Scotty
What makes you say this? Our T-Rex is a 3 wheeled reverse trike motorcycle as well, and it's mirriors are so much wider than the spyder it is not even funny.
So, if there is some limit on how wide motorcycle mirrors can be, than I would think it would be closer to the width of our T-rex and not the Spyder.
Also as the mirrors are not outside the widest part of the Spyder's body (the front wheels are way wider) what would it matter if the mirrors were 2 inches wider as they are still miles inside the wheels?
Or, what if the cowl were made 2 inches wider too? Then with the same mirror stalk length it would have the mirrors out 2 inches as well.
I am all for not letting "big brother" run our lives, but this time I don't think it's the Goverments fault.
MM
Well, never trust anything you read on the Internet. I spent a lot of this morning wading through 605 pages of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards looking for the specific reg. It was reported here that there was a maximum distance at which the mirrors or other objects could project from the vehicle body. That may well be, but I cannot find it, only a minimum distance from the centerline of 11 inches for mirrors.
If there is a maximum projection rule, in the US or elsewhere, placing the mirrors lower on the body might help, or widening the console. If not, it was probably strictly a styling issue. I must say that the mirrors, being placed as far forward as they are, are variable in their effectiveness for different people. Both Nancy and I see a bit of our hands, but that doesn't really obstruct our view of traffic. No better or worse than the mirrors on any of my bikes...plus these don't seem to vibrate as long as the mirrors are tight. Others see their bodies, lots of their hands, or their shoulders. Not so good for those people who are taller, shorter, or wider. It's an individual thing, accentuated by the long distance to the mirrors. I'm sure nobody sees much when riding double, as on most motorcycles.
I think more of the dissatisfaction comes from not being able to have an unobstructed view behind. To me, this is a bit of an unrealistic expectation. I find most motorcycles obstruct the view to the rear to some degree. I find I have to move my head slightly on any of them to see directly behind me, especially close-up. This is an absolute must when riding double. Not difficult, in my estimation, but probably bothersome to many. Of course I harken back to a time when motorcycles didn't even have mirrors. No side mirrors on cars, either. How spoiled we have become.
I agree that there are ways the mirrors could have been made better with different placement. Would the aesthetics have pleased us as well...who knows? Other manufacturers have let styling get ahead of function, too. The BMW R11xxRT models had great mirrors, low so you could see under your arms. Best I have ever ridden with. The revised R1200RT has them higher, and they tend to obstruct the view, just like the Spyder. The revised fairing shape determined the location. The aftermarket has come to the rescue of those Spyder owners who need a better mirror position. The rest of us are satisfied. I don't think this is such a big deal...or that unusual.
-Scotty
