[woodz428]

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

 

[ozbits1]

Tyres

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

 

[ozbits1]

tyres

Fitted the Dunlop tyres to the Spyder, they fit very well and fill the fenders well,

 

[Dave711]

how do they handle and at what pressure?

 

[Skytour]

Watch tire pressure

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.

 

[Bob Denman]

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!

 

[Three not 8]

Tire pressure

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

 

[Bob Denman]

...We are 2 rather well fed folks,...
Patrick

You must be stopping at the same places as me and the Missus!

(So THAT'S why my fuel economy ain't so great...)

 

[BIG RED 1]

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.

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the info... Please let us know how much air you end up putting in the rear tire!

 

[dndfindley]

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.

Do you ride the Burgman much? My wife has a Yamaha T-Max and I ride it probably more than she does although I don't ride it as much as I do the Spyder I like it, smooth, comfortable, quiet, very powerful for a maxi-scooter and probably the most nimble maxi-scooter out there. David

 

[Leatherneck]

When I picked up my wife's Spyder from the dealer the shocks were set at 3, front tire pressure was at 12 psi and the rear was at 20 psi. Going down the highway it drifted bad on curves and I had to get off the throttle to stay in the lane. Now the front shocks are set at 4 (going to put to 5 when a part for one of the shocks comes in) and the tire pressures are at 20 psi in the front and 30 in the read. Handles very nice now.
I have a buddy that runs 14 psi in the front and I noticed his tires are worn out on the inside. He had the alignment checked and was told it was within limits. The dealer called the manufacturer and they told him he had to be running his pressures too low. He's still fighting that battle.

 

[Spyder-sense]

I'm running the fronts at 20 and the rear at 25. Bought my '09 used with 8500 miles on it. My original fronts are also worn on the inside. Right tire more so than the left. Low tire pressure does not cause this type of wear with "in spec" alignment.
The more likely issue is that there is no camber adjustment on Spyders. Negative camber will definitely cause early wear to the inside of the tread.

How difficult would it have been for BRP to put two heim joints or eccentric mounts on the upper A arms??? Maybe they did it intentionally for improved handling. Neg camber is your friend.

I live in the desert where the only 90 degree curves have stop signs or traffic lights. If I hear the word Dragon one more time, I'm gonna quit my job and go for a long long ride!

Spyder-sense

 

[dndfindley]

I'm running the fronts at 20 and the rear at 25. Bought my '09 used with 8500 miles on it. My original fronts are also worn on the inside. Right tire more so than the left. Low tire pressure does not cause this type of wear with "in spec" alignment.
The more likely issue is that there is no camber adjustment on Spyders. Negative camber will definitely cause early wear to the inside of the tread.

How difficult would it have been for BRP to put two heim joints or eccentric mounts on the upper A arms??? Maybe they did it intentionally for improved handling. Neg camber is your friend.

I live in the desert where the only 90 degree curves have stop signs or traffic lights. If I hear the word Dragon one more time, I'm gonna quit my job and go for a long long ride!

Spyder-sense

Come on over! We'd love to have you. You don't have to quit your job, just take a few days off and ride over. When you get here give me a call and I'll give you a personal tour of the Dragon. David