JKMSPYDER
Active member
Fellow Spyderlovers, I returned from my dealer in GA to Murphy, NC on my new ST-S earlier today. It was a 90 mile trip and I wanted to give first impressions.
First of all I love it, but as a newbie it is going to take some getting used to. My biggest problem is hesitation in turns at low speed. I keep thinking the Spyder is going to flip or throw me off. When I make a 90 degree left or right turn from a stop, I am very hesitant and sometimes while turning, my right hand will roll the throttle a little too much up or down and then I jerk. I am just going to have to keep practicing. Also, on the two lane road I was on part of the way, I was very hesitant in the turns at 35, 45, and 55 mph. Again, I felt like the Spyder would flip. My dealer told me it wouldn't, so I have to learn this. My wife followed me back in her car and said I was a wimp going around the curves. She said that if anyone else had been behind me, they would have run over me. (She is probably right!!) Once on the 4 lane, I didn't seem to have a problem on the curves at 55 to 65 mph. Am I assuming right that if a curve has a speed limit posted for a car, that the Spyder can do it and the Nanny won't kick in and the Spyder will make the turn effortlessly?
I did get a lot of wind buffeting at highway speeds, but it was not like I was getting buffeted, I could just hear it. I'm glad I wore ear plugs. We stopped about 3/4 of the way home due to my right hand getting a cramp in it. I guess I was unconsciously giving the bars the dreaded "death grip" but didn't realize it. After a few minutes of rest I got back on and didn't have any more hand cramps. As for the buffeting, I had the windshield all the way up and the air was passing over my head. I'm 5' 10". The ST comes with adjustable wind deflectors, but the manual gives no clue on how to adjust them.
The SE5 transmission is wonderful!! Following the "do's and don'ts" on the forum, the shifting was smooth as glass. I did not roll off the throttle when upshifting and would barely notice it. Upon downshifting, I would roll off the throttle a little bit, and again the shifting was smooth. On the four lane I set the cruise to 65 and stayed in fourth gear at 5600 rpm. Even with ear plugs, the engine sounded great. It didn't sound like the revs were too high, or if it was lugging. The cruise also keeps the speed right on where you set it and the rpm's don't vary by 100 up or down. Love the cruise! I can't see ever using 5th gear unless I'm going over 65. Anyone want to chime in on this observation?
At low speeds while turning in a curve, the ST-S did have a tendency to wander a bit but this could be due to my inexperience and bad throttle management. I'll check the tire pressures when cold. BRP recommends 15 in front and 28 in rear. Does anyone suggest higher pressures to counter wandering? (Maybe I imagined it anyway.)
The temp. was 48-50 degrees with light winds. I was very warm, but I had on a lot of clothes. I had heated grips added as an option, but didn't need them today with my gloves on. The seat was comfortable but more miles will determine if my fanny needs a new seat. A driver's backrest is a definite, though. The seat was actually warm. When I got back to Murphy I filled up and I could feel the heat under the seat when I raised it. It's nice in this weather, but could be a problem when warm weather gets here.
I'll probably think of some more things later, but wanted to give first impressions while fresh on my mind. I know I made the right decision and I'm going to love my Spyder. Please jump in and give me your thoughts, suggestions, etc. My cranium is open and I want to soak it all in!!!
John Mattox
A happy Spyder Rider!!
First of all I love it, but as a newbie it is going to take some getting used to. My biggest problem is hesitation in turns at low speed. I keep thinking the Spyder is going to flip or throw me off. When I make a 90 degree left or right turn from a stop, I am very hesitant and sometimes while turning, my right hand will roll the throttle a little too much up or down and then I jerk. I am just going to have to keep practicing. Also, on the two lane road I was on part of the way, I was very hesitant in the turns at 35, 45, and 55 mph. Again, I felt like the Spyder would flip. My dealer told me it wouldn't, so I have to learn this. My wife followed me back in her car and said I was a wimp going around the curves. She said that if anyone else had been behind me, they would have run over me. (She is probably right!!) Once on the 4 lane, I didn't seem to have a problem on the curves at 55 to 65 mph. Am I assuming right that if a curve has a speed limit posted for a car, that the Spyder can do it and the Nanny won't kick in and the Spyder will make the turn effortlessly?
I did get a lot of wind buffeting at highway speeds, but it was not like I was getting buffeted, I could just hear it. I'm glad I wore ear plugs. We stopped about 3/4 of the way home due to my right hand getting a cramp in it. I guess I was unconsciously giving the bars the dreaded "death grip" but didn't realize it. After a few minutes of rest I got back on and didn't have any more hand cramps. As for the buffeting, I had the windshield all the way up and the air was passing over my head. I'm 5' 10". The ST comes with adjustable wind deflectors, but the manual gives no clue on how to adjust them.
The SE5 transmission is wonderful!! Following the "do's and don'ts" on the forum, the shifting was smooth as glass. I did not roll off the throttle when upshifting and would barely notice it. Upon downshifting, I would roll off the throttle a little bit, and again the shifting was smooth. On the four lane I set the cruise to 65 and stayed in fourth gear at 5600 rpm. Even with ear plugs, the engine sounded great. It didn't sound like the revs were too high, or if it was lugging. The cruise also keeps the speed right on where you set it and the rpm's don't vary by 100 up or down. Love the cruise! I can't see ever using 5th gear unless I'm going over 65. Anyone want to chime in on this observation?
At low speeds while turning in a curve, the ST-S did have a tendency to wander a bit but this could be due to my inexperience and bad throttle management. I'll check the tire pressures when cold. BRP recommends 15 in front and 28 in rear. Does anyone suggest higher pressures to counter wandering? (Maybe I imagined it anyway.)
The temp. was 48-50 degrees with light winds. I was very warm, but I had on a lot of clothes. I had heated grips added as an option, but didn't need them today with my gloves on. The seat was comfortable but more miles will determine if my fanny needs a new seat. A driver's backrest is a definite, though. The seat was actually warm. When I got back to Murphy I filled up and I could feel the heat under the seat when I raised it. It's nice in this weather, but could be a problem when warm weather gets here.
I'll probably think of some more things later, but wanted to give first impressions while fresh on my mind. I know I made the right decision and I'm going to love my Spyder. Please jump in and give me your thoughts, suggestions, etc. My cranium is open and I want to soak it all in!!!
John Mattox
A happy Spyder Rider!!
--but, make sure you are driving within your safety limits. 
hyea:
