Proper break-in on new Spyder

[Jetfixer]

I think most of us know that a new Spyder requires a 600 mile break-in. During this time you should vary the throttle input, do a lot of shifting, take it easy on the brakes, and be very aware of how slippery the new tires will be for at least the first 100 miles until they get the manufacturing oil worn off of them. Well folks, let me tell you how NOT to do it. I volunteered to go to Chattanooga Tennessee to take delivery of a new leftover 2025 F3L Special Series Spyder. After the service techs' shakedown ride, the bike showed 15 miles. Perfect. Now to just make it home the 315 miles to SC. My significant other was in her car, but wanted me to lead in case of trouble and to keep the cars off my butt. Did I mention that it is pouring down rain? About 50 miles from the dealer she gets a call from our friend that was supposed to spend the week near Maggie Valley but decided to go home due to the forecast of rain for the week. Asked to meet us for lunch and ride home together. (She was on her 2024 F3L). Since I couldn't remap the location in my phone, we decided to let the boss lead to the restaurant meetup. Next thing I know, we are on the Tail of the Dragon in the pouring down rain, and I still don't quite have the 100 miles on the tires! It was so dark on the Dragon, that the dashboard kept switching to night mode. I think I saw some of the photographers on the Dragon crossing themselves as I went by! Not long after completing the Dragon, my Frogg Toggs decided they wanted to quit. My waterproof Bates boots decided that waterproof meant they wouldn't let any water out of them. After somehow getting to the restaurant, I was in no mood for casual dining. Since there was no semblance of pride left in me, I stripped naked in the car and tried to pull on my backup clothing and boots. Not easy when your feet are wrinkled up. Having no backup rain gear except for the bosses, I put hers on. I can tell you that womens' rain jackets are not cut the same as mens. That elastic at where her waist should have been prevented most normal breathing. Still only 3 hours till home! Somehow I made it the remaining distance home and parked the bike in the garage. Only halfway to a proper break-in and let me tell you, I think this engine and transmission already have thousands of shifts on them from the Dragon! In future I will have to temper some of my criticism of the Kenda XPS Roadster tires. They actually did very well, except for that one time when the rear went North while the front went South due to the extreme depth of the water on the highway near Asheville.

 

[mecsw500]

There’s nothing worse than rain gear that supposed to keep water out that doesn’t. Same for boots. Boots always promise so much, but rarely deliver in my opinion, no matter how much you pay for them.

For boots, that always fail at some stage, I bough these off Amazon, and just chuck them in the frunk. You can get them in packs of ten, twenty etc:

Fancystyle Pack of 80 Disposable Thicker Boot and Shoe Covers 19 inch Tall Extra Large Resistant Water/Skid Resistant Blue (80)​

I put them on so my waterproof pants go over the top of them. They also do the same in over pants which actually easily fit under waterproofs to stop the inevitable wet crotch feeling after many hours in the heaviest of rain.

I know my opinion is often not popular in some channels but I think the new XPS branded Kenda tires are a huge improvement over the originals in the wet. I’ve not had the luxury of torrential downpour rain yet because it’s May and it won’t likely rain much now until October, but on the cold rainy day rides I did in April I felt quite confident in them.

Glad you got home safely in the end.

 

[JKMSPYDER]

I have found that “waterproof” gear and boots always fail when I have ridden in pouring rain for hours. If it is light rain or drizzle, waterproof is OK but not in hours of heavy rain. Same goes for gloves, too.

 

[RickWB]

A couple of years ago, a group of us were on the last day of our ride, and had about 250 km to catch the ferry back to Vancouver Island. It started to rain, and my jacket would repel water, so I put on my waterproof pants. We stopped for a quick meal, and I noticed that my jeans were wet - apparently, I forgot to do up the fly zipper, and therefore rain was being funneled into my jeans at the crotch area. I was able to partially dry out some of my attire on the ferry ride, but didn't wander around the ferry, with the appearance of loss of bladder control. I have not repeated this since!

 

[2dogs]

Stopped and fueled up a couple of hundred miles from home with 4 other riding buddies when it started sprinkling. You could, without a doubt, see it coming. So we crossed the street for a cup of Jo and suited up. About the time other customers finished laughing at us, you could actually hear it raining. The 5 of us were all sure now we were water tight, so off we went, headed for home. I didn't expect it, but that was the last moment I would see my compadres until the following week. It poured so damn hard for so long that we all lost sight of one another. The only thing I wished I'd done was rainx my windshield, but that may never have helped. I followed what I thought were the left hand tail lights of a delivery van for what seemed like hours upon hours. I could see nothing but an occasional glimpse of that van's dual tires and those taillights. The only part of me that got soaked was my crotch, where the rainwater would pool up and not run off. Yep, been there, done that. Not fun by any means.