After my Spyder left us stranded in central Mississippi and had to be shipped back to Tampa, I just couldn't trust is for long trips. So, yesterday I left the Spyder world and joined the Goldwing trike world. We owned an 02 GW, and this 2013 brings back a lot of fond memories. I hadn't riden a trike in about 10 years, and was amazed at how well it handled and how easy it was to steer. The Spyder was fun, but we're looking forward to some long trips on the GW. When it broke down we were headed to SpyderFest, then west to the Grand Canyon. We plan to try again, probably next spring.
We've enjoyed y'all and hope to still everyone throughout the summer.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
You can still ride with me.. and have lunch somewhere... I am sure there are other Fl riders that feel the same way. It's not the ride that makes good friends, it's the people.
for sad good bye's, your still welcome and who knows you may ryde a spyder again some day..like Bond said.."never say never" enjoy the new ride and be safe..!!
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
For no reason mine would go into limp home and has left us stranded more than once. The last time was when we was on our way to spyderfest and the DPS came up on the screen at 70 mph in a curve with 4 cars behind me. That rock wall was getting close real fast to our left. My beloved RT did not come home with us. About got hung for going to spyderfest to trade spyder for 2013 Harley Tri Glide.
Very sorry to see you leave the fold, but after seeing the severity of your problems, so early into the game, I don't blame you a bit. If it is any consolation, the problems you had were unusual. Enjoy your new ride.
Best of luck with the Gold Wing, hope it doesn't strand you like the Spyder (a neighbor of mine was halfway across the country when his GW broke down, spent two weeks at a dealer getting fixed. Moral of the story: mechanical things break, gotta roll with the punches!)
You can still ride with me.. and have lunch somewhere... I am sure there are other Fl riders that feel the same way. It's not the ride that makes good friends, it's the people.
And Cindy & I are some of the people that Forrest just described above. I too hope that you and Sis will join us for our fun hamburgers, breakfasts or meeting where ever and having some down right fun.
Mike, you and Sis are a "class act". I do hope that ya'll will enjoy your new machine and get plenty of happy miles out of it.
Goldwing is the best bike on the market as far as comfort and dependability and BRP is no comparision its got to be the worse on the market my bike been it the shop for two weeks and still no answer to the problems and I am like most of you cant trust it to go far BRP has a lot to learn also about serviceing customers good luck I might be doing the same or seeing a lawyer about mine soon
sounds like you did the right thing for you,me and most every one on here ride with the person not the bike your the one we care about not what bike you ride so ride that wing and have the time of your life ,and dont leave this form ,ride safe and enjoy life we care about each other on this site.
Mango: Your post is almost exact what I was going to post. We also have decided for same reasons to trade off our Spyder for a used Road Smith Goldwing trike. Used trike only has 20,000 miles on it so just broke in. Spent to many hours under Spyder plus many $$$ repairs that Warranty covered. I really will miss ABS and other safety items on the spyder. I miss the torque and low rpms of a touring bike. See you over on the trike boards. Sure made many great friends on the Spyder around SW Fl. I hope no one thinks I am bashing Spyders, not at all the are a fun machine. They are just not my cup of tea. At 76 years of age we really just want easy going quiet, comfort and no problems on our long trips.
It's not bashing when all you are doing is expressing your experiences. Personally I think for the most part people give the "Spyder" more than enough chances to prove itself. Goldwing Trikes are "ultra awesome" good luck I am sure you will enjoy.
I have wondered. How does the ride on your new trike compare to the Spyder? No considering your reliability issues.
I last rode a Honda trike about 10 years ago, and it was horrible. I was shocked when I rode a new one. Very easy to steer, very solid, a lot of power, corners very well, just a great ride. I will probably change the OEM seat, like I did on the Spyder, but even with the stock seat it's a very comfortable bike. But then, so was my Spyder after many changes. I do feel a lot more secure on the GW, and know that it will go the distance. Spyders will also, usually. Mine problem was unique, but it was enough to scare me away. I like using regular gas, and having a 6.6 gallon fuel capacity, and about 34 mpg. I also like cruising on the Interstate at 70 and the engine is loafing along at a relaxing 3000 rpm, rather than 5000 on the Spyder. The Spyder was a lot of fun, and there is a wonderful community of Spyder riders and we hope to keep meeting and riding with them. But we are very happy with the GW and glad we made the change.
Mango: Your post is almost exact what I was going to post. We also have decided for same reasons to trade off our Spyder for a used Road Smith Goldwing trike. Used trike only has 20,000 miles on it so just broke in. Spent to many hours under Spyder plus many $$$ repairs that Warranty covered. I really will miss ABS and other safety items on the spyder. I miss the torque and low rpms of a touring bike. See you over on the trike boards. Sure made many great friends on the Spyder around SW Fl. I hope no one thinks I am bashing Spyders, not at all the are a fun machine. They are just not my cup of tea. At 76 years of age we really just want easy going quiet, comfort and no problems on our long trips.
JW,
I'm on Trike Talk as MangoMike, hope to see you there.
I'm curious. With dealers in Jackson MS and Hattiesburg MS why did you have to ship it back to Tampa?
I was halfway between Memphis and Jackson. Was told by another SpyderLovers member that Jackson was a small shop with one tech and I'd be better off in Memphis. So we towed the bike to Memphis where they spent two days analyzing the problem and found they would not be able to get to it for a long time. My only option was to ship it back to my dealer.
Goldwing is the best bike on the market as far as comfort and dependability and BRP is no comparision its got to be the worse on the market my bike been it the shop for two weeks and still no answer to the problems and I am like most of you cant trust it to go far BRP has a lot to learn also about serviceing customers good luck I might be doing the same or seeing a lawyer about mine soon
Sorry: But It's getting hard to not say something about the quote above. I note that our resident basher/cheerleader is back to once again grind the old axe.
Sorry to hear of Mango Mike and the couple others who have had issues. You have to do what you have to do. No one wants a vehicle that they cannot trust to bring them back home and not get stranded somewhere. Best wishes on your new rydes.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Goldwing is the best bike on the market as far as comfort and dependability and BRP is no comparision its got to be the worse on the market my bike been it the shop for two weeks and still no answer to the problems and I am like most of you cant trust it to go far BRP has a lot to learn also about serviceing customers good luck I might be doing the same or seeing a lawyer about mine soon
It's hard to take you seriously when you can't even punctuate a sentence.