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New Spyder owner with Highway speed concerns(Wind blast & turns),need input please!

WOW!! I'm so HAPPY,SURPRISED,and THANKFUL for the very warm welcome. Not all forums are this easy going on new people! I'm sure most of you know what I am talking about.

I appreciate each and every bit of advice that was given,and will take it and use to my advantage. I'm already getting more comfortable with the whole experience. I have had the MSF course two years ago and gotten my license right after that,but no actual riding until now.
I have a full face helmet,and once I close the visor,actual wind noise quiets substantially. Dealer stated that all recall work was up to date,but it couldn't hurt to check with my local dealer. Come to think of it,I was promised a second key and have not gotten it yet.

I did order the up and out mirror extensions,will have them soon. I really feel they are necessary for me. The stock ones are all but useless! The only other forum I spend any real time on is cherokeesrt8.com. Anyone else drive an SRT8 as well?
There are a couple weak areas that should be addressed with the Jeep SRT. It's common knowledge over there that the stock runflat tires are junk and separate,the squeaky brakes will drive you insane and an oil catch can is 1000% recommended.
What I'm getting to is,are there any things to take note of,or quirks,issues that should be addressed sooner than later? Anything you "gotta have"?

That might sound stupid,but it never hurts to ask! :2thumbs:
Thanks again for all the help!!!
 
I am 35 and 6 ft so I am tall enough to get abused by the wind at high speeds. I got a 23in Calsi windshield but Madstad might be a better option. Get 4inch risers if your bike didn't come w any...that will make a huge difference in your ryding position and will add more comfort. I have ridden at 100 mph on highway with ease on this bike...fun fun fun!

btw, I had jeep Srt8 but sold it because I couldn't keep up with gassing it up constantly...averaged 12 miles a gallon in 4 years :banghead:
 
WOW!! I'm so HAPPY,SURPRISED,and THANKFUL for the very warm welcome. Not all forums are this easy going on new people! I'm sure most of you know what I am talking about.

I appreciate each and every bit of advice that was given,and will take it and use to my advantage. I'm already getting more comfortable with the whole experience. I have had the MSF course two years ago and gotten my license right after that,but no actual riding until now.
I have a full face helmet,and once I close the visor,actual wind noise quiets substantially. Dealer stated that all recall work was up to date,but it couldn't hurt to check with my local dealer. Come to think of it,I was promised a second key and have not gotten it yet.

I did order the up and out mirror extensions,will have them soon. I really feel they are necessary for me. The stock ones are all but useless! The only other forum I spend any real time on is cherokeesrt8.com. Anyone else drive an SRT8 as well?
There are a couple weak areas that should be addressed with the Jeep SRT. It's common knowledge over there that the stock runflat tires are junk and separate,the squeaky brakes will drive you insane and an oil catch can is 1000% recommended.
What I'm getting to is,are there any things to take note of,or quirks,issues that should be addressed sooner than later? Anything you "gotta have"?

That might sound stupid,but it never hurts to ask! :2thumbs:
Thanks again for all the help!!!

My tip n this new question....don't let anyone TELL you what to get. Do your own research, read all the reviews you can find, and make the decision yourself on how you want to design the look and ride of YOUR Spyder.

my #1 sugestion that you should look into...LED lights of some sort for your visual safety.
 
Teddy & I would like to Welcome you Both to the SpyderHood

:congrats: & :welcome:
Hello all,I looked for an intro forum but didn't see any.So here I am,first time rider,29 years old.I just bought a red and black 09 SM5 two weeks ago.This thing is a bunch of fun putting around!But I can't really say the same once I go 55+mph.

The wind blast intensifies so much after 55mph,I start to lose confidence,and gain a little fear.Not sure if that is normal or not,but I have the factory windshield and I am 6'4" tall.I see many companies offer taller ones,but how do I know which is right for me,or even if this will allieviate my concern with highway speed windblast.Thoughts?

My other concern is highway speed turning.I was on an interstate the other day,55mph zone,when a 45mph right hand curve came up,I dropped down to about 50 and went through the turn,going a foot or so on the left shoulder.Only thing I can come up with is,my instinct was telling me that just leaning will get me through the turn,while clearly it's not a two wheeler where that is the case.I realize I have to actually steer where I want to go,but my other fear is that during a higher speed curve like that,I will give too much steering input and possibly go into the near lane where a car could be lurking.
It's just a wierd feeling I get,kinda uneasy when I see I curve coming up at a higher speed. Can someone help ease my concerns?

I know I am just getting used to it,and will need to learn the reaction of all input but I don't wanna start out with any bad habits or keep a fear of the highway if there is a solution to the problem.I don't have any other concern really.I feel comfy and safe everywhere but the highway.
I am open to any suggestions! Thanks for reading,here is a picture of my new baby,
20120311_143328.jpg

my 2010 rt cruises great at over 100 at 130 it hunkers down like a corvet and gets smoother..don't do that often.but its great to know i can. relax and enjoy it you'get better and more comfortable.
 
:welcome: Some great advice here....I only have one thing to add....nice wheels!! :thumbup:

I also have an '09 SM5 and always felt it needed black wheels....now I'm convinced! :ohyea:
 
Wind and steering

Hey, just 2 more cents. I am also 6 4 but quite a bit south of 29. I actually hated my Spyder when I got it due to the wind issues. I bought a new 09 GS SM5. I read and reread every post on here concerning windshields and settled on a Madstadt 23 inch. I love it. Wind in my face was completely gone. Still had the wind coming up from the sides creating the dreaded bobble head effect. I know a full face helmet would eliminate that, and I tried. I never had a full face in all my years of riding. I tried.... Finally bought a pair of wind deflectors by BRP. Wind issues solved.

As to steering, first make sure the DPS update was done. Then, practice practice practice. I used to hold up the traffic flow behind me slowing down for curves. Now, I dare them to keep up. Living in south Florida, the only curves we have are the entrance/exit ramps to the interstate. I had to look really hard to find curves. :banghead: But now it's second nature.

Ride safe my friend and see you on the roads or at least on the forum

ps I LOVE my :spyder2:
Jim

 
Hello all,I looked for an intro forum but didn't see any.So here I am,first time rider,29 years old.I just bought a red and black 09 SM5 two weeks ago.This thing is a bunch of fun putting around!But I can't really say the same once I go 55+mph.

The wind blast intensifies so much after 55mph,I start to lose confidence,and gain a little fear.Not sure if that is normal or not,but I have the factory windshield and I am 6'4" tall.I see many companies offer taller ones,but how do I know which is right for me,or even if this will allieviate my concern with highway speed windblast.Thoughts?

My other concern is highway speed turning.I was on an interstate the other day,55mph zone,when a 45mph right hand curve came up,I dropped down to about 50 and went through the turn,going a foot or so on the left shoulder.Only thing I can come up with is,my instinct was telling me that just leaning will get me through the turn,while clearly it's not a two wheeler where that is the case.I realize I have to actually steer where I want to go,but my other fear is that during a higher speed curve like that,I will give too much steering input and possibly go into the near lane where a car could be lurking.
It's just a wierd feeling I get,kinda uneasy when I see I curve coming up at a higher speed. Can someone help ease my concerns?

I know I am just getting used to it,and will need to learn the reaction of all input but I don't wanna start out with any bad habits or keep a fear of the highway if there is a solution to the problem.I don't have any other concern really.I feel comfy and safe everywhere but the highway.
I am open to any suggestions! Thanks for reading,here is a picture of my new baby,

Everybody has given you really great advice, so I am going to speak from a new ryder stand point. I have been ryder for about 6 months. I rode for weeks around the block at 35 MPH. The first time I went out on a major road and started accelerating, I swear to God, I was going off the bike. The wind was beating me up and I didn't think I would ever get the hang of it. Don't give up, it gets better. You body will natural get into a position where you feel you can control the bike. I can do 80 now and not even realize that I am going that fast.
 
There's always a steep learning curve at the beginning of any new adventure... Enjoy it! :2thumbs: Every time out you'll gain more confidence. Each new experience will get tucked away and added to your list of skills. :yes: :thumbup:
 
All very good advice. I favor the parking lot and cut in half tennis balls for curves. If thing do go go right, run over them.
I think the tricLED ( site Sponsor) front fender lights should be on all Spyders.
Enjoy, ride Safe and have Fun.
Oldmanzues
 
Follow some other Spyders

When I started riding two wheeler about 5 years ago at the age of 56, I found a lot of things uncomfortable. Practice at slower speeds is always a good way to start no matter what kind of bike. There was a learning curve again when I started riding the Spyder. After you gain a little confidence, try to ride behind some other Spyder riders if possible. They will be glad to give you hints and suggestions. You can also see how they shift their body when cornering. The suggestions you are getting on this forum are not theory, but things learned from many riders.

My findings have been the same as noted. Practice as much as you can, relax and you soon will find you are just riding, not thinking about it. Once you develop a little new muscle memory, you will just go with the flow.

The Madstad adjustable brackets are good, but sometimes will not stand the windshield up as high as I would like. I made some slightly longer brackets that I use during the colder months to move my windshield a little higher. Makes a big difference on cold days.

I have been on rides with BMW, Harley, and many other types of bikes and have no problem hanging with them in the curves if I chose too. Can't match the BMW power curves, but the Spyder will pleasantly surprise you on how aggressively you can ride it. I usually keep it within about 10 mph over posted mph on curve signs and have no issues.
 
Jake, like a lot of these good folks, I too, came from the world of riding 2 wheelers all my life. I would say that it took me a good 10-12 hours saddle time before I 'unlearned' my bike habits. First time I test drove one and wanted to go right I pushed the handle bars left and couldn't comprehend what what happening. Most of what was said in here holds true. I'm a member of MOGANG and when the RT/RTS riders upgraded to Elks shocks, the RT/RTS stock shocks worked better on the RS bikes than the stock RS shocks did. I just installed Elka's on my 2011 RTS (made a world of diff in the turns and on windy days) and I have kept my original set of stock shocks for this reason. If you're interested in them send me a pm and definitely talk to other RS riders before purchasing. If they tell that it's a good idea then great, if they tell you not to, that's fine too. But talk with the folks that have or have had the same bike as what you are riding, because the difference between an RS and an RT/S is night and day.
Oh, and welcome to the best Spyder info site on the web.:thumbup:
 
There's always a steep learning curve at the beginning of any new adventure... Enjoy it! :2thumbs: Every time out you'll gain more confidence. Each new experience will get tucked away and added to your list of skills. :yes: :thumbup:

Best advice yet! - ENJOY IT!

You didn't mention what type helmet you were wearing but, with the short windshield, a good fullface helmet will really help in the wind.

Cotton
 
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