• 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.

Performance and cornering

golfsferr

New member
Hi fellow ST/S'ers, I've had several people come up to me after I just got on or off my Spyder and asked me; "how do you like it" and/or "how does it handle". I'm always humored by these questions. The Bill Engvall in me want's to make some smart remark, like I hate it but I like the attention. But I don't, I tell them I love it which I do. But the question I am surprised with is "how does it handle". Now it's been many years since I've been on a two wheeler and I know that they handle differently but I'm still surprised that people would think that it might not handle well. Am I missing something? Is there something about the handling that I'm not familiar with? Have I not pushed my Spyder far enough yet? Thoughts? :dontknow:
 
My only question is, "Have you raised either the right or left front tire going through a corner yet?

Carl

You know I tried to do this yesterday on purpose so I would know how it feels just in case it happens one day when I don't want it to. And needless to say nanny kicked in and did not allow it to come up. Don't know if it the nanny is more sensitive in the 2013's than previous years or if it was the way I tried to get it up. I approached a corner in my neighborhood and gassed it going into the turn at about 20mph and nanny slapped me on the hand! She cut the throttle and applied the brakes quick like!
 
I think you are reading too much into their comments. People that ask these questions have never ridden one, and are just curious. I expect that they sincerly want to know what it is like, and have no ulterior motives. If they did I expect they would say "I heard they handle terribly."
 
I think you are reading too much into their comments. People that ask these questions have never ridden one, and are just curious. I expect that they sincerly want to know what it is like, and have no ulterior motives. If they did I expect they would say "I heard they handle terribly."

You're probably right. It's just that the way they ask it, they are expecting it not too, and it is the most asked question.
 
My only question is, "Have you raised either the right or left front tire going through a corner yet?

Carl

I think I kind of did, nothing major but I got the sense that it did. Even if it had does that mean it's close to rolling over, I certainly hope not. I have to think it takes a pretty extreme maneuver to get it to roll over. Mainly I just take winding roads briskly and feel pretty confident that it's under control and it seems to take little effort to alter course.
 
They just love to ask that question of me too, so I just tell them that she is stable, and they should go by a dealer and test drive one for themselves, and then watch as the wheels in their mind starts to turn. Then I start mine and drive away with a big grin on my face :):):) yea!!!;)
 
They ask me:
1). How fast is it? (Answer: I don't know. I've never topped out the speed. I keep it under 90)
2). How much did it cost? (Answer: I tell them the MSRzp)
3). Where did you buy it? (Answer: malcolm Smith Motorsports in Riverside)
4). How does it handle? (Answer: Kinda like a quad on the freeway, or maybe a 3 wheel motorcycle)
5). Does it play CDs (audio question) (Answer: it has a hookup for an iphone and mp3 players)
6). Do you get good gas milage? (Answer: my Prius gets better milage.)
7). Can I go with you? (Answer: no)
8). How big is the motor? (Answer: about this big square, and I hold my hads out about 20"
comedy.jpg
 
I think I kind of did, nothing major but I got the sense that it did. Even if it had does that mean it's close to rolling over, I certainly hope not. I have to think it takes a pretty extreme maneuver to get it to roll over. Mainly I just take winding roads briskly and feel pretty confident that it's under control and it seems to take little effort to alter course.
As someone who corners way too fast *and* as someone who's actually rolled a Spyder GS (all the way over, 360) it takes a LOT to screw up.

However the proper mixture of oil, antifreeze and going into a corner too fast will, as Lamont put it, pitch you like a lawn dart. I came off in a snap and the bike rolled all the way over (me) and back onto it's wheels.

What went wrong, as best I can tell, when I hit the freshly spewed engine oil and coolant mix (the vehicle in front of me threw a rod through the side of the block, boom!) First the front went right, the back kicked out left and as I slid through it the nanny just said "oh this is gonna hurt". By the time the tires hit dry pavement again the bike was perpendicular to the road (and direction of travel) and it snap rolled in a blink.

Whoever it was that said "your mind replays accidents back in slow motion" is full of it. Mine plays it back in 1/4 of a second and it comes out more like: Oil! Sky! Ow!

Anyhow, the point was, I throw the Spyder into hard corners daily and without some kind of help, it won't roll. You can't do it without some kind of traction modifier or a hard bump to upset the suspension or something.

You can lift a wheel. Usually at lower speeds this can happen when applying too much throttle at the same time. It happens without much fanfare and gently puts it back down. You might not even notice, that's how gentle it is.

I have also noticed the 2013's nanny is very aggressive compared to the 2009, but it's also less harsh in it's punishment. I felt like the 2009 would cause more harm than good with how hard it would clamp down the throttle and smash the brakes. Almost felt like it was trying to throw you off at times. The 2013 is more smooth about it, but effective.
 
As I see it..!!

those driving a car can't imagine driving their car with handle bars. Those riding a bike can't imagine muscling two wheels with all that suspension with handle bars. And those on public transportation just can't imagine at all. I always say it is like driving a formula race car on horseback...!! :thumbup:
 
How's it handle? Why don't you follow me through a few corners and see if you can keep up? :D

... better than a cruiser, worse than a sportbike.
 
I get this question a lot as well. I've always thought it was because conventional trikes have a reputation of not handling well. The Spyder is an odd looking trike and people have a hard time understandin that having 2 wheels in front is greatly superior to having 2 in the rear.
 
As someone who corners way too fast *and* as someone who's actually rolled a Spyder GS (all the way over, 360) it takes a LOT to screw up.

However the proper mixture of oil, antifreeze and going into a corner too fast will, as Lamont put it, pitch you like a lawn dart. I came off in a snap and the bike rolled all the way over (me) and back onto it's wheels.

What went wrong, as best I can tell, when I hit the freshly spewed engine oil and coolant mix (the vehicle in front of me threw a rod through the side of the block, boom!) First the front went right, the back kicked out left and as I slid through it the nanny just said "oh this is gonna hurt". By the time the tires hit dry pavement again the bike was perpendicular to the road (and direction of travel) and it snap rolled in a blink.

Whoever it was that said "your mind replays accidents back in slow motion" is full of it. Mine plays it back in 1/4 of a second and it comes out more like: Oil! Sky! Ow!

Anyhow, the point was, I throw the Spyder into hard corners daily and without some kind of help, it won't roll. You can't do it without some kind of traction modifier or a hard bump to upset the suspension or something.

You can lift a wheel. Usually at lower speeds this can happen when applying too much throttle at the same time. It happens without much fanfare and gently puts it back down. You might not even notice, that's how gentle it is.

I have also noticed the 2013's nanny is very aggressive compared to the 2009, but it's also less harsh in it's punishment. I felt like the 2009 would cause more harm than good with how hard it would clamp down the throttle and smash the brakes. Almost felt like it was trying to throw you off at times. The 2013 is more smooth about it, but effective.

Thank you Sny, that's good info!:thumbup:
 
Now don't laugh ,

In NYC people have ask if I can wheelie the bike :banghead: ,lmao
i don't even answer .
 
I know that most have seen this but I feel it needs to be posted every once in awhile and this thread deserves it. :clap:


Carl
 
Back
Top