Does it really take 300 miles?

[bushrat]

I 'liked it' the moment I first saw it, before even trying it. Liked it so much that I went out and bought one. Admittedly, this only happened after a lot of reading here on SpyderLovers, and some checking with others. The missus and I also did take an all-too-brief test ride to determine whether we really wanted to get into this 'late-life madness' together, before we ran out of time and ability. She was thrilled; I just smiled.

It had been almost 40 years since I had owned a bike or done any serious riding, and even that was rather limited. Being in our later 70's, I wasn't going to put us out there on 2 wheels, but we did want to ride. So, a Spyder was the best answer. Once purchased, the first couple of weeks were tentative as we got used to the Spyder's idiosyncrasies and tendency to feel 'twitchy' to a new owner. Then we began to relax, and love blossomed from like; I'd say that was around the 500-mile mark. Now, you couldn't pry it away. Every single mile has been FUN!!!

 

[F3Spyderman]

I must admit that I was scared of my F3-S once it was delivered. It looked a lot longer and a lot wider than it did in the showroom. My doubts started from the start. Seemed such a palaver to even start the thing. Key, then 3 second wait as you press ECO button to acknowledge the warning, find the starter button. No starter, engine cut-off switch accidentally operated. Then once it fires, burst of high revs without even touching the throttle. Always taught never to high rev from cold. Engage gear, loud crash of gears, thought 'that cant be right. Tried to pull away and find the parking brake is still on.

Rode it carefully up my road to a nearby almost empty car park for a practice. By this time was getting worried, the sensitive throttle and instant response, not knowing if I could stop it, seemed that I was not in control of the monster. Took a short ride around some quiet roads. Not happy, seemed like it was in control of me rather than other way around. Went home a bit depressed, I'd spent all this money on something I did not enjoy. I put a post on this forum expressing my doubts and some kind person replied " get 500 miles under your belt and you will love it".

How right they were but it took somewhat less than 500. Now I absolutely love, love, love it and grab every excuse for a ride. Best thing since sliced bread.

 

[wyliec]

One needs to be constantly aware of your declining abilities and adjust accordingly.

Dirty Harry: A man needs to understand his own limitations.

This sounds good, and may work well for you; but, I see all to often where people use age as an excuse to slow down, and end up with all kinds of limitations. My point of view is from a physical therapist working in a hospital, short term rehab setting. Okay, now back to the real topic. It took me a few weekends, traveling to where my Spyder was stored after purchasing, and riding roads I was not familiar with. I'd ride around 30 or miles each time, and did that on 4 separate occasions. Then came the big challenge, traveling around 75 miles to home, in traffic. As I went, it got easier. As for loving the spyder, I don't check on before I go to bed, and give it a kiss or a pat on its tank, or tuck it in for the night, like some do. It just gets me from point A to B to C...............

 

[Easy Rider]

I really didn't have any declining abilities.

Let's hope that you live long enough so that your ability to hold up a 2 wheeler does decline. :thumbup:

 

[Easy Rider]

[/SIZE]
Gas stops and potty breaks are permitted in Iron Butt events and they are considered non-stop.
[/SIZE]

Please do not make your text so small.
My eyesight is declining too !!! :shocked:

 

[Easy Rider]

I really wish my RT had a brake lever on the handlebar....
...

For about $1300 plus labor that can be "fixed".
But my local Ride Now shop refuses to do it for me.
That is the final nail in their coffin for me.

 

[Easy Rider]

This sounds good, and may work well for you; but, I see all to often where people use age as an excuse to slow down, and end up with all kinds of limitations. .

When I was 20, I could lift my own body weight from the floor to over my head.
Trying to do so now would just be stupid.
Not only has the weight gone up but the strength and balance has gone down.

Exercise and staying in good shape for your age is important.......but there STILL will be limitations.

 

[Big F]

I've heard someone say it takes 300 miles to get used to the Spyder and fall in love with it if you only used to riding 2-wheelers. Before that mark you might hate it and regret the purchase.
I wasn't victim to this, since I haven't owned a proper motorcycle and the only substantial experience I've had on 2 wheels was during my MSF course years ago.

So, how long did it take you to start liking your ryde?

