As one who has an older, say pre 2020 Spyder, would upgrade to a newer 2020 or newer Spyder and may find that the bike enhancements through the years have made the bike handle better than before. More saddle time makes a difference in one’s view of how the bike performs also. Confidence building to one’s riding ability can change how a rider perceives the bike’s capability. Thinking out loud.
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I guess I'm just not a Twisties guy!
- Thread starter racoon
- Start date
racoon
Well-known member
Thanks again for all of the comments, feedback, and suggestions.
I know that more seat time will help, as I'm pretty sure my Spyder is still under 3,000 miles on the odometer. Prior to buying my Spyder I did an MSF 3-wheel basic rider course using a Ryker provided by the training company, and then after buying my Spyder I did the course again at a different location.
But since I'm over 65 and my idea of a "fun" time on my Spyder is getting from point A to point B without being run off the road by an idiot in a lifted pickup truck with huge tires, trying to find twisty roads to ride is not something I am going to go out of my way to do.
I need to do a grocery run, and am thinking I might take the Spyder instead of my Honda truck.
I know that more seat time will help, as I'm pretty sure my Spyder is still under 3,000 miles on the odometer. Prior to buying my Spyder I did an MSF 3-wheel basic rider course using a Ryker provided by the training company, and then after buying my Spyder I did the course again at a different location.
But since I'm over 65 and my idea of a "fun" time on my Spyder is getting from point A to point B without being run off the road by an idiot in a lifted pickup truck with huge tires, trying to find twisty roads to ride is not something I am going to go out of my way to do.
I need to do a grocery run, and am thinking I might take the Spyder instead of my Honda truck.
Mikey
Well-known member
The biggest thing to remember here is to ride your own ride!! Even when you're riding with someone else, ride your own ride! Be safe!!
RangerRick
Active member
Yes, If the other person is going faster than you feel comfortable, don't try to keep up, do what feels comfortable to you. 
RapidSpyder
Well-known member
I was on scene of three accidents this summer involving motorcycles that took curves too fast (I think they were all blind curves if I remember right) and lost control when they hit wet road or gravel. Wasn’t pretty.
BajaRon
Well-known member
Very good advice.Yes, If the other person is going faster than you feel comfortable, don't try to keep up, do what feels comfortable to you.
My first motorcycle accident happened because I was new to the sport and the guys I was riding with were experienced. In their mind, they were taking it easy on me. But I was in over my head. I tried to keep up and it cost me.
There are so many different riding styles. They run the gambit from crazy to dangerously inexperienced. Even within what I would call the narrower 'Sane' bracket, there is a generously wide spread. Finding someone that rides the way you do so that you're not continually adjusting your style to fit in (like the dreaded 'Group Rides, which can be annoying ab best), is nirvana!
This is one reason Lamont and I put so many miles on bikes together. Our riding styles matched. I've found that to be a rare event. When you find someone that fits like this, it is such a pleasure. Harvey Clark (SpyderPops) also fit into this category for me. And there have been others as well.
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RayBJ
Well-known member
100% agree that when you find a 'crew' that matches your style of riding, it's hard to leave that bubble and ride with 'others'. The few times I joined 'group' rides, I didn't enjoy them due to 'odd' and various riding styles/antics. Usually the problems occur from mixing spirited & casual riders in the same group. Booze at lunch by some causes me to exit the ride. I prefer my fellow riders to be alert so they don't kill me!
STAY IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
pegasus1300
Well-known member
Racoon, thank you for your insights into what makes a good ride for you. You have already discovered what Lou stated in his comment "ride your own ride". BajaRon also said the same thing in his last post. He is lucky to have found 2 friends with similar interests and riding styles. I was lucky to have found one, and he went to airplanes. So just do what makes you happy on your Spyder. You bought it for your enjoyment, so go enjoy it your way. As a famous poster on this site says "Ride more worry less". Good advice no matter how or what we ride. Happy TRAils/NSD.
Kromm
Member
I have 1 riding buddy who I have been riding with for years (at least 30 years), to the point of when we are out I know exactly where he is, even without looking (he likes me to be in front, running point). Now the sad part is that he got married and his wife doesn't like him to go riding. His Bike got stolen a couple of years ago, and he is not allowed to get a new one. It's a real pleasure to have someone to ride with like that.
That being said, every time we take someone new out with us, I always tell them do not ride above their comfort level, and that if I notice that they have fallen behind, I will stop and wait for them. There was one time we took a friend out who was fairly new to riding (he'd had his bike about 2 yrs). He was telling me how much he wanted to go on one of our rides (one of our average loops through the Sierra Mountains is about 300 miles). On the way home , as the sun was setting, he slowed down to about 30 mph. We were heading mostly West, into the sun. He was "uncomfortable" riding into the sun, stating he couldn't see, so I dropped back and escorted him the rest of the way home slowly. He was apologetic when we got back home, but I told him not to worry, you should never push yourself riding in a situation you're uncomfortable with, as that's when accidents happen.
That being said, every time we take someone new out with us, I always tell them do not ride above their comfort level, and that if I notice that they have fallen behind, I will stop and wait for them. There was one time we took a friend out who was fairly new to riding (he'd had his bike about 2 yrs). He was telling me how much he wanted to go on one of our rides (one of our average loops through the Sierra Mountains is about 300 miles). On the way home , as the sun was setting, he slowed down to about 30 mph. We were heading mostly West, into the sun. He was "uncomfortable" riding into the sun, stating he couldn't see, so I dropped back and escorted him the rest of the way home slowly. He was apologetic when we got back home, but I told him not to worry, you should never push yourself riding in a situation you're uncomfortable with, as that's when accidents happen.
Most of my riding is like that. I will never be a Dragon Slayer on the Ryker.
Was on my first group ride on the Ryker a few weeks ago and everyone was well behaved and really enjoyed myself.
Been on others when I had two wheels, some were good and others were a rubber band.
Open up and snap shut, or some guy who couldn't ride.
djh3
Active member
I liked the twisty on my 2 wheels. Not a carver kind of ride just enjoy the ride. So we rode home today on some twisty from Southern NC to Fla. Mostly the old school highways. I don't remember this thing acting like a pig in mud last year with the same gear and tires. But some corners, it pushed to the edge so bad it scared the heck out of me. And seemed to have a lot of wander and wiggle. I upped the tire pressure by same as last year, like 3psi fronts and 4 in the rear, as the gear bag sits on a rack on the trailer hitch. Alignment is fine.
pegasus1300
Well-known member
I still love twisty roads, I just don't have to play Geoff Duke or Mike Hailwood any more. I can ride at a sane pace, and enjoy the scenery.
I still love twisty roads, I just don't have to play Geoff Duke or Mike Hailwood any more. I can ride at a sane pace, and enjoy the scenery.
Ahh, but who says your pace is 'sane'??
Is it really sane or sensible to ride along only partially involved in the process, enjoying the scenery and letting your attention wander, as you do when you're not fully committed like you would be if you were riding on the limit?? I wonder...
Food for thought, maybe? Or possibly just my (in)sane ramblings??
Dasmoetorhead
Well-known member
I was a cruiser rider (big bikes) most of my life, and I handled the twisties just fine at a moderate pace. I would scrape the pegs or footboards, but that was usually a wake up call to slow down a bit. I wouldn't even try to keep up with my Brother on his sport bikes, but he knew I was back there.
Then I bought the Spyder. Of course its a totally different animal. Luckily, I only lived 10 miles from TN Hwy 421 (The Snake). I wasn't sure about the Spyder's handling characteristics and it felt weird at 1st. So I figured I would learn how to ride this thing in the most demanding type of environment I might encounter.
Every day at around 2pm, I would set out for Hwy 421 and ride all the way up the country store in Shady Valley and back. Each day I would learn more about the unique characteristics of this machine. After about 3 rides I was discovering all kinds of things, like braking, engine braking, what gear to choose, what it feels like to lift a front tire in a sharp turn, drifting the rear tire, traction, and traction control, my body position while in the turns, and how fast it would stop.
My F3S told me by way of worn brake pads and warped front rotors that I had definitely pushed it to the limits - or at least my limits. I'm not really sure of the Spyder's limits, but I can tell you its capable of more than I will ever be able to match. It's a wonderful machine.
After probably 10 or so hard fast rides up and down The Snake, the F3S & myself were in sync. I pretty much tamed The Snake, and learned that I was able to hang with the sport bike guys until they would abandon all safety and start dragging knees. I caught myself in some scary moments and learned that while I had pretty much mastered the Spyder, I had also found my limits.
After new brake pads, upgraded rotors, and all new tires, it even handled better. Way Better.
