New Spyder Event

[Dragonrider]

For anyone interested - and/or considering a purchase too, I'm going to post some highlights from my purchasing "adventure".

Well, I pick up my new red 2009 SM5 on the 3rd. I bought it last weekend at a dealer in a small town 200 miles from home - well outside of our high population "metro" area, who actually wanted to sell a bike.

Nothing moved at speed - it took over 2.5 hours to finish the paperwork on a cash deal !?! And they still missed a couple of "required" signatures.

The good news is I got the deal I wanted on a bike still in the crate, and a reasonable discount on the BEST warranty, recommended on the forum. I also got a killer deal on the black rims.

I ordered a windshield, after reading the forum reviews, which looks like the new BRP, but is two inches taller - hopefully, it will arrive in time for me to put it on the bike when I pick it up.

On Friday, I'll pick up the bike by 9am, then hit the road. While it will be 95+, the trip will start in town, then progress to mountain riding - so I will be exposed to every type of riding, and a consistent break-in although, after the first 20 miles, I won't be able to vary the speed as much as I would like.

I'll post an update here when I get home - I just did this trip last week on my K12LT, so it will be an interesting comparison - and definitely a much slower trip.

 

[Tom in NM]

Exciting!

Yes, dealers can be an experience and it does seem that we are are in what I call a "Taxi Economy". It is not about being efficient, just how much time they can keep you captive - like there is some sort of meter running. Beats me how they (everyone from dealerships to websites) make money off wasting your time.

When you pick it up, make sure to count the wheels (3) and they are firmly attached. Also remember that the brakes are new and won't be broken in.

I can not wait to hear how it goes and what you think about your new garage-mate.

Tom

 

[Dragonrider]

Since today's forecast was 102 - I opted to pick up my new spyder last night & ride her home when it was only 65 -

Well, the really nice folks at the small dealer, where I bought it (1) lost the license light cover, and forgot to install my tank bag - BTW, I thought I'd pick up a couple of filters to have on hand, well, they had the filters, but the crush washers & "O" rings had to be ordered from Canada... :dontknow:

An hour later, I left the dealer - this is where I found out about the missing cover - a local fuzcycle pulled me over & suggested I go get one pps:... now another hour later, I have all the parts and am ready to hit the road.

Spent last night at a motel - and was worried about not having a cover, however, having ridden ATV's for years, I had an old DS650 cover, which I brought & it fit well enough.

Left this morning for home at 0630, and put 230 flawless miles on the clock. Kept the heat down, varied the rpm by gear changes (5-4-3-4-4-5-4 ---), and burned through most of my first tank of gas. Had her up to 80 briefly on the last leg - slipped through the twisties at posted +20.

While I have the BRP riser, I will need more.. all-in-all, no buyers remorse..

 

[NancysToy]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
-Scotty

 

[SLO RYDER]

:2thumbs::2thumbs:
welcome

Mike

 

[Dragonrider]

Already adding farkles (thanks to E-bay) - waiting for my 31" windshield, have the BRP riser, BRP trunk liner, BRP tank bag, BRP sport rack (red), BRP back rest (red). Waiting for: ISC handbrake, floorboards, and control extensions; 3" risers, mirror extensions, Kuryakyn grips, throttle boss, & helmet lock. Add the Givi bags, and I should be done (for this year :clap

 

[Tom in NM]

Learn something new every day . . . .

. . . . Farkles . . . . ??? I had to look that one up, I have been riding motorcycles since 1964 and that was a new one on me.

Congratulations on getting your Farkle Repository home, at last.

And it is RED, too!

I had to laugh at the missing license cover - Brian (BJT) rode to the LA Event and back home with out a plate. Just shows what people from Michigan can get away with.

Well, enjoy and have fun. It sounds like the Spyder will perform well for you.

Tom

 

[northramp]

:congrats::congrats:welcome

 

[Star Cruiser]

:congrats: and welcome. If you like it NOW - you are gonna LOVE it in a week or so when you get a little more used to :spyder2:. Looking forward to meeting up with you sometime soon.
Planning on the Smokies?

 

[cousin]

:congrats: there is nothing like it!!!:2thumbs: :spyder2:ING is A world of it's own:yes:

 

[Dragonrider]

Probably the best thing I've done (so far) was to assure the dealer set up the suspension before delivery - it's normally left at super soft & that would have killed the trip through the mountains.

The dealer gave me a full tank of premium, and I put the recommened regular in it - any thoughts as to one over the other?? Seems to run a bit hotter on regular, but after a tank and a half, it's a tough call...

 

[Tom in NM]

It varies . . . .

I feel my Spyder runs better with 88 octane, but I live at 5,000 feet and get up over 7,000 from time to time. When I have had to use a higher octane, my feeling was that the Spyder just burned through it faster with no noticeable positives. Most of our gas here is also laced with Ethanol. I also feel that at 86 octane the Spyder does not run as well - just a feeling.

