A Change of Direction

[Ivorspyder]

Over the past 5 years I have clocked up just over 100,000 miles on my Goldwing and the last 18 months 26000 miles on my RT Ltd Spyder.I have ridden all over this great country from coast to coast and really enjoyed what it has to offer.I love long distance riding but last Summer after a 5500 mile ride to Nova Scotia with Dan of Country Roads I started having back problems on the ride.In any event I hit the road with bad back and all and at the end of the trip did 1700 miles home in 3 days of riding .This Winter whilst you all have suffered with Snow and ice I have ridden in Florida with great weather but what has been my problem.Back pain ,Arthritis the scourge of the elderly.
I love my 2012 RT Spyder.I read and have ridden with the guys on their new 2014,s.Whilst I know the ride on the new Spyder is great I really like my bike.I have it as I want it.I want to ride so today with a lot of luck I found a 2012 Aluma Trailer in superb condition.It was on Craigslist so got in our Jeep drove 55 miles North and bought it in a virtually brand new condition for half price.Towed it home and tonight it sits in my garage next to my Spyder ready to roll.
So I now join the guys and gals who trailer.Unfortunately I cannot get to Spyderfest as I have very important business meetings the same week in Miami but May15th leave trailering the Spyder to Colorado where we will send a few weeks riding ending up at the Owners Event.
From being a guy who would only ride everywhere to changing to trailering. "You know what s...........t happens"

ivor:spyder:

 

[MouthPiece]

Ivor, in one respect this is sad news. I say this because of selfishness on my part. Cindy & I truly loved riding with you to Spyderfest last year. You are one great riding companion and we will miss the fact that we no longer will have the possibility of your company.

However, on the other hand, you still will be riding, and I'm sure that we will see you at many future events. Perhaps this malady will enable your lovely wife to join you in some of these events. We certainly look forward to it.

I hope that your situation will not become so debilitating that you would no longer be able to ride. I know how passionate you are about riding, and such a situation would surely cut your heart out.

Just know that you have someone that will miss you on the road "to and from".

Chris

 

[Yazz]

Ivor, doesn't matter how you get there, it's that you are there.

Looking forward to hooking up with you again!

 

[SteveMac]

Ivor, in one respect this is sad news. I say this because of selfishness on my part. Cindy & I truly loved riding with you to Spyderfest last year. You are one great riding companion and we will miss the fact that we no longer will have the possibility of your company.

However, on the other hand, you still will be riding, and I'm sure that we will see you at many future events. Perhaps this malady will enable your lovely wife to join you in some of these events. We certainly look forward to it.

I hope that your situation will not become so debilitating that you would no longer be able to ride. I know how passionate you are about riding, and such a situation would surely cut your heart out.

Just know that you have someone that will miss you on the road "to and from".

Chris

No reason why you can't still travel together Chris.

2012 Durango trip, Dick Riedel (Dick574) trailered his RT while Dax (KingGeek) and I rode ours. Ended up being a blessing, because Dick ended up trailering back one of the Spyders in our group that dropped a tranny in Colorado.

A buddy with a trailer... Good insurance! :thumbup:

Oh, and Ivor, glad you will still be riding!

 

[spacetiger]

Over the past 5 years I have clocked up just over 100,000 miles on my Goldwing and the last 18 months 26000 miles on my RT Ltd Spyder.I have ridden all over this great country from coast to coast and really enjoyed what it has to offer.I love long distance riding but last Summer after a 5500 mile ride to Nova Scotia with Dan of Country Roads I started having back problems on the ride.In any event I hit the road with bad back and all and at the end of the trip did 1700 miles home in 3 days of riding .This Winter whilst you all have suffered with Snow and ice I have ridden in Florida with great weather but what has been my problem.Back pain ,Arthritis the scourge of the elderly.
I love my 2012 RT Spyder.I read and have ridden with the guys on their new 2014,s.Whilst I know the ride on the new Spyder is great I really like my bike.I have it as I want it.I want to ride so today with a lot of luck I found a 2012 Aluma Trailer in superb condition.It was on Craigslist so got in our Jeep drove 55 miles North and bought it in a virtually brand new condition for half price.Towed it home and tonight it sits in my garage next to my Spyder ready to roll.
So I now join the guys and gals who trailer.Unfortunately I cannot get to Spyderfest as I have very important business meetings the same week in Miami but May15th leave trailering the Spyder to Colorado where we will send a few weeks riding ending up at the Owners Event.
From being a guy who would only ride everywhere to changing to trailering. "You know what s...........t happens"

ivor:spyder:

