First real ride on rt limited and need help with ride

[BeachSpyder]

Much better!

I used the best tool in my box, my local dealer (all out cycles in. Chesapeake) to lift the bike and adjust the springs, as I was going to be out that way anyway. That mod, and relaxing my grip, made a huge difference in the ride. I may still increase my tyre pressure a bit, but the ride is pretty good now and getting increasingly fun. How they would send my fat ass out on the number three setting is beyond me, but boy am I glad to be on number five!

 

[sail]

Test Ride Yesterday

I'm new to motorbikes/trikes and on my 2011 RT-S test ride yesterday I noticed the bike seemed to dart left and right in the lane while going straight at 35mph on a smooth and flat road. I wouldn't call it scary but it certainly startled me. I was told the Spyder steering takes getting used to. I had read the posts here and loostened the grip a little and that may have helped slightly, but since the test ride was about 12 minutes it was hard to tell. In any event, I contacted someone who bought a 2010 Spyder who was also new to riding and he said that he has had no such wandering in the lane at any speed. It's tough to plunk down that kind of money for something that gives me pause. Other than that, the ride was pretty nice (for as quick as it was). I'm wondering if I should test ride again, or better yet, locate a place that rents them so I get a REAL feel for the machine.

 

[recordingguy]

I noticed that you were riding with a group which was staggered. The Manual states that you will do better if you ride center lane and do not stagger as if you were riding a two wheeler. Info is on page 81 in the Roadster Operator's Guide. Using the 2 second rule will help to keep you safe also. Injoy. They are really on spot with the relax your hands. It worked for me. When I was deciding to buy I read so many bad articles about the control of the Spyder RT that I was nervous about it. I called a dealler, he told me forget the bad press and just relax your hands & shoulders. I followed his advice and it was just fine. His information is what made me decide to buy after I test rode a RT October last year.I made a appointment for a new 2011RTS for delivery in April this year.

 

[MarkLawson]

The 'science' of steering a two wheeler and a Spyder are directly opposite. On a standard motorcycle, to turn you use a technique called 'counter-steering'. Counter-steering means that to turn left, you apply a small amount of right turn pressure to the handlebars. This causes the bike to lean to the left, which then allows it (& you) to make that left hand turn without being thrown to the outside of the turn by centrifugal force. Being an experienced biker, when your brain says "left", your arms nudge it right slightly in response, all without real thought & you get the desired results.

On the Spyder, if your brain says "left" & your arms nudge it to the right, as they are accustomed to doing, the Spyder goes to the right & catches you by surprise. You have to steer it in the direction you want to go. Counter-steering, like you do a two wheeler, will turn you in the opposite direction you want to go. Even when going along a straight section of road, you are constantly making course corrections. Counter-steering will mess with that unconscious process in the same way.

Once you have figured out the mechanics of what is happening & why, & your arms have learned a new way to steer, it'll be much improved. You just have to give it some thought until the arms learn the new process.

 

[chris56]

if its a 2011 ..there should be NO problems like this if everything is adjusted ...
have a look to all the videos - how easy she finds her way and don`t hold the handlebars too strong ...

(was a fighter with my 2010 front-shocks..)

 

[GeoffCee]

Specifically, over 45 mph there was considerable side to side oscillation and significant yaw when on a capped or slanting road, even with a very mild grade towards the sides.

Without any steering input the Spyder will travel in a straight line, in accordance with Newton's 1st Law of Motion. "An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force".

The "external force" relevant to the sensations a new Spyder rider feels can only come from one source: his own hands. The consensus is that he, or she, may not be aware of it. It takes time and practise before one adapts one's steering inputs to the Spyder's peculiar layout. So peculiar that previous experience on 2 wheels or 4 counts for very little. It's enough to make a grown man cry!

Personally I feel that if it was steered by the rear wheel it would be much less twitchy, but that's just a fantasy...

 

[dave711]

The 'science' of steering a two wheeler and a Spyder are directly opposite. On a standard motorcycle, to turn you use a technique called 'counter-steering'. Counter-steering means that to turn left, you apply a small amount of right turn pressure to the handlebars. This causes the bike to lean to the left, which then allows it (& you) to make that left hand turn without being thrown to the outside of the turn by centrifugal force. Being an experienced biker, when your brain says "left", your arms nudge it right slightly in response, all without real thought & you get the desired results.

On the Spyder, if your brain says "left" & your arms nudge it to the right, as they are accustomed to doing, the Spyder goes to the right & catches you by surprise. You have to steer it in the direction you want to go. Counter-steering, like you do a two wheeler, will turn you in the opposite direction you want to go. Even when going along a straight section of road, you are constantly making course corrections. Counter-steering will mess with that unconscious process in the same way.

Once you have figured out the mechanics of what is happening & why, & your arms have learned a new way to steer, it'll be much improved. You just have to give it some thought until the arms learn the new process.

Very well said Mark... It was great to chat with ya in Kerville and thanks for your work with utopia... love the backrest!

The first 30 mi on mine... I was thinking what a mistake!... then after about 50 to 100 miles I got the hang of it and what an impressive machine.:agree:

 

[retiredsquid]

I've only got 38 miles on my Limited as I type, but I feel I took to the thing like a duck does to water. I paid attention to what ya'll have schooled me on here, my technician is a world class pro rider and a vast source of knowledge, and a lot of the principles of a 4 wheeler seem to apply to the Spyder.

My dealership technician and I agreed that Position 1 was the best place to ride the Spyder and it seems to work well for me. In Position 2 I feel like I am all over the place and in Position 3 I do not feel like folks see me. The main thing is to not put one of your front tires in the ruts naturally worn into the asphalt, because that will shake you around and another thing is not to hang onto the handle bars for dear life.

I can see this machine having a lot of miles put on it. I put 18,000 on my Suzuki in less than three years and I am betting I'll come close to doubling that on this machine in the same period of time.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:welcome: to the new owners in this thread.

The Spyder will take some getting used to, and as some have found out some fairly simple adjustments can help a lot as well. I wish you the best in continuing to get used to your new Spyder.

Sail, I would definitely schedule a longer test ryde if possible. Use all of the information you read in this thread. Although they probably won't adjust the shocks for you before the test ryde, the grip advice and letting the Spyder lead should help you out a lot. :thumbup:

 

[MarkLawson]

Very well said Mark... It was great to chat with ya in Kerville and thanks for your work with utopia... love the backrest!

The first 30 mi on mine... I was thinking what a mistake!... then after about 50 to 100 miles I got the hang of it and what an impressive machine.:agree:

Thanks Dave, I really enjoyed our visit to Kerrville. Sure love that blue color. That would have been my choice if I hadn't already decided to get the PE.

Made the almost 1100 miles home in two days. Lost my trailer lights (except brake lights) & reverse the first day traveling home, so could only ride in daylight. Fuse F7 (front fuse box) keeps blowing, even with no key & no trailer attached. I believe some module is bad. Dealer has both the Spyder & trailer now.

God bless,

 

[dave711]

Man you put some miles on that rig.. Don't think my butt could take that many miles day after day... plan on hitting spiderfest next year.. hope to see ya again... let me know if you head through texas again..

 

[spyder1975]

i bought mine without even trying it out. ive never had the darting problem. ive had 2 wheelers forever from sportbikes to harleys and this is way different. i ride snowmobiles alot and to me this handles closest to a sled with wheels just relax and dont fight it even if it does wander a bit i find if you just give a little it comes right back where it should be ..once u get used to it youll love it just give it some time and dont give up on it!

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks Dave, I really enjoyed our visit to Kerrville. Sure love that blue color. That would have been my choice if I hadn't already decided to get the PE.

Made the almost 1100 miles home in two days. Lost my trailer lights (except brake lights) & reverse the first day traveling home, so could only ride in daylight. Fuse F7 (front fuse box) keeps blowing, even with no key & no trailer attached. I believe some module is bad. Dealer has both the Spyder & trailer now.

God bless,

Classic sign of a bad trailer module.