I have a lot of arthritis and when I sold my Harley last year, I was thrilled to find something that was easier on my body. Yesterday was NOT easy and am paying for it today and I don't want this kind of a ride if this is what I have to go through in the wind. Just trying to find out if something possibly wrong with it. I was the only Spyder (Harleys and Hondas made up the rest and they were all being buffeted). Yes, I am a new Spyder rider (less than one year) so maybe it was just me (as other replies have implied). In the 30 years of riding my Harley, I experienced many a wind storm and handled the buffeting and it just seemed like the Spyder wasn't handling well so thought I'd get some input from all of you more experienced riders. Thank you.

The Spyder is definitely easier on the body than a two-wheeler under any conditions, so you made a good choice. And, it is more stable. But, it's still a light-weight machine that can get blown around more than a full-size sedan. When riding, you will inevitably encounter conditions, such as high winds, where it's just better to slow down or pull off the road rather than take chances or suffer severe discomfort.

My wife's Spyder has a sway bar and was recently laser-aligned but she found it tiring and unsettling to be riding in strong winds with even stronger gusts as we rode for 2 days across the NE corner of Arizona recently.

Not to sound snide, but if we wanted comfort and safety we would forgo the uncaged experience and drive a full-sized pickup truck or SUV. But, where is the adventure in that?

[SPYD3R]

since you are telling me that you rode in cross winds that topple 18 wheelers, and you're are doing 75 mph,,, i'd say "get off the road"... the cross winds required to topple a tractor-trailer, even when empty, are no less than 60 mph... NO biker of any kind, 2 or 3 wheels, should think that cross winds such as you stated is a good idea to ride in...
i've been riding for 55 yrs, and i'm here to say 'hunker down' during times like that.... it's NOT the SPYD3R that's handling bad, it's more the operator is my guess.... jmho
Dan P
SPYD3R

[SpyderLady1968]

since you are telling me that you rode in cross winds that topple 18 wheelers, and you're are doing 75 mph,,, i'd say "get off the road"... the cross winds required to topple a tractor-trailer, even when empty, are no less than 60 mph... NO biker of any kind, 2 or 3 wheels, should think that cross winds such as you stated is a good idea to ride in...
i've been riding for 55 yrs, and i'm here to say 'hunker down' during times like that.... it's NOT the SPYD3R that's handling bad, it's more the operator is my guess.... jmho
Dan P
SPYD3R

I assumed that riding a 3-wheeled vehicle would handle better in the wind than my Harley. Maybe you are right that it was more an operator issue. I only have about 2,500 miles under my belt. This was my second longer ride and had no problem the first time but I don't remember gusty winds like yesterday.

[UtahPete]

I assumed that riding a 3-wheeled vehicle would handle better in the wind than my Harley. Maybe you are right that it was more an operator issue. I only have about 2,500 miles under my belt. This was my second longer ride and had no problem the first time but I don't remember gusty winds like yesterday.

I think in the same conditions you would have found your 2-wheeler to be even more difficult to handle.

I don't think you have a 'horrible handling issue' with your Spyder; I think you just were expecting it to be immune to adverse weather and it isn't.

[IGETAROUND]

I assumed that riding a 3-wheeled vehicle would handle better in the wind than my Harley. Maybe you are right that it was more an operator issue. I only have about 2,500 miles under my belt. This was my second longer ride and had no problem the first time but I don't remember gusty winds like yesterday.

For what it's worth, I was well over 5k before I wasn't feeling twitchy staying in my own lane, by the time I put it away the first year ~ 17k I felt I sort of knew what I was doing and not feeling out of control with winds, uneven surfaces ecetra. The alignment you had will help you to stay straight easier. The stiffer sway bar will help with wind gusts, cross winds and semis. Good luck on your adjustment to your new ride.

Al in Kazoo

[always young]

I just wanted to add another tip to what has been mentioned already, all good advice. I once read on a forum or in a magazine riding tip section about riding in heavy wind conditions. They said to hang onto the bike tighter with your KNEES and let your upper body relax and not hold the bars so tight for support. Going over our causeways here in Florida when a front is moving through can just about blow you off the bike. This technique worked perfectly on my C14 when I was riding it and it also works with my F3T Ltd. Yes, your upper body will move around some, but like mentioned by others, you're not dragging the handlebars around with you and causing the bike to move side to side on the road. Every ride is a learning experience with the F3 and I'm continually learning. Enjoy your ride and be one with it....ummmm.

[BajaRon]

I just wanted to add another tip to what has been mentioned already, all good advice. I once read on a forum or in a magazine riding tip section about riding in heavy wind conditions. They said to hang onto the bike tighter with your KNEES and let your upper body relax and not hold the bars so tight for support. Going over our causeways here in Florida when a front is moving through can just about blow you off the bike. This technique worked perfectly on my C14 when I was riding it and it also works with my F3T Ltd. Yes, your upper body will move around some, but like mentioned by others, you're not dragging the handlebars around with you and causing the bike to move side to side on the road. Every ride is a learning experience with the F3 and I'm continually learning. Enjoy your ride and be one with it....ummmm.

Good advise.

What happens in the wind is that You are being blown around on the bike. If you allow your body movements to be transmitted to the handlebars, then the effect of the wind conditions are made much worse. Some attempt to stiff arm the handlebars to reduce the swerving and darting. But this really makes things worse, reducing your confidence that you can control the machine.

What you must do is counter-intuitive. You have to relax your upper body so that the handlebars do not move when your body is buffeted by the wind. It's OK to let your upper body get 'Blown Around'. It doesn't hurt anything. Just don't let your movement translate to vehicle movement through the handlebars.

