Dirt Roads

[Bill Las Vegas]

How does a spyder do on dirt roads?

[Bob Denman]

It pretty much depends on much much "road" there is to the dirt... Ground clearance wil murder you if it's deeply rutted!
But... If you take it slow and steady and read your surface conditions you should be okay.
WATCH OUT FOR ROCKS!!

[Bob Denman]

Or... you could do this...

[bmwlarry]

I was at the dealership yesterday to have the trailer harness installed on my bike. I have only had it a couple of weeks. Before I left, we talked a bit about the bike and he warned me to go VERY slow on dirt roads because they have seen several come in with damage because rooks got stuck in the belt or drive sprocket. A very expensive fix!

[ARtraveler]

The is not made for off roading. The low clearance would be the biggest problem if you get where there are a lots of ruts and dips.

I stay away from these and rocky roads. Others have been brave and went where most wont.

[SpydherLuv]

I have taken my RT thru a couple of treachorous dirt roads and it does just fine. The roads were pretty much gravel free and the dirt was compacted, but as long as you take it very slow, it'll do fine.

[boborgera]

How does a spyder do on dirt roads?

I have to ride about 2 miles on a dirt road at least 2 times a month to get to my Hunting Club, And like previous posts, Go slow and easy. The Spyder it not an ATV there's too many low And expensive part's that can be damaged'.

[flybuddy]

This might be helpful on any road with debris:

THE "MISSING BELT GUARD" - FITS ALL SPYDER MODELS

The “Missing Belt Guard” is the one part that could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs that a warranty won’t cover. Now you can have complete peace of mind that your belt is protected.
This special “Missing Belt Guard” attaches onto the left swing arm and prevents stones or other debris from getting onto the drive belt and then lodging in the rear sprocket. Made of black Polycarbonate to be light, strong and durable. This is an easy install with complete instructions and additional hardware.
SPY102- The"Missing Belt Guard"- Price: $35.00 + $12.50 shipping/handling in Continental U.S.,

[Yazz]

This might be helpful on any road with debris:

THE "MISSING BELT GUARD" - FITS ALL SPYDER MODELS

Have one installed on Spydee. Road alot of dirt and gravel roads and never picked up a rock.

[Yazz]

flybuddy, Congrats on your first post!

[Arr MiHardies]

Or... you could do this...

That's pretty cool. I like it.

[xpeschon]

Darn, as always Yazz beat me to it, welcome aboard flybuddy..

X Joe

[tofriendscreek]

Have one installed on Spydee. Road alot of dirt and gravel roads and never picked up a rock.

I had one on the RS and have one on my RT. I've experienced a few less than paved roads on my adventures.
And, live on a county highway which is overlain every few years with emulsion topped with pea sized rock.
I take it easy when not on paved roads and have never to date had a rock in the belt.


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[SpydherLuv]

You should also keep in mind that since these are rear-wheel drive vehicles, you could end up getting yourself stuck somewhere if the rear wheel isn't able to gain enough traction to move the forward. If you're a strong person who can push the out of ditch, then more power to you, but I once got my GS stuck in a soft dirt area and had to have a couple of friends push me out - had this happened on my RT, it would have been much more difficult.

A good rule of thumb would be that you can basically ride the 's on any road that you wouldn't be afraid of driving your 4-wheeled 2WD's on.

[SethO]

they are fun as hell on dirt roads, barring the clearance issues people said. the Nanny helps you out and i shot 2 grouse off my spyder on dirt roads. keep in mind that you only have one drive tire so if you don't want to get stuck don't risk it.

[Firefly]

they are fun as hell on dirt roads, barring the clearance issues people said. the Nanny helps you out and i shot 2 grouse off my spyder on dirt roads. keep in mind that you only have one drive tire so if you don't want to get stuck don't risk it.

It's a blast to break the rear loose on gravel....do some some fish-tailing, etc... Gotta learn what the limits are. I can spin mine around 180 pretty easily on gravel.....

Never been worried about the belt.... and I run with all the guards off.... but I know some that have had problems.

[Bob Denman]

...And nobody's gonna write you a ticket for some fun on a dirt road...

[boborgera]

...And nobody's gonna write you a ticket for some fun on a dirt road...

Sure they will,
Section; 45/70 of the Traffic Code ; Making Excessive Dust While Having Fun.

[owens9fingers]

The R/T can hold a lot of ammo and rifles for some prarie dog hunting...... so you gota go where the dogs are !! We made it to Douglas, WY. and went thru some "Challanging" roads, and the rancher said to try his neighbors place.... just down the road. So .... about 10 miles later.......... on these type of roads.......... we were there!! So.............. just pick your lane and go for it !!

[Questions]

I have not had any problems on my dirt road as of yet knock on wood I travel 2.4 mile to the main road on a daily basis I do go slow and easy and with rain it can get sloshy but all it takes is one rock or a good soft spot to suck you into a ditch. The dogs and snakes seem to be worse than the dirt and rocks. Good luck

[SPYDERGUY1]

my first and last experience was not a pleasant one, spydee all over the road. spoke with a guy earlier and he travels dirt roads from his house to hiway, about 5 miles and he claims he flies along about 45 mph, never seen it so can't confirm...

[joet82]

went down the Moki Dugway today, a part of Utah Hwy 261, aka the Trail of the Ancients, a 3 mile, 10% grade, 1100 foot drop gravel road, and granted i stayed in 2nd gear and coasted most of the way down, the Spyder held the road perfectly and the washboards tested the Elka's. i had no problem at all traveling on the road.

[WackyDan]

I have been on some pretty bad roads... broken pavement, dirt, gravel, mixed... Fresh deep gravel is horrible, but your average gravel road is fine and I've never had any stones in my belt and I also have no guards.

One short cut through caused me to bottom out the front hard against the skid pad, reminding me to slow down... I don't hurry down those types of roads anymore.

[Star Cruiser]

Last summer I rode a "Hiway" in Saskatchewan. The entire road was gravel, fairly loose. It was 35 km before I could take an exit so my RS was slippin' and sliding on the loose stone at about 80 km hour (50mph). The nanny kept sensing a "slip" and eventually I had to stop at the side of the road and let the default code (limp mode) go away. I was trying to stay in third gear, but thought there might be less slippage in 4th. 4th was lugging a bit and really not much better. so in a word - NO, the spyder does NOT handle the gravel (at least loose gravel) very well at all.

[Farmboy]

I highly recommend spyderpops bump-skid. I live on a gravel road, have to go little over a mile be for I hit pavement. My stock plate under the frunk was half gone! just worn away. If the road grader grades my road, he sometimes will turn up rocks so big that if I go over one, it will lift a front tire off the ground. The new bump skid protects the under side very well. http://www.spyderpops.com/