Affordability

[robmorg]

I guess my point, if any at all, is it totally depends on your situation and where you are in life.

If you have the funds/financing and so long as you're not just digging deeper into debt, then I always say go for it. There's never knowing how much time you have left on this rock, so may as well have what fun you can while you can.

And yeah, we've meet those people on the road all the time who always ask all the same questions one of them being "...how much those things go for?..." and they are shocked to hear that its the cost of a small car.
But those are also usually the same people who have never ridden on any kind of motorcycle and fallen in love with the open ride and the freedom that you can only get on two or three wheels.

There are two types of people. Those who ride, and those who don't. And the ones that don't, just don't get it. And that's fine.

GREAT post. :thumbup:. I agree with everything you just said.

I didn't buy my first two wheel motorcycle until I was 50. (That probably made me the ultimate "poser".) After that, I fell in love with them and have owned several. The RT I now have is my second three wheel vehicle. I got the first one when I was 40. It also had wings. Man, talk about a sense of freedom…

That first "three wheeler" was almost 30 years old when I finally sold it. I plan on enjoying this RT a long time too. :thumbup:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Stay within your financial considerations, if you can't afford it you will not enjoy it.

If you can afford it, you will be very happy with it.

Go for a 1330 if possible.

Cruzr Joe

 

[Bob Denman]

Just make sure to leave room in your budget for a set of granite countertops for the kitchen.
Isn't that right, Joe?

 

[blacklightning]

I have had quite a few toys in my day, and my thoughts have always been to pay cash (or atleast 75% of the cost up front). I also hardly ever buy new for myself. My only exception in the 10 bikes that I have owned is my 2014 Spyder. I only purchased it new because I was able to get it for $5000 below msrp. I figured that would offset the depreciation and also brought the price down to near used status. I also wanted a warranty since the repairs can be sort of expensive. I plan on buying another 2 wheeler in the fall and was looking at new. But I have been able to come across some new bikes that I like for up to $5500 off MSRP. With that being the case, I might buy new again. It is always good to look for the best deal available and wait if you must. My first bike was a $1000 investment in a 97 yamaha fzr600. I continued to sell and buy until I got to my spyder. I would say that I now have a total of about $4-5k out of pocket expense in my cycling hobby.

 

[robertl]

I can understand your position and asked some of the same questions myself.

I think a lot of people buy these, as many other toys, and simply do not used them as they expected so you will find a lot of used with low miles.
Others have the finances to just replace every few years regardless to stay within the warranty period or have the latest model.

My wife's ninja was paid for but she couldn't ride it so it was just sitting in the garage unless I took it out which was rare since I had my own.
Seeing as it wasn't being used, I traded it in on a 2010 Spyder RS with 9k miles because it was within reasonable financial reach.
We do use it regularly so I can justify the small payment and extra insurance. Honestly I wasn't sure how much we would use it.
I got 4.9% through local dealer/credit union, which I thought was pretty good on a used motorcycle.

When I was looking last Oct, a new automatic was at least 19-20k so compared to the 11.5k I paid that was a big jump.
Seeing F3s manual or auto for $16k new, that I would have done.

I keep seeing the 2015s @ 0% and it is very, very tempting but I would likely take a huge loss on the one I just bought in Oct so doesn't make a lot of sense. Doubt we would ride a new one any more than the used one.

 

[finless]

Welcome to SL Tim!

Tim's an old RC buddy of mine....

I already told him my thoughts on all this but it's always good to get 2nds....

Bob

 

[Jenfz09]

If it's a toy, I won't buy it unless I can pay cash. We bought a used low-mile 2012 RT-S with 910 miles. I like the 1330 engine, but since I also like all the amenities found on the Limited, that would have been more than double what we paid. All of the motorcycles we have I paid cash, and if I buy a sports bike, I will only buy new.

The Spyder is lots of fun, but I assure you a gixxer it's not. I have my sport bikes and ride them but as you know, a trip to the twisties is fine, but not a few hundred mile ride. The RT is great for touring.

As far as the price, I won't spend 10k on a vacation like a cruise, but I will on a bike. It really depends on what you like to do in your spare time. We don't stay in fancy hotels, we don't live in a giant house, but we do have lots of cars and bikes.

If you get a Spyder, keep the gixxer.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[bmccaffrey]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh boooooooooy

Here we go

 

[Skunkworx]

Hey Bob, thanks for pointing me here! Lots of good stuff to read through. I tried asking mostly questions we didn't talk about the other day, so it's been pretty helpful. But I think I've got the vast majority of it from our conversation. It's a lot to think about and take in, but I'm really looking forward to buying an RT-S. I looked at the limited versions and they just didn't seem to appeal to me for the price. But then again, I only got to glance at them at the dealer last weekend. There's probably a lot of subtle stuff that I don't know to look out for just yet (hence the zillions of questions!)

BTW, the Gixxer is long-gone by now. I haven't owned a bike in almost a decade, so I figure it's time to get back to it.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

Great post, Ann

It is so pleasing to read of multiple cross-country trouble-free trips.

In 71,700 miles on my 2014 RTS SM-6 the only problem I have had was with the clutch at 60,000 miles and it was covered under warranty. I have gone though many rear tires, replaced brake pads a few times, spark plugs, etc. normal things for the mileage. I suggest you get the BEST extended warranty especially if you are buying a used Spyder, these can be purchased as long as it is still under the original 2 year warranty.

