Am I considering the correct three wheeled conveyance?

[threewheelcurious]

I have spent time looking at Urals, yet decided the wrenching requirements along with the top speed limitations were too much to make it a viable option; which has lead me here ...my only pressing concern is with a post noting that gravel roads are a danger to the spyder-belt damage. One of my destination points is a camping center in Illinois, which has grated rock roads that are unavoidable; that fact along with the local roads here having some dirt and gravel finishes make this an important consideration.

Thank you for any feedback.

 

[spydaman60]

I have spent time looking at Urals, yet decided the wrenching requirements along with the top speed limitations were too much to make it a viable option; which has lead me here ...my only pressing concern is with a post noting that gravel roads are a danger to the spyder-belt damage. One of my destination points is a camping center in Illinois, which has grated rock roads that are unavoidable; that fact along with the local roads here having some dirt and gravel finishes make this an important consideration.

Thank you for any feedback.

we all drive on some dirt roads here and there. we also have gravel and grit left on the road from winter highway depts. if you're not doing high speed riding and kicking up a lot of crud, you'll have no problems. our camp has dirt roads around it, and we have had no issues. the spyder is quite a unique ryde, but in no way can it be compared to a side car like the ural. try a spyder. you'll like it!

 

[MrLooney]

Rocky~ gravel roads.

I am fairly new to :spyder2: world (late 2012) and have heard of a few concerns on this issue. But still I have seen several :ani29: owners who do ride on gravel roads. I am sure you will soon see several more experienced owners chiming in on this topic soon.

 

[threewheelcurious]

we all drive on some dirt roads here and there. we also have gravel and grit left on the road from winter highway depts. if you're not doing high speed riding and kicking up a lot of crud, you'll have no problems. our camp has dirt roads around it, and we have had no issues. the spyder is quite a unique ryde, but in no way can it be compared to a side car like the ural. try a spyder. you'll like it!

The main route into camp is a large grade rock road with a sweeping curve coupled with a steep incline; even my Silverado walks out on me both entering and leaving camp.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

One of our more illustrious members is SethO who also lives in Bemidji or as he calls it Dirt Town. Seth rides his Spyder year round and I have to believe that he rides on dirt roads too. There is a belt guard that you can add that should help keep rocks from damaging the belt.

 

[NancysToy]

The Spyder is not an off-road machine by any means. Only you know how bad the roads you want to ride are. A firm dirt road is not a big problem at reasonably slow speeds, except for the possibility of kicking up a stone into a the (expensive) belt. SpyderPops Missing Belt Guard can help. A spare belt and the proper tools may also be advisable. Loose gravel, or large rocks, or a loose road with a steep uphil grade can be a challenge. The rear tire breaks loose and the traction control kicks in. Sometimes it can be very tough to impossible to climb a loose hill on a Spyder. The other issue is ground clearance...the Spyder only has about 5". It also has three tracks with wide tires, so it is more difficult to avoid obstacles. Lots of owners live on, or negotiate, dirt roads, but but consider the Spyder's limitations and just how crude your roads are, carefully. JMHO

 

[WackyDan]

I've ridden on many gravel roads... and one state park road that was almost 15 miles of mixed gravel and dirt. Never a rock in my belt.

Yes, You have to check for stones after a run like that, but I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The spyder hates deep, loose gravel though. She'll dig in if you aren't careful.

 

[ARtraveler]

The Spyder is not an off-road machine by any means. Only you know how bad the roads you want to ride are. A firm dirt road is not a big problem at reasonably slow speeds, except for the possibility of kicking up a stone into a the (expensive) belt. SpyderPops Missing Belt Guard can help. A spare belt and the proper tools may also be advisable. Loose gravel, or large rocks, or a loose road with a steep uphil grade can be a challenge. The rear tire breaks loose and the traction control kicks in. Sometimes it can be very tough to impossible to climb a loose hill on a Spyder. The other issue is ground clearance...the Spyder only has about 5". It also has three tracks with wide tires, so it is more difficult to avoid obstacles. Lots of owners live on, or negotiate, dirt roads, but but consider the Spyder's limitations and just how crude your roads are, carefully. JMHO

Being careful on the rock strewn roads is very important. I also recommend the Spyderpops Missing Belt Guard if you are going to be doing gravel roads regularly. I am one of the unlucky ones that have replaced two belts from rock damage. One by driving on a gravel road, the other in my driveway after getting stuck and digging a hole.

