Riding at 68mph and above on a RT

[Magdave]

Went on a 3 hr ride today 1 hr was at 68-70mph and I did not like it a lot. We were 2 up might have had some effect and traffic was moderate. A Walmart truck merged on and man it buffeted it around a lot till I got by him. The speed limit was 60 but I just kept up with a couple of rabbits. I sure like riding my GL 1000 a lot better at those speeds. A few cross winds here and there did not help. In the left lane a slight drift to the left, in the right a slight right drift. Road patches were OK but I tried to avoid them as much as possible. I really like riding at 55-60 though seems to handle a lot better. I actually got to use 5th gear too at 68 and up it was a little smoother then but still a little unsettling. I guess any long trips will be on the back roads for me not liking interstate speeds much at all :shocked:. What do you all think of it at those speeds?

 

[ARtraveler]

There might be something out of adjustment causing the RT to feel squirrly. We both had ours up to 75 today and it felt as smooth as riding at 55. I do note that in high winds--you do have to hold on a bit more though.

 

[Magdave]

There might be something out of adjustment causing the RT to feel squirrly. We both had ours up to 75 today and it felt as smooth as riding at 55. I do note that in high winds--you do have to hold on a bit more though.

It wasn't "unsmooth" so much but definitely needed a better grip on the bars. I just lay my hands on them at 60 and below but had to grip at those speeds. Pickups riding alongside does not help me feel comfortable either. A stiff breeze from an open patch can cause me to drift a little and need some steering pressure. I plan on getting a laser alignment done as soon as one comes near enough. I can't imagine what a trailer effect would be at those speeds if I bought one to tow.

 

[ARtraveler]

It wasn't "unsmooth" so much but definitely needed a better grip on the bars. I just lay my hands on them at 60 and below but had to grip at those speeds. Pickups riding alongside does not help me feel comfortable either. A stiff breeze from an open patch can cause me to drift a little and need some steering pressure. I plan on getting a laser alignment done as soon as one comes near enough. I can't imagine what a trailer effect would be at those speeds if I bought one to tow.

Sounds like your right on the money. :thumbup:

 

[cjackg]

Went on a 3 hr ride today 1 hr was at 68-70mph and I did not like it a lot. We were 2 up might have had some effect and traffic was moderate. A Walmart truck merged on and man it buffeted it around a lot till I got by him. The speed limit was 60 but I just kept up with a couple of rabbits. I sure like riding my GL 1000 a lot better at those speeds. A few cross winds here and there did not help. In the left lane a slight drift to the left, in the right a slight right drift. Road patches were OK but I tried to avoid them as much as possible. I really like riding at 55-60 though seems to handle a lot better. I actually got to use 5th gear too at 68 and up it was a little smoother then but still a little unsettling. I guess any long trips will be on the back roads for me not liking interstate speeds much at all :shocked:. What do you all think of it at those speeds?

I am not a real high-speed driver and have never gotten my RT over 95, but riding at 55-60 or even at 68-70mph on most Interstates can put you right in the path of the fast drivers and the most congestion. I find that my RT smooths out the most when I can keep it at 75 and up and I rarely spend much time hanging around the buffeting from large vehicles. I would rather explain to an LEO why I was doing 85 than put up with the buffeting any longer than I have to.

You seem to have most of the upgrades that should add stability to your RT but Elka shocks can help a bunch too. Maybe a Laser alignment could make some difference also...

 

[MouthPiece]

I am not a real high-speed driver and have never gotten my RT over 95, but riding at 55-60 or even at 68-70mph on most Interstates can put you right in the path of the fast drivers and the most congestion. I find that my RT smooths out the most when I can keep it at 75 and up and I rarely spend much time hanging around the buffeting from large vehicles. I would rather explain to an LEO why I was doing 85 than put up with the buffeting any longer than I have to.

You seem to have most of the upgrades that should add stability to your RT but Elka shocks can help a bunch too. Maybe a Laser alignment could make some difference also...

I found that on my 2013 RT-S that even after the "ball joint" fix my spyder was effected the most by tanker and car hauling trucks. In addition, gusts of wind on a windy day would effect my spyder. However, after the alignment, I have not experienced this. It's run the smoothest that I've ever experienced. I'm a true believer of this alignment.

Chris

 

[kepople]

Its. Ot my favorite thing to ride on the interstate and would rather take backroad any day.

Crosswinds are a bit squirrley, and the airflow from tractor trailers actually does not seem to affect me as much as air flow around a pickup truck.

I noticed after putting on my sway bar and huge difference. The bike was not moving as much but my upperbody was pulling the soyder with me.

To be honest the tighter grip wont help. Trust your spyder to handle itself a little more.

Mechanically: a friend completed a ride similar to what you describe. He check his lug nuts and found several loose, one to the point of finger loose.
minewere tight except one was a couple clicks looser than the rest.

See ya on the backroads

 

[Huddleston]

Went on a 3 hr ride today 1 hr was at 68-70mph and I did not like it a lot. We were 2 up might have had some effect and traffic was moderate. A Walmart truck merged on and man it buffeted it around a lot till I got by him. The speed limit was 60 but I just kept up with a couple of rabbits. I sure like riding my GL 1000 a lot better at those speeds. A few cross winds here and there did not help. In the left lane a slight drift to the left, in the right a slight right drift. Road patches were OK but I tried to avoid them as much as possible. I really like riding at 55-60 though seems to handle a lot better. I actually got to use 5th gear too at 68 and up it was a little smoother then but still a little unsettling. I guess any long trips will be on the back roads for me not liking interstate speeds much at all :shocked:. What do you all think of it at those speeds?

I set my cruise control at 74 and enjoy the ride immensely. Do you have BajaRon's sway bar?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

My 2013 RT handled much like you described yours until I had the shocks replaced and added a BajaRon sway bar. Talk to your dealer about your shocks you may have some of the bad ones. I can now (oops make that could) ride with 1 finger on 1 grip at speeds above 70 with no problems.

 

[Ronbo]

Freeway Speeds

Went on a 3 hr ride today 1 hr was at 68-70mph and I did not like it a lot. We were 2 up might have had some effect and traffic was moderate. A Walmart truck merged on and man it buffeted it around a lot till I got by him. The speed limit was 60 but I just kept up with a couple of rabbits. I sure like riding my GL 1000 a lot better at those speeds. A few cross winds here and there did not help. In the left lane a slight drift to the left, in the right a slight right drift. Road patches were OK but I tried to avoid them as much as possible. I really like riding at 55-60 though seems to handle a lot better. I actually got to use 5th gear too at 68 and up it was a little smoother then but still a little unsettling. I guess any long trips will be on the back roads for me not liking interstate speeds much at all :shocked:. What do you all think of it at those speeds?

I've got a 2013 RT LIMITED. I am very uncomfortable at 68-70 on the freeway. On the other hand, on the back roads, 65 or so is comfortable just rode the pig trail here in Arkansas. It was a blast the Bike tracked really well. I've stayed off freeways and had a blast on the back roads. I enjoy the journey more when I slow down a bit

 

[Sny]

What do you all think of it at those speeds?

I really don't notice any instability until I'm over 100... and then things start getting fuzzy from someone screaming in my helmet to slow down.

You've got the swaybar, good start... I can't say I have any advice on shocks for a 2013 RT. The Fox shocks will fit, but they are designed for something lighter weight (RS and ST's... and I think ST's might be stretching it.)

You might just need an alignment, maybe play with tire pressure some. Try raising it to 22, ride at 70 for a bit. Lower it by 2, ride again, and so on... If you get to 16 stop and start back at 22 unless you're sure that was no good.

Good luck, let us know what you find.

 

[StanProff]

I've pulled my 622 trailer across country riding 2 up and loaded. Many times I would look down and be running 90 MPH without a problem. That was before I installed Ron's sway bar and before the lazer alignment that Lamont done just yesterday.. I can run at 75 with no hands on the bars, it will track streight and stay solid at those speeds. Big trucks always will cause some buffeting in the Backwash, I get around them as quick as I can. It sounds as though you should have the alignment checked. Your Spyder should be much more stable than it is. As mentioned, the front air pressures can also affect the handling.

 

[Magdave]

I am running 18psi front 28 psi rear and would love to get the alignment done unfortunately a 700mi round trip will not work for me to get it done. I am waiting for a dealer in SC to get a Rolo. I have suggested it to mine.:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

I am running 18psi front 28 psi rear and would love to get the alignment done unfortunately a 700mi round trip will not work for me to get it done. I am waiting for a dealer in SC to get a Rolo. I have suggested it to mine.:thumbup:

18 front is a little high on the 2013, from what most riders say. The more pressure the more squirmy. I do think you need to have the shocks evealuated or replaced, and a BajaRon swaybar and a laser alignment would not hurt. The Spyder will not track as true as a two-wheeler because there is no gyroscopic effect, but it should handle well at speeds up to 100 if set up right. Even before the BajaRon bar I could ride one hnd on the bars past a semi at 75-80. Your Spyder needs some adjustments.

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

I just installed my Ron bar yesterday and it truly does help however I think the real issue with handling is the shocks! I have complained since new about mine feeling "mushy" and "darting" my dealers answer was to "crank up the rear" which actually makes it worse. I think new shocks are going on my Christmas list.

 

[Captain Fin]

No problem here

I have made several long trips at 75 to 80 mph with no problem. Mine has tracked perfectly and been very stable. All bikes are affected with heavy cross winds, and I did park my Spyder a few weeks ago when a thunder storm was pushing winds over 50 mph at the 7 mile bridge at Big Pine Key. It took about 20 minutes for the winds to lay down to allow me cross the bridge. I have a 2011 RTS.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: I'm the guy that normally points the finger at the operator, and mentions the old saying about a poor carpenter always blaming his hammer...
But you might just have something in there that needs a bit of attention; push for a laser alignment anywhere, and don't wait!
Please let us know what you find. good luck! :thumbup:

 

[BamaSpyder]

One word. alignment

 

[otter28169]

My RS-S is comfortable at any speed.

Just sayin'............

 

[MouthPiece]

I am running 18psi front 28 psi rear and would love to get the alignment done unfortunately a 700mi round trip will not work for me to get it done. I am waiting for a dealer in SC to get a Rolo. I have suggested it to mine.:thumbup:

Come on down to Biketoberfest n Daytona. Would love to meet you as well.

​Chris