• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Am I going to regret this ?

ace2002

Member
Hi new here I am fixing to trade my 2002 Goldwing trike for a 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SM5 . Please tell me if or what you think am I doing the right thing ?
 
I think you are going to love it. I really enjoy riding my 2012 RT SE5, and I came off of a Harley Road Glide. Enjoy!
 
I own an H-D Ultra so I wasn't going from a rear-wheel trike to a front-wheel trike when I bought my Spyder; however, I did ride the H-D trike before buying my Spyder. The Spyder won, hands down. And the $10,000 that I saved can be used to make my ride even better.
 
Biggest thing to remember is the spyder does not ride like a bike. You will have to give it time and miles to decide for yourself. It took me about two weeks and a few hundred miles to make the adjustment. I do miss the two wheel at times but love the spyder also.
 
Everyone has his or her own perception. Have you taken a test ride to see if the Spyder suits you?
 
I think you are going to love it. I really enjoy riding my 2012 RT SE5, and I came off of a Harley Road Glide. Enjoy!

I also traded my 2004 Harley Road Glide for a 2012 RTS SE5. I loved my Harley but wouldn't trade back. I test rode 3 bike trikes before test riding the Spyder. I was immediately sold on the Spyder.
 
Spyder ARE different

Don't expect anything specific from it.......instead, accept it for what it is and mold yourself to it. Then you will love it. Promise!
 
Agree ...

I own an H-D Ultra so I wasn't going from a rear-wheel trike to a front-wheel trike when I bought my Spyder; however, I did ride the H-D trike before buying my Spyder. The Spyder won, hands down. And the $10,000 that I saved can be used to make my ride even better.

After an accident on my 2-wheel .... I was given the option by my neurologist to either go 3-wheel or not ride at all for indefinite amt of time up to maybe never.... so I took 2 traditional HD trikes out for a 3 day weekend and then I went to test ride the Spyder. The test ride alone got me hooked... and as stated above... saved close to $10,000 on the starting price, plus the dealership worked with me on financing and warranty whereas HD dealership wouldn't even consider negotiations. I miss the 2-wheel at times, and one-day may have both back in my garage, but I am loving the Spyder and having a blast!!
 
Hard to say..!!

I'm fairly new here and this is the first trike trade I have seen. Have ridden some trikes but never liked the handling. What I can say is that they are different worlds and only have the three wheels in common. Once I rode the spyder I was hooked. Sold the sport wing and never looked back. My wife also loves it better than the wing. Your really on your own but would love to hear how you make out..:2thumbs:
 
I did a test ride 2 years ago in Pamama City Beach Fl. it was a short ride. In that ride I knew I was hooked I had to have one just worried about my wife she is 4ft 7in if she will like it or not she did not do the ride. I hope she will be comfortable.
 
I bought my rt last sept. I still have BMW LT. But it doesn't see a lot of road time since I got the rt. My wife is 4'10" and always suggests to take the spyder instead of the BMW. And she is the one who would not let me trade the BMW, her remarks were,"if you want you can have both but you can't get rid of the BMW". We have 3 trips planned this summer and she already has plans as to what is going in the frunk, I think her mind is made up. And this is ok with me of course-I love my spyder. But I love my wife more.
 
Hi new here I am fixing to trade my 2002 Goldwing trike for a 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SM5 . Please tell me if or what you think am I doing the right thing ?

There is nothing in common between the two machines, in my opinion, beside the fact your knees are "in the wind" on both.

So do NOT set yourself up for any disappointments by making any direct comparisons between the two machines. As was mentioned; keep your expectations to a minimum and let the Spyder be what it is. Many have found it to grow on them, to where they are much happier with it over their previous trikes.


  • Handling: You should like the Spyder better. It is more stable, being a reverse-trike. Less likely to tip-over. However, some find the Spyder to be more "jerky" at first -- which takes some getting used to, as well as learning how to handle it.
  • Steering: Should be somewhat similar, since counter-steering on a trike doesn't work. You may find it easier to steer after a few hundred miles.
  • Riding Comfort: That is a personal thing. Some like their Goldwing better, others do not. The Spyder is likely to ride a bit stiffer than your trike, but that is adjustable.
  • Engine Power: The Spyder is NOT the Goldwing's power-plant. The two engines are entirely different from each other, and should be operated as such. Low-end torque on your GW will not be there with the Spyder. However, once you learn the shifting technique and running at higher RPM's with the Spyder you should get used to the difference between the machines.
  • Shifting: This is probably one of the areas where big-twin and Goldwingers have the most trouble getting used to. Just remember, the Spyder runs at higher RPM's, and will not have the low-end torque you may be used to. Most Winger's and large v-twin riders are used to running RPM's between the mid-2,000 and 3,000's. You won't be doing that with the Spyder if you want it to provide its type of performance.
  • Maintenance: You probably had to do less maintenance on your Goldwing, since they are practically bullet-proof. However, maintaining a Spyder isn't too bad... it is just that you have to do it. In addition, the Spyder is relatively new to the market, and has had its "quirks" to deal with. Where the GW's technology has been around for a long time.
  • Sport-vehicle versus a truck: Consider the Spyder to lean more toward a sports-vehicle versus a big-trike being a more "lumbering" vehicle. When you get used to the difference and handle it accordingly, you should like it.
  • Camaraderie: You will not lack for camaraderie among Spyder owners. Spyder owners, generally, are a tight-knit group that like to get together and socialize, and welcome new people to the fold as they arrive (as you will learn from Spyderlovers.com).

I currently still own (and ride) a Harley Ultra-Classic (for as long as I can); and also own a RTS-SE5 (with trailer). I like both machines for what they are... but recognize they are different. I feel safer on the Spyder, and my wife prefers it now.

Overall, I am very happy with my Spyder purchase, and believe you should be also. However, make sure you take several test rides before you buy (one ride is not enough).

Good luck to you!
 
Hi new here I am fixing to trade my 2002 Goldwing trike for a 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SM5 . Please tell me if or what you think am I doing the right thing ?

The fact that you are asking this question on a Spyder forum and not on the Goldwing forum gives a hint as to which way you are leaning.
I had a (2 wheel) 02 Goldwing before my 2012 RT SM5 and I like the Spyder a whole lot more and ride it a bunch more also. Suggest you take a test ride and see for yourself.
 
trade

I also traded my goldwing in for my RT you cant compare the quality of the Goldwing to the spyder not even close but the safety and the Idea the wife is more comfortable on the Spyder is what was important happy wife equals a happy Ride so if you ride two up you wont regret it good luck Rich
 
There is nothing in common between the two machines, in my opinion, beside the fact your knees are "in the wind" on both.

So do NOT set yourself up for any disappointments by making any direct comparisons between the two machines. As was mentioned; keep your expectations to a minimum and let the Spyder be what it is. Many have found it to grow on them, to where they are much happier with it over their previous trikes.


