Spyder RT Limited Questions

[RHJ1]

New Spyder owner for two weeks. Rode two wheels for 30 years. I found the transition to the Spyder quite easy. Love the reverse and turning radius. At 300 miles and occasionally looking for the front brake and clutch but the auto shift trans is getting easier and easier. Looking forward to some touring and heading for bike week in Daytona next week and Spyders on the Bayou in two weeks. Be safe and enjoy your new ride.

[Woodaddict]

1. I have a strong desire to reach for the handlebar clutch and brake handles that aren't there anymore.
....

wait till you start to put the kickstand down!!!!!

[FalconAF]

It's a keeper.

I felt confident enough today to take some less travelled roads to get out to Northshore Road in Lake Mead National Recreation Area (167 and 169 in Google Maps if you aren't familiar with it). One of the best rides in the Las Vegas area without risking getting rear ended by tourists who are doing the "Look at all the pretty lights!" driving here. Went north to Overton then back home. I'm sold. And that McD's Quarter Pounder in Overton was the best cheeseburger I've had in the past 3 years for some strange reason.

Met a couple Spyder riders. Neither one said they were part of this forum. But one of them insisted I get pictures of my first "real road" ride with my new Spyder. So...…

BTW, any new Spyder riders who ever read this....make yourself a "cheat sheet" or something about the "normal ways" to do stuff like opening the Frunk. I never had a problem with it before today. I had also already seen a thread here about it "getting stuck" and watched the YouTube video about how to "unstick" it. Well, I got to Overton. Smiling like an idiot. Tried to open the Frunk and it wouldn't open. Met the first other Spyder rider there and he said "Are you turning the key to the left?" I said "Yup". He came over, turned the key, and the Frunk popped right open.

He said, "Are you pushing the key in first before turning it?" I said, "Uhhhhhh…….."

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Tried to open the Frunk and it wouldn't open. Met the first other Spyder rider there and he said "Are you turning the key to the left?" I said "Yup". He came over, turned the key, and the Frunk popped right open.

He said, "Are you pushing the key in first before turning it?" I said, "Uhhhhhh…….."

Look at it this way! You're sure to remember now how to do it! Nothing like a flub and embarrassment to burn an action into the memory bank!!

[JeffandLori]

Well, so yesterday in southern Wisconsin it was to be above freezing, good some of the snow will finally start to melt. Then it started raining. I went out and stood in the rain, with glee I watched the salt being rinsed off the road. Thinking if the salt is off the road, I can wear my snowmobile gear and finally get my brand new spyder home. Well an hour later it turned to freezing rain, coating all the tre with ice. It then started freezing on the road, I am think @$#%^&^%$@#$ the salt trucks will be out again. Then it turned to snow with near white out conditions. We received 1-2 inches. I told my wife I am going into the bedroom and curl up in the fetal position and suck my thumb.

[Highwayman2013]

There's a good Mexican restaurant in Overton NV called La Fonda.

[AppleSpyder]

It's a keeper.

I felt confident enough today to take some less travelled roads to get out to Northshore Road in Lake Mead National Recreation Area (167 and 169 in Google Maps if you aren't familiar with it). One of the best rides in the Las Vegas area without risking getting rear ended by tourists who are doing the "Look at all the pretty lights!" driving here. Went north to Overton then back home. I'm sold. And that McD's Quarter Pounder in Overton was the best cheeseburger I've had in the past 3 years for some strange reason.

Met a couple Spyder riders. Neither one said they were part of this forum. But one of them insisted I get pictures of my first "real road" ride with my new Spyder. So...…

BTW, any new Spyder riders who ever read this....make yourself a "cheat sheet" or something about the "normal ways" to do stuff like opening the Frunk. I never had a problem with it before today. I had also already seen a thread here about it "getting stuck" and watched the YouTube video about how to "unstick" it. Well, I got to Overton. Smiling like an idiot. Tried to open the Frunk and it wouldn't open. Met the first other Spyder rider there and he said "Are you turning the key to the left?" I said "Yup". He came over, turned the key, and the Frunk popped right open.

