Considering a Spyder - Can I Ask You Some Questions?

[jarrett]

I think that some here are making things more complicated than they need to be. Elaborate explanations of how to take a turn on a Spyder will likely just scare off someone considering getting one of these trikes. If you can drive a car, you can immediately ride a Spyder. You steer around the curve, just as in a car, and the only diference really is that you are using handlebars rather than a steering wheel. I have no doubt that CanAm could have designed the Spyder with a steering wheel and it would have worked just fine, other than making it even less like a "tradtional" motorcycle, and then they would have had to figure out where to put all the controls that right now are on each of the handgrips.

FWIW, I think that someone who has never ridden a two wheel motorcycle will have a faster learning curve on a Spyder than an experienced motorcyclist. Coming off two wheels requires getting used to no clutch lever, no front brake lever, and absolutely nothing to do with the left foot. For me, the biggest obstacle to feeling comfortable on my RT was not automatically gravitating to the left third of the lane, but getting used to aiming right down the middle of the lane. The very reason that some bikers look down on riders of Spyders is that the Spyder riders do not have to master the unique skills of motorcycling, such as counter steering, using both hands and feet simultaneously in an emergency stop, etc, etc. But those very same reasons make it incredibly easy for a non-rider to be safely navigating a Spyder (or F3, or Ryker for that matter).

Yeah, after spending 600 miles on a Spyder over the last couple of days, I now realize that some of early questions were moot. Within 20 miles of riding it, I felt comfortable enough to do the next 580. The last 200 miles, it felt like old hat to me. It's a very intuitive ride.

I did have a number of times that I was wiggling my left foot and right hand for no reason

I do wish there was a right hand brake lever though. I feel like picking up my leg and putting my foot down wastes valuable time in an emergency situation, where I could just move my index finger a couple of centimeters if I had a lever. But I have to say the brakes are good. I did do a few emergency stops at safe points on my trip and it will stop pretty hard for a land yacht/rolling couch.

I also got rained on four times on the trip. Mostly just normal rain, but one storm was a torrential down pour in downtown Houston in 6 lanes of packed traffic. The RT did great in the rain. Felt much more stable than two wheels in the same situation.

It is a bit of a boring ride compared to my two wheeled bikes, but it's ok. I didn't buy it for performance. It excels at the chill and cruise thing. Very, very nice for that function. And I felt more rested after 600 miles than I would have on two wheels as well.

 

[jjc54]

Jarrett,
Your story is much like mine. I purchased my 2016 RTL on 9/22/20 with 4,722 miles that was placed in service on 12/30/16. Rode it back home on a 2-day trip of about 550 miles. First time driving a 3-wheeler. No maintenance records other than a dealer performed first service and the front tires were changed out under warranty because they were out of round. When I got home, I changed out the brake fluid and did an oil change and was back on schedule with maintenance. The bike now has almost 63,000 miles and I have driven it each and every month since getting it. Only time it has been to the dealer since getting it is for the front sprocket recall. Only legitimate Limp Home Message was for the Cam Position Sensor (known problem on certain years) at 34,143 miles. The new sensor was harder to find than to replace. I used to get cramping in my hips on long rides but now that I have hyway pegs no longer an issue. Enjoy your new ride!

 

[RayBJ]

It is a bit of a boring ride compared to my two wheeled bikes, but it's ok. I didn't buy it for performance. It excels at the chill and cruise thing.

If you are a 'spirited' rider, after you get comfortable with the G-forces, You'll find keeping up with your 2-wheeled pals in the twisties to be anything but boring! With the added benefit of embarrassing some of those guys.

 

[jarrett]

If you are a 'spirited' rider, after you get comfortable with the G-forces, You'll find keeping up with your 2-wheeled pals in the twisties to be anything but boring! With the added benefit of embarrassing some of those guys.

Yeah, that's not gonna happen. My riding buddies are track racers. I'll take 2 wheels with them. This thing can't run with a sport bike.

 

[jarrett]

He's just in the way out there.

 

[jjc54]

Get Vredistein tires all the way around and get the pressure dialed in. Upgrade the antisway bar and get a stage 2 flash and see how much fun she is!