newbie question

[wingjockey]

Hi Guys, I'm new here. Dont have a spyder yet. Current ride is an 06 goldwing. Wifey says she wants a trike so she can drive when we travel. so were looking at goldwing trikes and also Spyders. The biggest issue we have with the wing is wind. It HATES crosswinds. can be scary in winds above 40-45. Just wondering how Spyders deal with winds.
Thanks For the input
John

 

[bikeguy]

Like you, I don't own a Spyder yet. My current ride is a 2000 BMW R1100RT. You might be interested in reading Fred Rau's report of the 2010 Spyder RT-S's performance in some pretty fierce winds out west. Here's the link:

http://blog.spyderfred.com/2009/10/06/downtime--a-mad-dash.aspx

 

[BRPjunkie]

Any vehicle that weighs 1,000 lbs (with rider) is going to be affected by wind. Heck, up here in Michigan a Yugo got blown off the Mackinaw Bridge. The big difference with the Spyder is that you don't have to worry about balance when hit with crosswinds. Wide stance and lots of contact patch on the road. Don't white knuckle the bars and you can handle wind with moderate steering adjustments (assuming the DPS is working properly). If you are strangling the bars and not used to the power assist, you can easily over correct for winds.

 

[NancysToy]

I ride both my wife's Spyder GS and a BMW R1100RT. I would much, much, much rather be on the Spyder in a strong crosswind. For one thing, when you pull up beside a truck where it blocks the wind, or you pass into the open from a hill and hit the wind suddenly, you know the Spyder is not going to veer suddenly and violently off course...or worse yet, go down. I'm not saying you don't notice the wind, or have to correct for it, you do...and it is different in that you must steer to correct instead of lean. It is not nearly as bad, though...very tolerable. I have not ridden in gale force winds like Fred Rau describes, but I have piloted both machines in 30-40 mph crosswinds. The Beemer is a white knuckle ride, the Spyder is merely tiring and a nuisance. I don't know for sure how my new RT-S will compare, but it should be even better with its wider stance and heavier weight, despite it's larger profile.

 

[ntxYguy2009]

:agree: with Scotty. I have close to 12K on my Spyder and I am very happy with the :spyder2:'s ability to handle crosswinds and the overall stability. That is one of the main reasons that I selected the :spyder2:.

If she has not done so already, a test ryde on both might help the decision.

David

 

[vt228]

I have no problem with cross wind the spyder holds the road like glue 55 to 70 no problem at all . tell your wife that she well have no problem with wind with a spyder a trike only has one wheel and turning not to good I rather have two wheels to turn with have a nomad 1500 and a 07 fat boy love my spyder best of all .power stering power braks trak controll great on gas try one test ryde one let your wife feel how it rydes let us no please..

 

[DannyS]

I live in Kansas home of the strong cross wind. The Spyder handles the winds fine. Worst is a head wind because the relative wind is so strong it can even force you down a gear. And the buffeting is bad. Just got a CHAD and I can't wait to see how it handles a headwind. Not as good as a RT but better than what I had "I hope":2thumbs:

 

[Tom in NM]

Not a problem, more a sensation.

We get some pretty good wind storms out here, gust over 50. They become even trickier when they get channelled through canyons and gorges. Then there is a fairly common 40+ mph crosswind at 60mph and meeting a semi doing the same in the opposite direction on a small two lane road.

The Spyder does great, it holds the road just fine. I find I get slapped around some, but the bike is a "stable platform" to hold on to. After one very windy ride a couple of weeks ago, I found my knees and thighs were a little sore from the workout they got, but no dents in the Spyder.

On my motorcycle, the body seems to take fewer 'hits', but it does not feel anywhere near as stable and seems to jump or get pushed one way or the other.

I agree with Dannys's comment about hitting the wind head-on. Sometimes it seems like the brakes are being applied or you are downshifting, but it is not unsettling in any way. On the other hand, with a 50 mph wind at your back as you are riding up a canyon is an experience in magic. Leaves, weeds, and papers seem to be frozen in space, almost like they are floating there in Zero Gs with you and all you hear is the engine and the tires on the road, while the canyon walls are flashing by.

I would add that I have a smaller windshield - the RoboBrackets and shield by MadStad.com . This is nowhere as big as the other adjustable shields and does an incredible job of eliminating or reducing turbulence. I used to have a large CalSci shield and that did act like a sail every so often in high winds, but never enough to effect stability or steering. I am 5'7" and weight about 140# if that helps.

Bottomline: Spyder stable, driver can get pushed around by sudden high wind gusts. I love it.

Tom

 

[bjt]

The big difference with the Spyder is that you don't have to worry about balance when hit with crosswinds. Wide stance and lots of contact patch on the road.

I'm not saying you don't notice the wind, or have to correct for it, you do...and it is different in that you must steer to correct instead of lean.

I am very happy with the :spyder2:'s ability to handle crosswinds and the overall stability.

the spyder holds the road like glue

The Spyder handles the winds fine.

The Spyder does great, it holds the road just fine. I find I get slapped around some, but the bike is a "stable platform" to hold on to.
Bottomline: Spyder stable, driver can get pushed around by sudden high wind gusts.

+7

 

[shansmow]

Being a female I find the Spyder MUCH easier to deal with while ryding in any type of conditions. No one else in my group has a Spyder and sometimes I catch a little jealous jab from them when they're struggling with the ryde because of rainy or windy conditions but I really get it when they have to back up their bikes....my reverse just blows them away. I know you and your wife would feel so much more stable on the Spyder regardless of the conditions. Be sure to get her a racy red one

 

[Don in E Texas]

I agree with all posts..........and Racy Red is the color to get.... only model with turbo charged engine! :joke:

Your question reminds me of my brother......he and his wife were on a long trip across Texas - Oklahoma and spent most of the ride (BMW) leaning into the wind. He wore the side off front and rear tires!!! Not fun...

You will love your new :spyder2:

don