I have a confession...

[ataDude]

... to make.

I am the person Magic Man referenced in last weeks post about "..ignoring the elephant".

Today, I traded my Spyder in against a 2010 1600cc Triumph Thunderbird.

I'm not trying to start anything new, or expand concerns more that they should be, but three steering issues in 10 months was more than I could tolerate. The last one, exactly as "pitmon" described in her thread last Sunday, happened to me in the Ozark Mountains while on a four day trip... on the same weekend... with near fatal consequences.

Bottom line: Based on where, and how aggressively, I ride, I felt I could no longer take a chance on MY Spyder. I'm sure BRP will eventually get this problem resolved but I was not willing to wait.

I will remain on this site just because I have a lot of friends here.

Good luck to those with the same problems... I'm hoping BRP gets to the root cause very quickly!

[SpyderWolf]

Only you could make the decision that is right for you.

Are you going to post pictures of your new bike?

[ataDude]

Only you could make the decision that is right for you.

Are you going to post pictures of your new bike?

Sure... not mine but it's exactly like this... for now :

[Big Arm]

Glad to hear you'll at least stick around here. Really enjoy reading your post. Sorry to hear about the Spyder problems though. I
sure hope BRP gets to the bottom of this problem fast.

[Frig]

Did you get a good deal for the trade? Good luck with the new ride.

[Tom in NM]

. . . . (being selfish) I am really going to miss all your Spyder "how to" postings - they are excellent and really valuable. Thanks. AND, you always took my ribbing in the manner it was intended .

I'm sorry it came to this for you, but when it comes down to it, you have to decide what is right for you. A class act all the way.

Tom

[ataDude]

Did you get a good deal for the trade? Good luck with the new ride.

Nope... took a nice, extra large haircut on that. But the good news was I didn't have to fib about why I was selling. The Triumph dealer, who was going to wholesale the bike back to my selling dealer, both knew the background and reasons. That's the reason for the haircut... both knew of my concerns.

And, thanks!

.

[ataDude]

Oh... when were you "ribbing"?

And, thanks!

.

. . . . (being selfish) I am really going to miss all your Spyder "how to" postings - they are excellent and really valuable. Thanks. AND, you always took my ribbing in the manner it was intended .

I'm sorry it came to this for you, but when it comes down to it, you have to decide what is right for you. A class act all the way.

Tom

[Tom in NM]

Oh... when were you "ribbing"?

And, thanks!

.

. . . . whenever you were piddling.

Tom

[ataDude]

. . . . whenever you were piddling.

Tom

.
Oh, yeah? Just wait til I have my humongous garage sale. For you, it will be listed price plus 20%.

.

[Smylinacha]

Nice new ride I am sorry about your Spyder but I am very glad you will be staying on here w/ us. You would be missed on here if you left!

I sure hope they resolve this too. It scared the cr@p out of me, that's for sure. It's at my dealer's right now and will be looked at on Thursday.

Anyway, your new ride is gorgeous - keep us posted on how you like it!

[ataDude]

Thank you, M'am. I will let you know... it seems very nice and was named Cruiser of the Year by one of the bigger mags. Everyone who has one, loves it!

.

Nice new ride I am sorry about your Spyder but I am very glad you will be staying on here w/ us. You would be missed on here if you left!

I sure hope they resolve this too. It scared the cr@p out of me, that's for sure. It's at my dealer's right now and will be looked at on Thursday.

Anyway, your new ride is gorgeous - keep us posted on how you like it!

[Smylinacha]

Dayum, I need a higher paying job cuz every time someone gets a new toy, I want one too!

Thank you, M'am. I will let you know... it seems very nice and was named Cruiser of the Year by one of the bigger mags. Everyone who has one, loves it!

.

[SpyderWolf]

You didn't happen to keep that windshield that is on your Spyder in the pictures did you? Just curious.

[Trickie Dick]

I have always appreciated the insight and expertise you have offered on this forum. I have learned alot from your contributions. Thanks much.
Dick

[Some Guy]

Mr. Dude,
How will we ever survive without your extensive knowledge of 1,000 exhausts on a Spyder?!

OH YEAH!!! What about my "SideKick" that is supposed to be delivered in 2012 (AFTER the supposed "end of the world")???

My trust in imaginary Spyder products has suffered.

OK...seriously...I'm sorry for your problems...I hate them! I really do hope you're happy with the new ride. (notice: it's now "ride"...not "ryde")

I really hope you keep posting here...even if I never get my SideKick and my Spyder keeps tipping over!

[NewRider]

If you honestly felt it was the right thing to do...then it was.

Ride on, buddy, ride on...

[NancysToy]

You snuck right up on us with that one, didn't ya? Hate to see another gearhead jump ship. Hope I don't eventually have to hold down the entire tech end of this thing by myself. So sorry you felt you had to move on, I know the Spyder got your juices flowing. Enjoy the new ride...but it just won't be the same. Best of luck with your new toy.

[ataDude]

You didn't happen to keep that windshield that is on your Spyder in the pictures did you? Just curious.

Indeed I did. I will have a bunch... and I mean BUNCH... for sale soon.

I have always appreciated the insight and expertise you have offered on this forum. I have learned alot from your contributions. Thanks much.
Dick

Thanks, Dick. It was my pleasure.

Mr. Dude,
How will we ever survive without your extensive knowledge of 1,000 exhausts on a Spyder?!

OH YEAH!!! What about my "SideKick" that is supposed to be delivered in 2012 (AFTER the supposed "end of the world")???

My trust in imaginary Spyder products has suffered.

OK...seriously...I'm sorry for your problems...I hate them! I really do hope you're happy with the new ride. (notice: it's now "ride"...not "ryde")

I really hope you keep posting here...even if I never get my SideKick and my Spyder keeps tipping over!

The SideKick is still scheduled for production in late 2012.

If you honestly felt it was the right thing to do...then it was.

Ride on, buddy, ride on...

I did and it was. Thanks!

You snuck right up on us with that one, didn't ya? Hate to see another gearhead jump ship. Hope I don't eventually have to hold down the entire tech end of this thing by myself. So sorry you felt you had to move on, I know the Spyder got your juices flowing. Enjoy the new ride...but it just won't be the same. Best of luck with your new toy.

Actually, a few caught on rather quickly. HDX inquired of me (via PM) early last week.

I will miss the Spyder. Except for the three occurrences, it was a trouble-free, fun ride. I suspect I'll own another one in the future.

And, you can do it, Scotty.

.

[dave01]

Can I send my windshield to ya for an autograph...LOL
Sorry to hear about the issues, but it will be cool seeing all of the mods you do to your new ride. Glad to see you will be sticking around with us.

Nice thing is your new ride came from the factory with a hand brake lever already attached. Now lets see how long it takes for ya to get used to having one of those again.

[Some Guy]

Can I send my windshield to ya for an autograph...LOL

I think it would be more appropriate to sign our (hundreds of) exhausts!

[Dragonrider]

I understand your motivation - and that you've done what's best for you.

I'm lucky enough to be able to keep the Spyder, and have a Valk for my long trips. Best of luck!

[Bulldogger]

Should have given me a call
my wife has a 2007 Triumph speedmaster all black with oil fairing custom exhaust and race winshield sitting in my garage with no mileage on it. She doesn't ride it because of the spyder. On a 1-10 scale the bike is a 10.

Sure... not mine but it's exactly like this... for now :

[Mo Lee]

Let me know how it compares to the Valk, You do still have it don't you. I guy in town just sold his Rocket III and bought one of them but I havn't had a chance to ride or talk with him about it.

[proudcoppop]

I definitely understand you switching to another cycle. I did the same thing a couple months ago. Although I did all my own service and repair work my 08 SM5 did not experience any major issues. After reading all the issues reported by other owners I never felt confident that it would get me where I was going. In the back of my little mind I kept saying "I hope it makes it through this trip". I am primarily a distance rider and whenever I went on a trip I had a continual concern that something would break and I had little confidence there would be a knowledgable, capable dealer anywhere near.
I purchased a new Harley and although I know it can also break down like any mechanical machine I have much more reassurance that it wil be dependable and should I have a problem there will be a knowledgable and capable dealer somewhat close. My Harley has averaged 45.3 MPG over the first 2400 miles and has been trouble free. The counter balanced engine on my Harley is velvet smooth and much quieter than the Spyder due to significantly lower RPM at highway speed.
I also read Spyderlovers every day and think the Spyder is a revolutionary great creation but so revolutionary it is not yet perfected to the point of reliability of other mainstream machines. The steering issue is definitely justifyable concern and had I experienced that the Spyder would have been gone a lot sooner. I was fortunate to have sold my Spyder on EBay just before the new touring model was announced so the sale price was better than it is now. Not saying I didn't take a hit but that is life but I thoroughly enjoy new toys!
I wish all Spyder owners the best and will continue to visit the site daily.