A question for spyder riders

[SL Ken]

Most people, bikers/non-bikers alike think it's a unique machine and want to to know if it's fun to ride, hard/easy to ride, and most of all how much it costs. The only people that have given me grief have done so with tongue firmly planted in cheek. But, I'm new to this also. The people who think you're riding a weird bike are people you don't know, and they just don't wave. That's Harley, BMW and sport bike riders, and who cares if they accept you or not. They just went by. :roflblack:

 

[vondalyn]

I do have to say that I'm getting fewer waves on this one than I did on the RT. Could be because they don't know what it is yet, could be that first impression of the front end which seems to generate a love it/hate it reaction?

 

[ironbuttdean]

Wife responds

I have been riding on bikes on and off for 35 years. My last being a Goldwing that my wife and I went all over on. Unfortunately I suffered an back injury a few years ago and holding up 1k lb bike plus the wife and I got to be to much

i then went to a conventional trike but found the solid rear axle and heavy steering to be too much as well. Now I am waiting for my F3s in black and chrome and wondering what kind of reaction do you get from other riders?

do you get much grief from them for "selling out" not riding a "real" motorcycle? Just curious as I have heard those comments thrown around in the past

mark

i have had a couple of comments that were a bit negative. Both from Harley riders and both in the Lowes parking lot for some reason.

My wife is pretty quick to defend me and it can get ugly real fast. She responded "When you get to be a disabled vet they might let you buy one too, if, you can start behaving a little better."

she he bought a disabled navy vet sticker for the back and the commenthave ceased.

btw, got apologies and thank your on both occasions. Something about a 67 yo granny puttin biker in their place......

 

[Oldmanzues]

I think I have had one really negitive comment since I bought my Spyder08 GS. Long timeago, A Biker broad, walking with a couple hard core HD guys. She said something like I would rather be dead then ride on something on like. One of the guy with her said, If you said that about my ride you would be. She shut up.
People asked a lot more questions back then. I got stopped by the police for bugs on my license plate. All he really wanted was to know maore about the Spyder. I ride with a Gold Wing Group, nothing really overt anyway. GWRRA has a trike that you can ride the Spyder in and I would suggest you do, if possible. Patriot Guard has so many different brands and nobody cares what you ride to start with or even if you ride.
All most all say the same thing, it does not matter what you, but that you are riding. I like my ride and that is why I bought the RT, if you buy what you want
Oldmanzues

 

[Deanna777]

Who gives a rat's :cus: what other people think, get on it and ride!

:agree::agree::agree: :agree::agree::agree::agree: I ride for me also. Life is to short Deanna

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

RAT'S A**

Who gives a rat's :cus: what other people think, get on it and ride!

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:..............YES THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I FEEL :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:..........I ride for me......Mike :thumbup:

 

[Deanna777]

I have been riding spyders for 3 years now( first spyder was a 2012RTS-SE5, Upgraded to a 2014RTS-SE6) I have not had any negative questions/ or comments about the spyder.
They just ask questions like : do you have to have a motorcycle license, how does it handle on the road, is it a trike, how much does it cost etc. I enjoy riding my spyder. I tell them where they can buy one etc.

Also I have been a passenger for 16 years riding 2 Wheel motorcycles( Hondas, Yamaha's Suzuki's, Kawasaki's) I am in the 50's age group and have decided to ride the spyder because it is fun, stable, visible, low maintance , safer, meet interesting people ( new spyder models) and I did not want to deal with the brake/clutch/ shifting. Deanna

 

[Deanna777]

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:..............YES THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I FEEL :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:..........I ride for me......Mike :thumbup:

Mike: :agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: Deanna

 

[Tom in NM]

Me too . . . .

I do have to say that I'm getting fewer waves on this one than I did on the RT. Could be because they don't know what it is yet, could be that first impression of the front end which seems to generate a love it/hate it reaction?

. . . . but nothing negative. My take is that it looks like a machine and not a refugee from a Pixar Cars movie.

As for negative comments, well a lot of people have a diminished capacity for basic social manners and feel they have to share their opinions in the most provocative way possible. It becomes especially important to them if it is something different and they see something in/on it that they have a personal investment in ( skulls, flames, flags, colors, ect. ). If you really want to be provocative ( you infidel ), put a HD accessory or decal on your Spyder.

