Maiden voyage for the 2019 RT limited today

[reader47]

Brought it home last Saturday and had to wait for this Colorado weather to warm up a bit and the snow to melt and our dirt road to dry some. Made a loop around the neighborhood about 6 times, both directions and decided to head to the store - about 6 miles away. Definitely gonna take a while to get used it (50 years on two wheels - 3 or 4 hours on three). Mostly everything went well (been reading here extensively which helped a lot - thank you) - BUT I do have something I don't understand.

Many time I've read how well planted the Spyder 'feels'. Multiple times today I felt like the Spyder's front end was floating. Never any shimming or vibration or pulling just that very scary floating feeling. Hopefully I just have a bunch of 'gettin use to it' to do. Thoughts pls.

Otherwise I loved it. As said here, gotta pay attention to your speed - it's faster than it seems - shifts way better at higher rpm's - it brakes real well - love that it downshifts itself - and it looks really good (the Asphalt Grey has a green tint to it).

Thanks - Roger

 

[RICZ]

Looks like you are well on your way to being a good Spyder pilot. You're getting the details worked out fast.

 

[Northofthesix]

I was in the same boat after many years on two wheels ... but I had a couple unpleasant incidents that could've been far worse this summer on my Yamaha Venture (all having to do with how freaking top-heavy it was in low-speed maneuvers), so in early September I bought a 2018 RTL demo sight unseen from a dealer about 950 miles from home, and flew out to pick it up and drive it home; never so much as sat on one before that. I spent 2 days getting here and my initial sense was that the front end floated like crazy!! Learned over a little more riding that relaxing the grip, leaning more into curves, and not over-reacting made a huge difference. Bike goes in the shop next week for its' 3000m/5000km service and they are putting on the Anti-sway bar from Baja Ron, and a few other tweaks while it is there! You WILL get the hang of it!!

Mine is that same color as yours and for the life of me I cannot fathom how they called it Asphalt Metallic..... sort of metallic dark green to my eyes... hence its' name, the Green Goblin...

 

[reader47]

Replies appreciated! The weather tomorrow is warm again - will be logging a few more miles.

Northofthesix - looking at your map, you certainly get a lot of riding in. Maybe the same for us one day.

 

[Snakeyes]

I received my 2019 rtl asphalt grey Wednesday night!! Spent some time on her yesterday and absolutely loved it. Been riding 2 wheels for 15 years and there is some adjustment - but not that much. I plan on running her for 2-3K miles before making any changes (sway bar/ shocks/ tires/ passenger arm rests .......) As far as the color - I agree with Northo - in some light it looks gun metal green and some light it looks more asphalt gray. Regardless - My wife says I've been grinning ear to ear ever since I got her!!

 

[Northofthesix]

Retirement has its' benefits!! I have a group of guys that I do two (sometimes 3) major trips a year with, and that means passing through a lot of places on a lot of great highways!!

 

[PW2013STL]

Reader47,

First - congrats and welcome to our group.

My wife's 2018 F3 power stearing is a lot lighter handling than my 2015 F3 so I am sure yours is the same. A light touch on the bars are needed, and more so with yours. Time and practice will help!
One other thing to check is the pressure in your tires as the fronts should not have more than 20# , and the rear 28#. Over inflation will result in handling as you described.

 

[ARtraveler]

:congrats: