Hyper sensitive steering on F3-T

[Rubyredpearl]

I just purchased a F3-T and it has an unusually hypersensitive steering (meaning I have to be cautious and not make any quick steering movement). This becomes even worse when riding 2 up. Any ideas on what would cause this? Any advise would sure be helpful. Has anyone else ever experienced this problem? I have never rode a Spyder and maybe this is normal.

 

[RayBJ]

Couple things to consider.
1st, You may be holding on too tight. The spyder likes to be guided, not steered. relax your grip and let the spyder settle in. Your body movements will effect the steering if holding tight.
2nd, you may need alignment. It's not always dead on from the dealer and it needs to be.

Others may have more ideas but those 2 are critical.

 

[RICZ]

As mentioned; loose hands on the grips, PLUS loose arms too. I know it's hard - been there - but relax and realize that the steering is sensitive to your smallest inputs.
Definately get that laser alignment. If your's is even just a bit off, you will be surprised at the improvement it will make.
Keep the revs above 3K - these engines love to rev. Avoid "babying" it.
Read the manual cover to cover. Many have had serious things go wrong because they assumed their Spyder is like any other vehicle -- it ain't! Especially where it comes to checking the oil level. Ya gotta do it according to The Book.
Tire pressure is critical -- there's a sticker that gets it in the right zone.
Do not ride the brake pedal -- the Nanny doesn't like it and will punish you.
Have fun, ride hard, enjoy!

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and :congrats: on your new F3-T.

I note that this is your first post on the site.

Others have mentioned your grip maybe being too tight. That is the most likely situation. There is a "learning curve" with the Spyder. Usually, 500 miles and you will be acclimated to your machine.

The F3 is a bit "sportier" than the RT. Quick steering is a plus, and not a minus.

Here is a thread that is worth reading. It is full of information about Spyders for beginners and pros alike.

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

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

As mentioned; loose hands on the grips, PLUS loose arms too. I know it's hard - been there - but relax and realize that the steering is sensitive to your smallest inputs.
Definately get that laser alignment. If your's is even just a bit off, you will be surprised at the improvement it will make.
Keep the revs above 3K - these engines love to rev. Avoid "babying" it.
Read the manual cover to cover. Many have had serious things go wrong because they assumed their Spyder is like any other vehicle -- it ain't! Especially where it comes to checking the oil level. Ya gotta do it according to The Book.
Tire pressure is critical -- there's a sticker that gets it in the right zone.
Do not ride the brake pedal -- the Nanny doesn't like it and will punish you.
Have fun, ride hard, enjoy!

:agree: & :agree: with both above ...... " GUIDED " is the best term for how to steer it ..... JMHO .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Peter Aawen]

All good advice, and just to add a little to it, you might try looking further ahead down the road.

At the risk of trying to teach you (or some; others?) to suck eggs, & regardless of what sort of vehicle you drive/ride... Many drivers/riders never look past the back of the vehicle immediately ahead when they're driving in traffic, so we tend to easily get fixated on the bumps & potholes etc immediately in front of us, then trying to correct for the bumps & bounces or hazards we see only once it's right there ahead of us & we're about to run over it/them, which is faaaarrrr too late for smooth steering inputs - doing that's a sure way to be bobbing & weaving all over the place! :barf: So instead of focussing close in, keep your head up & cast your eye waaaaaay out down the road ahead; as far as you can see where the road goes; then scan all the way back down to the front of your vehicle, checking where & what all the vehicles ahead are doing & developing an idea of the path you want your vehicle to travel & where you want your wheels to go. You should practice this all the time, make it part of every couple of seconds scan that you do of the road ahead, vehicles ahead, potential hazards, instruments, mirrors, vehicles around, vehicles behind, speed & spatial awareness, etc, etc, etc! :thumbup:

If you get into the practice of doing this continual scan out ahead & planning wheel placement/where you want to go etc well before you actually come right up to any specific pothole or hazard, it will become a whole lot easier to gently guide your vehicle down that path - and you might get to the stage of considering alternative paths just in case something turns to custard ahead of you; maybe planning an escape route if that tosser speeding in on a side road doesn't stop; or what evasive manoeuvre you can take besides simply jamming on the brakes & suddenly becoming a mangled bonnet ornament for the Peterbilt that's tailgating right up your clacker if/when someone runs the red light that they hafta have now cos yours just turned green!! :shocked:

Doing this 'scan ahead' thing is particularly helpful on our Spyders/Rykers because of their tendency to be very reactive to the slightest steering input, but if you always scan ahead; plan your path; settle into your seat; engage your core; drop & relax your shoulders & elbows; keep a loose grip on the bars; and gently guide your ryde down the road, you'll very quickly smooth out your steering input & make the whole ryde thing a lot more enjoyable & probably safer too! hyea:

Just putting it out there. :cheers:

 

[RICZ]

Peter is soooo right! My driving/riding mantra is; Swivel eyes, swivel head. Also look as far ahead as is possible at all times. And check the mirrors every 3 to 5 seconds. In other words; Be totally aware of your surroundings at all times.
Here's a tip I get some flack on, but it has saved my fat many times over. I adjust my mirrors to the extreme outboard position, in order to see down the adjacent lanes. I do the same with my car. If I need to see behind me, I only have to move my head a bit. There are reasons I do that: 1. I don't see my arms, just the road and the traffic beside me. 2. In the event I need to make a quick evasive maneuver, I have an excellent view of that lane and what's there or not there. Since my mirrors are flat, I get a realistic perspective for distances. Try it, before you knock it.