I think you will see a difference as the bike breaks in - a couple of tanks is hard to judge. Like all tests, I would stick to the "middle of the road" options on gas and then after your 600 mile maintenance, start tweaking the variables one at a time. After my 600 miles maintenance, it seemed a whole bunch of things changed. For one, I had been getting EXTREME gas fumes at times - after the maintenance, none. ( though they said they did nothing to effect that ).

It will help you to get a handle on gas if you keep a log or spreadsheet. Every time I fill up, I note the odometer, hours, octane on the receipt and then enter it into a spreadsheet with any notes on changes or maintenance I have done ( oil change/top-off, tire pressure changes, kind of riding - especially something out of the ordinary ) That way I have the facts at hand and not just vague impressions as to what might have changed.

As always, Scotty has the best advice - play with your tire pressure and shock settings. After upping the pressure in my tires, I notice a huge positive difference in the feel of the road and handling and I am hoping it extends the life of the tires and my gas mileage improved. I am a small guy (5'7" - 145#) and have no significant mods except for my windshield, so I keep the shocks at 2 and my front tires at 19# and my back at 29#. I do think I am going to drop it a bit, given the altitude and heat here in the high desert and try and see where my summer sweet spot is - I think winter will call for it to come back up.

Given your personal tastes (what feels right to you), physical measurements, where you live and the kind of terrain & riding style you do, and mods (weight & aerodynamics) you will need to find your own "Sweet Spot" for all these variables.

Tom

 

[jimclarkf1]

welcome dragon

:congrats: I bet you will have a blast, and BEAUTIFUL country to ride in, :2thumbs: take care, and GOD BESS,,:clap:

 

[Dragonrider]

Thanks for the input Tom - another Spyder downside up here is - there are so few of us, every one does a double take - however, the young joggers all wave now (makes up for the other stuff )

 

[Dragonrider]

My 31" windshield - which was supposed to be here last week, in time to install at delivery, showed up today, along with my E-bay sport rack. Looks like a good night of wrenching.

The windshield looks good & is supposed to match my new NMN risers - I'll add to the post, when I find out..

 

[Don in E Texas]

:congrats:

Welcome aboard!! You do have some great roads to ride on.... keep it safe and keep us posted. Let the mod's begin! Oh, you already are!!

don

 

[Dragonrider]

Well, my mini-blog about my new toy continues - again, I hope this is helpful to other Newbies, and potential Newbies:

Marcel was in such a rush to get the windshield out, he forgot to include the hardware - So, off with the new windshield, on with the old.

I did get the Sport rack installed, and thus learned how to remove the tupperware - probably a good thing.

I can't wait for the risers to arrive - the Spyder is hard on my wrists - not to mention all the other farkles... :clap:

 

[Director]

Congrats!

Since today's forecast was 102 - I opted to pick up my new spyder last night & ride her home when it was only 65 -

Well, the really nice folks at the small dealer, where I bought it (1) lost the license light cover, and forgot to install my tank bag - BTW, I thought I'd pick up a couple of filters to have on hand, well, they had the filters, but the crush washers & "O" rings had to be ordered from Canada... :dontknow:

An hour later, I left the dealer - this is where I found out about the missing cover - a local fuzcycle pulled me over & suggested I go get one pps:... now another hour later, I have all the parts and am ready to hit the road.

Spent last night at a motel - and was worried about not having a cover, however, having ridden ATV's for years, I had an old DS650 cover, which I brought & it fit well enough.

Left this morning for home at 0630, and put 230 flawless miles on the clock. Kept the heat down, varied the rpm by gear changes (5-4-3-4-4-5-4 ---), and burned through most of my first tank of gas. Had her up to 80 briefly on the last leg - slipped through the twisties at posted +20.

While I have the BRP riser, I will need more.. all-in-all, no buyers remorse..

Sounds like you are having a blast so far. Enjoy! :2thumbs:

Bruce

 

[bjt]

Well, my mini-blog about my new toy continues - again, I hope this is helpful to other Newbies, and potential Newbies:

Marcel was in such a rush to get the windshield out, he forgot to include the hardware - So, off with the new windshield, on with the old.

I did get the Sport rack installed, and thus learned how to remove the tupperware - probably a good thing.

I can't wait for the risers to arrive - the Spyder is hard on my wrists - not to mention all the other farkles... :clap:

What hardware is required for his windshield? New mounting screws?

 

[Dragonrider]

Two things - new mounting screws (longer & harder) and two long screws with a short bracket to hold the side of the 'shield to the mirror brackets.

Any way, got the passenger back rest today - popped it on & took the grandkids for a ride, and then installed my new Kendel, which really took about 15 minutes to install. Sealed the joint & left it for the night.

Did make a mess with the sealant. The new exahust came with a clamp - figured it was required (not) and made a mess with the sealant... well, I'll use a bit of steel wool after it dries...

Can't believe how heavy the old muffler was in comparison!!!