Ivor,

If you have not done so, you need to get a different rear spring or different aftermarket shock (with the stiffer spring). The 2012 rear spring is not adequate and even using the air bag it will not keep you from bottoming out. I think once you get a better spring in the back, you will find the bike to be much more enjoyable because it will not bottom out and send those jolts up the back anymore.

Jerry

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Is there anything that can be done to help?
Medically?
"spyderically"?

 

[spacetiger]

"spyderically"... silly Bob, it is spelled with 1 L :lecturef_smilie:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Sorry to hear about your back but I'm glad you will still be attending some of the events.

 

[NancysToy]

I know how much you love to log the road miles, but it is no good if you can no longer enjoy it. This way you can still ride and enjoy it, you will just have to adjust how you get there and how long you ride at one time. There are hundreds of real neat "cloverleaf" tours you can do from a home base. Lots more chance to explore a location more thoroughly that way. Dig out some old RoadRunner magazines and start planning some cloverleaf tours. It will be a little different than what you are used to, but every bit as fun...sometimes possibly more so.

 

[Bob Denman]

"spyderically"... silly Bob, it is spelled with 1 L :lecturef_smilie:

I can't tell you what "Spell-Check" wanted me to do with it!

 

[Lamonster]

There are times that you have to trailer and this is one of those times. I'm just glad you're like me and it bothers you when you do, that shows me that you love being in the wind and not just being at a destination. I'm sure there will be a day that I'll have to do the same but I hope I can log on many more miles before that day comes. See you in Daytona Bro :doorag:

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm certainly NO doctor; but could a "kidney belt", with a heating element in it help? :shocked:

 

[Fat Crip]

When my back's bad, a neoprene kidney belt really helps, but getting a big enough one is an issue these days


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[den1953]

I know the Feeling

Having back problems myself (bulging discs at the L4 & L5 with stenosos), I can fully understand how miserable it is. That combined with a bad right knee joint is what got me interested in a Can Am Spyder RT in the first place. I haven't made the change just yet as I am giving a new Utopia Backrest for my 2012 Victory Cross Country a chance this coming riding season. If the knee worsens, needing arthroscopy or replacement I'll definitely be going to 3 wheels. The back is another matter altogether as any kind of sharp bumps or prolonged riding could agravate it. I am hoping that the Utopia buys me some time. Best wishes from a 44 year motorcyclist and future Spyder owner.

 

[den1953]

Weight and Back Pain

I presently weigh 220# and would like to lose 30 to 40. I weighed 185 when I got out of the Navy in 1973. I'm doing some daily PT excersise to strengthen my abs and lower back and it has helped quite a bit. The weight loss would make a major difference in my opinion. I'm currently 60 years old and in pretty good health.

 

[ARtraveler]

Sorry to hear about your necessity for a change of direction. Two years ago, I thought I was going to have to give up riding altogether. I had to sell off my two-wheeler--but have still been able to keep the :spyder2:'s. There have been some days when 50 miles was all I could go--so I can relate to your issue.

There is nothing wrong with hauling the :ani29: to an event.

 

[R FUN]

At one time I had thought what a waist trailering to an event etc. Like the bumper sticker , I RODE MINE TO STURGIS , or ITS THE JOURNEY NOT THE DESTINATION. This is all fine but there becomes a day its not that easy and if you can trailer and then ride there is nothing wrong with that, I do it all the time now after about 60 years of straight riding and the last four years of trailering and riding but have still been able to log about 15,000 miles in the last two years just summer riding on the Spyder. As long as you can trailer then ride thats what counts.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Getting old is not for sisy's

Ivor

You have probably noticed by now that getting old is definitely not for sissy's or wimp's. I have reached 73 and my riding bud is 74/75. Every time I suggest a trip she suggests a rental convertible and I pitch a fit. Why did I bother to buy the Spyder? We usually wind up staying home....

But we're comfortable at home too."..