Yup, they are everywhere and you never know when your existence ( or whatever ) is going to trigger their mouth ( which I remind you is directly connected to their #$@-hole ) - - so what I do is smile, shake my head ( while thinking " there is no accounting for tastes" ), shrug my shoulders and go about my business.

I don't explain any thing, pull out medical records, or talk about My rights, or threaten to sue them. I don't need or expect them to understand me and I already know they are not the kind of people I want to hang around or get approval and acceptance from.

With 66 years of not fitting into "the group", this has worked for me.

If you have a chip on your shoulder and enjoy p$$@#*g contests, go for it, you've found your partner.

Of course, if you have the Hello Kitty Special Edition Spyder, you should expect a little kidding, just don't take it too personally.

Tom

 

[arizona spyder]

I'm coming off a 2011 victory vision, have put 72,000 miles on her and 23 states. bike was awesome, created attention at every gas stop for sure. now, bought the 2015 f3s, love the stability, semi auto shifting, more stable in the wind, and I'm the process of setting it up for long distance riding. i could care less what anyone thinks. dosent matter what you ride, more importantly that you enjoy WHAT you ride. your making the payment, gas, insurance, maint. harley, honda, victory, yamaha, can am, its all good..

 

[thereverend]

Louisiana Sherriffs like em

. . . . but nothing negative. My take is that it looks like a machine and not a refugee from a Pixar Cars movie.

As for negative comments, well a lot of people have a diminished capacity for basic social manners and feel they have to share their opinions in the most provocative way possible. It becomes especially important to them if it is something different and they see something in/on it that they have a personal investment in ( skulls, flames, flags, colors, ect. ). If you really want to be provocative ( you infidel ), put a HD accessory or decal on your Spyder.

Yup, they are everywhere and you never know when your existence ( or whatever ) is going to trigger their mouth ( which I remind you is directly connected to their #$@-hole ) - - so what I do is smile, shake my head ( while thinking " there is no accounting for tastes" ), shrug my shoulders and go about my business.

I don't explain any thing, pull out medical records, or talk about My rights, or threaten to sue them. I don't need or expect them to understand me and I already know they are not the kind of people I want to hang around or get approval and acceptance from.

With 66 years of not fitting into "the group", this has worked for me.

If you have a chip on your shoulder and enjoy p$$@#*g contests, go for it, you've found your partner.

Of course, if you have the Hello Kitty Special Edition Spyder, you should expect a little kidding, just don't take it too personally.

Tom

 

[Deer Slayer]

I've been riding for 45 years now and never had nor have I ever ridden a Harley Davidson. Nowadays that makes me something like a percent of bikers out on America's roads and it doesn't bother me a bit. Of the sixteen motorcycles I've owned only four were not Japanese brands. Two Triumphs and two Victory motorcycles and I still have my 2012 Cross Country which I really love. Problems with my legs, particularly my knees is forcing the issue of changing to three wheels. Cost is the primary factor in going with a Can Am and styling and comfort are the biggest reasons for choosing the F3. I already know there will be snide remarks etc. and it doesn't really bother me a bit because I'll still be riding in spite of my leg issues. As long as I am happy that's all that matters.

Well said. Amen!

 

[wolphspyder]

Wife and I have been riding 2 wheels for years, now we have the :spyder:spyders, we have been putting many more miles on them, most people I have run into, including some HD riders, have been positive questions and comments.....so my friend, get on a spyder :spyder2:.....and ryde, and enjoy....:2thumbs: :2thumbs:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Almost every other bike rider of any sort that i have met or come into contact with have either been curious as to how the Spyder handles and how much it cost. More than a few older harley riders have taken test rides at different dealerships, some came over others may after a while. I believe that they don't make bad comments toward me on my spyder is because i am a positive person and don't act like a dumba**.

Enjoy the ride and don't even concern yourself with what others may or may not think.


Cruzr Joe

 

[one2doo]

I have a lot more fun on F3 than I ever had on Harley! Don't have to worry about walking home also. They get mad when you run off and leave them in the mountains. The F3 defintinely has my buddys attention.

 

[StanProff]

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree::agree: :2thumbs:
Why is validation from others important? :dontknow:

I agree. I have never worried about what others thought of what I ride or drive. As far as the Spyder goes, A lot of bike riders like it and are very interested in it, some like it but won't admit it, very few actual negative comments. When the 3 wheel question comes up I let them know of the 6 two wheelers in my garage and that the Spyder is a blast to ride as well as the safety features along with the fact that I have ridden bikes for roughly 50 years. Oh by the Way, If I am on the road and get attitude from HD people I have the satisfaction knowing that the 1330 can smoke 90% of them.

 

[Midian]

Multiple Sclerosis brings me to CanAm. I have been on two wheels since I was 19 (42 now). I am in the process of re-gearing before pulling the trigger on a '15 RT... new gloves, textile jacket and even a full face helmet. I have been a peanut shell, 1/2 helmet bandana guy my whole riding life with nothing more than sweatshirts for protective gear. But now I have to consider wind fatigue given my current situation. When I tell people I am making the switch I have heard nothing but "Damn man, those things drive themselves you can just sit back and enjoy yourself now" and "Those things are fast!" types of comments.

I only had one jerkoff in the store, who I learned later on had only been riding for four years now, ask me why would I ride a grandpa bike and not have the balls to ride two wheels. When I informed him of my neurological dilemma he looked as if he was going to cry for having said something so rude to a man that is "handicapped." I assured him it was fine and I held no grudge. And in a sign of good faith I invited his mother to come check out how my balls are; thankfully they still work just fine with the MS. Yeah, when pushed I can be a seriously a-hole but I am usually a kind-hearted sweetheart to everyone I meet. This judgmental moron just pissed me off.

Honestly, I was heartbroken when I sat on my bike and raised it off the stand in my garage, only to feel the tremors in my legs and my feet giving way. But what can you do? It's about the feeling of being in the wind. It really doesn't matter what you ride. It's about that 'feeling'. If I couldn't get the RT I would get one of my friends to duct tape me to the hood of their car and go down the road. hyea::2thumbs:

 

[Professor]

Multiple Sclerosis brings me to CanAm. I have been on two wheels since I was 19 (42 now). I am in the process of re-gearing before pulling the trigger on a '15 RT... new gloves, textile jacket and even a full face helmet. I have been a peanut shell, 1/2 helmet bandana guy my whole riding life with nothing more than sweatshirts for protective gear. But now I have to consider wind fatigue given my current situation. When I tell people I am making the switch I have heard nothing but "Damn man, those things drive themselves you can just sit back and enjoy yourself now" and "Those things are fast!" types of comments.

I only had one jerkoff in the store, who I learned later on had only been riding for four years now, ask me why would I ride a grandpa bike and not have the balls to ride two wheels. When I informed him of my neurological dilemma he looked as if he was going to cry for having said something so rude to a man that is "handicapped." I assured him it was fine and I held no grudge. And in a sign of good faith I invited his mother to come check out how my balls are; thankfully they still work just fine with the MS. Yeah, when pushed I can be a seriously a-hole but I am usually a kind-hearted sweetheart to everyone I meet. This judgmental moron just pissed me off.

Honestly, I was heartbroken when I sat on my bike and raised it off the stand in my garage, only to feel the tremors in my legs and my feet giving way. But what can you do? It's about the feeling of being in the wind. It really doesn't matter what you ride. It's about that 'feeling'. If I couldn't get the RT I would get one of my friends to duct tape me to the hood of their car and go down the road. hyea::2thumbs:

You and I are MS brothers. I was so sad when I had to sell my BMW K1600 GTL as it became more apparent that I couldn't ride it safely. If I had continued, it was only a matter of time before I would have dropped it. I was bikeless for about a year when my wife told me about demo rides coming to a nearby Spyder dealer. Long story short: I now have a Satin Silver 2014 RT Ltd. and am having a blast. My learning curve in making the transition may have been a little longer than usual, but it is such a great thing to still be able to ride and feel those Newtonian forces on my body. I had been kind of considering a conventional trike, but with my left leg and foot not working well, I was concerned about shifting. Then I discovered that the Spyder could have a semi-automatic transmission and that sealed the deal. And the Spyder is SO much better than any regular trike I've seen. And I feel much better about having my wife on board. We absolutely love it.

My wife loved your comment to the "judgmental moron" and about duct taping to the hood. She - and I - are wondering if you are going to Spyderfest next month. We would love to meet you.

Jim