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New guy on the block
- Thread starter cruisinTX
- Start date
cruisinTX
Member
Thought I would offer a quick update since my intro. We got the Spyder home Saturday evening. Here are my first impressions after a 420 mile ride home and the only Spyder ride since our test ride in Altus OK, a few weeks ago when we rode a 998 about 12 miles.
The RT Limited of course is much more powerful than the 998
It is more stable than the 998 in turns, but ours has the aftermarket stabilizer bar. Add to that some reading here and instruction from the seller & I was better prepared for cornering.
While the physics of contact patch to weight ratio would dictate the Spyder could corner more efficiently and faster than a motorcycle, I'm not there yet. Coming home, curves that I have taken at 60% to 75% above the posted limit on the bikes, I could only do at that limit and still feel in control on the Spyder.
Handling cross winds seemed to be about the same as the 998; I rode to Borger and back today with ~37mph cross winds. The Spyder is not nearly as stable as my BMW R1100RT at hiway speeds in that kind of wind. I suspect that may always be true as the aerodynamics of a fully faired sport-touring bike makes the wind go away above about 50mph.
Naturally, low speed stability is much greater on the Spyder compared to any of the bikes.
While I never tried to ride the Spyder much over the speed limit, I suspect it may keep up with the BMW-RT based on the acceleration I tested a few times. It's not likely to keep up with the 1100S, however.
Fatigue on the Spyder was a bit of a problem the first 150 miles or so. After I figured out how to relax with changing road conditions, it became a very relaxed and enjoyable ride. I do still think upper body fatigue is a bit less on the bikes than on the Spyder with the exception of the sport bike (1100S) where you have to support your upper body weight with your hands and arms below 60mph. Above that, the wind on your chest pretty much keeps you upright.
On the other side of that coin, the seat of the Spyder is way more comfortable than any of my bikes. I can see where these things have the potential to let one cover lots of miles in a day.
Wind noise is considerably less on the Spyder than any of the bikes. That level of wind protection caused me to get pretty warm in my mesh gear until the sun went down.
Sunset let me get a good look at the lighting. It is outstanding and of course much better than the bikes even though I have made enhancements to them. In addition, my wife was following in the car and taking pictures; I'm very pleased with the rear lighting too.
The cruise control is something I wish I had on all the bikes. Only thing to say there is :yes::yes::yes:
Overall impression is this is one fine machine that I'm pretty sure we will make good use of for riding two-up and for her primary ride when we take a bike and it.
I'm looking forward to meeting and riding with some of y'all; provided anyone passes through the Texas Panhandle. So far my attempts to get the attention of any of the local Spyder riders here have met with ---- well, nothing. Makes me wonder if any of them still have Spyders or are just too busy with life. It happens.
Everyone else, come on out. I have ridden motorcycles around here since 1968 and can tell you the notion that the Panhandle is nothing but straight, flat, and boring is totally wrong. You just have to be willing to get off the super-slab and look around a bit. Most of my miles logged have happened since I came off a 20 year hiatus from bikes in April of 2000. Since then I have ridden 330K miles with most of that right here in the Panhandle so I can probably direct you to every curve here and then some.
y'all ride safe ya hear.
here is the route I took home. tried to get a good mix of various types and sizes of roads along the way and of course as many curves as I felt I had time for.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33....0x8706d51b97677149:0x1530f5940b5e649b!1m0!3e0
The RT Limited of course is much more powerful than the 998
It is more stable than the 998 in turns, but ours has the aftermarket stabilizer bar. Add to that some reading here and instruction from the seller & I was better prepared for cornering.
While the physics of contact patch to weight ratio would dictate the Spyder could corner more efficiently and faster than a motorcycle, I'm not there yet. Coming home, curves that I have taken at 60% to 75% above the posted limit on the bikes, I could only do at that limit and still feel in control on the Spyder.
Handling cross winds seemed to be about the same as the 998; I rode to Borger and back today with ~37mph cross winds. The Spyder is not nearly as stable as my BMW R1100RT at hiway speeds in that kind of wind. I suspect that may always be true as the aerodynamics of a fully faired sport-touring bike makes the wind go away above about 50mph.
Naturally, low speed stability is much greater on the Spyder compared to any of the bikes.
While I never tried to ride the Spyder much over the speed limit, I suspect it may keep up with the BMW-RT based on the acceleration I tested a few times. It's not likely to keep up with the 1100S, however.
Fatigue on the Spyder was a bit of a problem the first 150 miles or so. After I figured out how to relax with changing road conditions, it became a very relaxed and enjoyable ride. I do still think upper body fatigue is a bit less on the bikes than on the Spyder with the exception of the sport bike (1100S) where you have to support your upper body weight with your hands and arms below 60mph. Above that, the wind on your chest pretty much keeps you upright.
On the other side of that coin, the seat of the Spyder is way more comfortable than any of my bikes. I can see where these things have the potential to let one cover lots of miles in a day.
Wind noise is considerably less on the Spyder than any of the bikes. That level of wind protection caused me to get pretty warm in my mesh gear until the sun went down.
Sunset let me get a good look at the lighting. It is outstanding and of course much better than the bikes even though I have made enhancements to them. In addition, my wife was following in the car and taking pictures; I'm very pleased with the rear lighting too.
The cruise control is something I wish I had on all the bikes. Only thing to say there is :yes::yes::yes:
Overall impression is this is one fine machine that I'm pretty sure we will make good use of for riding two-up and for her primary ride when we take a bike and it.
I'm looking forward to meeting and riding with some of y'all; provided anyone passes through the Texas Panhandle. So far my attempts to get the attention of any of the local Spyder riders here have met with ---- well, nothing. Makes me wonder if any of them still have Spyders or are just too busy with life. It happens.
Everyone else, come on out. I have ridden motorcycles around here since 1968 and can tell you the notion that the Panhandle is nothing but straight, flat, and boring is totally wrong. You just have to be willing to get off the super-slab and look around a bit. Most of my miles logged have happened since I came off a 20 year hiatus from bikes in April of 2000. Since then I have ridden 330K miles with most of that right here in the Panhandle so I can probably direct you to every curve here and then some.
y'all ride safe ya hear.
here is the route I took home. tried to get a good mix of various types and sizes of roads along the way and of course as many curves as I felt I had time for.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/33....0x8706d51b97677149:0x1530f5940b5e649b!1m0!3e0
Last edited:
sealfloorboards
New member
You're so right about the "getting older" part. As I tell Harley riders who make noise, "You're just not old enough to ride a Spyder". When your lady won't ride on the back or you can't pick it up anymore, then you're ready for a Spyder. Love the safety and security of three wheels. Enjoy it, and...
Ride ib comfort,
John
Ride ib comfort,
John
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