1 Month Newby Check In

[thunor]

Well, I have now had my 2014 RTS SM6 for one full month. I have racked up 3500 miles, I consider this a decent amount since I am
not retired and my wife wants to see me off the bike once in a while. I got the first maintenance completed last friday and probably
paid too much at $250 but I picked a more reputable service/dealership so felt good about the "check up". I have had my MPG vary from
about 32 mpg to as much as 40 mpg depending upon my "lead foot" or hand as it were. I find myself to be significantly more confident
in the curves though I still hesitate pushing it too much when we are 2 up. I am significantly entertained by the bike to bike waving factor.
I can usually tell who will and will not wave and those that do not always have their nose so far up in the air I am wishing a bug could just
happen to fly....err, nm.

Had the antenna broken off in my work parking garage(VA Hospital parking garage). I replaced it with the Wallyworld shorty and much prefer
the flexibility when I am pulling the cover(Bike Barn) over the trike. Had the boot go when the antenna disappeared but the dealership replaced
that as under warranty and left my shorty in place as I requested. Leaving the stock antenna on the trike I could see myself going through having
to replace it every week or two.

Only negatives I have so far on the trike are:

Driving range sucks...I can't get 2 full days of commuting to work without having to fill up.
Front end of this thing is a serious bug magnet...if I don't wash it at least twice a week then you probably couldn't tell it is white...
Side bag is sticking and won't open when you pull the lever...unless you press on the compartment while pulling the lever and patting your head at same time...

Otherwise an awesome ride.

Did my first PGR ride ever a couple weeks ago. Awesome and rewarding experience but a little disappointed with being told that I should ride in the back of
the pack as I am not on a HOG.....grrrrr not a surprise to hear but still...

Enough on my book. Love this site as a resource and it has definitely helped me figure out how the trike works as well as tweaking my Sena 20s. Thanks
all!

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: Glad to hear that you're digging it! :thumbup:
Do you have any trips planned, now that some of the best riding weather is approaching?

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:thumbup: Good report. Thanks.

I was told by a dealer tech in Great Falls, Mont., that there's an adjustment for the sidebag sticking problem. They did the adjustment while I was there and I haven't had an issue since. Interesting that it was the right sidebag on my 2014, the same as always stuck on my 2011.

 

[thunor]

:congrats: Glad to hear that you're digging it! :thumbup:
Do you have any trips planned, now that some of the best riding weather is approaching?

I bought it down in St Louis so I initially put 900 miles on it the first day. Rest has been play time since.
We are doing a road trip to Newport RI(my home town) this coming weekend so I will add at least another
1000 miles on it for September. Hoping to squeeze as many weeks of the riding season out as I can...

 

[granpa in Cincy]

I had the side bag thing too. When I was in for service, the tech fixed it. They told me all he did was lube it. :dontknow:

 

[thunor]

:thumbup: Good report. Thanks.

I was told by a dealer tech in Great Falls, Mont., that there's an adjustment for the sidebag sticking problem. They did the adjustment while I was there and I haven't had an issue since. Interesting that it was the right sidebag on my 2014, the same as always stuck on my 2011.

Mine is the left side...the one that the wife keeps her helmet in of course...I will research adjustments to see if I can DIY fix it. Thanks.

 

[Bob Denman]

There are latch adjustments: you need to remove the rear bodywork that wraps around the top trunk...:shocked:
Pop the lid up, drop your saddlebag lids, and you'll see the eight bolts.
(My left side bag sticks; I'll just give it a push when I need it.)

 

[Iamjoey]

:welcome:

 

[JayBros]

Mine is the left side...the one that the wife keeps her helmet in of course...I will research adjustments to see if I can DIY fix it. Thanks.

Look on page 147 of your operator's guide. The answer's there; maybe just a little lube required or maybe dealer warranty fix is in order. Lots of good info in the guide.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I would have a serious talk with the PGR group and remind them that their mission has nothing to do with what you ride, or where you are in the lineup.


Cruzr Joe

 

[Pampurrs]

Well, I have now had my 2014 RTS SM6 for one full month. I have racked up 3500 miles, I consider this a decent amount since I am
not retired and my wife wants to see me off the bike once in a while. I got the first maintenance completed last friday and probably
paid too much at $250 but I picked a more reputable service/dealership so felt good about the "check up". I have had my MPG vary from
about 32 mpg to as much as 40 mpg depending upon my "lead foot" or hand as it were. I find myself to be significantly more confident
in the curves though I still hesitate pushing it too much when we are 2 up. I am significantly entertained by the bike to bike waving factor.
I can usually tell who will and will not wave and those that do not always have their nose so far up in the air I am wishing a bug could just
happen to fly....err, nm.

Had the antenna broken off in my work parking garage(VA Hospital parking garage). I replaced it with the Wallyworld shorty and much prefer
the flexibility when I am pulling the cover(Bike Barn) over the trike. Had the boot go when the antenna disappeared but the dealership replaced
that as under warranty and left my shorty in place as I requested. Leaving the stock antenna on the trike I could see myself going through having
to replace it every week or two.

