feeling unstable

[Bob Denman]

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.

It's still a very manageable ride: I just know that it can be improved... :thumbup:

 

[UtahPete]

I have been riding motorcycles now for 60 years. I have put about 10,000 miles on my 2015 Spyder RT in about 5 months of riding time and came off a 2015 Gold Wing F6B and I can say I can corner and ride twisties just as well on the Spyder as my F6B. It took me some riding to learn and you better have good tires and have it well aligned. It is different and now I would rather ride the Spyder than any Gold Wing. For two wheels I would go to a BMW Bagger.

Well said.

 

[UtahPete]

Sway bar is a good option as it will hold the trike more level during cornering. Try using a stiff arm for turning, meaning instead of just turning the bars lock or semi lock your outside elbow, this will help eliminate the feeling of flying off.
I would not recommend alignment as a cure as the only alignment that can be done is a toe adjustment which does not affect handling only tire wear. This is more of a mental adjustment than a physical one.
Also learn to relax as once you feel confident the little quirks will fade away.
Once you master it an RT type trike will run with the best cruisers or tour bike and in general outperform them all especially on unpaved and back country roads.

I design reverse trikes for a living and this is not an uncommon concern you have.

Welcome to the forum. Your knowledge is invaluable. Agree with you on every point.

 

[UtahPete]

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

Let us know how much of a difference the pricey Elkas make.

 

[Bob Denman]

The Elkas will make the most difference in how the bike responds to steering inputs.
When I put them on my 2010: I actually dialed-back the preload a bit, in order to slow the responses down! nojoke

 

[Saluda]

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 ??

Too much coffee today ??? :shocked:

 

[Peteoz]

Too much coffee today ??? :shocked:

Hahaha.....I think that most of us understood the point you were making, Saluda

Pete

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

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.

You will have a great test ride IF you keep in mind a few things. One, you must expect the Spyder to handle differently than your two wheeler did, because IT WILL! Keep an open mind and don't try to force everything you know about two wheel riding into your Spyder experience, a lot, yes, but all, no. The Spyder will handle much like an ATV. If you have ATV riding experience you're 80 to 90% of the way there! When it comes to cornering you lean but the bike doesn't. You are not glued to the seat like on a two wheeler. Think bobble head type motion! On a two wheeler as the bike leans in a corner the centrifugal force of the turn pushes you into the seat. On a Spyder the force will push you and the bike sideways. Since you will be flexible with respect to the road, and your Spyder won't be, you will feel pushed to the outside. But if you lean your body into the curve and brace yourself against the bike, you'll have a whole new thrill unlike what you feel on a two wheeler.

Another big difference. With a two wheeler there is a 'sweet spot' of speed, rate of curve, and lean that will cause the bike to go around the curve pretty much on it's own with no input into the handlebar needed. Not so with the Spyder. You have to drive, or guide, the Spyder all the way around the curve. The Spyder only drives with no handlebar input when you're on a straight level road and it's tracking properly.

The main thing is to keep an open mind and be ready for a new experience. You'll love it!

 

[Highwayman2013]

Sway bar is a good option as it will hold the trike more level during cornering. Try using a stiff arm for turning, meaning instead of just turning the bars lock or semi lock your outside elbow, this will help eliminate the feeling of flying off.
I would not recommend alignment as a cure as the only alignment that can be done is a toe adjustment which does not affect handling only tire wear. This is more of a mental adjustment than a physical one.
Also learn to relax as once you feel confident the little quirks will fade away.
Once you master it an RT type trike will run with the best cruisers or tour bike and in general outperform them all especially on unpaved and back country roads.

I design reverse trikes for a living and this is not an uncommon concern you have.

I disagree with toe in not affecting handling. Our 2012 RTL had very erratic (twitchy) handling until it was aligned, it had toe out on both front wheels. Toe in-out does more then cause tire wear.

 

[Bob Denman]

He agrees with you! :2thumbs:

 

[Easy Rider]

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

And you think you know those things exactly HOW ?

Hint: You don't know "the vast majority" of Spyder owners AND you have no way of knowing the riding habits of those who post here, in most cases.

 

[Docster]

When I came off 2 wheels onto a Spyder last May and started studying this forum l almost gave up on the bike because it seemed that everyone was having issues with their ryde. Issues with EVERYTHING. Fortunately some wise ryder posted the comment that most of what is brought up in the forums are only the problems of the few, not the positives of the many.

If the vast majority of Spyder owners aren't happy with their rydes and the vast majority are experiencing issues, then the it's time to call it quits on the Spyder. I rarely enjoy being in the minority....

 

[gerald37]

When I came off 2 wheels onto a Spyder last May and started studying this forum l almost gave up on the bike because it seemed that everyone was having issues with their ryde. Issues with EVERYTHING. Fortunately some wise ryder posted the comment that most of what is brought up in the forums are only the problems of the few, not the positives of the many.

If the vast majority of Spyder owners aren't happy with their rydes and the vast majority are experiencing issues, then the it's time to call it quits on the Spyder. I rarely enjoy being in the minority....

Don't give up your Spyder. I have been riding motorcycles for over 60 years. The day I traded my Goldwing F6B for a 2015 Spyder RT and rode it home about 120 miles I would have gave it back with a lost. But after reading the manual and putting the correct air pressure in the tires aligning the front wheels and balancing the tires. It took about 1,000 miles of riding and I would never trade it for two wheels with my age. I really enjoy riding it now. I read all these comments and they should have never posted until they have read the manual and check everything and then ride it at least a 1000 miles. They are different and you have to learn that. To me they are much safer than any two wheel motorcycle.

 

[UtahPete]

And you think you know those things exactly HOW ? Hint: You don't know "the vast majority" of Spyder owners AND you have no way of knowing the riding habits of those who post here, in most cases.

Deduction, my dear Watson. Deduction.

 

[BajaRon]

When I came off 2 wheels onto a Spyder last May and started studying this forum l almost gave up on the bike because it seemed that everyone was having issues with their ryde. Issues with EVERYTHING. Fortunately some wise ryder posted the comment that most of what is brought up in the forums are only the problems of the few, not the positives of the many.

If the vast majority of Spyder owners aren't happy with their rydes and the vast majority are experiencing issues, then the it's time to call it quits on the Spyder. I rarely enjoy being in the minority....

You are exactly right. Go to any forum for any vehicle (or product for that matter) and you're going to find issue after issue. People don't generally post about how wonderful their Spyder is (though to be sure, it does happen). The majority come here to resolve a problem, (real or perceived). And to this forum's credit. A lot of problems are resolved with the information gotten here.

Still, you do have to be careful as not everything posted on Spyderlovers is accurate.

The Spyder is different. And if you ride it like it's a 2 wheeler (intentionally or from muscle/brain memory) it is going to give you a very uneasy feeling. People who have never ridden anything tend to do much better initially on a Spyder than those who have ridden a lot of miles on anything else.

The Spyder is safe and very stable right from the factory (in the great majority of cases). The fact is, a great majority of owners never change anything. Yet there are custom upgrades that will greatly improve stability and handling, make your Spyder safer, easier and more fun to ride. Shocks, Sway Bar and accurate alignment are the main options here.

Some say the Spyder is perfect stock. Though I've found that typically these have never ridden a Spyder with suspension upgrades. I have even had some nay-sayer customers who finally caved in and purchased a sway bar kit report that they never imagined how much better their Spyder could be and wished they'd done it much sooner.

Everyone has an opinion. And they are certainly entitled to it. If you feel your Spyder does everything you want it to then by all means! Leave it alone. But if you are looking for more, there are some very good options out there that are proven to deliver.

Have a great riding season! hyea:

 

[SailnDive]

handling

Since I started this I think I should clarify some. I love riding the Spyder and I'm comfortable unless I try to corner hard. Be aware that I have studied, designed, built and raced mainly space frame type cars. Think Lotus super seven upgraded. I can drive this type of car very close to the limit of adhesion and be absolutely comfortable. I can not do this with the Spyder. But I am 73 and have many more hours on race cars than I have on the Spyder. With some more time on the Spyder...this may become a moot point. I have a tube frame car almost done that will be very fast and at my advanced age I may learn that I not nearly as adept with it as I used to be.
BTW my first real race car was a Lotus super seven bought with a bank loan from a bank in Penrith NSW, Aust. That loan officer did not want to hear me when I said it was a race car!

 

[gerald37]

You are exactly right. Go to any forum for any vehicle (or product for that matter) and you're going to find issue after issue. People don't generally post about how wonderful their Spyder is (though to be sure, it does happen). The majority come here to resolve a problem, (real or perceived). And to this forum's credit. A lot of problems are resolved with the information gotten here.

Still, you do have to be careful as not everything posted on Spyderlovers is accurate.

The Spyder is different. And if you ride it like it's a 2 wheeler (intentionally or from muscle/brain memory) it is going to give you a very uneasy feeling. People who have never ridden anything tend to do much better initially on a Spyder than those who have ridden a lot of miles on anything else.

The Spyder is safe and very stable right from the factory (in the great majority of cases). The fact is, a great majority of owners never change anything. Yet there are custom upgrades that will greatly improve stability and handling, make your Spyder safer, easier and more fun to ride. Shocks, Sway Bar and accurate alignment are the main options here.

Some say the Spyder is perfect stock. Though I've found that typically these have never ridden a Spyder with suspension upgrades. I have even had some nay-sayer customers who finally caved in and purchased a sway bar kit report that they never imagined how much better their Spyder could be and wished they'd done it much sooner.

Everyone has an opinion. And they are certainly entitled to it. If you feel your Spyder does everything you want it to then by all means! Leave it alone. But if you are looking for more, there are some very good options out there that are proven to deliver.

Have a great riding season! hyea:

I just can not see how mind can handle much better but you have got me sold and you will be getting an order from me. Only time I have ever noticed a little sudden movement is passing a semi at high speed in the wind or meeting one. If the sway bar helped that it would be worth it.

 

[Peteoz]

The Spyder is safe and very stable right from the factory (in the great majority of cases). The fact is, a great majority of owners never change anything. Yet there are custom upgrades that will greatly improve stability and handling, make your Spyder safer, easier and more fun to ride. Shocks, Sway Bar and accurate alignment are the main options here.

Great observations, Ron......should be a sticky as part of the pre reading for new riders....and the above paragraph should be mandatory reading for anyone entering the forum.:thumbup:

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

I just can not see how mind can handle much better but you have got me sold and you will be getting an order from me. Only time I have ever noticed a little sudden movement is passing a semi at high speed in the wind or meeting one. If the sway bar helped that it would be worth it.

As you are a sceptic who doesn’t believe handling can be improved by much, I will be very interested to hear your general observations after installing the new bar, Gerald. :thumbup:

Pete

 

[BajaRon]

I just can not see how mind can handle much better but you have got me sold and you will be getting an order from me. Only time I have ever noticed a little sudden movement is passing a semi at high speed in the wind or meeting one. If the sway bar helped that it would be worth it.

Just email me at [email protected] for anything you need.

There has always been an Unconditional Money Back Guaranty on any bar kit I sell. I've been selling these bar kits for about 7 years. There are several thousand of them on Spyders by now. Guess how many I've gotten back....

I hope this does not sound like bragging. I have been very fortunate to 'stumble' upon a good product. But I remember the 1st time I rode my Spyder with the upgraded sway bar and it was a thrill! It still is. And I get a great feeling every time a customer experiences the same thing. That's what it's all about. hyea: