Does it ever calm down?

[Av8er]

I have ridden my new to me 14 RT-L that I got from board member Motoswami a few times now and I feel pretty comfortable on it. That being said, when I go around turns on the interstate on ramps it's still twitchy especially if I hit bumps like the joint on a bridge. I come from riding Goldwings, Harleys, scooters, adventure bikes, sport bikes and motards so I am not new to riding but this whole going around turns at 60 - 70 mph and it wanting to dart on me when I hit a bump is unnerving. Does it ever get better? Other than that I love the bike. I have a set of Tri axis bars waiting for the next rainy day to install as well as a new seat coming. Cant wait!!!!!

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Bob Denman]

It does: if it's capable of doing so! :thumbup:
This could just be due to your newness to the bike... Relax your grip a bit, and see if it helps.
Did Motoswami ever have the RT laser-aligned?
Are all of the front suspension pieces in good working order?

 

[Boilermaker]

It Gets Better

I bought my 2015 RTS late last summer and now have about 6400 miles on it. I was like you at first, especially at highway speeds, but now I hardly even notice the bumps, dips, highly crowned roads at all. You just have to put miles on and not white-knuckle the handlebars. Your hands and body will learn to anticipate and adjust naturally to all the road variations and even quickly dart around the occasional objects or dead animals in the road.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Gray Ghost]

... it's still twitchy especially if I hit bumps ...

Bob asked if your bike had been laser aligned. Not being properly aligned can cause that. You can find a ROLO dealer near you at http://spydercomfort.com/dealers.htm

 

[Bob Denman]

Let's focus on the simplest things first: getting you comfortable on the bike, with a relaxed grip! :thumbup:

 

[Devious56]

I have ridden my new to me 14 RT-L that I got from board member Motoswami a few times now and I feel pretty comfortable on it. That being said, when I go around turns on the interstate on ramps it's still twitchy especially if I hit bumps like the joint on a bridge. I come from riding Goldwings, Harleys, scooters, adventure bikes, sport bikes and motards so I am not new to riding but this whole going around turns at 60 - 70 mph and it wanting to dart on me when I hit a bump is unnerving. Does it ever get better? Other than that I love the bike. I have a set of Tri axis bars waiting for the next rainy day to install as well as a new seat coming. Cant wait!!!!!

Thanks in advance for your replies.

If your rear suspension is set on the soft side, it will cause you feel a bit wobbly in the turns, and five the impression that the suspension settles part way thru the turn. At least my RT does that.. And try not to have a death grip on the bars, and you have better control pushing on the bars, than pulling on them

David

 

[Av8er]

It does: if it's capable of doing so! :thumbup:
This could just be due to your newness to the bike... Relax your grip a bit, and see if it helps.
Did Motoswami ever have the RT laser-aligned?
Are all of the front suspension pieces in good working order?

It did indeed have the laser alignment performed and he also installed a Baja Ron sway bar. All of the front end components are in great working order and I keep telling myself to relax my grip. Going down the road I am fine its just the higher speed turns that gets me nervous at times. Majority of the time I have my hands relaxed and open on the bars, but when it comes time to do any turning I do tighten my grip. Sounds like I just need more saddle time!

 

[wanderingman]

It did indeed have the laser alignment performed and he also installed a Baja Ron sway bar. All of the front end components are in great working order and I keep telling myself to relax my grip. Going down the road I am fine its just the higher speed turns that gets me nervous at times. Majority of the time I have my hands relaxed and open on the bars, but when it comes time to do any turning I do tighten my grip. Sounds like I just need more saddle time!

As a newbie myself, I liked the statement by Devious56. Push the bar instead of pull. When turning the handle bar by pulling instead of pushing it away from me, I was more unstable. Also all of these statements regarding the need to relax are so true. I ride most Saturdays with a group who mostly are on Harley 2 wheelers. Following them through curves has helped me to relax. Back in the 1950"s a common drag racing statement was "run what ya brung" To paraphrase that I could say "Ride what ya got". It will never handle like the 2 wheelers you are used to. Instead of the bike leaning in a turn, you lean. Now I rarely think about pulling or pushing the bar I feel more like the Spyder is functioning in line with my thinking. Relax, don't over think each curve, have fun. I am no expert, only a guy who is new like you and knows what has helped me.

 

[Bob Denman]

Nobody ever starts out as an expert in a new undertaking. nojoke
There's going to be a pretty steep learning curve for at least a couple of hundred miles.
So, slow down, and enjoy life's lessons! With time in the saddle, and miles under your belt: you WILL get better! :2thumbs:

 

[Chupaca]

But now....

You have to relax and not go into the turns expecting it to act this way. This is the only vehicle on your list that has a DPS (dynamic power steering) that senses slight changes and corrects. Try relaxing and hitting the turns at speed limits till you get comfortable then you can go faster. You will get back up to the speeds you used to be at with your two wheelers but hard to do starting out...:thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

It sounds like over control may be the issue here. You are anticipating trouble on the curves and ramps--you tense up--the bike gets twitchy.

Suggest using as little control as possible on the bars. Pretend eggs are between your gloves and the bars, don't break the eggs. Plant your outside foot on the pegs or floorboards. Lean slightly into the curve. Knees tightly against the tank. The "g" forces will be diminished and you should be able to go more smoothly through the curve. Push/pull on the bars also. :thumbup:

 

[Malathion]

How to kill the dreaded twitch

Most of what is referred to as twitchyness unstable driving around corners is caused by coasting or a neutral throttle position, gear the beast down a couple gears lay into the throttle an she will be rock solid on most any curve.

 

[SteveLaoyster]

Most of what is referred to as twitchyness unstable driving around corners is caused by coasting or a neutral throttle position, gear the beast down a couple gears lay into the throttle an she will be rock solid on most any curve.

Now that you mention it my RTS is more stable in the corners when accelerating. I see said the blind man! And the light bulb comes on!:2thumbs::2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[Av8er]

Thanks for all of the replies. I plan on putting a few hundred miles on her this weekend :yes: so I will try to loosen up my grip and accelerate through the corners.

I will let yall know how I do!!!

 

[Bob Denman]

Have fun, and good luck! :thumbup:
:lecturef_smilie: We'll expect a five-page written report on our desks: Monday morning!

 

[kngfsh27]

Have fun, and good luck! :thumbup:
:lecturef_smilie: We'll expect a five-page written report on our desks: Monday morning!

Is that in double or triple space?

 

[Fat Baxter]

You need more time. I had the same concerns; it took me 1500 miles to start feeling really comfortable (especially after 35+ years on two-wheelers).

BTW, the issue of a light touch, and leaning your body in the turns, is not unique to Spyders. The same guidance applies to sidecar rigs.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Turns and the 3 P's

I came off two wheels with a 20 year break in between my riding stop (accident) and getting on the spyder. My muscle memory for counter steering was still VERY strong and it took time to lose that -- also took about a year for me to stop grabbing for the clutch and brake (have an SE). What helped me is the "three P's" -- Push, Pull, Press.

• Push the bars with the outside / opposite hand (left turn, push with the right hand)
• Pull the bars with the inside / turn hand (left turn, pull the bars with the left hand)
• Press with the outside foot, this will also encourage you to lean into the turn (left turn, press with the right foot).

Be gentle with these moves. The Spyder is a cornering beast and it is easy to oversteer -- relax your grip (remember the eggs from above) and enjoy the ride.

All the best ..... Ann

 

[murphybrown]

First place I would look....

I have ridden my new to me 14 RT-L that I got from board member Motoswami a few times now and I feel pretty comfortable on it. That being said, when I go around turns on the interstate on ramps it's still twitchy especially if I hit bumps like the joint on a bridge. I come from riding Goldwings, Harleys, scooters, adventure bikes, sport bikes and motards so I am not new to riding but this whole going around turns at 60 - 70 mph and it wanting to dart on me when I hit a bump is unnerving. Does it ever get better? Other than that I love the bike. I have a set of Tri axis bars waiting for the next rainy day to install as well as a new seat coming. Cant wait!!!!!

Thanks in advance for your replies.

If the "right" equipment and alignment has been done: Bajaron sway bar with helm links and ROLO Laser alignment (the only one that works!!).. Ok if you can put check marks by those two than reallllly watch your grip...are you tensing up on curves (may not even be aware of it). I just traveled 1200 miles...half of it following a great ryder, with great confidence everywhere but curves...that ryder has both check marks on equipment. What I observed was the minute curves appeared the shoulders would move up and slight leaning forward AND then I would actually watch (what I describe) as the herky jerky moves on the handlebars..instead of a smooth sweeping....issue....tensing up and when I said consider I was told NO NO NO..:yikes:.and then I said would you consider just observing yourself...at next stop...the answer was wow I clench my teeth, move my shoulders up...and hold on tighter!!! Now comes the challenge to force self to 100% relax and keep that light very light touch...:yikes:
Hope this will be of some help...:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Is that in double or triple space?

We're not fussy...
You can hand-write it in crayon; if you like! :thumbup: