Stopping distance-close call

[classicvw]

The ABS option on the GL1800 prevents wheel lockup, just like the Spyder.

When I took the Trike Rider Course at Wing Ding last fall with my Spyder I did some panic stops. With one of them from about 20 or more MPH I almost instantly found myself wearing the windshield for a bib! Had to reset the break away floorboard after that one.

I can relate. Back about 15 years, I wanted to test out the ABS on my new BMW R1200C as everyone said they were really grabby. So I go to a very large mostly empty hotel parking lot and accelerate to about 40MPH and grab and stomp on the brakes. I wasn't prepared for such a sudden stop, I actually slid forward up the gas tank, and my helmet smacked into the windshield. Holy Crap! Another one of my great ideas!

 

[jwulf74]

Where our Sypder brakes are awesome, I wish Can Am would do the same in their Commanders... those are definitely not stellar...

 

[asp125]

Spyders stop well but....

.. not as well as my sportbikes, not even my cafe bike with it's single front caliper. Granted, it's a 600lb beast compared to a 450lb supersport; physics wins. I have stock brake pads. Has anyone put on performance brake pads (semi-metallic, sintered... etc) and noticed any improvement? I know EBC makes some RS pads, any other brands that are worth it for shorter stopping distances? Don't really care about brake dust or increased wear on the rotors, just want an improvement. Probably braided brake lines?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

STOPPING DISTANCES

.. not as well as my sportbikes, not even my cafe bike with it's single front caliper. Granted, it's a 600lb beast compared to a 450lb supersport; physics wins. I have stock brake pads. Has anyone put on performance brake pads (semi-metallic, sintered... etc) and noticed any improvement? I know EBC makes some RS pads, any other brands that are worth it for shorter stopping distances? Don't really care about brake dust or increased wear on the rotors, just want an improvement. Probably braided brake lines?

Sorry but you are comparing apples to oranges ....how can you compare a 1100 lb spyder to a 600 lb café racer .... In stopping and accelerating ...weight is Everything ...... jmho ......Mike

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: ...And with the weight transfer to those two front tires (which keep things upright!); you only need to find that pedal... The ABS even maintains your ability to steer through an ugly situation. :thumbup:
If you lose the front tire on your sportbike: you're buying new bodywork for the both of you! :yikes:

 

[Mr. White]

When I ride with my group, The Hill Country Road Riders, we ask the two wheelers to ride up front followed by our Spyders. This is due to the stopping ability of a Spyder vs. a two wheeler. The two wheelers understand this and appreciate it. If a two wheeler goes down, there is a very good chance the Spyder can stop before hitting him.

:spyder2:

 

[asp125]

Sorry but you are comparing apples to oranges ....how can you compare a 1100 lb spyder to a 600 lb café racer .... In stopping and accelerating ...weight is Everything ...... jmho ......Mike

I alluded to that already. What I want to know is has anyone improved their braking system with better pads or braided lines and what was the result?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BETTER BRAKING

I alluded to that already. What I want to know is has anyone improved their braking system with better pads or braided lines and what was the result?

Sorry I missed the " alluding to " part :banghead: ..... and if you are talking about ( the pads and rotors ) OEM vs. EBC stuff ( what Ron sells ) ... The EBC stuff is way better than the OEM stuff ... I only bought Pads and noticed a big improvement .... the Rotors would increase that ( from what others have said about them ) .........Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bruiser37]

On the phone

This morning while riding to work, I came upon a line of traffic stopped at a light in the straight lane. I was traveling in the turning lane when out of nowhere someone decided it was ok to let a driver out of a starbucks. This person didn't see me at all based on the expression on her face as i stopped about a foot from her car. This was a very close call for me and it made me realize how fast this machine stops. I hit the brakes very hard and the ABS kicked in on dry pavement. This was probably some of my fault as I should have anticipated this happening. Had I been on my goldwing, both tires would have locked up and probably been down or worse hitting the car. It is absolutely incredible how well the spyder stops. I've been reading this forum for awhile and just purchased my spyder a month ago. This was very impressive as far as i'm concerned. Chris

She wars probably on the phone texting... stopping gave her chance to concentrate on phone distraction... haven't had to lock F3T brakes and test ABS, hope never will but nice to know they can be a life saver. Happened once on my Goldwing APS worked perfect, remained up right to the full stop. Would never ride a motorcycle without ABS

 

[C. Lee]

I read plenty of threads that talk about the close calls and such but haven't seen a thread talking about the stopping capability of our machines. That was my primary reason for this thread. I don't believe the stopping distance for my wing was nearly as good but I never had a close call like that one. It's also something I didn't think about when purchasing this ride and something that should be touted louder.

 

[Bob Denman]

While :agree: with you: folks seem reluctant to talk about how fast their bikes can stop... :roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

Compared to two wheelers--the :spyder: outperforms big time. Quicker stopping and with the VSS, the machine automatically takes over when problems are occurring. E.g. sudden direction changes, hydroplaning, and keeping things straight when the brakes try to lock up.

Have not bought new since 2014--so do not know if they are still putting a video disk in with the manuals. There used to be separate videos explaining the VSS, and other systems, with demonstrations of how well they work.

Since this seems to be a "given," I am thinking that is why we have not addressed the subject specifically. :thumbup:

The :ani29: has been tested a small number of times in my 130,000 plus miles on them. I did not take measurements, but will say--the system worked for me when I needed it. :yes:

 

[Peteoz]

Since there is no hand lever for the brakes, one needs to keep their right foot on or near the brake pedal at all times in traffic........just because of things like this. If you have to fumble to find the pedal.......you're screwed.

I still think I'm going not get the handbrake kit. Safety first.

I'm having trouble picturing where "else" you could possibly keep your right foot other than on or near the brake pedal in traffic, Easy Rider. You don't Velcro your boot to the handlebars, or push the Spyder along with your right boot to save gas, do you? :shocked:

Pete

 

[asp125]

I'm having trouble picturing where "else" you could possibly keep your right foot other than on or near the brake pedal in traffic, Easy Rider. You don't Velcro your boot to the handlebars, or push the Spyder along with your right boot to save gas, do you? :shocked:

Pete

He probably means feet might be up on highway pegs away from the floorboards

 

[Motorcycledave]

In all the years of riding....

Every time I go out and get on one of my machines,
I always figure that when I get going down the road
I am a target:yikes:
I always ride like they are out to get me so I am very
careful about following distance, speed and my position
on the road way, however that did not help me while at
a Stop Sign 4 years ago when a drunk driver took me out
while I was at a dead stop. I was riding my Honda ST1100
totaled it and damn near totaled me.
Keep your eyes open , always scan where you are and look
out for the cars trying to enter the roadway when you don't
expect it......
RIDE SAFE
Dave

 

[Motorcycledave]

The hand brake is a big PLUS.....

Since there is no hand lever for the brakes, one needs to keep their right foot on or near the brake pedal at all times in traffic........just because of things like this. If you have to fumble to find the pedal.......you're screwed.

I still think I'm going not get the handbrake kit. Safety first.

 

[Peteoz]

He probably means feet might be up on highway pegs away from the floorboards

Na, Easy Rider mentions riding in traffic, asp. Anyone foolish enough to ride with their feet up on the highway pegs while riding in traffic deserves what they get :yikes:

Pete

 

[BoilerAnimal]

Every time I go out and get on one of my machines,
I always figure that when I get going down the road
I am a target:yikes:
I always ride like they are out to get me so I am very
careful about following distance, speed and my position
on the road way, however that did not help me while at
a Stop Sign 4 years ago when a drunk driver took me out
while I was at a dead stop. I was riding my Honda ST1100
totaled it and damn near totaled me.
Keep your eyes open , always scan where you are and look
out for the cars trying to enter the roadway when you don't
expect it......
RIDE SAFE
Dave

Whenever we're at a stop sign or light, I always allow enough room in front to move out of the way if needed and I ALWAYS keep an eye on the mirrors to see what's going on behind us! So far, I haven't needed to take any evasive action but I always try to be ready!

 

[Peter Aawen]

Na, Easy Rider mentions riding in traffic, asp. Anyone foolish enough to ride with their feet up on the highway pegs while riding in traffic deserves what they get :yikes:

Pete

The bad news is that it's not just what THEY deserve/get, they'd likely take someone else out too - or possibly even worse, bury themselves into the side of another vehicle & leave that driver/relatively innocent person to live with knowing that a Spyder Ryder committed 'suicide aided by Highway pegs' in the side of their vehicle!! :yikes: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[classicvw]

Na, Easy Rider mentions riding in traffic, asp. Anyone foolish enough to ride with their feet up on the highway pegs while riding in traffic deserves what they get :yikes:

Pete

OK. Then maybe he means reaction time. With your foot flat on the floorboard, from the time your brain recognizes you need to brake and you actually do hit the brake is like 4/10 of a second. I'm sure that reaction time is way less with your hand 'covering' a brake lever or near enough to one.