Question about handling....

[Luna]

I've got about 150 miles on my RTLE and have noticed something - I get a constant side-to-side shuffle on most roads (unless they're pristinely flat and even). The crown of the road surface appears to be the problem. I'm not quite sure what keyword/s to search for to find info on this.

I did see one thread about lowering the pressure in the rear tire and I'll give that a try. Anything else I should be looking at?

[BajaRon]

I've got about 150 miles on my RTLE and have noticed something - I get a constant side-to-side shuffle on most roads (unless they're pristinely flat and even). The crown of the road surface appears to be the problem. I'm not quite sure what keyword/s to search for to find info on this.

I did see one thread about lowering the pressure in the rear tire and I'll give that a try. Anything else I should be looking at?

Part of it is the nature of the beast as you feel anomalies in the road surface that you never did on 2 wheels. But a ROLO laser alignment would be a very good place to start. Playing with tire pressures can also give good results at times.

[canamjhb]

There are a bunch of things you can do to help stabilize the ride. As Ron suggested, alignment. A lot, even maybe most, dealers don't do a good job doing it. Then you can start adding stuff to improve upon factory shortcomings. BajaRons sway bar, better tires and better shocks. The Spyder CAN be made to behave. Some get lucky (I didn't) and get a reasonably good alignment and tires. The order of things I would do is

1. Tire pressure
2. Alignment
3. Sway bar
4. Tires
5. Shocks

This starts with the least expensive to the most. Going from top to bottom on the list you can stop when you are happy.....

Good luck and welcome

[Kredab]

I would look up Squared Away and get your Spyder aligned , you will notice the difference instantly .......

[Ex Winger]

The best thing is seat time.I had the same issue when I bought mt 2015 RT but with more miles and smiles you'll get use to it.

[Bob Denman]

Time in the saddle... and keep a "light hand" on your bars!

[AeroPilot]

Just the nature of running a three wheeler with a narrow track down a worn road surface with two wheeled tracks.... its going to wander.

Like Bob said, just keep it loose and if needed slow down a bit and find your zone

[Pirate looks at --]

As Bob said, loosen your grip on the bars! I have found that most times ryding that I actually am not "gripping" the bars at all, but just pushing and pulling them. Give that a try and you will relax and the Spyder will as well!

[ARtraveler]

Time in the saddle... and keep a "light hand" on your bars!

Just what I was hoping someone would post. Are you using the "death grip?" A common thing for those "new" to riding.

Over control will give the a "mind of it's own" when it comes to handling. I used to post: Pretend there are eggs between your palms and the handlebars. Do NOT break the eggs. You will be surprised how often this solves the "wandering" tendency of the . A light push/pull on the handlebars is the way to go.

On curvy roads, leaning slightly into the curve and planting your outside foot on the peg or footboard helps to reduce the "g" forces you feel.

If these fail--then it is time to look at other things, tire pressure, alignment, sway bar install...etc.

[Bob Denman]

Back in 2010 I bought my first Spyder RT without ever having sat on one! The day came to pick it up. Everybody was smiling as I wrote a check, and we all smiled some more, as I strapped on my helmet...
But when I got out on the road: I was positive that I had just made a $25,000 mistake!
The thing was twitchy, and hopping around like a toad on a hotplate.
I had a lot of oncoming traffic, and I was sure that I was going to be doing a horrible impression of a suicidal bug!
But then I remembered something:
Ski Doo knew how to build snowmobiles that could track nice and straight down the trail. I bet that they got it right with this design also...
So I relaxed the "white-knuckle Death Grip" that I had on the bars...
The clouds parted, and the Sun started to shine!

I had been trying to micro-manage the steering inputs, and just chasing myself all over the road...

[Luna]

While not quite a "death grip", I was holding her a bit tight . Paid more attention to my grip today and it seemed better. I'm sure I'll relax with her more and more over time

[ARtraveler]

While not quite a "death grip", I was holding her a bit tight . Paid more attention to my grip today and it seemed better. I'm sure I'll relax with her more and more over time

It does get better with more miles.

[CJ.RamMan]

I would most definitely check the air pressure in the tires. When I first rode mine it was doing as you described, shifting back and forth in the lane. I got the same advice about not gripping so tight, which is good advice; but it may be something more. When I checked my tires my fronts had been inflated to 30 psi, and the rear was at 35 psi. I lowered the pressure to factory recommendation and it made a world of difference.

[spyder01]

Spyders are very sensitive to steering input unlike 2 wheelers.When they go over a bump or rise in the road on 1 side only they tend to throw your body to the other side and since your holding on to the bars you accidentally pull or push the bars to the opposite side which causes darting or shuffling across the lane.I have found that it takes a much higher level of concentration and phyisical work to ride these compared to 2 wheelers,but when you learn to hustle a Spyder down a twisty backroad youll feel like youve really done something.I feel like Im having more fun because Im really working it.One thing I just did on Wednesday was to put a BRP backrest on and I noticed that now my back is kinda held slighty in place which limits the g-forces from pushing my body around so much.Im leaving for a tour of the Smoky mtn nat. park area on monday so Ill get a good chance to see how much the backrest helps.

[UtahPete]

I've got about 150 miles on my RTLE and have noticed something - I get a constant side-to-side shuffle on most roads (unless they're pristinely flat and even). The crown of the road surface appears to be the problem. I'm not quite sure what keyword/s to search for to find info on this.

I did see one thread about lowering the pressure in the rear tire and I'll give that a try. Anything else I should be looking at?

First things first. Make sure the front tires have equal and adequate pressure. I don't think lowering the rear tire pressure is the answer.

[Bob Denman]

Spyders are very sensitive to steering input unlike 2 wheelers.When they go over a bump or rise in the road on 1 side only they tend to throw your body to the other side and since your holding on to the bars you accidentally pull or push the bars to the opposite side which causes darting or shuffling across the lane.I have found that it takes a much higher level of concentration and phyisical work to ride these compared to 2 wheelers,but when you learn to hustle a Spyder down a twisty backroad youll feel like youve really done something.I feel like Im having more fun because Im really working it.One thing I just did on Wednesday was to put a BRP backrest on and I noticed that now my back is kinda held slighty in place which limits the g-forces from pushing my body around so much.Im leaving for a tour of the Smoky mtn nat. park area on monday so Ill get a good chance to see how much the backrest helps.

This is an EXCELLENT description of what happens!

[kamper]

Tire pressure is the big one. When I bought mine it had been in winter storage and they had 35 psi in the tires. It was all over the place till I realized (thanks to this sight) that mine were way too high. he next great handling improvement was the tires switch to car tires. I can let go of the bars and it goes straight down the road.

[TRBorslien]

This is an EXCELLENT description of what happens!

I am still a beginner (a little over 3,000 miles) and I have learned to go (almost) hands free when I see some rough road ahead. The handgrips rattle in my hands and the spyder tracks like a dream. Try it the next time you go over railroad tracks and you will see what I mean. I used to do it on two wheels years ago.

This advice does not pertain to very rough patches when you are standing on your pegs with your knees flexed. You need to hold on tight for those!

[Luna]

I would most definitely check the air pressure in the tires. When I first rode mine it was doing as you described, shifting back and forth in the lane. I got the same advice about not gripping so tight, which is good advice; but it may be something more. When I checked my tires my fronts had been inflated to 30 psi, and the rear was at 35 psi. I lowered the pressure to factory recommendation and it made a world of difference.

I'll check my pressures when I get home!