How often do these things tip over??

[SequiMike]

I drove my ebay Spyder for the first time today and it was a hoot! I think I need to pretty much forget everything I've learned about motorcycles over the past 40 years, as this is definitely a different animal.
Cornering is taking the most time to get used to, and I kept watching for the wheel on the inside of the turn to start lifting. So..... how hard is it to tip one of these? Will it give you sufficient warning, allowing you to correct before it finally goes? Has anyone here ever actually rolled theirs over (and lived to tell about it). I can only imagine how horrific that would be. As time goes on, I'm sure I'll get more used to it and learn the capabilities, but at this point I can only wonder how close it is to actually rolling over.

 

[Ron2andia]

Congrats on the new spyder! Waiting to own so other members will let you know about tip overs I'm sure. When I have taken a drive on them it was different cornering but what fun!:clap:

 

[spydaman60]

i can't imagine rolling it over. :yikes: it would take some horrific maneuver to actually flip a spyder over. i go 260 pounds and i can stand on either side of the machine, on the footpeg, hold on to the handle bars and the backrest of my rss, and not budge the tire off the ground on the opposite side. now i realize you're not moving and/or turning while just standing there and doing this, and there is no centrifical force trying to throw you off the bike, but it sure stands to reason that this bike wants to stick to the ground!
do some quick turns at low speeds in major vacant parking lots and get comfortable with quick maneuvering, and you will get used to the bike real fast. be sensible and don't be foolish in corners, :lecturef_smilie:but i guarantee that you will feel a lot more comfortable and will be taking corners a lot faster than you felt was possible before long!:thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I drove my ebay Spyder for the first time today and it was a hoot! I think I need to pretty much forget everything I've learned about motorcycles over the past 40 years, as this is definitely a different animal.
Cornering is taking the most time to get used to, and I kept watching for the wheel on the inside of the turn to start lifting. So..... how hard is it to tip one of these? Will it give you sufficient warning, allowing you to correct before it finally goes? Has anyone here ever actually rolled theirs over (and lived to tell about it). I can only imagine how horrific that would be. As time goes on, I'm sure I'll get more used to it and learn the capabilities, but at this point I can only wonder how close it is to actually rolling over.

It is very wise to 'Forget everything I've learned about motorcycles over the past 40 years' except the defensive driving techniques you've acquired. This will go a long way towards a happy relationship with your new ride.

The Spyder is extremely stable and very difficult to turn over. The stock sway bar is very soft and while it allows a lot of lean and wheel lift, it will also give you a great deal of warning before you ever get close to turning it over.

Proper tire pressure is a big advantage as well as other mods you might want to consider in the future depending on your riding preferences.

 

[NancysToy]

Very difficult to turn over, although it has been done when the rider hit something. The VSS should kick in and cut back the engine if you lift too much. You may be better off not looking at the wheel in the turns anyway, you need to be looking ahead. That will give you a smoother turn...and what you don't know won't bother you. If you are getting wheel lift real often, you may need to adjust the front spring preload, modify your riding technique (lean your body toward the inside of the turn), or get on the throttle a little later (and smoother) in the corner. If you see a little handlebar icon on the dash, the VSS is kicking in. You'll get the feel of it real soon.

 

[fjcady]

not

Nanny kicks in way sooner than a tire lift thats what Ive experienced.. you have to forget motorcycles and start over:yes::bowdown::clap:

 

[ThreeWheels]

I drove my ebay Spyder for the first time today and it was a hoot! I think I need to pretty much forget everything I've learned about motorcycles over the past 40 years, as this is definitely a different animal.
{..............}
I can only imagine how horrific that would be. As time goes on, I'm sure I'll get more used to it and learn the capabilities, but at this point I can only wonder how close it is to actually rolling over.

I agree with all the other posters, the VSS kicks in before you will become unstable unless you hit a loading ramp with one wheel, or some such.

All of this is true if you've purchased a a genuine BRP Spyder. I only say this because there are some cheap Chinese knock-offs available from ebay.

If you've purchased one of those, then all bets are off.

I hope I am wrong, and you live a happy life of Spyder motoring.

Keep us posted so we know how you make out.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

I can take corners and curves as fast as most cruisers, I have had nanny kick in on me twice. Both times were on ramps to and from the Interstate and the were 300 degree ramps. Take note though that when nanny kicks in it will slow you quick enough to throw you forward a bit. If you are not expecting it and have not had it happen to you then it will surprise you and lounge you forward.

 

[DR Buck]

....... If you see a little handlebar icon on the dash, the VSS is kicking in. You'll get the feel of it real soon.

Never seen one. :dontknow: Guess I still chicken when it come to cornering.

 

[dannymax]

Very difficult to flip under 'normal' circumstances, I believe centrifugal force would fling the driver off first. Lean forward over the inside grip, the faster you're going the farther you lean in.....you should be fine. They take some practice to get used to, s'pecially after 40 yrs of 2 wheelers.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: BUT... There's not a thing built by man that we can't screw up somehow... pps: You can get a wheel up a bit, then Nanny steps in and does her thing! :thumbup: If you ride like a normal human being who hasn't been drinking double-expressoes and Red Bulls for 36 straight hours, you'll always be fine...

 

[Bob Denman]

We're not the only folks that should worry about this

 

[spyder3]

lmao...that was funny..:yikes:

 

[dannymax]

lmao...that was funny..:yikes:

:agree: "0 to 60.....well, that's just not possible!" :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[daveinva]

MY RT's don't have any VSS or anti-tip devices.

:dontknow::hun:

 

[dannymax]

Yeah, I wondered about that too....:dontknow:

 

[MindlessMuse]

Yeah, I wondered about that too....:dontknow:

Looks like he made his own version of a :ani29:...http://www.stealth11.com/ Which is why he does not have those things, might want to include that little tidbit next time Stealth.

 

[Bob Denman]

He builds his own "Reverse Trikes" :thumbup: :bowdown:

 

[BajaRon]

Looks like he made his own version of a :ani29:...http://www.stealth11.com/ Which is why he does not have those things, might want to include that little tidbit next time Stealth.

Exactly! He doesn't have it because he does not have an RT (or Spyder of any kind for that matter).

 

[Campverdefela]

I've told this story before on here, anyways 2 years ago a pickup pulled out in front of me and stopped dead, I was doing 50-55 with about 50 feet, jamming on the brake knowing I couldn't avoid broadsiding him, I did a last second cut around to the left, raising up the right wheel to where it almost touched his grill, the VSS kicked it and got me under control. Drove home, parked it, had 6 beers.