I know its me but......

[DanY]

Quartermain,

I'm very early in my Spyder riding, having ridden only 3K miles since getting my 2016 Spyder RT in late September after riding Goldwings for 15+ years.

The biggest thing that has helped me so far is my riding buddy. He has a 2016 Spyder RT Limited as well and rides like a scalded ape. Since we have the same bikes, I figured if his bike does it, mine will too. I went out of my comfort zone initially but just knowing that preparing for the curve with proper position and that the bike's Nanny will work if you're too hot accelerated my rider confidence.

Dunno if you can tap a mentor with the riding abilities you desire or not but might be worth checking around other rider groups in your neck of the woods for such a person.

 

[merlot]

hi quartermain

a couple of things:
keep an eye on your tyre pressures....try front 14psi rear below 24 psi

you sound like a big guy(you mention strength etc)....if the combined weight of you and your lady is geting up there then you may benefit from stiffer front springs(i dont know of stiffer aftermarket springs..only elkas etc and they ask for your combined weight and supply springs accordingly)

dont trust rear bag settings.....check it with the air guage in the tool bag

after checking all of the above,i sold my 2015RT coz it wouldnt corner(too much oversteer)....

hope you get it happy

russ

 

[UtahPete]

It's all in your head. Trust the bike and go for it.

 

[Revalden]

I joined a Spyder Ryders Club and the first ryde with them was over to Eureka Springs, Arkansas during their Bikers Spring Fling (1000s of bikes of all kinds). Until this ryde I'd only ridden about 150 miles on my Spyder before this trip.
Eureka Springs, and Arkansas in general is "Twisty Heaven", so this was my trial by fire, I just had to say to myself that if they can do those curves that fast, so can I. There were a few that I thought we were gonna die, but the nanny stepped in and saved our asses. But now after about 3000miles I'm better than most of them. Feet wide on boards, knees clamped to the tank (so that you're not using your arms to hold on but just to steer), lean into it, and keep your eyes off the center-line and down/around the road. Remember your 2-wheel days? If you look at the rock you'll hit it and if you hafta go between 2 close rocks ya gotta look at the space BETWEEN them. Very similar with Spyders, look where you wanna go. Trust the machine and yourself and of course the nanny. Oh, and GET RID OF THOSE KENDAS, GO FOR THE BR Sway bar and his Shock Adjusters. I'm 6'6" 270lbs and my back seat driver is 180 so we're pushing the Spydies limits. Now if I could just get her to stay awake back there the twisties would be much easier. Also, I downshift and back off throttle going into the curve, 12:1 compression ratio will slow ya down remarkably and ya can power out of trouble and shoot outta the curve. Harley tail gunner commented "Man that thing accelerates like a rocket!" and I've only had it up to 5k. P.S. MAN I LOVE MY SPYDER!!!

 

[cruisinTX]

Thanks for responding, AR. I know it'll take more miles, and am not using a death grip at all. I'm very at ease just cruising along and relaxed. Have my lady on the back and really enjoy the ride and everything about the Spyder. Came from 50 years on two wheels, and if not for a couple incidents with a 2012 Ural, I might not feel this way at all.
I just have trouble watching the videos of folks taking curves with what looks like minimal lean etc. while I'm having my chin over my mirror and my outside leg is pushing down with enough force to practically lift me off the seat.
It's not a matter of strength to hold myself on the bike. Years of heavy weight lifting took care of that. It's just that FEELING from the g forces.
I know it's a me problem. I'll get it eventually. I just keep thinking I'm holding everybody up on the Parkway, or I'll get run over or rear ended on the highway.
Thanks again for listening. See you in Maggie?

Since you apparently have ample upper body strength have you tried using just your arms to get your body to the inside then pushing down with your inside foot? It's well known we want to keep the inside of the bike down in a curve so this; "my outside leg is pushing down with enough force to practically lift me off the seat." is counter-productive to that effort. I know a lot of folks use their outside leg/foot to help shift their body to the inside, but the only way your outside foot stays on the floor board or foot peg is if there is downward force on the outside. That's exactly opposite of what's needed to keep the inside down. Since my first test ride on a Spyder, I have always used my arms to shift my body to the inside and can completely lift my outside foot off the floor board while applying almost full body weight to the inside board, (but don't because I like to keep the ability to feather the brake if need be). Just sayin' it might be something to think about. It works for me.

 

[bikerbillone]

It's all in your head. Trust the bike and go for it.

Having ridden two wheels sin 1968, and three since 2012, I find that confidence in your machine is a huge step in doing what you want it to do in a ride.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Having ridden two wheels sin 1968, and three since 2012, I find that confidence in your machine is a huge step in doing what you want it to do in a ride.

Very true. I encountered that with my 2005 Goldwing in slow tight turns. The bike would naturally handle the turn much better the less I tried to control it! I don't know that I ever got to the point of fully believing the bike would easily handle a slow tight turn!

 

[ARtraveler]

I joined a Spyder Ryders Club and the first ryde with them was over to Eureka Springs, Arkansas during their Bikers Spring Fling (1000s of bikes of all kinds). Until this ryde I'd only ridden about 150 miles on my Spyder before this trip.
Eureka Springs, and Arkansas in general is "Twisty Heaven", so this was my trial by fire, I just had to say to myself that if they can do those curves that fast, so can I. There were a few that I thought we were gonna die, but the nanny stepped in and saved our asses. But now after about 3000miles I'm better than most of them. Feet wide on boards, knees clamped to the tank (so that you're not using your arms to hold on but just to steer), lean into it, and keep your eyes off the center-line and down/around the road. Remember your 2-wheel days? If you look at the rock you'll hit it and if you hafta go between 2 close rocks ya gotta look at the space BETWEEN them. Very similar with Spyders, look where you wanna go. Trust the machine and yourself and of course the nanny. Oh, and GET RID OF THOSE KENDAS, GO FOR THE BR Sway bar and his Shock Adjusters. I'm 6'6" 270lbs and my back seat driver is 180 so we're pushing the Spydies limits. Now if I could just get her to stay awake back there the twisties would be much easier. Also, I downshift and back off throttle going into the curve, 12:1 compression ratio will slow ya down remarkably and ya can power out of trouble and shoot outta the curve. Harley tail gunner commented "Man that thing accelerates like a rocket!" and I've only had it up to 5k. P.S. MAN I LOVE MY SPYDER!!!

And ditto on your twisties in N AR comments. We have the pleasure of living in the area...and so far, 100 miles in ANY direction from us is riders heaven.

 

[cruisinTX]

And ditto on your twisties in N AR comments. We have the pleasure of living in the area...and so far, 100 miles in ANY direction from us is riders heaven.

I can vouch for AR being a great place to ryde or ride :riding: I've spent a lot of time on two and three wheels there the past few summers. With relatives in Bentonville, Rogers and Mena, I get plenty of opportunities to enjoy those roads. It's some of the best riding I've ever seen all in a one place. :firstplace: I just wish it were closer; I have to travel half way across the Tx Panhandle and all of OK to get to their western state line. Of course if you know where to look there is an abundance of twisty roads in getting there. :thumbup: It just takes a bit longer than flying down the Interstate.

 

[Realtor]

Time in the saddle.... time, time, time. miles, miles, miles

 

[Quartermain]

Time in the saddle.... time, time, time. miles, miles, miles

Haven't been on for awhile. Thanks, Realtor, and all who responded to my thread. I just want to reiterate that my "problem" was just the FEELING of the G forces we encounter when we go into a turn. I've done all the steps, and FOR ME, when I go into a turn, I pull the inside bar, inside knee against tank & lean upper bod inside. Y'all know what I mean.
Had a great time at Maggie Rally. Met some great folk & even took Regina & friendsfor a cruise up to Waterrock Knob. She was following and said I was good in the turns, so I guess I'm getting there.
The Blue Beast sleeps now, covered and warm in basement garage. Happy Holidays to all & ride safe-Al

 

[bobcarlson60]

I had the same issue until I put on Rons sway bar, it made all the difference in the world.

 

[jbim]

I have 6000 miles on mine and I am still not totally comfortable in curves, or should I say, I think taking curves on a two-wheel is easier and more fun than on a Spyder. I just take it for what it is. It doesn't bother me per se. I just take it easier. But I kind of miss taking curves on a two-wheel. That said, I feel safe on a Spyder whereas I didn't have that feeling at the end on my BMW.

Good luck.

J

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I think taking curves on a two-wheel is easier and more fun than on a Spyder.

It may surprise you, but even after nearly 60,000 miles on a Spyder I will say I agree with you on the easier part. Why? Because of the gyroscopic effect of the front wheel on a two wheeler. I argue that for every curve there is a "sweet spot" of lean, speed, and radius of the curve where the bike will go around the curve with no steering input at all from the rider. Compare that to the Spyder where there is no gyroscopic effect on steering which means you actively steer the Spyder all the way through the curve. I choose to look at it as one type of "cornering thrill" being replaced by a different, but equally enjoyable, "cornering thrill".

 

[Quartermain]

Am pleasantly surprised this thread I started is still pulling comments. My initial post was to see if I could somehow cancel the "feeling" of the sideways g-force we experience when we corner. 50 years on two wheels, and must admit I never felt those foces before. Now I realize we will never fully cancel that "feeling" but with proper technique we can reduce it somewhat.
The Beast is asleep now, but I know when spring comes and we're out there again, the first few curves will be a relearning process, at least for me. Can't wait.
Once again, thanks to all who chimed in to help me out. Happy Holidays to all-Al

 

[BearX16]

Quartermain,
I am by no means an expert at best a beginner on the Spyder with about 5,000 miles in the saddle. I too struggled with highway curves. The first thing I found to help with the gravity sensation was to pull leg in to the body of the trike, L turn L leg, R turn R leg and lean the way turning. Reducing power before entering turn and then accelerating out of the turn helped but I didn't like slowing down. The technique I have found best for me is I keep my arms and hands relax and let the Spyder read the road. Usually the Spyder will go around the curve without any steering input, however, if the Spyder doesn't pick up the turn fully slight steering imputs are used. This is at the posted speed limit. I like speed but I have not pushed the Spyder except for in a straight line. Relax, breath, and I make it around the turn. The only thing I miss is hearing the floorboard drag.:shocked:Safe riding, Fred