Newbie questions! Trailer home tips, or fly/ride? Other Must knows?

[Kahamom]

Hi All-

Soon to be a new Spyder RT owner- up until now have been a Harley girl, but age and knee replacements say I need to find something easier to ride-

So..... I will be picking my Spyder up in Jax next Thurs- Is there a great way to trailer them-was looking at U-Haul - but the trailers are too narrow and the car hauler only has 2 ramps

I have a motorcycle trailer, however there is only 2 inches of clearance, so that's out-

My other option is fly down from Charleston and ride it back- which would not be a horrible option- depending on weather-

Also any 'must knows' to being a Spyder rider?


Thanks!!!

[PaladinLV]

As an experienced 2 wheel rider you should have no major problems other than becoming familiar with the machine.
Same ritual for 2 wheels.
If the have a good size lot, practice there for maybe 30 mins and when you feel comfortable ride it home.
In 2015, I had to "give up" my Harley. Drove the Spyder for @ 15 mins and off I went.
Typically, from 2 to 3 we have this tendency to want to put our feet down when stopping, but I found the 2 wheels in front told my brain immediately it was NOT a 2 wheeler.
Just remember although it might feel like and steer like a cager, It's NOT, and use the skills you already learned about driving in traffic.
The main thing is a Spyder does not "lean" so in Curves you lean into the curve
Don't think you'll have a problem!

AJ

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hi All-

Soon to be a new Spyder RT owner- up until now have been a Harley girl, but age and knee replacements say I need to find something easier to ride-

So..... I will be picking my Spyder up in Jax next Thurs- Is there a great way to trailer them-was looking at U-Haul - but the trailers are too narrow and the car hauler only has 2 ramps

I have a motorcycle trailer, however there is only 2 inches of clearance, so that's out-

My other option is fly down from Charleston and ride it back- which would not be a horrible option- depending on weather-

Also any 'must knows' to being a Spyder rider?


Thanks!!!

I would read the " Do's and Do Not's " .... go to the Home page and click on Spyder General Discussion .... lots of good info there .... personally when I went to look at the Spyders I was told by the dealer " just drive it like your car " .... I had no issues and could have drive it 200 mi. .... You don't say WHAT spyder you are getting .... Does it have an Manual transmission or the Semi-Auto .... there are different starting procedures, that MUST be followed .... Help us help you ..... Mike

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

As an experienced 2 wheel rider you should have no major problems other than becoming familiar with the machine.
Same ritual for 2 wheels.
If the have a good size lot, practice there for maybe 30 mins and when you feel comfortable ride it home.
In 2015, I had to "give up" my Harley. Drove the Spyder for @ 15 mins and off I went.
Typically, from 2 to 3 we have this tendency to want to put our feet down when stopping, but I found the 2 wheels in front told my brain immediately it was NOT a 2 wheeler.
Just remember although it might feel like and steer like a cager, It's NOT, and use the skills you already learned about driving in traffic.
The main thing is a Spyder does not "lean" so in Curves you lean into the curve
Don't think you'll have a problem!

AJ

WRONG .... if you counter steer like on a TWO WHEELER ... the Spyder will go in a DITCH .... Spyders drive just like CARS .... Mike

[Peteoz]

Sorry, can’t help you with trailering as I have never had to do it, Kahamom. But many have, and I’m sure they will be along shortly with tips.

Good tips from AJ above if you decide to ride it home. Coming from 2 wheels, you will instinctively try counter steering the first few times you slow turn, but you’ll soon get over that. I found myself turning INTO traffic the first time I rode one, and it took me a minute to work out why. Also, a loose grip is critical until you get used to it, or you will find yourself constantly fighting it by over correcting.
Congratulations and welcome…..What year RT are you getting?

Pete

[Kahamom]

I am getting the Spyder RT , its a 2018 - so excited, and yes it is a manual as I prefer a manual.........

[Peteoz]

WRONG .... if you counter steer like on a TWO WHEELER ... the Spyder will go in a DITCH .... Spyders drive just like CARS .... Mike

…..not sure which sentence you are referring to as “wrong”, Mike. If it is AJ’s first one, I read that he is simply saying that Kahamom knows what “motorcycling” is about, not suggesting counter steering

Pete

[ARtraveler]

Another vote for fly and drive. A parking lot test to get the feel of the rig will help you get on your way.

Read the Do's and Dont's as suggested above. Don't overcontrol. Take it easy the first 50 miles or so. You should be good to go.

[RICZ]

+1 fly & drive, but stay there a day or two and get to know your Spyder's idiosyncrasies. Read the manual the first night to familiarize yourself with the controls and riding techniques. Hopefully, there is someone at the dealership who will mentor you - there is a learning curve. After 67 years on two wheels, my body and brain were wired for all the sensations a two wheels gives. I found I had to be completely rewired. The toughest thing to overcome were off camber left hand curves because the bike leans to the right while you are trying to turn left. Aaargh!
I can not stress enough how important it is to have loose hands and arms on the bars. Tighten and the bike gets twitchy.
Check the air before taking delivery. There is a sticker on the left under the frunk lid. Proper pressure is important. I say that because the shop had put 40 psi in my tires prior to delivery.
Lastly, maybe there's a forum member in Jax who can be of aid.
P.S. You might want to reconsider getting a manual for many reasons - mainly you will have a difficult time selling it as most want the electric shift. I was thinking of getting a manual, but after taking a long test ride on an electric shift, I was sold - no hand cramps and I can shift up or down at will. It is not an automatic, but it will downshift by itself as you come to a stop. You have to do the upshifting.
Spyders are a hoot to ride. Have fun!

[JayBros]

I totally agree with RICZ, including about the manual trans, a worthless, used to be farkle. If you have a good, accurate tire pressure gauge, particularly one with a 90 degree chuck for the rear wheel valve stem, throw that in your flying bag and your Spyder can become its new permanent home. Good luck!

[Bfromla]

I am getting the Spyder RT , its a 2018 - so excited, and yes it is a manual as I prefer a manual.........

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-Spyder-owners Take your time to get familiar & comfortable by all means ENJOY. If you have any atv four wheeler experience will help a little. Also can run the vin number
By dealer or here:

https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en...okup-list.html

check if any recall or other matters need to be addressed or have been.

[RayBJ]

Fly & ride home avoiding the interstates. Should be some nice, quieter conditions to get familiar at lower speeds.

[RickG]

I went from a BMW Sport to my 'new to me' 2017 Spyder RT Limited. Drove it home from the dealer. Two things I had to learn quickly. Don't try to counter steer and don't hold the grips tightly. Again, stay off the interstates and enjoy the trip.

[Kahamom]

That’s what I thought! Have already mapped out a route up the coast !

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

…..not sure which sentence you are referring to as “wrong”, Mike. If it is AJ’s first one, I read that he is simply saying that Kahamom knows what “motorcycling” is about, not suggesting counter steering

Pete

Yes His first sentence ...... AJ was referring to the ability to ride a TWO WHEELER, after my 55 + years of riding Two Wheelers if you try to turn by steering into the turn like a CAR .... you will crash - Period ..... Mike

[pidjones]

That’s what I thought! Have already mapped out a route up the coast !

Yes - US17. Be aware that as roads undulate side-to-side it can cause the Spyder to tend to follow it, but the tighter you grip the bars the worse it gets. Let the bike twist around under you. On 2 wheelers we unconsciously brace ourselves with the bars. You'll have to unlearn that. I don't know about your model, but I found the '21 RTL has better wind protection, is quieter, and more stable on interstates (but I still avoid them) than my '06 GL1800. Also, mileage is not as good and BRP calls for Premium gas.

[Mikey]

If you are buying it from a dealer, have them service it, and ride it like you stole it, after you get a couple hundred miles under you!!!! Welcome to the family!!!

