Newbie riding impressions 2014 RTL

[Buggy]

It has been three weeks or so since I picked up my new Spyder and trailered it to Florida. I have to say I was a bit concerned reading posts from people who were having second thoughts about buying their Spyder because they could not get use to the handling. I hope the excellent advice and support given to them here helped them come to terms with this issue because as we know it is very different from a 2 wheel motorcycle and has a learning curve.

For myself I listened to the advice and went from being a very cautious rider, thinking about the ride with every bump and adulation causing a reaction to one where I am now riding totally relaxed and enjoying the ride with out thinking of the Spyder every second of the time. This conversion happened quickly for me and came about after about 700 miles with lots of slow speed subdivision riding and open road adventures.

A couple of observations for other newbies....relax your grip, if not, your tension is transmitted through the bars and it feels like the bike is twitchy. The second is in a corner push on the outboard handle bar and push your opposite knee into the gas tank. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling. I think this works better then pulling on the inside bar. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling.

i am having a blast and love my new Spyder. It is different but equal to my previous two wheelers in fun quotient.

Cheers

 

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that you made the transition!! :yes::yes::yes: :congrats:

 

[ARtraveler]

It sounds like you took the advice to heart and nailed it. :cheers: to many more miles on your :spyder2:

 

[missouriboy]

...in a corner push on the outboard handle bar, and push your opposite knee into the gas tank. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling. I think this works better then pulling on the inside bar...

Absolutely. Also, on long sweeping curves, you can reduce muscle fatigue by locking your elbow into a straight stiff-arm position and letting your bones hold the pressure, instead of straining just a few muscles. This constant strain doesn't occur when leaning a 2-wheeler, but on 3 wheelers you might notice it very quickly.

(Apologies for the edit... I wanted to just show the essentials pertaining to my comment.)

 

[Buggy]

(Apologies for the edit... I wanted to just show the essentials pertaining to my comment.)[/QUOTE]

Like yours better!:cheers:

 

[PW2013STL]

Great news, and it will get even better with more miles.
Here's :cheers: to you and all your adventures on your new :spyder:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:congrats:

Ain't it grand? hyea:

 

[Purple Guy]

The more miles the bigger smiles!

 

[jonnysevel]

congrats on the bike! I found it pretty easy to convert over as well!! it is now the most fun bike I have ever ridden! BTW are you at an RV resort in FL?
Jonny

 

[bronzeflex42]

The 2014 Black current is a nice color and make the spyder look really sharp especially with that chrome. Maybe one day i'll upgrade and if i do that's probably the color i'll choose. :clap:

 

[Deanna777]

The more miles that you put on your :spyder2: it will get easier. I went from riding a 2-wheel motorcycle( HD,) to riding the spyder, I did not have any problems transitioning.

My first spyder was a 2012RTS-SE5 Quatumum Blue Metallic, I took a demo ride on a 2014RTS-SE6 it was like night and day. What a difference, the 14's have a new engine and a 6 speed transmission,1330 ACE higher torque engine, a smoother ride, a better gas mileage, more power. Ask any one on this site that has a 14' . Welcome to this #1 site!

:congrats: on your 14RTL.

Deanna

 

[JimFoy]

The second is in a corner push on the outboard handle bar and push your opposite knee into the gas tank. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling. I think this works better then pulling on the inside bar. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling.

For normal riding, I agree. But if you are being aggressive in cornering, or if you find yourself entering a curve faster than you should, I find that pulling on the inside handle bar is more effective. It makes you lean into the curve more, and shifts your weight to the inside.

 

[Buggy]

For normal riding, I agree. But if you are being aggressive in cornering, or if you find yourself entering a curve faster than you should, I find that pulling on the inside handle bar is more effective. It makes you lean into the curve more, and shifts your weight to the inside.

I'll bear that in mind and give it a try as well....Thanks!

 

[Buggy]

BTW are you at an RV resort in FL?
Jonny

Yes I am...in Zephyrhills Florida.

 

[dlby]

Going to be in Eustis florida in 8 days!
Staying for 2mos
Only have 220 miles in seat but man what a machine!
Rode HD for last 15
Wing for 10 b4 that
Any thing wi motor 25 yrs b4 that
I tend to use push on Spyder most time also
Unless getting rowdy then whatever works

 

[Joe Johnson]

Spyder

Congrats on the new ride! The RTL is one heck of a bike

 

[jaherbst]

Congrats on the new ride! The RTL is one heck of a bike

Nice to see a younger face on here for a change Joe. Welcome to SpiderLovers.

 

[Ben Burped]

Three weeks of heaven

It has been three weeks or so since I picked up my new Spyder and trailered it to Florida. I have to say I was a bit concerned reading posts from people who were having second thoughts about buying their Spyder because they could not get use to the handling. I hope the excellent advice and support given to them here helped them come to terms with this issue because as we know it is very different from a 2 wheel motorcycle and has a learning curve.

For myself I listened to the advice and went from being a very cautious rider, thinking about the ride with every bump and adulation causing a reaction to one where I am now riding totally relaxed and enjoying the ride with out thinking of the Spyder every second of the time. This conversion happened quickly for me and came about after about 700 miles with lots of slow speed subdivision riding and open road adventures.

A couple of observations for other newbies....relax your grip, if not, your tension is transmitted through the bars and it feels like the bike is twitchy. The second is in a corner push on the outboard handle bar and push your opposite knee into the gas tank. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling. I think this works better then pulling on the inside bar. I find this locks me into the turn and provides a stable feeling.

i am having a blast and love my new Spyder. It is different but equal to my previous two wheelers in fun quotient.

Cheers

I would like to add one suggestion to your learning. I learned this when I took the official Virginia three wheel motorcycle riders safety course. When approaching a curve, brake before entering the curve and then gently accelerate through the curve. This seems to set the machine up better and lessens the body roll and weight transfer that occurs if you coast through the curve or accelerate without braking first. Try it several times and you will make it standard operating procedure.