little lessons learned along the way...

[ckiblue]

Thank you, yeah it is something about that orange that makes it look red in certain lights...many safe rides to you as we'll. :doorag:

I'm new to driving too, since Oct. & it has gotten a lot easier the more you do it. Might want to keep in mind for the future that the "sway bar" that bajaron sells sure makes a big difference on the curves, big time. We just got it & my husband put it on & even a rookie like me can sure tell the difference, can take the corners & twist such must easier and faster than before, now I do have to admit I sorta have to watch my speed on the corners since I can take them so much faster with no problems. They had alot of people on that thread how great it is..It's great for us....take care & enjoy

 

[Laila's Dad]

I'm new to driving too, since Oct. & it has gotten a lot easier the more you do it. Might want to keep in mind for the future that the "sway bar" that bajaron sells sure makes a big difference on the curves, big time. We just got it & my husband put it on & even a rookie like me can sure tell the difference, can take the corners & twist such must easier and faster than before, now I do have to admit I sorta have to watch my speed on the corners since I can take them so much faster with no problems. They had alot of people on that thread how great it is..It's great for us....take care & enjoy

Thank you for the advice. That's the best thing about the site to me is the feedback given. Basically it is a way of saying "learn from my mistakes and it might save you a few bumps and bruises along the way".

 

[Laila's Dad]

small milestone and right curves...



Hello all,

I am happy that I reached 600 miles today(621 to be specific) so now I can get my 600 mile check up and make sure the spyder is doing well. I started slow with a few miles here and there but picked up the miles pretty good since I got the M endorsement in November. I still don't get to practice or drive in the day time as much as I would like. Tonight I did about 25 miles(another late night ride, but you got to steal away when you can with a newborn in the house) and as I was driving I was noticing the things that I still was not comfortable with and the main thing that stood out was right curves. For some reason when I have to take a medium to long curve that causes me to lean in to my right I feel like I will fall off. Now I am no master with left curves but with those I feel comfortable leaning into my left and can ride it through and maintain my speed, but when leaning in to the right I almost always have to slow down because of the fear that I am going to fast. I know it takes time to get fully comfortable but it is frustrating. To me I was thinking that 600 miles in I would feel like I do in a car...WRONG! :banghead:, I am learning at my pace though and it will all pay off in the end. Viva la Spyder!!!

 

[Joe]

I'vew found that squeezing my knees together seems to make taking the curves a bit more comfortable. Give it a try and see if that helps.

 

[otter28169]

After years of snowmobiling I hopped on a spyder and tried to ride it like a motorcycle. The first time I rode it, I fell in love. I had no trouble shifting gears, working the clutch, and enjoying the ryde. As I put more myles on I realized that some of the sharper turns were less than comfortable. I couldn't understand why the "twisties" were giving me issues. After a stop at my longtime snowmobile hang-out for a mammoth sized burger I was daydreaming about riding my sled. It was then that I realized I had to ryde my spyder like a 1000 cc MachZ with a studded track. With a sled like that you slow down before the corner, point the sled in the direction you wish to go, and throttle out of the corner:yikes:. In time you will get more comfortable with corners and you will not need to slow down as much to "set your line". Since that day I have been absolutely incensed with this machine. So much so, I wasn't really looking forward to winter as much. It is a great feeling though, the first time you realize that you are comfortable cruising down the road, isn't it?hyea:hyea:

 

[Jharpo]

Outside Foot


Hi new Dad,

In addition to squeezing with your knees, make certain you are really planting your outside foot on the peg. I was squeezing the tank with my knees so hard I was getting sore. Then it dawned on me (Duh) that I was just letting my foot lay on the peg and not pushing on it. Wow what a difference that made. Now I feel as solid as a rock on all turns cause my butts not going anywhere.

 

[Laila's Dad]

Great advice

Hi new Dad,

In addition to squeezing with your knees, make certain you are really planting your outside foot on the peg. I was squeezing the tank with my knees so hard I was getting sore. Then it dawned on me (Duh) that I was just letting my foot lay on the peg and not pushing on it. Wow what a difference that made. Now I feel as solid as a rock on all turns cause my butts not going anywhere.

