First Ride Today....

[triplethreat]

Well, I bought the 2019 RTL last weekend and got it home on a trailer (450 miles and through a snow blizzard for about 10 miles of that). So I got it out today and took a little spin....my first time ever really riding a Spyder. I gotta say....whoa....so much different than two wheels. I've been riding since 1971 on two wheels, and the last 20 or so on sportbikes. My wife and I even did a 7 year stint as Instructors/Coaches with a Motorcycle Track Day Organization, so suffice to say, I'm not inexperienced on bikes. The Spyder is so different than two wheels and I'm a bit surprised at how the least little bit of pressure on the bars with make it move around in the lane. Not like scary or needing alignment, I don't think, but just very quick to react to bar input. I can certainly see why a very light grip/touch on the bars is the way to ride it. When I got back home, my wife asked me if I still want to sell my FZ09 or just keep it and the Spyder. I told her it's probably too early to to answer that question, as they both are fun and I am going to give it some time getting used to the Spyder and riding it. All in all, a good day and I'm looking forward to most like getting a Bajaron sway bar on it as it does seem to be a little uneasy in the corners.

 

[Lew L]

Congrats on the new ryde. I also have a Yamaha ( with scoops ).

Body position and or knee bracing does wonders for " spirited" cornering. It's a bit like ( will maybe a lot ) like hanging off on the FZ. Have fun:doorag:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I hope you read at some of the " Do's & Dont's " thread, lots of useful pertinent info ….. and there aren't any Spyders that really need the sway bar up-grade …. I am not knocking what Ron has produced … it does exactly what it's supposed to do ….. However as easily as you have become comfortable with your Spyder, from my own experience ( similar to yours ) is over the course a few years, I have become way more proficient as a driver then I was during my first few months .So imho learn the OEM spyder and then decide what should be improved …… good luck …. Mike hyea:

 

[triplethreat]

Congrats on the new ryde. I also have a Yamaha ( with scoops ).

Body position and or knee bracing does wonders for " spirited" cornering. It's a bit like ( will maybe a lot ) like hanging off on the FZ. Have fun:doorag:

Scoops huh.......bet I know what that is! Yea, body position was a huge factor when riding on the track, and I'm sure it will be a factor with the Spyder also. One of my buddys commented to me about getting a Spyder and said.....Bet it's gonna be hard to get a knee down with that. I told him that if I do, something has gone terribly wrong! :shocked: I've lived the last 7 years (on weekends at the track), with very high speed, lean angles close enough to almost get an elbow down, and puck sliders on the pavement. This is definitely going to be a change for me, but I'm sure I'll get it by just taking it easy and progressing at my comfort level.

 

[WDAVEY]

I don't have nearly the experience on 2 wheels that you do, but I did ride 2 wheels regularly since 2002. My 2019 RTL felt "twitchy" since day one, but I kept learning to relax my grip, different handlebar push/pull methods, weight shift etc with some improvement. Last week I had the 3,000 mile check up and laser alignment. The bike is much more stable and planted now. They only charged 1 hour labor, so I think it was money well spent. Even though it's better, I ordered the Bajaron sway bar. I figure it's like chicken soup, it can't hurt.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

So I got it out today and took a little spin....my first time ever really riding a Spyder. I gotta say....whoa....so much different than two wheels. I've been riding since 1971 on two wheels, and the last 20 or so on sportbikes. My wife and I even did a 7 year stint as Instructors/Coaches with a Motorcycle Track Day Organization, so suffice to say, I'm not inexperienced on bikes.

Interestingly, and what others have experienced, all those years of two wheel experience aren't always a benefit! Do a search on new or first ride here in the forum and you'll find a lot of eye-blearing discussion about adjusting to the Spyder after riding two wheels. If you have any ATV or snowmobile experience draw on that to get acquainted with the Spyder. Otherwise, heed the advice of dozens of others who were in the same boat as you are now, and have come to enjoy their machine so much they'll never go back to two wheels.

As for the adjustment I'm not a good one to give you much advice. I had several years of ATV experience and moving over from my Goldwing to the Spyder was somewhat like a duck to water!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Here's a link to the do's and don'ts BlueKnight refers to: https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

 

[ARtraveler]

:congrats: on your new ride. :yes:

 

[CopperSpyder]

Just remember when you ride the FZ09 reach for the brake lever and make sure and use the kickstand when you park. :2thumbs: Enjoy the Ride!!

 

[triplethreat]

Just remember when you ride the FZ09 reach for the brake lever and make sure and use the kickstand when you park. :2thumbs: Enjoy the Ride!!

LOL.....I get the feeling I'm going to be reaching for the front brake lever for a long time. That's a habit that will be hard to break......for the brake!