I would say 3 miles or 3 minutes - whichever comes first....... :yes:
My 2018 should be arriving and day now. even though I can't ride it in this weather, it will look good sitting in my garage!! (this is my 4th Spyder - first a 2010, then 2012, a 2014 and now the 2018..)
would you say I like Spyders??? :riding:
BIG F

 

[RykerUSA]

I started loving it only after I got laser alignment

 

[missouriboy]

...As for loving the spyder, I don't check on before I go to bed, and give it a kiss or a pat on its tank, or tuck it in for the night, like some do. It just gets me from point A to B to C...............

Aw, c'mon Wylie! Nobody said anything about making love with their Spyder. :roflblack:

 

[RinconRyder]

[/SIZE]
Gas stops and potty breaks are permitted in Iron Butt events and they are considered non-stop.

That's cheating! :joke:
Never been able to understand why someone would want to ride a thousand miles in a 24 hr period so I tried one. I still don't understand. I guess it's a Macho thing or a small Libido." It's always more fun at the finish line than the actual race". (Mario Andretti) or "I don't know how I survived that". Malcolm Smith.

Jack

Simply wanted to get home.

Lexington, NE to Tempe, AZ = 18 hrs 1,131 mi. non-stop
Seattle, WA to Tempe, AZ = 31 hours (140 miles in heavy snow) 1,500 miles non-stop
Tempe, AZ to Orange, TX = 32 hours 1,300 miles 1 stop for heavy rain

All of these were done within the past five years on Touring bikes. None will ever be done on a Spyder.

 

[RinconRyder]

Took me closer to 3000 miles before I figured out to go right turn the bars right and to go left turn the bars left. The longer you rode two wheeler, the longer the transition is my cry. I really wish my RT had a brake lever on the handlebar....

I am selling my two wheelers...

Before you sign up for the hand brake find a Spyder that has one and give it a try. The pull is a LOT harder than anything you experienced on a two-wheeler. Unless you have above average hand strength you may not like it. I can use it but wifey can't pull it. Lots of money to spend on something not totally useful.

 

[RinconRyder]

I don't want anyone to take my post the wrong way. I am not bashing anyone who likes their Spyder nor am I trying to dissuade anyone from owning one. I am just giving my opinion.

For me, nothing will replace a two-wheeler and as a standalone product I feel Can-Am has a ton of work to do to produce a reliable machine which does not need the expertise of a Ferrari mechanic and a complex set of diagnostic devices to troubleshoot and a dealer network that can back up the product. The Can-Am engineers (?) went to a lot of trouble using some of the most complex and unnecessary gadgets and completely overlooked some very worthwhile features (rock guard and suspension that actually work, hand brake standard, placement of controls, quality tires, seat location, production QC, etc.).

Right now I would rank the Spyder below Harley in all categories except presentation (i.e. "looks cool") and that is a terrible ranking.

If the wife doesn't start riding it pretty soon it will go on the blocks.

 

[Arion]

I'd say that it took me about 2 miles to figure out that it wasn't going to kill me... :shocked:

... and probably 500 miles to START to get the hang of it! :thumbup:

Yessiree, I'd agree with that.

 

[ofdave]

I don't want anyone to take my post the wrong way. I am not bashing anyone who likes their Spyder nor am I trying to dissuade anyone from owning one. I am just giving my opinion.

For me, nothing will replace a two-wheeler and as a standalone product I feel Can-Am has a ton of work to do to produce a reliable machine which does not need the expertise of a Ferrari mechanic and a complex set of diagnostic devices to troubleshoot and a dealer network that can back up the product. The Can-Am engineers (?) went to a lot of trouble using some of the most complex and unnecessary gadgets and completely overlooked some very worthwhile features (rock guard and suspension that actually work, hand brake standard, placement of controls, quality tires, seat location, production QC, etc.).

Right now I would rank the Spyder below Harley in all categories except presentation (i.e. "looks cool") and that is a terrible ranking.

If the wife doesn't start riding it pretty soon it will go on the blocks.

sounds like you really dislike the Spyder
rather than live unhappily with it in your garage, sounds like you'd feel better if it were gone
I say sell it now

 

[Petrom714]

thank you for well written post to a new rider--

i am sure hoping my experience will be similar to yours once the initial regret feeling subsides

I must admit that I was scared of my F3-S once it was delivered. It looked a lot longer and a lot wider than it did in the showroom. My doubts started from the start. Seemed such a palaver to even start the thing. Key, then 3 second wait as you press ECO button to acknowledge the warning, find the starter button. No starter, engine cut-off switch accidentally operated. Then once it fires, burst of high revs without even touching the throttle. Always taught never to high rev from cold. Engage gear, loud crash of gears, thought 'that cant be right. Tried to pull away and find the parking brake is still on.