You are so right that pressing a little firmer with the outside foot makes a world of difference. Now for me there is still a little uneasiness when it comes to the long right curves at high speeds but my confidence improved immediately once I pressed down on the peg for mental support to say I wasn't going to fall off. Thank you for that reminder.

 

[Tmelrose]

I hit the 80 mile mark today(do they have a pin for that? :roflblack and just wanted to post a few things that I have figured out recently for those who are like me and don't have the mechanic background nor the riding experience to jump in head first into riding the spYder.

1) all the posts about wearing the proper riding gear are true. My hands near froze to death without gloves wile riding tonight riding(practicing)
2)practicing at night time is probably not the best time to work on getting your speed up, especially for a new rider. There are just so many variables to consider for night time riding.
3) I have been a little nervous about how I (not the spyder) would handle un-even roads with dips and things of that nature. well went over a few today and the spyder handled really well. I guess that VSS stuff isn't a joke.
4) oddly enough, wearing boots are real comfortable and I am glad that I got some.
5) while I just don't have the money right now, getting that safety course and the M on your license is the best move. I am almost sick to my stomach every time I come in from a practice ride after seeing cops at seemingly every turn(gotta get that done ASAP!)
6) I don't think I am getting good gas milage just riding around my neighborhood

View attachment 56659

Oh my do I remember those days. They were less than a year ago. Different states different laws but in GA I was able to ride on my permit until I was comfortable enough to take the test. Of course I was restricted from riding at night and on the interstate. Happy riding!!!! It will come soon because you sound like you really want it!!

 

[CentralCoastCA]

Looking at where you want to go

You are so right that pressing a little firmer with the outside foot makes a world of difference. Now for me there is still a little uneasiness when it comes to the long right curves at high speeds but my confidence improved immediately once I pressed down on the peg for mental support to say I wasn't going to fall off. Thank you for that reminder.

The foot peg suggestion really helped me out when I was learning (bought it in Sept and now I have over 3,500 miles under my belt). One thing my husband told when I talked to him about the same problem, making sweeping or real tight right turns, was to keep your eyes UP AND FORWARD, looking at where you want to go and to NOT to watch the wheels or the road down, directly in front of you or the shoulder of the road. Hubby said your body follows where your eyes look and by gosh, he was right.

I will absolutely vouch for the BajaRon sway bar. Once hubby put that bar on, I could trust what to expect from the Spyder in turns and they are tight, smooth and I don't break out of the turn anymore. (BTW I have an 08 gs). Someone on this forum said it would take about 2,000 miles to "get it" on ryding the Spyder and I have to agree. So keep ryding and it will get easier and lots more fun.

 

[bhfromme]

Whew! Glad I live in South Carolina. No motorcycle license required for a 3 wheeled motorcycle. And :welcome: It will get easier. If you are wearing a Half Helmet, be sure to get you some ear muffs for cold weather riding.

Wow I thought Delaware and California were the only states that would let you ride a Spyder without a motorcycle license.

 

[Laila's Dad]

Thanks

The foot peg suggestion really helped me out when I was learning (bought it in Sept and now I have over 3,500 miles under my belt). One thing my husband told when I talked to him about the same problem, making sweeping or real tight right turns, was to keep your eyes UP AND FORWARD, looking at where you want to go and to NOT to watch the wheels or the road down, directly in front of you or the shoulder of the road. Hubby said your body follows where your eyes look and by gosh, he was right.

I will absolutely vouch for the BajaRon sway bar. Once hubby put that bar on, I could trust what to expect from the Spyder in turns and they are tight, smooth and I don't break out of the turn anymore. (BTW I have an 08 gs). Someone on this forum said it would take about 2,000 miles to "get it" on ryding the Spyder and I have to agree. So keep ryding and it will get easier and lots more fun.

I will have to read more about the sway bar and consider it after income tax refund comes in. I guess at this point I think the majority of my issues or user errors and not spyder issues so I'm not sure what I need to invest in.

 

[NancysToy]

I will have to read more about the sway bar and consider it after income tax refund comes in. I guess at this point I think the majority of my issues or user errors and not spyder issues so I'm not sure what I need to invest in.

