Wisecracks about Spyder

[vito1943]

Last weekend I was parking my Spyder and a fellow motorcyclist walking to the same restaurant who had just parked his bike, yelled out "Whoa, I think you have too many wheels". I know he did it good naturedly, and then stopped to ask some questions about the Spyder. He was riding a BMW K1600 and then he mentioned that he had a sidecar rig at home. I asked him why he would think a Spyder is not a real motorcycle, but that his 3 wheeled sidecar setup was still a real bike. He seemed puzzled and then just said "Good point".

It reminded me of when I first started riding in the mid 1980's. My first motorcycle was a Honda Shadow with electric start. A neighbor of mine told me that he liked the look of my ride, but that any bike without a kick starter was not a real motorcycle. I can only imagine what a rider in the 1930's or '40's would have thought had a modern Goldwing suddenly appeared.

I've never regretted switching from the Goldwing to a Spyder for a single moment. Let the wisecracks continue, not my problem.

[Raven]

when I started to look at three wheelers. I got the usual, why don't go buy a car and be done with it.
I just look at them a say. It might not have TWO wheels, but it dosen't have FOUR.
Besides when I was two or three, my first bike had three wheels and it looks like my last will too.

[ARtraveler]

I ran into the same the first year that Honda came out with the Hondamatic.

I had to have one. I bought one. The main question was "where's the clutch?" Beyond that, I was never ridiculed (to my face anyway).

[Saluda]

Long as we're happy with our Spyder the hell with them and their stupid remarks.

[RayBJ]

I got used to that tripe back in 2010 when I bought an Aprilia Mana 850 GT. Fully automatic (7 speed CVT) w/paddle shifter. "That's a scooter!" was common - until I left them in the dust on their 'motorcycles'. A true sleeper and no reason to shift because it was always 'on the pipe'.
When I got the Spyder, similar noise was heard until all they saw was my tail lights getting smaller as I pulled away in the twisties.

[UtahPete]

That's okay; I'm not a real motorcyclist. I don't do loud pipes and poker runs.

[SLICE]

so it's an automatic.
no you have to shift it.
but there's no clutch.
yeah there is.
where the clutch lever.
it uses a a paddle shifter and servo.
what's a servo.
it was then i said i gotta take this call as i picked up my phone.

[BajaRon]

Lamont and I were riding our Suzuki M109's back from Daytona Bike Week. Stopped at a hotel along the way and had just parked. 2 very spunky elderly ladies walked by and stopped to look at our bikes. They talked between themselves a bit as we took our helmets off. And since I was the closest to them, one asked, "Those are very nice looking bikes, boys. What kind are they?"

"Suzuki M109-R's." I replied.

The other lady quickly said, "Oh! You need to get real bikes! Harley Davidson is the only way to go!" Then turned on her heal and they both waked away laughing. Lamont and I just looked at each other and shook our heads.

The morale of this story? You just can't please everyone. So, if you're happy. That has to be enough. Because that may be all you ever get!

As for a kick starter. My 441 BSA Victor had one. Everyone wanted to ride it. But no one wanted to start it. There was a special sequence that you did not want to violate. If you did, that bike would violate you! You always wanted to leave just a bit of bend in your kick start leg. I suppose in some circles. That would qualify it as a 'Real Bike'.

[ARtraveler]

RE: kick starter. My yamaha 80, suzuki 250 X6 hustler, Honda 305 dream, and 83 Yamaha Venture were some that had kick starts.

The Venture was the beast of the bunch. First year I was able to use the kick starter. Second year I did not have the strength to turn it over. Lucky for me, the Venture also had electric start. The kick starter was a "just in case" item.

[RangerRick]

my 1975 Honda GL1000 had a kick starter, granted it was under the side cover of what looked like the gas tank, (real tank was under the seat) and you had to insert it into the back of the engine but you could kick start if needed.

https://www.randakksblog.com/kicksta...-75-77-gl1000/

[Jetfixer]

Whenever anyone tries to get my goat about the Spyder, I just tell them to shut the **** up and get over here and help me find the kickstand. Works every time, and before they walk away I ask them where's their bike?

[Realtor]

lol "I ask them if they've ever ridden a Spyder?". When they say "No", "I tell them I don't miss my HD Ultra Classic either". Then when they say "I'd never have one of those...", I respond, "then whatever you do, Don't ever get on one...." Then I park on the grass, or back into a parking spot...

[Bfromla]

Most asked: “How fast does it go?” Or “wanna trade?” Thankfully nothing horribly negative even visiting various Harley shops/events as far as kickstart makes”real”bike Came across this just recently
7DCDA75C-CF4B-4C39-AA92-F3D331BA54B0.jpg surprise was not a pull start handle bars just above knee high maybe (Was uneven ground). (Somehow street legal-had plate & all?)

[MNBK]

When I was riding my Kawasaki Nomad I was filling up and a guy said "nice harley" I told him it was a Kawasaki, then he just railed on me for not riding a real bike. As he was filling up his Chevy pickup truck I said what was wrong with him cause he wasn't driving a Dodge pickup. He looked at me and I said "sounds kinda stupid doesn't it." Then I got on my bike and rode off. Just shows you everyone has an opinion even if they don't know anything.

[Little Blue]

...I have enjoyed ryding my Spyder.
Once I had someone asks why the three wheels?
My answer...Cause I like it that way and I can bring home all the groceries.

Stay Healthy. ....

[SLICE]

two things i'm doing ASAP.
getting a pull cord for a lawn mower so if anyone ask how you start that thing, i'll just whip out the pull cord.

2nd thing, i'm get a recording of a Harley ripping through the gears and play it through the sound system..... so it sounds like a ''real bike'' dontcha know.

[jcthorne]

I usually just respond with a good natured "Just try and keep up will you"

[Bfromla]

...I have enjoyed ryding my Spyder.
Once I had someone asks why the three wheels?
My answer...Cause I like it that way and I can bring home all the groceries.

Stay Healthy. ....

Vaguely remember Harley trying to copyright the sound might draw more attention

[ollicat]

Very similar stories happened to me on my Nomad as well. Stupid people

[Luvs2Ride]

A few years ago, my husband and I were out for a ride and stopped at a fast food place. He was riding his (at that time) HD TriGlide and I was on my previous Spyder - a 2012 RT. Two HD riders and their wives came in and we talked for a bit.

As we headed out to the parking lot together, one of the Harley guys asked about my RT. He listened as I told him about the Spyder's engine size, semi-automatic shifting, braking, etc... and then... his comment was, "That bike just ain't got no class."

I gave my husband a little sideways smile and wished them a safe ride home. Still can't believe his comment?!?

[tntnj]

I just tell them "It's my high speed Jassy " And walk away smiling.

[2dogs]

I tell folks that if you're blessed to live long enough and when the time in your life comes that you need 3 legs just to keep yourself standing upright, then you're going to have to have 3 wheels if you want to keep on riding. The common response is, "yea I guess you're right." LOL That's about as plain as I can make it.

[UtahPete]

"If you have to ask, then you wouldn't understand anyway"

[UtahPete]

"Some people don't need a Harley to feel good about themselves"

[UtahPete]

"I wasn't seeking your approval"