I love my 2012 RT-S-S! I have over 35 years experience on 2 wheels and I really want the Spyder to work out for me. I have almost 3000 miles on the clock and I still do not feel comfortable on my RT. I just don't seem to be able to get used to the steering. There are times when everything was great, but overall it scares me. I was a very fast rider on 2 wheels, but anything over 50 MPH makes me uncomfortable. The bike has been checked recently by my excellent dealer and they say that all is up to spec. I have Elkas all around and have Baja Rons sway bar and I am running 20lbs in the front tires and 30 in the rear. I have read all the offerings on this terrific forum, but I still haven't found the answer to my discomfort. I hope the collective wisdom on this site can offer me some sage advice!
-
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.
Seeking advice
- Thread starter Kriemer
- Start date
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Sorry to hear of your issues. Most are able to conquer the :spyder2: handling within 500 miles or so. Most of the time, overcontrolling seems to be a large part.
That said, it is surely possible that other things can be contributing to any issues.
:ani29:: Air pressure in the tires.
:ani29:: Shock issues
:ani29:: Suspension issues
:ani29:: Alignment issues
:ani29:: Bad tires
The fact that the dealer says it is in spec, does not guarantee that. It is possible that they may have missed something. Sometimes, it takes a good hard look by a good mechanical person.
My suggestion: Perhaps someone in your area could hook up with you and test drive your :spyder2:. Another set of eyes may catch something that has not been caught before.
Hoping you can get the problem(s) solved. Please keep us in the loop.
That said, it is surely possible that other things can be contributing to any issues.
:ani29:: Air pressure in the tires.
:ani29:: Shock issues
:ani29:: Suspension issues
:ani29:: Alignment issues
:ani29:: Bad tires
The fact that the dealer says it is in spec, does not guarantee that. It is possible that they may have missed something. Sometimes, it takes a good hard look by a good mechanical person.
My suggestion: Perhaps someone in your area could hook up with you and test drive your :spyder2:. Another set of eyes may catch something that has not been caught before.
Hoping you can get the problem(s) solved. Please keep us in the loop.
Last edited:
chad.attard.9
New member
get the front laser alignment done. Makes all the difference.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Dragonrider
New member
The Spyder IS a different beast. I would recommend that you find a back road route to someplace fun that is 200 miles, or so, round trip - no superslab. Practice opening your hands, and pushing the bars with the web between your thumb and hand - rather than gripping it. Watch the road signs, and keep the Spyder at 5mph over the posted speed for the first half of the trip - no more, and adjust as you feel comfortable, on the return.
Try to do this on low traffic roads, so your focus is on the road, not traffic. Finally, when you corner, go wide, and straighten the corner as much as you can - smoothly - to feel the Spyder on the road. Don't push it on this trip - just feel the bike move on the road.
Keeping your hands open will force you to relax, and not be so tense - the biggest issue for many rider converts. It is also important that there is something really fun for you, as a separate goal of this trip, and do it ASAP - don't let the Spyder sit until spring, for you to amp up your angst.
If you're still as uncomfortable when you return, it may be time to return to two wheels, but not until after!!!
Try to do this on low traffic roads, so your focus is on the road, not traffic. Finally, when you corner, go wide, and straighten the corner as much as you can - smoothly - to feel the Spyder on the road. Don't push it on this trip - just feel the bike move on the road.
Keeping your hands open will force you to relax, and not be so tense - the biggest issue for many rider converts. It is also important that there is something really fun for you, as a separate goal of this trip, and do it ASAP - don't let the Spyder sit until spring, for you to amp up your angst.
If you're still as uncomfortable when you return, it may be time to return to two wheels, but not until after!!!
robmorg
New member
Not sure what to tell you. With 3000 miles on the RT, unless there is something physically wrong with the bike (along the lines of what akspyderman suggested you check), you SHOULD be feeling very confident on it by now - even in tight turns. I don't want to insult you with what you probably already know, but I'll go over "the basics" again, just in case you missed something....
1. Read this thread. Lots of pointers in there.
2. Don't grip the handlebars too tightly. Relax your grip.
3. As with a motorcycle, if necessary to slow or brake for a turn, do it before you enter the turn. Then accelerate out of the turn once you are past the apex.
4. Also, as with a motorcycle, keep your eyes where you want the bike to go - don't look at the road right in front of you.
5. Look in your owners manual for some excellent tips on how/where to position the bike in a turn.
The following two procedures are different from a motorcycle and are done on every turn. The faster you do the turn, or the tighter the turn is, the more you do them... (On an easy turn, these actions may be barely noticeable, but you still subconsciously do them.)
6. Lean into the turn. Also it helps to lower your center of gravity by leaning forward and down. Think of this as "trying" to lean over the handle bar toward the turn.
7. Put pressure on the side of the bike with your leg, in the direction of the turn. Both this and the point directly above are intended to counteract the centrifugal force trying to push you to the outside of the turn.
If you are sure you are doing everything above, and you are still uncomfortable after 3000 miles, then I would suspect something on the bike needs attention. (Again refer to akspyerman's post above.)
1. Read this thread. Lots of pointers in there.
2. Don't grip the handlebars too tightly. Relax your grip.
3. As with a motorcycle, if necessary to slow or brake for a turn, do it before you enter the turn. Then accelerate out of the turn once you are past the apex.
4. Also, as with a motorcycle, keep your eyes where you want the bike to go - don't look at the road right in front of you.
5. Look in your owners manual for some excellent tips on how/where to position the bike in a turn.
The following two procedures are different from a motorcycle and are done on every turn. The faster you do the turn, or the tighter the turn is, the more you do them... (On an easy turn, these actions may be barely noticeable, but you still subconsciously do them.)
6. Lean into the turn. Also it helps to lower your center of gravity by leaning forward and down. Think of this as "trying" to lean over the handle bar toward the turn.
7. Put pressure on the side of the bike with your leg, in the direction of the turn. Both this and the point directly above are intended to counteract the centrifugal force trying to push you to the outside of the turn.
If you are sure you are doing everything above, and you are still uncomfortable after 3000 miles, then I would suspect something on the bike needs attention. (Again refer to akspyerman's post above.)
shelbydave
New member
Not coming from a 2-wheeler, well, I had about 30 years to forget all that stuff, I wonder if it's harder to adapt the longer you've been on 2 before you move to 3. I know it took a while for me, but I was over controlling, gripping too tight. As soon as I relaxed, things got much easier.
I also recalled my snowmobile riding days, and rather than just "leaning" my body in a turn, I also plant the outside foot in turns, like I'm trying to stand up. That shifts my weight to the inside of the turn to counter the force pushing me to the outside.
I also recalled my snowmobile riding days, and rather than just "leaning" my body in a turn, I also plant the outside foot in turns, like I'm trying to stand up. That shifts my weight to the inside of the turn to counter the force pushing me to the outside.
BajaRon
Well-known member
Very odd that you're still having trouble this far in. A laser alignment, as mentioned by others, is recommended if not already done. It may even be that your Elka's are not set up correctly or that you have issues in the suspension.
Unfortunately, I agree that just because the dealer says your Spyder is ok, does not necessarily mean it is ok.
Can you give a more detailed description of exactly what seems to be the issue or issues that make you feel so uncomfortable?
I think it would be a great idea, if possible, to swap rides with another Spyder owner and take a little trip. They might discover what is giving you trouble, you might discover another Spyder either resolves or confirms your problems.
Unfortunately, I agree that just because the dealer says your Spyder is ok, does not necessarily mean it is ok.
Can you give a more detailed description of exactly what seems to be the issue or issues that make you feel so uncomfortable?
I think it would be a great idea, if possible, to swap rides with another Spyder owner and take a little trip. They might discover what is giving you trouble, you might discover another Spyder either resolves or confirms your problems.
BikerDoc
New member
This is superb advice... you have to force yourself not to grip but rather to caress
ingramsail
Member
I agree with Ron, find another RT rider and swap rides. Also just relax the hands and enjoy the ride.
PrairieSpyder
New member
One thing I realized until I got more experience: We say to relax your grip on the handlebars. But that's hard to do if you're using the handlebars to hang on! Remember to use your lower body to balance in a turn and only hold the bars enough to steer as needed. It's almost (to me) like staying up in the stirrups of a horse saddle, freeing your arms and shoulders to control the beast!
Bob Denman
New member
You're in Massachusetts; do you have any experience riding snowmobiles?
Treat them just like a sled, and most of the adaptation process is already over!:thumbup:
That having been said; don't trust your dealership to get the alignment right.
You might also want to pull your knees in against the tank; it'll hold you steadier up in the saddle.
Treat them just like a sled, and most of the adaptation process is already over!:thumbup:
That having been said; don't trust your dealership to get the alignment right.
You might also want to pull your knees in against the tank; it'll hold you steadier up in the saddle.
advice
have you ever rode a snowmobile,when your going down the trail the it is impossible to keep the machine dead straight.ski grab in the ruts and stuff this is the same for the spyder hold on lightly let it dance down the road alittle unless it is grabbing anddiving everything is normal.it will not ever go perfectly straight like your bike did . I recently acquired a bike for the first time and can tell youthe only thing motorcycle about these things is whats written on the tires and your licence.everything else FORGET....
have you ever rode a snowmobile,when your going down the trail the it is impossible to keep the machine dead straight.ski grab in the ruts and stuff this is the same for the spyder hold on lightly let it dance down the road alittle unless it is grabbing anddiving everything is normal.it will not ever go perfectly straight like your bike did . I recently acquired a bike for the first time and can tell youthe only thing motorcycle about these things is whats written on the tires and your licence.everything else FORGET....
Thank you!
Thank you for the excellent feedback! I bought the Elkas from Len and I assume that they are set up for my weight, but I did lower the preload and the high speed compression. I think I am still gripping the bars too tightly and I really like the idea of not 'holding' the grips. My dealer does not offer laser alignment until next Spring and I did ask them to road test the RT which they said was OK.
Thank you for the excellent feedback! I bought the Elkas from Len and I assume that they are set up for my weight, but I did lower the preload and the high speed compression. I think I am still gripping the bars too tightly and I really like the idea of not 'holding' the grips. My dealer does not offer laser alignment until next Spring and I did ask them to road test the RT which they said was OK.
Genet
New member
Get rid of the " death grip "
I went thru the exact same thing,I really thought I made the biggest mistake getting rid of my harley.i went back to the dealer because I was convinced that something was very wrong with the bike.they let me ride another bike with the tech riding my bike.when we got back ( the loaner was no better ) the tech told me to get rid of the " death grip " I had on the bike and to just relax.i left there and a huge difference,but not 100% yet.i changed the sway bar,changed the shocks,the bike was getting better,but still not quite there.then I had a laser alignment and omg I could not believe the difference. Now I can not ride enough,when I do it's just soooo much fun.
If you take the advice from the riders on this forum you will be another happy spyder owner,I know I am.
I went thru the exact same thing,I really thought I made the biggest mistake getting rid of my harley.i went back to the dealer because I was convinced that something was very wrong with the bike.they let me ride another bike with the tech riding my bike.when we got back ( the loaner was no better ) the tech told me to get rid of the " death grip " I had on the bike and to just relax.i left there and a huge difference,but not 100% yet.i changed the sway bar,changed the shocks,the bike was getting better,but still not quite there.then I had a laser alignment and omg I could not believe the difference. Now I can not ride enough,when I do it's just soooo much fun.
If you take the advice from the riders on this forum you will be another happy spyder owner,I know I am.
Bob Denman
New member
I'd say that, "Great minds must think alike", but I'd never want to insult you like that! 
pps:When I first got mine; during the first two miles on the way home, I was SURE that I had just made the biggest mistake of my life... :shocked:
Then I thought, "These things are made by Ski doo, and they know how to make something go straight down a trail..."
I relaxed my grip, and the clouds parted...:thumbup:
Netminder
New member
These are the three things that made my Spyder ride like a charm compared to when I brought it home new :
Elka shocks
Baja Ron anti-sway bar
laser Alignment
before the above, although I never felt unsafe, I was tired after a long ride. After the above, I am fine after a ride and feel I could keep going. Also as mentioned above, once I relaxed my grip that helped a lot. Hopefully you find the issue and enjoy your ride to the fullest!
Elka shocks
Baja Ron anti-sway bar
laser Alignment
before the above, although I never felt unsafe, I was tired after a long ride. After the above, I am fine after a ride and feel I could keep going. Also as mentioned above, once I relaxed my grip that helped a lot. Hopefully you find the issue and enjoy your ride to the fullest!
bmccaffrey
New member
GRIP GRIP GRIP RELAX:banghead:
2RTsGV
New member
Laser alignment
Once my wife and I had the laser alignment done on our spyders, they rode & cornered so smoothly and with less effort. Best investment we made on our rydes!
Once my wife and I had the laser alignment done on our spyders, they rode & cornered so smoothly and with less effort. Best investment we made on our rydes!
Similar threads
