Last week, myself and my girlfriend Heidi went on our first long road trip on the Spyder. I thought I might share our route as well as some of my observations about the Spyder and how she did. I have read a lot on this forum about problems folks have with their Spyders (even 2014's like mine) and all the farkles and such folks use to make it more comfortable for them. So I went into this trip a little concerned about reliability and comfort. But there is only one way to find out and that is through time, experience and miles on the road. First off, about my Spyder. She is a 2014 RTS with the stock seat and windscreen. I added the BRP driver backrest and BRP adjustable wind deflectors. I also have the bajaron sway bar and links. I started the trip with just a hair over 3,000 miles and just completed my first service. I went over her with a fine tooth comb prior to leaving. Front tire PSI was 21 and rear was 28. The pressure stayed consistent throughout the ride. I had also purchased saddlebag and frunk liners from an aftermarket source which were invaluable and held up well. Comfort was not an issue for either of us. Although we do have two Airhawk seat pads to help.
The trip consisted of 2310 miles round trip over seven days. Day 1 was from Tucson to Cortez, Colorado via the Salt River Canyon, and Gallup, NM. Day 2 was Cortez to Leadville via Telluride, Aspen and Independence Pass. Day 3 found us riding from Leadville to Estes Park via Vail, Berthoud Pass and Rocky Mountain National Park. We drove from Estes Park to Gunnison on Day 4 via the east side of RMNP, Loveland Pass, Breckenridge and Monarch Pass. Day 5 we took the long route from Gunnison to Ouray via South Fork, Pagosa Springs and the Million Dollar Highway (US550). Riding from Ouray to Flagstaff via Lizard Head Pass, Cortez and across northern Arizona consumed Day 6. Because the temperatures in the desert southwest have been so hot, we left Flagstaff early on Day 7 and rode directly back to Tucson. As I stated previously, 2310 miles in total. The scenery was awesome and the weather pretty good. We dodged more than one rainstorm and managed to stay dry even though we had raingear just in case. We had purchased Sena SMH10 headsets prior to the trip and they worked well. Heidi used a 3/4 helmet so hearing wind noise at speeds over 70 mph from her mike was an issue from time to time. I use a modular and never had that issue. I had turned off the voice activation feature so the wind wouldn't trigger the mikes. But we left them on intercom most of the time. The battery life was excellent we found out. I forgot to recharge them one night and we were able to use them most of the next day with no issue. granted, we kept them off part of the time, but we never had them stop working due to low battery.
Now for the Spyder. As stated previously, I was a little concerned about running into some issue with the Spyder. Whether it be a loose connection, DESS screen, limp mode, whatever. I have read enough posts to be a bit worried. That being said, I had ZERO problems with the Spyder. She performed wonderfully in all cases. In the heat the temperature gauge never exceeded the halfway point. At altitude she climbed well with no hesitation. By altitude I mean over 12,000 feet. This in spite of a full load including me, Heidi and a lot of baggage. I averaged about 40 mpg for the entire trip which was significantly higher than I expected or budgeted for. With good tire pressures, an alignment and the sway bar/links, she tracked straight and true. She started every morning and every time I shut her off. No hesitation and no stalling. I was very impressed and pleased about how reliable she was. I can't speak for any other Spyder model, but this one has gained my trust.
Some things I noticed about the Spyder. The only "issue" I seemed to have was really squeaky brakes. And one night after getting into Ouray, I had to park on an incline and found that the parking brake would not hold me. She kept wanting to roll back. Because I just got off a road where I had to use the brakes quite a bit, I put it down to hot brakes. From that point on I had no issue with it. Not did I have an issue previous to that. But I did not find myself needing to park on an incline either. So I found a more level parking spot and that was it. Even after over 5,000 miles, I find myself still getting used to the Spyder's handling, particularly on winding roads. Because of the stance (two front wheels) I feel the unevenness of the road's surface more. When that happens in turns, it just feels different. I know this is obvious to most all of you. But it seemed to have a detrimental effect on my carving up the twisties like I used to do with a two wheeler. Before someone points out that the Spyder isn't a two wheeler, I know that already. I guess I was just a bit surprised how much longer it took me to cover a certain distance on a road on the Spyder than it did on a two wheeler. Part of it was taking it easy with a passenger on the back. Part of it I guess is that I miss carving up a twisty road on a two wheeler.
All in all, it was a great trip on a very reliable and enjoyable Spyder. I had none of the issues I have read about on this forum and am very thankful for that. The one issue (besides the squeaky brakes) that I had was self-inflicted. This may get a knowing chuckle from some of you. On day 1 we were about 15 miles south of Gallup. It was pretty warm and I was messing a little with my GPS unit which is mounted on the right side handlebar. All of a sudden the Spyder died just I was touching the GPS unit. I pulled over and we got off. I was not pleased and my first thought was that the Spyder was a piece of crap. I calmed a bit and started checking battery connections and fuses. I had lights when the key was turned on, but nothing when I pressed the starter. Fortunately, it only took me about 7 minutes to realize I had inadvertently hit the kill switch with the palm of my glove when I was messing with the GPS. I put the kill switch to run and she started right up. I felt like a complete idiot and was glad I didn't call for roadside assistance. After that, we were on the road again with no issues the rest of the trip.
Thanks for that. Those are some beautiful places you both visited. I'm off for 7 days next week on my first long road trip on my Spyder & am very uptight about it all. Both the Spyder's reliability (it has been great so far) & mine!
Wifey & I have been all over the areas you rode but neither of us can recall the Lizard Pass.
glad you had such a great first long ryde. Don't go by the issues you read here they are few and they are the reason folks come here. Well that and the laughs... we need more posts like yours to balance out the site. Thanks for the ryde along...
Gene and Ilana De Laney Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
Sounds like a great trip MyEleanor, wish we could of joined you. Have not done a long trip on the Spyder yet. May have to take a ride one of these weekends, when it gets cooler in the desert.
Nice write up on your road trip. Colorado and Northern AZ have some beautiful scenery to ride thru. Sounds like you two had a great trip.
We'll have to meet up this winter, when I return.
....and we're gonna ride, we're gonna ride.....
ride like the one-eyed Jack of Diamonds, with
the devil close behind,.....we're gonna ride....
My Wife and I just got back from a road trip to Michigan and the UP, from Lady Lake, Florida. We have a 2014 RT SE6, we went through Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, N & S Carolina Georgia. We put 4,048 miles round trip in 2.5 weeks. The only problem we had with the Spyder was that the compressor stopped working, as long as my wife stayed on the bike when moving the air stayed in the air bag. On the way home we also took the Skyway Parkway. My Spyder is 17 months old we have over 23,000 miles on it. All in All it was a great trip. However at 70 years old I was glade to get home.
Great write up and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
In reverse have noticed that in reverse the brake will be loud also.
While in California had bike serviced in Lodi mentioned this to the part employee.
He said to hit brake pedal hard before reversing.
Haven't tried it yet.
My First Long Road Trip
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we need more posts like yours to balance out the site. Thanks for the ryde along...
on what is just the first, of many successful and fun trips! 
of some of those gorgeous views? 
Originally Posted by MyEleanor
Road Trip
