-
Member
Think of changing from Freewheeler - is the Spyder any easier &/or safer?
Gang - In '21, my balance left me, resulting in a total of one of my Road Kings - as well as scaring the crap out of me. Doc says no more two wheelers after 50 years, always Harleys. So, I went to a Freewheeler in '23. Took it around the Lake Superior Circle Tour with no problem after getting used to it.
Here's the thing. Steering is a herculean effort. Back wheels want to drive the bike forward in a straight line with me pushing/pulling the front wheel into the turns. This, in turn, makes me uneasy, especially in long curves where the back tries to throw me off the road.
So, does the Spyder configuration make this any easier and/or safer? And, yes, I understand that any three wheeled set up will have some of this. I'd be looking into the F or R series only.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 02-04-2024 at 03:13 PM.
Reason: Expanded title to briefly ask the question... ;-)
-
Very Active Member
It is night and day easier!! I rode a Harley Trike for all of about 8mins and had had enough.... The stability on a Spyder is excellent and steering effort in the newer ones (vs my 2015) is even easier... There is NO comparison!!
'15 F3-S Pure Magnesium Metallic - Mad Max Edition
'15 Mclaren 650S Coupe - Aurora Blue
"You Were Really Flyin', When I Passed You Back There!"
Chuck
2015 F3-S , Pure Magnesium Metallic/Steel Black Metallic
-
Not even a close call in the ride, handling and ease of steering. All the Spyders have power steering. You definitely need to try one out. Think back to when you were a youngster with a tricycle and how easy they were to turn over. Also remember the 3 wheel ATC's that were pulled off the market because they were so easy to turn over. The Spyders are much more stable with all sorts of safety features that make them almost impossible to flip over.
You definitely need to check them out in person.
Dean O
Gran Pa Hoon
Founder San Jose BMW
Builder of the Motorcyclist Cafe Barn and Bunkhouse
Alamogordo, NM
'20 Spyder F3 L
-
Very Active Member
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 02-04-2024 at 03:14 PM.
-
Active Member
@ Strelnikov- I recommend for you to visit a dealer local to you that sells new Can Ams. See if they have any used F3’s or RT’s. Ask to demo one. You’ll know if you’d want to own on after a ride. FWIW I demo’d 3 or 4 before I decided to buy one. I bought the Ryker Rally 1st in 2020, then traded the Ryker in on an RT in 2021. That said, you may want to do a demo on a Ryker too. I miss the one I had and only traded it because I couldn’t afford both a Ryker Rally and an RT
Best,
Jake
Reddick Fla.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood
2021 Can Am Spyder RT Limited
-
Very Active Member
Strelnikov, one thing to watch for if you take a demo Spyder ride is that you must keep a loose grip on the bars. If you hold on tight, you will find yourself doing constant, minor, over corrections which make the Spyder appear to wander over the road, but it is only your tight grip. EVERYONE does this on their first ride.
Everything else you observe on your first ride should be a plus over the Freewheeler.
Pete
Harrington, Australia
2021 RT Limited
Setup for Tall & Big.... 200cm/6'7", 140kg/300lbs, 37"inleg.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
-
Very Active Member
All advice above is right on the money, IMO of course. The two wheels in front is a much safer configuration than the one in front by most other trikes. In addition to the easier steering, you will find a much more noticeable comfort level in the Spyder. It's like going from an economy car to a Cadillac.
The proof is in the pudding. A test drive will convince you.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
-
Very Active Member
Every comment thus far has been spot-on as far as we're concerned. We have had three Spyders, and still own two of them, and couldn't be happier with them. Our opinion of one wheel in the front trikes is that they're very much like the original, and dangerous, three-wheel ATVs Honda sold years ago. Recall that they were a disaster and had the tendency to tip over when ridden hard. Harley, and other traditional, trikes may not be as much of a hand full as Honda's ATV but they don't appeal to either of us.
Disclaimer - yours truly will be 79 next Sunday and the wife turned 72 last week, and neither of us has any concern about stability or having to wrestle the Spyders all over the road. They're comfortable, stable, non-threatening, and they don't wear us out. Our two cents.
2015 Spyder RT-S (Arion) and 2021 RTL Sea to Sky (charming wife)
-
I too switched from two wheels after 50+ years after balance went away following two weeks in the hospital with Covid. I ride with the buddy that has a Harley Trike and it just wears him out and he's constantly complaining about what a rough tiring ride he has. My 2022 Sea to Sky is no comparison.
Bartender
2022 Spyder Sea to Sky
-
SpyderLovers Sponsor
You can't beat physics, and the Spyder has a great advantage there over any conventional trike configuration. Just another hat in the ring for relaxing your grip on the handlebars. The Spyder is very sensitive to input with instant reaction to even slight changes in handlebar angle. Something that is non-existent on 2 wheels or a conventional trike. You're brain will tell you, you didn't do it. Your brain will lie to you for awhile until you get used to how responsive the Spyder is. I'd say this is the biggest hurdle for an unsuspecting rider. Having been warned, you'll probably do much better than average.
And don't lug the engine, like you would on a Harley. It won't hurt to rev the motor up some. But it's not good to run too low an RPM on the Spyder.
Last edited by BajaRon; 02-05-2024 at 03:55 PM.
Shop Ph: 423-609-7588 (M-F, 8-5, Eastern Time)
Only SLOW people have to leave on time...
-
Member
Quick thanks to all.
Appreciate all the comments. Will definitely plan to test drive a few once spring arrives here in IL.
Like a lot of you, I am an old fart biker (69) and the Spyder sounds perfect for me. Planning to do the Lake Huron Circle Tour in August and plan to be up on one by then.
Thanks, again.
-
Very Active Member
If you know someone or know of a place where you could rent or borrow one for a ride, do it!!! you will need a good ride, 50-100 miles! Relax and take a back road somewhere! Try not to over steer it, and fight it down the road.
-
Very Active Member
-
One way to get some spyder seat time is to take one of BRPs training courses. Even though I went into this course with a number of years riding it allowed me the opportunity to get the feel of the spyder and the associated learning curve in a controlled environment. Plus, we had different models we could ride during the course. Later when I wanted to do an actual road test the dealer seemed somewhat more comfortable allowing a test ride knowing I had the BRP course experience.
Not to get off topic but a note about the course. Mine consisted primarily of people not only new to Spyders but also had limited experience on two wheels. My course consisted of only about seven people and early on the instructor asked all of us what our goal was for the day. However, given the uniqueness of the Spyder we were all pretty much in the same boat.
Poasttown, 2019 F3L
-
The state of Il. has a 3 wheel safety course. I believe it is free. They use Rykers, and it is a 1 day course classroom 3hrs. riding 3hrs. Same as PA.
Great way to learn and play on a can-am.
Good Luck and enjoy your future Can-am.
-
Very Active Member
-
Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
Not specifically adding to the benefits of a Spyder over a Harley Tri-glide, but for anyone still considering the Harley, the following vid from Coach Bob might be of interest &/or concern...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvER0ydeQ8c
And here's why He bought a Spyder & not a Tri-Glide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM6r0uuYfpQ
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 02-10-2024 at 10:09 PM.
Reason: 2nd link... ;-)
2013 RT Ltd Pearl White
Ryde More, Worry Less!
-
Just finished watching the vid. He never talked about how easy it is to turn one over in a turn.....especially in an emergency situation. Don't forget the handling issues with the early Honda 3 wheelers.
Dean O
Gran Pa Hoon
Founder San Jose BMW
Builder of the Motorcyclist Cafe Barn and Bunkhouse
Alamogordo, NM
'20 Spyder F3 L
-
I wore out my home-made mini scooter years ago. From grade school until to today I've never been without a motorcycle except for the short time I belonged to Uncle Sam. Like many of us here I finally had to add a turd wheel (lol) or give up the freedom of the highway. I did two demo rides 2up with my wife on the Spyder and the Harley, and the results were a no brainer. It's ok with me and I certainly don't hold anything against them but I think tri gliders are simply stuck in the past.
-
I have two 21 RTL for sale, petrol blue and marsala red if you're looking for a well-kept machine.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 02-07-2024 at 05:19 PM.
-
Active Member
I had a freewheeler, I could not stop the buffeting, I sold it an got another Can Am, an RT this time. It is 1000% safer than the freewheeler. If you test ride one, you will buy it.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 02-07-2024 at 05:16 PM.
2017 F3 LTD (SOLD)
2017 HD Freewheeler (SOLD)
2021 RT Base Upper and lower adjustable deflectors , Top case, Signature and lower lights, Baja Ron Bar, Back rest,Fobo TPMS, Garmin 396 , LED Fender lights, Rear LED turn and brake lights, Rear Brake light flasher, Rear Saddle bag LED lights, Battery tender, Lamonster Handle Bar Riser.
-
Very Active Member
I had my heart set on a Tri-Glide, and while watching videos one night, I stumbled upon the Ryker. I mentioned it to my wife and how it was automatic. She then became interested so we went to the dealership the following day and bought that and the 21 RT. I have to say, I'm glad I didn't go with the Tri-Glide. I've never driven a Tri-Glide but have read enough to know that the Spyder was a much better decision for me. Plus, the wife got a bike she loves, so wins all around.
-
When you first ride a Spyder, make sure your mindset is in the right place. Take it as a totally new experience, not a "motorcycle", i.e., 2 wheeler experience. Several years ago I flirted with the idea of a Spyder and went to the dealer to get a demo ride. But I was still thinking "motorcycle". I thought the vehicle was trying to throw me off, as did my wife as passenger. I ended up buying a new Goldwing. Jump ahead six years and at 78 I knew I needed something lighter than the Goldwing, or something different. I took a demo ride on a new Spyder RT on the assumption that this thing was not a motorcycle, but something else. It took me all of five minutes to decide that the RT was for me. Two and a half years later I have never had a single regret at making the switch, and my wife says she is more comfortable on the back of the RT than she was on the Goldwing.
I'll just comment about getting used to the 3 wheels rather than 2. The big difference is in the curves. Instead of leaning, you just steer it as you would a car. I found it instantly comfortable. My learning curve included not having a front brake lever (for the first 50 miles or so), not trying to put a foot down at stops (for the first 10 miles or so), not having to downshift and not having a manual clutch (about 10 minutes). The one aspect of riding a Spyder that took me a while to master was to ride in the center of the lane rather than in the leftmost third as I usually did with a two-wheeler. This took me a couple of hundred miles before I started to ride in the center of the lane without having to think about it.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 02-08-2024 at 03:14 PM.
2021 Spyder RT
2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350
Retired U.S. Army
Life Member, NRA
-
Very Active Member
-
Originally Posted by Strelnikov
Appreciate all the comments. Will definitely plan to test drive a few once spring arrives here in IL.
Like a lot of you, I am an old fart biker (69) and the Spyder sounds perfect for me. Planning to do the Lake Huron Circle Tour in August and plan to be up on one by then.
Thanks, again.
This Great Lake Bike Tour SOUNDS INTERESTING??? Is this one Lake Huron ONLY???
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|