He said, "Are you pushing the key in first before turning it?" I said, "Uhhhhhh…….."

Thank you so much for taking us on your journey with you!!!!!!! You have had me laughing so hard, I really appreciate it. It takes me back to when I first got my spyder and had to go through all of those "learning curves". Like remembering how to start it at a gas station or trying to look really cool and take off in front of a bunch of other bikes only to find out the parking brake is still on......I love it!!! And thank you again!!

[al0vely]

Thank you so much for taking us on your journey with you!!!!!!! You have had me laughing so hard, I really appreciate it. It takes me back to when I first got my spyder and had to go through all of those "learning curves". Like remembering how to start it at a gas station or trying to look really cool and take off in front of a bunch of other bikes only to find out the parking brake is still on......I love it!!! And thank you again!!

I agree - riding w/Falcon is fun especially when it isn't riding season for me just yet.

[FalconAF]

Thank you so much for taking us on your journey with you!!!!!!! …….or trying to look really cool and take off in front of a bunch of other bikes only to find out the parking brake is still on......I love it!!! And thank you again!!

We'll, I haven't done that one yet. But I did start it up at a turn out with some other people around. Then did the look both ways before pulling away thing. Then rolled the throttle on...only to remember too late that when you start it, it automatically shifts itself back into neutral (couldn't read the dash at the time because of sun reflection on it). Revved that puppy up really well without moving an inch. Looked around to see if anybody noticed. Yeah...they noticed. Put it in 1st and limped outta the parking area as quietly as I could......

[davev1pa]

Can u pass along that dealer info?

[bikerbillone]

Never fails, screw up and everyone is watching.

[AppleSpyder]

We'll, I haven't done that one yet. But I did start it up at a turn out with some other people around. Then did the look both ways before pulling away thing. Then rolled the throttle on...only to remember too late that when you start it, it automatically shifts itself back into neutral (couldn't read the dash at the time because of sun reflection on it). Revved that puppy up really well without moving an inch. Looked around to see if anybody noticed. Yeah...they noticed. Put it in 1st and limped outta the parking area as quietly as I could......

Bwaaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! Of course there had to be someone there!!! lol lol lol And now you know why I named mine after John Denver's song Calypso......"the places you've been to, the stories you tell".........Bwaaaaa ha ha ha ha!!!

[FalconAF]

Can u pass along that dealer info?

I ended up buying mine from ProShop. No BS involved. https://www.proshoplv.com/

[Tideman]

It takes 500 miles to feel comfortable on the Spyder, about the same if you switched bikes. Once your comfortable with it
and realize both your and the bikes limitations you will be fine. Every machine has its own quirks. I have 30,000 miles
on my 15 RT. Mostly one up. I leave the bike in the Eco mode most of the time. Eco mode is car like performance+ don't need to go faster than that. I put 11,000 on the Spyder the first year. I owned an 1800 wing and put on 8,000 the first year I owned that. No worries (less worries) about gravel, rain and tar snakes. I'm 72 just went around Lake Superior some 2,000 miles from my home. Been to Sturgis off season and the Smokies. Did the same trips on the wing, no difference in the fun factor. Don't miss putting my feet down! I've had a couple of very minor problems otherwise it's the same as the wing, gas and go.

[MonPaul]

Thank you so much for taking us on your journey with you!!!!!!! You have had me laughing so hard, I really appreciate it. It takes me back to when I first got my spyder and had to go through all of those "learning curves". Like remembering how to start it at a gas station or trying to look really cool and take off in front of a bunch of other bikes only to find out the parking brake is still on......I love it!!! And thank you again!!

Just park it so you have to back up out of your spot. If you forget to turn off the parking brake say it is the reverse warning! Everyone will be impressed

[Snoking1127]

We are picking up our used 2018 RT Limited Chrome Monday, enjoyed the read here. Scheduled for the two day trike course Thursday and Friday. Chris

[Big F]

You will find pricing all over the rainbow... most important, get on one and ride it first.. You will quickly see how easy and comfortable they are to ride.. depending on what/where you plan to ride will dictate which model to buy.. best of luck on finding what you want and you simply will not be disappointed with a Sypder!!!!!!
BIG F

[Peacekeeper6]

I've just joined the forum after reading lots here about the Spyders. My "story" is in my new members post, but suffice to say I can't ride a two-wheeler anymore (wouldn't feel safe and proficient enough anymore on only two wheels) and have been looking at "trikes" to get back into riding again. I'm almost 65 now, good health again, fully retired, and looking to get back on the road doing road trips again. Will be staying in hotels now exclusively though (Best Western loves me) because the camping thing would be to much work every day now. Plus, I've always had the philosophy that if I'm not willing to share my bedroom with bears, I probably shouldn't share theirs with them.

Anyhow, I digress...…


The Spyder is really appealing to me. I'm single and will be riding 1-up. I really can't see spending $40K-ish to "trike" a Gold Wing when I can get a 2018 RT Limited brand new for $20K - $22K right now. Those ARE the prices I'm seeing for them right now, and could purchase one locally for that where I live (dealer "Inventory Clearance Sale"). One of my questions is, even though I've read in the forum it is a "buyer's market" right now, WHY would a dealer be giving $9K off of brand new 2018's right out of the crate? Is there THAT much of a difference between them and the upcoming new 2019's? Is/was the 2018 "dashboard system BRP software interface my phone won't connect, etc" fiasco so bad that they need to give away the 2018's 'cos they couldn't sell them? Given the choices I'm seeing right now, I'd buy a brand new 2018 for the low $20's instead of paying $30K+ for a 2019 (or even buying a used pre-2018), even if the 2019 made my breakfast for me. What am I missing, or don't understand about the price differences?

Also, how much of a transition to riding a Spyder can I expect to encounter before being "safe" doing it? I'm aware of people hopping on a "trike" and driving off the side of the road in a curve because they instinctively counter-steer at first (among other things). Old habits can be hard to break. I just spent almost 3 years recovering from an accident that wasn't my fault. I don't want to spend another 3 years recovering from one that would be my own fault. According to the Can-Am website, Nevada does not have any locations for me to take the $99 "New Spyder Rider's" safety course so I wouldn't kill myself in the first week I'm on one. I know the MSF has separate "trike" courses, but would those courses apply to the wheel configuration of a Spyder? How long did it take YOU (generically) before you felt your "instinct responses" while riding a Spyder had changed enough from your 2-wheel instincts so you would react in the "proper" ways on a 3-wheeler?

The above are my two main concerns right now. Any insight from forum members would be greatly appreciated.

Rick

I wouldn't worry about the transition. If you've ridden snowmobiles, quads or wave runners, it is very similar to them. It only took me about 5 minutes to feel comfortable riding them, but then again, I used to be an avid waverunner rider who rode A LOT in the rough ocean, so I'm pretty comfortable being unstable (NOT to say that Spyders are unstable. Far, FAR from it in fact, especially with the Baja Ron swaybar).

If you REALLY want to know what it's like riding a Spyder, I HIGHLY suggest taking the Red Rock Canyon Tour with the folks at Las Vegas Spyder Tours. The guys there are SO nice and helpful, and will answer ANY questions you may have with the Spyder because they also maintain their bikes. At least, it'll give you an idea if investing in a Spyder is worth doing.

[Peacekeeper6]

BTW, I bought an '18 RT-L in the fall of 2019.

I saved A LOT, and the money I saved was used for mods. Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong buying that model year, unless you REALLY and ABSOLUTELY have to own the "latest and greatest". (The bad thing about that is, BRP hasn't ironed out the issues associated with new models, so ....).

[Peacekeeper6]

Just finished actually reading the whole thread.

Disregard everything I said, LOL.

[Mikey]

2019

[Big F]

take a demo ride and then write the check... good luck
BIG F