Wind

[gg194]

New to Spyders and have put about 300 miles on mine and I am surprised at how the wind effects it. Has been pretty windy for most of my riding and have been moved around quite a bit. It is larger than any other bikes I've had. Just wondered if it's just me.

 

[Peteoz]

What type of Spyder are you riding, GG ?

Pete

 

[canamjhb]

It is probably mostly you. Unless you get into very high winds the Spyder is a stable platform. What usually happens is the wind will hit your body causing you to wiggle around to adjust your self. When you do that you are probably moving the handlebars just a bit causing the spyder to react accordingly. If you get into windy conditions it is very important to maintain a very light grip on the handlebars. The Spyder will want to just go straight without any input. In the wind, I'll bet you are hanging on white-knuckling the handlebars. Wrong thing to do. Good luck..... Jim

 

[RICZ]

Give yourself time. Early on in my experience as a new rider, the wind had a lot of fun pushing me around. But now, with almost 2K miles and a laser alignment the wind is just an annoyance and not a problem.

 

[gg194]

Have a '15 RTL. It has been pretty windy. Been riding a long time so understand that I may be some things wrong just out of old habits. Trucks seem to move the bike around more than I would have thought. Not a fast rider so I probably get passed by traffic more than most.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

wind

It is probably mostly you. Unless you get into very high winds the Spyder is a stable platform. What usually happens is the wind will hit your body causing you to wiggle around to adjust your self. When you do that you are probably moving the handlebars just a bit causing the spyder to react accordingly. If you get into windy conditions it is very important to maintain a very light grip on the handlebars. The Spyder will want to just go straight without any input. In the wind, I'll bet you are hanging on white-knuckling the handlebars. Wrong thing to do. Good luck..... Jim

:agree: .... I've had few large Touring bikes over the years and thought that wind at times was noticeable compared to Crotch-rockets .... after I switched to the Spyder platform ( 3 ) I noticed it more frequently .... Imho the amount of tupperware and how it's configured is what does this ..... and a lighter grip actually helps, also make corrections slowly, the steering is quite reactive to inputs ...... good luck and :welcome:.............. Mike :thumbup:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Have a '15 RTL. It has been pretty windy. Been riding a long time so understand that I may be some things wrong just out of old habits. Trucks seem to move the bike around more than I would have thought. Not a fast rider so I probably get passed by traffic more than most.

If you haven't already get it laser aligned. Any misalignment, even within factory specs, will cause the Spyder to jerk around with any handlebar movement.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and :congrats: on your :spyder2:

Here is a good read for those new to the :spyder:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

 

[RICZ]

If you haven't already get it laser aligned. Any misalignment, even within factory specs, will cause the Spyder to jerk around with any handlebar movement.

Will switching to car tires also improve riding in wind?

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Will switching to car tires also improve riding in wind?

I can't honestly say. My 2013 RT still had the Kendas on the front when I sold it so I don't know how car tires would have compared. The original Kendas on my 2014 RT had a constant pull to the right so I replaced them at 14,500 miles. I know cross winds cause very little problem for me. I have Continental Conti ProContacts on the front. Sidewalls on the car tires are stiffer so that should make a difference.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I can't honestly say. My 2013 RT still had the Kendas on the front when I sold it so I don't know how car tires would have compared. The original Kendas on my 2014 RT had a constant pull to the right so I replaced them at 14,500 miles. I know cross winds cause very little problem for me. I have Continental Conti ProContacts on the front. Sidewalls on the car tires are stiffer so that should make a difference.

:agree: ... but only to a certain point .... yes car tires in general have stiffer sidewalls .... after all they are designed for much higher weight loads .... My question would be what amount of WIND PRESSURE would need to be created to have an effect on ANY tire, be they Kenda's or Auto tires ..... I have learned over many, many years that I NO longer have any Faith in " well it feels like " ( although REAL Race Car drivers have inputs that are worth hearing, for example the Ford GT 40 race car would have taken years longer to beat Ferrari without Ken Miles input ) ..... actual instrument testing is what would be needed ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[GoldenSpyder]

New to Spyders and have put about 300 miles on mine and I am surprised at how the wind effects it. Has been pretty windy for most of my riding and have been moved around quite a bit. It is larger than any other bikes I've had. Just wondered if it's just me.

Air pressure in front tires makes a BIG difference, also. Try running around 20 psi. That should make quite a difference.