Upper body strength

[marty1096]

A Harley rider 76 who had a shoulder replacement surgery asked me today does he need upper body strength to operate a spyder?

 

[cptjam]

Nope

Power steering. We know a one armed woman who rides hard. Perfect machine for him!

 

[Jeriatric]

A Harley rider 76 who had a shoulder replacement surgery asked me today does he need upper body strength to operate a spyder?

Seems to me, if he can manage getting his Harley off the stand and down the road it would depend on how aggressively he would want to ride a Spyder. He'd probably do fine.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Lots of us who have had fairly extensive shoulder surgery manage to ryde our Spyders fine, even (arguably) great! :thumbup:

Sure, you do need some upper body strength, but the Spyder has Power Steering & with the model range & U-fit there's going to be something suitable that puts less stress on whatever area of his shoulder has been compromised. Tell him to give it a try & see how he feels.

 

[Slowpoke387]

I will admit the term "power steering" implies more power assist than it really seems to offer. I was expecting a bit more "power" from the power steering. I have a disability so this was concern for me too. Best thing would be a test ride somehow.

 

[wd8ajj]

I have had both shoulders replaced 4 times and still ride. RT and with the power assist steering have no problems.
Also have had both hips done 5 times and the left leg is now all metal:clap:l. Still ride and not planing to stop anytime soon. I am 64 years young.

 

[Chupaca]

Well....

It's my understanding that it takes a lot more to manhandle a harley, harley trike than any spyder. The DPS (dynamic power steering) which assists when needed most at slow speeds and stopped. If you had full power steering at all speed you would have serious issues handling it....

 

[canamjhb]

I'm going to disagree with others here. I just purchased a 2014 RT Ltd after riding goldwings for over 30 years. The Spyder takes a bit more arm strength in the twisties. A 2 wheeler can handle twisties with body lean and counter steering. Very subtle movement causes easy twisty cruising. A 3 wheeler is different. It requires that you move the handle bars in order to steer. Although the Spyder steering is not too difficult, it does, in fact take a little more shoulder and arm strength than a 2 wheeler. Don't mean to rain on your parade but if your friend cannot handle a 2 wheeler due to arm strength, he will be unhappy with a Spyder. Having said that, Knee, Hip, and other leg problems are accommodated very well with the Spyder.

Edit for additional thought.... The Spyder is less stressful in high wind conditions and MUCH less effected by cross winds. My thoughts on twisties still stands but riding with cross winds takes much LESS arm strength on the Spyder. I've ridden both the Goldwing and Spyder in 50+MPH cross winds and will go with the Spyder every time.....

 

[Bob Denman]

Yes, he DOES need upper body strength! :shocked:

For waving to all of the other Spyder Ryders!

 

[trikerbiker645]

I agree with canamjhb, I've owned 2 wheels, conventional trikes, now spyder rts and it will take more arm strength than a 2 wheel in the twisties. I also feel it takes more arm strength than a conventional trike if its been racked properly. I work out playing raquetball and lifting weights a min. of 5 days a week and often more so its not like I don't have the strength and I can tell the difference. If your not doing a ton of twisties the other benefits far out weigh a 2 wheeler. You could also learn to to lock your one arm out when cornering and just push with that arm [more leverage] into the corner and just use the other arm for additional control or to pull a little if needed in a very sharp turn. That will make a BIG difference instead of constantly just pushing and pulling with both arms bent on turns. I was taught that by an old gentleman that rode trikes forever when I got my first trike. It works! Or take twisties slow enough that you get more assist from the bike. Good luck with your decision. Safe riding!

 

[wmh9680]

I've had shoulder problems for a long time ( 1998 rotator right shoulder and reverse right shoulder replacement this year 14 weeks ago and my left shoulder has a torn rotator cuff and my right ac joint is very arthriric). I love riding too much to stop. My wife (she's had 2 spinal fusions, the last 3 years ago) and I decided it's time for 3 wheels. I am 67 and she is 60. We loved 2 wheels (she loved the Kawa Voyager and all it's creature comforts and I loved my Yamaha Virago although I loved both. I'm 5' 9" and 170 lbs so I'm not to big.

Anyway I find I have no problem riding the Spyder. I do use the left arm for control more but it is no problem. Actually I only use the right arem mostly for the gas.The only problem is the ac joint tends to hurt. I could ride 2 wheels but I don't think it would be too smart considering our siruation. We don't want to mess anything up that the Drs have fixed. True in the twisties it would be easier with 2 wheels but again if I had to swerve fast ot make a quick move that took alot it would be a problem. Also you can be more relaxed on the Spyder, I call it worry free riding. That being said the biggest problem is manuvering it around the garage and parking lot when you are hardly moving. That being said I hope I have the smarts to aleays be more careful as at 67 things can hurt more and take longer to heal.

