Spyders Underpowered?

[DrewNJ]

how about a v-rod? 118 hp at the rear wheel! I think that might do it![emoji106]

Ever corner hard in the twisties on a vrod? !...[emoji33][emoji1]

 

[StanProff]

Daring to be different...Honestly, I would not mind more on our 1330 RTs. Not that I want to go blazing fast or peel the tire carcass apart, 15 to 25 more in a good part of the power would help with roll on when already at cruise speed.

There have been a few times when going left lane and had the grip fully cranked and was hoping for better acceleration to get around other vehicles. Between wind drag, weight, and going from say a solid 70 and needing more to pass, I would rather squirt by than mosey past.

Overall though it does well, especially around town.

To go with the added push, better brakes would be nice also.

PK

Down shift? I have ridden a 1330 but not enough to compare the power with the 998. It didn't seem that much different with the exception of the low end torque. I have done "roll ons" on the highway with my two wheeler friends on their cruisers. The 998 will walk away from 1300 to 1500 v twins from 65 mph on to 100 mph. After that they will keep going as their top end is usually a little better but usually they quit before we get that fast and the spyder is way ahead. (by the way, they are the ones that challenge me to do the "roll-on"). Your spyder will surprise you . Sounds like the 1330 may need to grab a gear if you open it up at 70 mph where as the 998 is just starting its power band at that speed in high gear.

 

[ctpaddler2000]

My Spyder has the Can-Am power increase knob. I just rotate it and can pass or keep up with anything on the road.

 

[jcthorne]

Daring to be different...Honestly, I would not mind more on our 1330 RTs. Not that I want to go blazing fast or peel the tire carcass apart, 15 to 25 more in a good part of the power would help with roll on when already at cruise speed.

There have been a few times when going left lane and had the grip fully cranked and was hoping for better acceleration to get around other vehicles. Between wind drag, weight, and going from say a solid 70 and needing more to pass, I would rather squirt by than mosey past.

Overall though it does well, especially around town.

To go with the added push, better brakes would be nice also.

PK

That's the answer to a different question. YES, I would love to have more power on my RT. Has long puzzled me there was no well developed aftermarket scratching that itch on these bikes.

 

[StanProff]

how about a v-rod? 118 hp at the rear wheel! I think that might do it!:thumbup:

that's not a Harley. Just ask the Harley riders. (I do agree that it "could" be an awesome bike if Harley would embrace it).

 

[dndfindley]

THERE IS NO STOCK HARLEY OF ANY CONFIGURATION: FAT BOY, BIG BOY, OH BOY, HARD-TAIL, SOFT-TAIL, NO-TAIL, etc.... THAT CAN OUT-CORNER A SPYD3R..... PERIOD....
THE RICE-ROCKETS & BMW's WILL LEAVE US IN THE DUST.... BUT HARLEY.... NO WAY....
DAN P
EASLEY, SC
SPYD3R

Very well said. My sentiments exactly.

 

[dndfindley]

If you're slow in the corners, get BahaRon's anti-sway bar. It'll stiffen up the body roll, giving you a more aggressive ride in the twisties.

I don't have'em and will never have'em on my current 2012 RT. It is stock. All I have done is have the front shocks adjusted to their firmest setting. I don't have any problems in the twisties (and I live 30 minutes from the Dragon) and I have no problems on the interstate amongst semi's doing 80 mph. If you like'em - fine. There was a post a few days back on another thread about how the poster thought that particular topic (fast sportbikes) had run it's course i.e. he was tired of it. Does anybody ever get tired of hearing about swaybars and laser alignments? Or are you waiting for post number 1 million on the matter? That will probably be in the next few days.

 

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that you don't need a new Anti-SwayBar for your bike. :thumbup:
But why are you so worried about what other folks post about them? :dontknow:
I don't have one on my 2014... I did on my 2010, and am trying to make up my mind about the mod for the new bike...

 

[dndfindley]

how about a v-rod? 118 hp at the rear wheel! I think that might do it!:thumbup:

You're forgetting that a V-Rod to the Harley people is a red headed step child. They don't claim it. The V-Rod is the only Harley I would ever ride. As for the rest of the Harley line up - I wouldn't ride one if you gave it to me. I would immediately trade or sell it.

 

[jaherbst]

I have a 2012 RS SM5 that had 106hp stock with a bolt on Two Brothers pipe that supposedly adds 4hp. I ride with a club that has mostly Honda's, Suzuki's and Harleys. Several of the guys are of the opinion that Spyders are and have always been "underpowered." I have always been happy with the performance of the Spyder and never rode a two wheeler. On club rides I can stay with the best of them, but can't always corner with the same speeds are bikes that lean. My Spyder can get up over 110 mph with virtually no vibration or shake. I know this is not at all the case for the others.

So do you agree about the general term underpowered?

​No!

 

[bhfromme]

I read your post and read the replies and one word comes to mind.

Safety.

Are the ninjas quicker? Most definitely. But do they provide the safety of a three wheeled monster? I think we all know the answer to that. I don't know about the rest of you but I've lost too many friends and yes, even relatives, to ever want to ride a two-wheeler again.

 

[Bob Denman]

"You're forgetting that a V-Rod to the Harley people is a red headed step child. They don't claim it. The V-Rod is the only Harley I would ever ride. As for the rest of the Harley line up - I wouldn't ride one if you gave it to me. I would immediately trade or sell it."


Still; it doesn't say anything but "Harley Davidson" on the bike... :thumbup:

They have also introduced a new series of bikes this year with liquid-cooling, overhead cams, and a 60 degree Vee-Twin!

The times; they are a-changin'!

 

[dndfindley]

---

I think it depends more on who is operating the Spyder and how well they know their machine .......I have felt really ,really bad about the guys riding those " CROTCH ROCKETS " who slid off the road because of sand etc.......and my Spyder ???? well a slight squiggle and all's good. We have a heck of a lot more rubber on the road than any two wheeler............I remember as an LEO chasing MTC's , just waiting for them to crash, because they couldn't lose me. They could out accelerate me but in the corners ....four good tires wins most of the time .....Mikeguyver :thumbup:

Two things - they are sportbikes or in the case of the liter bikes - supersport bikes. It's a crotch rocket to cagers. Secondly you state that as a cop you chased people on motorcycles. That presented more of a danger to the public than the motorcyclist ever did. The only justification for doing that would be if the rider presented a very real and present danger to other parties if he escaped i.e. he had just murdered someone or he was going to murder someone. As to who wins - a sportbike or a car - just watch any of the Ghostrider videos on Youtube and see him toy with cops in cars.

 

[wyliec]

There was a post a few days back on another thread about how the poster thought that particular topic (fast sportbikes) had run it's course i.e. he was tired of it. Does anybody ever get tired of hearing about swaybars and laser alignments? Or are you waiting for post number 1 million on the matter? That will probably be in the next few days.

After you've been here awhile, you'll see everything repeats itself, over and over and over. I hear you; some of this stuff gets old, quickly. I just have a tendency to bypass those posts because it's not going to change. You'll also find where some members think things they say are hilarious, and you're left scratching your head wondering if it's you or them.

 

[dndfindley]

Doesn't look too shoddy in this video. Same guy did a video dicing with a Triumph triple. Neither video is for the safety conscious.

That equals 123 mph. Pretty good.

 

[jeromeb]

Harley put the v twin rotax in their last production years of the buell and also in the buell racing bike. Strong bikes, I followed one through the gap last year. I know that the rotax has enough power because I learned that in a long boring day in traffic school along with a fine to emphasize the point. Caused by an over zealous day at the gap on a 2011 rt with bar and elkas. I now have a14 rt and fight temptation and emphasize the touring qualities of the bike. Leaving for Alaska in the morning.
jerry

 

[dndfindley]

My Spyder has the Can-Am power increase knob. I just rotate it and can pass or keep up with anything on the road.

View attachment 92020

So you're saying you could "pass or keep up with" a Kawasaki ZX14 or a Suzuki Hayabusa? I suspect hyperbole.

 

[dndfindley]

Glad to hear that you don't need a new Anti-SwayBar for your bike. :thumbup:
But why are you so worried about what other folks post about them? :dontknow:
I don't have one on my 2014... I did on my 2010, and am trying to make up my mind about the mod for the new bike...

I am not worried about what other folks post about them. I was referring to the fact that some people make posts about being tired of certain topics because they think there are already too many posts on that particular topic while they ignore the kazillion posts on swaybars and laser alignments. I have nothing against either but if one is not going to complain about those posts then don't complain about other unrelated posts when many comments are made.

 

[Bob Denman]

...Everthing old; becomes new again...

 

[Jeriatric]

Give it a year or two

After you've been here awhile, you'll see everything repeats itself, over and over and over. I hear you; some of this stuff gets old, quickly. I just have a tendency to bypass those posts because it's not going to change. You'll also find where some members think things they say are hilarious, and you're left scratching your head wondering if it's you or them.

:thumbup: