Calling all Spyder owners

[Darren111]

If you can remember your first ride out on your own on a spyder (With no experience of riding a spyder or motorcycle)
What was it like riding your spyder for the first time?
What type of roads did you ride on first?
What tips do you have for new riders who are learning to ride their first Spyder?:read:

 

[Brentc]

What a great topic!

I just this year bought my first spyder. I've ridden 2 wheelers, atv's snowmobiles, etc... in the past. My first ride was at the dealership and it was totally nerve racking as I was so unfamiliar with the control layout and handling aspect. The dealer gave me a bit of ribbing about bringing my trailer to pickup my bike, but I am so glad I did. I was much more comfortable going on small rides from home instead of my maiden voyage being through our rush hour traffic. I would also add it only took about 100 miles to get comfortable with the new feeling and about 500 miles until I was very comfortable.

 

[thunor]

I also bought mine this past year. I had never even sat on a Spyder...never mind riding one. Hopped on the
trike near St Louis and ended my maiden voyage back near Rochester, NY...about 1k miles away. Mostly highway
travel with lots of...learning construction zones to add excitement. As others have said, first 2 or 300 miles was
spent asking myself what the H did I get myself into. Remainder of the trip just kicked the smile per mile factor
up higher. Definitely not the way I would recommend for anyone.

 

[wyliec]

I purchased mine from a place in Macedon, NY (Jan. 2009); it's a small town. From there I drove it a couple hundred feet, and rented a storage space right behind the dealer. I let it sleep for the month of Feb., due to winter. As the snow melted I went up there on weekends, and drove the country side, very little traffic. After a couple of weekends, I then drove it home.

 

[shakey]

I purchased my Spyder this year and have had for about 4 months now. I bought it from a dealer that was roughly 150 kms from my home. I had about 30 kms to get the hang of things before I had to get on the highway for the majority of the ride home. I too was thinking what the devil did I do? My knuckles were white when I got home from gripping the handle bars so tight. The bike seemed to have a mind of it's own.
I went on the Internet and found this site. I took everyone's advise and had the swaybar installed and the laser alignment done and couldn't believe the difference in the bike. I haven't looked back and I wouldn't trade my Spyder for anything. :thumbup:

 

[Machinegunner]

I took a demo ride in 2008. Was very interesting. On the way back to the dealership I wanted to test the performance. Got bike up to about 90mph at which point the required helmet (open face) began to lift off my head, so I reached with my left hand to catch it, and unknowingly I pulled on the right hand grip. I then took a very wild and scarey ride through the ditch and back up the shoulder at about 75mph. I found out real fast how quick the Spyder steers!!! Luckily nothing else happened and so far I have approx. 80,000 miles between my 3 Spyders, and will never go back to 2 wheels again.

 

[Cognac]

Took my first ride on an older RS in a parking lot. Didn't like it. Thought it was hard to steer and felt like I couldn't turn at more that 3 mph with getting pulled off.

A year later took a test ride on an STL at a dealership. Came back with huge grin on my far and bought the bike.

 

[Chupaca]

Well..!!

rode bike all my life so there was little problem with the spyder. Got on it and rode home having never ryden one before. Now if your new to ryding altogether I suggest a parking lot or area where you can practice manuvering. Straight line is no problem. They come with great insructions and video (at least when I got mine) giving you learning steps. Then move on to residencial ryding and so on. Takes little time and the 300 miles or so will have ryding with ease...:thumbup:

 

[MRH]

The dealer was 60 miles from my house, and my wife followed me home for something like five hours (and through some considerable heat). The Spyder shut down on the way because I was riding the brake. Later, I would ride two or three terrified miles into the hills letting cars pass me at every opportunity, convinced that I'd never even be able to manage it safely at the speed limit.

Three and a half years later, I've ridden past that dealership 60 miles away just to meet others to start a ride, and ridden hundreds of miles in those mountains, passing cars left and right (well, passing mostly on the left).

 

[Mazo EMS2]

I had experience on other bikes, atv's and snowmobiles...so I kinda knew what to expect. I found that the Spyder was like riding a combination of all those machines into one, but on 3 wheels. My first rides were on the same roads I would normally ride on any bike, but I just took it a bit slower til I adapted to the ride. My Spyder got delivered in the winter, so I had to wait a few months to ride it for the first time.

 

[Darren111]

rode bike all my life so there was little problem with the spyder. Got on it and rode home having never ryden one before. Now if your new to ryding altogether I suggest a parking lot or area where you can practice manuvering. Straight line is no problem. They come with great insructions and video (at least when I got mine) giving you learning steps. Then move on to residencial ryding and so on. Takes little time and the 300 miles or so will have ryding with ease...:thumbup:

Thanks for this Chupaca. Geoff (OJ UK) also suggested similar about taking it to a quiet place where I can practice forward and reverse movements.

 

[Upstater]

First Time Rider Experience

I purchased my RT Limited SE5 in May. On a whim, I stopped in to a dealership while out making sales calls (yes, in a suit!). Talked to the salesman and told him my concerns about a deal I cancelled on a 2013 at another dealership (due to the heat issues I found AFTER making the deal). The new salesman was very knowledgeable and asked if I had ridden the Spyder yet. The previous dealer would not allow me to test-ride with a paper license (new rider, new motorcycle license, after taking the safety course).

I was considering a left-over 2014 but they did not have one. The price of a new 2015 was not in my budget. I asked the salesman if buying a slightly used Spyder made more sense for a new rider. He suggested that if budget was a concern, then absolutely it made sense. He could have easily talked me into a new 2015 (and he knew it), but he treated me as if he were making the decision too. The salesman said this particular Spyder was traded in for a new F3 (the previous owner was not touring as much as he expected and was riding alone more than expected originally). He suggested I purchase this Spyder, drive the heck out of it, get plenty of road experience and then decide to upgrade. This new dealership said a license is a license, so off we went on a test ride on a 2012 RT Limited SE5.

Now, I'm in a suit, remember? I just happened to have my helmet and jacket in the car. After a brief tutorial in the parking lot, I did a few circles and shifts. Then we went for a ride. The salesman pulled over after about a mile to check if I was comfortable. Being a new rider I had no "bad" habits, so all was good. He proceeded to take me on a half hour tour through winding roads, hills, train tracks, one-lane bridges over the Erie Canal, etc. When we returned he said he was amazed that I not only kept up with him, but that he "threw" everything he could at me (within safe reason) to see how I would handle it. No problems on my end. He was convinced I was absolutely ready to ride. By the way, I had already been on Spyderlovers and read the Do's and Don'ts thread. VERY helpful for the SE5 shifting zone(s). As I hopped off this brilliant machine, I asked, "Where do I sign?" This was the most exhilarating and freeing experience I have had in many years.

The following week I returned to pick up my "new" slightly used 2012 RT. Then I suddenly realized... OH CRAP! I have to drive this thing home on the NY Thruway on a very windy day (approx 40 miles). I remembered in the Do's and Don'ts to ease up on the grip. This made a world of difference. Except for the passing trucks and the trucks I passed, the handling was superb. I gained more confidence every mile.

My experience this year (riding with my wife) has been incredible. For me, this deal was the best possible, considering budget. We have over 2,000 miles of riding, attended SpyderQuest, and continue to ride in the cooler weather. The ride home from SpyderQuest was quite the experience. It rained the whole way home. Our first rain-ride, what a trip (ha, ha).

 

[GOZFST]

I've ridden and raced m/c since the mid 60's, held a semi-professional AMA road race license and raced at Daytona, BIR, Road America and Laguna Seca, my wife has ridden and raced almost as long. We're both getting less able to feel comfortable on 2 wheels (I've had both knees, one hip and an ankle replaced due to arthritis and old m/c crashes. We went to the Cycle World show in Phoenix a couple of years ago and sat on a few Spyders and talked to the salesperson for quite a while. I was thinking we'd look at them for her since she hadn't ridden her BMW in quite a while. We started looking at used ones and ended up buying a used 08 GS in Tucson, rode it home to Casa Grande with few problems other than couldn't get used to the heel/toe shifter the previous owner put on it. Never felt quite right until a year later I had a laser alignment and Baja Ron sway bar installed, made a HUGE difference. Got the bug for an RT after riding a friends (she is a real trooper). Found a deal in and bought a nice used 2012. What a difference, WAY more comfortable to ride and she loves it. They are definitely different than a 2 wheeler, but you most of the same experiences, still miss leaning though. You get more of a workout on a Spyder but it beats riding in the car.

 

[HIspyder]

I can't say I'm a first time rider since I've been riding 2 wheels since I was 16, now 53. I'd say my learning curve for the Spyder was probably about 50 miles until I felt totally at ease with it. I hadn't ridden 2 wheels in almost 20 years prior to the Spyder which was probably a plus since I never felt the need to grab for the brake lever.

Road tested my first RT back in August of 2014, did some research and then bought a 2014 RTL, sight unseen in September. Yep, I was hooked alright!

