Are there really THAT many differences between the Spyder and two wheels?

[billythekidd]

Are there THAT many differences? No, just one that's critically important, the Spyder drives and handles like a car and a motorcycle rides like, well, a motorcycle. The Spyder also has car tires and you stop with your right pedal just like car, and the majority of Spyders have a transmission that's more like a car than a motorcycle. People who never rode motorcycles can easily drive/ryde the Spyder but not vice-versa. It's easier to say what the Spyder has in common with a motorcycle: You sit on both of them, you steer with handlebars instead of a steering wheel, and you adjust the throttle with your right hand instead of your right foot. That's about it. I consider my Spyder to be the world's smallest sports car.

I just bought a Slingshot to add to my collection, and even though they sell it as a motorcycle (just so they do not have to have all the car safety features) it is a Car. Three wheels, but a car for real. Even the little kids in my neighborhood say as I am driving by... "cool car". A bunch of states now classify it as an "Autocycle". I still love my Spyder, but find myself driving the SS more and more. In all honesty, driving the Spyder never felt like a car to me, but really like an ATV. You sit on top of it and it does try to move you like an ATV or Snowmobile... I do not have as many miles on my SPyders as some but I am rocking about 80k on them and really think they are the best for touring. I have only ever had the RT so that is where my opinion comes from. I sold my GW to get a Victory Vision sold my Vision to get my first Spyder in 2011 and now when I ride a 2 wheeler it seems like a lot more work. (Side note... got my first 2 wheeler at 15 and am 66 now) Anyway, regarding the difference, there is no comparison between the two for me other than you ride on top of both of them.

 

[Musashi]

For Parking we pull one in and back the other in... Not to hard to do....

That's the only way it typically works, which brings up another common difference between trikes and bikes: Reverse.

 

[billythekidd]

That's the only way it typically works, which brings up another common difference between trikes and bikes: Reverse.

My Goldwing and my Vision had reverse. My buddies Harley has reverse... Just saying...

 

[sandeejs]

Another big difference for me is the braking. I did not have the integrated brakes on my Shadow. I do love that you can stomp on the Spyders brake in an emergency, and it STOPS!
~Sandee~

 

[UtahPete]

Another big difference for me is the braking. I did not have the integrated brakes on my Shadow. I do love that you can stomp on the Spyders brake in an emergency, and it STOPS!
~Sandee~

:agree: that's what sold me on the Spyder.

 

[UtahPete]

My Goldwing and my Vision had reverse. My buddies Harley has reverse... Just saying...

Don't they all use the starter motor rather than a true reverse gear in the transmission?

 

[wingit3611]

Another big difference for me is the braking. I did not have the integrated brakes on my Shadow. I do love that you can stomp on the Spyders brake in an emergency, and it STOPS!
~Sandee~

Stopping is another BIG plus. More rubber on the road per pound of weight. That's what gets you stopped. I have a CT on my vision which really helps it stop.

 

[Revalden]

I love driving my Spyder like I stole it, and I lean way in on curves and keep it reved up to slingshot out. Ya just keep loose and let the machine do what it does best, keeps your adrenalin pumping. It's the most fun I have with my pants on.

 

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

I'm still riding my Victory Cross Country and the F3 alternately. Except for reaching for that nonexistent clutch and front brake on the Spyder from time to time, I don't have any issues switching between them as they're so different.

 

[ChicagoSpyder]

When I first started riding the F3L I had a few stop lights where I wanted to put my feet down LOL, other than that being a snowmobiler I find myself wanting to side saddle in agressive corners and curves, and quite frankly the seat isn't real conducive for sliding ones ass side to side.

 

[Eviltwin]

Quite a bit of difference really. Riding the Spyder, you may feel a bit like you are riding a bike, open air, handlebar, but that is where it ends. It's much more like a car than a bike. On the other hand, 2 wheels is 2 wheels. I enjoy the 2 wheel ride much more, to me it sorta feels like flying, lean into the curves, use your body to move the bike. I keep the Spyder for my wife to ride on the back, and use for towing behind the camper. But I just got a BMW because of the way it handles and how it feels going down the road. I'd much rather spend the time on the BMW then the Spyder.

 

[lstayner]

Don't they all use the starter motor rather than a true reverse gear in the transmission?

Yes, both bikes use the starter. The one thing my wife likes about the reverse in the Spyder is how fast it goes vs. the snails pace of the GW. ( I owned both too)

 

[Musashi]

Yes, both bikes use the starter. The one thing my wife likes about the reverse in the Spyder is how fast it goes vs. the snails pace of the GW. ( I owned both too)

Exactly. Big difference between a Reverse GEAR and the assisted reverse on some big cruiser bikes. Even some traditional trikes have a granny gear reverse that won't do more than about 5 mph. People should actually be aware that the Spyder is NOT like that. I don't recommend it, but I've tested the reverse gear on mine and it is pretty close to a mirror of 1st gear. I got mine up to about 20 mph on a straight line back (controlled environment) without red-lining the tach, laid off and eased to a gentle stop, took a deep breath and said out loud, "Wow. I won't be doing that again."