Learning to ride this bike: my progress so far

[Monk/Bob]

I made the purchase of a new 2024 RT Limited this summer. With 1,600 miles on it now, I feel like I’m just beginning to get the hang of riding this thing! There is still a lot for me to learn, especially when going through curves. The most important thing, I’m having fun again!!

My big enemy has been the muscle memory from many miles on two wheels. The Spyder is slowly teaching me the new way to handle things. Slowly, because I’m kind of set in my ways, new learning doesn’t come quickly.

I want to thank those that have made comments on other posts trying to educate me on the Spyder way of doing things, especially how to guide it through the turns. There have been several times starting through a curve when the muscle memory would tell me how I should do it, but then the Spyder would begin to wobble a little telling me to STOP DOING THAT!! I very seldom do that anymore

One of my measures of progress in overcoming the ol' muscle memory happened last week. I was doing between 50-60 on a two lane road, when a gust of wind hit from the right side and I immediately without thinking about it countered the wind the way the Spyder has taught me rather than the old two wheel method. Making slow progress, eating that elephant one bite at a time.

Once again, thanks!

Any suggestions on how to improve my ability in the curves would be appreciated!

 

[RayBJ]

If you're hitting the curves in a 'spirited' manner, lean in towards the inside wheel. Prop your outside leg on the floorboard and squeeze your inside thigh against the 'tank'. Do not try to trail-brake or the nanny may complain.

Upgrading the suspension components will make a world of improvements over OEM.

 

[Monk/Bob]

If you're hitting the curves in a 'spirited' manner, lean in towards the inside wheel. Prop your outside leg on the floorboard and squeeze your inside thigh against the 'tank'. Do not try to trail-brake or the nanny may complain.

Upgrading the suspension components will make a world of improvements over OEM.

Thanks, I’ve run across several threads regarding upgrades to improve the handling for the bike. But figured I really need to get where I can handle it pretty well in its present configuration before looking seriously in that direction.

I have always enjoyed running through the curves at a pretty spirited pace. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[fulltimer]

Here is another. What RayBJ said is all true. But for those loooooong slow hiway curves, let the force push you out a little. That will put more force on your outboard arm and make the steering SEEM (it doesn't really change) lighter.

 

[Monk/Bob]

Here is another. What RayBJ said is all true. But for those loooooong slow hiway curves, let the force push you out a little. That will put more force on your outboard arm and make the steering SEEM (it doesn't really change) lighter.

I had already figured some curves by their design might be handled in a different way. Thanks for giving something else to try and work on.

BTW: as I ride the Spyder I use a spot tracker to keep up with where I’ve been, so I will post the link below. As you can see, I have not gotten into much of the technical stuff the Ozarks have to offer, but that is next on my agenda.

Trip: Spyder

SpotWalla is a secure online personal location manager.

spotwalla.com

 

[canamjhb]

All good advice. One thing that took me a long time to "get" was, when leaning into curves, pressing down with the outboard foot, and planting inboard knee firmly on the tank, also use your inboard handlebar to pull you through the curve. This helps you to have your body get over your inboard knee. Early on when learning how to ride the Spyder I was told to push the outboard handlebar. I tried that technique for quite a while. Then I saw that, instead, I should be pulling the inboard handlebar. It made a world of difference, at least for me. I rode 2 wheels for over 50 years and it took me much longer than most to really feel comfortable riding the Spyder in a spirited fashion. But it eventually happened. A few years ago, the push-pull technique was discussed here. One member was very convinced that push was correct and had been doing that (like me) for a long time. Than, he came back on the forum and admitted he switched to the pull technique and found it to be much more stable and comfortable. Just remember, pull instead of push. Good luck..... Jim

 

[TheMariner]

Any suggestions on how to improve my ability in the curves would be appreciated!

Ditch the OEM Kenda front tyres & get some car tyres, then upgrade the swaybar to one of BajaRons. Use the body position ideas suggested by previous posters & you'll be whipping around the corners in no time!

 

[Peder]

My first time riding a Spyder was in November of 2021, the day I picked it up from the dealer. My state requires a 3 wheel endorsement which I did not have and the dealer would not let me test drive it before I purchased it. Fortunately the dealers parking lot is large. I spent about 30 minutes to an hour practicing in the parking lot. When I finally felt confident enough to venture onto the streets, I started to drive it home. At the very first stop I had to make, a huge wave of panic washed over me. I was almost stopped and I had not put a foot down. A half second later, I realized that I was on three wheels and didn't have to to that any more. I still grab for the clutch or the front brake now and then, but not as often as I did in my first year of riding it.

Oh, I finally got my 3 wheel endorsement in 2024. I took a 3 day class that was held in a parking lot at our county fair. They had cones set up for the different skill tests they put us through. I rode my '21 F3-T. On the second day of the class, one of the instructors came over to me and said, "you know you do not have to drive so fast?" I told him, "you set up cones in a parking lot and to me, that says autocross." I got my endorsement.

 

[Little Blue]

Just be patient!!!
The Spyder is all about having some fun on 3 wheels. Yes, there is a learning curve for everyone. I came from the 2 wheel to the 3 wheel.
As you have already experienced this
difference just enjoy the Ryde.

Be Safe and Stay in the Game.

 

[Monk/Bob]

At the very first stop I had to make, a huge wave of panic washed over me. I was almost stopped and I had not put a foot down. A half second later, I realized that I was on three wheels and didn't have to to that any more. I still grab for the clutch or the front brake now and then, but not as often as I did in my first year of riding it.

That huge wave of panic sounds very familiar. Early on it happened to me several times for various reasons. That muscle memory got me into trouble a few times. On the way home, I had gotten into my home town and was working my way through some stop signs. Thankfully, I had chosen back streets with little traffic. At a stop sign turning left, I started the turn and I wasn’t turning!! When I got stopped, I was in somebody’s yard, completely off the street.

They say learning comes from making mistakes!! I made enough on the way home to be a genius, but felt really dumb and had doubts about this old man learning something new.

This community of riders has been very helpful to me to overcome those doubts! I found those feelings were nothing new, others were going through the same thing and a huge number had conquered this thing. That was when I began to believe, I CAN DO THIS!

I don’t post often, but I try to read a lot. Most any subject has been covered multiple times!

 

[baxter]

My advice is to keep your money in your pocket and just get more seat time in. Experience is cheap. These newer bikes are set up quite well from factory. Just learn with what you have, but, that is just me. Then, if you feel the need for some change go for it.

 

[MRH]

I have to disagree with Baxter - the Baja Ron swayer is a must - it will change your ride.

 

[RayBJ]

The sway bar reduces the cross drafts on the slab and tightens the front end in 'spirited' cornering. You'll know when it's time to upgrade.

 

[Cobranut]

My first little moment of panic was when I test rode my F3S-SM6.
The seller showed me the start sequence and the reverse switch, and I started backing out of his driveway.
As I got to the street, I pulled in the clutch and reached for a front brake lever, as I rolled right out into the street.
It took me a few rides to stop looking for that brake lever.

 

[JayBros]

The sway bar reduces the cross drafts on the slab and tightens the front end in 'spirited' cornering. You'll know when it's time to upgrade.

What he said!!!

 

[Deanna777]

When you are going thru a corner, push thru the corner, and lean your weight towards the corner (not too much).

I went from a 2 wheel motorcycle (in 2012) to my first Spyder, in Aug 2012. At that time, I took the motorcycle course, passed it, and had no problems driving my Spyder then. I am currently on my 3rd Spyder (which is a 2023 F3 LTD SS).

I would get a new sway bar (which will help going thru the corners), new tires all around, and a laser alignment.

Deanna

 

[blacklightning]

My advice is to keep your money in your pocket and just get more seat time in. Experience is cheap. These newer bikes are set up quite well from factory. Just learn with what you have, but, that is just me. Then, if you feel the need for some change go for it.

I agree 100%! I have ridden with so many people locally and at the rally in Maggie Valley who have thrown all types of money on their Spyders in the form of shocks, swaybars, etc. And every time I end up waiting for them at the next turnoff. Yes, I did install a swaybar eventually on my 2016 F3T, and there was already one on my 2016 F3L, but they were not the cure all items for going swiftly into the curves. The best thing you can do is to ride, and practice. I am on my 6th Spyder and have about 100k miles of seat time between the 6 of them. I've had everything from a 2012 RSS, a 2014 RT, a 2016 F3T (2 of them), a 2016 F3L, and now, a 2021 RTL. If I had to name one thing that helped with going fast, it would be the Pedal Box or Pedal Commander. And that just gives you better throttle response, no extra power. But even that is not a must. Good luck, and just practice.

 

[pegasus1300]

Although an antique now, my 2012 Spyder RT owners manual came with a section on learning to ride a Spyder. If they still have a section like that, it has details for a great practice course that you can set up. I have a Church across the street from me, and during the week in the afternoons it is empty, so I used that. I used a package of large red cups for cones...