• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Noobie saying hello

Gimpy Girl

Gimpy Girl

New member
Hi everyone,
I'm new to the world of Spyders and found your forum. I currently am home with a broken leg and am questioning getting back on my HD Road King again. (I had a slow speed accident due to a truck pulling a trailer. There were no break lights or turn signals on the truck or trailer, and he decided to make a sudden stop and turn left).

I've met a few folks with Spyders, and I've asked the usual questions and am wondering a few things about the Spyder that I hope you can help answer.

Can the footpegs be moved forward at all? Do you feel that you are harder to see from other cages on the road being so low? What would be the best Spyder to get that would fit daily riding and long distance touring? Last question for now- since Spyders are new to the market overall, and I am not that great with a wrench, is maintenance an issue?

Thanks in advance for letting me hammer y'all with my questions!
 
Hello

welcome i see you are from northern NJ where abouts, you are not that far from me. Welcome to the gimp club sorry to here about your mishap. i had one also head on car crash [back,left knee,rightfoot] other guys fault 100% i could probably answer your questions but i think i will leave that up to someone who actually has one. I hope to have one very soon. Alot of very nice helpful people on here. :2thumbs:
 
welcome the people that needs to answer your questions is lamonster and baja ron they have had a lot of practice putting parts on and taking parts off :thumbup:
 
Hi Gimpy Girl. I hope you heal up quickly from your accident.

Yes there are other options for foot positions like highway pegs and floorboards for both the passenger and rider. There are probably 6 aftermarket companies selling these types of things and most of them are sponsors of this forum. Check them out on the Home page (NoMagicNeon, Kewlmetal, ISCI, Spyder City).

I think that because of the overall wider body profile, I'm more visible to other cars on the road than a motorcycle would be.

The only major options in a Spyder right now are manual transmission (SM5) or electronic shift transmission (SE5). The choice would be a matter of personal preference. Both have the same basic setup and can accept any of the mods out there that can make the Spyder a better touring machine.

Being it is a new machine, there have been some issues on some machines. That being said, mine and my wife's Spyders have been trouble free for us for the most part and any issues we did have were covered under warranty. One key would be to shop for dealers carefully to be sure that they can satisfactorily service your Spyder after they sell it to you. Look for a dealer that is passionate about the Spyder, not just any powersports superstore. The superstore may save you a few dollars on the initial purchase but may leave you frustrated when you have to depend on them to help you if something starts acting up.

Lastly, spend some of your free time reading through some of the older posts here. Never hesitate in posting questions but all of the questions you have asked have been discussed on here before. You may find some older discussions that better answer your questions or bring up other questions you might have. :thumbup:
 
Gimpy Girl said:
I've met a few folks with Spyders, and I've asked the usual questions and am wondering a few things about the Spyder that I hope you can help answer.

Can the footpegs be moved forward at all?
Stock footpegs are fixed. There are aftermarket highway pegs and footboards available. Also an aftermarket brake handle for the bars if the forward foot position makes it hard to reach the stock foot brake.

Do you feel that you are harder to see from other cages on the road being so low?
I don't think it is really lower than a Road King or other cruiser. Rider sits relatively high compared to a cruiser, and the handlebars are fairly high. Maybe a small difference. I would say it is much more visible than an average motorcycle due to the width and being unusual. Especially visible in a bright color like yellow or red.

What would be the best Spyder to get that would fit daily riding and long distance touring?
There is only one basic model (for now). Touring version is rumored for next year...we'll have to wait and see. Available in manual (SM5) or electric shift (SE5) versions only, and a few color and special trim varieties. Lots of us have added aftermarket goodies or BRP accessories, like bags or windshields, to get the basic Spyder to suit our needs and wants a little closer.

Last question for now- since Spyders are new to the market overall, and I am not that great with a wrench, is maintenance an issue?
Maintenance requirements are somewhat stringent, similar to BMW. Some are best performed by the dealer. Routine stuff like changing the oil is quite straightforward, but some body panels must be removed. No worse than any other motorcycle, IMO, worse than some, better than others. Don't let the reports in these forums of problems scare you. Most of us have put on many reliable miles, but that just doesn't make for interesting reading, so we don't say much.
Click to expand...

welcome Hope you take a test ride soon.
 
Scotty answered your questions quite well.

I'll only add that as a HD rider, you'll likely want to get the SM5 (manual) so you use the clutch...the SE5 might feel too much like a car for you...then again, test ride both and make your own decision.

The Spyder is a lot of fun and is safer than a two wheeler...it is much more visible as it is 5 feet wide and 8 feet long...get yellow for visibility and get NMN/ESI's LED lights...

On a Spyder you won't have an issue of not being seen...rather, you'll have an issue of everyone seeing you and wanting to talk to you about your ride...
 
welcome I hope you are healing fast. Sorry to hear what happened to you.

So you can go and test ryde a spyder, you are going to fall in love with it. I had no MC background, this is all new to me, I am out ryding almost everyday now. I have had No issues on my spyder, and there is no issue of not being seen. The spyder attracts a lot of attention!! I went with yellow SE5. I am being honked at, whistled, pictures are taken, and many questions. My store visits are no longer 1/2 hour, hope you are not in any rush, I get stopped every time I go somewhere now. Been passing out a lot of brochures.

Check out the sponsors on this forum, they carry a lot of stuff for the spyder. :thumbup:
 
Thanks for the quick reply everyone! I'll be sure to do some reading on all posts here and I'll be looking for a test ride as soon as I'm up and walking around again. Thanks to all!
 
Hope you get better and are back on the road enjoying your knees in the breeze soon. Definitely take a test ride. The Spyder may be just what you are looking for!
 
As a ex-Harley rider and an ex-sport bike and scooter rider. I can say I have had the most fun on the Spyder it is a great bike. Some will say its not a motorcycle and not a car. This is true I have the manual and I must say it is much closer to a bike than a car. You ARE more visible and you can stop much quicker and maneuver well. You won't fit in a bike space due to the width but since you can see the front wheels it is easer than the trikes with the two wheels in back. People say to me is that one of those reverse trikes and I tell them no they got this one right the others are reversed!
Hope we can say welcome real soon. When you test drive one it will feel a little strange but after a couple of hundred miles you will not want to go back.
Danny
 
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