Motorcycles vs Spyder

[Roaddog2]

I always figured a trike would be in my future when a 1000lb bike became too much. I just assumed it would be a Harley. When Roaddog told me he put a deposit on a Spyder, I thought he lost his last few marbles.....A month or so later, Smylie and I rode up to Mass to check out a demo(CT didn't have dealers then) They wouldn't let us ride it because it was raining(even though we rode 2 wheels 150 miles to get there....go figure). I came away impressed with the design and engineering however. Last spring, Roaddog recieved his, and CT came online. I think Smilinacha put a deposit down before she finished her test ride. There's been no looking back for her. It's been a great experience for me, also. I'm not ready to give up 2 wheels yet, but I do get to ride the Spyder often. That Harley trike I thought was in my future, will probably be a Spyder now. We've always hung around in Harley dominated circles, and the Spyder has been very well recieved. (Especially when ya' light off that 2 Brothers can.....) Most of the raised eyebrows belong to the ignorant, all the "real" bikers I know are impressed with the machine.....

The best response yet was from two H.A. guys right here in CT.
and they loved it they neven asked me were they can go test ride 1 and were very inpressed with the little Micro burn I did for them:ani29:

 

[NancysToy]

I have to chime in again. My experience was identical to some others here. I hated two-up riding on the tall, top-heavy BMW, but my wife wasn't comfortable on her own bike, and I would be worried sick. I know Hoog's trick of riding in my mirrors all the time. The Spyder changed the world, for both Nancy and for me. She rides anywhere now, and I don't look back constantly. I also get to leave that silly topcase and backrest behind. Call it anything you want, ride it, make fun of it, or ignore it, but anything that turned my wife into a real rider and lets me ride lead solo, without worrying, deserves an award. If I had room in the garage, I'd have a second Spyder for myself.
-Scotty

 

[Roaddog2]

I have to chime in again. My experience was identical to some others here. I hated two-up riding on the tall, top-heavy BMW, but my wife wasn't comfortable on her own bike, and I would be worried sick. I know Hoog's trick of riding in my mirrors all the time. The Spyder changed the world, for both Nancy and for me. She rides anywhere now, and I don't look back constantly. I also get to leave that silly topcase and backrest behind. Call it anything you want, ride it, make fun of it, or ignore it, but anything that turned my wife into a real rider and lets me ride lead solo, without worrying, deserves an award. If I had room in the garage, I'd have a second Spyder for myself.
-Scotty

A nice large enough Shed next to that garage just might work just a thought for down the road :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

A nice large enough Shed next to that garage just might work just a thought for down the road :thumbup:

That's full, too. Where do you think the tricycle lives?
-Scotty

 

[vt228]

2 wheel and 3 looks

my wife and I road goldwing 1300cc a fat boy till I hurt my back had surgery L 4 L 5 fuzzed my back was told I well never ride again then after 2 yrs I rode a spyder in Laconia nh and I was back I payed for it then and there a week later I had my spyder .Harley riders around here tryed my spyder and took there breth away and say I have a bad ass bike and 5 have got spyders too . I wash my bike every month and wax her keep the fat boy covered and well never sell her my son rides her in summer. If I could hold her up I would be on her still but my spyder is my ride I still love my Harley fat boy.:thumbup:

 

[palehorsevt]

It's funny the whole "biker" deal. I remember when the average joe citizen wouldn't even think of owning a bike yet a Harley. Then came great marketing, a need to feel a machine makes you something etc. If your in the wind, your in the wind. I find it funny at the new biker snob who only waves to his gold card buddy..

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Nice Thread!

I like what SpyderByder wrote.
" Everyone has thier preferences. I prefer open air over a car, and now I prefer 3 wheels.:2thumbs:
And what Lamont wrote, " the Spyder is not a motorcycle and was never marketed as such.

That's what I let people know right away about the Spyder! It is a roadster. Not a bike and it's never claimed to be! I've got 5200 miles on mine now with only 1 negative response. I can ride whatever I want and I want to ride my Spyder!!! :yes:
I definately enjoyed my motorcycles. 1 Suzuki and 2 Kaws. All 3 were fantastic bikes. Between the 3, I put close to 75 thousand miles on them in 8 years here in Missouri. The only thing I dislike about 2-wheels is the gravel, salt, rocks, etc. that I come in contact with. I never get used to that.
That's all in the past now. I know...."Never say never" but I'll never own a 2-wheeler again. I love this Spyder! Hopefully they just keep making them. It will be a sad day if they ever stop.
Nice thread Lamont! I've enjoyed it. :clap: :spyder:

 

[bone crusher]

I've heard and read some of the comments about the Spyder from "motorcycle" guys and I think it's kinda funny. For some reason some of these guys think that no "real biker" would ride a Spyder. If you think I'm making this up just read some of the comments on some of the Spyder videos on youtube.

Now I know the Spyder is not a motorcycle and was never marketed as such. I know there are a lot of Spyder owners who have never ridden a motorcycle and this is their first open air riding experience.

I also know that there are those with physical limitations that has brought them to purchasing the Spyder. Maybe this is the first time that anything has been made that resembles a motorcycle that they've been able to ride or afford. Then there are those who have ridden motorcycles but for one reason or another they can no longer hold up a motorcycle and the Spyder is the answer for their problem.

Then there's the guys and gals like me. I ridden and owned just about every type of motorcycle there is. From 100cc dirtbikes to 5700cc V8 motorcycles and just about everything in between. I just like being in the wind and it has nothing to do with me not being able to ride anything else. I can ride whatever I want.

I got my Spyder right after I got my KFX700 4wheeler. That thing is a blast to ride on the dirt and to me the Spyder is just as much as a blast except I get to ride it on the street. Even though the Spyder isn't a motorcycle it is no less fun than any of the bikes I've owned through the years and right now it's the funest thing I own because it isn't a motorcycle. I still love my bikes but I really fell in love with the Spyder.

I don't know how many of you remember the movie Quigley Down Under but there was a classic line toward the end of the movie. Quigley was hired by this bad guy to do some long range shooting. Turns out he wanted him to shoot people so he didn't want the job.

He was an expert shot with a rifle and the bad guy concidered himself an expert with a pistiol. At one point Quigley made a comment that he didn't have much use for a pistol. The bad guy took that as he wasn't very good at shooting a pistol. If you watch this little video you'll see how that turned out if you've never seen the movie.

I feel the same way about the Spyder. It's not that I can't ride a motorcycle or that I'm not very good at riding a motorcycle. It's just that right now I'm really enjoying my Spyder. :doorag:

YouTube - Quigley Down Under - The Final Gunfight

Hey, you stole that guy from Die Hard!!

 

[cousin]

SPYDERLOVERS must be right on time!!!

I have only had my :spyder: since 03/06/09 and everone with 2 wheelers to 18wheelers want to know whats it like!!!! or can we try it out!!:thumbup: SPYDERLOVERS must be right on time:yes::firstplace::yes::cheers:

 

[trikester]

When I built my dual-sport Yamaha TWTrikes sometimes I would get; "why'd you add an extra wheel to a perfectly good motorcycle"? From a motorcycle guy.

I'd tell him that; "it isn't a motorcycle with an extra wheel, it's a Jeep that's missing a wheel and has a motorcycle seat".

When a biker questions my Spyder I say; "it's not a motorcycle with an extra wheel, it's a hot sports car that's missing a wheel, and has a motorcycle seat".

Always shuts them up.

 

[vt228]

Gave my fat boy to my son he had a axdent 4 yrs ago on his bike so I talked to him last knight and we had some beer's he was trying to get a V-rod couldnt get a loan so told him I love him and gave him the keys to her on one acount she stays in the family cant sell her . he hugged me and was so so happy he loves to ride her .cant see her sit there and get no miles he well take good care of her . KIDS LOL got to love them...

 

[Director]

I've heard and read some of the comments about the Spyder from "motorcycle" guys and I think it's kinda funny. For some reason some of these guys think that no "real biker" would ride a Spyder. If you think I'm making this up just read some of the comments on some of the Spyder videos on youtube.

Now I know the Spyder is not a motorcycle and was never marketed as such. I know there are a lot of Spyder owners who have never ridden a motorcycle and this is their first open air riding experience.

I also know that there are those with physical limitations that has brought them to purchasing the Spyder. Maybe this is the first time that anything has been made that resembles a motorcycle that they've been able to ride or afford. Then there are those who have ridden motorcycles but for one reason or another they can no longer hold up a motorcycle and the Spyder is the answer for their problem.

Then there's the guys and gals like me. I ridden and owned just about every type of motorcycle there is. From 100cc dirtbikes to 5700cc V8 motorcycles and just about everything in between. I just like being in the wind and it has nothing to do with me not being able to ride anything else. I can ride whatever I want.

I got my Spyder right after I got my KFX700 4wheeler. That thing is a blast to ride on the dirt and to me the Spyder is just as much as a blast except I get to ride it on the street. Even though the Spyder isn't a motorcycle it is no less fun than any of the bikes I've owned through the years and right now it's the funest thing I own because it isn't a motorcycle. I still love my bikes but I really fell in love with the Spyder.

I don't know how many of you remember the movie Quigley Down Under but there was a classic line toward the end of the movie. Quigley was hired by this bad guy to do some long range shooting. Turns out he wanted him to shoot people so he didn't want the job.

He was an expert shot with a rifle and the bad guy concidered himself an expert with a pistiol. At one point Quigley made a comment that he didn't have much use for a pistol. The bad guy took that as he wasn't very good at shooting a pistol. If you watch this little video you'll see how that turned out if you've never seen the movie.

I feel the same way about the Spyder. It's not that I can't ride a motorcycle or that I'm not very good at riding a motorcycle. It's just that right now I'm really enjoying my Spyder. :doorag:

:agree: Couldn't have said it better. I have been riding conventional two-wheelers for almost 40 years, been a motorcycle riding instructor for the past 16, and I am loving the Spyder experience. Different than a motorcycle for sure, but every bit as awesome, even more so in some ways!

Bruce

 

[czdaryle]

. I don't consider it "smarter" or more safe, and its lack of range is kinda ridiculous really.

The trips where she took hers were the most nerve racking I'd ever taken.

I would spend the entire trip with one eye on the road and one in the mirror.

Then along came the Spyder, and I don't worry about her anymore.


So you do think it is safer:dontknow:

 

[Biker]

I've been reading all your comments about the riders coming off other motorcycles and buying Spyders. I too have been riding about 45 years and have owned just about every make of bike. My last one was a Harley Ultra Classic which has taken me across the country coast to coast twice, so I'm no rookie when it comes to riding. I've kissed the asphalt a few times, even hugged a phone pole at speed that almost took my life but, I hung in there and continued riding. Having the same problems as some of the other riders here, I decided to look for something that I could ride and be more stable. After doing a demo-ride on a Spyder, it really made me smile and put some excitement back into my riding once again. Selling the Harley was a very big decision for me and all my Harley riding buddies thought I was insane. They told me I had to ride in the back. I responded with "Get out of the way, I'll lead" I bought an SE5 and haven't looked back. I'm having a ball. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. If they don't wanna ride with me, fine. If they don't want to wave at me, that's fine too. I'm having a ball. By the way, I loved that movie with Tom Sellick and Alan Rickman who plays the bad guy. Thanks Lamonster, keep up the good work.

 

[tnfleming]

I think the spyder is more of a motorcycle than the HD ultra classic super glide or whatever they call that couch on wheels. Riding that thing one forgets that it has only two wheels! Smooth and comfortable but no torque or twisties!

 

[Jeff in Dallas]

For me, the Spyder is closer to a go-cart than a motorcycle. No leaning, no countersteering, no dropping :shocked:, no scanning for every little patch in the road that could spell disaster, etc.

My Ultra Classic would go from a fantastic touring machine to a single seat cruiser (with PLENTY of power) in minutes. It was great ride and I do miss it from time to time.

But, the Spyder gives me more of what I want. Open air, good power, great fun in a platform that is significantly more safe than a motorcycle in most cases. It's easy to live with and use as an every day vehicle.

I just hope more companies get on board. I would love to have more options in a reverse-trike platform.

 

[bone crusher]

I've been reading all your comments about the riders coming off other motorcycles and buying Spyders. I too have been riding about 45 years and have owned just about every make of bike. My last one was a Harley Ultra Classic which has taken me across the country coast to coast twice, so I'm no rookie when it comes to riding. I've kissed the asphalt a few times, even hugged a phone pole at speed that almost took my life but, I hung in there and continued riding. Having the same problems as some of the other riders here, I decided to look for something that I could ride and be more stable. After doing a demo-ride on a Spyder, it really made me smile and put some excitement back into my riding once again. Selling the Harley was a very big decision for me and all my Harley riding buddies thought I was insane. They told me I had to ride in the back. I responded with "Get out of the way, I'll lead" I bought an SE5 and haven't looked back. I'm having a ball. I don't have anything to prove to anyone. If they don't wanna ride with me, fine. If they don't want to wave at me, that's fine too. I'm having a ball. By the way, I loved that movie with Tom Sellick and Alan Rickman who plays the bad guy. Thanks Lamonster, keep up the good work.

Well said!

 

[bone crusher]

For me, the Spyder is closer to a go-cart than a motorcycle. No leaning, no countersteering, no dropping :shocked:, no scanning for every little patch in the road that could spell disaster, etc.

My Ultra Classic would go from a fantastic touring machine to a single seat cruiser (with PLENTY of power) in minutes. It was great ride and I do miss it from time to time.

But, the Spyder gives me more of what I want. Open air, good power, great fun in a platform that is significantly more safe than a motorcycle in most cases. It's easy to live with and use as an every day vehicle.

I just hope more companies get on board. I would love to have more options in a reverse-trike platform.

No leaning? I guess you're not taking any highway ramps over 15mph...you had better lean on a spyder or you're gonna be swaying all over the place...sure, you can't drop it but you can have a pretty bad ride. Leaning still has its place with the Spyder

 

[Jeff in Dallas]

No leaning? I guess you're not taking any highway ramps over 15mph...you had better lean on a spyder or you're gonna be swaying all over the place...sure, you can't drop it but you can have a pretty bad ride. Leaning still has its place with the Spyder

Ok... how about, "Leaning on the Spyder is VERY DIFFERENT than leaning on a 2-wheeled motorcycle."

:cheers:

 

[NancysToy]

:joke: I thought the Honda Goldwings or the BMW R1200LTs were the couches on wheels. I have a lot to learn! :joke:
-Scotty