Thanks, Mike

 

[flyday58]

s'more noob insight

I'm finding I am using different, but not necessarily more, arm technique than on two-wheelies. Last weekend I went for a 100-mile ride through the mountains here, and after several miles of back-road twisties discovered that if I cup my left hand over the end of the grip I achieved two things: I had better and more precise control in the bends, and I could still greet other scoots without taking my hand off the bars. It felt similar to counter-steering my Venture. Now I'm left-handed, so that may be why it works for me, and of course when necessary it's back to a full grip on the left side. But I'm thinking the main takeaway here is for the gent to try it for himself, it may just not be his thing.
:ani29:

 

[wmh9680]

You are correct. Everything/everyone is/are different (not sure about that use of words). The Spyder is different. Everyone that asks me about it I tell them it takes a little learning to feel comfortable. It's just is different. But I find it very comfortable. I don't have to worry as much about cages and bumps and stones in the road and puttin my feet down when I stop. I also need a rt knee replacement. Thanks, Mike

 

[UtahPete]

Upper body strength demands on a Spyder vs 2-wheeler

I'm going to disagree with others here. I just purchased a 2014 RT Ltd after riding goldwings for over 30 years. The Spyder takes a bit more arm strength in the twisties. A 2 wheeler can handle twisties with body lean and counter steering. Very subtle movement causes easy twisty cruising. A 3 wheeler is different. It requires that you move the handle bars in order to steer. Although the Spyder steering is not too difficult, it does, in fact take a little more shoulder and arm strength than a 2 wheeler. Don't mean to rain on your parade but if your friend cannot handle a 2 wheeler due to arm strength, he will be unhappy with a Spyder. Having said that, Knee, Hip, and other leg problems are accommodated very well with the Spyder.

Edit for additional thought.... The Spyder is less stressful in high wind conditions and MUCH less effected by cross winds. My thoughts on twisties still stands but riding with cross winds takes much LESS arm strength on the Spyder. I've ridden both the Goldwing and Spyder in 50+MPH cross winds and will go with the Spyder every time.....

I agree with the above, having ridden both extensively. However, I also know that when riders are talking about upper body strength demands, they're really talking about low-speed conditions, especially two-up, where MOST (i.e. not experts) riders have trouble handling their bike. This is why I bought a Spyder; I'm not strong in the upper body to begin with, but riding with a passenger and luggage became a hair-raising experience in parking lots and such.

Tell your friend that the Spyder is the hands-down best solution to continuing riding when age or medical conditions limit the ability to hold a 900# bike upright at low speeds.

 

[rcturner]

I'm going to disagree with others here. I just purchased a 2014 RT Ltd after riding goldwings for over 30 years. The Spyder takes a bit more arm strength in the twisties. A 2 wheeler can handle twisties with body lean and counter steering. Very subtle movement causes easy twisty cruising. A 3 wheeler is different. It requires that you move the handle bars in order to steer. Although the Spyder steering is not too difficult, it does, in fact take a little more shoulder and arm strength than a 2 wheeler. Don't mean to rain on your parade but if your friend cannot handle a 2 wheeler due to arm strength, he will be unhappy with a Spyder. Having said that, Knee, Hip, and other leg problems are accommodated very well with the Spyder.

Edit for additional thought.... The Spyder is less stressful in high wind conditions and MUCH less effected by cross winds. My thoughts on twisties still stands but riding with cross winds takes much LESS arm strength on the Spyder. I've ridden both the Goldwing and Spyder in 50+MPH cross winds and will go with the Spyder every time.....

Yep :agree::agree::agree:

 

[loisk]

Something else to consider - which model?

I have a dicky shoulder and find the f3s puts way less strain on it than either of my previous spyders, Rs and st. I have not owned or ridden the rt.

 

[jaherbst]

"Manly Men doing Manly Things on a Manly Spyder." And they all thought we were a bunch of "sisies" for

riding these "girly" Spyders. :joke:

​Jack

 

[UtahPete]

"Manly Men doing Manly Things on a Manly Spyder." And they all thought we were a bunch of "sisies" for

riding these "girly" Spyders. :joke:

​Jack

What's your point, Jack? Never mind, I don't want to know.