DILEMA

[Roadster Renovations]

Lock the outside arm elbow on the curve (right curve, left elbow - left curve, right elbow). This makes for a much smoother curve and better control. Get a bajaron sway bar. They make that much difference. If you taking a corner hard lean toward the inner hand grip and accelerate hard out of the corner. I've rode with the Hells Angel (on a memorial ride) and those guys couldn't believe they couldn't run away from my 14 RTS, even though we were riding 2 up and they were solo. The machine is amazing once you learn the tricks. I would never go back to 2 wheels.

 

[0992]

2014 RT

I have been riding for 45 years on all kinds of 2 wheelers. My last one was a 2010 Goldwing but I just got tired of the weight. I went to a 2014 RT Ltd and love it as well as the wing or a little better. I feel much safer, don't have to fight the weight and can look around at the scenery more. As much as I liked 2 wheels, I will probably never go back or at least not for a touring bike.
Do the sway bar addition and a lazer alignment on whatever you get. It is worth it.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have two miles of loose gravel to travel to the closest pavement in the Black Hills and while I have ridden on that stuff for years, age is catching up and I'm not as "good" as I used to be. I have been noticing quite a few Spyders lately and recently tried one out. I love curves and I was surprised at the Spyder's apparent dislike for them. It is great on the straights and quite comfortable (my S.O. loves it) but I'm on the fence regarding handling.

I say go for it. Even if you're only contemplating the advisability of going to three wheels, I think that's a sure indicator that it's time to make the switch. I did it this past spring and am very glad I did. I had a 2005 Goldwing, but the apprehension of keeping it upright in all situations prompted me to make the change. The release of that apprehension has reinvigorated the joy of riding.

I say the Spyder does not dislike curves. It just likes them in an entirely different way than a 2 wheel bike does. Once I got accustomed to the way the Spyder handles curves I started enjoying going around them more than I did on my 'wing. Mostly because I feel so much safer because of the inherent stability of the three wheels, and because 'Nanny' doesn't let me drive them too fast, which I did one time with my Goldwing! My guardian angel breathes more easily these days! hyea: If you've ridden ATVs or snowmobiles then you must have recognized that the Spyder is much more like them than two wheels in how it handles curves.

Between adding a Spyder Pops Missing Belt Guard, and keeping your speed down on the gravel road you should have no problem at all keeping rocks away from the belt.

 

[almost montana]

The overwhelming reason I got into BMW bikes was the incredible handling and power I experienced. I have come to not needing the power so much anymore but I still love diving into a corner at much higher than posted limits and feeling comfortable doing it. When I rode the Spyder I thought "My gosh, what is this?"

I own two Polaris Rangers and know what that 4-wheeling stuff is all about but it's slow speed and manageable. I feel I am betraying motorcycling even looking at these things but I stopped flying a year ago and I lived through that when I thought I wouldn't.

Maybe it's a challenge I should accept and eventually conquer. I wish I could have both but absolutely have no room here for another toy.

All of your advice is very helpful and thought provoking.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I feel I am betraying motorcycling even looking at these things

I don't know why for sure, but for some reason that statement comes across to me in a very positive vein! Maybe it's because it shows you are not taking the idea of the switch lightly, or maybe it shows you really do care about the sport of riding. For me, when I first took my nephew's 2010 RT out for my first ride on a Spyder I was concerned that it just would not feel like I was riding a motorcycle, that the two wheels in front of me would seriously diminish the motorcycle experience. But, to my almost amazement, all that I enjoyed about riding, the openness, the straddling of the machine, the feel of the acceleration, and all that, was still there. Another thing that actually mystifies me - I don't miss my Goldwing at all. All I can figure is that the release of the apprehension of keeping it upright was replaced multifold by the return of the joy of riding!:yes:

 

[Marker]

My spyder does not like gravel.
Drove on some very light gravel road and got stone caught in drive belt pulley. Not sure if aftermaket belt guard will help

 

[mtdoragary]

Loved my Beemers (R60US, and R100RT), and love my Spyder just as much!

 

[sddinnh]

I feel I am betraying motorcycling even looking at these things but I stopped flying a year ago and I lived through that when I thought I wouldn't.

When I gave up flying, I ended up build a full blown flight simulator because I missed it so much :yikes: