Brand new and entirely uneducated

[QueenB]

Hi!
I have been enticed by these machines for a couple of years now. I am thinking about buying myself a Spyder as my "I Survived My Second Round of Chemo" gift to myself.
At this point, I don't know enough to know what I dont know. I'll be hanging around here, checking things out, and will probably have lots of stupid questions, so please bear with me!

Some may know me from the gl1800riders.com forum. My husband and I just replaced a silver '02 goldwing with a yellow 2010 wing. We will still be riding that together, but the Spyder will be mine. Good to see a couple of names I recognize in the members list!

Becky

 

[SteveP]

Welcome

You will find all the info you are looking for here . Lots of technical plus lots of inspirational . AND no question will sound silly or dumb ... But it often can start an interesting discussion

 

[bmccaffrey]

Welcome to the zoo.

Congrads on being a cancer surviver and no such thing as a stupid question.

ASK AWAY:clap:

 

[QueenB]

Thank you for the welcome, gentlemen!
First question: I really want the bags, in case I want to take our grandkids for a ride. I just think they would feel more comfortable and secure. If I find a really good deal on a sport model, can the bags be added aftermarket?

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: to the party. And--no such thing as a dumb question.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:welcome: and :congrats: on your chemo progress.

I've owned two RTs and now an F3T, so I got side bags in the bargain. But I've seen RSs and STs with bags added on. If you're looking for security for your little passengers, I'd recommend the RT model.

 

[Sarge707]

Test drives are Like Pictures- But there worth 10,000 words?
GS/RS - ST- RT- F3 ??? Test drive as many as you can at different dealers if One doesn't have a demo for each.

 

[MikeT]

I really want the bags, in case I want to take our grandkids for a ride. I just think there feel more comfortable and secure. If I find a really good deal on a sport model, can the bags be added aftermarket?

What do you mean by "sport model"? My suggestion would be to consider a '14 or newer RTS or RT Limited. Some of these have been traded in on the F3s.Do your homewok on your dealer choice. There are many Michigan SpyderLovers who will chime in on this subject for you.:welcome:

 

[SteveP]

Givi bags

Thank you for the welcome, gentlemen!
First question: I really want the bags, in case I want to take our grandkids for a ride. I just think they would feel more comfortable and secure. If I find a really good deal on a sport model, can the bags be added aftermarket?

I have Givi colour matched bags ( black and Silver) on my 2008 GS . They are removable with a key in less than a minute BUT ... My wife likes them to be on when she rides with me because she feels safer with them there . There are many options out there

 

[Lamonster]

Lot's of good folks here. I just sent a reply to your PM and realized you're not the gal from the Valk board but my Wing board. Either way it's good to have you here and glad to here the good news on your health. :doorag:

 

[ruralgirl]

WELCOME, Becky, from a fellow female MI rider! Congrats on your health status, and may you continue to recover fully and fast!

I bought my RT this winter because I loved all the cargo room, which included the possibilities that the passenger seat offered (strapping large pkgs to it, bringing along a pet, etc). I also liked the leg position - more vertical than the others. The RT is built for long-ride comfort, which I have yet to do with mine, but even though I've so far stuck close to home, I'm very glad that I chose the RT because I use it for shopping (there's your cargo!) and basic transportation - pretty much everything that doesn't require my truck. But, as others have said, if you can test ride, or even test sit on, the various models, you'll know what to do. Have fun deciding!

 

[Tango]

:welcome::congrats: on your good news! No such thing as a dumb question. Except, the one you didn't ask. Sounds like an RT is in your future. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi Becky,
:congrats: on the good news in your "Big Fight"... :clap: :2thumbs:
Spyders come in four flavors:
Here's an idea of what they look like, and how the seating positions compare:

As you come up with questions; throw them out into the ring. I can pretty much guarantee that you'll get more answers than you can shake a stick at! :welcome:

 

[Bdomini]

You deserve it

Congratulations on your victory. I began a cancer adventure in July of 2013. Radiation, surgery. chemo. another surgery. All is well now. While we were in Florida for the winter, my wife encouraged me to buy a 2015 RT. She said "after what you went through you deserve to treat yourself to something". Plus, somehow while I was engaged in mortal combat with the Beast my FJR1300 gained a lot of weight and I could not maneuver the bike around the garage confidently. I have not regretted the switch from two to three wheels one bit. Everyone needs to treat themselves the best they can. Just do it! You deserve it.

 

[Don in E Texas]

Only for the Lady's

There is a Facebook (might be something else) that is just for the Lady Spyder owners. Might meet some fellow female riders near you there. My daughter, Laura, is active there.
Just a thought.

...and welcome.

Don

 

[DDT]

Read and read some more. There is more information on here than you can get at the dealer.
We have a F3 and a ST Limited both 2015's. The one thing that I wish they had was good arm rest so that our grand kids could ride on the main road and not just around the house.

 

[Bfromla]

Thank you for the welcome, gentlemen!
First question: I really want the bags, in case I want to take our grandkids for a ride. I just think they would feel more comfortable and secure. If I find a really good deal on a sport model, can the bags be added aftermarket?

YES & YES congrats & welcome. We love to help (& try to 1up the last help) some members have found great ways to help with bags.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?87516-My-1186-dollar-luggage


I wasn't there but I still care!
POW MIA VETS

 

[Haze]

Adding Bags

Welcome. We cancer survivors need to stick together.
To answer your question you can add bags to the RS and ST models easily.
I have a 2013 STS upon which I installed factory Givi color matched bags.
Tomorrow is the maiden voyage with the bags. BTW I ride solo.
Given the choice I would go with an RT for passenger comfort.:yes:
Cheers, David C.

 

[Questions]

Chemo is a pain, isn't it? I bought my Spyder after going back on it last fall. I too would suggest you try at least sitting on all models. I found it was difficult to get my leg over an RT because of the high passenger armrests and backrest, and of course it's more expensive. But if those are not concerns for you, the RT would probably give the greatest feeling of security for the passenger. One thing to consider is that a Spyder rider needs to be able to move around more than on a two-wheeler, so Can-Am recommends that the passenger hang onto the seat rather than the driver.I was looking at the RS, but my dealer persuaded me that I'd be more comfortable on an ST, and considering how my knees act in the morning, he was probably right. I believe the ST Limited comes with bags. Worth checking out perhaps.

 

[RussRT]

Go for it! Those of us who have battled cancer understand that life is very precious and time is so valuable.
Sit on and test ride the different models.
I decided on the RT Limited last year when I purchased mine. I had no problem going from 2 wheels to three!
i bought my daughter her dream bike. A Harley 1200 Sporster Custom. We ride together a lot. It is so much fun being able to share this quality time with her!!
good luck on your choice of bike!!