[INSY]

Hello to everyone.
I took delivery of my very red SE5 two months ago and am really enjoying the total package offered by this awesome machine. The number of units sold locally (Johannesburg South Africa)is not that many, the upshot of which is that wherever one goes on the "trike", a crowd is guaranteed. Passing motorists hoot, flash lights or wave enthusiastically all the time. Weird in the beginning but getting used to it now. Now to my question. Weighing in at a serious 52Kg in full riding gear I have set the front and rear susension settings to the No.1 position. (68Kg)
Reading this and other forums I have noted comment that cornering at speed is improved by the
"stiffening up" of the front suspension. As I weigh 16Kg less than the lowest setting my presumption is that I already have a stiff front setting (relevant to body weight)on the lowest position. Could someone with more experience in this department possibly advise/comment on this as well as confirm the correlation between the front and rear suspension. I.E. do both have to be on the same setting for technical reasons.
Finally, due to the automatic change down through the box, I generally slow down using only compression. A friend (Harley)riding behind me the other day pointed out that I should touch the brakes when doing this in order to activate the rear brake light and warn traffic in my wake that I am slowing down otherwise they have to brake suddenly when they are almost under the number plate. Nice talking to everyone.

[tjfischer]

INSY, on 16 November 2009 - 07:10 AM, said:

Hello to everyone.
I took delivery of my very red SE5 two months ago and am really enjoying the total package offered by this awesome machine. The number of units sold locally (Johannesburg South Africa)is not that many, the upshot of which is that wherever one goes on the "trike", a crowd is guaranteed. Passing motorists hoot, flash lights or wave enthusiastically all the time. Weird in the beginning but getting used to it now. Now to my question. Weighing in at a serious 52Kg in full riding gear I have set the front and rear susension settings to the No.1 position. (68Kg)
Reading this and other forums I have noted comment that cornering at speed is improved by the
"stiffening up" of the front suspension. As I weigh 16Kg less than the lowest setting my presumption is that I already have a stiff front setting (relevant to body weight)on the lowest position. Could someone with more experience in this department possibly advise/comment on this as well as confirm the correlation between the front and rear suspension. I.E. do both have to be on the same setting for technical reasons.
Finally, due to the automatic change down through the box, I generally slow down using only compression. A friend (Harley)riding behind me the other day pointed out that I should touch the brakes when doing this in order to activate the rear brake light and warn traffic in my wake that I am slowing down otherwise they have to brake suddenly when they are almost under the number plate. Nice talking to everyone.

Welcome, and congratulations on your new Spyder.

That is quite a first post. It sounds to me like the front shocks are in the right position for you. Do to the fact that you are such a light weight, The inside edges of your front tires will porbably wear faster than the rest of the tire. The reason I say this is the Spyder front tires cante outward at the top of the tire, when it is just parked. When a rider sits on the Spyder they adjust to straight up and down. With you being so light, they are probably still canted out, when you sit on the Spyder.

The rear suspesion does not have to be adjusted the same. It is relative to the weight on the back end of the Spyder. The setting should be fine where its at. Now if you add saddle bags, a passenger and what not, you may want to increase the spanner in order to accomidate the added weight.

As far as breaking going into a turn. I only do it if I have to. The person behind you should be prepared for you to break if need be. You should not have to warn them to say, "Hey, I might slow down, be ready." Normally I do as you do. Off the accelrator, then down shift to give me more torque, then accelerate through the turn (more fun).

If you are still concerned about the Suspension, you may want to look at after market Shocks. There are a couple of Companies that make some great after market shocks that are easier to adjust and are made to your weight and riding style. Although, they can be quite pricey. Personnelly I have ELKA shocks on mine. The greatly improve the handling and the overall comfort of the ride.

Again welcome and enjoy your ride.

[INSY]

Thank you for the response. I will keep an eye on the tyre wear which is a point I had not considered.
On the matter of fitting after market shocks, I have to say that locally, the availability of anything that is not stock has to be imported at a premium. Unlike USA/Canada the market here is too small for a sustainable "after market". I will check whether ELKA have a local agent and take it from there. By the way, have you replaced front and back shocks or just the front? On the brake light issue, it applies mainly to slowing down when coming to a complete stop.
Ride safe.

[tjfischer]

INSY, on 17 November 2009 - 01:10 AM, said:

Thank you for the response. I will keep an eye on the tyre wear which is a point I had not considered.
On the matter of fitting after market shocks, I have to say that locally, the availability of anything that is not stock has to be imported at a premium. Unlike USA/Canada the market here is too small for a sustainable "after market". I will check whether ELKA have a local agent and take it from there. By the way, have you replaced front and back shocks or just the front? On the brake light issue, it applies mainly to slowing down when coming to a complete stop.
Ride safe.

I replaced my shocks all around. I am very happy with the investment.