No one can do this with 100% success. But you can get a huge improvement in vehicle stability. You will find that the wind isn't blowing your Spyder around nearly as much as you thought. It is very possible that you are the cause of most of the problem. And, as mentioned by Always Young, you need to squeeze the bike with your knees to help stabilize the lower portion of your body.

I've ridden in some pretty terrible, gusty cross winds on both 2 and 3 wheels. It can be a bit of a challenge. But it is manageable if the right techniques are used.

[ladygadget]

I've been tossed around on the Bay Bridge in a car more than once. It might help, after installing some upgrades, to lean your body into the wind, like you would on two wheels. As someone commented above, use it.

[Docster]

since you are telling me that you rode in cross winds that topple 18 wheelers, and you're are doing 75 mph,,, i'd say "get off the road"... the cross winds required to topple a tractor-trailer, even when empty, are no less than 60 mph... NO biker of any kind, 2 or 3 wheels, should think that cross winds such as you stated is a good idea to ride in...
i've been riding for 55 yrs, and i'm here to say 'hunker down' during times like that.... it's NOT the SPYD3R that's handling bad, it's more the operator is my guess.... jmho
Dan P
SPYD3R

Agree--

I'm new to Spyders but my first bikes were Harleys and I've ridden in some tough weather over the years but if the OP was doing 75 mph in severe winds on a bike relatively new to her I'd suggest that judgement was an issue not necessarily the bike.

[Highwayman2013]

We live in Las Vegas and we get the heavy winds a lot. I ride both 2 wheelers and an F3L spyder and would rather the spyder in the wind any day. I have installed the Bajaron swaybar and had a laser alignment.

[SpyderLady1968]

It's been awhile since my last post and I wanted to give an update since I have a lot more miles under my belt. I had been handling my F3 pretty well until about a month ago when a group of us rode up through Palmdale and Lancaster - VERY windy areas. We came up a hill and a huge gust came from the right and the front of Spyder lunged down and to the left (pushing me way too close to the line). The second time it happened I motioned to the sweep rider that I was turning around and going home. The winds got really bad after that so I stayed in the slow lane and when the strong cross-winds hit I either pulled off the road or just took it very carefully. I called my boyfriend (Al) who has built motorcycles and hotrods his entire life and he walked over to talk to the local Spyder mechanic (two doors down) about my wind issues. My mechanic told him since the sway bar was already installed that I buying heavier performance shocks would probably help. So after much research I was going to order Elka but I ended up getting the M2 Shocks mainly because I was impressed after watching their videos and because they could get them to me in just over a week. Al installed them last Saturday and I tried them out on Sunday, making sure the tire pressure in all tires were right. You talk about a HUGE difference!! Cornering was fantastic and we hit some winds and it seemed to hug the pavement. But I won't know for sure until I get hit with cross-winds. Now I have question. While Al looked around at all the models at my mechanic's shop he noticed that all the other models (RS and RT, etc.) you sit up higher and closer to the front. With the F3 I am in more of a cruising position and there is not as much weight in the front like the other models. He really feels the F3 is too light in the front. He has to put lead balists on some of the hotrods he builds so he thought that might help my problem. He wanted to put balist (possibly close to 50 pounds) into the bottom of the frunk but I pointed out the label in the frunk that says "WARNING, DO NOT OVERLOAD, 15 LBS." I asked him not to put it in until I could see what some of you think about this. Well????

[IgoFar2]

It's been awhile since my last post and I wanted to give an update since I have a lot more miles under my belt. I had been handling my F3 pretty well until about a month ago when a group of us rode up through Palmdale and Lancaster - VERY windy areas. We came up a hill and a huge gust came from the right and the front of Spyder lunged down and to the left (pushing me way too close to the line). The second time it happened I motioned to the sweep rider that I was turning around and going home. The winds got really bad after that so I stayed in the slow lane and when the strong cross-winds hit I either pulled off the road or just took it very carefully. I called my boyfriend (Al) who has built motorcycles and hotrods his entire life and he walked over to talk to the local Spyder mechanic (two doors down) about my wind issues. My mechanic told him since the sway bar was already installed that I buying heavier performance shocks would probably help. So after much research I was going to order Elka but I ended up getting the M2 Shocks mainly because I was impressed after watching their videos and because they could get them to me in just over a week. Al installed them last Saturday and I tried them out on Sunday, making sure the tire pressure in all tires were right. You talk about a HUGE difference!! Cornering was fantastic and we hit some winds and it seemed to hug the pavement. But I won't know for sure until I get hit with cross-winds. Now I have question. While Al looked around at all the models at my mechanic's shop he noticed that all the other models (RS and RT, etc.) you sit up higher and closer to the front. With the F3 I am in more of a cruising position and there is not as much weight in the front like the other models. He really feels the F3 is too light in the front. He has to put lead balists on some of the hotrods he builds so he thought that might help my problem. He wanted to put balist (possibly close to 50 pounds) into the bottom of the frunk but I pointed out the label in the frunk that says "WARNING, DO NOT OVERLOAD, 15 LBS." I asked him not to put it in until I could see what some of you think about this. Well????

Personally, I think that if you add that much weight to the frunk, you're becoming a test pilot. You/we do not know why BRP put that weight limit there. Could it be that the attachments that hold the frunk will not withstand a certain amount of jarring or strain over 15#? I don't know. Or, possibly, could it adversely affect vehicle handling? I am not advising you to add the weight or not add the weight. I just don't know what adding that much weight may do.