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Turn like Snow Skiing? Newbie thoughts...
- Thread starter tehrlich
- Start date
tehrlich
New member
Forgot to mention that focusing on weighting the correct sit bone helped my hands begin the turn. As I just sit here typing this, if I put my hands up like on the handlebar, place more weight on the right sit bone, my right hand comes in and my left hand goes out. Both clockwise, or a right turn.
Placing more weight on the left sit bone automatically moves my hands counterclockwise, or a left turn.
Input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Placing more weight on the left sit bone automatically moves my hands counterclockwise, or a left turn.
Input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
ursamajor35126
New member
I haven't analyzed my "sit bones" or my anticipatory movements necessary to drive my Spyder..... however I DO drive aggressively and "carve" my turns. All I know is that if I hang on for dear life the bike twitches and rocks and wiggles in the middle of the curves.... If I let the bike move around under me.... ie: seek it's own "set" and do what it wants to do naturally.... I am confident, relaxed and smiling as I roll on the throttle at the apex and power away like a "real" motorcycle rider.
AS an aside.... when I first bought my spyder I thought the damn thing was trying to kill me every chance it got. As I rode it a few hundred more miles I learned to begin to relax and not muscle the thing around so much..... Now..... Well the smiles say it all...... I love my Spyder and wouldn't change a thing. I have gone on some rides with 2 wheelers on some rather "spirited" rides and I keep up with them on my RT.... If I had an F3 I would lead the way.:yes:
AS an aside.... when I first bought my spyder I thought the damn thing was trying to kill me every chance it got. As I rode it a few hundred more miles I learned to begin to relax and not muscle the thing around so much..... Now..... Well the smiles say it all...... I love my Spyder and wouldn't change a thing. I have gone on some rides with 2 wheelers on some rather "spirited" rides and I keep up with them on my RT.... If I had an F3 I would lead the way.:yes:
AY4B
New member
Dont try to over think your every move. I also did that at first. Just take more rydes and you will find that every time you get on your spyder, you will relax a little more, take more control, and enjoy the ryde. I still like your skiing analogy though. I find myself using that same body movements with my lower body more so than my upper body. Dont over do it though. Experience is the best teacher. Let your Spyder teach you.
tehrlich
New member
Well, it's in my nature to over think a turn. It was how I was "raised!" It's also fun for me to analyze it.
As I've been working on this, I've noticed that I can anticipate the hop if my weight is not in the right place. Skiing isn't any different: get your weight incorrectly between the skis and you are now fighting the skis. I think this applies with the two front wheels of a Spyder, too.
Anyway, I hope this may help some newbies like me.
As I've been working on this, I've noticed that I can anticipate the hop if my weight is not in the right place. Skiing isn't any different: get your weight incorrectly between the skis and you are now fighting the skis. I think this applies with the two front wheels of a Spyder, too.
Anyway, I hope this may help some newbies like me.
Jim's_Spyder
New member
I got mine in Oct last year, just under 2K miles on it. I still catch myself with a death grip on the bars. I have to fight with myself not to do that when I ride.
PistonBlown
Active member
You'll notice with the original GS and the standard RS that the seat is quite curved from side to side - I think this encourages you to transfer your weight around in corners and makes pretty easy to do so. With the RT's, and to a lesser extent the RSS's/ST's, the seat is flatter which makes them more comfortable but I suspect it also stops that initial tendency to move around so it has to be a more conscious thing at first. On my RS I tend to move around quite a bit when cornering, putting my weight not only into the corner but forward to keep that inside front wheel on the ground.
I think your right to hold off getting the swaybar at first. I spent some time with the standard sway bar to really get the feel for it and understand the limitations were before I swapped it. This allowed me to 'fix' my riding style with plenty of safety leeway, and I could then appreciate how much of an improvement the new sway bar was.
I think your right to hold off getting the swaybar at first. I spent some time with the standard sway bar to really get the feel for it and understand the limitations were before I swapped it. This allowed me to 'fix' my riding style with plenty of safety leeway, and I could then appreciate how much of an improvement the new sway bar was.
PrairieSpyder
New member
:agree:
I wish the RT seat was more saddle-like, like the RS. But I manage to shift my weight as needed, especially now that there are floor-boards on which to plant my feet.
wiredgeorge
New member
I am pretty proud of myself when I remember to keep my eyes open in turns.... Like CC said, "Be the ball"!
Ben Burped
New member
Move your butt
I took the official Commonwealth of Virginia trike course on my own RT. They taught me to move my butt as far as possible on the seat toward the inside of turns and definitely move my body weight as far as safely possible toward the inside of turns. Try this sitting still while you get the " hang " of it and then try it in a controlled environment such as an empty parking lot. You will discover amazing things.
I took the official Commonwealth of Virginia trike course on my own RT. They taught me to move my butt as far as possible on the seat toward the inside of turns and definitely move my body weight as far as safely possible toward the inside of turns. Try this sitting still while you get the " hang " of it and then try it in a controlled environment such as an empty parking lot. You will discover amazing things.
tehrlich
New member
I'm at nearly 1000 miles and I feel like I got the hang of the turning in the first 100 miles. I realize many veterans on here are thinking that you don't need to think this much about it, but as a new owner, I disagree. I think this discussion may be valuable for the many lurkers on the site that are thinking about purchasing or have purchased. I know, because I was one of them.
When I initially rode and didn't have the hang of it, it scared me a lot. How was I going to get my kids on this thing with it trying to throw me out of a turn? My initial reaction was to come here and search for answers. I figured out a lot in different thread comments, practiced, watched the BPR videos, and did ALL of their recommended exercises. I became more comfortable. However, I didn't know if I was building bad habits while I was feeling better.
I didn't like the mantra that you just have to ride 30-40 minutes and you'll figure it out. That would be like someone telling a new skier to get on the slopes and you'll figure out how to turn in a few hours. Anyone that has been skiing knows that there are people that know how to turn skis and people that know how to RIDE their skis. Big difference.
As a new owner of something that looks like a "cruiser," I think the psychology of it was that I just had to sit back and ride. I've found quite the opposite, as most do I guess. The more I use my weight on my feet (not standing), the more I'm able to move my upper body and center of mass into the turn, and push/pull the handle bar. The machine tracks perfectly, the inertia is fluid, and it feels just like my skis bending and accelerating out of a turn. I'm no expert, to say the least, but I can at least sense when it feels right.
When I initially rode and didn't have the hang of it, it scared me a lot. How was I going to get my kids on this thing with it trying to throw me out of a turn? My initial reaction was to come here and search for answers. I figured out a lot in different thread comments, practiced, watched the BPR videos, and did ALL of their recommended exercises. I became more comfortable. However, I didn't know if I was building bad habits while I was feeling better.
I didn't like the mantra that you just have to ride 30-40 minutes and you'll figure it out. That would be like someone telling a new skier to get on the slopes and you'll figure out how to turn in a few hours. Anyone that has been skiing knows that there are people that know how to turn skis and people that know how to RIDE their skis. Big difference.
As a new owner of something that looks like a "cruiser," I think the psychology of it was that I just had to sit back and ride. I've found quite the opposite, as most do I guess. The more I use my weight on my feet (not standing), the more I'm able to move my upper body and center of mass into the turn, and push/pull the handle bar. The machine tracks perfectly, the inertia is fluid, and it feels just like my skis bending and accelerating out of a turn. I'm no expert, to say the least, but I can at least sense when it feels right.
tehrlich
New member
I'm still with the stock ride of my 2015 RT Limited, and using my analogy of skiing, I'm guessing this is a very middle of the road setup for someone: average height and weight, and easy riding. This is the same when you ski on a mid-level skis/boots/bindings. I feel like I've maxed out the suspension with my weight (230, 6'4") and pushing the limits, and willing to discover boundaries with the limits. I'm certainly no expert, and I'm thinking of the dynamics of every turn I make. (If that doesn't appeal to you, I understand, but that is my brain working and having fun!)
Actually, I could see myself leaving it as stock if I was 30 pounds lighter and just cruising the neighborhoods and light highway riding. But, I'm sway barring it and adding upgraded shocks of course! Can't wait for those to go on. I know that I'll want it to do more even after that! LOL! I'm already contemplating an F3! :shocked: I need to stay married, though!
Actually, I could see myself leaving it as stock if I was 30 pounds lighter and just cruising the neighborhoods and light highway riding. But, I'm sway barring it and adding upgraded shocks of course! Can't wait for those to go on. I know that I'll want it to do more even after that! LOL! I'm already contemplating an F3! :shocked: I need to stay married, though!
tehrlich
New member
I apologize that I haven't searched more on this, but the tires definitely go through a break-in period. I know to a lot of you that is "obvious" but someone may not know it. I've found that the tires respond a LOT better now that I've put hundreds of miles on them.
However! Are these tires that great? Are there better options? The sidewalls seem soft.
I would very much like any suggestions that the pros have on this.
However! Are these tires that great? Are there better options? The sidewalls seem soft.
I would very much like any suggestions that the pros have on this.
tehrlich
New member
There aren't many "trike only" Basic motorcycle classes in Texas. I took one this weekend near Galveston. It was great because it focused on the Can Am platform and Chris was extremely knowledgeable. I did a two-day private course because I knew that I had detailed questions. He helped me a lot and pushed me hard to find limits. Because it was just the two of us, he let me run the courses more than necessary and coached me on each one. Just a fantastic experience, even in the 104 heat!
A link to their website is here.
A link to their website is here.
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