For Tattr and others who ryde in the snow

[Smylinacha]

After seeing Tattr's pic of the Spyder in ALOT of snow for his ryde home from work and all you others that ryde this all year long - how does it handle in the snow? Be specific please. I'm just curious cuz if I go out to ryde mine after a rainy day and I get it on any grass, it spins and cuts out. I would think snow would work the same way? Wonder what would happen if you stuck knobby tires on it? Probably throw off the computers or something?

I'm not talking off road like quads but like how Tattr rydes his. Hey Tat - is Dee ryding hers in the snow too?

Right now our Spyder is tucked away in the garage with a battery tender on it, right next to HDX's Harley.

Sort of why we want a Ural - so we can ride all year in any kind of weather. We'd keep our Spyder and Harley and this would be our winter toy since we can't have snowmobiles here - no places really to ride a snowmobile w/out trailering it up North somewhere.

 

[bone crusher]

After seeing Tattr's pic of the Spyder in ALOT of snow for his ryde home from work and all you others that ryde this all year long - how does it handle in the snow? Be specific please. I'm just curious cuz if I go out to ryde mine after a rainy day and I get it on any grass, it spins and cuts out. I would think snow would work the same way? Wonder what would happen if you stuck knobby tires on it? Probably throw off the computers or something?

I'm not talking off road like quads but like how Tattr rydes his. Hey Tat - is Dee ryding hers in the snow too?

Right now our Spyder is tucked away in the garage with a battery tender on it, right next to HDX's Harley.

Sort of why we want a Ural - so we can ride all year in any kind of weather. We'd keep our Spyder and Harley and this would be our winter toy since we can't have snowmobiles here - no places really to ride a snowmobile w/out trailering it up North somewhere.

I tried last year with an inch or two of light powder just to see what it would be like...well, here in MD, it isn't really powder, and it wasn't overly impressive...it's like riding a rear-wheel drive car with only one wheel...although the traction control will kick in, the bike can lose traction and spin a bit...once going though, it's generally fine...I'd say your choice of tires is very important if you want to be in the snow at all...I don't ride in the snow...that's what my AWD vehicle is for...I'm not too worried about me...it's the other person that will slide into me on my Spyder...yikes! :yikes:

 

[Smylinacha]

Yes, my Charger is AWD. So being that the Spyder is not AWD, wonder if knobby tires would do anything or would it mess up the "system"?

Or tires w/ spikes in them! :2thumbs:

I tried last year with an inch or two of light powder just to see what it would be like...well, here in MD, it isn't really powder, and it wasn't overly impressive...it's like riding a rear-wheel drive car with only one wheel...although the traction control will kick in, the bike can lose traction and spin a bit...once going though, it's generally fine...I'd say your choice of tires is very important if you want to be in the snow at all...I don't ride in the snow...that's what my AWD vehicle is for...I'm not too worried about me...it's the other person that will slide into me on my Spyder...yikes!

 

[Ravi4l]

I live here in VA been riding Spyder thru the winter so far it loves snow as log you can control your movement. Haven’t had any issue even with 18” we had few weeks back trick is keeping the rear wheel same place where’s cars pack the snow are keep the front wheels over fresh snow so far no issue. I think rain and snow it best time to test my skills and see how well you know your machine.. Reason I bought Spyder
Just my .02
Enjoy
Ravi

 

[bone crusher]

I live here in VA been riding Spyder thru the winter so far it loves snow as log you can control your movement. Haven’t had any issue even with 18” we had few weeks back trick is keeping the rear wheel same place where’s cars pack the snow are keep the front wheels over fresh snow so far no issue. I think rain and snow it best time to test my skills and see how well you know your machine.. Reason I bought Spyder
Just my .02
Enjoy
Ravi

Sounds like fun but as I said before...in bad weather, you might feel like you have control, but if someone else doesn't, you're in big trouble on a bike...this is the case with a car too...I know I can handle the weather, but many out there cannot...at least with a cage, I have protection...without, you're taking much larger risks...

 

[NancysToy]

Sounds like fun but as I said before...in bad weather, you might feel like you have control, but if someone else doesn't, you're in big trouble on a bike...this is the case with a car too...I know I can handle the weather, but many out there cannot...at least with a cage, I have protection...without, you're taking much larger risks...

:agree: I got rear-ended in my truck earlier this year, then that got got hit a minute later, so I got slugged again. Would have probably been very painful on a Spyder. Tailgating and distracted driving are epidemic diseases in this country. I may be fearless, but I don't tempt fate.

 

[bone crusher]

:agree: I got rear-ended in my truck earlier this year, then that got got hit a minute later, so I got slugged again. Would have probably been very painful on a Spyder. Tailgating and distracted driving are epidemic diseases in this country. I may be fearless, but I don't tempt fate.

Yeah...it's dangerous enough out there in a cage...and, uh, a cage tends to be much warmer than the Spyder! However, come Spring, I'm on the bike again!!!! Been really cold here in MD this year, so far!

 

[boborgera]

This is the second winter with my Spyder, I'll tell you from my experience
3 Wheels don't melt ice or slush, If you hit ice/slush, gravity will take it's own course
For you, the guy behind you, the guy along side you,
and worst :yikes: the guy coming the other way.
The Spyders rear wheel has to have traction or the nanny will shut you down.
Your not invincible because of 3 wheels your still out in the open for every body to hit.
Even with all my years[30+] with my 4 drive trucks i still manage to ditch it .
Just be careful in the snow .
= Remember a wise man learns from OTHER people's mistakes not your OWN mistakes

 

[bone crusher]

This is the second winter with my Spyder, I'll tell you from my experience
3 Wheels don't melt ice or slush, If you hit ice/slush, gravity will take it's own course
For you, the guy behind you, the guy along side you,
and worst :yikes: the guy coming the other way.
The Spyders rear wheel has to have traction or the nanny will shut you down.
Your not invincible because of 3 wheels your still out in the open for every body to hit.
Even with all my years[30+] with my 4 drive trucks i still manage to ditch it .
Just be careful in the snow .
= Remember a wise man learns from OTHER people's mistakes not your OWN mistakes

Good points...

 

[Smylinacha]

So I wonder what would happen if we put knobby tires on - probably mess w/ the computers, ya think?
And probably can't do it anyway cuz the nanny will shut it down if it still spins at certain points.

 

[tatt2r]

No dee won't drive in the snow in fact I try not to either just happens that way sometimes again like driving a sports car in the snow works but not well I really don't think it would matter what tires you put on spyder unless spiked but I watch weather reports and try to avoid snow when ever possible

 

[jgwoods]

Spyder in the snow- no so good. It has little traction, corners poorly and I don't ride it in snow unless I am caught at work and have to. SO far I've made it home OK but it's slow going, lots of wheel spin, lots of thanks for ABS, and risky as mentioned because you can't take a hit.

We have one car in the family. I drive the Spyder every day but snow days, cold, rain, sleet if it doesn't stick, etc. but not in snow.

Yes a great set of snow tires would help - better still a rear track and front skis, gee I wonder who makes a vehicle like that?

 

[nickcaro]

If you travel busy roads at peak times you will never have an issue with the snow cause the plow truck armies are out there.
The real question may be; how will you be able to accept the salt and dirt on your vehicle.

This was me last year when we got hit with 6 inches as I was coming home from NYC. http://nick-caro.com/Y/snowspyder/
Highways and main roads were no issue at all. the last 2 miles to get in to that driveway were tough and in my opinion, a ton of fun.

 

[tatt2r]

Must admit nick you got me beat but I am a lot older :2thumbs:

 

[jsmiley]

I have driven in the last two Snow days we had here in Virginia. A few weeks ago when we had the 18" I rode on packed snow to get out of the neighborhood and down to the store. All the neighbors were stuck and immobile. I just left it in 1st and let out the clutch and she crawled all the way out of the neighborhood, no issues.

Once I was on the main roads they were clear and I was cruising. Most of my neighbors could not get out for 2 days.

I rode again on Friday morning in 2 inches without issues on my commute. I just pay special attention to the shiny spots on the road.

Funny thing was I noted 4 other bikes on my commute and they were all BMW and they looked like they were envying my third wheel.

 

[musicarcade]

Wow

Incredible photos Nick. I need to go put on a sweater now!:shocked:

 

[widowmaker2011]

Rear Tire : Stock 225/55 R 15 Use a 205/60 R15 Blizzak. Inflated Diameter is .1 inch different than stock , has a narrower profile but fits the rim/fender clearance fine. (also in different brands - This size is readily available as a studded snow). Then also Run Blizzaks on the front available in the spyder stock size of 165/65-14



This combo works very well.

This setup obviously is NOT endorsed by BRP , Can AM or any delegation of men of sound mind and body :chat: However for me it worked AWESOME......

The problem at this point in my neck of the woods is salt not traction at this point.