exhausted

[OJ UK]

^ +1 ^ I'm also a new Spyder ryder and still have a bike. I was experiencing the same problems as you are.
You'll get used to the differences. As stated above for a quick(er) fix a BajaRon Swaybar is very cost effective
and will help you gain more confidence with your new trike.
Don't try to take on V-Max power it ain't going to happen!! Ride at your own pace and you'll soon understand what
makes the Spyder so much fun! HTH

 

[cuznjohn]

EXHAUSTED

thanks for all the response's

 

[steve635]

It's going to take a lot of miles to get used to the spyder. You have to learn to trust the machine to do what it's made to do. Like others above said it's apprehension and you're putting a lot of tension on body parts you aren't used to using .You have to totally forget all the riding habits you used on two wheels , they just don't work on a spyder. riding straight roads you'd probably be totally fine and hardly exhausted at all but curves flat wear you out if you fight the bike. Don't try and muscle the bike in curves , not needed. Dropping down a gear or two going thru curves also helps , lower gears and higher rpms .Let off a tad going in and then romp it once you cornered coming out .Also like mentioned above , until you get your method down pat , don't try to keep up with two wheelers , it ain't gonna safely happen.

A BIG asset to riding is installing a swaybar from Baja Ron , you won't believe the difference it will make. Straightaways you have the same handling but on curves you'll have a totally different machine. If there was only one mod I could afford to add to the bike it would be the bar. Check your tire pressures , most ride 18-20 fronts and 28-30 rear. Increasing the front shock loading also makes a difference in the leaning on curves .

Some call the swaybar a farkle....I call it a necessity if you want to ride twistys.

All of the replies on this thread are valid, but this one takes the cake. This is complete and accurate. I have nothing to add, other than follow this advice to the letter.
Good job ex winger!

 

[Flanker]

I find the Spyder is more physical than either of my bikes; which I like. Reminds me of snowmobiling, or my 250 Quadracer and dirt bikes (back in the day). The pavement around here, in my part of rural MI, is frequently grooved, rough, and potholed...................so finding a path through it with a vehicle that has three separate tracks is more entertaining and physical than riding it with two wheels and a single track.

Oh yea; one other thing.........................how's your physical condition and conditioning? Needless to say; living healthy, and exercising (as in cardio and weight training) daily will make a difference in Spyder riding, and a whole bunch of other things as well. If you're not, and you decide to.....................don't mess yourself up (most of us are regrettably past our puppy years); consult with a doctor before starting any exercise regime. Good luck!

 

[NancysToy]

On the Spyder you steer though a turn instead of merely initiating the turn as on a 2-wheeler. While the Spyder is definitely more physical in the twisties than a bike, once a rider is accustomed to it, it is actually less tiring on a long trip...to me at least. At the end of a 600-750 mile day I always have something left when riding my Spyder...not so with the BMW. I attribute this to the Spyder being less mentally fatiguing. You don't have to worry about sand or gravel in the corners, wet leaves, different weight distribution with a passenger, and other such hazards. You are more visible, and feel that way since you can see more machine, too. Give the Spyder some time. Get used to it. ...and stop trying to catch the 2-wheelers until you feel the need to chase them.

 

[Dan McNally]

I just got my RT-S today and did about 120 miles on Ozark backroads. I have a couple of observations.

1) Counter-Counter steer. What I mean is instead of pushing right to turn right, push right to turn left.
2) Lean into the turn.
3) Keep your head up and look down the road.
4) Brake before the turn and accelerate out of the apex.

Having just taken delivery of my first Spyder, a rock-solid RT-S from Pit Bull, I believe much of the trouble new Spyder ryders have is due to improper preparation vehicle preparation by the dealer.

+1 on what OldCowboy said. I got my RT on June 5 . . . it was a struggle for my puny brain to "unlearn" everything I knew about riding. I have 1240 miles on it, now, and find it a very sweet ride. Push with the outside arm rather than trying to steer with both . . . much easier. Hang in there . . . great fun is coming!

 

[warp10]

I would add another thing, the Spyder's front wheel spacing is less than a car. This means that you can't just ride in the center of the road. You need to be a little to the left or right of center. If you try and ride dead center the Spyder will tend to drift left or right down the road and you will be fighting to move it back to dead center. There is a slight high spot in the center of the road, you need feel as you move the spyder just off center of the road, there will be a spot where it will feel more locked in to go straight down the road.

 

[doublenaughtspy]

Hang in you'll be rewarded

Got my ride in April on the second day out I rode with the instructor from the bike course 250 miles (who rides the heck out a gold wing), just barely hung on by the finger nails. Ms. Betsy (my spyder's name) never knew what hit her. Now 4800 miles later we ride and he's impressed and so am I. The bike handles surprisingly well (sway bar installed at 400 miles). The problem is now I want to ride everywhere and so does my co pilot (wife) she's so excited that she got her license. Keep at it the experience will be worth it.

Kenny:yes:

 

[TexAmRider]

Get some miles on

A buddy of mine recently bought a spyder RT, and had the same response about the handling. It took me about 1000 miles, but man I love it now. Got on the highway this morning, heavy traffic, passing trucks etc. with no problems. I was kind of the same way at first man this thing is squirely, and was told you have to get used to it by the service tech and the dealer. Sure enough, going from 2 wheels to three is different. I told my buddy to give it some time, he will hit that sweet spot at some mileage soon. I also went ahead and ordered the Bajaron sway bar. We'll see how much better the ride gets with it. Hang in there.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Teddy has a few suggestions 4 U in the following threads of lite reading- Good Luck



http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...isties-do-yourself-a-favor-amp-read-this-post

 

[kepople]

I am still pretty new but I read on the forum somewhere, dont try to keep up with a two wheeler, they will out corner you every time. If you try, it will probably exhaust you, and get you frustrated. Make your friend aware to take the turns more slowly for now.

That being said, I was taking turns at the posted suggested speed on the yellow sign. Now I am 10mph + over it. Brake into the turn, Out-in-Out line, and hit the gas on the way out. Unlike a 2 wheel where you want to hit the gas in the corner to plant the back wheel, this is a race car style turn. Off the gas while you brake, and goose it at the apex while you are leaning into the turn.
If your passenger is not paying attention though, all bets are off. ;-)

I would guess your exhaustion was based a little on riding, and a lot on frustration. just guessing though

 

[Rascal]

RS vs GS

It's going to take a lot of miles to get used to the spyder. You have to learn to trust the machine to do what it's made to do. Like others above said it's apprehension and you're putting a lot of tension on body parts you aren't used to using .You have to totally forget all the riding habits you used on two wheels , they just don't work on a spyder. riding straight roads you'd probably be totally fine and hardly exhausted at all but curves flat wear you out if you fight the bike. Don't try and muscle the bike in curves , not needed. Dropping down a gear or two going thru curves also helps , lower gears and higher rpms .Let off a tad going in and then romp it once you cornered coming out .Also like mentioned above , until you get your method down pat , don't try to keep up with two wheelers , it ain't gonna safely happen.

A BIG asset to riding is installing a swaybar from Baja Ron , you won't believe the difference it will make. Straightaways you have the same handling but on curves you'll have a totally different machine. If there was only one mod I could afford to add to the bike it would be the bar. Check your tire pressures , most ride 18-20 fronts and 28-30 rear. Increasing the front shock loading also makes a difference in the leaning on curves .

Some call the swaybar a farkle....I call it a necessity if you want to ride twistys.

I am hearing so much about how much of a difference the sway bar makes in the twistys. Is it the same for RS vs RT?