3 or 2

[xqsmepotna]

Quick... I'm in a toss up between a spyder and a M109R. I love 'em both, however... can't see myself buying both in this economy. Both are being offered used with GREAT prices. I'm 37 and I see the older generations owning spyders.

FYI... I'm newly licensed as of 2 years ago and havent rode since the road test.

Any unbiased suggestions?

 

[BikerDoc]

They are both great rides, however the culture and friendships that come along with being a Spyder Owner are amazing and getting better every day. Also the safety factor for relatively inexperienced rider is much better for the Spyder.. I spent over 30 years as a two wheeler and now after only 15 months as a Spyder Ryder I would never go back. Good luck whichever way you go

 

[spydrluvr]

very biased

...choose the spyder...you won't regret it:thumbup:

 

[GloryRyders]

Quick..............choose the Spyder and be a Rock Star:2thumbs:

 

[xqsmepotna]

I'm in Michigan and I've seen several sypders... however... 2 of 100 was under 40.

Am I bound to be the laughing stock?

 

[dltang]

I'm in Michigan and I've seen several sypders... however... 2 of 100 was under 40.

Am I bound to be the laughing stock?

No you are not bound to be the laughing stock, there are plenty of SpyderLovers under 40 and plenty over 40. Ride what you prefer and don't worry about what others think, it is your ride. Where in MI are you? If you aren't far from us, I would let you test ride mine for a good spin. It is completely different from a motorcycle in the way they handle so you can't compare it that way. Both are a lot of fun.

 

[xqsmepotna]

Thanks tang... I rode one last week (the one I'm considering purchasing). I didnt take it too far or fast... It was more responsive than I expected. BTW.. I'm in West Bloomfield.

I know the M109R is a ball of muscle. An attention getter. However, there are A LOT of 9's down here, but they are on of the best hybrid cruisers.

 

[SpyderWolf]

My father in law just traded in his 2008 M109R2. It was a big heavy bike with the 1800 CC motor, and in very slow turns he dropped it onto the crash bars a couple of times. He put nearly 20,000 miles on it, a lot of it riding with either my wife or I on our Spyders. His was black with carbon fiber accents and a bunch of chrome, but hardly anybody ever made comments about his bike. They were all too busy checking out the Spyder. nojoke

He traded it on a Boulevard C50, which is an 800 CC and has a very retro look to it. For the very first time, the other day, we were stopped at a gas station and someone walked up and commented on his bike without commenting on the Spyder. He was totally shocked. :roflblack:

Don't let the age thing get to you. The Spyder is a blast to ryde and will draw lots of attention anywhere you go. The M109R is a bit of a beast, and if you haven't ridden since the road test that is definitely something to keep in mind.

Best of luck with making your mind up on which will be best for you. :thumbup:

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Warranty please.

My one suggestion for you is to only purchase a Spyder with a warranty.
It is a shame mine was not more dependable because I would still have it. The stability, anti-lock brakes, trunk space and rock stardom the Spyder offers are 4 great reasons to have one.
I hear that Suzuki is dynamite machine as well.
I can tell you one thing about age, 2 and 3 wheels makes everyone feel young!
Good luck with your decision. Jerry

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:
Unbiased? Naw--we are a little biased here. I have both a 2 wheeler & a Spyder RTS--If I had only one to choose from--I would go with the Spyder.

I have back issues and cannot horse a heavy bike around--therefore, the RTS is my primary machine for a touring bike.

I sold my Vulcan 2000cc LTD behemoth and ended up replacing that with a 900cc Vulcan LTD. Enough power to get me into trouble--but 200 pounds lighter to heft about--and I can touch both feet on the pavement when stopped.

Suggest you test ride both of your choices--and see what you like for the long run--since it is your investment $'s that are on the line.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[xqsmepotna]

My one suggestion for you is to only purchase a Spyder with a warranty.
It is a shame mine was not more dependable because I would still have it. The stability, anti-lock brakes, trunk space and rock stardom the Spyder offers are 4 great reasons to have one.
I hear that Suzuki is dynamite machine as well.
I can tell you one thing about age, 2 and 3 wheels makes everyone feel young!
Good luck with your decision. Jerry

What problems did you have with yours? The one I'm looking at has 4 month factory and 1 year of best coverage afterwards...

 

[xqsmepotna]

My father in law just traded in his 2008 M109R2. It was a big heavy bike with the 1800 CC motor, and in very slow turns he dropped it onto the crash bars a couple of times. He put nearly 20,000 miles on it, a lot of it riding with either my wife or I on our Spyders. His was black with carbon fiber accents and a bunch of chrome, but hardly anybody ever made comments about his bike. They were all too busy checking out the Spyder. nojoke

He traded it on a Boulevard C50, which is an 800 CC and has a very retro look to it. For the very first time, the other day, we were stopped at a gas station and someone walked up and commented on his bike without commenting on the Spyder. He was totally shocked. :roflblack:

Don't let the age thing get to you. The Spyder is a blast to ryde and will draw lots of attention anywhere you go. The M109R is a bit of a beast, and if you haven't ridden since the road test that is definitely something to keep in mind.

Best of luck with making your mind up on which will be best for you. :thumbup:

Thanks... I've heard of a lot of drops... That's my biggest fear to invest 10k just to DROP it. That'll suck.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Thanks... I've heard of a lot of drops... That's my biggest fear to invest 10k just to DROP it. That'll suck.

The good news is with the crash bars, and highway pegs, he had installed on it there wasn't any damage during these drops. The bad news is he was not able to lift it back up fully by himself, but at least there were others around to help. :thumbup:

His new 800 is about 200 pounds lighter and fits him a whole lot better.

Oh yeah, one other thing I just remembered about the 109 is that rear tire doesn't come cheap either. :shocked:

 

[AnthonyG]

The Spyder is a blast to ryde and will draw lots of attention anywhere you go.

:agree:Whatever you decide, you *will* experience remorse. I've been on two wheels for years and still am, but the Spyder was not an option back when I could have chosen. I got the Spyder to get the wife safely off my back [OK, pillion], but, although it's not a motorcycle with the mystique and 'aura of youth', it is great fun (when she lets me ride HER Spyder) and that's what life is about. Even at this point in time, you will still be an 'early adopter' and enjoy the pleasure and frustration of having something that is neither fish nor fowl, mechanically or culturally . I too had the impression that it was something for 'older folks' (which I am), but now, after observing, it seems more of a cultural division rather than age. My rational decision for you would be Spyder, but my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it. This site, with it's diversity, is a good place to explore options. A.

 

[NancysToy]

I may not be a good person to ask. With a garage full of two and three wheelers, it is obvious that I cannot make up my mind. When you related the fact that you took a course a couple of years back, and have not ridden since, it scared me a bit. The 109 is a lot of bike for a rookie! Every year I read of inexperienced riders on big, fast bikes that damaged the bikes, hurt themselves, or crashed into other riders. I guess I am old-fashioned in that I think that you should start small and light on two wheels, and work your way up as your skills and experience accumulate. The graduated licensing requirements overseas are good ideas, IMO.

If a big motorcycle is out, I feel equally strongly that a Spyder is in. My wife chose a Spyder as her first road machine, and I never worried. She didn't have to learn about starting on an uphill grade, off-camber turns, sand or gravel in a turn, wet leaves or manhole covers, or how much muscle you need to hold up a heavy bike that is only a little off vertical. The Spyder takes care of many of the safety issues, and lets you concentrate on the traffic and the road. I am a big fan, from a safety and newbie rider point of view.

In the end, you are the only one that you have to satisfy with your decision. I don't think either machine will fail to satisfy you, but one is a lot less likely to ever scare you. JMHO.

 

[WackyDan]

I'm in Michigan and I've seen several sypders... however... 2 of 100 was under 40.

Am I bound to be the laughing stock?

I bought mine at 38 years old... No one has laughed.

 

[GeminiJane]

Once again, it's deja vu all over again! I had pretty much composed in my head the exact posting that Scotty made. We, too, have multiple bikes in our garage - eight, though, not double digits like Scotty! All are fairly new Ducati's, BMW's, Triumph's and then the Spyder.

As a new rider, riding the Spyder will improve your road skills and riding awareness skills (hopefully) but will not let you work on two wheel riding skills.
BUT I do think that specific two wheeler, no matter what the great price is, would be a mistake for a new rider. Way too heavy and too much bike to learn safely and properly on. Many go that way and never really learn to love riding as they always feel a bit intimidated by the bike and never fully develop their potential riding skills. A smaller 650 to 800 cc bike would be a better choice although I don't know what type of riding you might prefer. We love the fast, twisty road riding so have sport bikes and sport tourers and you do have to "grow" into those skills. If you plan to do more straight road touring, a cruiser would satisfy you - but again, saddle time on a smaller, lighter cruiser would build your skills and confidence faster.

I love riding the Spyder, too for a lot of reasons that this forum discusses so I don't have a true recommendation for you as to which choice to make. Don't let peer pressure push you into something you won't feel comfortable on, though. We ride with young (20-30 yr old) sport bike riders and when I take the Spyder out to ride with the group, these young kids all love the Spyder, too, and love it just as much as they like riding my Ducati Diavel!

 

[aka1004]

Getting a spyder ruined me for life as far as going back to typical motorcycling goes. I am 45 and still enjoy quick burst of speed, not high speed.
I come from crotch rocket side of motorcycling and I like the 3rd wheel.
Easier to strap my golf bag.

 

[kismaokole]

IMHO 2007 M109R for 8k is overpriced. Go to the M109Riders.com forum before you buy. Unless it is tricked out with hydraulics and stuff I am pretty sure you can find a cheaper deal than that.
The M109R will take your breath away. With it's torque and speed.. extremely high speed is a breeze if you know what I mean.
The M stands for Muscle and it will definitely bend your head when you twist the throttle fast.
The only problem I had was the clutch being too loose and had the shop fix it with a replacement (STAR).
I lowered my M109 but I always get startled when I take the curves too quick because the pegs make huge sparks when it touches asphalt. So if you are taller than 5'7" do not lower it. Trust me on this one.
The Spyder is pretty much a laid back option. No lean problems because it doesn't lean. No seat height required.
I have not really appreciated the Spyder yet..less than 400 miles on it but like a fatal attraction..you cannot explain why you are attached to it but you still enjoy the connection. .
But seriously, the M109R is an overkill for now. Learn the basics then move up. There will always be a good sale along the way and the money you will save from crashing into things because you lost control of a very heavy bike will even be enough for two bikes later on. The only drawback is the Spyder and the M109R are two different ways of riding. You cannot learn from one to ride the other.
So there..I hope I confused you enough to get...both.

 

[Questions]

I recently traded my M109R, to purchase my Blue, RT manual. The M109R is probably not the best choice for someone who has not driven a Motorcycle in some time. It is a heavy, powerful machine that has to be tamed by experience. I miss the bike, but love my Spyder. I am sorry I could not afford to keep both