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Considering purchasing Spyder ST with no experience_need encouragement
Hi there:
I thought I'd read through this forum before I purchased this expensive toy. I have no experience with motorcycles, scooters and have only ridden an ATV once and worried it was going to tip around corners. I am not a speed demon and usually ride my brake going down steed hills while on my mountain bike (which frustrates the heck out of my husband).
A Can Am dealer would not allow me to test drive yesterday because I was honest and told him I was slightly intimidated by the entire prospect. Maybe part of that was my ego worried about being embarrassed in front of a shop full of experienced motorcycle riders. At any rate, I would love feedback from any of you who may have been in my shoes at one point. Do you have any suggestions for overcoming this *fear* or intimidation of this powerful vehicle?
Thank you
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Very Active Member
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Yes, I did a test ride behind my husband who was driving. We test drove the F3, and I was the passenger. I must say I was a bit freaked out when he accelerated because I felt like I was slipping off on the slightly raised seat behind him. I am not sure if being a passenger is going to really tell me if this is something I can do...
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Craig From Albany Oregon
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Active Member
I always suggest.....if you are going to carry a passenger......HAVE A BACK REST ! If not....the sensation of going off the back of a Spyder/motorcycle can ruin the experience for the passenger.
Craig From Albany Oregon
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Thank you very much for your input. If I purchase it, I definitely plan to tread lightly at the beginning. I appreciate your advice.
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Very Active Member
You have some good answers..
..don't ride as a passenger unless bike (ANY bike) has a back rest!
A little throttle will really get the bike going!! Need to be aware of that. Also the semi-automatic (SE5 - SE6) would be far easier to handle than a straight manual transmission. If you ride again, just place transmission into 1st gear with your right hand OFF the throttle - you can place your right hand ahead of the throttle for full control of steering. See how it handles at that low speed - you could get nervious with hand on throttle and twist it - that would not be a pretty picture and not at all enjoyable for you. Do this in an empty parking lot (Wal*Mart or something like that). Foot (right) ready to apply the brake when needed. Also here is a link that is full of helpful information that is a must read for all of us Spyder nuts:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...-Spyder-owners
Ride your own ride; not what others say/do. Be careful and ENJOY your travels.
We will be looking for photo's of your new ride.
Don
Did own: 2008, Red, SE5 - and 2010, Black, RT-S Premiere Edition Number 670
Now Own: 2014 Black RT-S SE6
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Newbee93003
Yes, I did a test ride behind my husband who was driving. We test drove the F3, and I was the passenger. I must say I was a bit freaked out when he accelerated because I felt like I was slipping off on the slightly raised seat behind him. I am not sure if being a passenger is going to really tell me if this is something I can do...
My wife was a nagging nervous nellie as a passenger.. Now that she has her own Spyder and she is in control, she has no problem at all. Truly I think the being in control or not is a big issue with many folks.
220,000 Mile Spyder Ryder, IBA Premier member #59352, Saddlesore 1000 (11), Bun Burner 1500 (3), Saddlesore 2000 (2), Bun Burner Gold, MILEEATER SILVER
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Very Active Member
My Wife(SDM) and I learned to ryde our 's going around our block many times till we felt comfortable with it then out on local roads till we mastered that before we went on longer rides and highways. ryde at your pace and enjoy the ryde!.
2015 RT White,Tj's Dash mount,Rivco's Duel Flag Holder,SealsFloorBoards(Pups),Custom Dynamics fender lights(R/W)Bajaron's Swaybar & links,Lamonster's LED headlights,lidlox.Wiredux A-arm driving lights(upper&lower)FOBO TPMS system,Spyerpops lighted bumpskid,Foom handgrips. tobor9@me.com
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Very Active Member
By joining Spyderlovers you have made a great move because you learn something new everyday on this site. I am still a newbie on this site and by hec I have learnt loads of new things since joining this site 3 months ago and continue to learn new things everyday.
