Hi...New Member/Owner Here...

[Roadster Raoul]

Hi. I've been lurking around here for a few months...trying to pickup some good info from you knowledgeable Spyder owners. I used to ride two-wheelers years ago and really missed it, but I have the back of a 700 year old man (or so it seems!), and don't really dare to ride them again. Even if I thought I could handle a bike at very low speeds or stopped, most of the bikes nowadays have really forward foot positions putting all the weight on my back, which would kill me. So I've been trying to decide the last few months if I should "take the plunge" on a Spyder. I took a short test ride on a RS at a dealer, and while my back didn't feel really bad while riding, the ride was fairly short, and I couldn't really tell how it would be. I knew I'd have to add risers and probably lower the pegs/add floorboards to make it really comfortable. So I was hemming and hawing for a month or so about whether I should buy or not, when I saw an ad on Craigslist from a Cadillac dealer (of all places!), for a 2009 Spyder SE5, that from the pics, seemed to have a LOT of extras/options so...

...I bought it! It only had 1,500 miles and was owned by a 72 year old man...that was all the info I could get...(most)Cadillac salesmen don't know a lot about Spyders (although, I maybe getting the previous owner's contact info, I hope!). It had the Phantom kit w/6-spoke wheels, saddlebags, rack and backrest, fog lights, Hindle exhaust, 23"(?) touring windshield, 4.5 inch bar risers, driver floorboards, passenger peg extensions, front trunk liner, brake rotor and handlebar trim pieces, and even a hand brake! Plus, it had all of the original body panels, exhaust, windshield, cover and shop manual. As soon as I sat on it, I knew that the bar risers and floorboards made it just about the perfect riding position for me, and the rest of the options (with maybe a couple of tweaks) were things I'd probably want to add myself. The previous owner did a fine job of setting this up (for me, anyways). It did seem kinda funny seeing it sitting in a Cadillac showroom, with several boxes of the extra parts in the corner of the showroom, so I did my civic duty and made sure it didn't stay there for long! I think I got a pretty good deal...I tried to get them to throw in a Caddy, but they wouldn't go quite that far!

So far I have put about 300 miles on it, and I think my back can handle it (YES...I never thought I'd be able to ride again!). I'm still having problems with the corners, but I think that will come. I do have to make a couple of tweaks...I have to change the windshield, and have to do something with the brake pedal...due to the floorboards, it isn't the stock pedal, and can be a little tough to "find". I think it should be fairly easy to modify...

Well...I'm glad I finally joined here, and will probably wear you guys out with questions for a while...bear with me...


Rick

[docdoru]

and for your RS
Stop at a Can-Am dealer to check the VIN against updates/bulletins

[1BLACKSPYDER]

Enjoy your new ride!! WELCOME!!

[BikerDoc]

The more you ride the Spyder the easiest it gets

[dltang]

[SupaMan_3]

and on your there is a lot of great here, I have learned a lot!!! Spyder information center!!

[DynamoBT]

Good recommendation by Doc Duru. Where it wasn't traded in at a Can-Am dealer, there is no reason to believe the DPS recall has been performed on it. Best to check it out at a dealer. All they will need is your VIN#. They punch it in, and up comes all the service data performed by any Can-Am dealer. The recall fix is free. Though, some dealers still have a waiting list to get one.

on the new to you ryde!!!! And glad to have you in our little corner of the internet!!!

[NancysToy]

Glad you're in the wind again.

[acinpcola]

Glad to hear that your face is once again in the wind.

Be Safe
AC

[SpyderWolf]

and on getting your Spyder. Hopefully your back will be just fine with that setup and you will get tons of enjoyment out of it.

[Phil]

Lots of us 'brothern' and 'sisterin' that have back issues. We're here for you. WELCOME!!


Sent from my iPhone7 using Tapatalk

[ronrico]

I have my RT for only three weeks but I am as happy if not more then you. I to have a bad back and I have been on two rides of 230 and 150 miles and no problems. Have a 2000 mile ride scheduled for mid June. Will keep you updated..

Jeff

[SpyderAnn01]

Raoul and ronrico

[Roadster Raoul]

Thanks for the welcome, all,...and the good advice. It does feel good to be in the wind again!

I do plan to go to the dealer to check to see if the recalls have been done, although I wish BRP would allow you to do that through their website. I do have a few receipts but it's very hard to tell if all the recalls have been done. I'll find out...

Right now, the hardest thing to do with the weather we've been having is to get it out of the garage...

[t64507]

congrats

[murphybrown]

[fastfraser]

Its great to get your knees in the breeze again. ON.

[fispyder]

enjoy your ride

[BumbleBee]

and

Enjoy your new ryde

[Yfactor]

[jedd]

[Bob Denman]

[FANG]

on your new - have a ball -- ryde often and post when you can. Welcome to the family.