1
1-up
Guest
Met with SpyderSteve October 2nd at a local Tim Horton's coffee shop. Granted it was raining, lightly.
Somewhat preferable to snow which shall arrive too soon in this part of Canada. Steve arrived just as
I was getting my caffeine kick, gave him the credit card to get one for himself; he was chilled. Looked real cold he did!
Just as he was seated, my young at heart friend Holli arrived, and she got her own clear (black) coffee.
We talked for a bit, Steve regained feeling in his anatomy and I did the introductions. It kept raining.
We then wandered outside, I grabbed my helmet and my old servicable
leather jacket. Now you have to understand the :spyder:is about the
same size beside me as an Austin Mini, maybe even smaller?
So have a look at the first picture. See? Me compared to the Spyder!
The next photo shows me on the Spyder with Steve contemplating
how he was going to get home if I squashed the machine.
Next a quick introduction to mysteries of the device. An electronic know-it-all telling me to
read the instruction card at the start is a pain; shall have to figure how to remove same
from the memory if I purchase one of these devices.
Started the machine. That's when I discovered sitting on the back seat of the machine
made life far simpler. Simpler yet the rig felt off balance, so shifted forward a tad.
Better, however not great. See? Nothing fits!
Steve noted the steering arms were extended by a non-metric inch
towards the operator/driver/engineer? Am thinking; this device has more farkles
than a normal anything deserves. Sort of almost an experiment in progress.
But then farkles are experiments, eh?
Starting the machinery proved 1,500 RPM was normal idle speed. Steve
asked me to lift my right foot from the brake and then push down before
pushing the tranmission button to engage the machinery. It did need a
little bit of umph to get rolling, however was soon moving.
Was surprised the machine was as stable as it was even at the low speeds.
Side to side movement also confirmed for me the stablity factor.
With my six foot eight inch height it was obvious there would be
some issues later. A very stiff suspension is requested.
Ditto a much taller windscreen, at least two feet higher IMO.
Steve spent considerable time explaining the various features. I was impressed
by the solid design in the front steering components. Steve noted the forward
illumination wasn't good, seems LED lights are preferred. Something for the
winter I told Steve. We here in Canada receive winter, a time for the
addition of new accessories.
Soon it was time to depart. Steve had been extremely gracious. My
dimutive friend Holli hopped on and thought, "great for the future when
balancing two wheels is impractical." Steve made comment the Spyder
would require modifications so I could operate it. The brake lever would
have to be placed on the handle grip, if only because my feet are so
long and wide, the brake would have been applied all the time.
The parking brake was also not easily applied. Again the size of my
feet was a factor. And of course the handlebars striking my knees on turns.
(look at the smallest image). Custom floor boards would not doubt have to
be designed to accomodate my large feet (BTW feet are equivalent size
fourteen however are six inches wide at the widest point.)
Thinking larger orange rear turn signals and bright red multiple
brake lights as LED's would be far more brilliant and easier on the electrics.
There seems to be a suspension problem; Steve being a svelte guy
where as I tip the scales over 400 pounds! This Spyder's suspension was not quite up to the task. :duh:
Was concerned as the steering radius was somewhat limited.
The handlebars struck my knees as I turned the front wheels of the Spyder.
Methinks either I sit way back or extend the handlebars even more.
Again, a chance for experimentation.
See the photos for more details, with apologies for the softness of same.
A small point and shoot in two of hydrogen and one of liquid oxygen
doesn't always render images quite the way onewould prefer.
Bottom line, the concept is good, the execution needs
improvement, however as mentioned elsewhere the
sheckles shall have to be accumulated; Cash on the barrelhead
so to speak. Ontario Lottery Corporation here I come.
My thanks then to SpyderSteve for driving west
during inclement weather on his weekend.
Having been riding for almost 40 yesrs (am I that old?)
and this past year was the first without motorized two wheels.
Methinks three wheels as per an early Morgan is the best
for stability and long term comfort. BRP is still learning;
as we all are...
