Finally pulled The Trigger.

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08-13-2019, 03:52 PM
SSBN617

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Finally pulled The Trigger.

Picked out a 2018 RT Limited dark leftover at Holzhauers in Nashville Illinois; real pretty dark grey. The dealership delivered with 1.6 miles on the clock. Got up a bit of nerve today and we took her for a spin (maybe two). 63 miles, may do another if the weather holds. Problem in the Great Mistake of Illinois is that one must take the prerequisite course, currently held only in the environs of Chicago, to get the 3-wheel license. We're scheduled for September. Right now, it kinda feels like a set of Baja Ron's swaybars may be in order...
08-13-2019, 04:20 PM
JayBros

Nice looking color. If you get a set of Ron's sway bars you're going to have one unusual Spyder. There's just one sway bar and a pair of Heim links plus two bushings.
08-13-2019, 04:23 PM
CopperSpyder

Welcome to the forum and :congrats: on the new Spyder. Make sure and add a photo of your new ride to the Spyder Garage area of the forum. :2thumbs:
08-13-2019, 04:28 PM
Baron14y

Now, if you get rid of those crappy Kendas and put on some good tires, along with the BajaRon sway bar, you'll be amazed at how the Spyder handles.:2thumbs:
08-13-2019, 04:52 PM
SSBN617

Ha, shows what I know! I'll put the spare in the trunk, let it rattle around, use the noise to leverage the spouse for cash, sneak some neat stuff in...
08-13-2019, 05:18 PM
MonPaul

:congrats:
Not saying you shouldn't get a sway bar, but I would wait 1000-1500 miles before any major changes. That is about the time it takes to get the feels of the 3 wheels ;)
08-13-2019, 05:34 PM
WDAVEY

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonPaul

:congrats:
Not saying not to get a sway bar, but I would wait 1000-1500 miles before any major changes. That is about the time it takes to get the feels of the 3 wheels ;)

I agree with MonPaul above. I'm also a brand new Spyder 2019 RTL owner and I thought I needed the stiffer sway bar. Now that I've got 600 miles on it, I'm starting to think the bar is unnecessary. The secret (I think) is to relax and loosen your grip on the handle bars and to lean into the curves like you would on a 2 wheel motorcycle. I'm gaining more confidence with each ride and I'm deliberately loosening my grip on the bars whenever I notice I'm stating to tense up. Hope this helps.
08-13-2019, 05:53 PM
trikermutha

What prerequisite course in Illinois??

I just got a regular motorcycle license (Class M).

So take the two wheel test and you have your license.
08-13-2019, 06:13 PM
BLUEKNIGHT911

Quote:

Originally Posted by CopperSpyder

Welcome to the forum and :congrats: on the new Spyder. Make sure and add a photo of your new ride to the Spyder Garage area of the forum. :2thumbs:

:agree: ……………...:welcome: ……. I bought my 2104 RT there, got a GREAT price and drove it home to Vermont in two days …… Mike :ohyea:
08-13-2019, 06:53 PM
SSBN617

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikermutha

What prerequisite course in Illinois??

I just got a regular motorcycle license (Class M).

So take the two wheel test and you have your license.

Aye, there's the rub...no Class M in me wallet, and haven't ridden a two-wheeler in years. No sense of balance. That would be why I chose submarines, can't fall off.
08-13-2019, 07:00 PM
SSBN617

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911

:agree: ……………...:welcome: ……. I bought my 2104 RT there, got a GREAT price and drove it home to Vermont in two days …… Mike :ohyea:

Yup, outstanding price...and close by. Saw your marker pin on the wall map and asked about it: "yeah, we sold one to a fellow up there." Mine was supposed to go to a couple from New Hampshire and had been taken off the market, but for some reason the deal had fallen through. Really hope that they found one.
08-13-2019, 07:10 PM
SSBN617

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDAVEY

I agree with MonPaul above. I'm also a brand new Spyder 2019 RTL owner and I thought I needed the stiffer sway bar. Now that I've got 600 miles on it, I'm starting to think the bar is unnecessary. The secret (I think) is to relax and loosen your grip on the handle bars and to lean into the curves like you would on a 2 wheel motorcycle. I'm gaining more confidence with each ride and I'm deliberately loosening my grip on the bars whenever I notice I'm stating to tense up. Hope this helps.

Absolutely. Took a third jaunt, by the time we were heading back I felt much more comfortable, trying to keep the white outta me knuckles. Helps a lot with the 'tall and tippy' feeling, and the wanderlust. Thanks for the tip!
08-13-2019, 07:34 PM
MonPaul

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSBN617

Absolutely. Took a third jaunt, by the time we were heading back I felt much more comfortable, trying to keep the white outta me knuckles. Helps a lot with the 'tall and tippy' feeling, and the wanderlust. Thanks for the tip!

I remember that feeling :ohyea:
On two wheels you are always in the same plane. On the spyder you are spread across the lane and notice every crown and bank in the road. Having that "tippy" feeling doesn't exactly bring confidence but it does go away!
08-13-2019, 10:10 PM
Breedog

Hey, we were just there last month checking out the dealer, then Alton Illinois and one in St. Louis. Will you be taking the ride there for maintenance as well? They seemed the best dealer of the bunch so far to us. We are taking the training course next month and researching dealers and maintenance support. Nashville is only about a half hour ride, we might use them also when we buy. Keep us posted on your satisfaction with them.
08-14-2019, 09:23 AM
SSBN617

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breedog

Hey, we were just there last month checking out the dealer, then Alton Illinois and one in St. Louis. Will you be taking the ride there for maintenance as well? They seemed the best dealer of the bunch so far to us. We are taking the training course next month and researching dealers and maintenance support. Nashville is only about a half hour ride, we might use them also when we buy. Keep us posted on your satisfaction with them.

Definitely plan on getting maintenance there, the only negative feedback I've seen was in regards to the $200 deposit...and that was one person who got a bunch of her friends involved. I've heard good things about their service department. We're pretty close, down in Benton.

Would you be taking the Harper College course?
08-14-2019, 09:24 AM
Raprider

:congrats::welcome:
08-14-2019, 09:44 AM
Chupaca

Welcome, welcome 👍

Welcome to both the spyder world and this most informative site...:clap: bummer you have to deal with the whole testing thing but guess you can sneak in some ryde now and again. Parking lot practice will help, they used to hand out a CD back when I got mine that gave some great suggestions. Enjoy the new ryde, the miles of smiles and the rock star pit stops....:thumbup:
08-14-2019, 06:39 PM
Breedog

Thanks for the info, wife and I taking the SWIC course located in Belleville Illinois. It’s a two wheel course, only doing so because we couldn’t find a three wheel course and unlike other schools, they don’t have loaner can ams. Seems odd, you would think they would sponsor courses at these colleges like in other locations to get us hooked on a spyder.

We’ve shopped around and believe they are the best within an hour ride. We are planning on continuing the research, probably wait for 2020 announcements and maybe rent a few models before takin* the plunge. Maybe we can see you at a meet up and spyder ride next year?
08-14-2019, 10:09 PM
SSBN617

They used to have a course at SIUC, was cancelled due to 'lack of interest'. We'll be going up to Palatine where they have loaners, for the princely sum of 20 bucks. Looking forward to a ride (can't bring myself to say ryde as of yet), also looking for an SI chapter...
08-14-2019, 11:59 PM
jegarh

I got my M on my license 40 years ago on my 1979 Trail 90. I took the written test and then the trooper told me the route to take and followed me on what was essentially around the block.
08-15-2019, 02:15 PM
SSBN617

Quote:

Originally Posted by jegarh

I got my M on my license 40 years ago on my 1979 Trail 90. I took the written test and then the trooper told me the route to take and followed me on what was essentially around the block.

Ah, the good old Honda 90, big brother to the Nifty Shifty 50. Buddy of mine had one, I had a Bridgestone 90. Didn't fall off that one, it hardly ever ran. Probably saved me young and foolish life.
08-15-2019, 06:22 PM
Breedog

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSBN617

They used to have a course at SIUC, was cancelled due to 'lack of interest'. We'll be going up to Palatine where they have loaners, for the princely sum of 20 bucks. Looking forward to a ride (can't bring myself to say ryde as of yet), also looking for an SI chapter...

Well keep us posted, we are just out of Belleville so bet we are close to you. Will let you all know how the training and spyder shopping goes. I wonder if the dealer would install some of the things like running boards if we brought them and wanted them installed as part of the purchase? I still work and don’t have time or trust myself with installation with having a passenger. LEDs would be nice, but we’ll see. Congrats on your new spyder!
08-15-2019, 09:22 PM
rogerb

I took my test on a 1968 Trail 90 in 68. Great bike had some fun on it.
08-16-2019, 04:26 PM
SuperG

Hey, I got grandfathered in from when Indiana didn't have an MC driving test.��
08-17-2019, 01:02 AM
SSBN617

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breedog

Well keep us posted, we are just out of Belleville so bet we are close to you. Will let you all know how the training and spyder shopping goes. I wonder if the dealer would install some of the things like running boards if we brought them and wanted them installed as part of the purchase? I still work and don’t have time or trust myself with installation with having a passenger. LEDs would be nice, but we’ll see. Congrats on your new spyder!

Thank you. The one thing I meant to inquire about was the rock guard for the belt...completely forgot when I saw the bike. Star struck, I guess.