Didn't pick up the RT until May of this year and drove 3500 miles, riding to DC and then up to Niagara Falls with the Mrs, then back down to Springfield where we traded the RT in for the F3 which we shipped back here to Kauai.

My first impression of the RT was about 50/50 because it was squirrely as all get up and all over the road during my test drive. As I researched, I discovered the RT most likely needed an alignment.

As far as advice does, check the owners manual and look for REQUIRED RIDING SKILLS AND PRACTICE EXERCISES. That will give you a good start. Stay off the freeways/highways until you feel comfortable, it's a rat race out there and no-one goes the speed limit.

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi Darren,
GREAT question!!! :thumbup:
My first ride????
I bought my 2010 RT without so much as ever having sat on one of them....
When I went to pick it up at the dealership; I knew that it would be "different"...
After about two mile of the ride home (56 miles in total....); I was SURE that I had just made a $25,000 mistake! :banghead:
I was all over the place, and the bike was jumping around like a toad on a hotplate! :yikes:
The; I thought to myself, "Ski Doo knows how to build a snowmobile that'll track straight down a trail, so this machine should be equally up to that task..."
I relaxed my grip, the Storm Clouds parted, and I went on my merry way! :thumbup:

 

[SPYD3R]

YIKES....

YIKES....! ! !
SCARY, EXHILARATING AND EXCITING ALL AT THE SAME TIME.... :yes:

 

[thefishknot3]

Sure glad to know I'm not alone! I had my 2015 Spyder RTL delivered a couple of weeks ago. Never rode a motorcycle in my life, let alone a reverse trike. I took a motorcycle safety course, went to the DMV took the written test (all 25 ?'s correct [emoji4]), had my paper DM license before my bike was delivered!! Then the bike came...... I was gripping the grips so hard my hands hurt. Then I started reading/found this forum. I've since eased way up on my grip, the bike handles beautifully. I'm still getting use to the ride and everything else that goes along with it! I've read my manual front to back.....twice!!! No problems whatsoever! I haven't stopped smiling or showing my bike pics to my friends and family yet!!! One question.....where can I find help for my new farkle addiction!!! OMG......I can't stop buying stuff for my new baby!!!!
All n all I love getting use to the ride.....I'm not over my learning curve yet......don't even have a 100 miles on her yet.....but I do feel more n more comfortable every day. I'm sticking to the country roads and suburbs near my house! I'm sure after a few hundred miles I'll be just fine.
Happy safe riding to ALL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ARtraveler]

Bought my 2008 GS/SM5 sight unseen and untested as far as riding goes.

I got the first one sold in AK and my dealer got the other one for himself.

Dealer to home was a seven mile ride through town to my home. I took it low and slow just to get the feel of the new :ani29:. I really got the looks going through town. No one had seen such a thing here.

I lived on a nice twisty road with mountains on both sides. Spent the afternoon doing the twisties and gradually building my speed with each 20 mile round trip. I felt semi OK after the first day, but did not become one with the :spyder2: until about 1500 miles later. Old habits die hard.

 

[vdoman]

I don't know

I'll tell you after I drive my new 2016 F3 Limited home from the dealer in April. Just got my license, never as much as a test ride on the Spyder. You guys got me more nervous . . . but in a good way. Just means i'll drive slower and really look like the 60 yr old guy driving down the street. :clap:

 

[Deanna777]

My first spyder was a 2012RTS-SE5.

I have been on 2 wheeled motorcycles( 16 years prier to buying a spyder), so I was familiar with the traffic on the road, and etc.

A friend of mine had suggested to me "why don't you buy a spyder" I had never sat on a spyder, so off I went to a can-am dealership ( which is 45 minutes away from me) the salesman would not even let me take a test drive( at the time I did not have my permit, or license) on a spyder.

So I went thru signing up for the motorcycle class( the classes fill up very fast) took class, got my permit, Traded HD, bought spyder, had a friend of mine drive spyder home for me, took my spyder to get my license, I had no problems handling/driving my spyder,( had a smile on face) after I got the spyder home, I took the spyder on the road, went to a local parking lot, had a difficult time figuring out how to get the spyder in reverse, after I got the spyder in reverse I was fine. In no time I was riding my spyder all over the place, showing off the spyder to family + friends,( put about 8,989 miles) taking the spyder to work.

So I (Oct. 2012to April 1 2013) put the spyder in to hibernation, then in April of 2013 went to ( with Mike Blueknight911) Spyderfest, Springfield,MO took a demo ride on the 2014RT'S then it was history, and I was not looking back. I got the Spyder fever. So I am telling people all about the Can-Am Spyders. In the state of Vermont we have to have an Endorsement on our drivers license's. Deanna