Considering buying a 2009 GS 55 R but it's 400 miles away!

[DaveB]

I've found a 2009 GS 55 R but it's 450 miles away so I have a couple of questions that perhaps you can answer before I fly up there to drool on it in person (!) If it's a go, then I get to ride it home!

What is the seating position? I am more of a touring/cruising rider than a "sport" rider but I can't seem to find a touring model that I can afford. My back isn't in the greatest shape so I can't be leaning forward. I'm not a big guy, 5' 6" so what do you think I can expect?

I found a 2008 Spyder GS SM5 that's not too far from me - how close would that seating position be to the 2009 GS 55 R? I don't know the models for those years so I don't know how similar they are.

Is the seating position adjustable in any way on the 2008 and/or 2009?

Also...

My left toe has problems from shifting a 2-wheeler for 50 years, so is there a heel-toe shifter available, or at least room to rig one up? (The bike I'm looking at is manual shift)

Anything else I should know or look for? The bike has only 2500 miles and has been kept garaged..

Thanks everyone!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The 09 and 08 are virtually the same so if you go check out the 08 that is close to you, you will have a good idea of the one that is 450 miles away. The RS is a sport riding position but it can be made more upright with the addition of risers, etc.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

You can add a heel toe shifter to either of the bikes you are looking at.

 

[napper39]

here is a picture or my gs and it is the sport lean forward ,but I put rosers on it and it wasent too bad.but I traded for an rt because it hert my knees after a long ride.:chat:

 

[coz]

Can't go wrong

With either one. Great bikes. They are both the same . I think ISCI makes a heel toe shifter. You will also need floorboards. I would look really hard at the one that's close to you. Good Luck.:thumbup:

 

[Brettssunshine]

Hi!

I own a 2009 GS and the seating position is definitely not cruising/touring. I call this :spyder: the "crotch rocket" model because you are in more of a forward leaning position. If you want to get more of a cruising/touring ride, you would probably need to look at the base ST model; it has a more upright seating position. I believe the cost will be a little more than the GS/RS but not as much as the RT. I went with the GS because it was my first motorcycle (ever) and I had never been on a :ani29: and didn't want to spend a lot of money on something that I may not even like. You can always take the GS/RS and change the seat, foot pegs, and add risers but you'll probably spend more $$ doing that than just buying an ST.

Happy Spydering!

 

[DaveB]

Wow! A lot of helpful info in a very short time... thanks to every one.

Brett: by "base ST" are you referring to a newer model or is there a 2008/2009 ST? What is the first year that they made an ST-model?

I'm going to try to get out today to look at the 2008 that's for sale at a dealer. It, too, has exceptionally low miles.

http://www.cycletrader.com/dealers/...4/listing/2008-Can-Am-SPYDER-GS-SE5-115921039

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[Kwalsh]

the 08 at the dealer looks to be in great shape plus its an se5 so no shifting problems for you, you can add handlebar risers to that bike and you will be all set. the price seems to be right in line with what i would expect for my upstate ny area also.

good luck!!!!!

 

[Chupaca]

All of the above...

but I am curious...what is a 2009 GS 55R..??
I am 6'1" ryde an RS have back issues and limited right foot movement but can ryde 600 miles without any problems. Guess it would depend on the type of back problems...test ryde them...:lecturef_smilie:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

2008 first year for Spyder model is called the GS.
2009 they called it an RS but was pretty much the same as the GS
2010 the RT was introduced
2013 the ST was introduced
2014 the RT gets the 1330 engine
2015 the F3 is launched and it has the 1330

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: Your questions did get answered very quick.

I had one of each model year. Good machines, and virtually trouble free. I put three inch risers on my handlebars in order to get a more upright seating position. That worked well. The silver one is 2008 and the red 2009.

Just noticed I had the same picture three years later at the same place. Note the difference in the glacier.

 

[DaveB]

:welcome: Your questions did get answered very quick.

I had one of each model year. Good machines, and virtually trouble free. I put three inch risers on my handlebars in order to get a more upright seating position. That worked well. The silver one is 2008 and the red 2009.

Thank you for the info. Were the controls and wiring ok for a 3" riser or did you have to modify them so it would fit? Is this the one you got? http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Spyde...8&qid=1445026803&sr=8-2&keywords=spyder+riser

 

[wyliec]

Thank you for the info. Were the controls and wiring ok for a 3" riser or did you have to modify them so it would fit? Is this the one you got? http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Spyde...8&qid=1445026803&sr=8-2&keywords=spyder+riser

I've a 2008, and purchased it new. The 3" risers only required you to cut some wire ties to have enough slack in the wires for the install; also, the handle bars were cut. I purchased 4" risers from ESI; what you've linked to is a riser block. I thought the blocks were 1".

http://www.esicycleproducts.com/SpyderHandlebarRiserKits.html

The ESI and Custom Dynamics are not the only risers out there. There are others, and cheaper.

 

[Kc6wfi]

Possible for sale

Do you know what model you are looking for and your price range. I have a 2012 RT that I am considering to sell, I want a 2016. I live in the high desert.

 

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for the info. Were the controls and wiring ok for a 3" riser or did you have to modify them so it would fit? Is this the one you got? http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Spyde...8&qid=1445026803&sr=8-2&keywords=spyder+riser

At the time, there were no 3" risers available. My dealer manufactured some for he and myself. They did the install, and I do not believe there was any modification needed for the controls.

The 1" risers in the ad above are pretty much useless. I had them on both before I switched to the 3".

 

[Dan-Am]

Read Carefully

At the time, there were no 3" risers available. My dealer manufactured some for he and myself. They did the install, and I do not believe there was any modification needed for the controls.

The 1" risers in the ad above are pretty much useless. I had them on both before I switched to the 3".

I believe some of the riser kits claim they will only work if you DO NOT have the 1" factory riser block installed...probably due to cable reach. I presume you are saying you removed the 1" useless block?

 

[DaveB]

I don't even have a bike yet, I'm just trying to do my homework about what I may need with a 2009 GS and the ramifications of getting it. I saw the 1" block and thought that it was the same as a "riser."

Thanks to Wileyc I have discovered what risers really are and yes, I saw that they specifically stated that they would not work if the block was installed. I, too, figured that it was due to cable reach.

BTW (for everyone) - I was going to go see the 2008 that was being offered at a dealer but they said "no test drives." Seemed pretty strange. I'm not in such a hurry to go see it now, but I guess I can learn something just from sitting on it.

 

[ARtraveler]

I believe some of the riser kits claim they will only work if you DO NOT have the 1" factory riser block installed...probably due to cable reach. I presume you are saying you removed the 1" useless block?

Yes, we removed the 1" block.

 

[Dan-Am]

I don't even have a bike yet, I'm just trying to do my homework about what I may need with a 2009 GS and the ramifications of getting it. I saw the 1" block and thought that it was the same as a "riser."

Thanks to Wileyc I have discovered what risers really are and yes, I saw that they specifically stated that they would not work if the block was installed. I, too, figured that it was due to cable reach.

BTW (for everyone) - I was going to go see the 2008 that was being offered at a dealer but they said "no test drives." Seemed pretty strange. I'm not in such a hurry to go see it now, but I guess I can learn something just from sitting on it.

Yes you can definitely get a feel for the riding position by just sitting on the different models. Also, give MUCH consideration to the SE5 option to completely eliminate toe/shifting issues. It doesn't take away the thrill of the ride at all! I may remove my factory 1"block and install risers at some point, but right now I still like the sporty ride position of the RSS.