Slow riding question

[Sandysandals]

I have been asked to ride my Viking Chariot in the St. Augustine Christmas Parade. I did this with my little Boulevard and it was the only bike that didn't run really hot. Last year we had to drop out because some of the bikes couldn't take it. Has anyone ever done this on a Spyder? I'd kinda like to go 'show it off' but don't want the engine to run any hotter than it already does :yikes:

 

[cuznjohn]

well

being you live in florida i am not sure what to tell you, i personally would not do it here in new york during the summer because the worst heat i ever felt was in traffic. but depending on how warm it is and how you feel about the heat i would say give it a shot, you can always pull out if you feel it is getting to hot

 

[shelbydave]

We ran ours in a July 4th parade, and while I could really feel the heat - much more than regular riding, the temp gauge never went above the 1/2 point. The cooling fan was running all the time. I have also run some quite slow escorts during PGR missions with no ill effects.

My bigger worry was with the SE-5 transmission, and running at such slow speeds / RPM's. There was a BUDS update back in 2012 to modify the SE-5 shifting behavior, and I think that helped a lot with the low RPM parade riding as well.

 

[Sandysandals]

Thanks

Thank you both. I would only ride it one parade a year....and otherwise rarely ever run slow. So far have not had to in everyday riding. I am very careful about my RPMs and even though I think it makes the Spydee suck gas like a teenager with a Slurpee on a hot day, I still watch it. I just might do it. I can always just see how it goes.

 

[Bob Denman]

If you haven't noticed any heat issues to this point; I don't see a need to worry.
Enjoy the Parade, and take lots of pictures for us! :thumbup:

 

[jthornton]

I've got stuck in traffic for an hour or better in Tennessee coming back from the Owners Event and it was mighty hot outside. The temp gauge went up 1 bar IIRC and the airbox temp was 110F or so. But I have a 2012 RT... If I had a bike as pretty as yours I'd want to show it off.

JT

 

[Sandysandals]

Thanks to all

It is a beauty alright....but it is hot. Really hot. Crock pot hot. That's why I have a sheepskin over the seat.....it protects me from the heat and protects my new custom seat from the Florida sun. I think it would be ok for one parade....at least I would know. :thumbup:

 

[jimbo277630]

slow ride

I have been asked to ride my Viking Chariot in the St. Augustine Christmas Parade. I did this with my little Boulevard and it was the only bike that didn't run really hot. Last year we had to drop out because some of the bikes couldn't take it. Has anyone ever done this on a Spyder? I'd kinda like to go 'show it off' but don't want the engine to run any hotter than it already does :yikes:

I RIDE WITH PGR AND THE BIKE DOES GREAT AT SLOW SPEEDS AND NO HEAT PROBLEM ENJOY THE RIDE AND JUST HAVE FUN

 

[Sandysandals]

Thanks Jimbo

I think I might just go for it.

 

[billybovine]

I have been asked to ride my Viking Chariot in the St. Augustine Christmas Parade. I did this with my little Boulevard and it was the only bike that didn't run really hot. Last year we had to drop out because some of the bikes couldn't take it. Has anyone ever done this on a Spyder? I'd kinda like to go 'show it off' but don't want the engine to run any hotter than it already does :yikes:

Go enjoy yourself. Your engine will not overheat and nothing else will get damaged. Have fun!!!

 

[flaggerphil]

This past Sunday I rode in the annual Merritt Island Toy Ride from the Merritt Island Mall to Wickham Park in northern Melbourne, along with a number of other Spyders (including some '13s)...and 3200 other motorcycles. We were on the road averaging around 10mph for well over an hour and had absolutely no problems what so ever. I wouldn't think you'd have any problems. Truly, the only bikes we saw broken down on the route (maybe 5 or 6 of them) were Harleys.

BTW, that's not a poke at Harley, that's just what we saw.

 

[Chupaca]

Depends..!

how long a ride and how much time does the run last. See what the weather is at that time of year. The biggest problem will be your comfort. At slow speeds standing on the pegs/floorboards will help cool you a bit.. I would do it and enjoy it...:thumbup:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I did the Las Vegas Veteran's Day Parade and it was warm out not hot and I had no problems at all with the Spyder. My left hand though was a bit tired with all of the shifting!

 

[Bob Denman]

There's a cure for that
(SE 5, or the new and improved SE 6)

 

[GloryRyders]

We have been in several parades with the PGR over that last years and have never had an issue. In fact most of the Guard Brothers wished they had a Spyder by the end of the parade:yes:............kind of hard having to "walk the bike" most of the way with the Harleys!:gaah:

 

[TexAmRider]

Go for it.

I think I might just go for it.

I rode 2 up in a forth of July parade in west Texas. Hot Hot Hot pretty slow moving for about 2 hours and I had no problem. I actually won first place in the motorcycle division, partly because I was the only vehicle playing patriotic music during the parade, the other reason is I had the best looking motorcyle in the parade. The only decor was a couple of US Flags monted on the bike, the Spyder look did the rest. I never shifted out of first gear with my SE5.

Compared to your look, mine was just plain old BRP Platinum Spyder RT. :yes:

 

[jerpinoy]

Go for it and I will do the same thing next year on a parade. Thank you for all who post their experiences.

 

[ARtraveler]

I also recommend going for it. To many things can get spoiled because we get worried that something bad may happen. Hope you enjoy the parade and that they like your special :ani29:. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[lwrydr]

Toy Ryn

I'm going to ride in the Olympia Toy Run on Sat the 7th with my grand daughter on the back. The hight temp that
day is going to be about 32, so I should not have a heat problem....

 

[MouthPiece]

Go for it. I have a 2013 RT-S with a corbin seat (gas door). I live in Sanford, Flarda. Yes it gets like a blow torch at times on the right foot, and yes it has spots around that gas door on the corbin seat that heat escapes through, but you'll be fine. I ride 90% of the time in shorts and it, the heat, has neither prevented me from riding, nor has it caused my spyder to overheat in the slowest of conditions.

Chris