Wind

[Bob Denman]

A lot of folks seem to want to be quick on the trigger when it comes to thinking that Elkas will solve everything from a wobbly RT, to bad breath and ringworm... :joke:
The fact is; getting the riding style sorted out will do as much or more; for an awful lot less money! :thumbup:
But Elkas ARE a nice addition... :shocked:

 

[CyncySpyder]

Not sure if you've seen this thread, but its the BEST for New Spyder Ryders

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

As for the wind issue, once you learn to relax your grip, and stabilize yourself more with your knees against the seat than on the grips, you'll notice that YOU start swaying and NOT so much the :spyder:

:yes:Teddy and I call it "Dance'n In The Seat" :yes:

​

You'll do a little jig in the seat, and depending on how crowned the roads are that you are ryding, you may also notice the :f_spider: wants to go left or right of center and if you think about it, that totally makes sense. Many roads get the 'Crowning' effect from all the cars, trucks & semis having only 2 tracks, and the :f_spider: having 3 seperate tracks, with the middle tire being in the center and up on top of the 'Crown' it makes sense that its going to want to 'slide' off the top of the crown and back into the 'rut'. And that's ok as long as you keep a light grip on the handlebars and stabilize yourself with your knees, you'll find the :spyder: will track pretty well straight, with you doing a little jig in your seat

:yes: RELAX & ENJOY THE RYDE :yes:​

 

[dannymax]

A lot of folks seem to want to be quick on the trigger when it comes to thinking that Elkas will solve everything from a wobbly RT, to bad breath and ringworm... :joke:
The fact is; getting the riding style sorted out will do as much or more; for an awful lot less money! :thumbup:
But Elkas ARE a nice addition... :shocked:

They won't.....are you saying they won't?? :yikes:

Well that's just GREAT!! :gaah: :banghead:

 

[Rar]

Many thanks for all of these helpful suggestions. :bowdown:

Hubby changed the shock setting to 5 and increased the front tire PSI to 17. I'll see if that helps with the wind. Wouldn't you know it isn't very windy today.

Will the increased shock setting make the steering less responsive in curves? :dontknow:

 

[Rar]

@ Dave: right now, I can't picture dancing in the seat, but I sure do know what you're saying with the way the roads are crowned. I'll have to keep thinking on this.

 

[Huntindawg1962]

you are getting a lot of suggestions - so I will add one more.

Just keep driving it and see if with another 1000 miles you still feel the same way? Lots of things you can do - some costing money - but you may find that after you get more time in the saddle you are not as concerned. Loosen the grip but that too will come with time. Been there myself and now I just dont even notice it.

Checking tire and rear suspension settings is always good (and free to do).

 

[harrypottar]

I have to ask. Are the ones hav ing a problem with wind newto riding? I own several bikes & a 2012 limited. I have factory shocks & settings. With the
cruise on I take my hands off the bars for miles at a time only reaching up to make minor adjustments in my lane. This is at 75-85 MPH. Just relax. The spyder will handle the wind. I don't mean to sound harsh. I just really don't have this problem. Its not a car. You do feel the environment

This your road expearance coming into play, as a sessioned rider myself I don't have the issue. A lot of new riders/ new to three wheels will tend to grip the handlebars and hold on for dear life, it only natural. Once they get some time in the seat you tend to relax your grip. I have some very fond memories of riding through Europe many years ago on two wheels, once we where riding at 45 degree angle in an extremely strong cross wind in monsoon rain. So riding the Spyder in a cross wind with three wheel support is a breeze.

To the O.P. you have some great advice already posted here. I run stock shocks set at 4 with 18 psi in my front tires and it handles really well. I've been told that stock shocks are only good for 20,000 miles or so, figured I would ride on them until they need to be replaced, then pony up for the Elkas. Get some more time in the seat and you will relax you grip as you become more confident with your spyder.

Harry

 

[dannymax]

Many thanks for all of these helpful suggestions. :bowdown:

Hubby changed the shock setting to 5 and increased the front tire PSI to 17. I'll see if that helps with the wind. Wouldn't you know it isn't very windy today.

Will the increased shock setting make the steering less responsive in curves? :dontknow:

No, just the opposite....but it will take the 'yee and yaw' out of cornering. Sounds like your tire pressure was kinda low if he went 'up' to 17 psi....I run 22 in my front tires.

Head out the Military Tpk towards E'Burg, that's a good testing ground for handling! :thumbup:

 

[Rar]

No, just the opposite....but it will take the 'yee and yaw' out of cornering. Sounds like your tire pressure was kinda low if he went 'up' to 17 psi....I run 22 in my front tires.

Head out the Military Tpk towards E'Burg, that's a good testing ground for handling! :thumbup:

What a coincidence you mentioned that direction. That's exactly where Hubby is taking me today. I lowered my windshield too. Wind is picking up, so it will be a good test.

 

[dannymax]

What a coincidence you mentioned that direction. That's exactly where Hubby is taking me today. I lowered my windshield too. Wind is picking up, so it will be a good test.

