New Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited Owner/Rider, Just Saying Hi.

[JamesLaz]

Hi All,

My name is James, and I am a recent Can-Am owner/rider. First off, I should say I stared on a different Can-AM forum, but I had an unpleasant experience, so I saw a lot of positive posts here, so I am here hoping for a more positive experience.

I was a two-wheeler motorcycle rider for most of my life (off and on) and got my first Honda Mini 50 in 1970 when I was 7. My last bike was a 2014 Honda CTX 1300 Deluxe that I truly loved to ride and took great pride in my bike.

Then unfortunately back at the very end of 2019 I had an LAD (Widowmaker) Heart Attack and that caused other medical conditions that made it no longer safe for me to ride a two-wheeler. I did try to keep riding but after dropping my bike more than once I knew I could no longer ride. My legs didn’t have the strength to hold the bike up even if it only slightly leaned when stopped.

My health had improved some since then, but I still am not the man I once was, getting older plays a part in that as well.

I have missed being out on my bike in the fresh air seeing the sights and I began to look for an alternative. My first thought was maybe a trike, as in a Honda Goldwing trike conversion. I had always liked the Goldwing’s and that seemed like it may be a good fit. The I saw what they cost, and I was pretty much priced out of that option.

I looked at a few different vehicles, a saw a Slingshot but thought that’s not what I want and then I remembers those funny looking 3 wheelers (Can-Am’s) I used to see when I was out riding. I always wondered who where they and why were they on a three-wheeler. Well now I know, it's anyone who enjoys them as I now do. I always thought they looked cool, and fun.

I began to do some research on the Can-Am’s but was not sure what I wanted. They all look cool, and people seemed to love them. I decided a Spyder was more to my taste, and I went to go see a 2014 Spyder at a dealership that had a few used in there. The one I went to see was being sold as we arrived, but it gave me a chance to see a few more and I decided I wanted a newer Spyder F3 Limited.

I did go see and test drive a 2013 Spyder, that was my first time on one and I enjoyed my little ride. I knew I was going to get one as soon as I could find a deal that worked for the right year and model.

I ended up finding one that had been listed 4 months before on OfferUp. It was a 2019 Spyder F3 Limited in the bright orange and the dark model. My biggest concern was the milage, this was a 2019 with 696 miles on it. That means it just sat for long periods of time, just rotting in the heat.

Everything seemed good so we went to see it about an hour and half away. Once I saw it, I could see it had been well cared for. They had built a little garage shed just for the Can-Am. I gave it a good going over and the oil was clean and clear, and they had had it changed even though they were not riding it. I could not find anything wrong with it and took it for a test ride. I was amazed at how much better this 2019 rode than the 2013 I had test ridden.
I made a deal (way under the KBB and NADA values) and was ready for my first long ride home. I told my wife I would probably need to stop as I had not ridden in a long time.

I got on the road and made the full hour and half with ease. I could have kept going.
That was a few weeks back now and I have had it out every weekend morning. I live in Arizona, so I need to ride before it gets too warm out. I really love riding my Spyder and my wife enjoys going along, something she would never do on my motorcycle.

I have begun adding accessories and so far, I have added a windscreen deflector, a Ram Mount phone holder, a TPMS for 3 wheels. Still looking for what to add next.
Sorry for the long introduction.

Thanks,
James

2019 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited 2.jpg

[EdMat]

Welcome aboard!

[RangerRick]

Welcome from South Coast of Oregon

[rap4th]

Welcome from NJ!!

[RayBJ]

Congrats on your new-to-you ride!

[Isopedella]

Welcome aboard.

and yup.

[ARtraveler]

Let me also add a

You have the same bike I do in the same color. I like the F3L better than the earlier RT's. I know the forum you speak of. I am guessing you will like it here.

[CloverHillCrawler]

Hi from Md. Congrats on the new purchase.

[safecracker]

Welcome from Maine...

[Partzman23]

Welcome from SE Missouri James.

You will love it here, we are the helpful, friendly sort of SpyderLovers, just like
yourself. We are here to help not hinder future SpyderLovers.
Ryde safe and enjoy the Ryde.
Artie

[SpyD59]

Congrats and welcome from MS!

[linguine]

Welcome, from Northeast PHX!

[narygancy]

Welcome James; you've written the story of many Can Am riders. After 50 yrs on 2 wheels last year the legs and the wife convinced me it was time for 3 wheels. By talking with other riders at gas stations, rest stops, etc., I found Can Am riders LOVED their trikes, and that influenced my decision.

By now I'm sure you've figured out there are some big-time differences from 2 wheels. This is my second year and I'm still learning things. I recommend you take the Can Am course. A Can Am rider friend convinced me to do so and I learned all sorts of stuff about my new ride. For instance, in 50 years of riding I used the "kill switch" 2 times, now I use it all the time. NEVER lock the brakes on a bike, but the Can Am will stop on a dime and give change.

I also recommend checking out several folks on youtube who put out some excellent videos.

Safe rides James, and many happy memories.
Gary in PA (narygancy)

[JamesLaz]

Thank you all for your kind words and welcomes. I feel more at home on this forum.

Thanks,
James

[Pappy]

Welcome from Tennessee.

[Deanna777]

Welcome from Vermont!

Deanna

[Bfromla]

[Jesster72]

Welcome! I love that color.

Enjoy your rides, I know we do!

I don't think I ever visited a different Spyder forum, and after nosing around here for a couple years, I don't think I need to - these folks do know how to make you feel welcome. I appreciate that.

[dpetrick]

/

[baxter]

Having transitioned from Harleys to now three wheeled Spyders, I find multi day rides are not much different. Yes sometimes miss the Harley but reality sits in and three sometimes better than two.

[Dasmoetorhead]

Welcome from NE Tennessee. Your story is basically my story as well. I pick mine up this Saturday. Hope to see you on the road someday. Beautiful bike by the way.

[BCNewell]

Welcome, @JamesLaz, from the southern tip of Texas !! Don’t know how I missed your post a couple weeks ago ...

I remember you from the CTX1300forum (I was fbnewell1). Excellent group over there, and just as helpful, knowledgeable, compassionate, and “full of bull” ryders on here!!!! Enjoy your new ride. My wife and I now each have a F3-S.

[Spyder465]

I also have a 2019 F3 Limited in the orange color that I purchased 2nd hand. One thing I did early on was attach arm rests for my wife. She went from "Okay I will go, but it has to be a quick ride." to "Can we go for a ride after dinner?"

[vtrider]

Also, Deanna777who is a member on this site had bought a 2023 F3 LTD Special in Mineral Blue.

Adrien

[JamesLaz]

No ride in 3 weeks! Well this just sucks, I've been ill for the past few weeks and have not been able to ride at all. I am finally feeling better and ready for a ride tomorrow morning. Of course it will have to be a very early ride, it just gets too hot here in Arizona to ride past the morning in the summer. The nice part is I will be able to ride comfortably in the winter here. I can't wait to get back out there, oh and to try our new intercom system. I hope it works well.

Thanks,
James