Road vibrations on 3 wheels

[Motogordo]

June 29, 2021

The one problem I have found with three wheelers is that they pick up every lump, bump and crack in the road as a form of vibration. The rear wheels picks up all the imperfections in the middle of the road and the two front wheels pick up every nook and cranny vibe on both sides. Obviously there is no way to eliminate that problem without removing 3 of the wheels. LOL.
At least with the two wheel cycles, they only pick up vibrations from the one side of the lane. However, I am never going back to two wheelers because they are too heavy to maneuver. Is everyone else picking up all the vibes from the center and both sides of the lanes ?

On a smooth road, it is great.

 

[RayBJ]

Check your tire pressures. PSI may be too high. Also after-market shocks can reduce road imperfections.

 

[Motogordo]

Tire pressure is 20/28

 

[bikerchris1270]

Try 17 psi fronts
24 rear cold.
Rear tire is directly behind the catalyst……the heat from that will increase rear tire pressure 5-7 psi.

 

[JayBros]

Roads aren't perfect and yes, three wheelers pick up more vibration; that's three wheel life. Ride more, worry less.

 

[Motogordo]

Sounds good to me. Ride On.

 

[redrazor]

June 29, 2021

The one problem I have found with three wheelers is that they pick up every lump, bump and crack in the road as a form of vibration. The rear wheels picks up all the imperfections in the middle of the road and the two front wheels pick up every nook and cranny vibe on both sides. Obviously there is no way to eliminate that problem without removing 3 of the wheels. LOL.
At least with the two wheel cycles, they only pick up vibrations from the one side of the lane. However, I am never going back to two wheelers because they are too heavy to maneuver. Is everyone else picking up all the vibes from the center and both sides of the lanes ?

On a smooth road, it is great.

:agree:Way more bumps and shudders on trike compared to 2 wheeler! .... no matter what pressure is in the tires! 3 areas of bumps/chuckholes etc to contend with instead of just one.
Just like you, I'm still loving my RTL. Reverse gear is the BEST THING ever!!:yes:

 

[Motogordo]

Blessings for the Reverse Gear....LOL

 

[K80Shooter]

Try 17 psi fronts
24 rear cold.
Rear tire is directly behind the catalyst……the heat from that will increase rear tire pressure 5-7 psi.

This is what I run in my oem tires.

 

[wmjweber45]

Yes, three wheels will hit every road imperfection. Worse, even a small bump tries to send the Spyder in a new direction, requiring constant steering corrections. Two wheels wants to go straight, so it self corrects after minor bumps. In fact, two wheels can be ridden with no handlebar input at all, as trick riders often demonstrate. For me, I would go back to 2 wheels in a heartbeat if my legs were strong enough. Still, the Spyder is way better than not riding at all.

 

[Papa103]

My first thought when I got my first spyder was it took the bumps way softer than my Street Glide did. A sharp bump on the Harley would make my wife complain how hard it hit. I watch the 2 wheel bikes in front of me hit a harsh bump and it will almost bounce the bike. The suspension on the spyder absorbs the bumps a lot better, IMO. It is harder to avoid debris in the road with 3 wheels. Sometimes you have to pick the wheel. I'm getting better at aiming for between the edge of the front wheel and the edge of the rear wheel. If the chipmunk or squirrel is lined up with the road, easy miss. If it's crossways it's not going to happen.

 

[Spiderfrog]

I do not have any issues 2021 RTL S2S stock tires/shocks/sway bar and pressure. I can set cruse at 35 to 70 MPH and just rest my hands on the bars or let go of them all together with minor road slant corrections of course with no issues just like driving a car with no hands on the wheel (for short periods/distance) hundred yards or so. As long as no major ruts in the road or deviations the spyder seems to handle just fine.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Worse, even a small bump tries to send the Spyder in a new direction, requiring constant steering corrections.

Have you had your Spyder laser aligned? I don't have that problem at all that I can think of. Insufficient toe-in will cause that problem.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Yes, three wheels will hit every road imperfection. Worse, even a small bump tries to send the Spyder in a new direction, requiring constant steering corrections. Two wheels wants to go straight, so it self corrects after minor bumps. In fact, two wheels can be ridden with no handlebar input at all, as trick riders often demonstrate. For me, I would go back to 2 wheels in a heartbeat if my legs were strong enough. Still, the Spyder is way better than not riding at all.

I’m thinking that you possibly may need new tires or a GOOD and PROPER wheel alignment, or possibly need to check the air pressure in your tires. I have never experienced the small road bumps wanting to send me in a new direction....a slanted road yes, but not road bumps. I can set the cruise and unhand the bars and my spyder will motor on straight, just like my ‘wing used to. In my mind, the spyder is an exceptionally good, stable machine.

 

[shakin_jake]

Yes, three wheels will hit every road imperfection. Worse, even a small bump tries to send the Spyder in a new direction, requiring constant steering corrections. Two wheels wants to go straight, so it self corrects after minor bumps. In fact, two wheels can be ridden with no handlebar input at all, as trick riders often demonstrate. For me, I would go back to 2 wheels in a heartbeat if my legs were strong enough. Still, the Spyder is way better than not riding at all.

I’m thinking that you possibly may need new tires or a GOOD and PROPER wheel alignment, or possibly need to check the air pressure in your tires. I have never experienced the small road bumps wanting to send me in a new direction....a slanted road yes, but not road bumps. I can set the cruise and unhand the bars and my spyder will motor on straight, just like my ‘wing used to. In my mind, the spyder is an exceptionally good, stable machine.

~~~I’ve wanted to own a Spyder for quite sometime (since around 08’-09’) but ended up pulling the trigger on the Ryker I currently have. Been getting the itch lately to trade the Ryker in on a Spyder but admittedly, reading too many posts like the two above. That said, I’m not having a go with the authors it’s just that I’ve never encountered the problems a lot of you Spyders riders complain of. I don’t want to jinx myself but after reading posts like above, I probably ought to keep the Ryker and say a prayer of thanks before I crash tonight <LOL>

Look, …I know it’s a decision I have to make, but honestly, I’d like a larger three wheeler yet stay in the BRP stable. If I had a different wife I’d own one of each but that means id have to sell off all my other two wheelers. That said I do have a nice airhead if anyone is in the market for a 92’ R100GSPD


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in awhile

 

[trikermutha]

If you run correct PSI in the tires and get rid of the Kenda's, get it aligned the Spyder is one smooth machine.

Now if you want to take it a step further get some aftermarket shocks and a sway bar and the Spyder is a dream to drive.

 

[RayBJ]

Jake,
Out the door and properly aligned the new Spyders are perfectly fine for sane operation. We all come from different 2-wheel histories - mine being SPORT touring (note the CAPS). For me to keep up with my yet-to-be-converted 2-wheeled lunatics, the RT required all the suspension help I could find. Ask yourself how hard do you push the envelope. If you're normal, you get to save beaucoup bucks to buy matching helmets!

 

[Mikey]

Yes, three wheels will hit every road imperfection. Worse, even a small bump tries to send the Spyder in a new direction, requiring constant steering corrections. Two wheels wants to go straight, so it self corrects after minor bumps. In fact, two wheels can be ridden with no handlebar input at all, as trick riders often demonstrate. For me, I would go back to 2 wheels in a heartbeat if my legs were strong enough. Still, the Spyder is way better than not riding at all.

If you have that much reaction from a little bump, you don't have that bike set up for yourself! Or you got to relax a little!

 

[Motogordo]

June 30, 2021
I want to thank everyone for their feedback. I don't have any real problem with the riding. I just mentioned that the three wheelers just pick up more vibrations because of all three tires on 3 different surfaces. I love my S2S and will continue to enjoy it. Maybe they will come out with an aircycle just like the air boats. Just ride a couple of inches above the road and there goes all the nooks and crannies. LOL.

Motogordo

 

[Bangorbob]

They already have-it's called a Goldwing. Just kidding, although a goldwing rides really nice. You are going to get more vibrations, road feel with 3 wheels vs 2. Enjoy it and safe riding.