[Drwerner]

Hi Kahamom, welcome! As others have said - take it slow at first. When I got mine, someone told me I would not like it for 500 miles. they were pretty much dead on for me. Muscle memory from my BMW didn't help much. All the controls and switches were different, there wasn't a clutch and no front brake lever. You will be able to ride it just fine, but it will take some time to have it be your new normal. Go slow, grow into it and enjoy the ride!

[blacklightning]

…..not sure which sentence you are referring to as “wrong”, Mike. If it is AJ’s first one, I read that he is simply saying that Kahamom knows what “motorcycling” is about, not suggesting counter steering

Pete

I just watched a video on handle bar steering and counter steering. It still confuses me, or maybe I just am looking at it wrong. I just know that I push on the grip that is on the opposite direction in which I want to go, and slightly pull back on the grip in the direction in which I am turning. If that is not correct, sorry, but it has been working for me for the past 15 years. And I use this method for the 2 wheeler and for my spyder.

[Northofthesix]

When I bought my 18RTL I had never so much as sat on one... many years driving 2 wheels. Flew to pick it up and rode it 1500km home over 2 days. First hundred or so felt quite intense but but the time I got home I was comfortable. Take your time and it will come to you!!

[cptjam]

Fly and ride. 5 hours or so? Piece of cake! I had never been on one when we got the first one. Rode from East Troy, WI to Grand Rapids, Mi. Straight thru Chicago! Other than off camber turns, you will quickly adapt. On those, just lean your body into the turn. Relax, enjoy, and SADDLE UP!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

And I use this method for the 2 wheeler and for my spyder.

If you are using the same steering technique at any speed above parking lot speed on the 2 wheeler as you do on the Spyder then you are having one helluva hard time riding your 2 wheeler. I don't know how long I rode a 2 wheeler before I was informed about counter steering. After I started using it correctly I realized why I had always had a hard time steering. On the 2 wheeler when you turn right you push on the right handlebar and pull on the left. Exactly the reverse of the Spyder. By doing so you use the gyroscopic effect of the spinning front wheel to cause the front wheel to turn the way you want it to go.

[Steve W.]

If you have the time, a fly and ride is great.

We did not have that much time, so it might have been a drive and ride. Two of us drive there, one drive back, the other ride back. I was not sure I wanted to be the guinea pig for HER bike, so we trailered. Yes, we used a U-Haul. Had to do some research on what they had, though. They have two differene 6 x 12 open trailers. One has a (short) ramp, the other has and even shorter tailgate. The one with the ramp has gussets at the rear that limit width to about 5 feet, which is too narrow for a Spyder. Fortunately, I have a pair of folding aluminum ramps to get the front wheels into the trailer, had to come up with a wooden ramp (with bracing) to handle the rear wheel.

I had some 2 x 4s up front to cradle the front to keep it from going sideways and scratching fenders, there was also a 2 x 4 going across the trailer to act as a bump stop. Ratchet straps from the wheels to the corners of the trailer kept the bike in place.

Yes, it's possible to use a U-Haul, but you have to be creative with your ramps.

.

[SpyderGoldwingOwner]

Goldwing rider out of Houston TX. Just bought a 2020 Spyder RT for my wife in Tulsa OK & rode 450 miles home to Houston. First time on a trike. No problems

[canamjhb]

Kahamom, Welcome to SpyderLovers. Lots of good advice posted above, especially about reading the "dos and dont's". But nobody has said anything about trailering. I have trailered my Spyder. To fit comfortably you will need, at minimum, a 6X10 foot trailer. A full trailer ramp is necessary for comfort and a 4 foot ramp will not allow you to load given a typical trailer deck height of 18 inches. You will need to have additional angle reducing boards or ramps. Tying the Spyder down correctly is important and there are many threads on this forum that can help you with that.

So, the bottom line is that trailering is probably more hassle than riding. Especially if it is going to be a one time thing. I would read and study all you can, do some parking lot practice, take a deep breath, and hit the road. Good luck..... Jim