:thumbup: Then take a left over that way and go over West Mt. (think that's what it's called) the wind never stops up there! Actually, there might even be some windmills up there now....heard they are all over up that way. :dontknow:

Have a good ride, relax, you'll do just fine. :2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :2thumbs:
Danny,
I do know a good doctor if you need some... "help"... :shocked: :roflblack:

 

[flybuddy]

There's a lot of good advice here that most of us went through while relearning how to ride. Some is this is intrinsic to the Spyder though--it's not all the riders fault. For instance, the Elkas really do help as they stiffen the too soft suspension & raise the bike changing the camber. Recommended tire pressures are too soft, windscreen too tall. The BRP sport screen or the calsci screen help. That said, experience will be the real key to this as you gain confidence.
One thing that goes on is the turbulence felt by the rider coupled with minor movement usually cause the rider to tighten up and start over controlling. IMO, the biggest benefit of the calsci screen is that it is much wider which dampens the turbulence felt by the rider thereby reducing overcontrolling. There is an issue in flying called PIO (pilot induced oscillation). Years back I had built a Varieze which is small, weird looking canard aircraft. It was very sensitive and on my first take off I got into a wild PIO with it bucking up and down. The conventional wisdom to correct this was to let go of the stick completely and simply trim it and that actually worked. In the Spyder, the rider causes much the same thing when gusty winds or a passing trailer causes undo turbulence. We can't let go but we can go to a very light grip on the bars which will slow down and dampen the perceived darting effect. Bottom line, experience will get you through this. I had same issues at first. I rode the last few days where we still have wicked winds from Isaac and I have no control concerns whatsoever and feel very comfy. Also, if you've got the bucks, buy the Elkas.

 

[bluestratos]

Lol.. get the Elkas, nothing else will get rid of the side wind effect, I live in a windy area and I know from experience, nothing else comes close to solving the issue and no, it will not void the warranty, the dealer lists them as an option.

Take care,

Randy

 

[rcturner]

I have to ask. Are the ones hav ing a problem with wind newto riding? I own several bikes & a 2012 limited. I have factory shocks & settings. With the
cruise on I take my hands off the bars for miles at a time only reaching up to make minor adjustments in my lane. This is at 75-85 MPH. Just relax. The spyder will handle the wind. I don't mean to sound harsh. I just really don't have this problem. Its not a car. You do feel the environment

Not everyone (if anyone) is new to riding. I have ridden more than 200,000 miles on Goldwings, Ultra Classics, Voygers, etc. When I got my Spyder this spring, it was the windy part of spring weather here in Minnesota. For the first 300 or 400 miles, I was concerned that I may have made a mistake with this purchase. After the initial miles, I am sure it was a good purchase and I have no concerns about driving it in strong winds. The problem was simply the difference between driving the three wheeled Spyder compared to the two wheeled Goldwing I traded in. Plus, I increased the air pressure to 18 lbs and raised the shocks to the fourth setting.

 

[dannymax]

:agree: :2thumbs:
Danny,
I do know a good doctor if you need some... "help"... :shocked: :roflblack:

We may need to talk Bob!! :roflblack::roflblack::gaah::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Stiffer shocks and more front pressure will make the bike more responsive, maybe too much. I use shock setting 4 and 18 psi in the front, 28 psi in the back with adjustable rear air shock at low middle for solo to high middle for two up (wife is only 120 pounds). I ride a 2012 RT which has slightly better shocks. When I had a '09 RS I used the same settings.

 

[MIKIE & DEE]

wind movement

I had the same problem with the wind .I fought the wind all the time ,when i was behind a truck it would blow me all over.My wife talked me into a new full face helment whith a full cover and a sun screen ,i could'nt beleive the differance the wind problem whent away ! the problem was not the spyder as much as it was blowing my head around causing me to move my body and arms!:yes:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Exactly right, I agree

 

[Rar]

:thumbup: Then take a left over that way and go over West Mt. (think that's what it's called) the wind never stops up there! Actually, there might even be some windmills up there now....heard they are all over up that way. :dontknow:

Have a good ride, relax, you'll do just fine. :2thumbs:

Yes, we went by the windmills. They were amazing. I felt like I was in another world. I want to go back again, get a closer look (though they are really close to the road) and take pictures. I considered the winds strong. the weather channel said winds were 12-15, with gusts of 28, and that was in Plattsburgh. They were likely stronger in that area.

tried to remember everything posted here and feel I did okay, except for the gusts. I lowered my windshield. While it seems to help with the wind, it gives the illusion that my line of vision was cut in half. (like bifocals). The gusts however were a different story. Every time there was a gust, I automatically grabbed the handlebars tighter to hold on Of course, the Spyder responded with a jerk.

More practice.

 

[dannymax]

Yes, we went by the windmills. They were amazing. I felt like I was in another world. I want to go back again, get a closer look (though they are really close to the road) and take pictures. I considered the winds strong. the weather channel said winds were 12-15, with gusts of 28, and that was in Plattsburgh. They were likely stronger in that area.

tried to remember everything posted here and feel I did okay, except for the gusts. I lowered my windshield. While it seems to help with the wind, it gives the illusion that my line of vision was cut in half. (like bifocals). The gusts however were a different story. Every time there was a gust, I automatically grabbed the handlebars tighter to hold on Of course, the Spyder responded with a jerk.

More practice.

Yeah, more practice is what's called for and after awhile your :ani29: will feel more stable to you and your confidence will build.

'Another world' is how someone else described those windmills! I've heard some people that live near them actually have mental issues....like there's aliens constantly looking down on them! Or maybe the mental issues came BEFORE the windmills....:dontknow: