Just saying Hi

[crazycanuck]

Hey everyone, first of all I must say that this is abosloutely a great site for people who are already owners but even more informative for someone like me who is in the market to buy a Spyder.

Currently working in Canada but live in SF, CA so I will be buying my machine there. I rode the SM5 in Quebec on a 250KM trip and was certainly a little skeptical and hesitant around corners intially but I guess that was expected as I have only ever ridden sportbikes. I fell in love quite quickly however, but I want to try the SE5 to make sure I buy the right model for myself.

Will keep you posted on how my journey goes to owning:2excited: a :spyder:. I have gotten information on a few dealers in the bay area and will be flying down soon to meet up with them.

Keep up the great work.

 

[Lamonster]

welcome:spyder::doorag:

 

[Big Arm]

:2thumbs: welcome Once you ryde....you're hooked !!! :thumbup:

 

[hawkiii]

welcome I am an SE5 owner. I have riden both models but wife didn't think she could get the hang of shifting gears so we went with the SE. I love it! Good luck on finding the right model. Either will be a blast! Enjoy.

 

[retread]

welcome whichever one you choose, it'll open alot of FUN to you.

john

 

[LDFIREWORKS]

WELCOME ABORD:spyder::congrats:welcome

 

[effgjamis]

:2thumbs:Starting the New Year on a :spyder:and up you will never look back to 2008.

:congrats:

 

[8LEGS]

:Once you ryde....you're hooked !!! :thumbup:

Ditto: and welcome

 

[babyanlee]

welcome

 

[GI Jane]

welcome I got my SE5 in October and just love her. Only have 1000 miles now but plan on putting a lot more on in 2009. :cheers:

 

[Rockferg]

welcome Just a little hint, the silver spyder is faster!
Greg

 

[Roaddog2]

:2thumbs:welcome:2thumbs:

 

[SpyderByter]

CrazyCanuck,

I tried both the SE5 and SM5 before buying. I never rode and automatic bike before, so I wanted to try that. Like yourself, and most who have gone from 2 to 3 wheels, the cornering feels real strange, but believe me, you get used to it and after a while it becomes second nature. And then you realize you can do things you would never do on a 2 wheeler, like sharp low speed turns with the handlebars turned all the way. And you will ride on days you may have second thoughts about using a 2 wheeler, like when intersections are covered with sand or wet leaves.

One thing I found between the auto and manual: The corners felt less strange on the manual because you can clutch through them, rather than the somewhat jerky feel of either being on the throttle or off it. I just prefer the extra control. I also like to just pull in the clutch and glide to a stop.

I can see one advantage to an auto if you do a lot of hiway driving, mainly being able to downshift from the handlebars should your feet be up on highway pegs. (highwaybars or front brake not ncluded, see mods for more info) But I always managed to get my feet back in position to use the rear brake and shifter when needed on my two wheelers. And then in city driving, the obvious advantage of only having to upshift, it downshifts on it's own when you come to a stop. But again it downshifts rather than just gliding. And the one I tried was jerky.

After reading posts in this site, I think a lot of SE5 owners were experiencing problems. Make sure you really want an auto before you pay the extra bucks for it. Myself, I would have taken the manual even if the price was the same.

Mark

 

[Smylinacha]

welcome

 

[bjt]

Welcome to SpyderLovers crazycanuck. :thumbup: