bone crusher
Alignment Specialist
Bonecrusher, the one thing about all the talk on the steering issue is that some balance is lacking - for example, your comment on "this steering horror" and "hard to imagine just how scary it was". Based on my experiences - that kind of description is way over the top and overly dramatic. :yikes:
I can only judge based on my experience and those that have said that it mirrored theirs. For me, it was nowhere near as "exciting" as having a tire blowout or hitting an icy patch of road and losing control. It was about on par with hitting some lumber or large tire parts in the road. Others ( given traffic, road conditions, rider strength and speed ) could have had more of an experience. Scary? Probably, but for me, it was unsettling and quickly became an irritation when it happened a few times in as many miles and even became "predictable".
Was it a "horror" or un-imaginingly" scary? No. Neither was it a feeling of "total loss of control" or the Spyder steering itself into oncoming traffic as if it had a mind of its own. Here is a link to my initial description: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=163132&postcount=1 . As I posted before, the most unsettling thing about it is when the steering "unsticks" and you find you have "overcompensated" and they Spyder goes suddenly goes to the left.
Is this a serious problem, yes, it needs to be fixed and I believe mine has been. But, in the scheme of things that can happen - like hitting some road debris and/or having a tire blowout - ( in my case ) this was a lot less threatening.
I have mixed feelings about the people who succumb to the hype or sheer volume of alarm over this issue. On one hand, riding a Spyder is dangerous - riding any motorcycle is. It calls for attention, vigilance, good reflexes and skill - and even then, stuff happens. If someone feels they are "up to that", trained and practiced enough - it is their choice to "go for it!". On the other hand, when the hype gets so one-sided to the negative or laden with uncertainty, that they feel they are doomed if they ride - they are not getting the best information to help them evaluate the risk and make up their own minds.
I cannot tell anybody to ride or not to ride.
I cannot tell if a "steering" event is within their capabilities or not.
I can only relate my experience - as factually as I can - so they can determine for themselves that if it happens to them, they can deal with it.
For me, that kind of information sharing is what I come to SpyderLovers.com for. Riders like Dudley, Lamont, Ron, Scotty, Pitmon, Brian, Firefly and lots of others have really provided great info so I could make my own decisions. Thanks all. :thumbup:
But, the hype and :cus:ing does not add any value for me, just the opposite. I feel sorry for the new riders who only have those kind of comments to help them form opinions and evaluate risks.
Tom
Tom,
The experience is completely subjective, and as such, your take on it is only your take. Your reference to what is 'exciting' while on a bike can be offensive to those who differ with your opinion and felt as though their life was endangered. With that being said, your insistence on diminishing the risk and many other riders' concerns is a bit disheartening. Your experience was positive so you cannot comment for those whose bikes have been at the dealer for months and many attempts have failed. I know your intent is not to rub everyones' nose in as you compare your experience to theirs, but I think you are lacking in sensitivity...please consider this...