Some of you may’ve seen my earlier post about test riding a Ryker at BRP parking lot event. Well, after speaking with the dealer sponsoring the event, and the folks from BRP, I enrolled in the dealer’s three wheeled motorcycle course. I’ve always loved motorcycles, but living with cerebral palsy, I never in a million years thought I’d be able to ride one by myself. However, for $50 I figured I’d give the class a shot. My instructors were awesome, one of which is a full time Spyder guy, putting about 12,000 miles a year on his RT. Everyone, from my instructors to my fellow classmates were super supportive and stoked for me, even going so far as allowing me to stay on the bike for the duration of the exercises as opposed to switching on and off, as getting on and off the bike was the trickiest part. Much to my surprise, I passed both the written and skills portions with flying colors, and was awarded my paper license. I’m glad I was wearing a full face helmet with the visor down, as I bawled like a baby upon shaking the instructor’s hand at the conclusion of the final skills test, and hearing the words, “Congratulations, you are now a licensed three wheeled motorcyclist.” I went to the DMV the next day, and had my M3 endorsement added before the ink was dry on my paper slip. Twenty years of wishing I could ride a motorcycle have finally come to fruition. The feeling of being in the wind, no canes, no wheelchair, just me and the bike, is indescribable. I still choke up thinking about it. My first test ride on the open road was as close to heaven on earth as I’ve ever been, just me and a 600 Ryker, soaking up the world around me. I’ve since been aggressively job hunting to get off of disability and afford a Ryker of my own. These bikes have truly changed my life, and proven that dreams really do come true.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
That was an inspiring story. Your writing skills are also excellent.
2011 RTS (Sold to a very nice lady)
1998 Honda Valkyrie
2006 Mustang GT. Varooooom!
US Navy Veteran
SC Law Enforcement Boat Captain
CNC Machine Service Technician
President: Rolling Thunder SC1
Member: Disabled American Veterans, Rock Hill, SC
Member: American Legion
Experience is recognizing the same mistake every time you make it!
AKA Jud Smales, Four Year Spyder Ryder! "Quando Omni Flunkus, Moritati"
The Critter 2016 RT-S
Cat Bypass from Lamonster
BajaRon Sway Bar
Hella dual horns with relay
BRP Hitch with trailer module
Foam Grips
Adjustable Air Deflectors
Driver & Passenger Gel Pads in Seat
Shorty antenna
Ultraguard half cover
Gremlin bell from my son
Break Stripe Kit from Wrap My Spyder
Congratulations and I hope you will have your own Ryker soon!
2020 F3 Ltd
Spyderpops Bumpskid Spyderpops Brake/Run/Turn Signal LED's
Lamonster Garage LED Fog Lights and Headlights 2013 ST-S retired 1/9/16 at 25,061 miles
2015 F3S sold at 77,565 miles.
When life throws you curves, aim for the apex
Current stable: 09 Thruxton / 09 FZ6
Sold List: 97 Ninja500R, 03 SV650K3, 01 Ducati 750Sport Dark, 73 CB350/4, 03 F650GSA, 08 Gixxer600, 03 Gixxer600, 91 VFR750F, 09 KLX250, 06 Thruxton 900, 08 Spyder RS , 12 Street TripleR, 15 RC390, 02 VFR800, 09 KLX250S, 10 F650GS JLohPhotos
... Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins... You're looking at 31 flavors of ice cream, don't you kind of want to know what they all taste like?...
I'm sending Ryker thoughts out to you and a mind's eye picture of the Ryker in your garage, registered to you.
Congratulations, you're on the road now!
Congratulations! Hopefully BRP will hear about your story, I think it would make a great commercial for them!
Of course you would be in the commercial and be able to take your Ryker home, that goes without saying
Some of you may’ve seen my earlier post about test riding a Ryker at BRP parking lot event. Well, after speaking with the dealer sponsoring the event, and the folks from BRP, I enrolled in the dealer’s three wheeled motorcycle course. I’ve always loved motorcycles, but living with cerebral palsy, I never in a million years thought I’d be able to ride one by myself. However, for $50 I figured I’d give the class a shot. My instructors were awesome, one of which is a full time Spyder guy, putting about 12,000 miles a year on his RT. Everyone, from my instructors to my fellow classmates were super supportive and stoked for me, even going so far as allowing me to stay on the bike for the duration of the exercises as opposed to switching on and off, as getting on and off the bike was the trickiest part. Much to my surprise, I passed both the written and skills portions with flying colors, and was awarded my paper license. I’m glad I was wearing a full face helmet with the visor down, as I bawled like a baby upon shaking the instructor’s hand at the conclusion of the final skills test, and hearing the words, “Congratulations, you are now a licensed three wheeled motorcyclist.” I went to the DMV the next day, and had my M3 endorsement added before the ink was dry on my paper slip. Twenty years of wishing I could ride a motorcycle have finally come to fruition. The feeling of being in the wind, no canes, no wheelchair, just me and the bike, is indescribable. I still choke up thinking about it. My first test ride on the open road was as close to heaven on earth as I’ve ever been, just me and a 600 Ryker, soaking up the world around me. I’ve since been aggressively job hunting to get off of disability and afford a Ryker of my own. These bikes have truly changed my life, and proven that dreams really do come true.
IMG_1097.JPG & just wait till you get a full size rykers are fun, they just not full sized & as cargo capable as you will soon be wanting. Few threads on DIY chair racks available, sorry no manufacturer as of yet. Hopefully as we get more enabled ryders IMG_1133.jpg
2013 STL SE5 BLACK CURRANT
SpyderPop's: LED bumpskid
SmoothSpyder: dualmode back rest
T r * * LED:foam grip covers, Tricrings, FenderZ,
brake light strips, wide vue mirrors
Rivico SOMA modulation brake leds
sawblade mowhalk fender accents
minispyder dash toy
Lid lox
KradelLock
Pakitrack
GENSSI ELITE LED H4 headlights
FLO (Frunk Lid Organizer)
BRP fog lights, trailer hitch
SENA 20S EVO
I sent this to BRP I thought the same about a commercial. His story in inspiring along with how well the dealer and instructor took the time to work with him.
IMG_1097.JPG & just wait till you get a full size rykers are fun, they just not full sized & as cargo capable as you will soon be wanting. Few threads on DIY chair racks available, sorry no manufacturer as of yet. Hopefully as we get more enabled ryders IMG_1133.jpg
Unfortunately the width of the saddle on a full sized spyder is too wide for my legs to splay. They’ll do it, but not without a noticeable degree of discomfort. Then again, a few hours on the Ryker was enough to stretch my legs such that on subsequent rides, my legs were considerably looser; so who knows what a good chunk of time with Ryker might bring. Another benefit was that my back felt better after being on the bike than it did being off of it. Possibly the vibration, possibly the placebo effect, in either case, I’m not complaining in the slightest.