Leaning on a reverse trike

[paws]

I have owned and driven a traditional Gold Wing trike with solid suspension, and my last trike was a traditional Gold Wing with independent suspension. I liked them both.

Both trikes had a rake kit and I had no problems whatsoever with their handling in the twisties or on the interstate.

I now drive a 2021 Spyder RT Ltd... it has power steering... don’t have any problems with its steering either. I like it too.

I believe it is what mindset you are in. If you are not able to change your way of thinking from a previous experience or if you let other people tell you what is right or wrong then you won’t be comfortable in any situation. I highly suggest you test drive the various trikes and/or Spyders to decide for yourself.

 

[cScjhb]

I went from several decades on 2 wheel Goldwings to 3+ years on a 2014 Spyder RTL and now on a Goldwing traditional trike. I did everything I could do to improve the handling and ride characteristics of my Spyder. Including suspension, tire, and sway bar upgrades. It handled very well. Circumstances caused me to go to a traditional trike Goldwing conversion.

My current trike is a California Sidecar with IRS. The CSC trike is wider that most and much wider that a lot of some of the other brands.

Here is my experience on the differences.

The Spyder feels lighter on the road. And it actually is a couple hundred pounds lighter in weight. The Spyder has easier steering both slow and higher speeds. The Spyder follows road tracks/seams/grooves more then the GW. Higher speed turns on the Spyder require more driver participation than the GW. (Leaning, weight transfer, attention to road surface conditions).

The GW is more of just push and pull the bars when cornering. Not much other body activity. There are times when I feel a concern about lifting a wheel in an aggressive corner situation. I just tell myself to "trust the bike" and around the corner we go with no problem.

I have ridden the Spyder in only a moderate amount of rain. Never been in the rain with the GW so no comparison there.

So, after having several thousand miles experience riding both, which one does better on the road, in twisties, in heavy cross winds and overall performance?

Interstate cruising at speed..... I prefer the GW, hands down. It feels (and is) heavier and well planted.

In the twisties..... I wouldn't bet against myself on either bike. They both do well. It's a tie.

Heavy cross winds..... They are both about the same here too. I think the weight of the GW gives it an advantage that is negated by it's larger body profile.

Fuel economy..... Spyder wins here at 40 vs 34. But that is offset by cost because the Spyder takes premium fuel while the GW uses regular.

Preference for long distance touring..... I have done on both bikes. I prefer the GW but both are more than adequate.

There are some that will disagree with my thoughts here. These are just my personal experiences riding a traditional IRS trike and a Spyder. One of my riding buddies swears that a fixed rear axel will out preform IRS in corners. We disagree on that point but still ride together as much as possible. So, everybody is right and everybody is wrong. Different traditional trike models ride and handle differently. And different reverse trike models handle differently. This is an observation of the models I have owned and ridden for several thousand miles each. Hopes this helps..... Jim

 

[NJtony]

Can am

I had a 2017 Can Am F3 LTD when you turn , if you are going right you lean to the right into the turn and squeeze you legs on to the tank if you are going left you lean left and squeeze the tank. The G forces are pushing you the opposite way you are turning , that is why you should lean in to the turns, That bike was stable and as long as you looked in to the turns and leaned in to them.

It take about 300 miles to get used to the bike. Don't have a death grip on the bars. And make sure the bike had a Laser wheel alignment . Have Fun.

 

[RTwing]

I put 35/40 thousand miles on a Spyder [08] And i just drove it like a snowmobile no counter streeing turn the bars where you want to go ....At this point i don't remember leaning in or out..:Shrug:....One thing i can tell you that if you ride scared odds are you will have a death grip on the bars and then if so' The machine will drive you, And to some extent the same with a regular trike....

I agree 100% non trike guys have no idea and the fact it scared him just solidifies that. In general you do ride it like a snowmobile moderate lean but mostly brace with your outbound arm. I build custom reverse trikes and the first question I ask perspective buyers is "have you ever ridden snowmobiles or ATVs?" If yes then I tell them you are good to go otherwise I have to teach them how to ride. The worst are the hard core MC only riders as they just cant seem to figure out how to turn without leaning. I normally tell them to pretend they are mowing the lawn only faster. It's weird