4-Wheeler Rides similar to the Spyder???

[jimmybarton]

Hey out there - I was talking with a friend the other day and trying to explain the feeling of driving a Spyder F3. I've driven many types and models of motorbikes but I've never driven a 4-wheeler. I got to thinking about that and it seemed likely that a 4-wheeler because of the two front wheels giving you total control of the bike and cornering going fast or slow gives you the same centrifugal forces to your body and probably more so because of the exrtra weight of the rear tires. But the spyder because of its one rear wheel tends to grab the road in a turn rather than flip over as the 4-wheeler would do much easier, I would think. Like I said, I've never driven a 4-wheeler but I can see they're lots of fun off-road but look quite dangerous on paved roads at high speeds because of their elevated center of gravity.
I knew a young man once when I was in college that flipped his jeep with huge oversized tires because of something in the road he was trying to dodge and the jeep flipped 5 or 6 times killing my friend instantly. I'm not saying this to put 4-wheelers down but they are very dangerous at high speeds whereas the Spyder is much safer at high speeds even more than 2-wheeled bikes. I live on the New Orleans Westbank and whenever I cross over the 26 mile Lake Pontchartrain Causeway I'm literally blown away (literally) by the strong cross winds encountered on that road. In fact; during any kind of storm motorbikes are prohibited from driving across. Spyders being motorbikes are also prohibited but I can say from experience I feel a lot safer on my spyder F3 than I did on my Honda shadow 750.
If any of this contradicts your experiences or adds to the comparison ride of your Spyder with other motorbikes off road or on please post your comments. Thanks

 

[Zip]

To me it is more like a snow mobile with wheels, but it has been a long time since I have ridden one of those.

 

[Chupaca]

Well it is....

Like ryding a four wheeler. This refers to the actual feeling and not the safety features seeing as the four wheelers are designed for off road. Modified vehicles such as your friends jeep, may he rest in peace, are also no longer safe for highway use. But I'm sure you have seen spyder ryding compared to snowmobiles and quads or four wheelers. I find them also similar to Karting or formula cars yet like driving them on horseback. Wherever you find the similarity once you master the ryde it is just a world of fun...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: The Spyder feels very similar to an ATV or a snowmobile...
They sure don't feel anything like a two-wheeler; when you're in the twisties!

 

[Spin]

It definitely feels closer to a quad than a motorcycle but it's not exactly like a quad. All Quads have a live rear axle so you definitely have to get the inside rear wheel up and slipping to allow it to turn.

 

[GOZFST]

The steering feel is very similar to Quads, but the handling is very different because quads are narrower, have a higher center of gravity, softer off road tires with soft sidewalls that usually run around 8-10 psi. Both are VERY fun.

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Absolutely

Very interesting, this is exactly how we describe the ryde during the BRP demo rydes that we lead. Once we describe it the new bees get it almost immediately. You can see the light go on in their head. We usually do this on a stop during the ryde, and the second half of that ryde is much more pleasant for them. Push with your outside leg and hand, pull with the inside hand, and lean into the turn!:yes:

 

[ppawheels]

I've been blessed with a wife that allows me to have toys for each season. I really don't think a Spyder rides like a 4 wheeler at all. When describing the ride, I tell people more like a snowmobile, or from where I come from, a sled. One big difference, no Nanny on a snowmobile. :2thumbs:

 

[ruralgirl]

..... I really don't think a Spyder rides like a 4 wheeler at all. .....

I agree, especially on turns, which are easier, smoother, and more solid feeling on my quad. Granted, circumstances are obviously different - I ride the Spyder at faster speeds and mostly on pavement versus dirt roads and off-road on my quad, but without the expansive front end of the Spyder, and without the Spyder's sensitive power steering, my quad is easy to muscle into turns and keep them smooth. And for super tight turns, the quad loves to be helped by sliding the rear end laterally. The Spyder, not so much.

Another big difference for me between the two is the better front-end stability of the quad on bumpy, or simply wavy roads. 90% of my available roads are rough, and the Spyder's rear pivot point creates a nearly nonstop sensation of one front tire or the other dipping out from under me. My quad doesn't do that.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I've ridden 2-wheelers and Spyders. I've never ridden a snow-mobile or ATV. So I just think it rides like FUN! hyea:hyea:hyea: