GW Motor Trike vs. RT-S SE5

[rcantrell52]

GW Motor Trike vs. RT-S SE5

Big Red 1
I appreciate your thread about comparing the above. I found your comments very interesting. Last week I test drove a GW motor trike 3 different times, 2 with independent rear suspension and 1 with straight axle. All 3 had easy steer and rode very well & I was told that the straight axle trike would give vibrations in the front-end when the outside tire hit a bump. This was correct information, it did transfer to the front as opposed to the opposite side. I also found that in releasing the clutch and not accelerating, the GW would move forward to about 5-10 mph. It has very good low-end torque.
I look forward to reading your comments about how the Spyder compares to the GW trike in cornering & left/right turns.
Regards,
Reese

 

[Mr. White]

I will have to get used to the RT. I rode on some tight furns and I feel like I sit IN the Wing and ON the RT and tended to slide on the seat. I found that if I hug the tank with my legs, it was much better.

My RT tends to "plant itself" in tight turns....hard to explain, but seems to dig in more than the Wing. I adjusted the tire pressure and will ride those roads again and see if handling is improved. It is good now, but I enjoy making suspension adjustments until I feel the trike is at the top of its ability....

The RT has many suspension adjustments (combinations) and are few and pretty simple on the Wing. You can change front shock springs and that is about it. On my Motor Trike I have an air compressor which I can adjust the air shocks on the fly. Firm in the twisties and softer on the interstate. Apples and oranges...I like them both....

 

[Mr. White]

While reviewing the audio settings I see Low/Dis on the CB screen. I could not find what each setting does in the book. A CB has four watts output to the final and is on the 11 meter band. Our government put CB on one of the worse "distance" bands on purpose so folks could not clutter the airways.

With maybe a mile or slightly more "talking distance" these settings seem useless to me, just as the three settings on the AVC.

Does anyone know what the low/dis settings actually do?

I have no idea how to check the SWR on the RT CB. It is easy on the Wing. A proper SWR (standing wave ratio) lets the CB operate at it's best. Perhaps BRP has the antenna trimmed properly.

 

[Mr. White]

I answered my own question....see below.

I am a ham radio operator (WB5WFW) and should have figured out the low/dis setting. It is a RF Attenuator switch. I have one on my amateur radio transceiver. It puts an attenuator in the antenna circuit protecting the RF amplifier and mixer from overload on strong input signals. This means that if you are close to another CB and they key up, it could damage your unit.

I had not seen these terms used before, but finally gave it some thought....and now we know.

 

[syclemom]

suggestion

After you try your current tire pressure might try 21-22psi. shocks at max. concensus is a much more planted feel in curves , less squirm of the sidewall, just put general car tires on the wifes and the stiffer sidewall she says is better yet , ride quality still awesome.

 

[Mr. White]

After you try your current tire pressure might try 21-22psi. shocks at max. concensus is a much more planted feel in curves , less squirm of the sidewall, just put general car tires on the wifes and the stiffer sidewall she says is better yet , ride quality still awesome.

Okay on the air pressure...up a bit on the recommended pressure...what brand and size auto tires? Are these for a RT or RS? You info does not say but the pic is of a RT....the wifes?? or yours....

 

[stevedfive]

George, you have a 2011, so the front shocks are ok at 3, maybe 4.

 

[Mr. White]

George, you have a 2011, so the front shocks are ok at 3, maybe 4.

It is my understanding from Lamont's and other's posts that the 2011 has upgraded front shocks. I have them set on 4. Will move them to 3 and 5 as I progress to find the "sweet spot" on BR1. I ride alone so once I find it....it will stay at those settings.

It has been very windy the last couple of days. I did not ride. Will be busy tomorrow morning as the pest control guy is coming to spray the yard and around the foundation for scorpions. I killed my first one for the year yesterday. Gotta get them rascals early before they get in the house.

 

[syclemom]

tires

Spyder is my wifes I ride a Venture, she now has 25000mi. and running 175/65/14 General Altimax RT fronts and a 215/60/15 Michelin Hydroedge rear , she says best handling yet. Running 21psi. frts. 18.5 psi. rear.

 

[Mr. White]

Yes, the Wing has over 100 pounds of torque and when cold, the FI will run up the rpms some and you will move a slow pace for a few feet. I have not noticed the front wheel moving when hitting bumps, etc. My Wing is very smooth and runs like a hose.

Last evening I took BR1 out to one of my favorite twisty roads...up and down small hills, short, sharp turns, some 180 degrees and climbing while in the turns...fun and ya gotta pay attention. No guard rails for the folks who look right and the turn is left....:yikes:

BR1 did pretty well with this exercise and I did enjoy it's auto downshifting for me when in the 180 turns going uphill.

I then went out on IH10W and purposely got behind several 18 wheelers, running 70-75mph. The backdraft from the trucks effects BR1, moving me back and forth with the draft. I pulled up close to the trucks and dropped back for different effects. My Wing also reacts to these drafts, but not quite as bad as RT1. I was running my windshield full up and forgot to lower it to see how it did. Wing windshield is always full up as you have to stop to adjust it.

I reduced my air pressure to 16 #, down from 18 and did not notice much difference....some, but very little. I set my rear shock from firm to soft and back several times and feel RT1 handles better with a little firmer setting.

Tomorrow, I ride with my Sat. group, the Hill Country Road Riders. We are older, mostly long time riders, of all brands of scoots. (I will be the only Spyder, but three other trikes) Our route to breakfast will take us on some twisties and serious curves northwest of San Antonio...another workout for BR1.

:spyder2:

 

[Mr. White]

Rode Saturday with some high winds....blew me around more than on my Wing trike. I will go back to 18 # in the front tires and see if it gives me better stability, as the RT tends to wander. As I have said, the single front wheel of the Wing gives a gyroscopic effect at speeds, the RT does seem to do this. The RT is comfortble, but I am going to have to adjust my Kewlmetal foot pegs for little more leg room.

My fingers got cramped with the small hand grips. My Wing had the same size when I bought it. I exchanged them to Kuri ISO grips and will do the same on my RT. I may loose my heated grips, but the size is a bigger issue. Maybe there is a grip that fits over the present heated grip so I have both size and heat.

My BRP dealer installed CB seems transmit okay,but the receive is poor. I ride with the same group and at 1/2 to 3/4 miles, I hear them clearly on the Wing, but after 2-300 yards, the receive is garbled and broken up. Not happy with this.

 

[Dragonrider]

George - I had t add a set of grip puppies to my RT. Still get plenty of heat, but the fatter grips are more comfortable..

 

[Mr. White]

Where can I get them. That sounds like what I need.

 

[NorthStar]

Kuryakan Clam Shell

Some have adapted the Kuryakan GL1800 Clam Shell for their RT's, including me.

If you don't mind trimming the ends of your grips off, and grinding the paddle shifter a tad, if you have the SE5, then that is the way to go. The heat, set on high, transfers just fine through the shells.

I really like the feel of Kuryakan ISO grips and I am glad I did this mod. There is a post by Lamonster giving you a step by step run down on the install.

 

[Dragonrider]

George - Amazon has a set for $9 - They go on with NO mods, and work well..

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Grab-Grips-GRAB--COVERS-MC402/dp/B000WJAH5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302644407&sr=8-1[/ame]

 

[IWN2RYD]

George- In regards to your CB I am sure you did this already... But just in case...

Go into the master settings screen where most adjustments like clock, trailer, radio, etc are... Select the CB... Change it from LC or LO (Local) to DX (Distance.... Only writing that for those not in the know).

Then once done... Hit MODE a few times to get to the CB itself on the screen. Now adjust the squelch setting (Has a little antenna transmitting looking emblem). Keep in mind I always screw it up as I think the bar going up means more, but it might mean less. For example... More than once I have cussed our RT in the same screen (Far right setting) on the mic or VOX sensitivity. I have moved it up thinking it makes it more sensitive, when in fact what that is doing is lowering the amount of noise it can hear, requiring a louder voice to turn on the VOX (Great for when using an open lid or half helmet).

These two adjustments helped us tremendously. As we had a very similar issue with ours. Only other issue we had was the normal hum when a ground not proper. Once the grounding issue was resolved we have been happy with about 1 mile mountain roads CB usage and 2-3 miles straight line usage...

Now... If you have already done this, the bike needs to most likely go back to the dealer and have all the grounds checked and or the connections in the kit.

I hope this helps! nojoke:2thumbs::doorag:

 

[Mr. White]

George- In regards to your CB I am sure you did this already... But just in case...

Go into the master settings screen where most adjustments like clock, trailer, radio, etc are... Select the CB... Change it from LC or LO (Local) to DX (Distance.... Only writing that for those not in the know).


Then once done... Hit MODE a few times to get to the CB itself on the screen. Now adjust the squelch setting (Has a little antenna transmitting looking emblem). Keep in mind I always screw it up as I think the bar going up means more, but it might mean less. For example... More than once I have cussed our RT in the same screen (Far right setting) on the mic or VOX sensitivity. I have moved it up thinking it makes it more sensitive, when in fact what that is doing is lowering the amount of noise it can hear, requiring a louder voice to turn on the VOX (Great for when using an open lid or half helmet).

These two adjustments helped us tremendously. As we had a very similar issue with ours. Only other issue we had was the normal hum when a ground not proper. Once the grounding issue was resolved we have been happy with about 1 mile mountain roads CB usage and 2-3 miles straight line usage...

Now... If you have already done this, the bike needs to most likely go back to the dealer and have all the grounds checked and or the connections in the kit.

I hope this helps! nojoke:2thumbs::doorag:

I had it on DX when I had the problem. I had the squelch in the middle. I think the lower the bar, the lower the squelch because I had it quite low and could pick up the electrical radiation from power lines when I went under them. I still had the problem. When I moved it up the bar the radiation did not break the squelch. I will keep fooling with it and once set, hands off...ha ha Thanks...at least yours works. When I go in for the 600, I will have them look at the grounds, etc.

I don't use the mic or VOX...no passenger...My helmet (FF) mic seems to work okay.

 

[Mr. White]

George - Amazon has a set for $9 - They go on with NO mods, and work well..

http://www.amazon.com/Grab-Grips-GR...AH5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302644407&sr=8-1

Thanks Dragon. Powersports is in Austin, TX....not far. I will get a pair....I appreciate you help.

 

[Mr. White]

Rode my Wing Thursday in 30 mph crosswinds and BR1 today in simular wind conditions....The Wing is somewhat better, but BR1 hung in and I enjoyed my ride. I am liking BR1 better with each ride.

I got my CB working pretty well....receive is working better for whatever reason...I probably had the squelch too tight.....or ?

Anyway, things are looking up for the Spyder. It finally dawned on me that this is a Spyder and the Gold Wing is a Wing...duh. Both are great rides....different, but great machines...

:spyder2:

 

[Dragonrider]

George, it really does take a couple of hundred miles for that realization to sink in.