New member, not owner yet

[JohnS_Rosamond]

Hello all (I hope I'm posting in the right spot). I have been a Harley rider (20 years) and H.D. mechanic (for 6 years), toured a lot and been a HOG member. I have been looking at the Spyder for a while and have decided to buy (just a question of when). I am looking at a left over 2010 RT, but haven't decided on whether I want to wait for 2011's yet (advice??). Anyway, I would like to compliment you on the amount of great tech stuff here and the cool video links. I am looking forward to joining you in ownership soon (even convinced my mother to think about buying after I showed her some of the You Tube stuff). My whole family has ridden for years, but for me I think that I'm ready for a change - to three wheels. Thank you fro the cool site.

 

[ARtraveler]

Best thing to do is test drive, test drive, test drive. In CA, you can also find places to rent a Spyder---you might consider that to get in a real good test drive. There is a learning curve, and it takes a few miles to get the hang of it--especially if you are used to driving on two wheels for many years. RE: 2010 or 2011, you can probably save a few bucks on a 2010 if you can find one you like. The 2011 is supposed to have technological inprovements. So its kind of 6 of 1, half dozen of the other. With a large $ purchase like the Spyder, its important you are happy with your purchase so that you dont get buyers remorse later. Good luck on your quest for three wheels.

 

[NancysToy]

welcome

 

[fastfraser]

welcome We won't hold the Harley thing against you :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:. I have a 2009 SE5 but opted to order a 2011 RTS Limited. What ever you get you won't be disappointed . You found a great site here and a lot of techs to answer all your questions . Keep us informed of what you get and maybe we will see you at one of the great spyder events .

 

[Firefly]

welcome

I know there were 'upgrades' made to the suspension on 2011 RT's -- you might want to do some reading in the RT sections to see just what those differences entail and whether it's worth the extra $$$.

 

[JohnS_Rosamond]

Thank you fro the warm welcome. Yeah, not only do I have a Harley, but I have a 23 year old Harley so I'm used to it. Even HD owners will sometimes ask me "What is that?" ha ha. I guess I'm not too concerned about a test ride (though I'm aware that it will take some getting used to for sure.) It seems from what I've read that there is a small difference in the front shocks for less body lean, and the windscreen height for the 2011's. I can get a very good price on a 2010 right now at a local dealer and I'm trying not to be too impulsive. They also rent so I am going to do that, perhaps when I'm off this next week or in December.

 

[dltang]

welcome

 

[Sarge707]

welcomeBeing a mechanic will save you a lot of $$$!!

 

[SpydermanCT]

John,

I saw a Spyder this past summer and was instantly hooked. I did a demo ride and it was a little strange at first riding but it didn't take long to get used to it. I finally took delivery yesterday. I got a 2010 RT-S SE5 and I can't tell you how happy I am. After seeing your same question about buying now or waiting for the 2011 being answered mostly "do it now", I took the plunge. There are dealers out there that have inventory, that they have been paying on, and would love to get rid of before winter sets in. I'd guess I saved about $5K over what the 2011 are going to be going for. I also don't imagine the dealers will be dickering much in the spring. My opinion, buy it now! Just think of all the mods you can get done before spring. I'm lucky, my wife got tired of me talking about it and finally she said "just buy the damn thing, will you !" Of course she was the one this morning, at about 11am, when it was only about 45 degrees saying "come on, let's go for a ride !".
:shemademe_smilie::dontknow:

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Welcome John.

Welcome John,
We're all family here with bunches of great members.

 

[nudle]

welcome

 

[johnnyg]

welcome We came off an ultra-classic an must say we my wife and I test drove the RT-SE5 then came back in an orderd ours with the 622 trailer. That was on may 3rd 2010. WE just turned over 10,500mi an we still can't ride it as much as we would like to. Just remmber the more miles you put on it the better you'll like the :spyder2: RT or RS :congrats: an be safe jc

 

[JohnS_Rosamond]

SpydermanCT, you must be sending me vibes from across the country. I am going to go tomorrow and see what kind of financing they have available. The owner seemed very nice and it really is a fair chunk off sticker. With all the lurking I have been doing, there seem to be very few problem areas and many people seem to have put quite a number of miles on their machines. If I decide to buy real soon, I'll let you all know. Thanks for all the great tips.

 

[PCBeachBum]

SpydermanCT, you must be sending me vibes from across the country. I am going to go tomorrow and see what kind of financing they have available. The owner seemed very nice and it really is a fair chunk off sticker. With all the lurking I have been doing, there seem to be very few problem areas and many people seem to have put quite a number of miles on their machines. If I decide to buy real soon, I'll let you all know. Thanks for all the great tips.

welcome John, you have a lot more patience that I had. I was checking the Spyder out online and while at Pets Mart, I knew the dealership was around the corner. I decided to go and just look. The next thing I knew? I was signing the papers and thought, I had done did it again. I'm glad I did and bought a 2008 GS/RS SM5. I ryde everyday and am having a blast on this Spyder. I did go look at the 2010 RT and sat on it but, knew better than to take it for a test ryde. The sales lady did try to get me to take it for a ryde and instead left on my SM5.

