Cruising on two wheels and now three, adjustment period?

[Jenfz09]

Did you bump the Grand National up to GNX specs? :2thumbs:
We've got a guy in the next Town over; he's got one with less than 2,500 miles on it!
V-6 in the Camaro? Or did you get the BIG engine?? :bowdown:
The 87 "Porch"; a 911 I hope!
I'm a big "Car-A-holic"... I watch all of the Barrett-Jackson and Mecum auctions that I can!

The Grand National is stock.

For the Camaro, I actually went with the V6. It has 325 HP and takes regular and gets decent gas mileage. For another 10k, premium gas, and lower fuel mileage. I couldn't justify the SS.

The Porshe was actually a " commuter car" that I got because gas was insane in NY at the time and I had to use premium and the Jaguar was getting in the teens for mpg. It's a 944.

 

[Bob Denman]

Your 944... It STILL has the magic nameplate! :thumbup:

And I'm reminded of a joke...

This older professional guy decides to put an ad in the local paper:
"I need to have my porch painted, and I'll pay $300 to anyone willing to do it."
After a couple of days; this young kid shows up...
The guy gives him the paint, and goes on back inside.
After a couple of hours, the kid knocks on the door, and says that he's finished.
"Oh, Sir; I took a closer look at it while I was painting, and it's not a Porch: it's a Ferrari!" :yikes:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Your 944... It STILL has the magic nameplate! :thumbup:

And I'm reminded of a joke...

This older professional guy decides to put an ad in the local paper:
"I need to have my porch painted, and I'll pay $300 to anyone willing to do it."
After a couple of days; this young kid shows up...
The guy gives him the paint, and goes on back inside.
After a couple of hours, the kid knocks on the door, and says that he's finished.
"Oh, Sir; I took a closer look at it while I was painting, and it's not a Porch: it's a Ferrari!" :yikes:

DOH!!!

 

[Highwayman2013]

The transition from 2 to 3 wheels takes MILES. I have 2 Two-wheelers and my wife rides the spyder. I also ride the spyder and love the way it handles, and I have ridden on the back.

I can switch back and forth now with no problem except if I ride the spyder a lot I forget to downshift the 2 wheelers when I come to a stop. The RT is an SE.

 

[DC1]

Over a Year and 15,000 + miles........

And I still feel there is more to learn....I am still only about 80% confident in twisties and am planning a Baha Ron Sway bar in the future to help with this...And since I picked up a Sporty for 1-up riding (which is excellent for keeping my twisties appetite satisfied) I have found it a tiny bit awkward switching back and forth........But I would say My confidence level became "adequate" after about 3000+ miles of getting used to 3 wheels, confident enough to ride it relatively safely...

 

[Jenfz09]

And I still feel there is more to learn....I am still only about 80% confident in twisties and am planning a Baha Ron Sway bar in the future to help with this...And since I picked up a Sporty for 1-up riding (which is excellent for keeping my twisties appetite satisfied) I have found it a tiny bit awkward switching back and forth........But I would say My confidence level became "adequate" after about 3000+ miles of getting used to 3 wheels, confident enough to ride it relatively safely...

I was wondering about that, too. After three hundred miles in two days, I rode my FZ-09. It was fine. I had to pay a lot more attention to certain things like being stopped at a hill, but that's no different than before the Spyder.

 

[exwinger]

Getting comfortable

I rode two wheelers for many , many years . Decided to convert my GW to a trike and had a terrible time the first couple hundred miles getting used to it . Decided to get a spyder and the first ride I knew I had made a terrible mistake , I couldn't do anything on it . Curves across the center line and really had to go slow in order to navigate . Realized I was fighting the bike and concentrated on loosening up on the bars . Made a big difference once I quit fighting it and finally started enjoying it but still wasn't totally confident .Had to completely undo everything I had gotten used to riding a regular trike. Spyder loves power in curves but in a lower gear , too high of gear and you drift. This is hard to get used to but once you get a little confidence it becomes second hand. You have to allow the bike to do what it's designed to do .

I thought I was pretty good at handling the spyder on twistys until I rode behind Lamont and Spyderpops a few years ago. I only had the spyder for a few months and attended one of Lamonts BBQ's and he led a HUGE group of riders on the rattler .I had never ridden curves like this road had and was in for an experience but for the better .Being behind someone that really is a master of the spyder is def an experience you'll always remember . I was so far out of my comfort zone it was pathetic at first but I had listened to what he said about how to ride the spyder and IT WORKED. Gentle on the grips , lower gear and power out of the curves.I was 3rd in line going out and I will admit I let one other rider pass and didn't always have Lamont right in front but I made it through and kept up with the guy that I let pass and for the most part could always see Lamont. He had just pulled into the parking lot when I pulled in. Lamont had just installed a set of pegs on my bike and I told him I needed them readjusted because they had moved forward. Spyderpops asked me how that could happen and I said I was using the pegs to keep my foot off the brake because we shouldn't be using our brakes on the curves . Oops ! Learned after that that I could keep from braking in the curves and allowing the bike to perform.

All I can tell your hubby is to let the machine do it's thing and he'll be amazed at what it can and will do ........and safely too. And I agree with him on one thing ....I ain't getting on the back , no matter who is doing the steering , just can't do it .

 

[jgwoods]

I could say it took me 7 years to adjust to 3 wheels. I bought an RS in 2009 and now I am trading my Victory two wheeler in on an F3-S ending ownership in any two wheelers. I just got to the point where I feel more in control and safer on the Spyder . Advancing age is part of it as birthday #70 is right around the corner


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[dlby]

Took me 2000 miles
Thought I made a weird decision

Very difficult for me after 45 years two wheels

But knew in my gut it was right

many many more miles later I will never go back

Loving it[emoji443]

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[jaherbst]

I rode out of the dealership on my 2010 RT without ever having even SAT on one of these things... :roflblack:
For the first two miles: I was SURE that I had just made a $25,000 mistake... nojoke
It was twitchy, and I was fighting to keep it where I wanted it to be in the lane. :gaah:
Finally; I realized that the folks who make Ski Doo snowmobiles should be more than capable to building something that could go straight down the highway...
I relaxed my grip on the bars: "the clouds parted, and the sun shined down on me!"
After that: it was maybe about another 500 miles or so (to get the cornering stuff into my head!)

My thoughts exactly! Never demo'd or ridden. 500 feet to the freeway and 90 miles home with the wife following. Not sure which lane I would be in next. I hated it. Was I going to admit I made a mistake to the wife? No way. I toughed it out. Joe and Ann got me "Squared Away" with L/A and Baja Ron Sway Bar and the rest is history.

Jack

 

[ursamajor35126]

Interesting thing in the OP is that he just has a permit, no license yet and has only been riding for two years.

It might not be a case of preferring years of 2 wheel experience as he doesn't appear to have that. It may just be that he doesn't have enough experience at all yet.

In NJ if he still just has a permit you're not legally permitted to ride as a passenger. Not sure about PA or NY.

It's an RT, we did some work to it so it's pushing about 425 HP.

Did you bump the Grand National up to GNX specs? :2thumbs:
We've got a guy in the next Town over; he's got one with less than 2,500 miles on it!
V-6 in the Camaro? Or did you get the BIG engine?? :bowdown:
The 87 "Porch"; a 911 I hope!
I'm a big "Car-A-holic"... I watch all of the Barrett-Jackson and Mecum auctions that I can!

Jen, one thing to be aware of, keep in mind, and tell hubby. There is no keeping secret your shifting habits. The time the engine spends in the various RPM ranges is recorded by Nanny and she tattles to the technician when he hooks up BUDS. One of the bits of info that is shown is a histogram of the time the engine is run in the ranges of 0-2000, 2000-4000, 4000-6000, 6000-8000, and over 8000. If the graph shows a lot of time in the 2000-4000 rpm range, and not much above that, you, or hubby, very likely will get an :cus: chewing! :yikes: So, don't shift until you are above 3600 - 4000 rpm. Below 2000 rpm will most certainly be just idling time. But here again, if the 0-2000 graph is high be ready to be chewed out.

My thoughts exactly! Never demo'd or ridden. 500 feet to the freeway and 90 miles home with the wife following. Not sure which lane I would be in next. I hated it. Was I going to admit I made a mistake to the wife? No way. I toughed it out. Joe and Ann got me "Squared Away" with L/A and Baja Ron Sway Bar and the rest is history.

Jack

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[sandeejs]

Getting Used to 3 Wheels?

I rode for several hours just around the streets in my neighborhood. (All in 1st gear.) The thing that was hardest for me to get used to was not putting a foot down at stops. Of course, I only rode 2 wheelers for 23 years.......
~Sandee~

 

[smoky]

1) how long did it take you to adjust if you came from a cruiser?
2) will him running the Spyder (2012 RT-S) at lower rpms like 3k damage it?


The more you ride the shorter the adjustment period...varies with the consumer...
Always keep rpm above 3,000 under load...never lug it in any gear...

 

[Showie]

Most of you guys are really nice. If my wife bought me a new bike and I was being such an ass I'm sure I would be looking for a new sleeping partner. And she would have been right !!

 

[Jenfz09]

Took me 2000 miles
Thought I made a weird decision

Very difficult for me after 45 years two wheels

But knew in my gut it was right

many many more miles later I will never go back

Loving it[emoji443]

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That's a long time!

The Spyder is so much easier in so many respects. I took it out all day today, came home, and told my husband how much better it was than two wheels in so many ways. I do love my bikes though.

 

[fjray]

It's been a bit over 5k and I still am questioning my decission. My back is the reason for the change and not having to hold up the wing is a bonus but I still think the spyder handles like a pig compared to my wing with good suspension. I know I'll get flamed and yes it's been properly laser aligned and got the Bajaron sway bar. I do question if the power steering is working properly cause it takes quite a bit of effort to make it hustle through the twistys. I'm going to give it this season and then decide to keep it or not.

 

[PaladinLV]

I rode 2 wheels for 50 years before switching to Spyder.

Learning curve . . . ZERO

AJ

How long did it take you to adjust to the Spyder?

Background- I bought this so my husband and I could take trips together, especially longer trips. I started riding before he did, so he's pretty new to motorcycles (2 seasons). He rides a cruiser. He went on the Spyder, did not like it, was crossing over double yellow lines and was having issues maneuvering it. He has a MC permit.

I have a MC license so I rode it the 200 miles from NY to PA. I love it. I've had no learning curve, but I read everything I could on here and the manual. He's not into reading things or listening to advice. I have put 300 miles in two days on the Spyder.

So, I figured I would go on the back and give him some advice on shift points, etc. I assure you he hated this. He was shifting all over the place. I felt like my life was in danger every time a car came.

I don't know if I feel comfortable riding on the back with him, which defeats the purpose of owning the Spyder, but I do love it. He doesn't want to ride it anymore and said "have fun with your bike." I paid cash for this bike and it was a lot, so it's disappointing, but it is what it is.

1) how long did it take you to adjust if you came from a cruiser?
2) will him running the Spyder (2012 RT-S) at lower rpms like 3k damage it?

Thanks.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

It's been a bit over 5k and I still am questioning my decission. My back is the reason for the change and not having to hold up the wing is a bonus but I still think the spyder handles like a pig compared to my wing with good suspension. I know I'll get flamed and yes it's been properly laser aligned and got the Bajaron sway bar. I do question if the power steering is working properly cause it takes quite a bit of effort to make it hustle through the twistys. I'm going to give it this season and then decide to keep it or not.

Your expections are in error. The Spyder does not handle anything like a 2 wheeler. Think & expect in terms of an ATV or Go Kart.

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[asp125]

It's been a bit over 5k and I still am questioning my decission. My back is the reason for the change and not having to hold up the wing is a bonus but I still think the spyder handles like a pig compared to my wing with good suspension. I know I'll get flamed and yes it's been properly laser aligned and got the Bajaron sway bar. I do question if the power steering is working properly cause it takes quite a bit of effort to make it hustle through the twistys. I'm going to give it this season and then decide to keep it or not.

A Spyder in the twisties is never going to be as fun (IMO) as a two wheeler, on account it does not lean. It'll be a workout to hustle the Spyder's bulk around a corner. We think of our Spyder (and ours is the sporty one), as a cruising and touring machine, preferring our sportbikes for when the corners get tight and fast. Adjust your expectations and you'll learn to love the Spyder.

 

[dlby]

If u don't like it then you don't like it

I don't like broccoli

If you don't like it then don't eat it

But you don't have to knock it
Really do ya?

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