• 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.

Benefits of a Spyder

When I had to give up two wheels, the :spyder2: became my go to machine. For a while, I had a Vulcan 900 and a :spyder2: in my stable. I do miss two wheeling. But the :ani29: keeps my face in the wind. :thumbup:
 
  • If your really going for it on a bendy bit of road then the Spyder is harder to get right than a bike but more rewarding when you do
  • If, while doing those corners. you hit a washout/gravel/leaves the Spyder will keep you safe
  • They are an excellent all year bike, riding in rain is almost fun rather than a chore (draw the line at snow though)
  • I've not had one "sorry mate I didn't see you" since I started riding the Spyder
  • For some reason fast lane hoggers move out of the way for Spyders
  • The advice and help you get from the SpyderLovers community is the best I've ever come across on any forum
 
It gives you a place to throw your money correcting the piss poor engineering of Can Am. No ground clearance weak sway bar too small shocks Etc Etc Etc.

Ack. I hope not! Can't beat Yamaha (or Honda,etc) for reliability.
 
Ack. I hope not! Can't beat Yamaha (or Honda,etc) for reliability.

Funny enough the least reliable bike I've had was a Honda, even the Royal Enfield was more reliable than that thing:-)

I've done 18+ hour days on my Spyder RS, stopping only for petrol, and it's never missed a beat - not many bikes I've had would be that reliable or comfortable.
 
Good Post
The biggest difference between a bike and a spyder and also sums up most of Jens comments is what my brother and i call "Zero Sphincter Factor" On the spyder ;) Just not worried about the things Jen mentioned like road debris etc.
I love my yamaha but the Spyder is so much safer especially when riding with someone else. Everyone has mentioned all the other pluses except one that i think is big. Goes with being able to take it to the grocery store or on errands. I dont feel like i have to gear up on a spyder. I just take whatever i am wearing throw on my helmet and im off. When i take my yamaha its 10 minutes of getting the armored jacket and boots out and on in which case i could already be back from the store on my spyder!

For minus i also hate all the tuperware removal to do anything. It also sucks the pertrol pretty good but that doesnt bother me to much.
 
All good replies above, not much to add.

I admit I haven't been here that much lately, mostly because I've been riding my motorcycle more often than the Spyder lately. Not that I don't love my Spyder-- I do!-- but I generally find myself grabbing my CB500F more often, in part because I feel compelled to stay sharp and frosty with the practice (two wheels being more demanding than three in the skills department).

That said, I love having the choice in the driveway. It's like chocolate and vanilla, I love both, don't make me choose just one!

Plus, the GF rides the Spyder now with me. She knows how to ride two wheels, but after a not-so-fun accident wrecked her Vespa ~four years ago, she switched to riding as my passenger on the Spyder, until about a year ago when I got the Honda and finally convinced her to start riding the Spyder all by herself. She loves it now, and this way the two of us get to go out and have a blast together.

Honestly, the only reason why we're not a TWO Spyder household right now is $$$. I think we won't be anytime soon-- I plan on moving up a class on the bike in the next year or so (tested out a Ducati Scrambler two weeks ago... THAT was a mistake for my pocketbook :joke:). As for the RS, it's long since paid off, but I'm kinda sorta waiting on seeing whether BRP ever puts out a leaner, or at least something radically different, to replace the RS. If/when that happens, I'll be looking to swap.
 
All good replies above, not much to add.

I admit I haven't been here that much lately, mostly because I've been riding my motorcycle more often than the Spyder lately. Not that I don't love my Spyder-- I do!-- but I generally find myself grabbing my CB500F more often, in part because I feel compelled to stay sharp and frosty with the practice (two wheels being more demanding than three in the skills department).

That said, I love having the choice in the driveway. It's like chocolate and vanilla, I love both, don't make me choose just one!

Plus, the GF rides the Spyder now with me. She knows how to ride two wheels, but after a not-so-fun accident wrecked her Vespa ~four years ago, she switched to riding as my passenger on the Spyder, until about a year ago when I got the Honda and finally convinced her to start riding the Spyder all by herself. She loves it now, and this way the two of us get to go out and have a blast together.

Honestly, the only reason why we're not a TWO Spyder household right now is $$$. I think we won't be anytime soon-- I plan on moving up a class on the bike in the next year or so (tested out a Ducati Scrambler two weeks ago... THAT was a mistake for my pocketbook :joke:). As for the RS, it's long since paid off, but I'm kinda sorta waiting on seeing whether BRP ever puts out a leaner, or at least something radically different, to replace the RS. If/when that happens, I'll be looking to swap.


i hear you about the $, these babies are not cheap. i could have bought 3 sport bikes that obviously out perform a spyder in every way except safety and comfort. I love my sport bike and probably will not be giving it up anytime soon. Like you said its great to have both in the garage, a few times i have literally sat in the garage for half hour because i could not decide which one to take out :) i considered looking at an upgrade too like an FZ1 but really my 600 is really fast as it is and how fast can you go if your not on the track. I am waiting for Yamaha to come out with their leaning 3 wheeler, im sure it will have a better price tag and assume be supported by all yamaha dealers. BTW i agree the FZ09 is a great bike, just not a fan of naked.
 
Try an FZ-09 also. Yamaha is coming out with one that looks like the Ducati Scrambler, but less expensive and with more power.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/11/1...fe-racer-review-first-look-photos-eicma-2015/

Got to say that Yamaha have been coming out with some really cool looking bikes over that last 18 months or so. They have got some really clever designers working for them at the moment. For example I thought the Bolt really captured the look of the Japanese bike based chops we used to build in the 80s/90s - a factory custom that looks like home engineered one is a clever trick to pull off. And in this case the way they've done the paintwork on the yellow XSR900 really works as well to fool the eye on the shape.
 
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2014 RT 1330
I agree with most things people have said on this thread, especially the safety, I have knee problems and find 2 wheels painful at times. I find Spyders seat very uncomfortable, I'm not a big guy 5ft 4ins, 13 stones, but the riding position gives me a lot of pain in hip joints, either pegs could be lower or seat higher, I have a 2inch seat pad I made, great improvement but still not as comfortable as my 650 Burgman. Floor boards improved quite a lot, now thinking about highway boards or pegs. Spyder RT great for shopping and touring loads of luggage space

My pros
Safety of 3 wheels
loads of luggage space
good lighting
good audio system, if only they'd made the rear controls work the volume, been perfect
Plenty of power
Good weather protection
Engine and exhaust nice'n quiet
Heated grips work well


My cons
Riding position all wrong
Gearbox very clunky
Seat uncomfortable
Power outlets too low rated, can't use tyre pump
Handlebars not adjustable
Backlight should have been on all left handlebar switches, not just audio controls
Not enough thought went into the design, Looks like designed by someone who'd never ridden a bike.
Steering too heavy at slow speed
Some parts of bike actually designed to give you a problem

Saying all that I still think it's a great bike and suits my needs and use
Just wish it had been designed by a motorcyclist and a motocycle mechanic
 
Try an FZ-09 also. Yamaha is coming out with one that looks like the Ducati Scrambler, but less expensive and with more power.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/11/1...fe-racer-review-first-look-photos-eicma-2015/

Yeah, have seen that one, really sharp. Although the FZ-09's scared me a bit in the past, many reviewers panned the OEM suspension and fueling on them. I hear it's gotten better, but have yet to hear they've perfected it.

Plus, to be honest, I'd prefer it if Yamaha brought the XSR *700* here to the States, I think that'd be more in line what I want out of a bike.

yamaha-xsr700-1-625x417.jpg
 
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