• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Passenger Stability

gypsy_100

New member
Thanks for the quick responses to my rain spray question. This one's a little tougher. Background -- 95,000 mi on GL1800. Wife loves the back seat riding. Been across the country several times and also thru Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. She's totally comfortable and relaxed back there. On two wheels you're always balanced in the turns -- no g-forces pushing on you. She leans with me and the bike and is relaxed, no death grip needed. Takes photos, reads the maps, etc. The Spyder RT will not be like that. The g-forces will be pushing us outward in the turns. I know -- lean into the turns, etc. But she may not always know when I'm about to turn or change lanes, especially in an emergency quick maneuver. So, can the passenger relax back there, enjoy the scenery, take photos, etc and still be safe? Or does she constantly have to "hang on" with a firm grip? Tough question -- hopefully you understand what I'm asking. Thanks
 
I have a close friend whose wife not only does all the things you talk about on his RT, but she even takes naps in the passenger seat when we are on longer road trips. Sure doesn't seem to be an issue for her. = and after following this guy down the tail of the dragon recently I can tell you he is a hot dog, not a conservative rider...
 
Thanks for the quick responses to my rain spray question. This one's a little tougher. Background -- 95,000 mi on GL1800. Wife loves the back seat riding. Been across the country several times and also thru Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. She's totally comfortable and relaxed back there. On two wheels you're always balanced in the turns -- no g-forces pushing on you. She leans with me and the bike and is relaxed, no death grip needed. Takes photos, reads the maps, etc. The Spyder RT will not be like that. The g-forces will be pushing us outward in the turns. I know -- lean into the turns, etc. But she may not always know when I'm about to turn or change lanes, especially in an emergency quick maneuver. So, can the passenger relax back there, enjoy the scenery, take photos, etc and still be safe? Or does she constantly have to "hang on" with a firm grip? Tough question -- hopefully you understand what I'm asking. Thanks

My wife has talked on the phone, read emails and use the gps in the back seat with no issues. No different from any other touring bike as far as I know.:2thumbs:
 
:welcome: Let me wake my wife up and ask her .:roflblack:The only time she holds on is when she isn't reading her E reader,napping, looking around or just enjoying the sights . She will hold on when we are in some tight twistys. We have the Corbin seat with armrests and she sits pretty good back there and there is very little chance of her being thrown off .
 
We've had 3 GWs since 1990. She always liked the comfort they provided.

When people ask her if the Spyder is comfortable, she replies "it's not a wing, but yes it's comfortable. And if I had never been on a wing, I'd say it's really comfortable" :clap:
 
arm rests my wife loves them they will take car of any fer about corners.have fun and ride like the wind.:2thumbs::spyder2::chat:
 

Attachments

  • 005.jpg
    005.jpg
    59.8 KB · Views: 61
:welcome: Let me wake my wife up and ask her .:roflblack:The only time she holds on is when she isn't reading her E reader,napping, looking around or just enjoying the sights . She will hold on when we are in some tight twistys. We have the Corbin seat with armrests and she sits pretty good back there and there is very little chance of her being thrown off .

Ditto on this response. I personally think that the armrests are a must. She will absolutely love them.

Chris PE 0004

 
I do not believe that there are any passenger stability issues on Spyder.

They are not going to fall off. The Spyder remains stable through most turns. You will experience higher g forces the faster you go through turns. If you approach turns from the apex, I have found there is virtually no g force up to 15-20 MPH over the posted speed on the curve. No centerline crossing.

I sometimes lean a bit on the faster turns--but it is not necessary for me when doing the above.

I have a new passenger that rides with me--she is brand new to motorcycling. Now has 2500 miles in the passenger seat. No fear or stability issues from her perspective. She enjoys the scenery and leaves the driving to me.

We communicate by bluetooth so I always apprise her of any unusual moves etc.
 
Hi Gypsy. My wife's experience on my C14 is as your describe your wife's on the GL. She does'nt like it on the back of the Spyder as she can't afford to take her eyes off the road for fear of being tossed off at the next bend even tho she grips the handles ALL the time, which she finds uncomfortable on long rides.

For someone accustomed to 2 wheels, the Spyder is nothing like that - for rider or pillion.
 
As a 66K miles Gold Wing passenger who can easily fall asleep on the Wing, my opinion after only 600 miles on the Spyder is that she may feel the need to hold on to the handles. I think the Corbin armrests will help if she's used to armrests. I plan to get them soon. She will probably feel the need to lean into the curve if it's tight because of the g force. However, the handles are out farther and higher than our 1500 so that's much better. I agree with the previous comment that it's not a Wing, but I'm willing to trade off for the 3-wheel stability. I expect with time, I'll get more comfortable with the difference in ride.

It may not be long before it's a moot point because she'll want to drive anyway. ;)
 
My wife hated being on the back of a bike until we got our Spyder. Now she feels very much at ease and even nods off--she won't admit to this and the only way I know, is that the headset gets very quiet for a while. :roflblack:
 
There are G-forces involved, but they are not typically excessive. The backrest does "lock in" the passenger to some degree. Corbin makes an accessory armrest if your wife feels she needs more. Nancy normally holds the grips lightly, mostly because it is a convenient place to put them, but she takes her hands off frequently for a rest, to look through her purse, point, wave, etc. I don't anticipate any probelm for your wife. How did she feel about it on your demo ride?
 
My wife has no complaints, and after installing ISCI armrests my 7 yr old boy has ridden nearly 1500 miles with me this year. Last ryde he and I did he rode with a broken collar bone from a trampoline incident, 150 miles that night totally comfortable. I think the key is to convince the passenger to just relax and enjoy.

Jim:thumbup:
 
I too have the Corbin arm rests. My wife sits back there like she is in an easy chair. She is always ready to go ryding, and this is her first open air experience. No fear, no tension just a good time. :2thumbs:
 
I just asked my wife her honest opinion as I was reading the replies. She said she feels more g-force but feels safer on our Spyder than the bikes we have had in our past. It also depends on your driving style. You can control the g-force she will feel, it is a physics property. You apply to many g-forces on her, she smacks the back of your head. :roflblack: All kiding aside my wife loves our Spyder and would not go back to a bike if it were up to her.
 
Back
Top