Cornering on the Can-Am Spyder

[Gene Middleton]

New rider here for a trike. As my 2009 Can-Am Spyder doesn't lean I've been wondering how fast one might be able to make a turn at a 90 degree intersection before one might have to worry about a roll over due to too fast an entry. I've heard that there is a built in safety feature that reduces power when the machine realizes that the "idiot" rider is about to kill it or himself. I do not want to be over reliant on a built in safety feature.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Gene Middleton
New Cumberland, PA

[SpyderL]

Originally Posted by Gene Middleton

New rider here for a trike. As my 2009 Can-Am Spyder doesn't lean I've been wondering how fast one might be able to make a turn at a 90 degree intersection before one might have to worry about a roll over due to too fast an entry. I've heard that there is a built in safety feature that reduces power when the machine realizes that the "idiot" rider is about to kill it or himself. I do not want to be over reliant on a built in safety feature.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Gene Middleton
New Cumberland, PA

I dont think there is a magic mph answer to your question. Road surface conditions, riders size, how much you shift your body weight, tire wear, tempature of pavement ect. all together would determine that. There is that stability control, but I wouldnt depend on that. I am a new rider also, I have probably rode 2000 miles so far. Experience for yourself is the best. I am doing corners and curves at much higher speeds then when i first got my spyder. I think you have to learn for yourself thru expierence, how the spyder corners and reacts. Enjoy your new ride!

[Paladin]

90%

hehe you go too fast and "granny" will say you been a bad boy and shut you down till she likes you again

Spyders are nothing like a normal cycle when it comes to cornering, trial and error are the only way to learn but keep in the back of your mind "granny" is watching

[Bob Denman]

Let's face it... If you're new to the bike; trying to figure out how fast you can take a corner before the coroner is going to be called seems a bit reckless... Take your time getting comfortable with the bike and you'll learn where the limits are without taking chances... We don't want to read about you on the front page of the local paper...
Granny or Nanny will keep a hand on your shoulder when you need it; but that doesn't mean that you can't get yourself in a world of hurt if you really try...
Nanny has kicked in about 2 times on my Spyder. One time on a sand-covered road I took a turn a bit hot and the front slid out about 6 inches and the rear wanted to fishtail a bit... I felt the power drop off just like somebody pulled a sparkplug wire. The second time I "squared-off" a reverse camber turn and the inside wheel lifted about a foot off the ground. The power dipped and the wheel settled back down just like nothing had ever happened.

[spyderdave]

As a rule of thumb, a Sypder will handle most corners at similar speeds to the average car or a little faster. If you are pushing to fast and lift the inside tire, then the VSS will kick in and bring you back to 3 wheels on the ground. I have not had that happen yet. For the most part, smooth cornering skills will help keep the speed up.

[Gene Middleton]

Hi SpyderL, Paladin, Bob d., Spyderdave:

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. And no Bob, it is not my desire to be involved with the coroner in the process of understanding the cornering characteristics.

Being an old airplane "driver" I like trying to get as much info. on handling characteristics of a new bird as possible as I begin to put it through the paces.

Oversight on my part that I neglected to mention that I weigh in at 210 lbs which is significant in the weight and balance calculations.

I've got about a 1000 miles under my belt and plan to still take it slow in the corners till I know the "feel" better. At age 66 there is no hurry.

Thank you all for your help.

Best wishes,

Gene

[Paladin]

kewl

keep us posted on how your doing

[Bob Denman]

Hiya Gene,
I wasn't aware of the background or reasons for your question... No insult was intended.

I'm uhhhh... "about" 210 myself... The Spyders do handle pretty darn well; your own personal "Tilt-O-Meter" will probably scream for mercy before the bike is ready to break a sweat...

I know that mine always is!

[Paladin]

210? bah

sheesh light weights here or what?

[sassapnts]

Welcome, Gene!

Shifting your hip and weight a bit to the inside of the turn helps, as well. At least it keeps me from feeling like my Spyder is trying to throw me!