Newbie Question about handling

[BajaRon]

Hello all,

Much like the OP I brought home a 2017 F3-S on 7/19, 4300 miles and in very nice condition. After 50 years of motorcycles this is my first Spyder and this is my first post. Don't mean to hijack this thread and I thank the OP for opening the door for me, sort of...
Anyway, I had never sat on a Spyder prior to the purchase, after the seller and I agreed to terms I rode it for a little bit on the grounds of her property, handlebars were just right, good seat, pegs a little too far back, brake pedal and shifter way too high for me. I'll address the shifter and brake pedal problem asap.
Rode home mostly in rain for about 60 miles and I must say I felt pretty comfortable, way more so than I would have been in a motorcycle under the same conditions. My big issue is slow corners in town where the Spyder understeers quite bit. I push the outside bar but struggle to direct the Spyder where I want to go, all the while with little or no throttle. At road speeds I do not notice such understeer, however I do experience some sideways motion but I was prepared for it, as I read numerous post and watched a few videos. I also relax my grip as much as I can and let the Spyder do its thing.
Any experienced rider please chime in with any advice, chances are I'm doing something wrong on those slow corners. I checked the tire pressures: 18 front, 25 rear. The tires are nearly new, nothing on the bike seems to be out of order. Don't know, but I'm trying to find out is the Spyder had a recent alignment. I really enjoy the Spyder, other than the understeer it's been awesome.

Shooting in the dark here. But you might see if this helps.

When I first got my Spyder, I found myself looking at the front wheels and where they were tracking, at slow speeds. Kind of unconsciously. I think it was because they were so prominent, unlike on 2 wheels. I also found it difficult to go where I wanted to go. Trying different things so solve this issue, I started looking farther ahead, as I did at speed. And this solved my problem. Hope this helps.

 

[Doc McCoy]

For me one thing no one has mentioned is this. When I first got my 2020 rtl especially at freeway speeds when I shifted my body (riding position) even the slightest it always felt like the bike shifted as well. It is a perception issue. The bike never shifted but your bodies spacael (sp) awareness does. Once if figured this out I played around with this on the freeway to prove to myself it was a feeling and not an actual movement. There are lots of threads on cornering and they helped me greatly. Once I had around 1000 miles I did the lazer align, baja rons bar, car tires and it did make a difference but the difference was easier to feel since I had seat time.

 

[Pooch]

I have just achieved 3000+ miles on my 2021 RTL and really like it. I find the bike to be very stable as is…particularly compared to the 2014 and 2018 RTL’s I have ridden. Maybe its just me but I had no problem transitioning from 2-wheels to a trike and now to a Spyder.
I think the design changes they made beginning with the 2020 model made a big difference in the handling. I also think mind-set has a lot to do with transitioning between vehicles…
I made up my mind to respect that this thing handles differently from the other 2 modes of bike…so use a light hand, don’t panic, and put some miles on at speeds you can be comfortable with.
I did put on some comfort items: Helibars, driver backrest, foam over-grips.
I don’t plan to do any sway bar, shocks, etc changes unless it becomes obviously needed…but when the OEM Kenda tires wear out I will put something different on.

 

[Heli]

I also purchased a 2021 RTL this year. I know what your going through, Purchased a Baja Ron Sway bar, WOW WHAT A BIG DIFFERENCE. Installed at 800 miles now have 2200 miles on bike.

Love this bike now in corners and straight a ways. My wife did not like bike at first but loves it now.

 

[AtomicEd]

Just got back Sunday from picking up my first Spyder, a 2019 RTL, and driving it 1500 miles home. And ditto to all of the above comments.

The one other observation I can add as a fellow newbie with 50+ years on two wheels is that I fought, and am still fighting, muscle memory. The desire to counter-steer and relax the inner turn knee, as on a two wheeler, was near terrifying the first 500 miles. The visual cues from the seat of my RTL is very similar to a GL1800 and my sub-conscious was/is playing off of this familiar environment.

Pushing off with the outside foot on the floorboard/peg and putting pressure on the tank with the inner knee is something that has converted me from wanting to sell it after 700 miles to now satisfied with my purchase. I still need more work on my skills, but at least I can keep it in the middle of the turn and enjoy the ride.

 

[JohnRuckus]

Welcome to Spyderville!

TomTom, Jima,
I'm also a rather new rider. I have a '20 RT. I haven't had any of the alignment/suspension mods completed on my unit. I try to follow the suggestions that are in the many posts about handling. Hand grip, tire pressure, posture, etc. Those all seem to help a lot. I can't speak on the mods or your riding style and ability, but experience makes a huge difference. The more you ride and get comfortable with the machine the more you'll figure out what works for you and how the machine responds.

The 1 thing I haven't seen anyone say yet is consider taking the 3 wheel riding course. It is relatively inexpensive. You'll have a chance to get some ride time in on a closed circuit at very low speeds. You'll learn about turning, cornering, etc(basically everything in the manual about riding). You won't get the 2 up experience during the class though. You will at least have someone there that has riding experience who can hopefully give you suggestions and directions on basic riding. Who knows, maybe they'll even set up some extra ride time with you after. The caveat to all of this is that the course provides the spyder to ride and I don't think you're able to practice on yours.

It'll cost you about $100 and 16 hrs. I wanted 1 of these things ever since I first saw them a decade or so ago. When I finally took the course, I decided that I was going to buy my RT. When I finally took my first ride solo, I was relatively nervous, but ~$3K miles later I'm very satisfied with the purchase and ride.

 

[BajaRon]

Just got back Sunday from picking up my first Spyder, a 2019 RTL, and driving it 1500 miles home. And ditto to all of the above comments.

The one other observation I can add as a fellow newbie with 50+ years on two wheels is that I fought, and am still fighting, muscle memory. The desire to counter-steer and relax the inner turn knee, as on a two wheeler, was near terrifying the first 500 miles. The visual cues from the seat of my RTL is very similar to a GL1800 and my sub-conscious was/is playing off of this familiar environment.

Pushing off with the outside foot on the floorboard/peg and putting pressure on the tank with the inner knee is something that has converted me from wanting to sell it after 700 miles to now satisfied with my purchase. I still need more work on my skills, but at least I can keep it in the middle of the turn and enjoy the ride.

If you can persevere and turn the corner, as you have. You are on your way to an amazing experience. Just goes to prove that 'You Can Teach and Old Dog New Tricks'! I'm right there with you. And we are all rooting for you! It's just a matter of time now. Too many give up, succumbing in that initial period where you think you made the most ridiculously stupid purchase in your life. You are about to find out how wrong that initial impression was. It is an AWESOME transition!:thumbup:

 

[SpyderGoldwingOwner]

So I got a 2020 RT for my wife. She is steadily riding it better. I ride a Goldwing & do think there is a learning curve for the Spyder. I like riding it although 70+ mph I also feel a twitchyness with the front end steering. I will give it more time but may go the BajaRon sway bar route

 

[ARtraveler]

All good advice above.

A thread about driving the Spyder. Helpful to new riders.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

 

[RickWB]

I've had my Spyder F3 for 2 months now, and amassed 2,800 km. I added foam grips off the start, check tire pressure often, and am awaiting the delivery of my BajaRon's sway bar. By instinct, I have slowed from the posted highway speed on corners, but learning the leaning procedures outlined in the link from ARtraveler. I just think there is a learning curve, and I have been riding with fellow Spyder owners, so following some of their routines. You will enjoy.

Rick

 

[DanDanTMM]

I rode 2 wheels for 14 years which some of that was a 2005 Wing. Due to an accident I took a 5 year hiatus from riding and jumped into a 2021 Spyder RTL n May. I'm sure the gap in riding helped me but I didn't have a huge learning curve due to coming here first and reading the "Read this first" post. I made sure I was relaxed and not gripping the bars super hard and tense so I didn't have the twitchy feeling at high speeds. I picked a busy section of I-40 with lots of trucks to see if I got blown around when passing and didn't notice any more turbulence than I remember having on 2 wheels. I did add the Bajaron SwayBar but it was for better handling on twisty roads.

 

[Piratezz]

SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME, and all of the above , Spyders are not motorcycles, they are a different animal, once you get around taming it, IT's A BLAST TO Drive....
I for myself love every KM, We ride alott 2up (cruising), and when I take it out by myself, then I drive the wheels off, ghegheghe....
It can do both.

It's been said numerous times, in this thread, Look where you want to go, and the spyder obeys...

