TO LEAN OR NOT TO LEAN

[Barbwire]

I have ridden 2 wheels for years and I think I try to overdo it on the Spyder. Thanks for all the good info! I learned something years ago about riding the twisties that has been very helpful. If you keep your eyes on the horizon to the furthest point you can see the yellow line you can just keep flowing in the twisties and not have to brake until you can't see where the line goes which means a tight turn. The old saying look where you want to go really does work.

 

[katnapper]

Take a look at many of the MV action shots of the "hero riders" among us while in the Dragon. My count has >50% leaning.

I saw one guy hanging off the side of his Spyder like he was trying to drag his knee....

 

[Yol Bolsun]

In normal driving on streets and highway, it's not so much a matter of 'lean,' but of weight shift....~ Surfer

"Weight shift", I don't really care for that phrase. I prefer to think of it as shifting center of gravity. When one has as much mass as I have (even an RT can be a bit top heavy), some serious shifting of the center of gravity is a good thing in cornering. You know, kinda like those folks hanging off the high side of a sail boat.:roflblack:

Joking aside, SS laid it out very well. One other thing to keep in mind when leaning -

LOOK — Look through the turn to where you want to go. Turn just your head, not your shoulders, and keep your eyes level with the horizon (excerpt from the Georgia Motorcycle Operator Manual)​

 

[Bob Denman]

Whatever it takes to keep my butt from ending up in the weeds... Lean or weight shift; as long as my Missus isn't dialing 9-1-1, I'm happy!
Some folks mentioned comparisons to ATVs or snowmobiles... :thumbup:

 

[Yol Bolsun]

And, when in doubt, read the Spyder Roadster Operator's Guide (aka: Owners Manual)...

Sideways Forces in Turns
​

Unlike a motorcycle, the Spyder roadster does not lean in turns. You will feel sideways forces pushing you to the outside of the turn. To maintain balance, the operator and passenger must hold on with both hands and keep both feet firmly planted on the footpegs. In hard turns, it may help to lean your upper body forward and toward the inside of the turn.
​

Having said that, I haven't read it cover-to-cover yet. Have a copy on my iphone, a copy on my 'puter and one in the frunk. Personally, I like the search function on the 'puter best.

 

[Bob Denman]

When things go REALLY bad... R.T.D.M.! :shocked:

 

[MouthPiece]

I think I recall a video about a year ago that had some professional "two wheelers" riding a spyder for the first time. I'm not sure if they were with Fred Rau or who it was. However, the video showed these professionals almost leaning out of their seats in taking the turns. It was as though they wanted to put their knees down on the road surface as they do in racing. I was amused and I believe there were some comments made on this forum about it. All I can say is that ain't the way I do it.

Chris PE# 0004