RT in crosswind

[Spyderdale]

Hey everybody how does your RT handle in a strong crosswind ? I have the Baja ron sway bar and Elka shocks and about 3500 miles experience on this 2013 RT yet it seems its a battle to ride in a crosswind. Running 18 lbs in front and 28 on the back. The Victory Crossroads I had the crosswind hardly bothered it. Maybe its just me as I really want to like this bike. Maybe stiffer sidewalls on the front tires would help ? 4 ply car tires ? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Dale

 

[GuitarPlayer]

My 2013 RT-Ltd is stable in a cross-wind. The blows me around but the Spyder stays pretty steady. When we rode to Spyderfest a couple of weeks ago, we had a 25-30 mph cross-wind the entire 450 miles.

Tony

 

[Spyderdale]

My 2013 RT-Ltd is stable in a cross-wind. The blows me around but the Spyder stays pretty steady. When we rode to Spyderfest a couple of weeks ago, we had a 25-30 mph cross-wind the entire 450 miles.

Tony

What tire pressure are you running ?

 

[Bob Denman]

Bring your knees in against the tank... The crosswinds are blowing YOU around; that's adding some unwanted steering input. :shocked:

 

[Pennyrick]

Experiment with the windshield at different heights. Sometimes just an inch makes a difference in how the cross wind hits you. It is you that the crosswind is effecting, not the Spyder.

At 3,500 miles you should be used to driving the Spyder more like a Corvette than a two wheeler but the reaction is to tighten up on the bars and that is always a no-no on a Spyder. I can leave mine on cruise in a cross wind and take my hands off the bars and it will track straight and true.

Your tire pressure settings sound okay and the sway bar and shocks are good adds but not necessarily for cross winds.

 

[Rid'nrandy]

Make sure you aren't gripping the handle bars too tightly. It is easy to over steer when the wind is hitting you and the Spyder from the side. Especially when it is gusting. I've found that I can avoid over reacting by pushing my palms against the grips and not fully closing my fingers and thumbs around them. Keep the grip within the "V" of your thumb and forefinger though so you can grab the grip when necessary. Works well with the SE probably not so well with the manual.

 

[cuznjohn]

i go over a bridge here called the ROBERT MOSES BRIDGE and on windy days i feel the bike being moved around a little. so i just drop me speed and motor on

 

[Bob Denman]

At least they don't call it the, "Holy Moses!!" Bridge! :shocked: :yikes:

 

[Dan McNally]

At least they don't call it the, "Holy Moses!!" Bridge! :shocked: :yikes:

Or the "Holy :cus:!" Bridge! :shocked:

 

[arachnophyle]

RT in Crosswind

I find that lowering the windshield makes a big difference. Think about it, you are taking 6-8 inches off the bike's profile. But I agree, it blows me around and that generates unwanted steering input. I also have a Baja-ron sway bar and I run 30-35 in all three tires.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

My experience with the wind: www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?66692-Today-s-Ryde-OH-NO!&p=805002#post805002

What I found out--for me, maybe not for you--was that the wind would whistle inside my helmet. This would cause me to grip harder and my harder grip woul translate into more sway. Then to make things worse, I would rely on my old counter steering skills to fix the sway. Of course this made it even worse.

How did I fix this? I retrained my brain on the counter steering. This started by me getting rid of the wind induced helmet noise. To eliminate that noise, I used ear plugs. After a few weeks, I no longer needed the ear plugs.

 

[sddinnh]

Or the "Holy :cus:!" Bridge! :shocked:

I went across the new one from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island last year. I thought i was gonna need oxygen that suckers so high nojoke

 

[cuznjohn]

At least they don't call it the, "Holy Moses!!" Bridge! :shocked: :yikes:

i have used a few other words on days

 

[rcturner]

It has a lot of sail for the wind to grab. Any large bike will be subject to moving around caused by a side wind. Stay away from the center line and the edge of the road as much as possible. Let it move a little instead of trying to hold it in an exact straight line. That is just what happens with a large bike.

 

[The RI Spyder rider]

I have a 2012 RT Limited and used to get a lot of buffeting from wind on highway. I changed stock windshield for a vented one made major difference dont notice any buffeting anymore. My wife says she dosn't feel the wind much at all any more.

 

[cmar157]

i go over a bridge here called the ROBERT MOSES BRIDGE and on windy days i feel the bike being moved around a little. so i just drop me speed and motor on

I remember that bridge and it had some pretty strong winds, but it was worth some great fishing out there.

 

[soaring hawk]

Wind

When we get some wicked winds I set the rear shock up all the way seems to stablize the bike.

Rember when you were on a two wheeler riding at a 45* angle what a treat that was.

Try some little adjustments you'll tune it in.

Happy trails!

Gary:doorag:

 

[ARtraveler]

Forty mph winds today. A little wind buffeting but no problems.

 

[bassman]

Wind buffeting

Hey everybody how does your RT handle in a strong crosswind ? I have the Baja ron sway bar and Elka shocks and about 3500 miles experience on this 2013 RT yet it seems its a battle to ride in a crosswind. Running 18 lbs in front and 28 on the back. The Victory Crossroads I had the crosswind hardly bothered it. Maybe its just me as I really want to like this bike. Maybe stiffer sidewalls on the front tires would help ? 4 ply car tires ? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Dale

I feel the same way. I have a 2013 RTS SM 5 I got in January. I have 2000 miles on it. I thought it would get better. Have read all the posts on this. Have not got Baja Ron Sway bar yet but will get one in a few weeks. If that does not help I am going to sell my Spyder and get a new HD Electric Glide Limited. Planning to ride to Alaska in 3 years when I retire. I cannot hardly ride my Spyder for an hour without being wasted physically. Rode my 2001 HD Classic from Washington, DC(where my son lives) to Niagra Falls in one day with my wife on the back thru heavy winds. Not tired a bit! I would like to ride another Spyder to see if all of them buffet in the wind.

I will sell my Spyder now for 19250.00. I paid 20000.00 and have a 700.00 BRP hitch, cup holder, GPS mount, had Rolo laser alignment, and first service done. It is yellow. I get many positive comments from gawkers. PM me if interested. I am in Myrtle Beach, SC. I will throw in my black Piggy backer trailer for 500.00. Costs over 1000.00 now. The Spyder is wired for a flat 4. Was done by the dealer. Spyder is like new. Trailer has a few scratches you probably could buff out. Will list it officially with pictures in a few weeks after I try the sway bar. It is going to have to make a huge difference in handling for me to change my mind not to sell.
Jim

 

[oldguyinTX]

Your tire pressures are correct. I do not have the Bajaron swaybar and Heim links installed yet, but I am planning to. Yours is the first post I have seen that has the wind buffeting issue that has this installed. Please keep us posted as to what your long term experience is with this mod.