I am asking this in advance of the arrival of a 2008 Spyder. I build high performance cars/motorcycles and the front tire pressures I have seen listed( 14 psi) seem absurdly low. Is that neccessary for the stabilty system to operate? How does it affect wear mileage? Can high performance car tires of a similar size be substituted when the fronts wear out? It is a generally accepted rule of thumb in bikes that, unless you really like rear tire smoke, you would get usually 1 front tire for every 2 rear tires. Those are 35+ psi tires, how does the Spyder compare??
Woodsy
G"day Im new here but have had my spyder for about 6 mths now, I still have motorcycles so I wanted the spyder to handle beter then what it did std.
I started by getting Ikon f/rear shocks much improved but still had body roll,
so I got the sway bar much better But still not happy so I looked at the tyre presure the frount can take 30psi I been told not to go above 18psi but at that amount the tyres what to still roll so I place 25 psi. It makes a harder ride but also makes it go into corners better, lighter steering less roll ect.
Now I have done that I went to a tyre centre and arranged to get a set of Dunlop Silica tyres 185x14x60 fitted to my new rims next week.
Good luck and you will enjoy it"
Regards Darren
Three wheel vehicles are very sensitive to tire pressure and can change handling dramatically. Went to look at buying a Spyder and scarred the crap out of me wobbling all over the road. Having ridden sidecars or 45 yrs told the dealer to put the springs all the way up for my 250 lbs and check the tire pressure. Over inflated at 32 lbs. Getting it stiffer and 15 lbs made it feel like it was on rails and bought one. Two up it really could use better shocks and tire pressure needs to go up to 25 lbs as well.
A lot of owners seem to be settling in at around 18psi up front and 30psi out back... (with the stock tires anyway!) As far as replacements; start out at the suggested settings and flavor to taste! 25psi up front seems a bit high... you might get some choppiness on bumpy roads carrying that much air... Let the sidewalls give just a little bit to soak up irregularities!
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
Just adjusted front shocks to 4 front tp to ~18 and left rear at 29. Immediate difference. We are 2 rather well fed folks, so this was a big change. Much reduced roll and braking was much more even. Like having a new SpYder. Planning a trip to the North Carolina highlands soon, that's where we will sort things out further.
Patrick
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2011 RTS Orbital Blue
2006 Morphous Black
You must be stopping at the same places as me and the Missus!
(So THAT'S why my fuel economy ain't so great...)
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
When I picked up RB1, I told them to put 18 in the front...don't know what is in the rear. I rode it a 100 miles and reduced it to 16 which hurt the handling somewhat. I then put 18 back in and things are better. I will try 30 in the rear and see how it goes.
__________________ My name is George Lewis. I am 79 years old. I live 2 miles from Boerne, TX. I have a 2011 RT-S SE5, and a Gold Wing Motor Trike. I retired from the USAF and Sony Corp.
SAVE THE CHUPACABRA
If you have not been to Luckenbach, TX. your journey is not complete.
Thanks for the info... Please let us know how much air you end up putting in the rear tire!
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...