Only negatives I have so far on the trike are:

Driving range sucks...I can't get 2 full days of commuting to work without having to fill up.
Front end of this thing is a serious bug magnet...if I don't wash it at least twice a week then you probably couldn't tell it is white...
Side bag is sticking and won't open when you pull the lever...unless you press on the compartment while pulling the lever and patting your head at same time...

Otherwise an awesome ride.

Did my first PGR ride ever a couple weeks ago. Awesome and rewarding experience but a little disappointed with being told that I should ride in the back of
the pack as I am not on a HOG.....grrrrr not a surprise to hear but still...

Enough on my book. Love this site as a resource and it has definitely helped me figure out how the trike works as well as tweaking my Sena 20s. Thanks
all!

I'm glad you are enjoying your Spyder.

I have the same issue with my right side bag. I have to give it a whack with one hand, while holding the lever with the other. Someone said there is an adjustment for this, I sure would like to find it.

As far as PGR making you ride in the back, it's not because you're not on a Harley. They typically like for all the unflagged trikes to ride in the rear, regardless of make. If you flag your Spyder, they will most likely want you in the front with the other flag bikes.

3,500 miles in the first month is awesome. Good to see you're riding the Spyder and not letting it sit in the garage.

Pam

 

[Chupaca]

Good to hear..!!

sounds like you are doing well and enjoying your ryde. Bugs are seasonal, rangecon yours is great the twins would drive you nuts...:roflblack: the lid just needs an adjustment. Your first service was a fair price and if you like that dealer hang on to him...Have a great trip to RI should be an amazing one...hyea:hyea:

 

[thunor]

I would have a serious talk with the PGR group and remind them that their mission has nothing to do with what you ride, or where you are in the lineup.


Cruzr Joe

I will write it off as a bad day for one hog rider...they do have that sometimes(I can say that from being a Road King owner...lol).
At the time I was more concerned that I didn't screw up somehow.

 

[thunor]

sounds like you are doing well and enjoying your ryde. Bugs are seasonal, rangecon yours is great the twins would drive you nuts...:roflblack: the lid just needs an adjustment. Your first service was a fair price and if you like that dealer hang on to him...Have a great trip to RI should be an amazing one...hyea:hyea:

Very much loving the ryde. In Upstate NY if I can ride then I suspect the bugs will be too....:roflblack:

I will play with the lid when I finally park it for a bit.

RI trip will be a lot of fun. Will take it easy and stop a couple of times(6 hour trip). Lol, funny I am ok with being on the trike for 12 hours to
be there for all of about 30 hours. Love the Spydy.

 

[Pampurrs]

:thumbup: Good report. Thanks.

I was told by a dealer tech in Great Falls, Mont., that there's an adjustment for the sidebag sticking problem. They did the adjustment while I was there and I haven't had an issue since. Interesting that it was the right sidebag on my 2014, the same as always stuck on my 2011.

PrarieSpyder, do you know where or what that adjustment is? I have the same issue on my right saddlebag.

Thanks,

Pam

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Welcome! Sounds like you've got a long commute if you can't make it two full days, or are you escaping at lunchtime to ride? Mileage generally gets better over time.

Enjoy.

 

[Bob Denman]

PrarieSpyder, do you know where or what that adjustment is? I have the same issue on my right saddlebag.

Thanks,

Pam

Hi Pam,
It's underneath that rear bodywork panel that stretches from the back of the top trunk, down to the saddlebags.
Pop each of them open, and there's eight bolts visible...
Once you get the panel loose; you can see the threaded adjusters for the cables... :thumbup:

 

[Pampurrs]

Hi Pam,
It's underneath that rear bodywork panel that stretches from the back of the top trunk, down to the saddlebags.
Pop each of them open, and there's eight bolts visible...
Once you get the panel loose; you can see the threaded adjusters for the cables... :thumbup:

Thanks Bob :thumbup:

Ironically, I just got off the phone with the tech at Ride Now about the latch problem with my glove compartment lid. The part came in, and I'm bringing the :spyder2: in Friday morning to get the work done. I mentioned the issue with the right saddlebag, and he said they could adjust it while I'm there. :dg2:

Pam

 

[thunor]

Welcome! Sounds like you've got a long commute if you can't make it two full days, or are you escaping at lunchtime to ride? Mileage generally gets better over time.

Enjoy.

I wish it were a lunch time getaway. Roundtrip commute is 115 miles so I am pushing it with 1.5 trips.

Thank you.

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks Bob :thumbup:

Ironically, I just got off the phone with the tech at Ride Now about the latch problem with my glove compartment lid. The part came in, and I'm bringing the :spyder2: in Friday morning to get the work done. I mentioned the issue with the right saddlebag, and he said they could adjust it while I'm there. :dg2:

Pam

:clap: :2thumbs: