Spyder Wandering

[Questions]

Since I am new at the whole Spyder experience (have owned several street bikes), I thought I would ask for some input. I notice that the Spyder tends to wander on the road. It seems like it is the back tire, but hard to tell. I notice it is mainly while driving on country roads. I must assume that the effects are from the fact that the Spyder has three wheels and the wandering is due to the dips in the road caused by 4 wheel vehicles. It's just seems kinda spooking when the bike suddenly shifts to the right or left, especially around corners. :yikes: Is this normal? Maybe it is just the way they are. Anyone else notice this? All input is greatly appreciated. :chat: Thank you.

 

[effgjamis]

Relax your grip. You don't need to squeeze them as on two-wheelers.. However, if the relaxing doesn't resolve the wandering then I would think its DEALER time.

 

[Spyder#353]

Relax your grip. You don't need to squeeze them as on two-wheelers.. However, if the relaxing doesn't resolve the wandering then I would think its DEALER time.

:agree:

 

[fastfraser]

welcome Sometimes low air in the tires . You can also add a heavier sway bar that help on the corners.

 

[zzneonzz]

welcome Sometimes low air in the tires . You can also add a heavier sway bar that help on the corners.

:agree: Check tire pressure and go a little above the book recomendations...I run 20 front 28 rear if this doesnt fix it along with relaxing the grip it might be dealer time unless the roads you are riding are old and not smooth i find that i drift some on angled roads or roads with ruts otherwise i can remove my hands all together and keep going strait

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Since I am new at the whole Spyder experience (have owned several street bikes), I thought I would ask for some input. I notice that the Spyder tends to wander on the road. It seems like it is the back tire, but hard to tell. I notice it is mainly while driving on country roads. I must assume that the effects are from the fact that the Spyder has three wheels and the wandering is due to the dips in the road caused by 4 wheel vehicles. It's just seems kinda spooking when the bike suddenly shifts to the right or left, especially around corners. :yikes: Is this normal? Maybe it is just the way they are. Anyone else notice this? All input is greatly appreciated. :chat: Thank you.

Yes, I know what you are talking about. It bothered me for a while but now, I don't even notice it. When you ride a two wheeler on a road that has a uneven surface you are only contacting the surface with two wheels in line, therefore the lateral forces created by the road are almost non existent; However with a three wheeler (especially with two wheels up front to steer) you will get a lot more of the lateral movement created by the road. I say don't worry about it and try not to oversteer when you feel this lateral pitch, the spyder will track quite nicely on its own. Relax your grip, trust your ride, keep it between the lines, and soon you will be wondering why anyone rides a two wheeler. BTW this thing will corner like it is on a rail.:2thumbs:

 

[Lamonster]

I was all over the road when I first got my Spyder. I thought the thing was going to kill me nojoke but after about 200 miles I learned to relax my grip and drive it like a 4wheeler and all was well.

 

[bjt]

Yes, I know what you are talking about. It bothered me for a while but now, I don't even notice it. When you ride a two wheeler on a road that has a uneven surface you are only contacting the surface with two wheels in line, therefore the lateral forces created by the road are almost non existent; However with a three wheeler (especially with two wheels up front to steer) you will get a lot more of the lateral movement created by the road. I say don't worry about it and try not to oversteer when you feel this lateral pitch, the spyder will track quite nicely on its own. Relax your grip, trust your ride, keep it between the lines, and soon you will be wondering why anyone rides a two wheeler. BTW this thing will corner like it is on a rail.:2thumbs:

:agree: Sometimes my Spyder feels like it has a mind of its own while riding on certain roads. It always handles that way on those specific roads and always handles great (no pulling feeling) when on good roads. I've just gotten used to that and ride as others have suggested, relax, don't oversteer, etc.

 

[wyliec]

:agree: Check tire pressure and go a little above the book recomendations...I run 20 front 28 rear if this doesnt fix it along with relaxing the grip it might be dealer time unless the roads you are riding are old and not smooth i find that i drift some on angled roads or roads with ruts otherwise i can remove my hands all together and keep going strait

I had the same problem with wandering. I agree check the tire pressures.
My original pressures were 13 front and 19 rear. I now run 20 front and 30 rear.

I'm not sure if the wandering can be attributed to different shock settings between both front wheels; but, mine were set at 1 on the right and 3 on the left and I seemed to notice a pull to the right. I have since changed the settings to be the same.

 

[DragonSpyder]

If your Toe is set to Toe-out it will wander more. I set mine with a slight toe-in and it turns easier and no more wandering. The wind does blow the spyder around a bit more though....

 

[WackyDan]

I notice a little drift on some country roads where the road seems to be "domed"... Only time I notice it and I think it is just the road.

 

[gnkc]

I ride on country roads as well so I know exactly what you are talking about. All of the above are good suggestions but I can tell you that roads with irregular paved roads with high crowns or low dips on the right edge can really wake you up in a hurry if you aren't expecting it. Three wheels tracking over them seems to amplify the irregularities. Can't do much about that; it's just a different ride.
As mentioned, let up on the death grip and the Spyder will track straight and with more confidence than you might think.
Strong crosswinds are also a different sensation. The Spyder will stay planted but your body tends to get whipped around. I keep my knees tight against the body panels and that tends to help. If you make the suggested adjustments and give yourself a little time to get used to the differences, you'll be fine.

 

[Dudley]

One thing that stuck to my mind was what one of the riders told me, "Trust the Spyder! It may feel like it's going to tip over, but it won't." That was my biggest fear. I can vouch for relaxing on the handlebar control. I got the idea that this Spyder is like an open car with 3 wheels and a handlebar instead of a stearing wheel. It will go where you point it, just like a car. Do you hold your car steering wheel till your knuckles turn white? Once I learned to relax, I can now do 80 and hold the Spyder straight with the throttle hand. The dips in the road really got me unbalanced when I took the demo ride...like if the road dipped, the Spyder dipped, I dipped! You don't notice that on 2 wheels because 2 wheelers stay straight up! So then I had to learn to stay straight up when the road and Spyder dipped. It's a whole new ball game. My suggestion, don't be to quick to follow the crowd. Take your time in learning the characteristics of your Spyder. We all ride different from the next person. I have no reservations in telling someone else that I will not ride their way if I feel like it is dangerous for me. We all have our own way of having fun. Stick to yours. We hope you will have many happy and safe miles on your new Spyder.

 

[Questions]

Input

Thanks for all the input. I am glad to know it is a common occurance. I will check air pressure, and relax my grip. Never really paid attention to whether my grip was tight or not, but I'm sure it is. I will check shock setting also. Again I say thank you for everyone's input. It is nice to know where to get answers from. If only dealers were required to own and ride a spyder, we might get better answers from them.

 

[shunkmanitu]

It took me>>>>>

Since I am new at the whole Spyder experience (have owned several street bikes), I thought I would ask for some input. I notice that the Spyder tends to wander on the road. It seems like it is the back tire, but hard to tell. I notice it is mainly while driving on country roads. I must assume that the effects are from the fact that the Spyder has three wheels and the wandering is due to the dips in the road caused by 4 wheel vehicles. It's just seems kinda spooking when the bike suddenly shifts to the right or left, especially around corners. :yikes: Is this normal? Maybe it is just the way they are. Anyone else notice this? All input is greatly appreciated. :chat: Thank you.

>>>>>three or four days to get over 40+ years of two wheeling. Felt like it was trying to check out anything it saw on the pavement. Now Iktome:spyder2: is rock stable, only letting me know of the rough pavement with a bit of vibration. It is NOT the way the Spyders are, is is the way bikers are! We get over it!

 

[Bersquack]

welcome

 

[Extracool]

Toe In or out

If your Toe is set to Toe-out it will wander more. I set mine with a slight toe-in and it turns easier and no more wandering. The wind does blow the spyder around a bit more though....

How do you set toe in or out?:dontknow:

 

[Pete Denzer]

A lot of the "wandering" is visual perception. As G-forces and side winds move your body side-to-side, your visual point-of-view changes, which makes you think the vehicle underneath you is moving side-to-side when someone following you would think not. I first experienced this 30-some years ago with my first sidecar, so the Spyder's handling did not bother me. The other oddity with the Spyder is that you are sitting in the middle of it, unlike a sidecar or automobile where you are on the left. Takes some getting used to, keeping it in the center of the lane. Road camber also affects steering, as a three-wheeler tends to drift to the lower side. That being said, tire pressure is important, as is alignment.

 

[Arachnid]

Yep what everyone says!
It tracks a bit as you drive, depending on road surface etc. You'll get used to it.
I was afraid to drive it out of the dealer's lot when I first road mine.
It wouldn't lean and I was afraid to turn it. No $£@t !
But now it is completely natural.
The more your ride it the more you'll like it. Honest.

Mikehyea:

 

[2spyders]

I have the same issue with my 4-wheeled Toyota Spyder. It is narrower than the grooves in the pavement and jumps back and forth from side to side. I just loosen up and go with it, barely even notice it now, on either vehicle.