  • Handling: You should like the Spyder better. It is more stable, being a reverse-trike. Less likely to tip-over. However, some find the Spyder to be more "jerky" at first -- which takes some getting used to, as well as learning how to handle it.
  • Steering: Should be somewhat similar, since counter-steering on a trike doesn't work. You may find it easier to steer after a few hundred miles.
  • Riding Comfort: That is a personal thing. Some like their Goldwing better, others do not. The Spyder is likely to ride a bit stiffer than your trike, but that is adjustable.
  • Engine Power: The Spyder is NOT the Goldwing's power-plant. The two engines are entirely different from each other, and should be operated as such. Low-end torque on your GW will not be there with the Spyder. However, once you learn the shifting technique and running at higher RPM's with the Spyder you should get used to the difference between the machines.
  • Shifting: This is probably one of the areas where big-twin and Goldwingers have the most trouble getting used to. Just remember, the Spyder runs at higher RPM's, and will not have the low-end torque you may be used to. Most Winger's and large v-twin riders are used to running RPM's between the mid-2,000 and 3,000's. You won't be doing that with the Spyder if you want it to provide its type of performance.
  • Maintenance: You probably had to do less maintenance on your Goldwing, since they are practically bullet-proof. However, maintaining a Spyder isn't too bad... it is just that you have to do it. In addition, the Spyder is relatively new to the market, and has had its "quirks" to deal with. Where the GW's technology has been around for a long time.
  • Sport-vehicle versus a truck: Consider the Spyder to lean more toward a sports-vehicle versus a big-trike being a more "lumbering" vehicle. When you get used to the difference and handle it accordingly, you should like it.
  • Camaraderie: You will not lack for camaraderie among Spyder owners. Spyder owners, generally, are a tight-knit group that like to get together and socialize, and welcome new people to the fold as they arrive (as you will learn from Spyderlovers.com).

I currently still own (and ride) a Harley Ultra-Classic (for as long as I can); and also own a RTS-SE5 (with trailer). I like both machines for what they are... but recognize they are different. I feel safer on the Spyder, and my wife prefers it now.

Overall, I am very happy with my Spyder purchase, and believe you should be also. However, make sure you take several test rides before you buy (one ride is not enough).

Good luck to you!

:agree: This is a great response. My experience is with sport bikes not cruisers. The RT is a unique machine. I can't really compare it to being similar to anything I have been on.
 
I also recommend a thourough test drive before making a final decision. Trike to trike is not as radical as bike to trike or bike to spyder.

You are going to find some different handling characteristics between the two trikes since the wheel configuration is opposite. I am guessing that you will like the :spyder2: handling better in this case, since you won't have to fight the steering. Overcontrol on those first rides should be avoided.

Amenity wise, you are going to find similar to the Wing. Ergos may vary somewhat. Cost about the same.

The engine difference is notable. You will find the :ani29: engine adequate, but it is not that silent, or smooth--plus--less cc's you are used to.

I tested out a HD trike prior to the :spyder2:, and the :ani29: won hands down for me.
 
It is different but,

Like everything you buy or play with you MUST do your homework first.

SInce I cannot speak from your experiences I will share mine with you. Like so many said in previous posts. You need to research other viewpoints first. Then you need to test ride it. You would not buy a horse without throwing a saddle on it first. Same principle applies here.

You did not say whether it is new or used so I am going to assume being a 2011 it is used. You should invest a few dollars for your local dealer to look at it mechanically . Or take a solid savvy friend with you!

i bought my 2011 RTL from a local dealer that I knew from my GW days even after a 16 year span of not riding and I took it for a 2 hour plus test ride calling in after 2 hours to say I was not lost just having fun!

if you are married and your significant other will be riding shotgun she needs to be retrained before your first ride or she will not like it. Mine still refuses to lean into the corners with me because she is so used to sitting still and not leaning. Resulting in her maintaining a death grip on the passenger hand rails. It is a wonder they are not in separate pieces, ,right front an right rear.
 
I know that all of this sounds like a cop-out; but what do YOU want to do? Have you taken a decent test-ride yet? :shocked:
All I know; is that ther'es over 10,000 of us in here; and it's not for the great coffee that is served... :coffee:
So... :welcome:
 
YOU WILL LOVE IT

Hi new here I am fixing to trade my 2002 Goldwing trike for a 2011 Can-Am Spyder RT SM5 . Please tell me if or what you think am I doing the right thing ?
I have the same year make and model! I love it. It only took me a short sec to figure out how to drive it and not sway the heck out of the back of it, but once I got it down it was awesome. You are going to love how easy it is to steer too, you don't have to fight it, use a lot of upper arm strength to turn it or get a real work out on a curvy road. It was so much easier than a regular trike I wish they'd had one a long time ago!
 
Back
Top