Should I Buy a Spyder

[redspyderlady]

I tried a sportster too but never felt comfortable riding it. I love riding the spyder and my husband says he worries far less with me on it.

[Pete Denzer]

Don't know if you have participated with other Internet owners' groups, but if you have you may recall reading of a disproportionate number of issues which do not appear as often as implied on the Internet.

Example: The Vulcan Rider Owners' Club (VROC) got members all fired up when a few members reported failure of plastic oil pump drive gear. As this was discussed so often, folks gave the casual members the feeling that gear failures were occurring more often than they really were. The Kawasaki customer service rep told me when I called worriedly that the actual failure rate was less than one-half percent as reported by dealers performing repairs, not enough to warrant a factory recall.

She also said that if there was a failure, KHI would foot the entire repair bill no questions asked, regardless of age or mileage, and the plastic gear would be replaced with an updated steel part.

I also found an exaggerated "doohickey" failure report rate on the KLR650 website (I replaced mine prophylactically at 35,000 miles, old one showed minimal wear) as well as other issues on other bikes that never reared their heads.

Don't ignore Spyder complaints; rather, pay attention to what model and year malfunctions occur and what their causes and effects are. The 2008 models had a few teething problems, more with the SE than the simpler SM models. I think all these bugs have been worked out. In the modest 2000 miles I have ridden my 2009 SE I personally have experienced absolutely NO malfunctions, and I have become used to the Spyder's design and performance idiosyncrasies.

My only serious complaint is the lackluster braking performance, especially riding two-up, and the lousy fuel mileage.

The Spyder is basically very well-made and the engine is well-proven in several other motorcycles including Buell Lightnings and Aprilia Mille and Tuono models.

The high-zoot CANbus electronics are idenitical to systems that have been in use in automobiles for many years.

Solutions for other issues are well-documented in these forums, and many are easy enough for the handy homeowner to address. Only two 2009 factory recalls have been issued to my knowledge, one a simple ground addition which anyone could do, the other a power steering fix.

All that being said, the Spyder is not for everyone. It is not as fast or economical as a two-wheeler with a comparable engine (though it kicks ass when compared to other trikes and sidecars) but it is much safer for those with physical issues that could make their riding two-wheelers dangerous. I have a bum leg and Parkinson's Disease which makes my balance questionable. Several other Spyder owners on this site have prosthetics or physical issues (including very short legs) which makes a three-wheeler of any type a better choice than two.

I've owned and ridden side hacks for about 100,000 miles and once owned an ex-Baltimore Police trike powered by a 45-inch flathead. The Spyder is flat-out the fastest, best-handling three-wheeler I've owned.

At this point I am more confident of its reliability than my own, and I would trust it with a coast-to-coast trip, something already done by others. As always, JMHO.

[Oldmanzues]

I will add a little here. I have a ST1100 sport tourer, but getting up a little in age (74 1/2). I have been testing/demo all kinds of trikes. I had a chance to ride the Spyder at Vintage days in Ohio last year. It was a 20 miles or so, all kinds o roads. ( did have to take a intoxilazer test, Booze first). Then I went to a dealer for some slowing testing. Bought mine a little over three months ago, gone for three weeks, Close to 3,00 miles on it. Only real dislike was the windshield (to old to eat bugs). Servel aftermarkets are available. I bought one. Love my Spyder.

You will get questions at most stops. I had a interesting one. Alady came out at a gas station and talked to me. I told her, she could sit on it. She did. She said, her husband and her were for a bike to fit her big fat butt. My aged wisdom told me say nothing about that.

Good luck

Old Man Zues

[bone crusher]

SE5 is perfect for your wife if she doesn't want to have to worry about shifting. I love the SM5 as I find that part of the fun of having a bike is hittin' the clutch and changing gears.

It's all good...they're both great bikes.

Just make sure you get the millennium yellow. It's faster!

[Smylinacha]

Should I give my opinion?

Yup!

[Smylinacha]

I have the SM5. I know some people love their SE's but I've heard too much stuff about them where I would not buy the SE model. Shifting isn't that hard to learn and since it would be 3 wheels, not like you're gonna tip over or anything trying to learn.
welcome

[Roaddog2]

The problem is you just can't get much of an idea by doing a few test rides. It takes a while to get used to riding a Spyder. At first it just feels plain strange, but after doing a few hundred Km it all starts to get better. And after a few thousand Km it starts to become real fun. I have had mine about 3 months and I am constantly looking for an excuse to ride it. (5500Km in three months)
Its not like anything else I have ever ridden. (An ATV is sorta similar but not the same by a long shot)
I would buy another one in a heart beat, no doubt about that

I have an SM5 and have had no issues. I can't speak for the SE5 though.

with Gazey on this one he sumed it right up on 12,000 miles few minor problems no regrets other than Gazey got my PE 973 and I got his PE 3433 issues were always resolved 1st time at dealer welcome

[Motza]

Thanks for all of the positive comments!

I was on another forum (didn't join...was just lurking)
There was a poll asking the question if you would buy again...
the majority said yes!

We are planning on making a trip to the dealer on Saturday...they have both a SE5 and a SM5 that I have been told we can ride....

I have looked at the Honda DN-01... but I like the idea of the three wheels
maybe it's just my perception but seem safer....

CC

Your are correct.. I'll tell you what if Honda ever came out with a 3 wheeled version of the DN-01 look out Spyderman that would be a flawless machine..but of course that will never happen... If you want you can chack out the MP3 it has 2 wheels up front, but it's not a Spyder. www.piaggiousa.com

[bone crusher]

Your are correct.. I'll tell you what if Honda ever came out with a 3 wheeled version of the DN-01 look out Spyderman that would be a flawless machine..but of course that will never happen... If you want you can chack out the MP3 it has 2 wheels up front, but it's not a Spyder. www.piaggiousa.com

http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters.p...io%20MP3%20500

It reminds me of a goat, with wheels...plus, its top speed is what many here start at when getting on the highway!

[jeuchler]

So my question is are these "Great Roadsters" with a few isolated issues...
or are we looking at something that we will regret later?


CC

CC

Many of us can speak best from our experience, since no one has all the data.

Here's one more anecdote: We purchased the Spyder after much research (like you are doing) and before a test ride.

Later, took a test ride and knew it was a good decision.

That was March of 2007. Ours was delivered March of 2008.

No problems with the Spyder since.

(We haven't driven as far as many others here, but--with the exception of Nick Caro--we've probably driven longer and more often in heavy rain, cold, wind, and snow than most others.)

No problems with the Spyder.

None.

No problems with the dealer.

None.

This forum has helped an incredible amount from the very beginning, with such practical benefits like posting the Pre-Inspection Delivery notes which allowed me to question the dealer while I crawled all under and over the Spyder checking that everything was uncrated properly.

Good luck with your decision.

[RLS]

We have had our Spyder for a little more than a year, over 10,000 miles. No serious problems, just the "new model" growing pains. Ours has been back to the dealer twice for issues, one where the gauge panel was replaced and the recall on the steering sensor. Both services were handeled in one day each. The one drawback for my wife, being 5' 2", was the seating/handelbar position caused her to get a severe case of tendonitis that required months of physical therapy. But with the number of aftermarket products available we have been able to resolve those issues and are planning a trip from Michigan to Idaho to Yellowstone National Park into Montana and then across the country to the Upper Pennisular of Michigan to home. She has been able to put 350/400 miles a day with little or no discomfort. We highly reccommend the Spyder to anyone that wants to ride, but isn't sure about two wheelers. If you or your wife would like more information as to what we did you can PM my wife Spyder Ryder810 and she will be able to give you more advice.
Bob

[Motza]

I never had a problem with my 2008 SE-5.

Just the brakes sqeak sometimes.

[Motza]

http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters.p...io%20MP3%20500

It reminds me of a goat, with wheels...plus, its top speed is what many here start at when getting on the highway!

More like a grasshopper... still alot safer than just 2 wheels... Baahhh Baahh

[jnt]

You should also be hearing from my wife. She is 4'10" and LOVES her Spyder. Her first long trip was in a raging downpour (yes, we have all the gear, from years of m/c touring). Spyder now has full Givi luggage, Russel seat, etc, etc.

Reliability? Hop on, turn key, go. A couple minor things, but so did my Beemer. Buy again? Innaminnit!

[lawawuu]

Hi All...
I have been looking for a "Bike" for my wife for the last year... actually bought her a HD Sportster that I have recently sold...

She is vertically challenged... 5'3" and is not a fan of "shifting"

We have recently looked at Ridleys... but we both think they are kind of Ugly..

Surfing the internet I stumbled upon the Spyder... we both like the styling and the SE5 sounds like something that she would enjoy...

My worry from reading a few of the posts on the forum... is that there are reliability issues...
I know this is a Internet forum where some are quick to post the negative and slow to talk about the positives...

So my question is are these "Great Roadsters" with a few isolated issues...
or are we looking at something that we will regret latter?

Thanks in advance for you Honest feedback!

CC

New SE5 Problems
I've had a new SE5 for about 3 weeks and have had a lot of problems...not to scare anyone off, but in case you run into these things, maybe this will help you to know what to do. When I took it in for its first service they found that the transmission filter had collapsed. I'd only had it for 2 weeks then. Don't have an answer for that one yet. After it was serviced I noticed that the gears were messing up and finally it froze and I couldn't get it out of the gear it got stuck in. The dealer had to come and get it and found that the solenoid was no good after talking to BRP. BRP said that they will be sending out letters about this so that the ones that have the original solenoids they put in can be replaced! The new part is different apparently and also has to have new wiring for it. I also saw on their website that the power steering is having problems and they are still checking into that; should have that recall in action by July 6-7. There is a software download that your dealer will have for it. The parking brake keeps it from rolling forward, but mine will roll backwards!! I was told that the first Spyders had a spring problem with the breaks but they didn't know what would be wrong with the 2008-2009s. The breaks squeak! They said that there are also new and different brake pads that are supposed to correct that one. One thing though, BRP is backing up their product and all will be fixed I hope. Has anyone else had these problems????When it was working properly, it was the greatest ride in the world!!!!!!

[bone crusher]

Don't start any sh*! or I'll have to hurt you! at no charge

I couldn't resist...sorry...NOT!!!!

[Smylinacha]

I couldn't resist...sorry...NOT!!!!