Spyder vs trike

[AppleSpyder]

I know a lot has been posted about going from 2 wheels to the spyder but what about going from a trike to a spyder? How different does a trike handle from a spyder and is there as much of a learning curve as with 2 wheels? How does a trike differ from a spyder in handling on corners? Just curious.......thanks, Cindy

 

[BajaRon]

Huge difference. Apples and oranges.

A conventional trike is inherently unstable. I don't mean that they are dangerous, necessarily. Every vehicle must be ridden within the design parameters. But having 1 tire in front is much less than ideal.

The major side force on a 3 wheeled vehicle is concentrated on the front end. When you assign 1 thin tire to handle all of this you can reach overload much sooner than with 2 wide tires. The 2 rear tires on a conventional trike help some but they are simply in the wrong place to help a great deal.

Take a 3 legged stool and put the single leg in front. Then lean forward and to one side. What are your chances of tipping over?

Take the same 3 legged stool and put 2 legs in the front on each side. Then lean forward and to one side as you did before. What are the chances of tipping over now? A great deal less! This is because you have the 3 legs positioned ideally for the situation. Same with the Spyder as opposed to a conventional trike.

The Spyder will be more nimble, secure, stable, and handle better.

As for a learning curve, I don't think there will be much difficulty there.

 

[Chupaca]

There you have it..

:agree: couldn't have said it better...then you have sidecars...:yikes:

 

[vided]

:clap::clap:thank you BajaRon for that answer :clap::clap:

 

[trikermutha]

I went from the Harley Tri Glide to the Spyder.

On the Harley I could make turns pretty quick but the force I had to push/pull on the handle bars was like a workout at times
The straight axle is great on open roads but on bumpy uneven pavement can be a challenge and beat you up.
Can get hot at times since it was air cooled engine.

The Spyder very smooth the power steering is a plus in my book. With the stock sway bar it will feel like you are going to pull the front wheel off the ground in turns and with a passenger.
Over all comfort and smoothness the spyder is the way to go..Plus the new 1330 engine for power etc. Heated grips I was skeptical but was impressed they worked well.

Still at times I reach for the clutch and hand brake lever but my Spyder does not have one!! :clap:


Each bike has its pros and cons but for now I am sticking with the Spyder I can drive that all day and not feel all worn out.

 

[ARtraveler]

Baja said it very well. :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

 

[AppleSpyder]

Thank you very much, I appreciate the explanation!

 

[Questions]

trike vs spyder

I know a lot has been posted about going from 2 wheels to the spyder but what about going from a trike to a spyder? How different does a trike handle from a spyder and is there as much of a learning curve as with 2 wheels? How does a trike differ from a spyder in handling on corners? Just curious.......thanks, Cindy

Can't answer the question on cornering, I tried out a Harley trike 2012 before I bought my spyder! The trike steered so hard it was it was very uncomfortable to ride ( have to say tho I have a bad shoulder from a motorcycle accident several years ago ) after 15 - 20 minutes on the trike my should hurt pretty bad ! I said to myself, " I am not paying that kind of money for something I will not enjoy ! Three months later ( August 2014 ) I bought my 2011 Spyder RT, after riding about 3000 miles so far, I would not trade the Spyer for any trike !!!!! I must say the Spyder handles delightful on curves !

 

[Tango]

I owned a 1800 Gold Wing CSC Trike for three years. I test rode an RT, then a HD Trike with in minutes of each other. Did not like the HD at all. Hard to steer, rode like a tank. Loved the CSC, but even with a 4.5 degree rake. It was a real work out running through a lot of twisties. Very stable on the highway. It was heavy at 1300 lbs.. Unlimited power, smoothest motorcycle engine going. I feel the RT is quicker, much less weight. And the steering? Much much easier. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[Oldmanzues]

BAja said better then me. I test rode a lot of trikes, went with the Spyder and think it is best.
Oldmanzues

 

[JayBros]

I was going Spyder from the start but the video at post #18 of the link, http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ifferences/page2&highlight=spyder+trike+video, was enough to sell me on the stability of the Spyder. Remember too, the Spyder has a real reverse gear.

 

[Rottieluvr]

Honda trike to Sppyder

I just went from a GL 1500 Lehman trike to the 2014 RT-S. Trike had the back axle mounted so you got up/down travel but no sideways. By this I mean if one rear wheel hit something (rock,bump,hole) it would jerk the trike sideways. Steering was tough on trike as it always wanted to go straight. I now compare the trike to riding a log and the Spyder as a marshmallow. My main concern was wind protection (yes, I'm old) but found the Spyder to be nearly as much as the Wing. Wife liked the passenger area of the trike better but says the ride comfort makes up for lost space. Ride both before making such investment and see which one YOU like. After all, the guys on this forum are kinda bias to the SPYDER!!!

 

[Dutch Spyder]

 

[BajaRon]

Ya! What they said!! :thumbup:

 

[fireplug98]

Huge difference. Apples and oranges.

A conventional trike is inherently unstable. I don't mean that they are dangerous, necessarily. Every vehicle must be ridden within the design parameters. But having 1 tire in front is much less than ideal.

The major side force on a 3 wheeled vehicle is concentrated on the front end. When you assign 1 thin tire to handle all of this you can reach overload much sooner than with 2 wide tires. The 2 rear tires on a conventional trike help some but they are simply in the wrong place to help a great deal.

Take a 3 legged stool and put the single leg in front. Then lean forward and to one side. What are your chances of tipping over?

Take the same 3 legged stool and put 2 legs in the front on each side. Then lean forward and to one side as you did before. What are the chances of tipping over now? A great deal less! This is because you have the 3 legs positioned ideally for the situation. Same with the Spyder as opposed to a conventional trike.

The Spyder will be more nimble, secure, stable, and handle better.

As for a learning curve, I don't think there will be much difficulty there.

Well said Ron !!!! :2thumbs:

Tommy J.