1-UP, Burlington, Ontario,
Canada, eh?
Somewhat preferable to snow which shall arrive too soon in this part of Canada. Steve arrived just as
I was getting my caffeine kick, gave him the credit card to get one for himself; he was chilled. Looked real cold he did!
Just as he was seated, my young at heart friend Holli arrived, and she got her own clear (black) coffee.
We talked for a bit, Steve regained feeling in his anatomy and I did the introductions. It kept raining.
We then wandered outside, I grabbed my helmet and my old servicable
leather jacket. Now you have to understand the :spyder:is about the
same size beside me as an Austin Mini, maybe even smaller?
So have a look at the first picture. See? Me compared to the Spyder!
The next photo shows me on the Spyder with Steve contemplating
how he was going to get home if I squashed the machine.
Next a quick introduction to mysteries of the device. An electronic know-it-all telling me to
read the instruction card at the start is a pain; shall have to figure how to remove same
from the memory if I purchase one of these devices.
Started the machine. That's when I discovered sitting on the back seat of the machine
made life far simpler. Simpler yet the rig felt off balance, so shifted forward a tad.
Better, however not great. See? Nothing fits!
Steve noted the steering arms were extended by a non-metric inch
towards the operator/driver/engineer? Am thinking; this device has more farkles
than a normal anything deserves. Sort of almost an experiment in progress.
But then farkles are experiments, eh?
Starting the machinery proved 1,500 RPM was normal idle speed. Steve
asked me to lift my right foot from the brake and then push down before
pushing the tranmission button to engage the machinery. It did need a
little bit of umph to get rolling, however was soon moving.
Was surprised the machine was as stable as it was even at the low speeds.
Side to side movement also confirmed for me the stablity factor.
With my six foot eight inch height it was obvious there would be
some issues later. A very stiff suspension is requested.
Ditto a much taller windscreen, at least two feet higher IMO.
Steve spent considerable time explaining the various features. I was impressed
by the solid design in the front steering components. Steve noted the forward
illumination wasn't good, seems LED lights are preferred. Something for the
winter I told Steve. We here in Canada receive winter, a time for the
addition of new accessories.
Soon it was time to depart. Steve had been extremely gracious. My
dimutive friend Holli hopped on and thought, "great for the future when
balancing two wheels is impractical." Steve made comment the Spyder
would require modifications so I could operate it. The brake lever would
have to be placed on the handle grip, if only because my feet are so
long and wide, the brake would have been applied all the time.
The parking brake was also not easily applied. Again the size of my
feet was a factor. And of course the handlebars striking my knees on turns.
(look at the smallest image). Custom floor boards would not doubt have to
be designed to accomodate my large feet (BTW feet are equivalent size
fourteen however are six inches wide at the widest point.)
Thinking larger orange rear turn signals and bright red multiple
brake lights as LED's would be far more brilliant and easier on the electrics.
There seems to be a suspension problem; Steve being a svelte guy
where as I tip the scales over 400 pounds! This Spyder's suspension was not quite up to the task. :duh:
Was concerned as the steering radius was somewhat limited.
The handlebars struck my knees as I turned the front wheels of the Spyder.
Methinks either I sit way back or extend the handlebars even more.
Again, a chance for experimentation.
See the photos for more details, with apologies for the softness of same.
A small point and shoot in two of hydrogen and one of liquid oxygen
doesn't always render images quite the way onewould prefer.
Bottom line, the concept is good, the execution needs
improvement, however as mentioned elsewhere the
sheckles shall have to be accumulated; Cash on the barrelhead
so to speak. Ontario Lottery Corporation here I come.
My thanks then to SpyderSteve for driving west
during inclement weather on his weekend.
Having been riding for almost 40 yesrs (am I that old?)
and this past year was the first without motorized two wheels.
Methinks three wheels as per an early Morgan is the best
for stability and long term comfort. BRP is still learning;
as we all are...
1-UP, Burlington, Ontario,
Canada, eh?
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