John, while your checking on the financing, ask them about the BRP BEST Warranty and adding it into the financing. You can add 3 years to your 2 year factory warranty and with the Spyder, its a Mod well worth the money.

 

[Lamonster]

SpydermanCT, you must be sending me vibes from across the country. I am going to go tomorrow and see what kind of financing they have available. The owner seemed very nice and it really is a fair chunk off sticker. With all the lurking I have been doing, there seem to be very few problem areas and many people seem to have put quite a number of miles on their machines. If I decide to buy real soon, I'll let you all know. Thanks for all the great tips.

Hope you can work a deal. The only thing I would ask for is a set of the 2011 front shocks for your RT. They should be able to order the parts in and have them built for you and install them when they get them. You can then sell your 2010 shocks here to the RS guys. Good luck and welcome

 

[Boriken]

welcome to the family:clap::clap:

 

[JohnS_Rosamond]

I went ahead and Bought the RT

my impressions. For the first 3 miles, I seriously thought, "What kind of a twitchy suicide machine did I buy?" It darted from side to side and did not feel good at all. However, I heard this (saw written) that a new rider has to give it a little time. I took a relatively slow path back home on mildly curvy road. After a while you get the 'hang' of it. When you first enter the turn, the bike leans over, but will take a set and then settle in. The ride is compliant but I'm not sure that I would want it stiffer (unless I could find a progressively wound spring). Lean your body into the turn (even fairly slow turns) and give the bars a steady push or pull and it's good. I intend to try and put as many miles as I can on the RT in order to get more used to it. It has tons of cargo space. It was about 46°F and I felt fine (I wouldn't feel that way on the motorcycle). I'm gonna have to cut down the wind screen (too high). The rubber band that holds the tool kit was broken, the belt is not centred on the rear pulley, and I would like to figure out how to get to the battery so that I can attach a battery tender lead. Ordered the shop manual and the two analog gauges for the fairing. Best Wishes.

 

[NancysToy]

my impressions. For the first 3 miles, I seriously thought, "What kind of a twitchy suicide machine did I buy?" It darted from side to side and did not feel good at all. However, I heard this (saw written) that a new rider has to give it a little time. I took a relatively slow path back home on mildly curvy road. After a while you get the 'hang' of it. When you first enter the turn, the bike leans over, but will take a set and then settle in. The ride is compliant but I'm not sure that I would want it stiffer (unless I could find a progressively wound spring). Lean your body into the turn (even fairly slow turns) and give the bars a steady push or pull and it's good. I intend to try and put as many miles as I can on the RT in order to get more used to it. It has tons of cargo space. It was about 46°F and I felt fine (I wouldn't feel that way on the motorcycle). I'm gonna have to cut down the wind screen (too high). The rubber band that holds the tool kit was broken, the belt is not centred on the rear pulley, and I would like to figure out how to get to the battery so that I can attach a battery tender lead. Ordered the shop manual and the two analog gauges for the fairing. Best Wishes.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: If you get a chance, set up some soccer cones or half tennis balls in an empty parking lot, and run through the skills course in the Owners Guide. I know a lot of the stuff is pretty basic for long-time motorcycle riders, but it does give you a better feel for the capabilities and the feel of your Spyder. Despite 50+ years in the saddle, I ran the course with Nancy's Spyder, and again with my RTS. I learned some things both times that suited me well later on. The procedures for removing the panels to access the battery are in the Owners Guide, but the easy way with an RT is to buy an adapter to a cigarette socket, and plug into the outlet in the trunk. Meanwhile, you can just use the alligator clips on the jumper terminals under the seat. BTW, don't attach the pigtail to these.

 

[ntxYguy2009]

welcome

David

 

[BajaRon]

We took a long time HD riding buddy out this last week on a 70 mile, mild twisty jaunt. (Mild for East Tennessee anyway)

He is from Indiana and he didn't bring his Street Glide so he was stuck with a Spyder!

At first he was a bit all over the road in turns. He set up well but over corrected, then over corrected to correct the over correction.

It was very interesting riding behind him (he was riding MY SPYDER! :yikes Lamont's idea!

But I digress!

Anyway, our poor buddy was looking a bit stressed but honestly, he did better than I did on my first ride.

About 40 miles into the ride (after stopping for lunch and some excellent, sage advice... And Lamont gave him some advice too ), he began to relax and found he could trust the Spyder to go where he wanted it to. He backed off on the input which reduced his need to correct.

The last 15 miles he hardly ever applied brakes going into turns and was getting the hang of powering out. He had a BIG smile on his face at the end.

Who knows, maybe another parked HD... hyea: