Contemplating buying a Spyder - any reliability, power, and buyer's remorse issues?

[grampi]

I've been riding motorcycles since 1970, but only the two wheeled kind. I currently have a 2018 Gold Wing, and while I have no complaints about this bike (other than nit picky, minor stuff), I find myself intrigued by the idea of a 3 wheeler. Specifically an inverted 3 wheeler. I like the idea of the stability it provides, which the two wheels in rear trikes don't provide. The other things I like about the Spyders is the massive amounts of storage space, the ease of getting on/off, and the fact that my wife says she would consider riding with me, which she won't do on my Wing. There seems to be a good selection of used Spyders on FB market place (I'm not interested in a new one), and it looks like the resale value of my GW is still high enough that I could get into a nice Spyder on what I could sell my Wing for. The models I'd be interested in would be the F3 Limited, or the RTL. I want more of a touring model because of having more storage space, and all of the amenities. My concerns are reliability, power, and buyer's remorse. I have yet to ride one, which would tell me a lot, but I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on the reliability of the Spyders. I also can see that 115 HP and 96 ft. lbs. of torque on a 1000+ lb vehicle isn't going to equate to a road burner. Not that my GW is all that fast, but I'm sure it's considerably faster than any Spyder. I'm really not concerned about it being fast, but I would like it to have enough power for two up riding on any road, fully loaded with luggage. I will still have my other bike, a '98 Honda Super Hawk, so it's not like I'll be completely without a bike, but I would miss my Wing. Unfortunately I can't swing keeping the GW and getting a Spyder. Lastly, are there any year models to stay away from, or any I should be looking for?

[ARtraveler]

and on your first post. It sounds to me like you have done some homework. It also sounds like you have the desire to buy a Spyder. Your choices are good. The RTL and the F3L are both great machines for touring. They have the same engine also. Since 2014, Spyders have been powered by the 1330 three cylinder. They are very good engines, are not subject to frequent breakdowns, and have good longevity.

The difference between the two is the "ride." The RT is more like the GW you are used to. The F3 is more "sporty." The saying on the site goes: You ride ON an RT and you ride IN the F3. The RT is like a Cadillac and the F3 more like a Jaguar.

What you have mentioned makes you sound like an RT candidate. I have owned three RT's and two F3's. Personally, I prefer the F3. Two up touring, you may find the RT more to your liking. Good luck with your hunt. I do recommened riding both flavors to see what YOU like best.

After 2013 we have heard virtually NOTHING about "bad" Spyders. There are breakdowns, but they are mostly few and far between.

[RiderDuke]

I agree with ARtraveler.. the RTL is a lot more like a Wing as far as seating position. I find the F3L to more like a Road Glide as far as seating position. The F3 model is my Favorite (I wasn't a Goldwing Fan).. I like the more sporty feel and the forward leg positioning. I have a 2021 with no problems. Good luck in your hunt

[grampi]

I will have to ride both to figure out which one I like the best. I've ridden a Road Glide Ultra, and I didn't think it was nearly as comfortable as my Wing. I suppose the comfort thing is a person by person thing. What's comfortable for one, may not be for another. I may be going to test ride a 2017 F3 Limited tomorrow. I still also need to ride an RT(L) as well...

[djh3]

May be a bit late in your season up there. But BRP does a demo ride day. See if there might be any you could make. My wife was a couple weeks post op of a knee surgery and we made a test ride. So if she could get on it it is pretty easy. I came off a Victory Cross ,touring bike. WE have a 2019 F3 L. The F3 2019 and later have a larger trunk the RT I think you have to go to 22 or 23 to get the newer style trunk. WE wear 3/4 helmets and its a puzzle to get 2 helmets in it. But I like the ride and acceleration. It will take you a bit to get used to the steering. Happy hunting. Oh yea and I do my own maintenance, so less plastic to take off was better.

[baxter]

Had a 2020 RTL as first three wheel after parking Harleys. As was mentioned that style bike makes you feel you are on top of it. Took several multi day trip with it including canyon roads in the Rockies. Once you forget how to ride two wheelers and become familiar with the Spyder then it is fun. Missing sitting in the bike feeling I traded it in for a 2022 F3L Limited and enjoy it much more. Currently starting the sixth day of a trip which has me in the Colorado Rockies and smiling through these nice canyon roads.

[racoon]

It's a bit far from Ohio, but the local motorcycle training organization is having a "Ride For Free Day" where I live.
They partner with a local motorcycle shop to provide gear and motorcycles (both 2 and 3 wheel) to ride for something they call MOTO Intro for new riders, and pair it with a Skills Check course for experience riders that have their own motorcycles and gear.

The training organization is associated with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, so I'd check to see if an organization near you is having something similar:

https://msf-usa.org/

[AstroTom]

Good to see you can do a test ride. Beware though, they are very different machines, and can feel unsettling the first time you ride one after many years on two wheels. You body is going to get inputs that it isn't used to, which can make the Spyder feel "wrong." On the first corner of my test drive, even though intellectually I knew what to expect, I still got a !!!! jolt of adrenaline when the Spyder slightly tipped the wrong way. Also note, that because the bike doesn't pivot slightly below you as you ride, it'll feel like it's jostling a little side to side, especially on rough roads. Try to go into the test drive remembering it's NOT a motorcycle despite you sitting on it like one, and holding handlebars. They are their own machine. The handlebars "steer" instead of using leaning.

If you get one and still struggle with how it feels, most will tell you to give it a 1000 miles to get used to it. This is good advice, because it'll take a while for your subconcious mind to get used to the new inputs, and instead, of being alarmed, it'll start seeing them as normal.

Good luck with your test ride. Stay relaxed and loose, and be ready. Start slow and get used to the new feel.

[Redbeard]

I have owned a 2020 F3 limited and now a 2023 RT limited. Have the mrs. get on both bikes. My wife finds the RT much more comfortable to ride on than the F3. It will take you some time to get accustomed to driving the spyder, but once you get the hang of it you will love it. The machine has enough power to get you down the road with a smile on your face and merging into traffic is not a problem. Both of my spyders have been trouble free. I do all the service on my machines so I don't worry to much about a dealer being near me (and the dealer I purchased the RT from is three hours away) but if you don't normally do your own service work hopefully there is a dealer "nearby" you can rely on.

[BajaRon]

Buyers remorse was HUGE for me for about 800 miles. It took that long for reality to overcome my 2-Wheel muscle memory and mindset. From that point on, it's been miles of smiles.

[Leroy73]

I converted 6 months ago after 15 years and 300,000 touring miles on 2 wheels. I posted a list of pros and cons for Spyder. I like it much better than traditional trike. It is better handling and safer. After 5000 miles of touring on the Spyder I can say I like the Spyder RTL. I’ll try to locate the post.
I never had buyers remorse. I decided it was a Spyder or I’d stop riding. After 500 miles I felt comfortable with it. After 1000 miles I felt as good on it as on any motorcycle. I still like 2 wheels but at 75 I decided it was time.

[Leroy73]

Do a search for Spyder pros and cons. I’m in Yellowstone now. When I get to my computer I’ll try to remember to PM you my list.

[fatboy]

both machines have the same drive train the wife will be much happier on the rtl

[OldAge]

Up until recently, I pulled a Bunkhouse camper. First with my 02 Goldwing and then with my 2015 RTS Spyder. I was pleasantly surprised that there seemed to very little difference in performance between the two. The Spyder seemed to pull the camper as easily as the Wing and with nearly the same mileage. I have become quite pleased with the Spyder.

[grampi]

It sounds like an initial test ride isn't going to give me the true story. I'm still going to do it, but it may be so different as to just turn me off. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone is going to let me test ride one for 1000 miles...

[BajaRon]

It sounds like an initial test ride isn't going to give me the true story. I'm still going to do it, but it may be so different as to just turn me off. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone is going to let me test ride one for 1000 miles...

If I had test ridden the Spyder before buying one, I never would have pulled the trigger. There is just too much difference between the Spyder and 2 wheels to get anywhere near a full impression of the advantages with a test ride. I'd still do it, for sure. Just go into it knowing that first impressions aren't always going to give you the full story.

I suggest concentrating on the ride and not the handling. Handling is excellent. But coming off 2 wheels, it may seem far from it for a few hundred miles.

[grampi]

Another thing that is a concern of mine is the fact that the Spyder requires premium fuel, and it gets terrible mileage compared to my GW. The Wing typically gets 40-45 MPG, and only requires regular unleaded. Premium is $1 a gallon more than regular. Add that up over a year's time, coupled with the difference in MPGs, and the Spyder costs considerably more than the GW to operate. I know, it's a toy, and I shouldn't complain about it's cost, but if the Spyder ran on regular unleaded, the difference in MPGs wouldn't make that much of a difference in operating cost...it's that stinkin' requirement to use premium that makes such a big difference...

[EdMat]

A huge number of Spyder riders only run regular unleaded gas.

[old Timer]

Regular fuel works just fine in the Spyder Engine, I have never used anything other than regular from the Walmart station near our place here in Alamogordo, NM. Runs like a fine watch.

[Peter Aawen]

Another thing that is a concern of mine is the fact that the Spyder requires premium fuel, and it gets terrible mileage compared to my GW. The Wing typically gets 40-45 MPG, and only requires regular unleaded. Premium is $1 a gallon more than regular. Add that up over a year's time, coupled with the difference in MPGs, and the Spyder costs considerably more than the GW to operate. I know, it's a toy, and I shouldn't complain about its cost, but if the Spyder ran on regular unleaded, the difference in MPGs wouldn't make that much of a difference in operating cost... it's that stinkin' requirement to use premium that makes such a big difference...

Are you SURE it requires premium fuel??

There are quite a few people here who have successfully been running regular fuel for many years/hundreds of thousands of miles if not millions collectively when their mileage is all added together - in fact, I'd say it's likely that a significant percentage, if not a majority of Spyders run on regular fuel most if not all of the time AND many return about 40-45 mpg doing it, some a bit less, some even better!!

Just type 'fuel' in the Search field; tick the 'Search Titles Only' box in the drop-down list that'll appear below it; submit the search; then use the thread titles to pick & choose which thread you want to read first!! There's quite a few threads addressing just this point.

[grampi]

Are you SURE it requires premium fuel??

There are quite a few people here who have successfully been running regular fuel for many years/hundreds of thousands of miles if not millions collectively when their mileage is all added together - in fact, I'd say it's likely that a significant percentage, if not a majority of Spyders run on regular fuel most if not all of the time AND many return about 40-45 mpg doing it, some a bit less, some even better!!

Just type 'fuel' in the Search field; tick the 'Search Titles Only' box in the drop-down list that'll appear below it; submit the search; then use the thread titles to pick & choose which thread you want to read first!! There's quite a few threads addressing just this point.

Interesting. I would've thought that with a compression ratio of 12:1 + the engine would ping a hellen with regular unleaded. This is good to know!

[Peter Aawen]

Interesting. I would've thought that with a compression ratio of 12:1 + the engine would ping a hellen with regular unleaded. This is good to know!

The sensor's & computer's that do all the engine management on these hi-tech motors these days are smarter & more capable than that ^^, altho it's still quite likely that there's some minor loss of outright power - only unless you're on a track & using some pretty sensitive timing gear to measure the minor changes that power loss makes; or running it on a dyno that's capable of detecting equally minor changes, then most riders simply won't (and DON'T! ) ever notice it!

Do that search and spend some time reading, I'm pretty sure it'll be worth your while!

Mind you, if you run your Spyder to the red line & maybe beyond ALL the time; or if you get an ECU Upgrade to unleash some of the extra power that's available from these engines when used in other platforms, only BRP/Can Am has unilaterally decided that you & every other Spyder Ryder can't handle that much power, then you might want to restrict your use of standard fuel if at all possible; don't flog it all the time to WOT if you do use regular gas; and maybe carry some octane booster for the times you might get caught out!

But seriously, for most owners/riders who haven't had an ECU Upgrade done; who don't regularly red line it; and/or who don't frequently run their Spyders on a track, regular gas seems to be fine & for many, marginally more fuel efficient too! Plus it costs less!!

[BajaRon]

Another thing that is a concern of mine is the fact that the Spyder requires premium fuel, and it gets terrible mileage compared to my GW. The Wing typically gets 40-45 MPG, and only requires regular unleaded. Premium is $1 a gallon more than regular. Add that up over a year's time, coupled with the difference in MPGs, and the Spyder costs considerably more than the GW to operate. I know, it's a toy, and I shouldn't complain about it's cost, but if the Spyder ran on regular unleaded, the difference in MPGs wouldn't make that much of a difference in operating cost...it's that stinkin' requirement to use premium that makes such a big difference...

The Spyder does not require premium fuel. It just runs best on premium fuel. As mentioned already. There will be a difference. But most don't notice the difference.

[fatboy]

Not sure where in Ohio you live, but if you're close to Indy, we have two RTL and an F3 you can try.

[KX5062]

Another thing you may or may not have read. Coming from 2 wheels, when riding the Spyder most people tend to over ride the Spyder. The Spyder requires little rider input and most people tend to over steer and give the bike more input than is necessary. This causes the bike to feel strange and jittery, which can be quite unnerving. So, take that into consideration when taking any test ride.