Conventional vs Reverse Trike Discussion

[UtahPete]

If the GANG couldn't live with my choice of wheels, that pretty much tells you how shallow they are, just because it doesn't have a HD badge on it, I think I would have hung one on the hood and let them chew on that if it had been me!! Peer pressures an evil thing at times.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[pegasus1300]

You could always paint a Harley motor on the side covers. Then you could pretend

 

[BajaRon]

I will ride with anyone who can keep up. I might even wait for you, depending on mood.

 

[lvmyspyder]

You got that right! Didn't take very long either. You don't have to go to college to know when something doesn't work!

I would contend that many of us bear the scars of childhood because of racing our trikes down a local hill or BFF's driveway. Just saying.

 

[lvmyspyder]

Well that sounds like a lot of fun, trying to roll one. I suspect it's the most fun when it's someone else's trike, just in case you end up proving you can - by accident, you understand.

I must admit I'm not that keen even on lifting a wheel on normal public roads, as my wife tends to get a little cross and I don't want to discourage her from riding, as half of the Spyder is hers.

I have only lifted a wheel one time on the Spyder and that was on the this last ride. I was two up and likely a bit heavy and we did a switchback turn and I was not paying enough attention. My daughter and I both said "WHOA" in the cardo system. Bottom line, wheel came back, touched down and we made the turn. It was actually my fault. I got distracted by something off to the side of the road before we entered turn. So the design and safety features of the Spyder definitely helped that situation. There have been other situations caused by car drivers, that I am sure we all realize and experience almost anytime we get on our bikes. What I will say is evasive maneuvers or braking have kept me safe on this bike, whereas if I was on two...the outcome may have been different.

 

[lvmyspyder]

This is for a trike and side-car. I explained how to do it on a Spyder earlier in post #55.

They do make a front brake adaption system for the Spyder, I just looked at one not long ago. It was pretty expensive, but it looked like it was engineered well. For me there are two things that Spyder has going for it. Brembo makes a good braking system. IMHO, that is one thing BRP did right with these bikes (at least my model) Even braking on three wheels with more surface area is another safety factor to consider and having had to lock mine up because some, well idiot pulled out in front of me, I was glad to have that capability. Although the more you ride it and get used to it, having a front brake on a two wheel bike is definitely an advantage as long as the road contact surface is good and its not applied with force before the back brake is applied when stopping, especially in an emergency stop.

 

[lvmyspyder]

If the GANG couldn't live with my choice of wheels, that pretty much tells you how shallow they are, just because it doesn't have a HD badge on it, I think I would have hung one on the hood and let them chew on that if it had been me!! Peer pressures an evil thing at times.

I got quite the ration of grief when I started riding with my buddies; One Wing; Two Harleys; One Indian. What I will say is for fit and finish, I come in last with my Spyder RT. Their bikes are really beautiful. It was all in good fun... but as they got used to me riding with them, the jokes dried up and it was largely due to the questions and answers about the Spyder itself. No clutch lever. Automatic downshifting. Upshifting or downshifting with just my thumb and forefinger. No kickstand to forget. Ability to park on gravel. Not putting my feet down in traffic or at a stop. Somewhat being able to keep up in a straight line (pedal commander helps) Definitely being able to lose them in the corners. Brembo brakes. Storage. Reverse. Just things they would notice, say something about, I would explain what the bike had and was capable of and let them draw their own conclusions. Anyway, we have come to respect what each other rides and what is especially nice about each bike.

 

[BajaRon]

They do make a front brake adaption system for the Spyder, I just looked at one not long ago. It was pretty expensive, but it looked like it was engineered well. For me there are two things that Spyder has going for it. Brembo makes a good braking system. IMHO, that is one thing BRP did right with these bikes (at least my model) Even braking on three wheels with more surface area is another safety factor to consider and having had to lock mine up because some, well idiot pulled out in front of me, I was glad to have that capability. Although the more you ride it and get used to it, having a front brake on a two wheel bike is definitely an advantage as long as the road contact surface is good and its not applied with force before the back brake is applied when stopping, especially in an emergency stop.

Well, not exactly. What the OP was referring to is a dedicated front wheel brake that 2 wheelers have. This gives some resistance and allows the rear wheel to break loose more easily.

The front brake adaptation for the Spyder you are referring to simply activates the same 3-wheel braking system that the right brake pedal sets in motion. Not the same thing. I do not believe there is any way to separate the front from the rear without upsetting the VSS system and putting you into limp mode.

 

[lvmyspyder]

Well, not exactly. What the OP was referring to is a dedicated front wheel brake that 2 wheelers have. This gives some resistance and allows the rear wheel to break loose more easily.

The front brake adaptation for the Spyder you are referring to simply activates the same 3-wheel braking system that the right brake pedal sets in motion. Not the same thing. I do not believe there is any way to separate the front from the rear without upsetting the VSS system and putting you into limp mode.

Thank you for that clarification Ron. You are absolutely correct, the handlebar lever system (better I hope) connects to the main braking actuator on the bike, so it has the same functionality as pressing on the main brake pedal. I agree it would take some doing to separate front and rear braking into separate systems and that would mess with the bike computer system and open up a can of worms, as well as detracting from the better stock system.

 

[BajaRon]

I know it seems like a fine point. But all kinds of people come here for information. Someone might get the wrong idea or I'd not say anything at all.

 

[mecsw500]

Then their was weird bikes like my old Moto Guzzis whereby the front lever operated one front disk and the brake pedal operated the other front brake disk and the rear. Some BMWs I owned had the front lever apply both front and rear brakes balanced by the ABS system and the rear brake pedal just applied the rear. Both appeared odd at first but worked well when you got used to them. I'm used to the Spyder one pedal system now though.