Hi Spyder Owners!! I recently bought a Spyder RTS SM5 as my retirement gift after 23 years service in the Army. I'm currently serving in Afghanistan and will return to the states in September. I am having my Spyder shipped to Ft Benning, Georgia and driving it back to Fort Meade in Maryland over 15 days. Any tips for this long trip?
Teddy & I both would like to Thank You for your Service
Teddy & I had 13,700 miles on our 2010 RT-S and as of now have 23,400 miles on his new 2011 SpyderFest Edition RT-S & have been on many long distance road trips. Best advice we can give is to pack for all weather conditions no matter the season. Make sure you have ALL of your Important numbers (RoadSide Assistance, AAA, Emergency Contact Info, etc.) not only stored in your cell phone, but also written down & stored in a safe location, just in case your cell phone gets lost or dies. Make sure to stay hydrated & enjoy your trip, you'll never forget it. Congratulations & again, thank you for your Service to our Country.
Hi Spyder Owners!! I recently bought a Spyder RTS SM5 as my retirement gift after 23 years service in the Army. I'm currently serving in Afghanistan and will return to the states in September. I am having my Spyder shipped to Ft Benning, Georgia and driving it back to Fort Meade in Maryland over 15 days. Any tips for this long trip?
Love this Site !!
Are you Eddy? Got an order from Eddy in afghanistan yesterday for his RT SM5. Asking if I could get a set of Seal FloorBoards to the dealer asap so he could have them while on leave. It was one of the most important order I've had in a very long time and was honored to get it shipped within a couple of hrs. My hat is off to you whether you are Eddy or not. Thanks for your service. Enjoy your new ride and........
Hi, welcome to the site and many, many thanks for your service.
If you're going to start your Spyder experience with a 15 day trip, then you might want to start out slow - maybe a full day getting used to the controls, doing some parking lot practice, and cruising some back roads. One of the keys to becoming comfortable with the Spyder is to remember to keep a light touch on the bars. As said, this will be a trip you'll never forget. Have fun!
If you need help when you get to Benning send me an EMAIL. Many retired military, myself included, riding in the Columbus area, we meet, ride and eat. We also do long distance rides, Alaska this summer. My RTS is one of a series of retirement presents and probably the most enjoyable. I have riden most of routes that you can take to the Meade area, go easy until you feel as one with the RT. When you get here we can give you route and setup tips if you desire. Stay safe.
Jerry Boyd
The worst thing you can do is run a new engine at the same RPM's for any long distance. This will not allow for proper break-in, proper seating of the oil rings. During the first 100 miles I really like to run a few short trips varying the RPM's and allowing the engine to cool completely down before restarting, after that it's just varying those RPM's not hard acceleration and avoid lugging the engine.
Make sure you have the Roadside assistance number just in case. It might also be a good idea to know where dealers are located along your route. Be sure the dealer goes over everything in detail... A self induced check engine light and possible Limp mode would be nice not to have to deal with.
Do get familiar with the Spyder before hitting the road, it is nothing like a motorcycle. I hope you have had the MSF course at least on two wheels.
Teddy & I had 13,700 miles on our 2010 RT-S and as of now have 23,400 miles on his new 2011 SpyderFest Edition RT-S & have been on many long distance road trips. Best advice we can give is to pack for all weather conditions no matter the season. Make sure you have ALL of your Important numbers (RoadSide Assistance, AAA, Emergency Contact Info, etc.) not only stored in your cell phone, but also written down & stored in a safe location, just in case your cell phone gets lost or dies. Make sure to stay hydrated & enjoy your trip, you'll never forget it. Congratulations & again, thank you for your Service to our Country.
If you need help when you get to Benning send me an EMAIL. Many retired military, myself included, riding in the Columbus area, we meet, ride and eat. We also do long distance rides, Alaska this summer. My RTS is one of a series of retirement presents and probably the most enjoyable. I have riden most of routes that you can take to the Meade area, go easy until you feel as one with the RT. When you get here we can give you route and setup tips if you desire. Stay safe.
Jerry Boyd
Hi John, yes it is me !! THX so much for getting those boards out !!
Originally Posted by sealfloorboards
Are you Eddy? Got an order from Eddy in afghanistan yesterday for his RT SM5. Asking if I could get a set of Seal FloorBoards to the dealer asap so he could have them while on leave. It was one of the most important order I've had in a very long time and was honored to get it shipped within a couple of hrs. My hat is off to you whether you are Eddy or not. Thanks for your service. Enjoy your new ride and........
You have already found the best source for Spyder information. I would strongly advise the day or so in the local area.
Thank you very much for your Service.
Oldmanzues
Best advice is to forget motorcycles and think ATV, lots of unlearning if you go into it in motorcycle mindset.
Congradulations on retirement and thank you for your service!
Corbin saddle
spyderpops block off plate, bump skid, belt guard
IPS
Tricled LED lights all around(too many to name here)
Smoothspyder belt tensioner
Custom Dynamics britesides
VTC floorboards, upper air vents, spoiler
BK car stuff HID upgrade
trailer hitch
Repainted rear fender, trunk latch assembly, switch cluster, gauge cluster
cell phone interface kit
travel cover that no longer fits due to the spoiler
New sway bar
New shock relocator
Thank you for your service and welcome back to the land of the big PX. Advice ????? Take your time and stop to smell the flowers on your trip. DECOMPRESS on the ride. Again welcome home brother. OH and
Caution:When you argue with an idiot,You have to lower your standards and then you get beat by their experience
Even though your dealer has not met you in person, Lisa is very excited about meeting you and delivering your new RT to you. Would love to shake your hand at SpyderFest!!!
God bless you for your service. Men like you make me proud to be an American! Come back home safe and ryde the same. Initially, it will feel like driving a bus with bad springs, then it will start to feel a little better. Counter weight this baby, and she'll surprise you with her handling abilities. Most of all, enjoy your retirement. You have earned it!!
Retirement Gift for this soldier
Reply With Quote
Teddy & I both would like to Thank You for your Service
& 
spot on the WWW for anything & everything Spyder related & we're glad to have you as a member of our Spyder "Family"
Originally Posted by IcyAlpha1906
+1
This is a great forum for info sharing and I look forward to riding soon back in the ol good USA
All tips Duly Noted !!
. Tips 
, just ryde safe and enjoy! By the way, thanks for your service!
Very Happy Spyder Owner 