I now try to avoid gravel roads--except for my daily driveway excursion at 5-10 mph or so.

 

[donec]

Being careful on the rock strewn roads is very important. I also recommend the Spyderpops Missing Belt Guard if you are going to be doing gravel roads regularly. I am one of the unlucky ones that have replaced two belts from rock damage. One by driving on a gravel road, the other in my driveway after getting stuck and digging a hole.

I now try to avoid gravel roads--except for my daily driveway excursion at 5-10 mph or so.

I take it you don't have a belt guard from SpyderPops correct?

 

[ARtraveler]

I take it you don't have a belt guard from SpyderPops correct?

10-4 on no belt guard. If it happens again, I probably will. I have spread this out over almost 60,000 miles so far. The driveway incident was totally my fault. I posted about the incident last year in hopes no one else would have a problem. "Stupid Pills"

 

[Illinois Boy]

I have spent time looking at Urals, yet decided the wrenching requirements along with the top speed limitations were too much to make it a viable option; which has lead me here ...my only pressing concern is with a post noting that gravel roads are a danger to the spyder-belt damage. One of my destination points is a camping center in Illinois, which has grated rock roads that are unavoidable; that fact along with the local roads here having some dirt and gravel finishes make this an important consideration.

Thank you for any feedback.

Others have answered your question; but now I have a question for you.

Where on earth in Central Illinois are you going camping? I am originally from Central Illinois and know just about every square-inch of Illinois from the north to the south... east to west.

Inquiring minds want to know, if you don't mind. My curiosity is killing me to know where in Central Illinois a person from MN would want to drive to and camp. Not saying there isn't a place... I just cannot for the life of me think where that might be.

Thanks for responding in advance.

PS: Gravel and belts are a problem. Just because someone has never had a problem doesn't mean it isn't a potential problem. It is. Nancystoys gave you a good answer and things to consider.

 

[ARtraveler]

Others have answered your question; but now I have a question for you.

Where on earth in Central Illinois are you going camping? I am originally from Central Illinois and know just about every square-inch of Illinois from the north to the south... east to west.

Inquiring minds want to know, if you don't mind. My curiosity is killing me to know where in Central Illinois a person from MN would want to drive to and camp. Not saying there isn't a place... I just cannot for the life of me think where that might be.

Thanks for responding in advance.

PS: Gravel and belts are a problem. Just because someone has never had a problem doesn't mean it isn't a potential problem. It is. Nancystoys gave you a good answer and things to consider.

I was also curious about the Illinois camping. When I lived in Wisconsin, we used to refer to the Wisconsin Dells area as Illinois's State Park. It seemed half the state was there during the summer.
:roflblack:

 

[Netminder]

I live on a gravel road, and I am glad I have a spyderpops missing belt guard.But you also should reduce speeds when driving on gravel, not just for the belt, but also for the paint. I travel at pretty low speeds on gravel. JMHO!

 

[Illinois Boy]

I was also curious about the Illinois camping. When I lived in Wisconsin, we used to refer to the Wisconsin Dells area as Illinois's State Park. It seemed half the state was there during the summer.
:roflblack:

Yeah and it ticked those of us from Illinois off that they charged us to go to OUR park!!

Honestly though... I am interested in where he is camping in Central Illinois that has big hills. I can see it in the southern section or over toward the Mississippi River (where the limestone gravel back-roads are a killer for cars and trucks... let alone a motorcycle or Spyder), but for the life of me, I cannot think of one area that isn't flat as a pancake there.

So... I am really interested in the area he is referring to so I can answer his question if I am familiar with the area.

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Ledford]

Off Road Spyder vs Side Hack

Never owned a side hack but rode a few and piloted several.

i hate dirt to gravel roads unless I am on an "an enduro or woods machine,". When I have to go off reading (an infirm surface) I slow way down. That eliminates many things to including therapeutic messages from the back seat Queen.

Side hacks can be loads of fun because at any moment you Want to or don't want to you can raise the side hack off the ground . With a skilled hack passenger it becomes a whole lot of fun providing your passenger is quick, athletic, fearless and brain dead all in a nanosecond.

I doubt that your any of the above as you sound to much like a sane person.

If the side hack gets into soft surfaces what little exposure I had 52 years ago was it tended to drag the rig into a right hand turn right now. What are you considering on hanging the hack rig on?

 

[Rayelljay]

I had a couple of occasions to ryde to a building site construction office with the parking area "paved" with granite aggregate and even on a slight incline with only one wheel providing drive it was almost impossible to move. I had to get help to get me moving again. Needless to say I parked on the access road and walked. As long as you can keep it moving you should be OK.

 

[jthornton]

I have spent time looking at Urals, yet decided the wrenching requirements along with the top speed limitations were too much to make it a viable option; which has lead me here ...my only pressing concern is with a post noting that gravel roads are a danger to the spyder-belt damage. One of my destination points is a camping center in Illinois, which has grated rock roads that are unavoidable; that fact along with the local roads here having some dirt and gravel finishes make this an important consideration.

Thank you for any feedback.

I have access to a Ural and have driven it several times... it's a unique experience and a passenger once said when we got back "how fast were we going 70mph?" I said "40"...

I live on a dead in chat road off of a chat road and just drive slow over the chat with my motorcycles until I get to the blacktop.

John

 

[threewheelcurious]

Thank you for the numerous replies and information; regarding the camp I volunteer in Illinois, it is located in north central Illinois, Route 2 and 64 area; the main entrance into camp off of the Rock River is a medium course gravel road that is grated routinely- it has a sharp right turn at the bottom coupled with a moderate incline.

I stopped at Rays Sport Cycle in Grand Rapids MN today and sat on touring model and a sport touring model; I was very impressed.

 

[Illinois Boy]

Thank you for the numerous replies and information; regarding the camp I volunteer in Illinois, it is located in north central Illinois, Route 2 and 64 area; the main entrance into camp off of the Rock River is a medium course gravel road that is grated routinely- it has a sharp right turn at the bottom coupled with a moderate incline.

I stopped at Rays Sport Cycle in Grand Rapids MN today and sat on touring model and a sport touring model; I was very impressed.

Okay... well... that is not Central Illinois, but rather North Central... a BIG difference in terrain between the two -- thus my confusion.

I do not live too far from that area, and frequently ride (and drive sometimes) the length of the Rock River from the Rockford area down to Dixon. It is one of my many stomping-grounds; so I am very familiar with the area.

Don't know if you are talking about the "Stronghold Mansion" near Oregon, IL or not. If so, that road is one I have always wanted to go up to see the old mansion there; however that road is nearly impassible on the Spyder... at least it looks like it at the bottom where it turns real-sharp on a steep incline (which sounds like what you are describing). (The mansion is owned by a church and they have summer camps and events there.)

There are a lot of areas all along the Rock River though that have similar gravel/dirt roads that are steep, and almost straight-up from the river to the bluffs. Some of them I would not attempt to go up on a Spyder. You would have to be the judge to the specifics of the exact road you are talking about.

However, if you would be a bit more specific with your information, I could give you a more definitive answer, since I know the area very well. I would be happy to do that for you. :thumbup:

 

[threewheelcurious]

Okay... well... that is not Central Illinois, but rather North Central... a BIG difference in terrain between the two -- thus my confusion.

I do not live too far from that area, and frequently ride (and drive sometimes) the length of the Rock River from the Rockford area down to Dixon. It is one of my many stomping-grounds; so I am very familiar with the area.

Don't know if you are talking about the "Stronghold Mansion" near Oregon, IL or not. If so, that road is one I have always wanted to go up to see the old mansion there; however that road is nearly impassible on the Spyder... at least it looks like it at the bottom where it turns real-sharp on a steep incline (which sounds like what you are describing). (The mansion is owned by a church and they have summer camps and events there.)

There are a lot of areas all along the Rock River though that have similar gravel/dirt roads that are steep, and almost straight-up from the river to the bluffs. Some of them I would not attempt to go up on a Spyder. You would have to be the judge to the specifics of the exact road you are talking about.

However, if you would be a bit more specific with your information, I could give you a more definitive answer, since I know the area very well. I would be happy to do that for you. :thumbup:

I have worked/volunteered at Stronghold since '95; so yes that is the exact place I am referencing; the castle was Walter Strong's summer home-he was the owner of the Daily News in the 1920's. I am glad my concern is qualified; I have seen gold wings parked in camp for the Old English Faire, but have never seen a bike go up or down the road with my eyes-I have mountain biked it myself and nearly wiped out.