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New to my Spyder & it wobbles down the road! Ideas?
- Thread starter Cirhere
- Start date
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
:welcome: and :congrats: on your new Spyder.
A common thing to those new to riding the :f_spider:
The suggestion above of over-controlling is a good one. A light grip, no white knuckles, is recommended. I used to tell people to pretend there is an egg between the grip and your hands. DON'T BREAK THE EGG. A gentle push/pull on the bars will usually correct it. The spyder is very responsive to even the smallest inputs.
Another possibility is mis alignment or bad tires. Rare, but it happens.
Here is a good read:
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners
A common thing to those new to riding the :f_spider:
The suggestion above of over-controlling is a good one. A light grip, no white knuckles, is recommended. I used to tell people to pretend there is an egg between the grip and your hands. DON'T BREAK THE EGG. A gentle push/pull on the bars will usually correct it. The spyder is very responsive to even the smallest inputs.
Another possibility is mis alignment or bad tires. Rare, but it happens.
Here is a good read:
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners
Last edited:
JayBros
Well-known member
What Ray and AR have said is spot on. While you may not want to try it right now, if your Spyder is properly aligned and you go tooling down the road you should be able to lift your mitts off the bars and it will track like an arrow shot from a crossbow. Be absolutely certain that your front tires are inflated as close to identical and at absolute worst not more than 1/2 lb different from each other.
DON'T FIGHT IT!! :lecturef_smilie:
Spyders have 2 wheels up front, so there's always going to be waaayyy more steering feedback than on a motorcycle with only one wheel up front, or an auto that's 3 times heavier on much the same sized front tire footprint! Just relax your grip on the handlebars, drop your elbows & shoulders down & back, and gently GUIDE your Spyder down the road! Look waaay out ahead and plan where you want to go, then gently follow that path without fighting or 'micro-managing' the close in steering in response to the little bumps & wobbles - just gently guide your Spyder along that path & ignore the minor steering feedback caused by having two sets of tire footprints up front!
hyea:
Even then it'll probably take some miles to get used to it, they are very different to a 2 wheeled motorcycle in thisrespect (& others!) so if you have extensive motorcycle experience, it might take some hundreds of miles (or even maybe a thousand or so!) of saddle time to overcome the ingrained responses & your 'feel' expectations, but once you do, WOOHEEE, then you'll really start to enjoy the Miles of Smiles most of us rave about! If you don't have that extensive experience on a 2 wheeler, you've just gotta put in the saddle time to learn the limits & feel there too! So get some more gentle & relaxed miles under your belt & come back to tell us how your going & if it's become any better yet.
That said, while the latest versions haven't had quite the same degree of concern, earlier Spyders especially were renowned for leaving the factory AND dealers with APPALLING wheel alignment; and the OE spec Kenda tires rate pretty much lower than a piss on a dusty road, so if relaxing your grip & gently guiding rather than fighting it doesn't improve things for you, consider getting a proper wheel alignment from someone who knows what they are doing (like Squared Away, altho they are having an 'alignment break' atm while touring & running intro/demo rides for BRP) - generally, & sadly, getting a good laser alignment will mean going somewhere OTHER than your dealer! :sour: And once you've got a good alignment done, you can fit new 'real' auto tires, up front especially, and maybe even upgrade the swaybar & endlinks with BajaRon's significantly improved version - 'real' tires (run at about 16-18 psi as appropriate for the lighter loading) plus a good swaybar with solid endlinks insread of the OE 'floppy Cheese-stick' bar with flexible & dodgy OE placcy links will significantly improve your ride & handling even further beyond the improvements gained thru getting the wheels aligned properly & learning to relax & gently guide your Spyder rather than trying to muscle it along! :thumbup:
Good Luck! :cheers:
Spyders have 2 wheels up front, so there's always going to be waaayyy more steering feedback than on a motorcycle with only one wheel up front, or an auto that's 3 times heavier on much the same sized front tire footprint! Just relax your grip on the handlebars, drop your elbows & shoulders down & back, and gently GUIDE your Spyder down the road! Look waaay out ahead and plan where you want to go, then gently follow that path without fighting or 'micro-managing' the close in steering in response to the little bumps & wobbles - just gently guide your Spyder along that path & ignore the minor steering feedback caused by having two sets of tire footprints up front!
hyea: Even then it'll probably take some miles to get used to it, they are very different to a 2 wheeled motorcycle in thisrespect (& others!) so if you have extensive motorcycle experience, it might take some hundreds of miles (or even maybe a thousand or so!) of saddle time to overcome the ingrained responses & your 'feel' expectations, but once you do, WOOHEEE, then you'll really start to enjoy the Miles of Smiles most of us rave about! If you don't have that extensive experience on a 2 wheeler, you've just gotta put in the saddle time to learn the limits & feel there too! So get some more gentle & relaxed miles under your belt & come back to tell us how your going & if it's become any better yet.
That said, while the latest versions haven't had quite the same degree of concern, earlier Spyders especially were renowned for leaving the factory AND dealers with APPALLING wheel alignment; and the OE spec Kenda tires rate pretty much lower than a piss on a dusty road, so if relaxing your grip & gently guiding rather than fighting it doesn't improve things for you, consider getting a proper wheel alignment from someone who knows what they are doing (like Squared Away, altho they are having an 'alignment break' atm while touring & running intro/demo rides for BRP) - generally, & sadly, getting a good laser alignment will mean going somewhere OTHER than your dealer! :sour: And once you've got a good alignment done, you can fit new 'real' auto tires, up front especially, and maybe even upgrade the swaybar & endlinks with BajaRon's significantly improved version - 'real' tires (run at about 16-18 psi as appropriate for the lighter loading) plus a good swaybar with solid endlinks insread of the OE 'floppy Cheese-stick' bar with flexible & dodgy OE placcy links will significantly improve your ride & handling even further beyond the improvements gained thru getting the wheels aligned properly & learning to relax & gently guide your Spyder rather than trying to muscle it along! :thumbup:
Good Luck! :cheers:
What others have said about not fighting the steering. If there's a cross wind, YOU should move, not the bike. Unless you're in the twisties, resting your hands on the grips works wonders. Probably not a tire issue on a year old bike but once your tires wear out (or maybe before they do), a set of car tires is supposed to be the bees knees. I only have about 3k miles on my bike but car tires will be in my future come spring.
gkamer
Sadly passed away, December '23.
You say to put “several miles” on it today. IMHO that’s barely enough saddle time to get the engine up to temp. 
As others have mentioned already, a very light touch is all that’s required to control your Ryker. Normally when I ride I just rest my left hand on the handle bars. The only reason I even grip the right bar is to hold the throttle open.
I think you’ll find the more time you put in the saddle the more you’ll learn to feel what the bike is telling you and the more confident you’ll become in it’s handling characteristics.
As others have mentioned already, a very light touch is all that’s required to control your Ryker. Normally when I ride I just rest my left hand on the handle bars. The only reason I even grip the right bar is to hold the throttle open.
I think you’ll find the more time you put in the saddle the more you’ll learn to feel what the bike is telling you and the more confident you’ll become in it’s handling characteristics.
K80Shooter
New member
Also check air pressure in the tires, if too much air it over steers real easy.
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
Actually if the spyder still has OEM - Kenda tires it could very well be the tires ..... " new " means nothing when it comes to Kenda tires .... this brand has the worst " Defective tire " record of any tire manufacturer I have ever known ..... Mike :thumbup:
Rocketman 2012
New member
Take this advice/ opinion with a grain of Salt as I just got my new 2021 RT SE6 last Saturday, 3-6-21 and have put only 250 or so miles on it so far, mostly on Rural country roads, with a bit of interstate thrown in for the fun of it. I am still breaking the 'Bike' in and taking it easy.
I have been riding motorcycles since 1962 when I was 15 1/2 and got my permit and have never been without a bike in that entire time, having just sold my brand new Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports a few weeks ago and it was number 88.
I have raced semi-Pro on every kind of Track, raced for years in the Southern Calif deserts, foothills and mountains and even BAJA, Mexico and even Trials and finally apropos to this handling discussion, I find that the Spyder responds just like the 3 wheel ATV's to body movement and weight distribution where leaning is important. To some extent, 4 wheel ATV's require the same thinking to ride quickly. I'm 'talking' direction changes at high speed, in the dirt on racing 3 wheelers and quads. I have found the same applies to the Spyder.
Another problem I don't see mentioned is ROAD SURFACE! The roads in MANY areas in this country are engineered to allow rain water to run off to the sides so they are crowned or canted and this causes WANDERING to some extent. A person tends to fight wandering and when the Spyder does so it's a bit disconcerting for sure. I experienced this frequently on the Rural roads of SW Missouri--64836.
Conversely, on a nice, flat and newer section of Highway or especially on an Interstate, the Spyder tracks very easily and with the cruise control on and the hands just very lightly resting on the handlebars, the ride is SO very smooth and true.
The SAGE advice you have been given here is spot on in my new and very humble experience but I'm sure it will all come together for you soon.
Someone told me on the Motorcycle Forum where I am a Moderator that a Spyder was hard to ride and scary but after I watched a LOT of Youtube Videos, I was convinced otherwise! The best one I saw was when a Spyder rider addressed the supposed difficulty by riding around in a parking lot, at barely walking speeds, just barely using the throttle, doing circle 8's, with the ease of a Child on a Tricycle. The power steering makes this possible.
It took me maybe 10 miles to feel 90% comfortable and to lose my preconceived fears of 3 wheels, due to untold miles of touring and riding motorcycles.
Have fun and don't over think everything. There are classes available!
Sam
I have been riding motorcycles since 1962 when I was 15 1/2 and got my permit and have never been without a bike in that entire time, having just sold my brand new Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports a few weeks ago and it was number 88.
I have raced semi-Pro on every kind of Track, raced for years in the Southern Calif deserts, foothills and mountains and even BAJA, Mexico and even Trials and finally apropos to this handling discussion, I find that the Spyder responds just like the 3 wheel ATV's to body movement and weight distribution where leaning is important. To some extent, 4 wheel ATV's require the same thinking to ride quickly. I'm 'talking' direction changes at high speed, in the dirt on racing 3 wheelers and quads. I have found the same applies to the Spyder.
Another problem I don't see mentioned is ROAD SURFACE! The roads in MANY areas in this country are engineered to allow rain water to run off to the sides so they are crowned or canted and this causes WANDERING to some extent. A person tends to fight wandering and when the Spyder does so it's a bit disconcerting for sure. I experienced this frequently on the Rural roads of SW Missouri--64836.
Conversely, on a nice, flat and newer section of Highway or especially on an Interstate, the Spyder tracks very easily and with the cruise control on and the hands just very lightly resting on the handlebars, the ride is SO very smooth and true.
The SAGE advice you have been given here is spot on in my new and very humble experience but I'm sure it will all come together for you soon.
Someone told me on the Motorcycle Forum where I am a Moderator that a Spyder was hard to ride and scary but after I watched a LOT of Youtube Videos, I was convinced otherwise! The best one I saw was when a Spyder rider addressed the supposed difficulty by riding around in a parking lot, at barely walking speeds, just barely using the throttle, doing circle 8's, with the ease of a Child on a Tricycle. The power steering makes this possible.
It took me maybe 10 miles to feel 90% comfortable and to lose my preconceived fears of 3 wheels, due to untold miles of touring and riding motorcycles.
Have fun and don't over think everything. There are classes available!
Sam
No kidding! I normally keep about 19# in my stock Kendas. When I went in for my 3k mile service a few weeks ago, they put 21# in the front tires. I could barely keep it on the road on the way home. Needless to say, they now have 18.5-19# in them.
I mostly agree, Mike. I'm just saying that the tires probably aren't worn out and probably aren't causing the issues with only a year on the bike. Guess I should have asked how many miles are on it, too.
FWIW, I've got 3k miles on my bike and am just about to order new front tires. Either V'steins or Federals. My front Kendas aren't even close to being worn out but I ride aggressively and.......well, I don't have to tell you, do I?
ThreeWheels
Active member
I'm coming late to the party, but I have a lot of experience with a wobbling Spyder.
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...Good-Handling&highlight=journey+good+handling
Easiest to check first is the tire pressure. If the front tire pressures are different from each other, it will cause the Spyder to wobble.
Also, if the tire pressure is too high, the contact patch rounds out. The Spyder sits up "on the balls if it's feet" so to speak. If the pressure is too low, the contact patch flattens out and the Spyder is difficult to turn. The pressure should be between 17 and 21 PSI, but you might find a little higher or a little lower may work for you. A little experimenting with pressure may be in order.
If none of the above works for you, I'd check the alignment.
Many, many of the early Spyders came from the factory mis-aligned, and the Spyder felt like it was bouncing all over the road.
With time, it seems BRP has gotten far better at aligning the Spyders from the factory.
You may have something mechanically wrong with your bike. This could be a premature failure of the tires, or the suspension system.
In order, I'd suggest:
1) Tire Pressures
2) Alignment
3) Mechanical Components (tires, suspension)
Good Luck. Keep us posted.
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...Good-Handling&highlight=journey+good+handling
Easiest to check first is the tire pressure. If the front tire pressures are different from each other, it will cause the Spyder to wobble.
Also, if the tire pressure is too high, the contact patch rounds out. The Spyder sits up "on the balls if it's feet" so to speak. If the pressure is too low, the contact patch flattens out and the Spyder is difficult to turn. The pressure should be between 17 and 21 PSI, but you might find a little higher or a little lower may work for you. A little experimenting with pressure may be in order.
If none of the above works for you, I'd check the alignment.
Many, many of the early Spyders came from the factory mis-aligned, and the Spyder felt like it was bouncing all over the road.
With time, it seems BRP has gotten far better at aligning the Spyders from the factory.
You may have something mechanically wrong with your bike. This could be a premature failure of the tires, or the suspension system.
In order, I'd suggest:
1) Tire Pressures
2) Alignment
3) Mechanical Components (tires, suspension)
Good Luck. Keep us posted.
Snoking1127
Well-known member
I run 16.5 in my Federal Formoza AZ01s. I have asked Federal for an inflation chart for this tire, however have not yet heard back from them.
ButterSmooth
New member
Give it some time. It took me 1000 miles to be at peace with my RT. Another 1000 to learn how to control it efficiently. Somewhere around 3000, I found myself using only the rear brake on my Quad -- transformation complete. After 57 years on two wheels, there were things and feelings I had to unlearn. Over 6000 miles now and I can recognize the special uniqueness of this vehicle. Be patient, it's worth it.
One of the 'two wheel feelings' is always being at the center of gravity, so all the forces go directly down through the wheels. No side-to-side forces like the Spyder. When the Spyder tips, following the road irregularities, it feels like you're turning and you react by pushing on the bars. Then you are turning and your body experiences a new and different force than you ever felt on a motorcycle. At first, I was jinking all over the road, reacting to non-motorcycle force 'feelings'. My reactions were subconscious, honestly earned motorcycling skills.
You'll get it -- it just takes time. Few people will take as long as I took to acclimate.
One of the 'two wheel feelings' is always being at the center of gravity, so all the forces go directly down through the wheels. No side-to-side forces like the Spyder. When the Spyder tips, following the road irregularities, it feels like you're turning and you react by pushing on the bars. Then you are turning and your body experiences a new and different force than you ever felt on a motorcycle. At first, I was jinking all over the road, reacting to non-motorcycle force 'feelings'. My reactions were subconscious, honestly earned motorcycling skills.
You'll get it -- it just takes time. Few people will take as long as I took to acclimate.
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
A good way to make sure both front tires are at the same pressure is to use this: https://spyderstore.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63&product_id=54.
JT Thornton shows another version without the dial gauge but it comes up not in stock. It looks kind of like JT isn't real active in the Spyder accessory business now.
I made one like it myself. It works really great. It's surprising how little difference in pressure between the two tires can affect handling.
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