Interstate Driving

[Jeriatric]

Congrats on your NEW spyder. :thumbup:

Some get on one and never look back while others have a little longer learning curve. Don't sweat it - it'll come and you'll be fine.

If you have not read this. I would recommend reading it, and bookmaking it, because once read you'll probably return to it in the future.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

 

[ma and pa]

I did the same thing your describing when i first bought mine.Listen to the advice given here from experienced riders and you'll be just fine after about 500 miles.
Check your tire pressure and loosen up.I also turned my front shocks up to five and that cured most of it.

 

[StanProff]

As a new Spyder rider there is a lot to get used to. These machines are great fun and I enjoy mine much more than the two wheelers that I still have in the garage. I will venture to say that all of us have had (to some extent) the issues you are experiencing. I was the same way with the darting and wandering on the open road. The first 500 miles I was wondering if I would get accustomed to it or not. I now can ride the interstates and pass trucks with one hand on the bars and taking a drink of water with the other (not really recommended tho for safety :lecturef_smilie. The key to the handling is first check all tire pressures, 17 or 18 lbs for the front and 28 or so in the rear. Shocks on the heavier settings (4th or 5 knoch) and assuming nothing is loose in the front end (grab the front wheels and give them a good shake to see if there is any noise or looseness) hug the bike a little with your knees and just relax. You are doing the right thing by learning to drive on the back roads etc. before hitting the open roads. Believe me, it will get much better. I have been across the country on the Spyder, as many others have, and am confident in the Spyders handling and safety. The more experience the better the ride. Trucks and wind will move you around as it will with any light weight vehicle. Stay out of their backwash and power around them. Just take you time and relax.
:thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Wow..!!

Can'add a thing..so I will congratulate you on your purchase and welcome you to the best place for help. You will master this just take your time....!! :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Try setting your factory shocks at 4 and make sure to check your tire pressure (somewhere between 15.5 and 17) make sure both tires are at the same pressure, then just relax as said above and enjoy the ride.:yes::yes::yes:

:agree:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure you are right about the death grip. I didn't feel like I was gripping it to tight, but I could have been doing it and not knowing it.

It is a brand new 2012, purchased from a dealer. All recalls are up-to-date.

So you are saying that if I loosen my grip and let the Spyder drive itself, there should be no swaying whatsoever? And if there is, I should ask my dealer about it?

I can take my hands completely off the grips and my Spyder goes straight down the road. Like thre others said give it a little time and you will get comfortable on the highway. Enjoy!

 

[ma and pa]

We have all been in your shoes, Trust me

 

[sjcpanther]

Really appreciate these great posts. Some excellent advice.

I will check my tire pressure and set my front shocks to 4, and just relax. I'm sure it will come around with time.

Good to know that it's not the Spyder, cause I plan on taking many long trips in the future. And the wife will NOT ride with me if it is not smooth.

 

[gnirtsnod]

I just had to learn to not use the death grip... I almost hardly grip the bars, and stop trying to steer the bike. You will be amazed how well it tracks. It takes time, do not be dicouraged and after about 1000 miles you will feel like you have been riding for ever. We all had that feeling when we started.

I believe Dizneyman man has the answer. I, too, took my 2012 on an extended interstate run for the first time about six weeks ago. After an hour, my neck was cramping because of the 'death grip' that I had on the grips and the bike was not tracking like I expected. I changed the grip, wrapping the thumb around the bottom and laying my palms over the top...and my fingers floating in the breeze. My neck ache eased up and the bike tracked much better.

 

[Sarge707]

Really appreciate these great posts. Some excellent advice.

I will check my tire pressure and set my front shocks to 4, and just relax. I'm sure it will come around with time.

Good to know that it's not the Spyder, cause I plan on taking many long trips in the future. And the wife will NOT ride with me if it is not smooth.

I have my shocks at #5 and the ride is fine. With two people #5 would help a Lot with the tracking and make sure you have the proper poundage in your rear air bag (Theres a chart in your owners manual)!
Reading that Owners Manual like your gonna get a Test on it before you can ride would do wonders for most New riders??:doorag:

 

[bhfromme]

I feel very fortunate. My 2011 RT handled great right out of the crate - hey that rhymes. I run 20 psi in the front tires and that has worked well for me. Good luck. And congratulations on your new Spyder! If you end up loving it half as much as I do mine you'll be very happy! Bill

 

[ARtraveler]

All have given good advice. This is a syndrome that has pretty much happened to all :spyder2: owners on the 2012's and earlier.

Most take 500 miles or so before they become "one" with the :ani29:. Coming from two wheelers, it took me over 1000 miles before I felt good about control.

Over controlling inputs steering corrections into the :spyder2: that seem to make the :ani29: have a mind of its own.

I used to recommend holding the bars as if you have an egg or a little bird between your hands and the bars. Don't break the egg, don't crush the bird. When making tight turns, use your knees to grip the tank. Also, use a push/pull technique on turns. I take turns like the racecar guys. Inside of the curve to the outside of the curve. You will experience less "g's".

Other things mentioned of note: shock adjustments--I have mine on 4. Tire pressures at spec. I use 15-17 in the fronts and 28 in the rear.

Put all this together, get a few more miles under your belt, and I am guessing that you will see the :spyder2: in a different light.

Keep us posted. :thumbup:

 

[sjcpanther]

I'm going to have my dealer adjust my front shock setting to 4 next week, when I go in for my 600 mile service. I don't have an easy way to lift the front end, so better just have them do it, huh?

I'm sure this will make things better. On back roads, up to around 55 MPH, the Spyder feels great. I just need to get it out on the open highway more often.

Thanks guys! Happy ryding!!!!

 

[jthornton]

I'm going to have my dealer adjust my front shock setting to 4 next week, when I go in for my 600 mile service. I don't have an easy way to lift the front end, so better just have them do it, huh?

I'm sure this will make things better. On back roads, up to around 55 MPH, the Spyder feels great. I just need to get it out on the open highway more often.

Thanks guys! Happy ryding!!!!

You can adjust them without jacking up the bike. The tool is in your tool kit. As the service manual states "To ease adjustment cam rotation, lift vehicle using a jack." Even pushing on the handlebar a bit to make it roll will ease the adjustment.

John

 

[NancysToy]

You can adjust them without jacking up the bike. The tool is in your tool kit. As the service manual states "To ease adjustment cam rotation, lift vehicle using a jack." Even pushing on the handlebar a bit to make it roll will ease the adjustment.

John

You should not adjust the 2010 and earlier Spyders without jacking up the Spyder and lubricating the adjuster with WD-40. The adjusters will break! The later models do benefit from being jacked up, but as you say, it is not mandatory. If you don't do it, you may need a cheater, though. nojoke

 

[SPYD1]

Bajaron sway bar...

 

[Bob Denman]

You should not adjust the 2010 and earlier Spyders without jacking up the Spyder and lubricating the adjuster with WD-40. The adjusters will break! The later models do benefit from being jacked up, but as you say, it is not mandatory. If you don't do it, you may need a cheater, though. nojoke

:agree: It's MUCH easier on the tools and components to jack the bike up a bit... :thumbup:

 

[budro]

Baharon antisway bar !!!!!!!!!

 

[SpyderWolf]

You should not adjust the 2010 and earlier Spyders without jacking up the Spyder and lubricating the adjuster with WD-40. The adjusters will break! The later models do benefit from being jacked up, but as you say, it is not mandatory. If you don't do it, you may need a cheater, though. nojoke

That's the truth as the dealer actually broke one of mine during my first adjustment. They said it snapped in half very easily even though they knew what they were doing.

 

[Bob Denman]

. They said it snapped in half very easily even though they knew what they were doing.

:shocked: Those sure sound like some "famous last words" that I've muttered myself...