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CONSENSUS HERE WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Ryde her home....

Though my lapse was much shorter I had never ryde a spyder before and had a 25 mile ryde to get her home. I did a bit of ryding around the lot and area the shop was in before I hit the road. By the time I was close to home I took some side roads and made it home safe and sound. The trip home was a tad over 100 miles go figure....:thumbup: but do what is most comfortable for you....
 
You are in New Jersey so I'm assuming that the traffic is crazy busy. If the backroads are less congested that would be my choice but I wouldn't suggest your first trip be in heavy expressway traffic. Good luck to you whatever you decide on.
 
I filled out the paperwork, handed them a check, went out, climbed on, started it up and rode it home. It was dark and evening rush on a four lane road. My only other experience was sitting on it in the showroom. It was my 60th birthday present. Make it an adventure.
 
First ride

I also applaud your candor regarding your first Spyder driving experience. Many people approach the unknown with a false sense of bravado and end up paying the price. You do not want your first Spyder experience to be a negative experience. Put some distance between you and the people that encourage you to "Just hop on and drive it like you stole it."
I do agree with the responders that encourage you to ride it around a parking lot to feel it out. You will be fine. May there be many miles of happy Spyderness in your future.
 
One more thing

Consensus should NOT make the difference in this matter. Your comfort level should be the ONLY deciding factor.
 
Fat Baxter said:
Do you know another Spyder owner who could ride it back home for you?
Click to expand...

or an experienced bike rider of any kind who would give encouragement, companionship, & experience to either ride it while you follow in a vehicle, or will follow you in a vehicle to be there to help as needed.

get a feel for the brakes...I've ridden bikes for 40 years and had trouble with finding and using the foot brake for some number of miles at first. So be sure you can stop and "stop NOW."

skipped was telling me how to put the machine in reverse or how to adjust the mirrors which was a bit stressful to figure out.

I think bringing a friend as a team effort would be wise.

bottom line, GO WITH YOUR GUT !!!
 
I was similar. I had never driven a motorcycle or atv. Took the training class on two wheels. For the months leading up to getting my Spyder, I read EVERYTHING on this site, watched the training video a few times, etc. I rode around the lot at the dealer for about 20 minutes. Drove home with my wife right behind me in the car. It went fine. Scary but a blast. Take it easy, leave LOTS of space ahead of you and take curves slow. Congrats on the new ride.
 
You never drove a spyder?? How do you know you will like it??

Anyway you tube has a video on driving a spyder from BRP.
Has information for new drivers.
 
I second what Bob Denman said. If you are experienced with an ATV ride around a parking lot for awhile then head for home on quieter streets. If you have no ATV or snowmobile experience then the fact you are asking indicates your hesitancy. In that case have it delivered and practice at home when you have no external pressures impacting your thinking and reactions. The best part of it all, you don't have to worry about it tipping over! :yes:

Kudos for being wise enough to ask.
 
You've gotten alot of good advice. I agree with following your gut. Be careful, but not scared. In my 50's, never rode, took 2 wheel class 3 years ago. Rode Spyder for around 20 min last April during CanAm demo days. Bought my bike in Miami, picked it up, hopped on and rode it 65 miles home mostly highway with semi's buzzing by. Had son following. Like everyone said, ride it in the parking lot for a bit to make sure you know the controls, then you should be fine. But if you are that worried then have it delivered. It's kinda like your first date with that cute girl. You will have butterflies the whole time thinking about the date until you are actually with her and talking then butterflies subside. You will be nervous until your first ride but once you hop on and ride it most of the butterflies will disappear and be replaced by smiles. I've had mine around 2 weeks now and each time I ride it I get more and more comfortable, its a process. In fact tonight was my first ride in city traffic with wife on the back. Enjoy the ride!
 
Trip home with the new arrival

My Spyder has semiautomatic transmission. i found myself grabbing for clutch, and handbrake, but got over that with a little practice in the dealer's lot. Careful over the driveway entrances, and stay a ways back from trucks, they throw stuff, especially if they drift off to the shoulder.
You'll do fine.
 
Like others trust your gut. Lots of unlearning and relearning to do from 2 wheels. Grabbing for a nonexistant front brake lever can get scary. Learning the light touch on the handlebars takes practice. The most helpful thing for me was in curves learning to tuck the inside knee in and use pressure on the outside peg it eliminates the "i'm gonna slide off the seat feeling". Takes conscious effort at first but becomes natural with practice. Whatever you decide lots of fun ahead for you.

Russ
 
I never rode any kind of bike before I bought the Beast. 10 minutes in the dealers parking lot, and off I go. 165 miles on I40 through 3 good size towns. It was a learning experience but it was a blast. You just have to watch traffic differently than you are used to. I know a lot of people on this site and others say go the back roads but I think the Interstates are perfect for learning the ins and outs of the Spyder. No driveways and cross streets for idiots to pull out in front of you. No dogs chasing you. Yes, you have cars and semis around you, but so do back roads. If you stay out of the blind spots and pay attention, you should be okay. Interstates generally have gradual turns, and reasonably smooth roads. My wife and I would much rather ride on Interstates and 4 lane roads. Take the 4 lane and have some fast fun.
 
With an opening statement of you are beside yourself, there is no doubt this has you concerned. Have them deliver it. Learn the machine at home until you understand it, then if needed practice the start stop and all the rest near home.

Yes, if you follow this plan, you will kick yourself later knowing it is not that difficult once you know the machine a little bit.

Typically I would be all about the adventure, but when someone is beside themselves about it, they are not ready. It will be a stressful ride.

PK
 
Have it delivered

CruzrJoe and BlueKnight have the BEST advice. This is not something to get experience the hard way. Also, forget about the riding, what about all the salt that is on the roads now in the northeast? Once it is safely at home, you can gain comfort and experience in your neighborhood and local roads (probably still covered with salt too).

I had a similar situation with my purchase. However, the dealership took me on two 30 minute rides before they let me take the bike. They knew I had never ridden before and just received my motorcycle license after a 3 day safety course. This helped me immensely to understand all of the controls and handling. My ride home was 30 miles on the NY thruway in crazy winds and another 15 miles of back roads. Getting passed by semi trucks for the first time was a real treat.

We have enjoyed our RT Ltd SE5 so much this past year. Please be safe and enjoy your new purchase.

Edit: I forgot to add... not all respondents to this post understand New Jersey driving. Riding a new Spyder in NJ traffic in the WINTER is not something to take lightly. Look around, you won't see many "bikers" out there. Cagers are not looking for motorcycles or Spyders this time of year. The dealership should insist on delivering if they have your best interest in mind.

-Rick
 
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Congrats on your purchase. I think you should drive it home. It handles really well and you should be fine.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
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