Night Riding

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WELL

I've never noticed an issue with the controls being lit or unlit. I don't look down to thumb at my controls (aside from the center 'console' ones, which is fairly rare), so the lights would make nearly no difference. If you still have to look down to press your turn signals, horn, beams, or paddle-shifter (Unless you have some condition which prevents constant, consistent targeting with your digits)...I'd highly advise not riding at night, as experience will allow you to learn their locations and functions without needing to glance.

Thank goodness the Lord put at least a few PERFECT people on this earth.......and aren't you glad you are one of them....:hun: :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::2excited::thumbup:

 

[jerpinoy]

I'm just glad the controls are better than brille.:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Rockwall]

The best advice I ever got about riding is that is needs to be instinctual and by feel. I have an SM5 and shifting is best handled by the sound and vibration of the bike. As for the constant complaints at BRP my Spyder (the basic RS model) has FAR more features than all of my buddies have on their Harley's, Honda's, Kaw's, etc. put together. Just the other day my buddy on his modded up Harley Fatboy was impressed as hell that I even had a clock.

Not spouting the company line, just saying that there are ton of great, unique features on these machines that we love.:doorag:

 

[Doug]

pay for it

The best advice I ever got about riding is that is needs to be instinctual and by feel. I have an SM5 and shifting is best handled by the sound and vibration of the bike. As for the constant complaints at BRP my Spyder (the basic RS model) has FAR more features than all of my buddies have on their Harley's, Honda's, Kaw's, etc. put together. Just the other day my buddy on his modded up Harley Fatboy was impressed as hell that I even had a clock.

Not spouting the company line, just saying that there are ton of great, unique features on these machines that we love.:doorag:

I love and enjoy riding my :spyder2: and you are totally correct, there are alot of great and unique features on the :spyder2:, and it came with a price, while the Fat Boy came with a Terminator :yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

WHAT???

 

[Bazeel]

Thank goodness the Lord put at least a few PERFECT people on this earth.......and aren't you glad you are one of them....:hun: :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::2excited::thumbup:

I assure you that I am far, far from perfect. Just an aging soldier who drills with equipment that may jeopardize his life if used inappropriately. I have enough to worry about with people not paying attention on the road (Texting/eating, etc) to have to try and juggle -too- much in active thought processes.

 

[Tierhog]

The best advice I ever got about riding is that is needs to be instinctual and by feel. I have an SM5 and shifting is best handled by the sound and vibration of the bike. As for the constant complaints at BRP my Spyder (the basic RS model) has FAR more features than all of my buddies have on their Harley's, Honda's, Kaw's, etc. put together. Just the other day my buddy on his modded up Harley Fatboy was impressed as hell that I even had a clock.

Not spouting the company line, just saying that there are ton of great, unique features on these machines that we love.:doorag:

BINGO...

I work nights and ride in daily. I never look at the tach and seldom look at the speed. I dont think I ever used the horn before and probably never will. Turn signal is easy... Just a small stretch of the thumb. High beam is occasionally used and its location is memorized. Easy peazy... All in good time

 

[flaggerphil]

I'm trying to remember back at the bikes I had before the Spyder and whether any of the hand controls were lit at night...and I don't think they were.

Just an observation...

 

[otter28169]

I am probably :bdh: but I too ride a lot at night and only rarely glance down for a look at the speedometer. I have had my right hand operated on (open release for carpal tunnel issues), and the left hand is in need of the same thing. I have nerve damage in both hands and am lucky enough to still be able to ride. I do hit the horn, when going for the turn signals, every now and then. Other than the wake-up call I give to the wildlife I think the setup is pretty smooth.

Just sayin'............

 

[Yelhelp]

Me too

I still hit the turnsignals every once in a while instead of the horn... and in broad daylight! :gaah:

But that's OK I'm not allowed out after dark :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Flanker]

you should not be looking down to hand controls while driving especially at night. Maybe in time it will be second nature. :dontknow:

Well said, Sir. BTW: I took mine out for the first time Saturday night, the headlights were centered up laterally in my lane just great. Aimed a tad high though. The lows were like. wwwaaaaayyyyyyyy down the road, and when I switched on the highs to check them out I could count all the insulators on top of the telephone poles due to the excellent visibility! Time to bust out my manual and wrenches.........................if I remember rightly, the adjusters are accessed by pulling the instrument cluster and going in through there. Sheesh!

 

[Larry rt]

I discovered , if you stiffen the ride, the beams go lower , if you soften the ride they go higher
I ride a 2013 rt ltd ,

 

[GeoffCee]

I discovered , if you stiffen the ride, the beams go lower , if you soften the ride they go higher
I ride a 2013 rt ltd ,

In March 2011 when I got my RT the shared wisdom was to wind up the shocks as a stiffer ride improved the handling and they've been at max ever since. I do remember lifting the low beams a tad using the adjusters (in Europe we have separate low and high beam lamps) but I never knew until now the relationship between shocks and beam alignment. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Ledford]

Just be thrilled

Shucks guys, just be forever thankful for what you have. I can remember back when you had a tac and speedo illuminated by a single #57 light bulb in each one. No turns signals and a horn that would not make a mosquito deaf.

Learn your control layout by feel.

I am with you Bob D I blew the horn at many people shifting from 1 to 2. They look at you sort of funny like :duh:

 

[Bob Denman]

Wackiness loves company! :roflblack:
:thumbup:

 

[GeoffCee]

Shucks guys, just be forever thankful for what you have. I can remember back when you had a tac and speedo illuminated by a single #57 light bulb in each one. No turns signals and a horn that would not make a mosquito deaf.

I remember it well, Bob. But I remain nostalgic about my "primitive" first bike, a Norton Dominator 500 cc twin with Roadholder telescopic forks and a Featherbed frame. In 1958 my drum-braked Dommy was classed as a superbike capable of 85 mph (down a steep hill) carrying 2-up. Now I have to visit a bike museum just to see one and when I do the memories come flooding back.

I'm as guilty as the next man of taking the sophistication of the Spyder for granted but it seems to me to be the right machine for this sophisticated age. I'd enjoy taking one back in time to 1958 to see what the folks in the Saturday night cinema queue would make of it. I'm sure they'd be suitably impressed... and in 50 years time who knows what they'll be riding? :ani29:

 

[NancysToy]

Shucks guys, just be forever thankful for what you have. I can remember back when you had a tac and speedo illuminated by a single #57 light bulb in each one.

...if you didn't ride a Brit bike. In that case one or both of them vibrated enough to fail within the first 50 miles. :roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

Lighting by Lucas:The "Prince of Darkness"! :shocked:

 

[Derek Paisley]

you should not be looking down to hand controls while driving especially at night. Maybe in time it will be second nature. The last thing I want to do is take my eyes off the road. It would look nice but give you more to complain about when they fail...jmo but then I have an RS and don't expect much and get more than expected...maybe on the 2014's then the controls can be changed...:dontknow:

100% agree.

 

[TuckMiddle]

Controls

If you have ever been a pilot in the military, you had to pass a blind cockpit check. Put a sandbag, or what ever over your head and have someone make you identify and move every control, switch, major cuircuit beaker, handle, etc. It wasn't easy in the days of analog instruments and flight directors, round motors and iron men, I can't imagine how an F-18 or CH53 pilot can do it these days. All the new gadgets, screens, tiny switches, ect are much more numerous than in what we old antiquated guys flew. A few switches like on the Spyder cannot be that big a challenge to memorize. Try it and keep your eyes up and out for the deer and all the hazards in and on the road. I found myself floundering around in a heck of a rain storm a couple weeks ago trying to raise the windshield a little - shame on me!! No matter how many times you blow the horn, the w/s won't move.
:cheers:
Tuck