SE or SM?

[Stacey34]

Right now I ride a Suzuki Burgman scooter. I have wanted a Spyder since they came out but with two children to get thru school it just wasn't going to happen. Well, my youngest graduated from college last week and now I'm thinking it's time to own one! One of my many questions is which one to go with. My scooter is fully automatic but I've ridden motorcycles before so using a clutch is not a problem. Are there more chances of something going wrong with the semi-automatic style over the manual one? I will be test riding one very soon. I can't wait! I'm actually hoping that I will ride it, NOT like it and I can finally get the idea of buying one out of my head. I think that's my husbands hopes too. Lol Any chance of that happening? Lol

[SpyderAnn01]

and on getting the kids through school. I don't think there is a chance that you won't like the Spyder! As for the SM or SE reliability I don't think there are any stats to prove that one is more reliable than the other. Have fun on your test drive and let us know how you like it.

[spyder3]

Bring your checkbook

[Jeriatric]

Right now I ride a Suzuki Burgman scooter. I have wanted a Spyder since they came out but with two children to get thru school it just wasn't going to happen. Well, my youngest graduated from college last week and now I'm thinking it's time to own one! One of my many questions is which one to go with. My scooter is fully automatic but I've ridden motorcycles before so using a clutch is not a problem. Are there more chances of something going wrong with the semi-automatic style over the manual one? I will be test riding one very soon. I can't wait! I'm actually hoping that I will ride it, NOT like it and I can finally get the idea of buying one out of my head. I think that's my husbands hopes too. Lol Any chance of that happening? Lol

Are you leaning towards the RT or RS model. What is your intended use. Day rides and commutes, or perhaps long hauls? Just questions that may make it easier for you to pick one system over the other.

[Bob Denman]

Hi Stacey!
Do you have any experience riding aTVs or snowmobiles? The Spyder will feel a lot more like one of those than it will a two-wheeled motorcycle. There is always an "Adjustment Period"; that time when you're wonderingifyou just made the biggest mistake of your life!
Relax... it passes with miles and experience!
The Spyders are very comfortable to ride and operate and often impart a greater sense of safety and security on the road. The do present a larger frontal area to oncoming traffic so (I hope!) that they are easier to see.

on getting your youngest out of college! Now your life is your own again...
After you take your test ride, please let us know what you think and decide... Good Luck!

[Stacey34]

I'm looking at the RS. The touring one isn't for me. I ride 12 miles one way to work as often as the weather allows. My husband has a Goldwing that he will probably never part with so long trips I usually ride with him. My 400cc Burgman isn't made for long road trips. My Burgman is the sport model and I like the look so that's what I'm leaning towards.

[Stacey34]

Bob,
I did grow up riding snowmobiles but that was a number of years ago. I'm hoping it will come back to me tho. Lol

[zrc]

Wassap!!! I am an SE fan, mainly because I like the concept and the smaller amount of objects to worry about while driving. That being said, sometimes I miss the craziness I would get into with a manual. Overall though, with an SE, you have a right foot brake, the throttle, and the peddle shifter. Other than that, you can focus on the road, and the insane cagers on it. Just some food for thought

If you are ever in stop and go traffic, its easy as pie.

[Bob Denman]

Bob,
I did grow up riding snowmobiles but that was a number of years ago. I'm hoping it will come back to me tho. Lol

If you keep thinking that it's just like a snowmobile without the bulky clothing and runny noses you'll be fine!

[Daisyjoe]

I have an SE and it works no problems. This is my first bike. I, like you, had it in my mind I wanted a Spyder. Drove over 250 miles, did not drive it

(since I had no license they would not let me drive it), signed the finance papers, had it trailered home, and the rest is riding with smiles history Let us know which color you get. I have a feeling there will be a Spyder at your home in the near future

[Stacey34]

Another question I have and this may seem trivial to some, but does the Spyder automatically cancel your turn signal after making a turn? The reason I ask is that my Burgman does not. You have to cancel it yourself and a few times I have forgotten to. It just isn't safe in my opinion. Someone could pull out in front of you if they think your turning when your not.
I'm not sure yet whether to try and find a nice used one or go new if I can swing it. A salesman I talked to said that with the high price of used ones that he could have me on a new one with the specials going on right now. I don't know about that but we'll see.
Once again, thanks for all the help. I am so excited about the possibility of getting one!

[bo9roadking]

On my 2012 RT, the turn signals auto cancel when making normal turns. When I make gradual turns or change lanes, the turn signals will cancel after 30 seconds. I can try to manually cancel them by pressing in on the turn signal button, but I usually turn on the opposite turn signal and confuse people. I've gotten to the point that I just let the turn signal continue flashing for 30 seconds and turn off on its own.

[Bob Denman]

(Cancelling the turnsignals is an ongoing issue... A lot of folks don't like how they work...)

[ARtraveler]

It looks like most of the previous posters have your questions answered.

RE: transmission. No major differences in problems from one type to the other. I have had ,s with both. I like the semi-automatic because I don't like the manual in heavy traffic situations.

I suggest test driving both RS and RT and both types of transmissions if possible. You will then get a pretty good idea of what suits you best. A big mistake to buy one type and then wish you had gone the other route about a month later.

Good luck in your hunt.

[SpyderAnn01]

On the RS the turn signals cancel nicely unlike the RT. I was in my dealer yesterday and they had the 2012's marked down the RSS and RS were each marked down by $3,000. Looks like it is a good time to buy!

[ARCTIC]

The signals do auto cancel and I think the SE is a blast to ride. I had never ridden one until I owned it and it was more fun than I had imagined. One thing surprised me was you don't let off on the throttle to shift. Just twist the throttle and tap through the gears. It's pretty sweet

[bone crusher]

Since the OP was about SE vs. SM, I'll chime in by saying to go with the SM...reason? There's nothing like hitting the clutch and popping the gears. We already have three wheels, traction control, etc...it's nice to have something that 'feels' 'motorcyclish'...

Just my two cents...take it or leave it. I'm sure whatever you go with, you'll like!

[3whlLefty]

If you have followed this forum at all you will get the impression that a lot of people are buying the SE even though they don't need it due to inexperience or physical limitations. They like it and so do I. It's the slickest thing since sliced bread. Smooth fast shifts under any condition. You can accidentally hit the shift paddle depending on where your hand sits on the grip. That's easy to learn to avoid.

I've got 10K miles on my RS and have had no problems. Many here have a lot more miles than that. Take a test ride and pick the one you like. Then, enjoy the ride!!

[Dikicep9]

Another question I have and this may seem trivial to some, but does the Spyder automatically cancel your turn signal after making a turn? The reason I ask is that my Burgman does not. You have to cancel it yourself and a few times I have forgotten to. It just isn't safe in my opinion. Someone could pull out in front of you if they think your turning when your not.
I'm not sure yet whether to try and find a nice used one or go new if I can swing it. A salesman I talked to said that with the high price of used ones that he could have me on a new one with the specials going on right now. I don't know about that but we'll see.
Once again, thanks for all the help. I am so excited about the possibility of getting one!

I just bought a 2012 RT-S SE5 in Viper Red and love it!! Have been ryding for 35 years first on a H/D, then Honda and lastly a UM bike that I traded in on my Spyder. B 4 making my purchase recently, I first demoed the RS-S SE5 and loved it, but found the aggressive forward seating position with my heels right under my backside too uncomfortable and the reach to the handle bars too far. I'm only 5 ft. tall. Then I demoed the RT-S SE5 and everything was perfect from start to finish. I fell in love! No problems with seating or reach on the handle bars for me. I'm use to a clutch/shift, but have decided, after buying the RT-S SE5, that I prefer not clutching. Still have to to up-shift on the paddle shifter on the RT-S SE5 and I can also downshift if I want to, but usually I don't. I let the Spyder do the down-shifting for me when applying brake. Good luck with ur decision. Whatever Spyder you buy (SE or SM) will be a good choice.

[Leslee]

Please don't dismiss the RT because your husband has a Gold Wing. So does mine. But it usually sits in the garage while we're out riding my Spyder. I look for excuses to ride. LOVE my semi-auto transmission and have never regretted spending the extra cash. I've had a 2-wheeler but feel so much safer om my Spyder. Good luck with your decision. I, too, suggest you take your checkbook when you test ride it.

[steve635]

The SM is a bit simpler, so a bit more trouble-free. Some on this site have had issues with the extra filter required on the SE. I personally enjoy the SM, but I have not seen any issues that would preclude the SE if I thought I'd prefer it.
I had a long history with 2 wheelers, and there is a brief adjustment period with the Spyder, but I found it fun the first time I rode it and it has only gotten better since.

[Dikicep9]

The turn indicator signal automatically STOPS signaling left or right turn if the turn is hard enough, however, if the turn is too slight, the indicator keeps signaling until you stop it.