Horrible handling issue with major wind gusts

[SpyderLady1968]

It's been awhile since my last post and I wanted to give an update since I have a lot more miles under my belt. I had been handling my F3 pretty well until about a month ago when a group of us rode up through Palmdale and Lancaster - VERY windy areas. We came up a hill and a huge gust came from the right and the front of Spyder lunged down and to the left (pushing me way too close to the line). The second time it happened I motioned to the sweep rider that I was turning around and going home. The winds got really bad after that so I stayed in the slow lane and when the strong cross-winds hit I either pulled off the road or just took it very carefully. I called my boyfriend (Al) who has built motorcycles and hotrods his entire life and he walked over to talk to the local Spyder mechanic (two doors down) about my wind issues. My mechanic told him since the sway bar was already installed that I buying heavier performance shocks would probably help. So after much research I was going to order Elka but I ended up getting the M2 Shocks mainly because I was impressed after watching their videos and because they could get them to me in just over a week. Al installed them last Saturday and I tried them out on Sunday, making sure the tire pressure in all tires were right. You talk about a HUGE difference!! Cornering was fantastic and we hit some winds and it seemed to hug the pavement. But I won't know for sure until I get hit with cross-winds. Now I have question. While Al looked around at all the models at my mechanic's shop he noticed that all the other models (RS and RT, etc.) you sit up higher and closer to the front. With the F3 I am in more of a cruising position and there is not as much weight in the front like the other models. He really feels the F3 is too light in the front. He has to put lead balists on some of the hotrods he builds so he thought that might help my problem. He wanted to put balist (possibly close to 50 pounds) into the bottom of the frunk but I pointed out the label in the frunk that says "WARNING, DO NOT OVERLOAD, 15 LBS." I asked him not to put it in until I could see what some of you think about this. Well????

 

[IgoFar2]

It's been awhile since my last post and I wanted to give an update since I have a lot more miles under my belt. I had been handling my F3 pretty well until about a month ago when a group of us rode up through Palmdale and Lancaster - VERY windy areas. We came up a hill and a huge gust came from the right and the front of Spyder lunged down and to the left (pushing me way too close to the line). The second time it happened I motioned to the sweep rider that I was turning around and going home. The winds got really bad after that so I stayed in the slow lane and when the strong cross-winds hit I either pulled off the road or just took it very carefully. I called my boyfriend (Al) who has built motorcycles and hotrods his entire life and he walked over to talk to the local Spyder mechanic (two doors down) about my wind issues. My mechanic told him since the sway bar was already installed that I buying heavier performance shocks would probably help. So after much research I was going to order Elka but I ended up getting the M2 Shocks mainly because I was impressed after watching their videos and because they could get them to me in just over a week. Al installed them last Saturday and I tried them out on Sunday, making sure the tire pressure in all tires were right. You talk about a HUGE difference!! Cornering was fantastic and we hit some winds and it seemed to hug the pavement. But I won't know for sure until I get hit with cross-winds. Now I have question. While Al looked around at all the models at my mechanic's shop he noticed that all the other models (RS and RT, etc.) you sit up higher and closer to the front. With the F3 I am in more of a cruising position and there is not as much weight in the front like the other models. He really feels the F3 is too light in the front. He has to put lead balists on some of the hotrods he builds so he thought that might help my problem. He wanted to put balist (possibly close to 50 pounds) into the bottom of the frunk but I pointed out the label in the frunk that says "WARNING, DO NOT OVERLOAD, 15 LBS." I asked him not to put it in until I could see what some of you think about this. Well????

Personally, I think that if you add that much weight to the frunk, you're becoming a test pilot. You/we do not know why BRP put that weight limit there. Could it be that the attachments that hold the frunk will not withstand a certain amount of jarring or strain over 15#? I don't know. Or, possibly, could it adversely affect vehicle handling? I am not advising you to add the weight or not add the weight. I just don't know what adding that much weight may do.

 

[SpyderLady1968]

I agree with you. This is probably a dumb question but I am really curious if a person (other than a mechanic) could actually call and talk to someone at BRP? I would love to find out if there have been complaints about the light front end and if there is anything that can be done. They may talk to Spyder mechanics but somehow I doubt someone like me could get through to anyone. I think I am just going to go on my road trip and keep my fingers crossed. I have done everything that I can and I think the cross-winds won't be as much of a problem with these new awesome shocks! Thank you for your reply.

 

[trikermutha]

It's been awhile since my last post and I wanted to give an update since I have a lot more miles under my belt. I had been handling my F3 pretty well until about a month ago when a group of us rode up through Palmdale and Lancaster - VERY windy areas. We came up a hill and a huge gust came from the right and the front of Spyder lunged down and to the left (pushing me way too close to the line). The second time it happened I motioned to the sweep rider that I was turning around and going home. The winds got really bad after that so I stayed in the slow lane and when the strong cross-winds hit I either pulled off the road or just took it very carefully. I called my boyfriend (Al) who has built motorcycles and hotrods his entire life and he walked over to talk to the local Spyder mechanic (two doors down) about my wind issues. My mechanic told him since the sway bar was already installed that I buying heavier performance shocks would probably help. So after much research I was going to order Elka but I ended up getting the M2 Shocks mainly because I was impressed after watching their videos and because they could get them to me in just over a week. Al installed them last Saturday and I tried them out on Sunday, making sure the tire pressure in all tires were right. You talk about a HUGE difference!! Cornering was fantastic and we hit some winds and it seemed to hug the pavement. But I won't know for sure until I get hit with cross-winds. Now I have question. While Al looked around at all the models at my mechanic's shop he noticed that all the other models (RS and RT, etc.) you sit up higher and closer to the front. With the F3 I am in more of a cruising position and there is not as much weight in the front like the other models. He really feels the F3 is too light in the front. He has to put lead balists on some of the hotrods he builds so he thought that might help my problem. He wanted to put balist (possibly close to 50 pounds) into the bottom of the frunk but I pointed out the label in the frunk that says "WARNING, DO NOT OVERLOAD, 15 LBS." I asked him not to put it in until I could see what some of you think about this. Well????

I will tell those M2 shocks make a huge difference in the wind and gusts I noticed too. I can hang out next to semis without me fighting with it now. (You know how the Semi's push the air around its front end.) With the sway bar a good set of tires and the M2 shocks you should be set.. JMO. Now keep in mind I am on a RT

 

[Gwolf]

70 MPH winds is very close to hurricane force wind. I do not ride any motorcycle while we are having a hurricane. I only drive the truck during a hurricane in case of extreme emergency. When there are hurricane winds you hunker down and wait it out.

 

[Thopper]

I have owned several Harley’s and they handle winds better the. Anything else I have owned including my spyder.

 

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

SpyderLady, I'm just becoming accustomed to my F3T (with the F3L trunk added) after a lifetime on two wheels. I live in the Carson Valley of Nevada, famous (or infamous, take your pick!) for heavy crosswinds. Initially, I felt the same way that you did on a couple of occasions - that I was going to be blown clean off Hwy 395. I noticed that several folks in this thread have spoken about some very cogent points that I'm in the process of internalizing myself:

- that unlike on a motorcycle, when on your F3 in a crosswind you're not leaning into the wind with your vehicle but being pushed to the side by the wind and sometimes buffeted from side to side

- that the F3 itself reacts differently to crosswinds than a motorcycle, moving laterally with the wind direction and requiring steering input instead of leaning towards the wind direction and requiring countersteering input

- that keeping a death grip on the bars transmutes the wind-induced motion of your upper body into unintended steering inputs (and I found that Grip Puppies help with that)

End result being that I haven't felt the need to check alignment or change the suspension setup... yet. I'd encourage you to stick with your current setup, get the feel of how it reacts under varied circumstances as well as determining when you've reached the edge of your personal operating envelope. Personally, there have been days here that I wouldn't ride either my F3 or my Victory Cross Country because riding in high crosswinds increases risk, wears you out and generally isn't fun. Generally, those are days when the news shows a truck or RV actually blown over on Hwy 395/580 in Washoe Valley.

 

[BajaRon]

I just wanted to add another tip to what has been mentioned already, all good advice. I once read on a forum or in a magazine riding tip section about riding in heavy wind conditions. They said to hang onto the bike tighter with your KNEES and let your upper body relax and not hold the bars so tight for support. Going over our causeways here in Florida when a front is moving through can just about blow you off the bike. This technique worked perfectly on my C14 when I was riding it and it also works with my F3T Ltd. Yes, your upper body will move around some, but like mentioned by others, you're not dragging the handlebars around with you and causing the bike to move side to side on the road. Every ride is a learning experience with the F3 and I'm continually learning. Enjoy your ride and be one with it....ummmm. :riding:

Good advise.

What happens in the wind is that You are being blown around on the bike. If you allow your body movements to be transmitted to the handlebars, then the effect of the wind conditions are made much worse. Some attempt to stiff arm the handlebars to reduce the swerving and darting. But this really makes things worse, reducing your confidence that you can control the machine.

What you must do is counter-intuitive. You have to relax your upper body so that the handlebars do not move when your body is buffeted by the wind. It's OK to let your upper body get 'Blown Around'. It doesn't hurt anything. Just don't let your movement translate to vehicle movement through the handlebars.

No one can do this with 100% success. But you can get a huge improvement in vehicle stability. You will find that the wind isn't blowing your Spyder around nearly as much as you thought. It is very possible that you are the cause of most of the problem. And, as mentioned by Always Young, you need to squeeze the bike with your knees to help stabilize the lower portion of your body.

I've ridden in some pretty terrible, gusty cross winds on both 2 and 3 wheels. It can be a bit of a challenge. But it is manageable if the right techniques are used.

 

[grieppc]

well said. I drove through a heavy storm front on Wednesday (no windshield) took Quite a beating even the cars slowed down to 25mph getting pushed around severely 4 miles from home didn't get home fast enough. Hydroplane through puddles on the right side left side held firm. I leaned forward between the handlebars just had to deal with it. Grip the gas tank with my legs. It passed through in about 3 or 4 minuets. We ordered a Madstad windshield last night that should help. My skin had many red marks from broken blood vessels. I'm not used to going without a windshield. I like the idea of 20lbs of sand in the frunk. I keep 4 or 5 lbs of tools maybe I could put a few more in there

 

[ladygadget]

I've been tossed around on the Bay Bridge in a car more than once. It might help, after installing some upgrades, to lean your body into the wind, like you would on two wheels. As someone commented above, use it.

 

[CA Railwhale]

where did you race

Where did you race? I used to race in the Ventura/Oxnard area a few years ago.

 

[carsong]

I am a new Spyder rider, and I know what you are feeling. I rode the back roads, initially, slowly working up to speeds around 60mph. Then I tried the highway, and I was all over the place. I found I was holding on for dear life, at 70+ mph. (I've ridden on 2 wheels for 40 years) I've found that I have to lighten up on my grip a little. Also, the more I ride, the more I'm getting used to reacting to the different inputs of the Spyder. I think your body learns to react differently, to adapt to the different inputs, such as wind and road imperfections. I've been working on short highways stints, and it is paying off. I was always very confident and comfortable at highway speeds on 2 wheels, so I hope I'll soon feel better on the Spyder.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

I've found usually when the Spyder is misbehaving... it is actually me. My brain, especially in adverse weather (wind/rain) wants to remember my 2 wheel skills. It is good advice, when the Spyder acts weird, relax and make sure your "death grip" hasn't kicked in and the input is playing with your cycle and mind. Also, in gusting winds that high... good advice to slow down or take a break from the road. Enjoy your Spyder and pile up more miles. (Former Yucaipa resident)

 

[BajaRon]

I am a new Spyder rider, and I know what you are feeling. I rode the back roads, initially, slowly working up to speeds around 60mph. Then I tried the highway, and I was all over the place. I found I was holding on for dear life, at 70+ mph. (I've ridden on 2 wheels for 40 years) I've found that I have to lighten up on my grip a little. Also, the more I ride, the more I'm getting used to reacting to the different inputs of the Spyder. I think your body learns to react differently, to adapt to the different inputs, such as wind and road imperfections. I've been working on short highways stints, and it is paying off. I was always very confident and comfortable at highway speeds on 2 wheels, so I hope I'll soon feel better on the Spyder.

This is a typical reaction when coming off of 2 wheels. I went through the same thing. 'Holding on for dear life' is the worst thing you can do. It makes the problem much worse.

On 2 wheels there is a good bit of delay between input to the handlebars and actual reaction of the machine. This delay is built into your mental process to the point that you THINK that your motorcycle is actually responding quickly. When, in fact, your brain has simply built in a lead time factor.

With the Spyder the situation is drastically different. Any input, no matter how small, is instantly translated into vehicle reaction. This sets your 2-Wheeled brain on FIRE! You get the sense that you cannot control the vehicle so the natural reaction is to stiff arm the handlebars so they don't move at all. But you cannot prevent road vibration, bumps, etc., or wind buffeting from shifting your body around. This movement travels up your arms to the handlebars, and there you go, but even worse than before. Some have actually thrown in the towel and told everyone that the Spyder is a twitchy, unpredictable, uncontrollable machine. When, in fact, it is simply very responsive.

There are things you can do to improve handling, like laser alignment, sway bar and shock upgrades. But frankly, the Spyder handles pretty good right out of the box. At least for most beginners. Especially the F3. Once a person realizes that it's THEM and not the machine. Things start to get better.

The key is to relax, lighten your grip, and get some miles under your belt. Once you get the hang of it. You'l find the Spyder to be safe, very controllable and quite easy, even relaxing to ride. This is the reason that someone with zero motorcycle experience can jump on a Spyder and hit the freeway, right out of the gate. They don't have the 2-Wheel experience so they don't have to re-program their brain.

 

[azprince]

Many times when hit with a sudden wind blast, you are moved but not the Spyder. Your hanging on to the bars causes the vehicle to serve.
I suggest you go do what you said, go out and adjust for it. FWIW, the heavier anti-sway bar does help with sideways stability.

 

[Yeochips]

I usually pull over and put on some brown pants just in case. LOL