Uncomfortable cornering

[Ben Burped]

I have a simple suggestion for those who would prefer no nanny. Get a Harley. Please push it to the point that one tire comes off the road and report back to us after you get out of the hospital. For the rest, simply ride like your life depends on it and be thankful when the amazing engineering that produced the nanny saves your ass when you find your limit. Personally, I just ride like I have some freaking sense and have faith in my heart that if I do push it way too hard that mama nanny will save my bacon, give me something to be thankful for, and take me safely home. This is all while I listen to XM radio through the speakers in my helmet and wave at all the crotch "Rocketeers" as they pass me on the "Snake".

I do have to confess that I have upgraded to the Fox shocks and Baha Ron's big, beefy anti-sway bar. The stock shocks and anti-sway bar didn't inspire confidence in myself or the RT. Way too much body roll stock.

Finally, yes I have found the nanny and she and I get along fine. Really fine.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The Can Am is my wife's, but I have ridden it a few times.....I was genuinely surprised by how much effort it takes to hustle one of these things thru a corner. Crank like hell on the bars, only to have it heel over to the side, feeling like it is about to tip over.....not very confidence inspiring, to say the least.

I have to admit my first reaction when I read your comment is, "What do you expect it to do, anyway?" I'm sure you've experienced the same thing I did when I had my Goldwing GL1800. In every curve there is a "sweet spot" of bank, sharpness of the curve, speed, and bike lean, where the two wheel bike will literally take itself around the curve with no force whatever applied to the handlebar. That's why two wheelers don't need power steering, because it takes almost no power to turn. You physically cannot have the same response with either 3 or 4 wheels since there is no lean of the bike body and gyroscopic force does not come into play.

The Spyder turns like an ATV, not a two wheeler, and it wants to track straight ahead, just like a car. That's why you have to apply force to the handlebars to make a turn. It does have power steering to assist you while turning the handlebar. But once you have stopped the motion of moving the handlebar the power assist backs off while you hold the bar steady. The force or pull you feel while going around the curve is the Spyder wanting to return the front wheels back to straight ahead.

[CSI]

I have to admit my first reaction when I read your comment is, "What do you expect it to do, anyway?" I'm sure you've experienced the same thing I did when I had my Goldwing GL1800. In every curve there is a "sweet spot" of bank, sharpness of the curve, speed, and bike lean, where the two wheel bike will literally take itself around the curve with no force whatever applied to the handlebar. That's why two wheelers don't need power steering, because it takes almost no power to turn. You physically cannot have the same response with either 3 or 4 wheels since there is no lean of the bike body and gyroscopic force does not come into play.

The Spyder turns like an ATV, not a two wheeler, and it wants to track straight ahead, just like a car. That's why you have to apply force to the handlebars to make a turn. It does have power steering to assist you while turning the handlebar. But once you have stopped the motion of moving the handlebar the power assist backs off while you hold the bar steady. The force or pull you feel while going around the curve is the Spyder wanting to return the front wheels back to straight ahead.

Thank you for the intelligent response!!

Currently I ride an FJR1300...prior to that I had a Wing....so like you, all of my experience was on two wheels. We DID have a quad for a few years, so I am familiar with those also....but the street riding on the quad was limited, and quite frankly? A quad is WAY to twitchy to ride at speed on the blacktop.

As I rarely ride it, the cornering characteristics don't really concern me.......my questions are more intended to provide me with some tips I can pass along to the wife.

[SailnDive]

As many have indicated, cornering on the Spyder is getting easier with practice. But my attitude toward the computer has not changed. I've chosen to spend my life racing fast cars, jumping out of planes, sailing boats under black clouds in high winds and riding motorcycles all without reliance on computers ...until the last few years. How did I possibly make it to the age of 70 without a computer telling me what to do in these risky sports? Mainly by using my God given brain and practice.

I liked that I had to learn to double clutch to sync the engine to the transmission to go from 5th to 2nd gear at the end of the straight rather than have a computer do it for us like the modern race cars do. Where's the skill in that? I spent a lot of track time learning the old skills.

So if you like and want the nanny...great! But don't give me a hard time if I don't. And especially don't make me use a computer that will not let me start my machine just because it's having a bad day. Every late model vehicle and heavy equipment that I own has had a costly computer repair. Stupid! Why should a backhoe have a computer that costs $2700 to repair. Stupid! My 1974 Case Dozer always starts and works. So let me control the Spyder when it needs it...I know how to do that! And if I don't...so be it.

[Bob Denman]

Hi Dave,
If you don't want a hard time over your dislike of "Nanny"; don't make such a big deal out of her. Until you figure out how to rip her out of the system; she's gonna be there... watching you!

Enjoy the music, and sing along!

[flaggerphil]

As many have indicated, cornering on the Spyder is getting easier with practice. But my attitude toward the computer has not changed. I've chosen to spend my life racing fast cars, jumping out of planes, sailing boats under black clouds in high winds and riding motorcycles all without reliance on computers ...until the last few years. How did I possibly make it to the age of 70 without a computer telling me what to do in these risky sports? Mainly by using my God given brain and practice.

I liked that I had to learn to double clutch to sync the engine to the transmission to go from 5th to 2nd gear at the end of the straight rather than have a computer do it for us like the modern race cars do. Where's the skill in that? I spent a lot of track time learning the old skills.

So if you like and want the nanny...great! But don't give me a hard time if I don't. And especially don't make me use a computer that will not let me start my machine just because it's having a bad day. Every late model vehicle and heavy equipment that I own has had a costly computer repair. Stupid! Why should a backhoe have a computer that costs $2700 to repair. Stupid! My 1974 Case Dozer always starts and works. So let me control the Spyder when it needs it...I know how to do that! And if I don't...so be it.

Sigh. Never mind.

Oh, I take it you've never driven a modern race car with paddle shifts, have you? The skill is different than that in "the old days", but there's still a LOT of skill involved.

Anyway, good luck with your Spyder. Though, the way you carry on, I still don't know why you bought it.

[Highwayman2013]

Yep, most modern motorcycles have computer controls. My 2010 Vulcan has ABS, my friend got a new KTM adventure bike in June and it has all kinds of computer controls even the suspension. Good luck with unhooking nanny, I think mine will stay hooked up.

[SailnDive]

Sigh.

Anyway, good luck with your Spyder. Though, the way you carry on, I still don't know why you bought it.

If I had known of all of the computer control and DESS problems before hand, I may not have bought it. But that is simply because I did not find the bad press in time. I should have looked harder I suppose. Now that I've changed the sway bar and had a seat cushion made I really like riding the bike. I just hope the computer behaves.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Now that I've changed the sway bar and had a seat cushion made I really like riding the bike. I just hope the computer behaves.

It will! In a few more weeks after you've really gotten acquainted with how it rides, and want to back track on some of your initial comments, we'll help you find a good recipe on how to fix crow for eating! Best of all, you'll still be part of a great group of Spyder lovers!

[flaggerphil]

If I had known of all of the computer control and DESS problems before hand, I may not have bought it. But that is simply because I did not find the bad press in time. I should have looked harder I suppose. Now that I've changed the sway bar and had a seat cushion made I really like riding the bike. I just hope the computer behaves.

Well, as much as you've wanted to get rid of it, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned on you somewhere down the line...

[Roadster Renovations]

.........or saved you from a nasty crash someday.......

[SailnDive]

Well, as much as you've wanted to get rid of it, I wouldn't be surprised if it turned on you somewhere down the line...

Nothing you can say will change my mind about computers in vehicles and equipment. I really like riding the Spyder AND my John Deere 110 backhoe. But I hate their expensive and unreliable computers. End of this coversation please?

[CSI]

[dlby]

When I walk, go up Ladders or Jam with the music my computer brain usually works[emoji41]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk

[SailnDive]

When I walk, go up Ladders or Jam with the music my computer brain usually works[emoji41]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk

Exactly! And the brain also does a good job of dealing with problems that require fast and correct actions...especially if the brain is well practiced. After years of such practice...I have a really hard time turning these decisions over to a machine that is proven to fail on occasions. But some brains are not well practiced and the Nanny may be good for them. Which is why I say "to each their own" and leave me alone! Notice that I do not make disparaging remarks about those that disagree with me. Some on here should adopt the same habit!

[Pampurrs]

Exactly! And the brain also does a good job of dealing with problems that require fast and correct actions...especially if the brain is well practiced. After years of such practice...I have a really hard time turning these decisions over to a machine that is proven to fail on occasions. But some brains are not well practiced and the Nanny may be good for them. Which is why I say "to each their own" and leave me alone! Notice that I do not make disparaging remarks about those that disagree with me. Some on here should adopt the same habit!

Why don't you just engineer a way to turn it off. You seem like a person who can do anything..... jump out of airplanes, exchange parachutes with other skydivers in midair, build your own racecars. Not sure what else you have done that you haven't bragged about yet. If I were you and had all those talents, I would have just disabled the nanny by now.

Pam

[Bob Denman]

A couple of times, I have asked you how many miles you have logged, and haven't received an answer.
Are you willing to engage on that issue yet?

[Pirate looks at --]

Hi Dave,
If you don't want a hard time over your dislike of "Nanny"; don't make such a big deal out of her. Until you figure out how to rip her out of the system; she's gonna be there... watching you!

Enjoy the music, and sing along!

Loves me Some Joe Walsh! Nice Bob, and appropriate for the OP!

[Bob Denman]

I always thought that his music was unusual enough for me... that it was perfect!

[Pampurrs]

I always thought that his music was unusual enough for me... that it was perfect!

Joe Walsh and Jeff Lynne on stage together. Doesn't get much better than that!

[Bob Denman]

You have one very fine ear...

[Pampurrs]

You have one very fine ear...

Well maybe not so much my ear....... Joe Walsh introduced Jeff Lynne at the beginning of the video

[Bob Denman]

I was actually referring to your taste in music...

[Pampurrs]

I was actually referring to your taste in music...

Ah yes. Thank you

[Pirate looks at --]

Gotta go one better: