Terrified in Western KY..... NooB here

[jScotD]

Hello, just found this forum..2012 Spyder RS has less than 10 miles on it..had it for over a month.. I'm 64 with my lower right leg missing from a car accident 30+ years ago.. been riding motorized 2 wheels since I was 10 in the gavel alley at my grandmother's house with the local hoodlums , that took apart their dad's lawnmower to put the motor on a minibike.. first real bike was at collage in Bowling Green , KY in the 70's .. 175 Honda.. got tired of school and rode to Cumberland Gap , KY by way of back roads, with no plates and no lights, and no license,, college daze.. 1st big bike.. BMW R90S.. should have kept it.. then It became a blur of BMW's till my last one of a few years ago when i got over 176 mph on a public road.. questioned my sanity and then began the time of just going to the garage and looking at it.. till I finally sold it and bought an RE.. where as I have done the same thing..

Got the bug to ride again, legs have gotten weaker over the years and I was a little concerned about my left leg giving out on a big bike and falling over.. my artificial leg is the strong one , the left one is just there for appearance.....

so I bought the Spyder.. and now am questioning my sanity once more.. seems two wheels have etched my brain a tad.. actually put my feet down to balance myself when pulling out of the driveway and almost riding into a ditch.. trying to find the brake was hard , so I added an ISCI handbrake and roadpegs to try to feel more comfortable.. yet still this machine has it's bluff in on me..

In other words ..what's the learning curve on this thing?

any noobie help would be appreciated ..

thank you

jScotD

 

[tobor9]

It takes a good 500 miles to really get use to these and you have to forget you 2 wheel habits,but it will come to you with practice,ride,ride,ride!

 

[CyncySpyder]

Teddy & I would like to say Congrats on the New ryde & Welcome to the SpyderHood

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners
The above link is the best info for new Spyder Ryders that I've ever seen, tho I'm not sure what it is you really seek. Welcome to the SpyderHood.

Dave N Teddy~

 

[spydaman60]

i'm a newbie too at 60 years old! had the bike three months and have over 6000 miles on it. (rss) the wife likes it as much as i do as well. there have been a lot of posts on here from newbies that aren't comfortable yet driving their spyders, so don't feel that your the only one in this position.
my advice to you is simple. go to a large parking lot that isn't in use. (ie. school lot as school is out for the summer) set up some highway cones if you have accesss to them and do as the manual owners instructs you. get the feel of the turning ability of the spyder. get a feel for the braking of the spyder. start slow and pick up the pace as you feel comfortable doing it.
the learning curve is far greater if you have had bikes all your life and they have been of the two wheel stature. an atv rider or a snowmobile owner will adjust quicker to the spyder ride. time on the seat will build your confidence and the ride will become second nature after a while. corners that you do at 30 mph will become 45 then 50 mph corners without you even realizing it. take your time and enjoy. there is another thing i can tell you, and that is you have come to the right site. spyder people are a friendly bunch and i am sure someone in your area will offer to help out if you desire their assistance.

 

[DaDrkmysta]

From One Noob to another

I've had mines a little over two months now and have put close to a thousand miles on it. Remember it's not a two while bike... take your time, my suggestion is get on open road so you can get used to how it feels.. then everything else in between will work itself out. I had it less than a week and hit the highway just so I can get the scary part behind me. After that it was a breeze.

welcome to da SpyderHood !!

 

[harrypottar]

:congrats::welcome:

Learning curve is about 400-500 miles, just take it slow. You have enough road expearance so you just need to get used to the spyder. CyncySpyder posted a great link for your first read.

Have fun it a great Bike.

Harry

 

[bruisersbaby]

All great advice here. I started riding, first time ever, last year. It did take seat time and lots of practice to feel comfortable. I don't know how many miles I've ridden, but it's been quite a few lol!! I just turned 61 this past Monday, and am enjoying the ryde. I started in a church parking lot, moved up to a closed car dealer parking lot, and now I'm on the back roads and highways!!

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[MarkLawson]

Steering is the issue. The Spyder steers like an ATV, not a two wheeled motorcycle. On a motorcycle, you use a steering technique called 'counter-steering'. To turn right, you nudge the handlebars slightly to the left, initiating a right hand lean, which results in the bike turning right.

The Spyder does not lean, so turns in the same direction as the handlebars are turned. If you want to turn right, you steer the handlebars to the right, much like steering a car.

I found that when I actively engaged the brain it all came together. Now I can easily switch between the Spyder and Goldwing with little steering thought required.

Good luck!

 

[steve635]

At least 500 miles.....

I'm 54 and made the switch from 2-wheels about 4 months ago. For the first 150-200 miles I was thinking I made a big mistake, and did not feel comfortable at all on the Spyder. Then I started reading some of the tips on this site (tire pressure, shocks set-up, riding tips, etc.) and just putting in some casual miles and before I knew it, I actually loved the Spyder and couldn't wait to ride it. Be patient, put on some miles, ask questions when you have them, and you'll be loving these things in no time!

 

[ARtraveler]

All good advice above. Watch the video that should have came with your :spyder2: about learning to ride the machine. Start in a parking lot, graduate to quiet roads, and then on to regular driving conditions.

Overcontrol has been mentioned and that takes some getting used to. Try to put as little input into the handle bars as possible.

It took me about 500 miles to get acclimated to the :ani29:--but I had been riding two wheels for over 40 years.

New people that I have taught to drive the :spyder2: seem to have got it at about 250 miles or so.

:congrats: on your ride and :welcome: to the forum.

 

[jScotD]

thanks folks

for the input.. I got to get past the fear factor

 

[BajaRon]

Great advise so far and my experience is about the same as the rest of the dyed in the wool 2 wheel riders. It took me awhile to relax and ride the Spyder like a 3 wheeled vehicle instead of what my brain kept telling me to do.

The first few rides I took on my Spyder scared me to death! And I don't scare easily! Everything was wrong (actually, there was only 1 thing wrong and that was me).

I had the typical death grip on the handlebars (didn't realize it) and I thought I'd made the worst mistake in my LIFE buying this contraption!

But, I had too much invested to give up and my buddy was leaving me behind on his Spyder (can't let that go).

Now I love it. You will too! Just stay loose, realize that your 2 wheel instincts are not necessarily going to work on the Spyder and take your time.

You'll be flying with a grin on your face soon enough.

 

[Big Arm]

for the input.. I got to get past the fear factor

Take it real easy at first, and relax, relax, relax

I had the typical death grip on the handlebars (didn't realize it) and I thought I'd made the worst mistake in my LIFE buying this contraption!

:agree: ..... keep a real loose grip on the bars, and you'll get the hang of it in no time. Keep us posted on how it's going.....and don't be afraid to ask questions. You came to the right place.
:welcome:

 

[jScotD]

Maybe

maybe if I replaced the handle bars with a steering wheel , I would think I was driving a Morgan

 

[ThreeFeet]

First off:congrats::welcome: You are in the right place for info etc. Trust me you will get the hang of it after a few more miles!!!. I had my first 2 wheeler in the early 70's then nothing for years. Turned 60+++ and second childhood. Got the RS. Had a blast with it. but old age and cranky body got me the RT. Been doing ok with it. I am still learning to relax with the spyder. ( It's a white haired old broad problem) Put over 15,000 on the RS and now have over 23,000 on the RT. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Don't let the machine win!!! It's a partnership!!nojoke

 

[BajaRon]

maybe if I replaced the handle bars with a steering wheel , I would think I was driving a Morgan

The Spyder is just like riding a bicycle for us old time 2 wheelers. At first it seems impossible. Then once you have the knack you'll wonder what all the fuss was about as you glide down the highway in style!

Just take it easy and concentrate on relaxing and letting the Spyder do its thing while you do yours (which is relax and enjoy).

 

[TuckMiddle]

Get the dealer involved?? or another local Spyder owner?

I'd do the above if you have this much aprehension. Talk it over with them, use the school, as most said, or shopping center or less travelled roads. I love the ISCI brake, but you really need to use your foot also, to keep the stopping distance down. I can sure see where that is a hard lesson, remembering to not ride the brake, as the computer will go nuts. I found the transition to take a couple hundred miles and how it's as much fun as you can have with your pants on. I have 20,500 miles and got the bike a year ago today. I know you have riders around somewehere and they would be glad to help you get comfortable, I'm sure. If not, post a help wanted notice and you'll have folks banging down your door. Hell, I'd ride up from GA for a couple days, if no one's closer.
Slow and easy...............and you'll be a happy camper in no time.:firstplace:
Tuckmiddle

 

[jScotD]

yure welcome TM to come here any time

when I bought the Spyder local.. and asked for them to deliver it.. the guy that brought it out said "wow" that's the first time I have been on the open road on one of these things.. it felt iffy in the steering.. "thank you very much. I said "

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

Ride it like you stole it. You will do fine. Like most everyone said 500 miles and keep the RPMs above 3400 all the time. My minimum shift point is 4000 rpm.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Gimme a zip code or addy - Teddy LOVES Road-Trips

jScotD, where in 'Western KY' do you live? Teddy & I live in Northern KY, Covington (41016) to be exact, right across the river from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. We love road-trips and wouldn't mind coming out for a day to ryde with you and give you some pointers first hand and in person, if you wouldn't mind us being there maybe on a Saturday or Sunday??? We have an RT-S, so its a bit of a different beast than your RS, but very similar in style of ryde and operation, just a bit more 'cushy' and with a few more gadgets. Let me know if your interested, & I'll PM you my contact info.

My name is Dave & Teddy is my ...... ummm........ BOSS on the back:roflblack: