Please allow me to introduce myself................( long post)

[Valkrocket]

Howdy all. Name is Ron (aka Valkrocket) currently living in Murrells Inlet, SC with my wife Carol. Originally from America’s hometown Plymouth, MA (You know, where those guys with the tall hats stepped off that tiny boat onto the “Rock”. Been riding 2 wheels since I was 16 (and that was a long time ago). Last 20 years was on a 1999 custom Valkyrie Tourer nicknamed “2Maidens”(see pic). Broke my heart when I had to sell her recently due to a total knee replacement in July of 2018. Could no longer take her on any trip longer than 15 minutes without my bionic knee stiffening up. Sold her in Dec. to a motorcycle collector in the Seattle area who promised to take good care of her. By the way, I’m an old acquaintance of Lamont who was quite the Valkyrie enthusiast at one time. Rode with him in Daytona also during his Boss Hoss Days. I’ve been lurking on this site for about 4 months and finally decided to pull the trigger and purchase a Spyder. So, on Jan. 15th a local dealer delivered my new gray 2018 RTL. First thing first, nicknamed her “Gracie”. You can probably figure out why😊. First addition was an oversized brake pedal so that I could get my bad leg on it a little easier. Next, I'm thinking either highway boards or a bump skid plate. Man the front end on these things are low. Looks like I could easily take a few speed bumps out with it. Have taken her on 2 short trips around the neighborhood, so far and I realize that riding a spyder is nothing like riding a bike. Whoa…… these things require a whole new learning curve. Very quick response to the slightest hand movements. Picked up some orange cones and gonna go through the exercises recommended in the owner’s manual at a local deserted mall parking lot. Looking forward to corresponding with you folks on the boards and hopefully some day meeting you in person. Picture of Gracie attached. Sorry for the long post, hope I didn't bore ya GO PATS!

IMG_3358.jpg A.jpg

[CopperSpyder]

On the new Bike. What a great feeling to stop and not have to put your foot down on the ground. Pats

[Grandpot]

Welcome aboard. You will be surprised how many current and past Valkyrie owners now have Spyders. I have a 1998 Interstate and a 2011 Spyder RT-S.

[JKMSPYDER]

Welcome to the Spyder world! Just take your time in getting used to your new Spyder. It may take 500 miles or so. I have been a Spyder owner for five years this month with 61,000 under my belt. Once you get used to it you will love it!!

[Lew L]

Welcome the the web.

It was hard to sell my 98 Valk. Such a great bike. But I had another motorcycle and then the spyder( '14 RTS ) . So it was the Valkyrie or the V-Max. The Valkyrie is no slug and handles great for a big girl but Mr. Max does satisfy my need for speed.
You'll love the RT.

Lew L

[ARtraveler]

and on your new RT.

[Chupaca]

Glad you jumped in and joined the 🎪. Welcome to the spyder world and you have already seen what goes on here. Congrats on the new ryde your going to have a blast with it...

[LeftCoast]

I’d also like to welcome you to the most fun you’re going to have on 3 wheels, you’ll love it once it feels normal and its a beautiful bike. If you are so inclined you can take a BRP Spyder safety course not so much for the road awareness stuff with you being a long time rider, but you get to use their bikes and throw them around pretty hard so you don’t have to abuse yours.

As for the Pats I’m a Denver guy so I imagine you pretty much know how I feel about that!

[DGoebel]

Congrats and welcome again! I too was a bit concerned with the front end height The Baja Ron Shock Adjusters really helped with that, and in concert with his upgraded sway bar markedly improved the already nice ride.

[JayBros]

Welcome and congrats on your new Spyder. I agree with LeftCoast that once you get accustomed to the Spyder you will like its ride and handling. That may take several hundred miles or more; don't sweat it. And I offer that coming from two wheels you are probably accustomed to a tighter grip on the bars than a Spyder requires; relax and caress the grips as you would your bride. Once you've logged the miles you feel you need to get comfortable then think about a Spyderpops bump skid, with or without lights as you prefer, and possibly an aftermarket sway bar and/or shock adjusters. If the Spyder does not track straight and true when you take your hands off the grips you definitely should have the alignment checked. BRP does not do a great job with alignments right off the assembly line. I rate alignment check as THE most important thing. Good luck!

[3 Wheel Rider]

Welcome Valkrocket and congrats on your machine.

Murrels Inlet, SC... a beautiful little place with GREAT seafood. I was blessed to be stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB from Oct 1987 - Dec 1991. I'm sure the area has changed greatly over the years, but I do hope to return one day for a short visit.

[dpetrick]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy the ride.

[Jester]

Like my predecessors, WELCOME. You will have phun here!

[4 MARIE]

Your cycling trip to arrive at the Spyder, parrellels so many of us.
Take your time learning the quirks of ryding this three wheeler,
and you will be rewarded. Welcome to the club, keep your head
out of the cockpit, and you will be fine fine fine.

[Bob Denman]

We're glad that you found us!

[Purple Guy]

&

After you've got 500 miles in the saddle it will be like you were born on one.
A bump skid is an investment well spent, mines saved me from some costly repairs for sure!
Upgrading the swaybar to a BajaRon swaybar is IMHO the best improvement you can do to your Spyder!

Have Fun & Enjoy!

[vindex1963]

Welcome, pull up a chair and stay a while.

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

are you a man of wealth and taste.

[Lew L]

ahh ------ the musical reference

[Valkrocket]

Pleased to meet you, guess you know my name...… Thank you all for the welcome wishes. Took Gracie out to that parking lot and worked on honing my skills. Drew a crowd as I maneuvered around and through those orange cones. I had her turning so tight, I swear I could read my own license plate This is gonna be a fun ride. Glide-0n>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Bob Denman]

are you a man of wealth and taste.

ahh ------ the musical reference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jke7e8C2XfA

[311tomcat]

Hello Valkrocket and welcome. As others have said, just relax and give yourself time to adjust to "Gracie"! Five years ago I went from two wheels (90 Goldwing) to an 2006 Goldwing trike. As with our Spyder, first thing I learned was as JayBros said, relax your grip on the handlebars. Quite a few guys on here have lots of good info, so if any problems come up, you should have no problem finding a solution. By the way, "Gracie" & “2Maidens” are both looking sharp. Take care and ride safe.

[ChevyBuickDealer]

Thanks for the share and we are glad you are here!

[Spydermon]

Your story is a very familiar one in Spyderland. I’m a former Goldwing man myself. Though a Spyder is no Goldwing at least we’re still able to ride. Welcome to Spyderlovers.com my friend. Enjoy.

[PrairieSpyder]