I am new to riding on the Interstate, but the few rides we have taken, when approaching an 18 wheeler I encounter a heck of lot of buffering. Is this normal, or am I doing something wrong. It tends to scare the :cus: out of me and the little woman behind me gets very unhappy. As everybody knows we don't want an unhappy woman.. Thanks..
-
There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
18 wheelers
- Thread starter Harley
- Start date
Jeriatric
Thinks out loud
It's normal. Try increasing the spring tension on your front shocks for added stability.
Bob Denman
New member
:agree: If you're aware that it's going to happen; it'd easier to deal with it! :thumbup: Grip the tank with your knees to help steady yourself on the bike too!
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
It seems to be the "normal" thing. I also note that 18 wheelers that are carrying shipping containers instead of a regular trailer seem to give off even more buffeting.
johnnyg
New member
The best way to deal with 18 wheeler is, stay as far as you can to the left an put the hammer down. If you can't pass stay back off them at lest a 100 feet or further. Trust me I drive a 18 wheeler I look for bikes that are not paying attention an do my best to let them go around if possible.I have a 2010 RT when we went to Cowtown this year I had them put the ELKa [stage #1] shocks on an I don't worry about 18 wheelers any more, Put a good pair of shocks and adj your air in your tires if you are running what BRP recommends it's to low for me I'am 6'2'' 255 lb the stiffer the front end is the better you can feel the road which all falls back to the handling of your spyder. I run 30 in the front 30 in the rear, My wife has a 2011 RS an she runs 20 in the front an 30 in the rear. She 5' 4'' and NO I'am not that stupid :yikes:
Last edited:
shelbydave
New member
I watched one shred a tire on I-95. Itry to be in a different zip code when following them.
billybovine
Active member
No buffeting
I passed this 18 wheeler (well honestly I don't know how many wheels it has) and had no buffeting at all. :joke:
I passed this 18 wheeler (well honestly I don't know how many wheels it has) and had no buffeting at all. :joke:
SpyderAnn01
Active member
Do you ride with your windshield all the way up? I find that doing that causes more buffeting so I always ride with mine all the way down.
CMA Cowboy
New member
Elkas fixed a lot of the buffeting for me. I do get around them as quickly as possible. Saw one hit a rubber gater and sent rubber flying all over. Bit unnerving on a bike.
Eraser
New member
Elkas solved it for me as well:thumbup:.The Spyder is Rock solid,but I get pitched around a bit.To be expected.
Normal. Two-wheelers suffer the same problem. The best thing is to stay loose. The bike gets buffeted but is more stable than you think. The problem is that you also get buffeted and if you're tense (which is normal) and tighten up, then every time you get moved, you also pull on the bars, even if you don't intend to. So your movement pulls the bars and the bike changes direction. Then you work harder at staying straight and get more tense and tighter and the spiral gets worse. Stay loose, let yourself get blown around without moving the bars and you'll be OK. Annoying but OK. I agree the stiffer front shock setting helps and I recently added Elka's to my 2011 RT and they help a lot. But concentrate on staying loose and keep your arms relaxed. Not easy at first but try it and you'll get the hang of it.
GloryRyders
MOgang Member
I agree with adding the elka's...............since we had them put on prior to Spyderfest this year, we don't have near the problems with 18 wheelers as in the past!:2thumbs:
flybuddy
New member
I agree but when I do this I get some helmet buffeting (I've got the sport windscreen)...The only time I crank it all the way up is when I'm going over 70 to stop the helmet shake. The sport windscreen does help with turbulence. One word of caution though, if you like looking over the windscreen and add Elkas, it raises the front up and you're only about an inch lower than where you started.
Kinderhook
New member
Buffeting
Much like the "wandering" that some new riders report, buffeting is more a matter of what the rider feels than what is happening to the Spyder. Just relax and steer normally and you'll find the machine handles the wind with no problem. You don't need high priced shocks or settings so high as to make the ride too stiff for comfort. As you will quickly find, this forum is full of folks who can't wait to "improve" their ride with all kinds of after market devices. I am not saying these add ons are of no value, but do feel most are not needed for safe operation. Get used to your machine with at least 600-1,000 miles riding time and then make a decision on shocks; you just might save yourself some serious money.
Much like the "wandering" that some new riders report, buffeting is more a matter of what the rider feels than what is happening to the Spyder. Just relax and steer normally and you'll find the machine handles the wind with no problem. You don't need high priced shocks or settings so high as to make the ride too stiff for comfort. As you will quickly find, this forum is full of folks who can't wait to "improve" their ride with all kinds of after market devices. I am not saying these add ons are of no value, but do feel most are not needed for safe operation. Get used to your machine with at least 600-1,000 miles riding time and then make a decision on shocks; you just might save yourself some serious money.
Thanks to Everyone.
I really appreciate all the replys, and I am going to try to stay "loose and relaxed" when I am behind an 18 wheeler. You can bet that I am going to be squeezing the Spyder with my knees, though. Thanks again and God Bless..
I really appreciate all the replys, and I am going to try to stay "loose and relaxed" when I am behind an 18 wheeler. You can bet that I am going to be squeezing the Spyder with my knees, though. Thanks again and God Bless..
Bob Denman
New member
The reason that I suggested locking on with your knees, is that the buffeting can get you to rocking around int he saddle and it's easy to add a little bit of unwanted steering input under those conditions... :shocked: :thumbup:
currin20fan
GOS member (Girls On Spyders)
Buffering
Installed Stage 1 Elka's and relaxed the grip on my 2011 RT limited. I am now "one"
with the :spyder2:. Works great! I highly recommend it!
Installed Stage 1 Elka's and relaxed the grip on my 2011 RT limited. I am now "one"
with the :spyder2:. Works great! I highly recommend it!
donec
New member
I found with the stock pegs on my GS SE5 that it was pretty hard for me to squeeze my knees to hold onto my Spyder but after installing the Seal Floorboards and 4"x1" HeliBars Risers I don't really need to squeeze my knees at all.
Similar threads
