From Harley Davidson 2 wheels to Can am Spyder transition

[Bruita]

HD’s since 1965, last several years of riding HD averaged 15,000 miles on bike. Last year lost hand strength for clutch and brake. On Rita’s 75th birthday in July 2020 we bought a Spyder RT and will as of today ridden 6800 miles. (We’re headed to Cedar Key for the weekend.)
Five of our neighbors in our resort bought RTLs, all heavy duty hard core HD riders. Once you stop comparing to a HD and realize it’s own entity then the fun begins. Hold on because if it happens to you like it did to all of us you will want to ride every chance you get.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I had ATV riding experience for several years before I moved from my GW to the Spyder. I took to it right away, but 60,000 miles later I'm still learning how far I can push it in the curves. I've been a bit uptight on a few at even 15 over the signed speed, and I've gone around some at 20 over. My on again, off again, riding opportunities this past summer dampened my comfort level.

So I would add to all the other comments that your confidence and comfort level will depend a lot on much you ride. More ride miles, higher comfort level.

[SignDude]

I had a 1988 GL1500 GoldWing since 2004. I rode it for many years, putting 80k+ miles on it before it needed many repairs. Unfortunately, I let it sit for too long (since 2009 or 2010) and felt that it was going to cost more to fix than what it was worth. I sold it for next to nothing to make some room in the garage. Now in 2020 I got the itch to ride again, but my wife isn't comfortable on two wheels. I looked at GoldWing trikes, but wasn't sold on it. Voyager trike kit, out of the question. It looks like training wheels. A buddy of mine hade one on his GoldWing and it was horrible in the turns and just felt weird. I even looked at a GoldWing with a Tilting Motor Works kit on it (two wheels up front like the spyder, but you can still lean), but the kit alone was as much as a used spyder RT.

Then I started researching the spyders, specifically the RT's. I wanted a ride similar to that of the GoldWing I rode for years. I was looking at the 2010-2013's to get my feet wet to see if I'd like it, but could see the advantages of getting a 2014+ instead. I found a nice used one within an hour away. Looked at it on a Sunday, left a deposit and picked it up on Monday. Best decision ever. I love riding it. My wife loves riding with me. In fact, she's thinking about taking the training and getting her endorsement so she can ride too.

The one thing I don't understand is why do so many people buy these amazing machines & don't ride them? I saw one on cycle trader, a 2014 RT Limited that was loaded with accessories with less than 4000 miles on it. That's a crime! I ride mine every day to work and run errands. It seems strange to get into a car lately, but I'm ok with that.

Enjoy the change to 3 wheels, you won't regret your decision.

[SignDude]

HD’s since 1965, last several years of riding HD averaged 15,000 miles on bike. Last year lost hand strength for clutch and brake. On Rita’s 75th birthday in July 2020 we bought a Spyder RT and will as of today ridden 6800 miles. (We’re headed to Cedar Key for the weekend.)
Five of our neighbors in our resort bought RTLs, all heavy duty hard core HD riders. Once you stop comparing to a HD and realize it’s own entity then the fun begins. Hold on because if it happens to you like it did to all of us you will want to ride every chance you get.

Enjoy Cedar Key. We'll be riding there with some friends Dec. 23rd.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The one thing I don't understand is why do so many people buy these amazing machines & don't ride them?

Same reason they buy and don't ride Goldwings, HDs, BMWs, boats, and all sort of things. The initial rush and enamorment soon wears off and they can't stand the thought of bailing early in ownership. Or, life just gets in the way of living! I bought my 2013 RT from a guy who was just too busy to ride and his wife's health took a down turn. He needed room in his garage for his car, so the Spyder went, with only 615 miles on it! My 2014 was owned by a lady whose hubby was a Harley rider. I suspect peer pressure had a lot to do with trading it in to a Harley dealer, who then got rid of it quick to a Triumph dealer. I bought it with only about 650 miles on it.

[bigbadbrucie]

I bought my early ‘14 RTS in mid ‘15. Gentleman passed away, so widow had it at the dealers on consignment. I’ve been having a wonderful time with it. There are many reasons why they are sold with low mileage.

[Snoking1127]

We are enjoying our used 2018 RTL chrome that had 5400 miles on it and came with helmets, Cardo Q3 intercoms, drivers backrest(not installed - did that), and Garmin GPS for 17.5k and no sales taxes. The 2014 we were looking at that a dealer had with 4300 miles for 15,995 would have cost as much when the sales taxes was added. AZ has no sale tax on a private sale, however with a dealer sale they collect sales tax. I did not think I wanted the complete electronic dash, however after the firmware up grade and ride it for a while, I am glad to have the new dash, even if BRP Connect is a bust. Loving it!

[Peacekeeper6]

If you absolutely LOVE the feeling of tilting the horizon during turns, you're not going to like the transition to 3-wheels.

That said, I'd keep the Harley and buy the Spyder if you can afford it. I have both, and find myself wanting to ride 2 wheels every now and then.

Good luck !!

[Snoking1127]

I rode a lot of dirty bikes when younger and had a Kawasaki 650SR road bike in the 80's. In the 1990's and 2000's we had snowmobiles and rode those a lot. The Spyder in more like the snowmobiles than the bikes I had. After about 3 weeks with the Spyder RTL I am feeling quite comfortable with it. I am a cruise control guy and the Spyder's cruise control works very well. DW does not like freeway traffic, and I am slowly working in short distances in freeway traffic to get her conditioned to it. We did a 80 mile loop trip today, and the last 6 or 7 miles were on highway 60 in Apache Junction area.