Advice and suggestions for curves and Twisties?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

RIDING TECHNIQUES

I have over 50 years experience on motorcycles-which may be part of the problem. Due to some physical problems I bought a 2009 Spyder RS which I have had for two years. I have about 3000 miles of Spyder riding experience, I still have motorcycles. Following information from this site I have adjusted shocks and tire pressure and installed the recommended sway bar but still cannot say I am comfortable riding the Spyder. The problem is curves and low speed turns and the twitchy steering. I want to like the Spyder, I believe it is safer than a motorcycle due to visibility and stability. I like the power, and brakes. I have checked online for advice on riding the Spyder and have watched the videos. But I do not enjoy riding it. I find myself looking at trikes. I would like to keep this Spyder, it seems everyone adjusts to riding this machine but me. thanks

:welcome: .... I started out with Spyders ( 8 yrs ago ) pretty much the same as you ..... Spyders aren't anything like a TWO wheel Mtc.....except they are called a motorcycle ....... You need to have a Light touch in the beginning annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd drive it like a CAR.... I have surprised a lot of kids on their Crotch Rockets ( in the twisties ) even some who I describe as Knee Scrapers :yikes: ( they are that good ) with what the Spyder ( RT ) can actually do, if you have mastered the technique for riding them ...... It's a big heavy machine and it will take time and many, many miles of saddletime to really feel comfortable driving it Hard ..... I'm not the best :roflblack:..... but I think I'm in the top 5% ......good luck, hang in there ................. Mike :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

:welcome: .... I started out with Spyders ( 8 yrs ago ) pretty much the same as you ..... Spyders aren't anything like a TWO wheel Mtc.....except they are called a motorcycle ....... You need to have a Light touch in the beginning annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd drive it like a CAR.... I have surprised a lot of kids on their Crotch Rockets ( in the twisties ) even some who I describe as Knee Scrapers :yikes: ( they are that good ) with what the Spyder ( RT ) can actually do, if you have mastered the technique for riding them ...... It's a big heavy machine and it will take time and many, many miles of saddletime to really feel comfortable driving it Hard ..... I'm not the best :roflblack:..... but I think I'm in the top 5% ......good luck, hang in there ................. Mike :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Mike, might I be so bold as to suggest that if you continue with this tone someone is going to think that you are a nice guy?:roflblack::roflblack:

Joe

 

[RiverCity45]

I recently rode some of the twistiest roads in my area (the Three Twisted Sisters ride), and was able to keep up easily with the two-wheelers in my group. They were skeptical at the outset, but the Spyder out-performed their expectations. I've never experienced this "twitchiness" some report. I wonder. Is is possible the twitchiness is a product of that old learned counter-steering behavior, then suddenly correcting the steering into the turn? Just a thought.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NICE GUY IMAGE

Mike, might I be so bold as to suggest that if you continue with this tone someone is going to think that you are a nice guy?:roflblack::roflblack:

Joe

Joe thanks :thumbup::thumbup: ... Unfortunately , in the past , I was somewhat harsh in my " verbiage " and this gave the wrong impression to many folks here :yikes: ...... I am trying to do a better job of saying what I feel, in a more respectful manner..... I think even you were surprised ( as a cabin mate ) what I'm like in Person ....... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Easy Rider]

it seems everyone adjusts to riding this machine but me. thanks

No you are not alone.

I'm having a LOT of trouble adjusting to the point of being comfortable too.
But I'm sticking with it until I get more miles on the clock (under 1K now).

I thought I was doing good until I had to accelerate rapidly to enter a freeway last week.
That wasn't a pleasant experience.

A good friend of mine strongly encouraged me to ride his GW trike before buying.
Now I wish I had.......and probably still will one of these days.

 

[Bob Denman]

Joe thanks :thumbup::thumbup: ... Unfortunately , in the past , I was somewhat harsh in my " verbiage " and this gave the wrong impression to many folks here :yikes: ...... I am trying to do a better job of saying what I feel, in a more respectful manner..... I think even you were surprised ( as a cabin mate ) what I'm like in Person ....... Mike :thumbup:

...and you've been doing a GREAT job! :clap: :firstplace:

 

[CA Railwhale]

stability

Peter, just by way of clarification, when you say “press on the outside foot more”, is that simply to help push your body weight to the inside better and sooner?

Pete

I've raced sailboats most of my adult life, so using my weight as movable ballast is second nature to me. I have only put about three thousand miles on my F3, but from the first time I cornered it I have pushed on the outside peg to shift my weight to the inside. Most of the time it's not necessary, but in a emergency, having that extra weight on the inside could save a life. Plus if something bad does happen on a corner (like oncoming traffic in your lane) you are already shifting your weight in the direction you would have to bail if you decided to abandon the bike. I hope I'm never in that situation, but good habits often save lives. It's easier to build good habits from the beginning than re-train bad ones.

 

[Peteoz]

Joe thanks :thumbup::thumbup: ... Unfortunately , in the past , I was somewhat harsh in my " verbiage " and this gave the wrong impression to many folks here :yikes: ...... I am trying to do a better job of saying what I feel, in a more respectful manner..... I think even you were surprised ( as a cabin mate ) what I'm like in Person ....... Mike :thumbup:

Well it’s not fooling me, you grumpy old bastard :roflblack:

Pete

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mr. Grumpy

Well it’s not fooling me, you grumpy old bastard :roflblack:

Pete

:yikes: ... Thank you Pete , I knew I could count on you to tell it like it ..... WAS .....Mike :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Jbuffalo]

adjusting to a spyder

No you are not alone.

I'm having a LOT of trouble adjusting to the point of being comfortable too.
But I'm sticking with it until I get more miles on the clock (under 1K now).

I thought I was doing good until I had to accelerate rapidly to enter a freeway last week.
That wasn't a pleasant experience.

A good friend of mine strongly encouraged me to ride his GW trike before buying.
Now I wish I had.......and probably still will one of these days.

Response: I am not giving up yet either. I have spent many hours on all the Spyder sites and reading road tests. It seems like the newer Spyders are easier to handle? thanks

 

[Easy Rider]

It seems like the newer Spyders are easier to handle? thanks

My very limited experience says NO.

I had an older RT twin cylinder and it seemed about the same handling wise.

 

[UtahPete]

...and you've been doing a GREAT job! :clap: :firstplace:

:agree: great job Mike!

 

[UtahPete]

No you are not alone.I thought I was doing good until I had to accelerate rapidly to enter a freeway last week.
That wasn't a pleasant experience.

I don't understand.

 

[UtahPete]

It seems to me that some folks reading and commenting on or questioning the helpful hints discussed here are misunderstanding the term "downward pressure on outside foot" when it comes to cornering. There is no suggestion of transferring weight to the outside so as to increase pressure. Rather, the so-called "downward pressure" is, in reality, a "pushing off" or "away" from the outside peg or floorboard, so as to reduce the outboard weight and to help the upper body shift toward the inside of the turn. It is a combination of both pushing away from the outside peg while leaning forward over the inside of the bike that helps keep the inside wheel from lifting. Some folks also find that combining this with pressure from the inside knee against the gas tank, further helps to "pull" the upper body to the inside of the turn. Everyone pretty much pulls on the inside handle bar, but you can get stronger, very smooth turns and even better control while also pushing the outer bar away from you at the same time. It is slightly more difficult to do in a left turn, when you are pushing the throttle hand away while turning, but pushing on the outer bar while pulling on the inside will result in better, more controlled cornering. At least, that's my take. I make plenty of mistakes, but love practicing.... over and over again.

Excellent explanation. Thanks.

 

[Easy Rider]

I don't understand.

What do I need to explain ?

Accelerating INTO traffic that was moving at ~65 MPH suddenly threw me into some substantial wind currents that I wasn't prepared for.
I have still not adjusted to the "steering" required to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways.
I think I encountered both at the same time on the ramp.

 

[Peteoz]

What do I need to explain ?

Accelerating INTO traffic that was moving at ~65 MPH suddenly threw me into some substantial wind currents that I wasn't prepared for.
I have still not adjusted to the "steering" required to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways.
I think I encountered both at the same time on the ramp.

Yep.....that was what you needed to explain, Easy Rider :thumbup:

Pete

 

[UtahPete]

What do I need to explain ?

Accelerating INTO traffic that was moving at ~65 MPH suddenly threw me into some substantial wind currents that I wasn't prepared for.
I have still not adjusted to the "steering" required to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways.
I think I encountered both at the same time on the ramp.

I've not really experienced that. I have more confidence in any situation than I ever did on a two wheeler. Period.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

What do I need to explain ?

Accelerating INTO traffic that was moving at ~65 MPH suddenly threw me into some substantial wind currents that I wasn't prepared for.
I have still not adjusted to the "steering" required to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways.
I think I encountered both at the same time on the ramp.

If you're having to work to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways there is something wrong somewhere, either with how you're handling it or the steering of the Spyder. I find the Spyder is much more stable in cross winds than my Goldwing was. What you have to do is let your body move with the wind. The Spyder will keep tracking with not much sideways movement. Cross winds will push the Spyder sideways a bit whereas on a two wheeler the tires will track straight but the bike gets pushed over into leaning.

 

[Peteoz]

If you're having to work to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways there is something wrong somewhere, either with how you're handling it or the steering of the Spyder. I find the Spyder is much more stable in cross winds than my Goldwing was. What you have to do is let your body move with the wind. The Spyder will keep tracking with not much sideways movement. Cross winds will push the Spyder sideways a bit whereas on a two wheeler the tires will track straight but the bike gets pushed over into leaning.

Gee Idaho, if I let MY body move with the wind, I’d end up in the next state with the F3 still heading down the highway !:shocked:

Pete

 

[mark4Jesus]

If you're having to work to keep the Spyder stable in gusty winds or on uneven roadways there is something wrong somewhere, either with how you're handling it or the steering of the Spyder. I find the Spyder is much more stable in cross winds than my Goldwing was. What you have to do is let your body move with the wind. The Spyder will keep tracking with not much sideways movement. Cross winds will push the Spyder sideways a bit whereas on a two wheeler the tires will track straight but the bike gets pushed over into leaning.

I experienced this yesterday. It was very windy. We were going across the river on a two-lane bridge and experiencing lateral wind gusts. The wind gusts would move me some, but not the Spyder. My wife and I noticed that. On our Gold Wing and our Victory, the bike would have moved, but the wind had no affect on the Spyder. I just had to make sure that when my body moved, I did not induce an input to the handle bars.