Getting ready to bite the bullet!

[bluesfanatic]

Planning on purchasing my first EVER motorcycle of any kind, a 2016 F3 limited triple black. It has a bit more miles than I wanted (29K) but it was the only one at a reasonable price anywhere close to me. I'm pretty nervous as I have never rode before. I've been researching for quite some time and have watched a ton of youtube videos. My wife and I are still only in our late 30s but are empty nesters and looking to get out and about. Any suggestions for a complete newbie?
Thanks!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Planning on purchasing my first EVER motorcycle of any kind, a 2016 F3 limited triple black. It has a bit more miles than I wanted (29K) but it was the only one at a reasonable price anywhere close to me. I'm pretty nervous as I have never rode before. I've been researching for quite some time and have watched a ton of youtube videos. My wife and I are still only in our late 30s but are empty nesters and looking to get out and about. Any suggestions for a complete newbie?
Thanks!

Well & ... IF you have NEVER driven a Motorcycle you are way ahead of learning to operate a Spyder .... WHY is that ???? ... because you have NOTHING to UN-LEARN ..... Spyders are driven just like Cars ...NEVER like a two wheeler .... no clutch, one brake pedal, annnnnnnnnnd they don't tip over ( unless you really really try ) I was very fortunate buying my first Spyder ( an 08 GS V-twin ) .... The dealer/ manager told me to just drive it like a car and immediately test out how great the brakes are ( ie. stop on a dime and gives change ) I've been on this forum a long time and am willing to share what I know with you anytime ( you can PM me ). ... DO NOT take any passengers until you feel VERY confidant in your driving. *hit can happen VERY quickly and having a pass. is not a plus .... good luck ... read the " do's and dont's " posted on the home page ..... Mike

[Partzman23]

Welcome to the Spyderlovers forum. Lots of good information here.
listen to Mike he knows his stuff when it comes to Spyders.

[Little Blue]

...Welcome to the Spyder Forum.

Have you already checked out the RTs and F3s?
Some people have said that they enjoyed the RT/RTL better for 2 up.
The F3s are more for the 1 up or occasional 2 up.
What you want and what you feel while ryding is your choice.
For me I went with a RT/L. The wife said she felt more comfortable with the RTL.

Definitely check out both Spyders.
Have yourself a grand time. ......

[Piratezz]

Me thinks "late 30's", they are more into the F3, simply because it is more like a sportscar.... have absolutely nothing against the RT/ RTL, they are just as fast, but the F3 is just sportier.... while the RT/ Rtl is more suited for long drives...
It's all bout personal preferences....

[Rednaxs60]

Welcome. See that you are from Illinois. If you have ever rode a snowmobile, the Spyder is the summer extension and you will have no problem. Agree with Little Blue, ride the F3 and the RT and compare the two for two up riding. You could always get two F3s. You'll enjoy whichever you get.

Have a 2014 Spyder RTL. If I was doing all solo riding I'd have an F3.

When first looking, rode a 2018 F3 Limited. Took the Mrs for a long two up ride - she liked it. Found our 2014 RTL, she liked the ride better, bought the RTL. Loaned our RTL to the Mrs' brother. He and his Mrs went for a ride, liked it. Borrowed my friends F3 so they could compare. The Mrs' brother's wife preferred the F3 for two up riding, he bought the F3. Go figure.

[ARtraveler]

and on your new Spyder.

[Peacekeeper6]

Planning on purchasing my first EVER motorcycle of any kind, a 2016 F3 limited triple black. It has a bit more miles than I wanted (29K) but it was the only one at a reasonable price anywhere close to me. I'm pretty nervous as I have never rode before. I've been researching for quite some time and have watched a ton of youtube videos. My wife and I are still only in our late 30s but are empty nesters and looking to get out and about. Any suggestions for a complete newbie?
Thanks!

Hmmmm. Kinda worried about that statement.

I highly suggest that after you get your bike, to ride in UNCONGESTED areas. Sometimes, newbie riders get "freaked out" (for a lack of a better term) being around cars, trucks, big rigs, especially going at highway speeds. Your wife *may* get extremely nervous, and the whole Wind Therapy thing may not be "her bag" after experiencing it, even to the point of not enjoying the rides anymore.

Just watch out for these signs, because not many are "adrenaline junkies" and wish the safety of a cage when tooling around.

Good luck, welcome to the addicting Spyder World, and I hope that you and your wife enjoy one of the coolest vehicles around as much as the many members here !!

[RayBJ]

Take the 3-wheel course! You'll be able to get familiar with the spyder before venturing out into the 'wilds'.
https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en...istration.html

[Schreckftw]

Well just keep in mind if your wife is anything like mine whatever you paid double it. Once she rode mine for the first time she went and got her license. We are looking for a second.

[Piratezz]

My spouse, is enthusiast, but only as a backseat driver, she absolutely doesn't want to drive....
I do drive different , read more cruisinstyle, as she's kinda scared, she doesn't like quick acceleration, as my son, who couldn't care less, if every stoplight, is a drag race ticker

[bluesfanatic]

...Welcome to the Spyder Forum.

Have you already checked out the RTs and F3s?
Some people have said that they enjoyed the RT/RTL better for 2 up.
The F3s are more for the 1 up or occasional 2 up.
What you want and what you feel while ryding is your choice.
For me I went with a RT/L. The wife said she felt more comfortable with the RTL.

Definitely check out both Spyders.
Have yourself a grand time. ......

Yeah, we went to a dealer and sat on an older RT a brand new RTL and a brand new F3. The newer RTL was comfortable, but way over budget. So was the new F3 for that matter. But I'm 6'2" and liked the feet forward F3 the best.

I'm just going to putt around the neighborhood for a while to get used to it. I only work about 3 miles away from my house, so I'll have plenty of shorter runs to get used to how it corners, stops, accelerates etc. before I get her up to speed.

Take the 3-wheel course! You'll be able to get familiar with the spyder before venturing out into the 'wilds'.
https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en...istration.html

The closest one to me is about 4 hours away unfortunately.

[Piratezz]

4 hours on a spyder, is a piece of cake, you'll enjoy every mile,
For commuting 3 miles, that won't get the spyder warm enough, and will drain the battery (spyders are hungry, for batterypower), try and squeeze in some more miles, to get your spyder up to temp.
If you drive it like a car, it won't be difficult, and as for not driving a 2wheeler before, you'll get used to it fairly quickly.

[Peter Aawen]

...... I'm just going to putt around the neighborhood for a while to get used to it. I only work about 3 miles away from my house, so I'll have plenty of shorter runs to get used to how it corners, stops, accelerates etc. before I get her up to speed. ......

4 hours on a spyder, is a piece of cake, you'll enjoy every mile,
For commuting 3 miles, that won't get the spyder warm enough, and will drain the battery (spyders are hungry, for batterypower), try and squeeze in some more miles, to get your spyder up to temp.
If you drive it like a car, it won't be difficult, and as for not driving a 2wheeler before, you'll get used to it fairly quickly.

I gotta agree with what Piratezz says - these things are power hungry machines, and more than just a couple of 3 mile runs a week without AT LEAST the same number of 30 minute plus runs at highway speed/revs is NOT going to be good for the long term reliability of your Spyder's battery!!

So if you're using it to commute to work, then you really need to find a 'long way to/from work' and take that at least a couple of times a week, and it should really include those 30 mins miles plus of highway speeds/revs from the outset, or you risk killing the battery over time and having it fail on you when you least want it to!


Not only will this get you up to speed with your Spyder ryding quicker than pussy-footing around & learning all sorts of bad habits you'll need to unlearn later, but it'll also get & keep your battery in good nick from the outset - and it's a good excuse for a ride too!

Get out there & ride it, the more saddle time you get (at highway speeds too!) the quicker/better you'll sort it all out and the more you'll enjoy it!


Just Do It! You Know You Want To!

[JayBros]

Remember, you heard it here. What Piratezz and Peter said is right in the bulls-eye. The temperature gauge on a Spyder measures only the temperature of the engine coolant and has nothing to do with the temperature of the oil in the dry sump lubrication system. Therefore, if you aren't going to ride at least 20 miles nonstop, take some other form of transportation. Also, if you aren't going to ride it several times a week I suggest keeping it on a battery maintainer, not a trickle charger. The Deltran Battery Tender Jr. is a very reliable and inexpensive brand.

Last and most important, read the bloody operator's guide from cover to cover several times. It is a compendium of very useful information that can save you time asking simple questions the answers to which are between the covers.

[Bfromla]

Planning on purchasing my first EVER motorcycle of any kind, a 2016 F3 limited triple black. It has a bit more miles than I wanted (29K) but it was the only one at a reasonable price anywhere close to me. I'm pretty nervous as I have never rode before. I've been researching for quite some time and have watched a ton of youtube videos. My wife and I are still only in our late 30s but are empty nesters and looking to get out and about. Any suggestions for a complete newbie?
Thanks!

few things: Both you & wife please take a motorcycle training course So will not be overwhelmed & learning at same time. Class will cover basic safety techniques for both two or three wheels. Also https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-Spyder-owners
Find comfortable riding gear before accessories. Enjoy

[bluesfanatic]

I gotta agree with what Piratezz says - these things are power hungry machines, and more than just a couple of 3 mile runs a week without AT LEAST the same number of 30 minute plus runs at highway speed/revs is NOT going to be good for the long term reliability of your Spyder's battery!!

So if you're using it to commute to work, then you really need to find a 'long way to/from work' and take that at least a couple of times a week, and it should really include those 30 mins miles plus of highway speeds/revs from the outset, or you risk killing the battery over time and having it fail on you when you least want it to!


Not only will this get you up to speed with your Spyder ryding quicker than pussy-footing around & learning all sorts of bad habits you'll need to unlearn later, but it'll also get & keep your battery in good nick from the outset - and it's a good excuse for a ride too!

Get out there & ride it, the more saddle time you get (at highway speeds too!) the quicker/better you'll sort it all out and the more you'll enjoy it!


Just Do It! You Know You Want To!

Will definitely be taking the long road! Thanks for the advice.

[Briorick]

Planning on purchasing my first EVER motorcycle of any kind, a 2016 F3 limited triple black. It has a bit more miles than I wanted (29K) but it was the only one at a reasonable price anywhere close to me. I'm pretty nervous as I have never rode before. I've been researching for quite some time and have watched a ton of youtube videos. My wife and I are still only in our late 30s but are empty nesters and looking to get out and about. Any suggestions for a complete newbie?
Thanks!

Welcome from Southern Illinois, and good luck with your purchase. You are going to love it. Just give yourself plenty of time, and heed Mikes ( BLUEKNIGHT911 ) given advice. You will do fine. You'll even surprise yourself once you get the hang of handling and maneuvering it.

My situation was similar to yours when I purchased my RT. Never driven one until the day I purchased it. Although, I did a tremendous amount ( many many hours ) of forum research, reading, youtube videos, etc., beforehand just to make sure I at least knew how to properly start it. All the videos I had watched surely helped me to familiarize the controls. For me, the driving was the easy part, and was even better once I learned to relax my hold /grip on the handlebars. Like driving your car.

You'll do fine within a few hundred miles under your seat. Take it slow, ride cautiously, and always be aware of your surroundings. Most of all.... ENJOY!

[Briorick]

Take the 3-wheel course! You'll be able to get familiar with the spyder before venturing out into the 'wilds'.
https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/us/en...istration.html

The closest one to me is about 4 hours away unfortunately.

Yep, unfortunately for us Illinoisans, currently there are only 3 Spyder Riding Training locations. Palestine, Lake Villa and Chicago Heights. All up North and the closest being Chicago Heights for my area, approx. 4 1/2 hours away. Not sure of your location bluesfanatic, but sure would be nice if they had a more centralized training location, preferably near Springfield. That would surely help for Southern Illinois as well.

[bluesfanatic]

Yep, unfortunately for us Illinoisans, currently there are only 3 Spyder Riding Training locations. Palestine, Lake Villa and Chicago Heights. All up North and the closest being Chicago Heights for my area, approx. 4 1/2 hours away. Not sure of your location bluesfanatic, but sure would be nice if they had a more centralized training location, preferably near Springfield. That would surely help for Southern Illinois as well.

I thought about taking the one in Missouri because it was closer, but that doesn't really help me get my Illinois license..

[Briorick]

I thought about taking the one in Missouri because it was closer, but that doesn't really help me get my Illinois license..

Exactly!! Last year I had contacted the Missouri Riding Course for a friend asking the same question. It was stated "All" are welcome to attend and take the course, but as for us Illinoisans, it is not approved at Illinois DMVs.

Would have been nice because it is relatively nearby for the Metro side. And you would think that the instructional, and driving, courses would be universal for Spyders /Rykers throughout, regardless. The closest for you, and I as well, is Chicago Heights.

Rick