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2020 RT with Sway Problem - need advice

I

Iceberg50

New member
2020 RT Sway Problem Advice

I'm a new to me 2020 Limited RT owner. I have never owned/driven a Spyder or Trike. From fellow Spyder owners I was told you will get some sway (feels like fishtailing). I noticed it's worse in the turns and when I have a passenger. I have the new sway bar already installed but I just can't believe this is normal. Is it? It's not unsafe or a wobble, it just seems to grab harder at times moving you side to side. Bike stays straight. Is this just the wind catching me and the bike? Please chime in with advise. As for now I just tell my passengers that this is the way these bikes are, get used to it and you be fine.
 
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Iceberg50 said:
I'm a new to me 2020 Limited RT owner. I have never owned/driven a Spyder or Trike. From fellow Spyder owners I was told you will get some sway (feels like fishtailing). I noticed it's worse in the turns and when I have a passenger. I have the new sway bar already installed but I just can't believe this is normal. Is it? It's not unsafe or a wobble, it just seems to grab harder at times moving you side to side. Bike stays straight. Is this just the wind catching me and the bike? Please chime in with advise. As for now I just tell my passengers that this is the way these bikes are, get used to it and you be fine.
Click to expand...

As being a new rider myself, I would suggest it is just being that a new rider. When I took my spyder for a test ride, It seemed like it was all over the road. I talked to the salesman and he said that it was just overcompensating being a new rider. After a few hundred miles that went away. Now that I have 4000 miles plus I feel more confident in riding it. But if you feel that there is something wrong with your bike always error on the side of caution and have it looked at by a professional. Also look into taking the riding class offered through BRP or a dealership sponsored ride. Safe travels.
 
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The issue is probably with you holding too tight to the handlebars. You will need to relax. It takes anywhere from 300-1000 miles to get used to the spyder. Don't give up, just relax your grip and you will find it to get better. The only other thing I can think of right away is to check the tire air pressure. It is pretty critical that you maintain close to the same pressure in both front tires. I like to keep mine between 17-18 pounds. But regardless, they should be the same. Good luck.
 
I agree with the grip being most likely cause. Try to 'guide' the RT instead of 'steering'. A tight grip will transfer your upper body movements to the handlebars and the RT has sensitive steering input.
 
Laser alignment, sway bar(which you have), balance tire inflation(I ride 18 front and 28 back on Kanines), loosen grip, relax and seat time and all the jittery steering goes away with time. When I got my first Spyder last year about this time, I thought I had really screwed up buying it. Now I can't get enough ride time. Really glad I moved on from two wheels after 50 years of riding. It's fun watching others on two wheels try to keep up with you on your Spyder. You'll get to love it.
 
Thank you everyone. I did start being more relaxed and I did notice a difference however, with a passenger on the back I revert back to square one. I'll tell her to relax too! Oh, and check the tire pressure.
 
Check your tire pressures, and get a few more miles under your butt, relax your grip and after a bit, try to find someone to do a laser alignment on the bike!! Some would say that you should get a set of car tires on it, myself you should be able to solve your problem without that! How many miles do you have so far?
 
Most of the time my passenger is my wife and she has rode with me for over 40 years. One thing she does is when we get into a curve is she will lean her upper body into the turn just like we would be doing on two wheels. It is amazing what that little bit of weight transfer does for the Spyders handling. Talk with your passenger it may be worth a try.
 
Also you may think this is pure b.s. but install a set of the foam grips if you don't have them. They help to keep you from holding on too tight.

I agree with checking the air pressure. I use 17 in my front tires, any more than 17-18psi and I feel like it's quite squirrely.
 
Had my F3 for only a few weeks. Its my first Spyder.
Gotta admit I was shocked for a bloke with 50 yrs on bikes it was a whole new ballgame.
I would go as far to say a nightmare for me in the corners.

A few weeks on and upping the front pressures a little.
And actually learnt to turn the bar from muscle memory and sight picture during the corner and not a thought processes.
Well its fun now.

Seat time helps with a route with as many corners as you can find.
 
LOOSE HANDS, LOOSE ARMS!

The steering is very sensitive to any input and a tight grip causes your problem. It took me 1K miles just to get comfortable with my Spyder and another 1K to feel I was in control. The learning curve can be long for some - it was for me after 67 years on 2 wheels. Give yourself time.
 
Not sure of your age but if you started driving a car/truck back in the non power steering days do you remember the first time you got in something with power steering and how you had problems keeping it between the lines because you over corrected? You are now experiencing the same thing.
 
As Navydad said tell your passenger to follow your lead and lean into the turns in addition to pressing down hard on the outside foot peg. It's very much akin to riding a tandem bicycle.

FWIW, Either solo or with two up, if you lift your hands off the bars and the Spyder does NOT track straight down the road like an arrow shot from a crossbow you have an alignment problem and/or front tires not within 1/2 lb of each other.
 
I read all about the pillion advice.
Passed it on to the wife and we went for a ride.
She said it was a non event......
Wondered what all the fuss was about.

I wondered why and may have the answer.


The pillion sits more or less above the rear tyre.
It pivots around there.

The rider is much more forward and thus has more distance to make up as it changes direction.

Now.
From a sitting position.
Hold your forearm out arm out level to the ground. Gurnn try it.
Swing your hand left and right.
Your elbow (pillion) it almost static, and your hand (rider) swings through the arc.
 
Just if your wondering.
We did a rural NZ country ride that follows a river valley.
I took it easy and gradually up the pace.
Had a coffee then returned a similar route.
Think I got close to lifting the inside wheel on the way back a few times.
About 1hr each way.
 
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