Spyder Rider Demographics

[OldDog]

I was at the gas pump filling up. A young man pulls up to the pump beside me on a Kawasaki Crotchrocket. I struck up a conversation.
Me: Nice bike!.
Him: Thanks. Do you ride?
Me: I did.I rode a Honda Shadow Sabre VT1100. I like the Can Am Spyder.
Him: My Dad rides a Spyder. He had a Shadow until his knees went out.

I came away from that conversation with the feeling that a lot of the general public thinks the Spyder (RT) is for aging Senior citizens with limited physical mobility. That is partially true. But,there are a lot of able bodied riders that have one because they are so cooooool .

[DrewNJ]

I'd best stay out of this thread.....[emoji38]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[ARtraveler]

When I bought my first (2008 GS-SM5) I did it because the was new, and different. I got the first one sold in Alaska. I did sell off my Kawasaki Vulcan 2000cc LTD to make room in the garage.

I also bought a Premier Edition (#474) RTS when they first came out. I was gung ho on the touring features and ride compared to the GS/RS models.

In late 2010 I actually bought two wheels (in addition to my ). A Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LTD. This one fit me like a glove and I really liked it.

The hip started to go between 2011 and 2012. I traded off my final two wheels to get akspyderlady a 2011 RT.

I now drive a bit out of necessity--but am still able to ride. If it were not for the hip, I would probably have an Indian Chieftan, or a Valkerie in my stable. I just like "big iron."

[missouriboy]

Nice post. Some time ago there was a poll in here asking the age range of Spyder ryders. Perhaps another poll asking why you chose the Spyder would be interesting and informative. Some ideas for categories:

1. Physical limitations or injury.
2. Wife won't join me on two wheels.
3. Am leery of my own ability to handle two wheels.
4. The Spyder is so Cool!
5. Others?........................
Add some more useful categories, then someone create the poll!

I am personally a 3, although I passed the course for 2 wheelers. I'm sure there are many other good responses.

[Rogue Hawk]

Any cruiser or café racer is pretty much associated with older people, dirt bikes and crotch rockets with the young and stupid, scooters with urban yuppies and so on. So don't worry about being typecast, every bike type is.

[WEB-WVR]

I first looked at the Spyder in 2008 because I thought it was cool !

I purchased in 2015 because I am aging and it just is not safe to be on 2 wheels anymore.....I am glad I made the change !

Is that what they meant by "the change of life" ?

[Bob Denman]

I bought it because the dealership happened to be the first place that I came to, after breaking out of the insane asylum.

[HIspyder]

For me, age has nothing to do with it. If there were Spyders back when I was 16 and just learning how to ride, I would have owned one.

I would have had to have mowed a million lawns to earn enough money, but I would have pulled it off.

[Pampurrs]

We all have our personal and unique motives for being on a Spyder. For me, it had nothing to do with looking cool or riding a cool machine. It was a matter of my body just telling me to either quit riding or get onto three wheels. The Spyder just happened to be the best choice. I chose the Spyder for a number of reasons, least of which is image. If image or coolness were deciding factors in my purchase decisions, I would've been riding Harleys all those years instead of Hondas and Victorys.

Pam

[Bob Denman]

Why be a sheep, when you can play the part of the lone wolf?

[NorCalBud]

I've got no ailments, disorders or conditions (my sympathy for those who do)...I've ridden 2 wheels since I built a mini-bike with an old Briggs and Stratton motor when I was a punk kid.
I like the look and feel the fun on this machine. So I bought one and ryde the hell outta it!

[900Dave]

Nice post. Some time ago there was a poll in here asking the age range of Spyder ryders. Perhaps another poll asking why you chose the Spyder would be interesting and informative. Some ideas for categories:

1. Physical limitations or injury.
2. Wife won't join me on two wheels.
3. Am leery of my own ability to handle two wheels.
4. The Spyder is so Cool!
5. Others?........................
Add some more useful categories, then someone create the poll!

I am personally a 3, although I passed the course for 2 wheelers. I'm sure there are many other good responses.

Several of these categories fit for me. #2 Sharon told me if I get a 2 wheel bike I will be riding alone. #3 Only because I never rode a 2 wheel bike on the road and there are a lot of idiots out there and one mistake could easily be my last. #4 just to be different and this is my summer snowmobile on wheels.

I've got no ailments, disorders or conditions (my sympathy for those who do)...I've ridden 2 wheels since I built a mini-bike with an old Briggs and Stratton motor when I was a punk kid.
I like the look and feel the fun on this machine. So I bought one and ryde the hell outta it!

Yes these things are just fun and addicting and it is starting to take over our lives. We are doing stuff we never thought we would do and meeting all kinds of new people and making new friends.

[Vader]

My answer:#1
I started riding minibikes in the 70's
Dirt bikes, street bikes and ATC'S in the 80's
Continued into the 90's, but less, and sold my Shadow
In 2001 I suffered a TBI. Had to learn to walk and talk again. And due to my physical limitations it was the best choice. I didn't like the traditional trikes. My wife tells me when the Spyders came out, it was an obsession with me.
I look at it this way..some of my buddies ride Harleys, Hondas, Triumphs etc..but I kinda doubt I would even if I was 100%. But I think I would have opted for the F3 just cause its so darn sweet looking. And I love my GS.

[Deanna777]

I did not want to deal with the " brake, clutch, shifting", tipping the 2 wheeled motorcycles anymore. A friend of mine suggested " why don't you buy Can-Am Spyder.

I took the motorcycle safety coarse, passed, bought a HD, traded it for a 2012RTS-SE5, I had never ridden a Spyder before. Had the 2012RTS-SE5 2 years, then took a demo ride on a 2014RTS-SE6 Cognac. I am in my 50's, and healthy.

I wanted to continue riding motorcycles, the spyder is stable, fun, and met interesting people, like this group, and go to spyder events, and this site. My current spyder is a 2014RTS-SE6 Cognac, I am a happy spyder rider. Deanna

[Bfromla]

Our enabled ryders are statement enough.

[TommyBwell]

If I could be back on two wheels I would in a second. But I can't and I am so thankful to BRP that not only made a product that got me out in the wind again but one that is super fun to ride and gorgeous to look at. It has been a long time since I have been this excited about riding. I've bought a hat, two jackets and eight t-shirts. I'm proud to fly the can-am flag.

[Sarge707]

I rode a Motorcycle at age 18 For One Summer!
The M rating stayed on my license so I could buy my First Spyder at age 61!

I'm NOT a Biker-I Ride a Roadster!!!!

[torquehound]

My wife and I are both 40. I had been on dirt bikes in the distant past and she had never really ridden at all. I decided I wanted a bike and she wanted one too. We got a Spyder for her because she is afraid of two wheels. I was sad as I figured it would be some time before I could buy a bike too but we could both learn on the Spyder. First time I rode it, I was hooked and went back two days later and bought another for me ha ha. They are 2008 and 2009 GS models, but we got two for a little more than the price of one. Best money we have ever spent. She really wants an RT and I want an F3 but until then, these keep us greatly entertained. For us it is all about the stability of three wheels.

[kngfsh27]

I went to three wheels because I wanted the soles of my boots to last longer.

[kbwitt]

I really just do not give a dam what other people think. It is all about me and my wife.
We both liked the look of a Harley Trike we were looking at and I love the sound of most Harley 's. When it came down to safety, cornering, and comfortable. Spyder won out easily.
Its a blast to ride and great for tourning.
Kenn

[Saluda]

We both could care less what others think. We pay so we say.
Love the additional safety and security we feel with the Spyder. Love the trunk and extra bags on the back. No more deciding which clothes to take or how much water to carry. Love not worrying on a wet road or the occasional sand or leaves. With age comes wisdom ?
That said it's unfortunate to repeat but my dealer says he can't get anyone under 45 to purchase a Spyder. Maybe things will change more in the future ? Until then we're more than happy on our choice of a ride.

[easysuper]

I started riding over 50 years ago on a mini bike, home built with a chain saw motor, fast forward 50 years, bad knees,fused ankle, and other assorted injuries, left me not feeling as safe as I wanted to be on two wheels with my lovely bride for the last 40 years on the back. Looked at Spyders when they first came out but waited for a couple years to make sure they were going to be around for awhile.
We bought our first RT and my bride fell in love with riding it by herself, she took it in for the first service and bought her own, one year later she has 20K on her roadster ! We are meeting new people and have joined a club and are living another chapter of our life together.

[Big F]

Nice post. Some time ago there was a poll in here asking the age range of Spyder ryders. Perhaps another poll asking why you chose the Spyder would be interesting and informative. Some ideas for categories:

1. Physical limitations or injury.
2. Wife won't join me on two wheels.
3. Am leery of my own ability to handle two wheels.
4. The Spyder is so Cool!
5. Others?........................
Add some more useful categories, then someone create the poll!

I am personally a 3, although I passed the course for 2 wheelers. I'm sure there are many other good responses.

Your #4 was my sole reason for getting my first Spyder. Now on my 3rd so you can readily tell I like the Spyder!! Most comments I get around here are from very envious people!! Have a great day and many miles of smiles!

[Big F]

I started riding over 50 years ago on a mini bike, home built with a chain saw motor, fast forward 50 years, bad knees,fused ankle, and other assorted injuries, left me not feeling as safe as I wanted to be on two wheels with my lovely bride for the last 40 years on the back. Looked at Spyders when they first came out but waited for a couple years to make sure they were going to be around for awhile.
We bought our first RT and my bride fell in love with riding it by herself, she took it in for the first service and bought her own, one year later she has 20K on her roadster ! We are meeting new people and have joined a club and are living another chapter of our life together.

That is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
BIG F

[Chupaca]

I did not get my spyder by age, limitations, looks, or abilities. For me it was more of "I've been there and done that". Probably could have pushed the limits of the two and four wheelers but had accidents and did not like them. If these had been around when I started out I would have gone for them right off. The fact that there are more older ryders just proves the roadster can span all ages and keeps us ryding longer. Though frowned upon by many there will come a day where they will be thankful there is this option and if they go for it they will realize what they have missed.