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New rider intro, questions and comments
Hello everyone,
New Spyder owner/rider here. Been riding cycles for about 12 years (Hondamatic, Royal Enfield, Honda Shadow Aero, Piaggio MP3), and never really felt comfortable with a passenger (wife) on the back, so I started looking into the Can-Am Spyder. I did a bit of reading and watching videos, and found one for sale locally, test rode it and bought it. 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5 with only 3500 miles on it.
So far the hardest part about riding the Spyder is remembering to ride in the middle of the lane ! After all of my miles on cycles, it just seems so foreign to me to ride in the middle. For my first couple of double up rides, the wife kept tapping me on the helmet, reminding me to move over to the right. I solved that problem by running a thin piece of red pinstripe tape down the middle of the windshield, which I try to keep aligned with the middle of the lane on the road ahead of me. It seems to be working really well, and hopefully I'll remove the line when I get a few more miles under my belt.
And speaking of windshields...I can't believe what a difference riding with a windshield makes. No wind on me at all, and all this week I rode with the visor up on my helmet and never once got cold.
Another minor annoyance with the Spyder is that the horn button is located right about where the turn signals were on my last bikes. I've honked the horn a few times when I meant to push the turn signals. Oops! No biggie, just another thing to get used to, (same for reaching for the hand brake).
I've found the seat to be quite comfortable, and my wife says that she's quite comfy up in her perch as well.
Love all of the storage room on the RT, I may just put away my backpack for good !
Reverse gear....fantastic !!!!
Great power on the RT as well. I haven't really rolled the throttle a lot, but when I have, it's responded quite well. Throaty sound and quick acceleration.
Automatic downshifts - love it.
I feel like I'm a turtle going around corners right now, but I know that will get better with time and miles.
Hit my first roadkill the other day. I saw it on the road ahead of me, and was concerned with getting it between my front wheels, and was worried about the low front end clearance.....but I didn't even think about the fact that I had lined it up perfectly with that back wheel. Bump and squish.
I'm getting lots of heat on my right foot, and realize that it's coming from that lower vent (radiator and engine heat). Is there a accessory vent available to redirect that heat ? It feels OK now, but in the summer that will be one hot foot.
I've already added a ram ball mount for my cell phone (which doubles as my GPS) between the handlebars, and I plan on adding USB charging port in the place of one of the empty switches in the dash. Also scouting out locations to mount my GoPro. Picked up a repair manual on CD as well.
I've been reading many, many messages and posts on this forum...lots of great information loaded here !
Looking forward to many miles of smooth, happy riding.
Joe Lynch
Columbus, Ohio
2015 Chevy Volt
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5
1979 Triumph Spitfire
Homebuilt motorbike - Torker Bicycle w. 88cc 2 stroke gas engine
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Good to Hear.....
Welcome to the spyder world and this awesome site. Congrats on the new ryde Glad you found a ryde you both can enjoy and feel comfortable on. Your in for a lot of miles of smiles and will meet some fine folks out there...
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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Active Member
WELCOME!
Originally Posted by jojo
Hello everyone,
New Spyder owner/rider here. Been riding cycles for about 12 years (Hondamatic, Royal Enfield, Honda Shadow Aero, Piaggio MP3), and never really felt comfortable with a passenger (wife) on the back, so I started looking into the Can-Am Spyder. I did a bit of reading and watching videos, and found one for sale locally, test rode it and bought it. 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5 with only 3500 miles on it.
So far the hardest part about riding the Spyder is remembering to ride in the middle of the lane ! After all of my miles on cycles, it just seems so foreign to me to ride in the middle. For my first couple of double up rides, the wife kept tapping me on the helmet, reminding me to move over to the right. I solved that problem by running a thin piece of red pinstripe tape down the middle of the windshield, which I try to keep aligned with the middle of the lane on the road ahead of me. It seems to be working really well, and hopefully I'll remove the line when I get a few more miles under my belt.
And speaking of windshields...I can't believe what a difference riding with a windshield makes. No wind on me at all, and all this week I rode with the visor up on my helmet and never once got cold.
Another minor annoyance with the Spyder is that the horn button is located right about where the turn signals were on my last bikes. I've honked the horn a few times when I meant to push the turn signals. Oops! No biggie, just another thing to get used to, (same for reaching for the hand brake).
I've found the seat to be quite comfortable, and my wife says that she's quite comfy up in her perch as well.
Love all of the storage room on the RT, I may just put away my backpack for good !
Reverse gear....fantastic !!!!
Great power on the RT as well. I haven't really rolled the throttle a lot, but when I have, it's responded quite well. Throaty sound and quick acceleration.
Automatic downshifts - love it.
I feel like I'm a turtle going around corners right now, but I know that will get better with time and miles.
Hit my first roadkill the other day. I saw it on the road ahead of me, and was concerned with getting it between my front wheels, and was worried about the low front end clearance.....but I didn't even think about the fact that I had lined it up perfectly with that back wheel. Bump and squish.
I'm getting lots of heat on my right foot, and realize that it's coming from that lower vent (radiator and engine heat). Is there a accessory vent available to redirect that heat ? It feels OK now, but in the summer that will be one hot foot.
I've already added a ram ball mount for my cell phone (which doubles as my GPS) between the handlebars, and I plan on adding USB charging port in the place of one of the empty switches in the dash. Also scouting out locations to mount my GoPro. Picked up a repair manual on CD as well.
I've been reading many, many messages and posts on this forum...lots of great information loaded here !
Looking forward to many miles of smooth, happy riding.
Joe Lynch
Columbus, Ohio
2015 Chevy Volt
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5
1979 Triumph Spitfire
Homebuilt motorbike - Torker Bicycle w. 88cc 2 stroke gas engine
Hello and Welcome!
You have found the best "Spyder" site in the universe! The members here are extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and informative. Looking for something for your Spyder? Just post your question, what you need, etc., and they'll respond - giving you the best, most up to date information available. Have a problem or want advice on maintenance? Just ask. Scheduled rides, clubs located near you, national Spyder events, products, clothing, tips, safety information? It's all here. So again, welcome and ENJOY - because this site will enable you to get the very best Spyder Ryding experience possible.
He's on his RT She's on her F3
And the Keys to a Happy Marriage: Separate
Bathrooms, Individual Remote TV Clickers, and
His and Her Spyders.
"If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die,
I want to go where they went." ~ ~ Will Rogers
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."
~ ~ Winston Churchill in his tribute to the RAF.
"I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining
people who think the world owes them a living." ~ ~ John Wayne
GOS 3799
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A little time
Keep Ryding and most " little annoyances" will soon be a distant memory . There are so many people on this site with thousands of miles experience and multiple Spyder purchases under their belt , they have many ways to personalize every possible whim or concern ... And maybe even some things that never crossed your mind . A had a little bit of that issue with staying in the center but it was brief . Enjoy your new passion
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Very Active Member
Welcome. There are many things you can do to reduce the heat on the foot. Use the advanced search and much will be revealed. Here are a few: Remove splash pans under the motor, Spyderpops block off plate(upper), 2013 Rt heat recall scoops kit(this worked great on our 2012 RT).http://spyderpops.com/rt-rts-rt-limited/new-category-2/
2016 F3 Limited
2019 Ryker Rally
2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
2020 CSC TT 250
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Welcome, Wecome & Welcome
So glad you found us. Keep the questions coming...this is where all the experts and all the opinions reside. See that others have addressed your ?'s with the same answers I would have shared...so guess that means they are RIGHT. Glad you are here. Hi to wife..
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Very Active Member
I too have a V twin RT,2012 RTL SE5. I too have found the power really fun. +1 on the Spyderpops block off plate, I have one on mine, the upper plate and I found it enough. As you ride and read posts you discover other things you will want to add to your Spyder. I have found there is a small space between the inside of the front tires and the outside of the rear and bumps, potholes and roadkill will often fit there. You'll soon learn what is too big and how to go around it safely.
Visit us often tell us about your experiences and your rides. And don't forget the pictures.
Happy TRAils/NSD
Paul
2012 RT L
AMA 25 years Life Member
TRA
PGR
Rhino Riders Plate #83
Venturers #78
TOI
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Very Active Member
One thing to remember, make sure you wear a good pair of Ryding boots! That is all I needed to keep my foot from heating up, and I have a 2013 RT, the real heat monster! Enjoy the ryde! And during the summer when the rest of you is hot, you won't notice your foot so much!
White 2013 Spyder RT Limited. BajaRon Swaybar, Custom Dynamic Third Brake Light. Ultimate Custom Black and White seat with driver and passenger back rest. Gloryder Led Wheel lights.Custom Dynamics Led Bright sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright sides.
2016 F3 Limited Intense Red Pearl. Lidlox, BRP Driver Back Rest, BRP Passenger Back Rest,Fog Lights, GPS, Signature Light! Custom Dynamics LED Bright Sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright Sides.
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Very Active Member
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Welcome to our wonderful world! I, too, beeped instead of blinked at least 4 times before finally getting the feel of where my signal button was! And don't worry about cornering; it takes most of us quite awhile to get totally comfortable with that maneuver. As far as centering, I try to line up pot holes, etc, between a front tire and my rump. It's a whole new game. Enjoy the ryde!!
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Very Active Member
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If you have any riding experience on ATVs or snowmobiles: it often helps a lot!
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Active Member
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Very Active Member
Greetings
from your neighbor to the south. We are new to the Spyder world after 40+ years on two wheels. There is a learning curve especially after that many years on two wheels, but after 700 miles I am getting much better. Yeah, I still beep when trying to turn, it is getting easier though.
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MOgang Member
Welcome to the party...............enjoy the ryde.
Spyder: 2011 RT Limited w/ RT-622 trailer
Mods: ESI Brightsides, RT Rear Brightsides, HMT Brake Light, Scuff Guards, Utopia Backrest, Chrome, and more Chrome, Pearl White Rear View Mirrors, Rear Fender, and Dashboard, Black Rear Wheel and Belt Assy, SpyderPops Heat Shields & Bump Skid, Elka Stage 1+ Shocks, 2012 SF Graphics, Silver Carbonfiber Dash, Corbin Arm Rests, Baker A.W., BRP Vented WindShield. BR's Sway Bar, Tricled White Halo Lights, BadBoy Air Horn, Spyder Legs Floor Boards
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Happy (S)miles!
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Newb in Central Ohio
Joe
I too am in Columbus Ohio. Maybe we can get enough new riders and start having rides together.
Originally Posted by jojo
Hello everyone,
New Spyder owner/rider here. Been riding cycles for about 12 years (Hondamatic, Royal Enfield, Honda Shadow Aero, Piaggio MP3), and never really felt comfortable with a passenger (wife) on the back, so I started looking into the Can-Am Spyder. I did a bit of reading and watching videos, and found one for sale locally, test rode it and bought it. 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5 with only 3500 miles on it.
So far the hardest part about riding the Spyder is remembering to ride in the middle of the lane ! After all of my miles on cycles, it just seems so foreign to me to ride in the middle. For my first couple of double up rides, the wife kept tapping me on the helmet, reminding me to move over to the right. I solved that problem by running a thin piece of red pinstripe tape down the middle of the windshield, which I try to keep aligned with the middle of the lane on the road ahead of me. It seems to be working really well, and hopefully I'll remove the line when I get a few more miles under my belt.
And speaking of windshields...I can't believe what a difference riding with a windshield makes. No wind on me at all, and all this week I rode with the visor up on my helmet and never once got cold.
Another minor annoyance with the Spyder is that the horn button is located right about where the turn signals were on my last bikes. I've honked the horn a few times when I meant to push the turn signals. Oops! No biggie, just another thing to get used to, (same for reaching for the hand brake).
I've found the seat to be quite comfortable, and my wife says that she's quite comfy up in her perch as well.
Love all of the storage room on the RT, I may just put away my backpack for good !
Reverse gear....fantastic !!!!
Great power on the RT as well. I haven't really rolled the throttle a lot, but when I have, it's responded quite well. Throaty sound and quick acceleration.
Automatic downshifts - love it.
I feel like I'm a turtle going around corners right now, but I know that will get better with time and miles.
Hit my first roadkill the other day. I saw it on the road ahead of me, and was concerned with getting it between my front wheels, and was worried about the low front end clearance.....but I didn't even think about the fact that I had lined it up perfectly with that back wheel. Bump and squish.
I'm getting lots of heat on my right foot, and realize that it's coming from that lower vent (radiator and engine heat). Is there a accessory vent available to redirect that heat ? It feels OK now, but in the summer that will be one hot foot.
I've already added a ram ball mount for my cell phone (which doubles as my GPS) between the handlebars, and I plan on adding USB charging port in the place of one of the empty switches in the dash. Also scouting out locations to mount my GoPro. Picked up a repair manual on CD as well.
I've been reading many, many messages and posts on this forum...lots of great information loaded here !
Looking forward to many miles of smooth, happy riding.
Joe Lynch
Columbus, Ohio
2015 Chevy Volt
2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SE5
1979 Triumph Spitfire
Homebuilt motorbike - Torker Bicycle w. 88cc 2 stroke gas engine
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