For me it is about doing your homework but the best people to speak to are the Spyder owners, so good move on joining this site.
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Very Active Member
Look up on the BRP web site for the dates and location of their demo tour. The set up a course in the parking lot and you learn the basics under the instruction of BRP folks. That will tell you a lot.
Trb-- (Roger)
2014 Cognac STL:Ultimate Seat, Nelson Rigg Tail Pack, Nelson Rigg RS/ST Half Cover, TL fender lights, Squared Away Laser Alignment, BajaRon sway bar and links, Akropovic Sport Silencer
2022 White Pearl F3T
Gone but not forgotten: 2019 F3S Special Series Liquid Titanium
Spyder States Visited
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Very Active Member
Hi Newbee,
Re: A Can Am dealer would not allow me to test drive
Hopefully, some of our members from the LA area will chime in and offer you a chance to ride/drive one.
Anyone out there??????
Try the internet & see if any are for sale in your area; go see it & maybe take it for a ride/drive.
Just some thoughts,
Jerry Baumchen
PS) I bought my Spyder in the LA area last year. I have owned scooters and bikes but nothing like a Spyder. I was down in SoCal and stopped by and met the private seller. We went for a ride with me on the back, and then I drove on the leg back to his place. I now own that Spyder.
Last edited by JerryB; 07-19-2015 at 04:01 PM.
'I'll never forget what's her name.'
'Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before.' Dwight Eisenhower
2008 GS SE-5
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Very Active Member
My big error
My suggestion to place Spyder in gear and allow it to move at slow speed. I must have been thinking of an automobile -- Spyder does not move forward in 1st gear - needs some throttle. (SE transmission). Problem is if you give it too much throttle, it may move you back in the seat causing your grip to move the throttle even more.
Hope there are some Spyder Lovers in your area to give you support.
Sorry for my error.
Don
Did own: 2008, Red, SE5 - and 2010, Black, RT-S Premiere Edition Number 670
Now Own: 2014 Black RT-S SE6
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Hi!
I just wanted to ask, why are you looking to get a Spyder? Give us a little more information, and I'm sure that there's someone else here in a similar situation.
For me, I can't stand being a passenger. Probably comes from my time being a pilot... If I had based any desire to ride on being a passenger, I never would have started riding.
-Fratz
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I rode motorcycles for 26 years before I bought my Spyder. As was suggested above, I took it slow on local roads and worked my way up to busier/faster roads. You might be surprised at how far and fast you can go without taking the highway. If you don't want to go on long tours, you can go years without the need to ride on the super slab. Trust me, the highway is nothing but a fast and usually ugly way to get from A to B in the least time. Back roads are where the beauty is and honestly, the fun.
A good dealer should allow you to at least ride around the parking lot. Being a passanger is very different from being at the controls.
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Active Member
keep looking around , a good dealer will at least show you the bike and let you try it around the empty parking lot. a really good dealer would take you to a bigger empty lot if needed
keep searching they are out there
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I may suggest check the cost of maintaining a spyder, one thing I did not do before buying a spyder, but if I had, my choice to buy one would have different ... they are very, very expensive to maintain !!!
osm
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Active Member
Originally Posted by Orange Spyder Man
I may suggest check the cost of maintaining a spyder, one thing I did not do before buying a spyder, but if I had, my choice to buy one would have different ... they are very, very expensive to maintain !!!
osm
That was something that I didn't take into consideration either. I haven't experienced that yet, but I'm sure I will.
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Newbee,
I was in the same situation as you are. Virtually no cycle experience at all. No test ride prior to purchasing a RSS. My first ride on the Spyder was the ride home from the dealership. I planned the ride for a Saturday morning when traffic was light. Got comfortable with throttle, brakes and shifter in the parking lot next door to the dealer. For the first few weeks, I Googled farm roads in my area and then pre-drove the route in my car to determine road hazards and traffic flow. If in doubt, I had my wife follow me in the car. I never went anywhere that wasn't analyzed first. This allowed me to concentrate on the Spyder, not the road or traffic. Took about 10 trips to get my confidence up, but now it's a blast. I'm old and super careful. But what fun!
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Originally Posted by fratzba
Hi!
I just wanted to ask, why are you looking to get a Spyder? Give us a little more information, and I'm sure that there's someone else here in a similar situation.
For me, I can't stand being a passenger. Probably comes from my time being a pilot... If I had based any desire to ride on being a passenger, I never would have started riding.
-Fratz
Hi there:
Thanks for your response. I have always wanted to ride a 'motorcycle' but at 103 lbs, felt like I would fly off of it. With 3 wheels, I felt like--finally--I could have an opportunity. My husband thinks I will not like it because I don't like speed. Although I am a good driver and tend to drive faster than I probably should in my 4Runner. For $20K +, it would be hard to justify if I only rode it a few times per month.
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Registered Users
Always wanted to......
Originally Posted by Newbee93003
Hi there:
Thanks for your response. I have always wanted to ride a 'motorcycle' but at 103 lbs, felt like I would fly off of it. With 3 wheels, I felt like--finally--I could have an opportunity. My husband thinks I will not like it because I don't like speed. Although I am a good driver and tend to drive faster than I probably should in my 4Runner. For $20K +, it would be hard to justify if I only rode it a few times per month.
Try it! You will love it!
ron
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Active Member
Originally Posted by Newbee93003
Hi there:
Thanks for your response. I have always wanted to ride a 'motorcycle' but at 103 lbs, felt like I would fly off of it. With 3 wheels, I felt like--finally--I could have an opportunity. My husband thinks I will not like it because I don't like speed. Although I am a good driver and tend to drive faster than I probably should in my 4Runner. For $20K +, it would be hard to justify if I only rode it a few times per month.
You don't have to spend $20k+ for a Spyder to see if you like it. I had never been in the "driver's" seat of a Spyder until I purchased mine 3 weeks ago. Knowing this, I searched on a daily basis Cycle Trader, Craigs List (I know, I know) and Ebay for a used Spyder. I found my 2009 RS SE5 with 2500 miles in show room condition on Craigs List. I have under $10k invested in her. Having done this, I would be able to get rid of her easily and probably not lose a dime. There have been quite a few Spyders posted in this forum for sale.
There's actually a 2010 Phantom Spyder posted in our forum that's for sale. Asking price is $10k and they are located in California!
Last edited by Brettssunshine; 07-21-2015 at 06:43 AM.
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Very Active Member
Hi,
Firstly I don't blame you for feeling a little intimidated by the idea of riding a Spyder. Despite having ridden motorbikes since I was 17 I was scared rigid when I first rode mine. It's a learning curve for everyone - in fact after my nervous start I found that part exciting and fun, it was like being 17 again:-)
I wouldn't worry about having little or no motorbike experience because that's actually a handicap when you start riding a Spyder as there are so many habits you have unlearn or change.
It's easier coming from a car because:
- The brake pedal under your right foot just like a car - and lets admit, it knowing how to stop is reassuring:-) Motorbike riders are constantly reaching out for a handbrake that's not there.
- You have to steer around corners, sounds logical to a car driver but motorbike riders are used to just leaning.
- The Spyder will feel smaller, more nimble and quicker to stop than a car so the size isn't intimating once you're on it.
If the dealer refused to let you test ride because you were nervous then they are an idiot - any normal person is going to be when trying something different. Personally if I was a dealer it would be the ones that weren't nervous that I'd be worried about:-)
When you do ride for the first time you will worry and it will feel strange. It will wobble around because you'll be gripping the bars too tight (everyone says don't do it but we all do at first). It will take a while to get used to how it turns, goes and stops but it soon clicks into place. When you're in the front seat you'll find the power will feel very manageable and pretty smooth.
Obviously I can't directly comment on its suitability for the female rider:-) However the two fastest, and smoothest, Spyder riders I know are both women.
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