Advice Please - Want to get back to riding.

[Babyblue]

Hello all. It has been quite some time since I posted last. I had to sell my 2012 RT two years ago due to my husband's illness. He passed in February and it's been tough. I am thinking of purchasing another Spyder to try and get myself back. I am 68 now and know I only have a few years of riding left in me, but boy I miss it. I am wondering about your thoughts on which model to get. F3 or another RT. I will probably have to go used, but I am thinking 2016 or 2017. They seem to be more expensive than I thought, but I really need this for my mental health. Just a general question for now, but will probably have some more questions later. I can do some mechanical things myself as long as it isn't to complicated. My husband was a motorhead and did most of the work if it was needed. Thank you for any help that is offered. Lori

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hello all. It has been quite some time since I posted last. I had to sell my 2012 RT two years ago due to my husband's illness. He passed in February and it's been tough. I am thinking of purchasing another Spyder to try and get myself back. I am 68 now and know I only have a few years of riding left in me, but boy I miss it. I am wondering about your thoughts on which model to get. F3 or another RT. I will probably have to go used, but I am thinking 2016 or 2017. They seem to be more expensive than I thought, but I really need this for my mental health. Just a general question for now, but will probably have some more questions later. I can do some mechanical things myself as long as it isn't to complicated. My husband was a motorhead and did most of the work if it was needed. Thank you for any help that is offered. Lori

IF I was in the market ( for you ) I'd be looking for a used F-3 .... it's lower maintenance and good gas mileage .... pretty good reputation for reliability and it has the old style instrument cluster and radio ...... which in my humble opinion is a plus..... good luck .... I would recommend a Ryker, however, I have heard it's harder to steer them for some reason, but try one and see ......... Mike

[Peter Aawen]

.... I would recommend a Ryker, however, I have heard it's harder to steer them for some reason, but try one and see ......... Mike

The Ryker's don't have power steering!

On them, regardless of the Ryker model/version, it's all down to the old style 'Armstrong Steering System'... not that it's really that hard to steer them, once you get moving; but there comes a time in everyone's life when any effort saving feature &/or facility really counts!

[UtahPete]

I'm selling a 2014 RTL at a good price.

[T.P.]

BabyBlue, Lori, Caswell is still a great place to get a Spyder, You have a lunch ride this Saturday leaving at 10:00am from Caswell Cycle if your Interested.
Call Kay or Les and see what they may have for Inventory that will fit your needs.

T.P.

[bigbadbrucie]

As far as I’m concerned, if I were you, I’d take a serious look at the one that UtahPete is selling. It’s a 2014, and I don’t think that a 2014 should be ruled out. I’m 79 and still ride my ‘14 RTS. Good luck in your search.

[redrazor]

As far as I’m concerned, if I were you, I’d take a serious look at the one that UtahPete is selling. It’s a 2014, and I don’t think that a 2014 should be ruled out. I’m 79 and still ride my ‘14 RTS. Good luck in your search.

Big Bad Brucie is right! Utah Pete's (exactly like mine and Blue Knight's) would be perfect for you. And, at a fair price. You'd have plenty of power and comfort as well.

[Babyblue]

I am sure Utah Pete's RT is in wonderful shape, but it's in Utah. It sounds strange, but I need to "feel" the bike. The minute I sat on my old RT I knew I wanted it and I had sat on others. I ended up with a 2016 F3-T. 4100 miles. I am so looking forward to picking it up this Thursday!

[Deanna777]

I am sure Utah Pete's RT is in wonderful shape, but it's in Utah. It sounds strange, but I need to "feel" the bike. The minute I sat on my old RT I knew I wanted it and I had sat on others. I ended up with a 2016 F3-T. 4100 miles. I am so looking forward to picking it up this Thursday!

Deanna

[Babyblue]

Hey T.P. I literally just got back from Caswells. I bought my first Spyder from them. I went to look at a 2017 F3 LTD with 21,000 miles. I sat on it and well, it just didn't speak to me. I didn't like it. The previous owner had stuck velcro strips on it for stuff too. Just as I arrived, a gentleman was selling his 2016 F3 S Special Black. (Still doing some research). Jaimie came out and said I have a better deal for you. The F3 S only had 4,000 miles. I liked the sleek look of it. It will be a different ride from my old RT, but I learn quickly. LOL, I have to as I will have a 90 mile ride home. I am having them go over it even though it has low mileage and change out the handlebars. She looks "mean" and I like it. I think I will be quite happy. I am starting to feel alive again and really looking forward to riding! I have always liked going to Caswells. Kay and Les are so friendly as well as their employees.

[cruisinTX]

Hey T.P. I literally just got back from Caswells. I bought my first Spyder from them. I went to look at a 2017 F3 LTD with 21,000 miles. I sat on it and well, it just didn't speak to me. I didn't like it. The previous owner had stuck velcro strips on it for stuff too. Just as I arrived, a gentleman was selling his 2016 F3 S Special Black. (Still doing some research). Jaimie came out and said I have a better deal for you. The F3 S only had 4,000 miles. I liked the sleek look of it. It will be a different ride from my old RT, but I learn quickly. LOL, I have to as I will have a 90 mile ride home. I am having them go over it even though it has low mileage and change out the handlebars. She looks "mean" and I like it. I think I will be quite happy. I am starting to feel alive again and really looking forward to riding! I have always liked going to Caswells. Kay and Les are so friendly as well as their employees.

That you are happy and excited, is really all that matters. Now about this whole "I am 68 now and know I only have a few years of riding left in me, but boy I miss it." BALONEY! I'm 68, short and a little overweight, but just now transitioning from two to three wheels. Never-ever think you are done until your body says I'm done. As long as you have a positive attitude about keeping on going, you will. I'm planning to ryde the Spyder long after my arthritic hips and knees say "no more two wheelers."

[Mikey]

If you're going to do short trips I would think about a Ryker, but if you're going to long haul, it maybe the F3!! Glad you're getting back in the saddle!!

[Babyblue]

Thanks Mikey, me too!

Lori

[Bfromla]

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There are a few available variations, I definitely prefer the dash & components 2015-17. Definitely try test ryde on a ryker, smaller minimal “spyderish” & or if rentals available in your area maybe get experiment with whatever they have available

[Peter Aawen]

. Gotta agree cruisinTX, Bfromla posted up exactly the right poster earlier in this thread!

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......

[Tonylmiller]

I would have recommended an RTL in a heartbeat. I'm intrigued by the F3 recommendations. Why, other than reduced cost?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I would have recommended an RTL in a heartbeat. I'm intrigued by the F3 recommendations. Why, other than reduced cost?

Well the F-3 is quite a bit lighter than the RT models....& because the seat is lower it's easier for shorter women to get on / off ...JMHO .... Mike

[Saluda]

Sorry to hear, wish you the best. RT is my recommendation for what it's worth. Don't see why you wouldn't have plenty of riding years left.

[Babyblue]

Hi Saluda. I ended up purchasing a F3-T in black. Used 2016 with 4100 miles. I had a budget in mind and this bike came in the day I went to look at a F3 LTD. The dealer worked the numbers and came in on my budget including taxes and all the other stuff. There were no RT's in MN and cost was a bit prohibitive. I am paying the dealer extra to go over it and get an oil change. Turns out it has been sitting 8 months since the last change. I pick her up this Thursday. For the first time in 5 years I am feeling alive. Thank you for your reply!

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

I have both a 2016 RT Ltd and a 2018 F3 Ltd ... they are different rides to be sure. Sit a bit higher on the RT, sort of sit "ON" it. The F3 has a lower seating position, more like sitting "IN" it. I like both rides .. more comfortable on the RT but that's purely because I have more miles on that style of Spyder (had a 2012 RT for several years). I think you will find the F3 is a sweet machine and you will enjoy it.

My condolences on your loss. Welcome back to "the wind" .... All the Best ... Ann

[shakin_jake]

Perusing this thread, this is the 1st time I ever heard anyone claim a Ryker is hard to steer. Having said that, i bought a new 2020 Ryker Rally in the spring of 2020, rode it for better than a year before trading it in on the 2021 Spyder RT I now ride. Looking back, I never felt that my Ryker was even remotely hard to steer. All that said, the RT has power steering and it is effortless to turn

I would say this to Lori- Take all of the above for a test ride at your nearest & or participating dealers that offer test rides. On the money front, I’d play this one close to the vest. IOW, dont tell any of the dealer personnel you’re having money issues, & thats only so you can test ride the Rykers, RT, & the F3’s. Once you’ve ridden enough to get a feel for what you like, I’d still hold back talking money until you’re certain what you’d like to spend. Heck!, at that point you might find your next 3 wheeler from a private seller

Be it far from me to try and steer you into any particular Can Am 3 wheeler but for the sake of argument, lets say you’re enthralled with the way the Ryker rides and handles. Remember this, the first year Ryker base model had an MSRP of $7500. Picking up a lightly used one from a private seller for under $5 K is not unheard of


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while

[Babyblue]

Thanks Jake. I did do a walk around a Ryker today. Quite honestly I just didn't care for it. Coming from a RT background probably makes me jaded a bit. I ended up purchasing a 2016 F3 S Special Black with 4000 miles. Fingers crossed!
Lori

[Quickdraw]

I almost went for an F3 but the dealer sort of talked me out of it. Not because she wanted to sell me a more expensive bike, but because I mentioned the wife and I going on long hauls together. So far though, no long hauls, but still happy I got the RT instead.

[CopperSpyder]

Enjoy the miles of smiles and wind therapy!! Make sure and post a photo of your new ride in the Spyder Garage area of the forum when you get it home. Live to Ride, Ride to Live!

[ARtraveler]

You will like the F3. I had three RT's since they first came out. Two 998's and one 1330. I liked the 1330 best. That said, we finally both got F3L's. it took me 50 miles of riding to like it better than the RT's we were used to.

Think of it as the "sports" version of the RT.