What about Riders 1st motorcycle being a Spyder?

[Tomline]

I know a lot of Spyder Ryders, including myself, have ridden two wheels for a number of years before going to their Spyder. I wonder sometimes seeing other Spyder Ryders? What I mean is somebody with "No Two Wheel Experience" buys and jumps on a Spyder with the mindset being "Hey, I don't have to worry about falling over! I don't have to worry about the Spyder sliding out from under me on corners & curves! I don't have to worry about braking,I just step down on the brake pedal and come to a stop! Anybody can ride one of these things!" Comments?

[youngers]

well with that mind set --- they will know what being thrown off the cycle in a curve will do ! if the person has never really ridden a cycle before they have a big learning curve to catch up on , speed , braking , waning lights , normal stuff other cycle riders have already went through ... now if the said person starts out slow , just riding the local neighbor hood , getting use to the cycle , getting a little more comfortable with all the things that are located on the handle bars ( ex: horn , mode, up and down switch , push to talk switch --- if they have this option , lights --- you get the idea ) they will be more excited about riding than being afraid of what if`s ... ( unless they are just ummmmmm to put it nicely ---- lost their minds , to not be afraid of things they can not prevent ) ---- deer , dogs , damp roadways --- other drivers in cars .... just to start the conversation !

[al0vely]

I haven't encountered that person but I am sure they exist. Unfortunately some states do not require Spyder drivers to have a motorcycle license and that situation could lead to the driver you described. IMO all 2 or 3 wheel cyclist should be required to take the MSF class as part of the licensing process - and the license should be required in all states.

[Bob Denman]

The motorcycling experience is far more complex than simply not having to worry about putting the bike on the handlebar end caps...
Folks that start and end with Spyders; have missed a lot more than they could ever imagine.

[MR. H1956]

The motorcycling experience is far more complex than simply not having to worry about putting the bike on the handlebar end caps...
Folks that start and end with Spyders; have missed a lot more than they could ever imagine.

I agree. There is nothing more fun and a total rush than going up a twisty road scraping your foot pegs and cranking back on the throttle and just totally getting a head rush of pure excitement. But spyders have a way of getting you to that same head rush. Just in a different way. And a safer way. So for a new rider its all a learning curve. Time to learn and experience the thrill of riding. Takeing it slow and steady is the best way to go.

[Don'tPanic]

I've never owned a motorcycle, but always wanted one, and yeah, I bought the Spyder with all those safety things you mentioned in mind.

Now, having said that, I took MSF course, bought a dozen or so books and read them all, including "Twist of the wrist" and "Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well". I don't have false premises of being invincible, and I exercise defensive riding at all times. I lean my body in the curves, push off the opposite peg and handlebar and relax my grip while riding. I don't speed and use my peripheral vision to scan 12 seconds ahead of me.

So, keeping all that in mind, I do feel that Spyders are intrinsically safer that two-wheelers - they have a bigger presence on the road, so you have a better chance of people actually seeing you, they won't slide from under you on gravel, sand or wet leaves, eliminating the chance of low-siding, they won't throw you off their backs if you lock up the rear wheel, reducing the chance of high-siding. Since I have a family and I'm delusional enough to think that I'm somewhat of a responsible person, all those safety features were important to me. Lane splitting is not legal in my state anyway, so I don't feel bad that I could have zipped through the traffic if I had two wheels.

Now, in the six months of owning the F3 I can tell you for a fact that if I purchased a "proper" motorcycle I would have already been down twice - once on a reducing radius curve where I entered too fast, I felt nanny save my butt, cut the power and applied the brakes for me (it was a really tight turn on an unknown to me road, with trees blocking the view of the curve) - I would have been down on a two-wheeler there. Second time when I tried to "rev-match" while downshifting and popped the clutch - the rear wheel locked up. The Spyder just plowed through, while the two-wheeler would have thrown me off.

So yeah, I'm enjoying my rydes with the confidence Can-Am built into my three-wheeler, and my kids don't have to visit me in the hospital

...just my two cents.

[Bob Denman]

I've never owned a motorcycle, but always wanted one, and yeah, I bought the Spyder with all those safety things you mentioned in mind...
..So, keeping all that in mind, I do feel that Spyders are intrinsically safer that two-wheelers - they have a bigger presence on the road, so you have a better chance of people actually seeing you, they won't slide from under you on gravel, sand or wet leaves, eliminating the chance of low-siding, they won't throw you off their backs if you lock up the rear wheel, reducing the chance of high-siding...
...So yeah, I'm enjoying my rydes with the confidence Can-Am built into my three-wheeler, and my kids don't have to visit me in the hospital

...just my two cents.

100% with your assessment of how and why Spyders are safer than the "leaners"/
But it sure is fun, to lay the edge of a floorboard or peg on the pavement in a long sweeper, and watch the sparks fly...
Motorcycles and Spyders are completely different in many ways: yet they are also very similar in a lot of others.

[Bfromla]

I haven't encountered that person but I am sure they exist. Unfortunately some states do not require Spyder drivers to have a motorcycle license and that situation could lead to the driver you described. IMO all 2 or 3 wheel cyclist should be required to take the MSF class as part of the licensing process - and the license should be required in all states.

The MSF class should just about be required for the basic license just to drive! Maybe then they would see us more

[Tomline]

Thanks for all the replies to my post! Glad to see all the different experiences on two wheels and three and the"Mindset" that my fellow Spyders have! Take Care and Have a Safe Ride!

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

I guess I am one of the few whose first ride was a Spyder. I have bad knees, ankles and feet and didn't feel like dropping a bike while stopped at a red light. Got my permit on a Wednesday, bought The Beast on Saturday, got my license on Tuesday. Rode it home 180 miles from the dealers on I40 through central NC. Zero problems. I didn't take any safety courses. I have always had the ability to anticipate trouble since I always watch the traffic around me more than the road. It works the same on the Spyder.

[davehirst]

I haven't encountered that person but I am sure they exist. Unfortunately some states do not require Spyder drivers to have a motorcycle license and that situation could lead to the driver you described. IMO all 2 or 3 wheel cyclist should be required to take the MSF class as part of the licensing process - and the license should be required in all states.

Listen, I don't have a problem with everyone getting a license, but requiring the MSF course in my opinion should not be a requirement. If the insurance company wants to give a discount for it , so be it, but to require it is not necessary. When I started riding, you didn't need a helmet or license. I have been riding since 1966. I put have put alot of miles on bikes and my Spyder, as have most of my riding buddies, none of which have had the MSF. It all comes down to common sense, and learning on your own. As I have seen from some college grads, education doesn't equal smart!

[TRBorslien]

It should not be a requirement.

I took the MSF course years ago after I already had my license and years of 2-wheeler experience. I learned some things and felt that I was a better rider for it.

Fast forward to the Spyder, I would love to take a 3-wheeler MSF course, but I can't seem to find one here. The wife and I will have to look into a road trip to join one!

[SilverFox1]

I’ve been ryding motorcycles of all kinds since the mid sixties. Motocross, enduros, street bikes, big ones and small ones. I even raced motocross’s. Rode a 1949 Indian with “suicide shift”. No accidents. Not even a speeding ticket. Insurance asked me if I had a riders’ course. I said no. It didn’t exist back then! So they charge me extra for not having a certificate. I probably have more experience than the instructor has but still. WHAAAAAt?

SilverFox

[Raprider]

It should not be a requirement.

I took the MSF course years ago after I already had my license and years of 2-wheeler experience. I learned some things and felt that I was a better rider for it.

Fast forward to the Spyder, I would love to take a 3-wheeler MSF course, but I can't seem to find one here. The wife and I will have to look into a road trip to join one!

Tony and others interested...you may be able to find some info re a 3-wheeler course here (copied from the BRP site).
I'm taking the 3WBRC course here in NJ in 2 weeks...and happy to have about 450-odd saddle smiles plus whatever I rack up this weekend.


For a limited time, learn to ride for only $75^*.Choose your location and sign up to a class available near you.

A Can-Am Spyder will be provided for the duration of the course at no extra cost.
For questions about the Can-Am Spyder Rider Education Program, call 1 (855) 257-3563.
The program is rolling out in several states. If you want to be informed when the offer is available near you, click here.

[Hawk1966]

Listen, I don't have a problem with everyone getting a license, but requiring the MSF course in my opinion should not be a requirement.

FL's made it law -
"Starting on July 1, 2008 the State of Florida requires that new Motorcyclists (regardless of age) must take and pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Training Program before they get a motorcycle only license or can have the Motorcycle Endorsement added to their drivers license."

[ofdave]

FL's made it law -
"Starting on July 1, 2008 the State of Florida requires that new Motorcyclists (regardless of age) must take and pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Training Program before they get a motorcycle only license or can have the Motorcycle Endorsement added to their drivers license."

a trike only license endorsement is available in FL. With that, you cannot ride 2 wheels, only 3.
A trike/sidecar course is required, not a motorcycle (2 wheel) course.
A motorcycle endorsement allows you to ride 2 or three wheels (even with no 3 wheel training).

[Hawk1966]

I know a lot of Spyder Ryders, including myself, have ridden two wheels for a number of years before going to their Spyder. I wonder sometimes seeing other Spyder Ryders? What I mean is somebody with "No Two Wheel Experience" buys and jumps on a Spyder with the mindset being "Hey, I don't have to worry about falling over! I don't have to worry about the Spyder sliding out from under me on corners & curves! I don't have to worry about braking,I just step down on the brake pedal and come to a stop! Anybody can ride one of these things!" Comments?

I intend hope to be that person. . . well, without the indestructible mindset.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I know a lot of Spyder Ryders, including myself, have ridden two wheels for a number of years before going to their Spyder. I wonder sometimes seeing other Spyder Ryders? What I mean is somebody with "No Two Wheel Experience" buys and jumps on a Spyder with the mindset being "Hey, I don't have to worry about falling over! I don't have to worry about the Spyder sliding out from under me on corners & curves! I don't have to worry about braking,I just step down on the brake pedal and come to a stop! Anybody can ride one of these things!" Comments?

After reading all the comments above, I will agree a person needs to use do care, as with anything that can Kill someone ( you or a pedestrian etc . ) ....Caution is advised ... But IMHO someone who has never operated a Two wheeler is actually more likely to learn the Spyder quicker ..... It's not like any Two wheeler in the handling dept. ....so Newbies don't have to UN-learn anything............Mike

[ofdave]

When I had a Ural a few years ago I took a trike/sidecar training course.
Here in FL if you get a 3 wheel endorsement on your license you can ride a three-wheeler but not a motorcycle. If you have a motorcycle license you can ride a trike or sidecar with no additional training. No consideration given to the very different machines and riding characteristics.
That always seemed odd to me. Two wheels is not at all the same as three.
Having ridden 2 wheels for many years I still thought I would benefit from learning how to ride three. The class did give me a very good understanding of how to ride a sidecar rig.
The Ural is gone and fondly remembered. Replaced by a couple different 2 wheelers before I got my Spyder.
Did the three wheel course help with Spyder riding? Not a bit. It's different from a standard trike (used in the three wheel class) and in no way similar to a sidecar rig.
That said, I can see where those who choose the three wheels of a Spyder have no real need, in my opinion, to have two wheel experience to do so. They do not have to unlearn anything when they ride a Spyder. They do not have to learn to use the front brake as the major stopping force on a bike and then learn to live without it as on the Spyder. One pedal does it all, no front lever to focus on. And sand in a turn does not necessarily cause a pucker.
As BlueKnight911 noted "...

someone who has never operated a Two wheeler is actually more likely to learn the Spyder quicker"

makes sense if you think about it.

[Chupaca]

We come from many places....There are those that come form off road Quads, snowmobiles, bicycles and personal watercraft and all never owned a motorcycle. The learning curve varies for all. I would imagine many women have come from the no motorcycle to the spyder. I know several that have had a tough time learning the two wheeler to get the license for the spyder and some just gave it up....

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

We come from many places....There are those that come form off road Quads, snowmobiles, bicycles and personal watercraft and all never owned a motorcycle. The learning curve varies for all. I would imagine many women have come from the no motorcycle to the spyder. I know several that have had a tough time learning the two wheeler to get the license for the spyder and some just gave it up....

.... and it's too bad about the Two Wheel Mtc License thing ..... When the Spyders first arrived in Vt. you also had to have Mtc. lic..... which of course was for the two wheeled variety ONLY ..... However they changed the criteria and offered a Three wheel only version ...... I lot of women took advantage of this ..... Mike

[cyclekid58]

I also came from riding motorcycles for over 40 years, there were a few things to "Un-Learn", It was only required to take a road test by DMV to get a MC Endorsement in MT. So most of my riding was seat of the pants. When I moved to Idaho my license transfered with just having to do a writen test, no road test. When I finally traded off my 2 wheeler and bought the Spyder no 3 wheel endorsement or training was required just the reg. MC endorsement. I took the Idaho STAR 3 wheel course here and while there was some regular trike training and sidecar included in the classroom training, the instructor rode a can am spyder RSS to demonstrate everything and all participants but one had a spyder. The instructor really put us through the paces and we learned what the spyder will do in those awe-crap moments, before experiencing them on the street. It made a big difference when the chain reaction accident occured 3 years ago when several 2 wheelers in a group ride were involved in an accident and went down my wife included on her 2 wheeler, I knew what to expect when I hit the brakes and took evasive action to avoid being part of the problem. She had taken both the 2 wheeler training course, and also the 3 wheeler course and now has her own spyder and loves it. I wholeheartedly support the 3 wheel courses to really learn your bike and what it can do, whatever you may think you know, even old dogs can be taught new tricks.

[cptjam]

A few years ago, cycle world magazine had a article on Spyders, and the demographics. Almost perfect quarters, 25% never ridden, 25% women, 25% handicap, and 25% were folks who can and do ride anything, but decided a Spyder was a good idea. So, a Spyder as a first bike is more common than you might think. Many people have no interest in 2 wheels. Not a bad thing, just different. Different strokes. Enjoy!