cruisinTX
Member
I'm fairly new to Spyders myself but will share my thoughts from the perspective of having ridden motorcycles since 1968 and a LOT of miles while only having just over 2000 miles on our 2014 RT Limited. First off, while the Spyder is significantly safer at low speeds due to not being able to fall over with it like a bike, I don't see that is all that much safer out on the highway or in town. You are still out there unprotected just like on two wheels and vulnerable to all the same hazards of the road and stupidity of cagers. Personally, I still wear all the gear all the time as the saying goes or ATGATT.
Second; some have mentioned better braking capabilities. Just personal experience and opinion here; it depends on what bikes you compare it to. Some modern bikes (since about 1997) have anti-lock brakes with big dual discs up front. A skilled rider can likely stop a bike every bit as fast as a Spyder. On the other hand, the guys who are afraid of their front brake and don't know how to use it, will never even stop as fast as an 18-wheeler & will likely slide down in a low-side claiming they "had to lay her down" to avoid a crash. :doorag: The safer part of braking with the Spyder (especially for beginners) is that there will not be a learning curve if you have driven a car. You hit that big-ole brake pedal and get stopping power from all three tires--that's a good thing!
Third; bikes are far more maneuverable and can likely help you out of a sticky situation if ever you find yourself in one. But, that kind of skill does not happen overnight; it takes years of riding, training and practice to be able to stay calm in an emergency and react in a way that will not get you into more trouble.
Fourth; this one is mainly true for old, decrepit and vertically challenged guys like me. Being able to stay upright at stops becomes a big deal if you are having issues with joints in hips and knees. The reverse is also a significant factor here; I cannot count the number of times I've almost dropped a bike while backing up or just coming to a stop and had a foot slip on a loose surface. That's totally a non-issue with a Spyder.
Don't know a thing about NY traffic laws, but that sound like a wise choice.
In all the years I've owned bikes, I have found that having external speakers is only useful at lower speeds, like in town. Once you reach highway speeds, wind turbulence causes so much distortion you will not likely enjoy music in a way you would sitting in your car or living room. We solved that problem on the bikes with a helmet to helmet intercom system when riding two-up. There is still some wind noise factor using modular helmets but it's not nearly as bad as trying to hear external speakers at 75mph. When I ride solo, I use an MP3 player with ear buds routed through conventional ear plugs that I drill holes in to receive the ear buds. They deliver concert-hall sound while still allowing me to hear ambient noises from traffic.
Now for just some random thoughts and personal opinions I have had since acquiring our Spyder in October.
1. For me, they are not nearly as much fun as motorcycles; especially in the twisty roads.
2. They are much more difficult for a do-it-yourselfer to work on. (compared to my 18-year old bikes)
3. They don't get nearly as good a fuel mileage as a lot of bikes. (that was more of a concern when I was younger and always broke) :sour:
4. They offer much better weather protection than "most" motorcycles, allowing you extended riding seasons.
5. The dealer discrepancies are varied just like with bikes. (eg. I had one dealer quote me $300 to get one new key while the one I went to did two keys for $146)
6. The dealer network is limited for now, but I'm sure it will expand as the Spyders become more popular. (the nearest dealer for me is 165 miles away)
That's all I've got for now, but if I think of more, I will add to that final list. I will say, if I can get past this initial shock of nagging little problems I have experienced, I will probably grow more fond of the Spyder.
Good luck with your decision and as always; Ride Safe and Smart or RSS :trike:
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