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New Spyder Owner

mamccor

New member
I am coming off a 2006 BMW R1200RT to a 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5 because my wife feels a lot safer and more comfortable on the Spyder. I really want to like it - but at 75-80 mph the buffeting is WAY worse than the beemer, the overall stability seems worse, I have to hold on tight all the time, especially in cross winds, where on the beemer, I could set back and it just stayed straight and true. I passed a semi at 80 and it felt like we were both gonna get blown over. Is there something I'm doing wrong?? Will it get better??
 
CONGRATS

Congrats and relax! Try not to hang on too tight, took me some getting used to, best mod I've done on my 12RT SE is Bajarons sway bar REALLY helps, check tire pressures I run 16-18 lbs front and 25-28 rear...get a few tanks full of gas and you should be adjusted by then.
 
hang in there.

Like you, I've gone from bikes to Spyders. I have 500 plus miles on my sm6 Rt. It took every one of those miles to get comfortable. It will happen for you too.
 
Don't know..!!

how many miles you have logged on one of these but they are not that much of a hop on and go machine. There are things you have to unlearn and things you have to learn. You have a dps (dynamic power steering) if you are tight gripped and making quick moves it senses this and helps you giving you that feeling. They track well and you may feel that all that up front stuff is heavy and you need to work harder...you don't. The BajaRon sway bar is a great help as is a good laser alignment (check sponsors, Squared Away travels around). You have other great features like VSS, ABS, etc. Oh and the nanny....but really want to welcome you to the roadster world and this site..little practice..little time and you will be grinning from ear to ear...:ohyea::ohyea:
 
Welcome, give it some time and miles. The swaybar is a great add on but ride the bike for a while before making any changes. I also highly recommend a laser alignment.
 
I would add, be Sure to set the air shock for two up and check the front shocks for proper setting, relax the grip learn the new Ryde.
 
You might also try the vented windshield, it really does reduce buffeting on you. Also do not try and ride in the center, the spyder front tires are just a little narrower than a car and the slight crown in the road make the tires try and climb up the crown. This will seem like the bike is never happy, always wandering. find a spot just to the left or right of center, when you are not having to push on the steering to keep it going straight, you have found the right spot.

Welcome and keep riding.
 
:welcome: A looser grip works best. The person who told you to use a tight grip, either doesn't ride much, or has never ridden at all. :banghead:
It'll take a couple of hundred miles to begin to learn the new dance steps. Take your time, and it'll all come to you! :thumbup:

Now... :nopic: :2thumbs:
 
wind buffeting

I went from a Road King to a Fatboy Harley with solid wheels, wind was terrible then to a RSS :spyder2:wasn't much difference. One reason is you have so much more body for the wind to hit. You have to get use to it.
 
Congrats and Welcome!

:congrats: and :welcome: Congrats on your new 2014 RT. It's an AWESOME machine and you'll love it! :thumbup:


It will take getting used to after being on 2 wheels....just enjoy it and soon you will learn how to ride it with ease. This forum is great for any help you may need.

Enjoy! :ohyea::ohyea::ohyea::ohyea:
 
Relax, don't put a death grip on the handlebars, put 1,00 miles on it and you will think "why have I ever ridden anything else?" It really does grow on you. BTW do the BajaRon sway bar & the laser alignment & you will be even happier!!:yes::ohyea::yes::ohyea: Ride often, Ride safe.:thumbup:
 
I am coming off a 2006 BMW R1200RT to a 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5 because my wife feels a lot safer and more comfortable on the Spyder. I really want to like it - but at 75-80 mph the buffeting is WAY worse than the beemer, the overall stability seems worse, I have to hold on tight all the time, especially in cross winds, where on the beemer, I could set back and it just stayed straight and true. I passed a semi at 80 and it felt like we were both gonna get blown over. Is there something I'm doing wrong?? Will it get better??
The tighter you hold the worse it will get.. I ran a test on my 2012 RT - took the hands off the handlebars and managed to steer it for over one mile by just holding my hands out in the wind for minor correction.. Properly aligned and caressed these machines can be more relaxing than any two wheeler that i rode in 45 years
 
I am coming off a 2006 BMW R1200RT to a 2012 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5 because my wife feels a lot safer and more comfortable on the Spyder. I really want to like it - but at 75-80 mph the buffeting is WAY worse than the beemer, the overall stability seems worse, I have to hold on tight all the time, especially in cross winds, where on the beemer, I could set back and it just stayed straight and true. I passed a semi at 80 and it felt like we were both gonna get blown over. Is there something I'm doing wrong?? Will it get better??[/QUOTE

you might want to put this into the search box on the upper right corner of the forum page.

Congratulations on your purchase. Enjoy
:yes::clap::ohyea:
 
Welcome from one ex-BMW rider to another. It took me over a 1000 miles to break the old habits, but I did and so can you. Lots of luck.
 
Thanks for all the great support and advice to a new member!

Welcome from one ex-BMW rider to another. It took me over a 1000 miles to break the old habits, but I did and so can you. Lots of luck.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to post and help a new rider like me. I will take your advice to heart, explore the stabilizer bar and learn to relax a little. If I did not understand the forum and this does not go to all the respondents, please tell me and explain how I can post to everyone who cared enough to reply to me. My wife Linda loves the Can-Am and feels much more stable and safe on it. So I will listen to you and relax and get better at riding it. (But when I want to blast to the Hill Country solo and ride the Twisted Sisters, I am gonna jump on my Beemer :))

Mike
 
Mike, when you post, we all can read it. If you want to contact an individual, you must PM (private message) to them I had tears in my eyes when I triked my '02 Wing in '05 and left the installer....rode fifty miles home and thought I had just ruined a great two wheeler...rode it 1,000 miles and would not go back to two wheels. Same thing when I bought Big Red 1 March 2011.

Make sure your shocks are set to your tastes. Tire inflation is very important. Put 25 in front and 32 in rear...ride a few miles and let a pound or two out and ride some more...do this until you find your "sweet spot", it is there, ya just gotta find it. After 1,000 miles you will not remember your BMW....ha ha Good luck.

:spyder2:
 
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