After all that testing, I felt very confident in the twisties, and I realized just how much I enjoy riding this Spyder in less aggressive environments, and even just started riding The Snake at a slower pace, but I knew what my capabilities were.
Now living in Nor-Cal, where we have lots of highways that are nothing but twisties, I feel confident riding with my Brother while he's on his Suzuki GSR 1000 GT. I definitely don't ruin his day by slowing him down waiting on me. Of course, he can twist the throttle and leave me in the dust at any time, but he's also getting wiser and slowing down to a more moderate pace.
I no longer push my F3S like I did in the beginning, but I do enjoy a spirited ride in the twisties. I really don't enjoy the 4 lane highways all that much. I only tolerate them long enough to get to the highways that have lots of turns and twists, or if I have to travel somewhere that requires riding on them. I'm not in any shape or form a touring type rider, or an iron butt guy - 300 miles and I'm beat. Especially if it's a 250 mile loop up here in the twisties, which we do probably twice a season. It's a long day, and you will be sore afterwards. Still, it's worth it. But in the end, I totally prefer a twisty road with well groomed blacktop over the super slab. I think I ride my F3S like it's supposed to be ridden. It is, after all, the Sportbike of trikes. I call the F3S a Sport Trike.
I do have access to a couple of 2 wheelers to ride (my Brothers) as he has 5 bikes, but I prefer the Spyder now, and I feel so much more relaxed and confident on it. To me, it instantly feels like I've been riding it my whole life the moment I throw a leg over it, fire up the 1330 engine, and set off ona ride.
Then I bought the Spyder. Of course its a totally different animal. Luckily, I only lived 10 miles from TN Hwy 421 (The Snake). I wasn't sure about the Spyder's handling characteristics and it felt weird at 1st. So I figured I would learn how to ride this thing in the most demanding type of environment I might encounter.
Every day at around 2pm, I would set out for Hwy 421 and ride all the way up the country store in Shady Valley and back. Each day I would learn more about the unique characteristics of this machine. After about 3 rides I was discovering all kinds of things, like braking, engine braking, what gear to choose, what it feels like to lift a front tire in a sharp turn, drifting the rear tire, traction, and traction control, my body position while in the turns, and how fast it would stop.
My F3S told me by way of worn brake pads and warped front rotors that I had definitely pushed it to the limits - or at least my limits. I'm not really sure of the Spyder's limits, but I can tell you its capable of more than I will ever be able to match. It's a wonderful machine.
After probably 10 or so hard fast rides up and down The Snake, the F3S & myself were in sync. I pretty much tamed The Snake, and learned that I was able to hang with the sport bike guys until they would abandon all safety and start dragging knees. I caught myself in some scary moments and learned that while I had pretty much mastered the Spyder, I had also found my limits.
After new brake pads, upgraded rotors, and all new tires, it even handled better. Way Better.
After all that testing, I felt very confident in the twisties, and I realized just how much I enjoy riding this Spyder in less aggressive environments, and even just started riding The Snake at a slower pace, but I knew what my capabilities were.
Now living in Nor-Cal, where we have lots of highways that are nothing but twisties, I feel confident riding with my Brother while he's on his Suzuki GSR 1000 GT. I definitely don't ruin his day by slowing him down waiting on me. Of course, he can twist the throttle and leave me in the dust at any time, but he's also getting wiser and slowing down to a more moderate pace.
I no longer push my F3S like I did in the beginning, but I do enjoy a spirited ride in the twisties. I really don't enjoy the 4 lane highways all that much. I only tolerate them long enough to get to the highways that have lots of turns and twists, or if I have to travel somewhere that requires riding on them. I'm not in any shape or form a touring type rider, or an iron butt guy - 300 miles and I'm beat. Especially if it's a 250 mile loop up here in the twisties, which we do probably twice a season. It's a long day, and you will be sore afterwards. Still, it's worth it. But in the end, I totally prefer a twisty road with well groomed blacktop over the super slab. I think I ride my F3S like it's supposed to be ridden. It is, after all, the Sportbike of trikes. I call the F3S a Sport Trike.
I do have access to a couple of 2 wheelers to ride (my Brothers) as he has 5 bikes, but I prefer the Spyder now, and I feel so much more relaxed and confident on it. To me, it instantly feels like I've been riding it my whole life the moment I throw a leg over it, fire up the 1330 engine, and set off ona ride.
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