IMO, you are not at the point yet that you are pushing the performance limits of the Spyder, and need to beef up the ssupension to match your frisky behavior. Spend your money on gas, and rack up some miles.

 

[Laila's Dad]

IMO, you are not at the point yet that you are pushing the performance limits of the Spyder, and need to beef up the ssupension to match your frisky behavior. Spend your money on gas, and rack up some miles.

I agree Scotty, I should spend more time on practicing than performance. I don't want to be the guy in race gear from head to toe but never been in a sports car.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: But if you can't find one of those; a good set of racing stripes is always worth at least 10mph on the top-end and cornering speeds...

 

[Laila's Dad]

:agree: But if you can't find one of those; a good set of racing stripes is always worth at least 10mph on the top-end and cornering speeds...

I like how those race strips look but still haven't been sold that the wraps are as easy to install as they seem.

 

[Laila's Dad]

who would have thought it...

The weather was pretty good today so instead of going for a long ride, I gave the spyder a "bath". At the recommendation of my dealer, I used warm water in a bucket to clean the paint and wheels and windex for the black matte finished parts and she came out looking great. I guess soap is only for cars and people. :joke:

 

[NancysToy]

The weather was pretty good today so instead of going for a long ride, I gave the spyder a "bath". At the recommendation of my dealer, I used warm water in a bucket to clean the paint and wheels and windex for the black matte finished parts and she came out looking great. I guess soap is only for cars and people. :joke:

View attachment 62295

You should always use a lot of water, and the weakest cleaning aid that will do the job. Properly diluted car wash soap is the bottom of the list after plain water. After that would be Windex Multipurpose with Vinegar (never regular Windex with ammonia). Next would be clay bars, IMO. Then car cleaning products like cleaner waxes, bug & tar remover, and others formulated for use on auto paint. Keep most of these off the bare plastics (some of the matt black and all of the clear) with the exception of Turtle Wax Ice products, which leave no residue. A last resort would be automotive polishing and rubbing compounds. Avoid the use of anything that you aren't sure of the results and reaction...or test in an inconspicuous place. JMHO

 

[Bonniele]

California doesn't require motorcycle license in 2012

Frank (who has ridden since 1959) and I went to Redding, CA purchased our cycles...took 10 minutes of training and rode all over town before we left through the mountains and curvy roads to friends 2 hours away to spend the night. Then rode home the next day another 2 hours with same road. Mountains and curves don't bother me as we know this road from 50 years of driving it. Actually, Hwy 299 is rather fun. At least not boring. We have insurance but no motorcycle license. I carry copies of everything in a pouch in the front as well as in my wallet. We now have about 2500 miles on each roadster. /will see how we do on such a long trip to Spyder Fest on different roads.

 

[Bonniele]

Best thing we added was

Bigger windshields and cruise control although cruise takes some getting used to and is not real stable for speed on our hilly roads. It helped (me) that we had been riding quads with friends for about a year before purchase of can-ams.

 

[Laila's Dad]

the lessons keep coming...

Hello all,

I hope things have been well for each of you...I have about 1700 miles on the spyder. If you divide that by the 6 months I have had the spyder it averages out to about 283 miles per month, but realistically I didn't really start driving it for more than a few miles here and there until January so I have truly been enjoying the spyder recently. Even a defective rear tire didn't stop me:yikes:. Well yesterday about 2 miles from my house I look to the left and low and behold at the local subway is a brand new yellow ST. I did my best Bo and Luke Duke manuever and shot over there. The guy was inside eating so what do I do...you guessed it, I sat there and waited outside for about 10 minutes until someone came out to the ST. He is a new rider and just picked up his ST Friday(still had dealer tags). Hopefully we can ride soon. I didn't get into the "check out spyderlovers.com" conversation as I was coming home from work and also didn't want to take up too much of his time. This will sound sad but I really want to ride with him so someone can say "Grady, you are really good with the spyder" and I can say "one day you will be as good as me if you practice", :roflblack:. That will be a first for me.

one other lesson I recently learned, riding behind a big truck is not a good move. The wind is crazy, which surprised me as I thought it would block the wind but it created a wind tunnel.