"Death Grip"?

[SpyderSteveFL]

It will also make you more stable in the turns. You can soften it when it's bumpy and as you get more use to it.

I've actually found the opposite to be true. With the air bag at hardest/fullest setting the bike and center of gravity are higher and it doesn't hold in turns and curves as well. I personally find the lower settings better for more aggressive turns, etc.

 

[KLo5591]

Hi KLo5591,

Re: "Death Grip"?

There is a lot of really good info on this site. I know no one on here who is not willing to help when they can.

I'm 76 & bought my '08 three yrs ago; I have put 8,000 miles on her ( it rains a little in the Portland, OR area :banghead: )

Since last Fall, I've had my Spyder out twice. The other day I noticed that I was using the "Death Grip"? And, this has been an ongoing problem when first riding in the new year. What I did was just grab the ends of the handle bars, the very outer edge being right in the middle of my hand(s), this made it much easier to have that necessary light touch.

This may or may not work for you, but it worked for me.

And I do continue to tell myself, 'Relax the grip, you dummy.'

Jerry Baumchen

Funny, I keep telling myself the same thing Jerry. Lol.

Ken

 

[KLo5591]

I've actually found the opposite to be true. With the air bag at hardest/fullest setting the bike and center of gravity are higher and it doesn't hold in turns and curves as well. I personally find the lower settings better for more aggressive turns, etc.

Interesting. I'm never sure where i should set the front pre-load/rear pressure, other than by weight. Well since my rear air shock is a manual set and the front is a real pain-in-TA to change I just keep them both about 80% max. I may try to soften them up a bit and see if handling improves.

 

[LateLifeCrisis]

FYI - I just ordered foam grips from TricLed - $12.95 or 19.95 for two pair.

 

[Pirate looks at --]

We rode (600 miles) to Spyderfest '17 out of northern Indiana via Rt 31, 70, 55, 44 and had wind and trucks with us. At SF, Spyderpops installed BajaRon sway bar. We rode I-44, 70, 31 (in Indiana with 30 mph crosswinds and 40 mph gusts) and the sway bar made a big difference. If you don't have one, get one!!
Jim

I have to agree, the other suggestions are solid, but what you are describing is exactly what we felt on our RT when brand new. We would move significantly when passing big rigs, or they were passing us. Baja Ron fixed that completely. Just know that most important f us with RTs make the decision to install one of these and you will be way more comfortable on the machine and it will be much easier to practice the other tips listed in this thread. You WILL ado it eventually, there is no reason to wait.

 

[murphybrown]

The best grips for sure

FYI - I just ordered foam grips from TricLed - $12.95 or 19.95 for two pair.

Cindy applied my first pair at Spyderfest Cuba..back, way back then. And I won't be without...they are amazing for the price and how they improve comfort for hands. Yep a must have IMHO...:yes:

 

[RiverCity45]

When I first started ryding my RS in December of last year, my death grip was so bad my right hand would go numb. :yikes: I'm still working on relaxing my grip, and no longer get the numbness.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Close your eyes, and take a deeeeeep breath...





:lecturef_smilie: But don't forget to start breathing again! :roflblack:

 

[midnightbreeze50]

Death Grip

Dude, Almost 62 here , been riding since 14, Love my Spyder, you've just gotta Relax and roll with the road, I haven't got a sway bar, or all those fancy grips, ill tell you the way to get use to the wind , this is how I did it , I travel 285 all the time around the Airport, what I did was get behind a 18 wheeler and get in his wash, and then easied up my grip and let the bike do the work, Have fun in the wind , that's what she's for let her take you , you just head it in the right direction you want to go and stay in that truk wash until you feel comphy with it and then your having fun , crank up some ACDC OR Z Z TOP and let R Roll :yes::yes::yes:!!!!!



Be Cool, Have Fun , and stay SAFE !!!

Midnightbreeze :doorag::doorag:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Regarding wind, let it move you around. The Spyder will stay straight. Let your arms be flexible. I was riding the other day with a group of Goldwingers. The side wind was so strong they had to lean their bikes into it. Me? I moved back and forth somewhat but the Spyder stayed straight.

As for semis. Keep back in the next lane until the way is clear ahead of the truck, then kick it in the a$$ and get by the truck as fast as you can. There are three places on the road you do not want to be, behind a semi, alongside a semi, and in front of a semi.

 

[KLo5591]

Thanks but...

Guys and girls,

I've been actively monitoring my driving habits and I'm still not clear (not surprising!). I do sometimes feel a little too much "push" on either handlebar can cause a "twitch" in the steering. Ok. Without taking my hands off the wheel it seems impossible to tell if it is me or the machine. I want to get out on the highway, switch on cruise control, then take my hands off the wheel (all but one finger). Doesn't seem like a wise strategy but how else do you test your instincts? Every time I try, a gd Fritos truck comes wizzing by... Seriously I think I could have an alignment problem and I am not ready to replace the stock stabilizer bar. Could it be tire pressure? Right now I have jacked it up to 30 rear, 20 front, rear shock at 60, front preload at 4th notch.

Don't get me wrong -- this 2012 rides great, but not perfect. I get a little pull to the left when I try to let go but not when holding the grips and constantly controlling the direction. This only happens when I try to do the "hands-off" approach while taking a smoke break. Not THAT kind of smoke....(I know what you are thinking).

KLo from GGa (Gwinnett County GA)

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Could it be tire pressure? Right now I have jacked it up to 30 rear, 20 front, rear shock at 60, front preload at 4th notch.

Now that you mention 30# in the rear I believe I recall correctly an odd situation. I had the local car tire dealer swap out the tire on the rim for my rear tire. I put it back on and went for a ride. The Spyder was squirrelly as all get out. I then thought about the rear tire, and checked the pressure. It was something like 35#, just like it would be if on a car. I dropped it to 25 and the handling straightened right out.