Any thoughts on Ground clearance on the RTL?

[Grouchy]

New on this forum and considering an RTL to replace my 2018 GoldWing.
Ground clearance is a big issue on the Goldwing and looking through the threads here it seems to be an issue on the Spyder as well.
On the Goldwing I have to be really careful just leaving and entering my driveway because of a fairly steep gutter.
I really don't need this continuing aggravation with a new ride.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance and I have many more questions forward.

 

[Mikey]

It's like anything - you see the clearance you have, and you have to judge your approach angle at times when you're coming on and off the road surface, potholes, humps, and things. Put a wheel on them, go around them, do whatever you've got to do without getting high centered or jamming your nose into it!!

What year bike are you looking at?? With the older style chassis, you can get a bump skid to protect the underneath part of the nose; it helps, but you shouldn't use it as a bumper! Good luck in your search!!

 

[Jackhartjr]

Like Mikey said, it's all about the angle!
I have 3 speed bumps leaving the house. I simply make sure that I hit them at roughly a 60 degree angle. One tire goes up on it, the next follows, no problem.

 

[RayBJ]

You should consider the new Canyon instead of the RTL. It has much higher ground clearance than any other Spyder.

 

[BajaRon]

There are simple and relatively inexpensive ways to mitigate and recover lost ground clearance. You don't have to live with front end ground strikes.

 

[JayBros]

Ground clearance is not an issue. The problem is the individual(s) who do not examine the vehicle before purchase and recognize it is a low ground clearance vehicle and, therefore, speed bumps, driveway entrance & exit angles, and wheel blocks must be recognized for the gazillion different variations that may be encountered. I elected to reduce the clearance on my Spyder by installing a Spyderpops Bumpskid that was the second farkle I installed when I arrived home from the dealership after I took possession of it. It is worth its weight in gold. YMMV.

 

[Grouchy]

Thanks all for the responses.

@Mikey, I don't think I will buy this years model (2025). I'm depreciation averse. But a local dealer here has some leftover '24's with reasonable discounts that I may try to work a deal on. Otherwise, I'll look for the latest year with the lowest mileage.

My next step is to rent one for a day or so and see how we fit. I will also be looking at insurance costs as I hear quotes can vary wildly.

I just returned from a local ride with the CFO, and she's warming up to the idea, so I'm more than halfway there!

 

[400web]

If you have never ridden a Spyder before, renting for a day may leave you wondering. I have been a Spyder rider for about 3 weeks, after 52 years of riding two wheels. It took me about 1200 kilometres to get used to it, now I feel fairly comfortable. So expect something completely different to your Goldwing.

 

[Snoking1127]

Sign up and take one of the Can Am sponsored training class. You do not steer the Spyder on the open road, you gently guide it. Try to steer it and it will be all over the place. I put mine on cruise control 90% of the time and just rest my hands on the handlebars.

 

[Jackhartjr]

Like @Snoking1127 said, take a Spyder course if there is one near you. I was glad I did!
I learned more than I would have imagined!
Just a tidbit. They taught us that you cannot hit the brakes 'too' hard!
We kept running it up to 30ish, they said stop, we hit the brakes. About the 4th time I Finally learned to floor the brakes.
Another tidbit, you learn that if there is an obstacle you can't miss, just because you miss it with the front tires, you have to allow for the rear tire in the center! I might not have thought about that!
The course was invaluable, and the certificate you get for taking it saves you on your insurance! (Most companies honor it!)

 

[racoon]

You should consider the new Canyon instead of the RTL. It has much higher ground clearance than any other Spyder.

Spyder RT Limited ground clearance - 4.5 in. (115 mm)
Canyon ground clearance - 6.3 inches (160 mm)

1.8 inches (45 mm) more is not "much higher".


The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a 3-wheel Basic Rider Course:

Basic RiderCourse – 3-Wheel - Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Learn core 3-wheel riding skills and earn your 3-wheel motorcycle license.

msf-usa.org

 

[DGoebel]

I added Baja Ron's Front Shock Pre-load Adjusters on mine and could raise the nose ground clearance buy about 3/4 in (with me on it), have a steep driveway entrance and never strike.

 

[Snoking1127]

You should consider the new Canyon instead of the RTL. It has much higher ground clearance than any other Spyder.

OP says he is coming from a Goldwing, which is a open road cruiser. I do not think the Canyon comes close to that. The Canyon in my opinion is a solution to a non existing problem.

 

[Jackhartjr]

OP says he is coming from a Goldwing, which is a open road cruiser. I do not think the Canyon comes close to that. The Canyon in my opinion is a solution to a non existing problem.

You could not have said that better sir!
I'm pretty sure that it is belt driven, and unless they have put extremely good belt guards on it, off roading simply won't work well!

 

[Peteoz]

You could not have said that better sir!
I'm pretty sure that it is belt driven, and unless they have put extremely good belt guards on it, off roading simply won't work well!

Have a look at Lamonster’s review, Jack... they have indeed put extremely good belt guards on it. He even shows them in his video. But even on the earlier models there are plenty of riders who regularly go off road without issues (by off road, I mean gravel and dirt roads, not 4WD tracks)

Pete

 

[BajaRon]

OP says he is coming from a Goldwing, which is a open road cruiser. I do not think the Canyon comes close to that. The Canyon in my opinion is a solution to a non existing problem.

I agree. Who purchases a ride just for ground clearance? You'll give up a lot going to a Canyon just so you don't have a low front end. The real issue is not the initial 4.5" on the RT. The problem is, once loaded, you may be looking at 3". Hit a dip in the road or while entering a driveway and you lose even more!

The solution is to recover the ground clearance lost with added weight, and reducing front end dive on driveway approaches, etc. With the correct mods, you can keep your cake and eat it too!

 

[Grouchy]

I agree. Who purchases a ride just for ground clearance? You'll give up a lot going to a Canyon just so you don't have a low front end. The real issue is not the initial 4.5" on the RT. The problem is, once loaded, you may be looking at 3". Hit a dip in the road or while entering a driveway and you lose even more!

The solution is to recover the ground clearance lost with added weight, and reducing front end dive on driveway approaches, etc. With the correct mods, you can keep your cake and eat it too!

Thanks again for the responses.
So what kind of mods can recover the lost ground clearance? And how expensive does that get?
Thanks again!

 

[Snoking1127]

Thanks again for the responses.
So what kind of mods can recover the lost ground clearance? And how expensive does that get?
Thanks again!

Front shocks with preload adjustment. Or install adjusters on OEM shocks.

 

[Peteoz]

Thanks again for the responses.
So what kind of mods can recover the lost ground clearance? And how expensive does that get?
Thanks again!

Another option is to replace the front 55 aspect Kendas with a 60 aspect aftermarket, Grouchy. I put 165x60 Goodyear Duragrip tyres on mine and that gave me 3/4” extra front clearance on my RT. (I also had aftermarket shocks with 1/4” less sag which gave me 1” extra clearance overall). That virtually eliminated bottoming out for me with no adverse handling issues.

Pete

 

[Grouchy]

Another option is to replace the front 55 aspect Kendas with a 60 aspect aftermarket, Grouchy. I put 165x60 Goodyear Duragrip tyres on mine and that gave me 3/4” extra front clearance on my RT. (I also had aftermarket shocks with 1/4” less sag which gave me 1” extra clearance overall). That virtually eliminated bottoming out for me with no adverse handling issues.

Pete

Excuse my ignorance, I'm going to ask a lot of questions on this forum.
So, in the Goldwing world, running a car tire (dark side, it's called). Dealers will not mount them, nor will car tire dealers.
Is that an issue with the Spyder? I get no one wanting to mount a car tire on a two wheeler, but with 3 wheels and no lean angles I don't think it's a liability issue, unless there are other design consideration im not aware of.