As for many Spyders for sale with very low mileage I think you will find that if you look at any model motorcycle you will find the same thing. People think that they want a motorcycle then they realize that it isn't really for them.

Last summer we rode to Alaska with 10 Spyders and my husband on 2 wheels, we had one Spyder that had a problem but the dealer in Alaska was able to fix it easily with no lost time. I have crossed the country many, many times with no issues on the 1330. I did have a 998 that went up in flames and if you read more here you will learn about the 2013 RT.

Get yourself a 1330 and you will love it.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

So, being somewhat of a young guy by the demographics of spyder owners, how exactly do most people acquire one of these? I can't help but nearly choke at the thought of paying more for a motorcycle than for either of the vehicles I own ('09 Tacoma, '13 Jetta). But since both of them are paid off, I hope to save up the cash to buy one outright. That got me thinking about how many people pony up for a brand-new one?

For the most part, I've got impeccable credit so financing wouldn't be a hurdle beyond signing a piece of paper. But that $30K+/- for a '16 RTS or L is like jumping into a bucket of ice water. That's not to say they're not worth the asking price, but ouch! I'm sure if I buy one I'll have it until the wheels fall off because that's just the way I do things. But I saw a bunch of trade-in models at the dealer the other day and I was curious how long people keep them and if people would realistically put 200K+ miles on them, or are they mostly just weekend warrior bikes?

just think of the money you will save by not having to go bars to pickup chicks just pull in front and wait for them to come
to you.

 

[dragonridernj]

2015 RT-s

I just bought a 2015 RT-S SE6 with riders armrest added for $20,800 down in Va and I had a nice friend come with me with his trailer and truck to get it. It was technically used but had 441 miles on it. I added an ultimate backrest for $280 , not too bad . I got it thru a used bike dealer and didn't have to pay transportation, dealer prep fees and all the other stealership fees

 

[murphybrown]

Do What works for YOU and your situation

My first Spyder 2010 RT I paid cash. Present Spyder 2014 RTS I financed because at 1.49% and no loan fees it made the best financial sense. Personally on any purchase of a "want item" I have to be able to afford and support it without putting financial stress on myself. If I have any doubt after doing my due diligence than I "force myself" to wait until I know in my knower it is the right thing to do.
I might add that my Spyders started out being a total "want"...but have moved into the category of 'must have'...seriously yes...I reap so much pleasure and enjoyment from ryding that I would never want to be without. BUT I have a Spyder budget each year which includes anything around my Spyder,....like right now I am reworking that budget cause the darned gas prices are rising (fun while it lasted to budget in MORE miles of smiles)....it gives me a lot of peace and reduces any fears of getting "out there" and running out of $. Just the way I roll when it comes to my Spyder ryding...
Good/great luck on your decision...:yes:

 

[dwainjohnson]

Spyder purchase

I decided to buy a spyder last summer as I am 65 and my balance and strength were making me feel less secure on my Kawasaki Voyager. I looked for a long time and found a used 2014 rt limited with 390 miles at a NC dealer for $23,500. It had the ultimate seat with backrest, Lamonster pegs, additional led lights, cup holder, hard luggage inserts, battery tender and had the two year extended warranty. The original owner was a senior and just did not like it as he could not get used to the different handling from motorcycles. There's are many out there so you will need to look around before buying. Look on eBay as some of the dealers were listing the 2015 rt limiteds for around $23,000. I financed about half and got an interest rate of 3%. Good luck!

 

[Darren111]

Purchase

I am 41, never rode a motorbike and bought my first Spyder last November F3-S. I got mine on finance putting down a small deposit.

 

[Skunkworx]

Thank you everyone for sharing your Spydy thoughts and experiences. It's definitely reinforcing that this is the right decision! Especially the need VS want thing. I'm certain it will be the same for me. But standing on the outside looking in you really just have to sit on your hands and try not too get too antsy. I've dabbled in ATVs and it's mostly what got me wanting another bike. But the commute is certainly what pushes it over the top.

I've got a deployment coming up at the end of the year, so after that I'm most certainly going to be on the lookout for a good price on either a new or used bike (depending on how much I've got left over from paying down the house), but I should be in good shape by spring of next year. I'm hoping to get an orbital blue RT-S, but I wouldn't be opposed to the limited if one became available. I kind of prefer the gunmetal rims on the S though.

BTW-Finless, I know you didn't care for the brushed or matte silver of the S Versions, but in think it looked ok in person. I looked at the limited right next to it and other than the seat I could barely tell the difference. Maybe a little more bling here and there, but it isn't make or break to me. I have a few months of drooling over them to decide on a final variant, but on a black or yellow bike I could certainly see the appeal of more chrome accents.:thumbup:

Edit: As a funny side note, today was the first time spotting a Spyder since making the decision to get one, so I was all excited to see how it looked going down the road. It was an RS version I think, so not quite the same as an RT, but it looked like a ton of fun either way. That dude was haulin' and it made me really REALLY want to get one I think you guys have created a monster, lol

 

[flaggerphil]

Bought my '11 RT new in early 2012 and got a very good deal that included a lot of stuff that brought it almost up to LTD levels and included a 622 trailer. Paid cash and the trade in of my '07 VStar 1300T.

But I'm 65 and yell at people on my lawn all the time.