 

[Mikey]

So I got a 2020 RT for my wife. She is steadily riding it better. I ride a Goldwing & do think there is a learning curve for the Spyder. I like riding it although 70+ mph I also feel a twitchyness with the front end steering. I will give it more time but may go the BajaRon sway bar route

I think you'll find a sway bar will improve the body roll and handling in the corners, it will stay flatten and feel more planted, the twitchiness, maybe tire pressure, shock adjustment, or just the road surface itself, these things feel everything threw the bars!! Just my 2 cents!!

 

[Mikey]

SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME, SEAT TIME, and all of the above , Spyders are not motorcycles, they are a different animal, once you get around taming it, IT's A BLAST TO Drive....
I for myself love every KM, We ride alott 2up (cruising), and when I take it out by myself, then I drive the wheels off, ghegheghe....
It can do both.

It's been said numerous times, in this thread, Look where you want to go, and the spyder obeys...

:agree:

 

[Circ]

Please forgive me if this has been addressed but I haven't seen any mention of the pre-load on the rear shock. Mine is a 2018 so the newer units may not have this but if you do the manual suggests 20-90 lbs. I run mine around 50 because I only weigh 150 lbs. I have been experimenting with bumping it up slightly when my 110 lb passenger accompanies me. The schrader valve is located under the seat. Along with tire pressures, I check this frequently and there happens to be a small compartment adjacent to the valve that conveniently holds my digital gauge.

 

[Redbeard]

Seat time is a must

Ditto to what has been written. I have owned my 2020 F3 since April of this year. I had been off a two wheeler for 35 years so memory wasn't much of an issue for me.The first month was a good learning curve for me. Most days I would ride for 1/2 to 1 hour. Near me are both divided "highways" two lane either direction along with nice two lane roads with gentle curves. Spend a little time on each. Just don't push the curves beyond what you are comfortable with. As you become used to the spyder handling it will become second nature to you. Just don't get mad at yourself for it taking a little bit of time getting used to it. Just give it a bit of time and the spyder will treat you well-it just takes a bit of time on the seat to get to this point. Before you know it you won't give it a second thought to any worries you might have had. (and for me I did want to counter steer...but now I call it counter push -push with the opposite foot to the direction of the curve)

 

[Circ]

Along with tire air pressures, there is an air pre-load for the rear shock. It is located under the seat. My 2018 has a neat little 'digital air gauge' compartment right next to the schrader valve. Manual says "20 to 90 lbs". I run mine around 50 which is more than the chart recommends but it feels to be on the low side for my 150 lbs. I intend to do some more experimenting in the Black Hills next week. Sorry for the dupe, I had a brain fart. Tried to delete but do not have those technological skills.

 

[TomTom]

Shooting in the dark here. But you might see if this helps.

When I first got my Spyder, I found myself looking at the front wheels and where they were tracking, at slow speeds. Kind of unconsciously. I think it was because they were so prominent, unlike on 2 wheels. I also found it difficult to go where I wanted to go. Trying different things so solve this issue, I started looking farther ahead, as I did at speed. And this solved my problem. Hope this helps.

That is what I do when driving the motorhome on the interstate. When you look far enough ahead you reduce the sawing of the steering wheel. I'll have to try it on the RTL.

 

[pegasus1300]

I have to continually remind myself to "look up look up". I find as I have gotten older I want to drive off the front of the vehicle instead of finding a point down the road to drive to. Like Ron when I discovered that, my Spyder driving greatly improved as did my cage driving.

 

[Poasttown]

TomTom
My wife experienced the same side by side motion as you mentioned about your wife. Part of my switch to the spyder, 2019 F3L, was for her comfort and early on I was frustrated because this motion was not a good thing for her. She felt the need to hold on to the hand holds to try and stabilizer herself which gets pretty tiresome, quickly. The first ride after installing a BAJA Ron sway bar I looked in the mirror and she wasn’t holding on the the hand hold. I then installed the OEM arm rests which added another layer of security/stability. In addition, as mentioned many times, seat time is not only important for the driver but also the passenger. In our situation, my wife can see forward over the top of my helmet which I think also helps to counter act the swaying motion. I’m not sure if this is any proof of her comfort level after two years of riding, but only our second extended trip, is that I think she briefly fell asleep headed down the road.

On a side note. As I researched the Spyder I concluded that an additional $1500 to $2000 would likely need to be spent on the above items so my expectations were already set. A new seat was also on my list but for now the stock seat is doing ok.

Good luck
Poasttown