feeling unstable

[Easy Rider]

so the entire bike can lean into the corners. .

NO. It takes a LOT more than that.

 

[spydernatic]

So what if you just changed the front shocks to stage 2 Elkas would that make a big difference to the stability I rode a 2012 RT for 5 years and had the front shocks set up perfectly for my style of aggressive riding and felt very confident even with 2 up, my 2017 RT is so wishy washy (if that is a word) that I do not feel as confident as with my 2012 which by the way had adjustable front shocks.
I want to improve the stability of the ride and I am wondering if I should go ahead and order the Elkas

 

[gerald37]

View attachment 160575With regards to the Spyder F3 can I switch the flat profile rear tire for a rounded one if available and setup the front/rear suspension with adjustable Elka shocks so the entire bike can lean into the corners. Honda came out with a Neowing prototype that offered this design but I don't see why this can't be adapted to the Spyder.

To me it would not be a Spyder. I have rode motorcycles for over sixty years and loved the leaning into corners and do miss that. After learning how to ride the Spyder and putting car tires on it and good alignment I enjoy riding it just as much as I did two wheels. I will never say I don't miss a two wheel motorcycle but with my age I just felt I would be better off with three wheels. Where I really appreciate it is in the city stopping and going not having to put my feet down and holding the bike up. Long touring trips I think I will miss the two wheel touring bike. I have rode a lot of 700 miles a day on two wheels and have never rode over three hundred a day on my Spyder. I will fine out this summer.

 

[Mikey]

Many of us have had this same experience. There are a number of things you can do to your Spyder to make it handle like a go-cart. It is actually pretty amazing how much difference a few changes can make. Especially if you are riding 2 up.

This is the reason I started making the sway bar kit. I was very impressed by how it stabilized my Spyder in a number of ways. Not just in the curves as I'd expected. But in strong cross winds, when passing large semi's on the freeway, and more.

Upgraded shocks will also give you greater control over the Spyder.

Laser Alignment can also make a great deal of difference.

Don't give up. Your dream ride may be just a mod or 2 away! :thumbup:

:agree::agree::agree:I just put the bar on, love it now I got to find some one in Maine that will do the laser alignment!!

 

[BazF]

Laser alignment

I got my new F3 about 3 months ago. Asked the dealer to check alignment and he said no need it has been aligned.
Not too happy with the handling/cornering (especially on right hand bends) so I did my own laser alignment 2 days ago.
Left side was toed out 2mm, right side was toed in 4mm.
I adjusted to 1.5mm toe in both sides and I have a new ride. Unbelievable difference.

BTW, the inside lock nut on the left side is almost impossible to reach, without special tool. I removed the frunk and the battery and had easy access.

 

[gerald37]

I got my new F3 about 3 months ago. Asked the dealer to check alignment and he said no need it has been aligned.
Not too happy with the handling/cornering (especially on right hand bends) so I did my own laser alignment 2 days ago.
Left side was toed out 2mm, right side was toed in 4mm.
I adjusted to 1.5mm toe in both sides and I have a new ride. Unbelievable difference.

BTW, the inside lock nut on the left side is almost impossible to reach, without special tool. I removed the frunk and the battery and had easy access.

I found the same. After I aligned my 2015 RT it made one big change in handling. I did the same as you and purchased two good lasers and made my own stands and did my own alignment. Installed car tires and installed centralmatic
balance rs from Lamonster Garage. It handles so well I have not purchased the sway bar as yet but am thinking about it. I just cannot see how it could improved it any.

I agree with you on the inside lock nut on the left side. I was able to loosen the inside lock nut but it was hard.

 

[Easy Rider]

I have a new ride. Unbelievable difference.

Could you be a bit more specific, please ?
A LOT of folks say that but without details.
What was the "problem" before and how is it better now ??

 

[Lew L]

Like thousands of other :spyder2: owners---- my :spyder2: handles great. Smooth and steady, no pulling or drifting out of the lane. Fast in the corners if I want to. It has Doc's spring stiffeners, anti-sway bar, General car tire at 19 # cold, and proper wheel alignment/balance. I've activated nanny a few times and found that smooth inputs really do help.

In higher speed turns, I believe a good technique is:

Push on the peg/floorboard with the outside foot.
Bend the inside elbow and lean forward and to the inside of the turn. I sometimes ( really fast) slide over to the inside of the seat.
Brace body with inside knee against the"tank".

I know it seems like a dance---- but watching a fast 2 wheeler on a very curvy road is a exercise of fluidity in motion.

Lew L

 

[BazF]

Laser Alignment

Easy Rider, I am 70+ rider of two wheelers.
On my F3 I just wasn't comfortable cornering (particularly right bends). Spyder seemed to wander about the road and I found myself fighting it. Hard work.
I went through all the usual things, light touch (where possible), tyre pressures, looking ahead. All the recommended moves with no improvement.
After alignment, smooth steady cornering, my right hand bends are much better, smoother relaxing ride all around. Enjoyable riding.
I have standard tyres all round, 18psi front, 28 psi rear and standard suspension/sway bar.
Enough detail?

 

[Bob Denman]

After putting some miles on my 2018 RT-L: it definitely feels "twitchy" at speeds...
So When Ron gets back in his garage: that'll be my next stop! :thumbup:
The bike already has BajaRon's anti-swaybar, and that made a HUGE difference in how the bike corners! :clap:

 

[stmike 1800]

You guys are scarring me ,with all this ill handling . I have not even got to do a test ride yet ( snow is still melting ) . I am trying to make a deal on a new 2016 RTL ,but still need a test ride . Got my first bike in 1968 ,and have never been without one since.

 

[Bob Denman]

Don't worry a bit: they probably will feel most like your Ski Doo! :thumbup:

 

[Saluda]

Not minimizing others comments, but never could understand any of these poor handling comments. Have owned a few Spyders and many two wheelers prior. Not once did the handling (Spyder) ever concern me (us). Also sled and maybe that has something to do with it.
Try one, you'll love it. They have got to be one of the safest and most stable rides out there. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[Easy Rider]

Enough detail?

Absolutely. Thank you.

I'm an old fart like you.

I don't seem to have any real problem with cornering.....unless there are also bumps involved......but lots of folks swear by getting the alignment "right" so on my next visit I won't be letting the service "tech" talk me out of it.

Actually I might schedule a trip over to the Daytona area and have it done by the "real" expert.

 

[Easy Rider]

After putting some miles on my 2018 RT-L: it definitely feels "twitchy" at speeds...

A VERY interesting and useful comment from someone who has the extensive Spyder experience that you have.
PLEASE do keep us up to date on your progress.

 

[Easy Rider]

Not minimizing others comments, but never could understand any of these poor handling comments.

And how exactly do you think that does NOT minimize the comments from others ???

I think it absolutely DOES. It is like saying that you don't really believe that there is a problem......that tons of other people are saying that there IS....for them.

Do you really NOT "understand" it ?? Or are you just trying to say that some people will find the different geometry a problem and others won't ??

 

[vtown biker]

Why are people so aggressive on here?

He said that he "couldn't understand." That is his experience.

Sheesh guys-

And how exactly do you think that does NOT minimize the comments from others ???

I think it absolutely DOES. It is like saying that you don't really believe that there is a problem......that tons of other people are saying that there IS....for them.

Do you really NOT "understand" it ?? Or are you just trying to say that some people will find the different geometry a problem and others won't ??

 

[Lew L]

To: stmike and vtown,

The word in red says volumes. A huge percentage of :spyder2: ryders love the way their Spyders handle.

Like thousands of other :spyder2: owners---- my :spyder2: handles great. Smooth and steady, no pulling or drifting out of the lane. Fast in the corners if I want to. It has Doc's spring stiffeners, anti-sway bar, General car tire at 19 # cold, and proper wheel alignment/balance. I've activated nanny a few times and found that smooth inputs really do help.

In higher speed turns, I believe a good technique is:

Push on the peg/floorboard with the outside foot.
Bend the inside elbow and lean forward and to the inside of the turn. I sometimes ( really fast) slide over to the inside of the seat.
Brace body with inside knee against the"tank".

I know it seems like a dance---- but watching a fast 2 wheeler on a very curvy road is a exercise of fluidity in motion.

Lew L

Those of us ( and there are many) who can handle our :spyder2:'s like we handled our motorcycles before are trying our best to help those who feel uncomfortable on a Spyder.

Counter steering didn't come natural BUT we all learned it. If our motorcycles had mis-alighed wheels----- we fixed it. Adjusted tire pressures and maybe even changed suspension components. Being comfortable on a :spyder2: means learning something new.

Lew L

 

[UtahPete]

You guys are scarring me ,with all this ill handling . I have not even got to do a test ride yet ( snow is still melting ) . I am trying to make a deal on a new 2016 RTL ,but still need a test ride . Got my first bike in 1968 ,and have never been without one since.

Don't be dissuaded by the negative comments of the few. The vast majority of Spyder owners aren't experiencing handling problems. A lot of the negative comments come from folks who spend more time on this forum than in the saddle.nojoke

 

[Lew L]

Thanks Pete

+1

And my wife and I are out for a ride in the Sierra Nevada mts in about an hour. Lots of turnsnojoke