Rode it carefully up my road to a nearby almost empty car park for a practice. By this time was getting worried, the sensitive throttle and instant response, not knowing if I could stop it, seemed that I was not in control of the monster. Took a short ride around some quiet roads. Not happy, seemed like it was in control of me rather than other way around. Went home a bit depressed, I'd spent all this money on something I did not enjoy. I put a post on this forum expressing my doubts and some kind person replied " get 500 miles under your belt and you will love it".

How right they were but it took somewhat less than 500. Now I absolutely love, love, love it and grab every excuse for a ride. Best thing since sliced bread.

 

[Squanchkava72]

Some of you all sold me, I ordered the Bajaron sway bar and heim links. I will get the laser alignment too.
I have 20 years experience on two wheels but sold my last one about four years ago. Trikes have always caught my eye, especially the VW trikes. When the Spyders came out I went wow and then went to check them out and the sticker shock turned that smile upside down. I started to get the bike itch again and said maybe there are some reasonable used Spyders out there now and found one just this last November. It was such a killer deal that I kept thinking the seller was going to change her mind so I said I am coming tomorrow, rain or snow. It rained and it was in VA Beach! So the first ride was truly trial by fire. About 100 miles of part city, bridges, highways, and just plain old traffic nastiness. Every turn, especially the exits, my heart was in my throat. The twitchyness and feeling like you may just fly of on a turn made me have the death grip which made it even worst. Straightaways I was grinning ear to ear though. The weather has been so cold that I haven't drive much at all since purchasing it. I have been doing maintenance and farkles to get ready for riding season. I still have a little apprehension but figured it is a learning curve and it will get better. This thread helps a lot. I do love seeing that Spyder in the driveway though.

 

[Mad Mac]

I really didn't have any declining abilities. The wife wanted something to ride and two wheels for her isn't practical.

My last bikes were: '97 Valkyrie, '99 Valkyrie Interstate and two later model Goldwings (GL1800's). Every one of those bikes made at least one cross-country trip. Additionally, I rode the Interstate non-stop from the middle of Nebraska to Phoenix and one of the Wings from Seattle to Phoenix, also non-stop. I cannot imagine doing either trip on the Spyder - it is that uncomfortable. I can't imagine riding long distance with my junk in the glove box for instance.

All four bikes had tons of quiet power, came from the factory properly put together and the CB-equipped Wing actually had range and worked. Maintenance was a snap for any competent owner and could be accomplished in a fraction of the time compared to the Spyder. Oh, and I could ride on gravel or dirt roads without worrying that I might split the damn drive belt. The foot brake was easy to operate and without the need to raise one's leg and the hand brake was a two-finger operation instead of a fist full. I could raise and lower the windshield fully without worrying that I might break the brackets. And, I could park any of the bikes for months without the need for a battery maintainer.

There are Honda shops, both official and independent all over the place, and none charge $300 for an oil change. None of the bikes needed a proprietary diagnostic tool for simple troubleshooting and I could install aftermarket lighting without disabling the factory lights. The bikes were faster in a straight line (accelleration was also a good deal quicker) and through corners and there was no nanny deciding what my riding limits were.

You didn't need an instruction manual and two hands to start the engine or shift into reverse and you could put the key on a standard ring without buying an accessory. And did I mention the bikes were substantially less expensive?

TOTALLY...TOTALLY... agree with you with your above post. I have ridden a two-wheeler for 45 years (raced for a few of those years) and they were a BIG part of my life past and present. But due to surgeries on my left foot and right leg and the wife going with me no matter the mode of transportation, hell she has 125k+ just sitting behind me as a passenger on 2-wheelers, I turned to the Spyder because of not being able to support or manage the weight of a GW anymore and I was not willing to hang my helmet up yet. So for us the Spyder has worked out fine. When I see articles on the new GW and see the new body work and suspension tech. that's being used I am a bit jealous and wanting one. There are some things that could have been designed better and they do need a better dealer network with competent techs. But all in all, the Spyder has worked out well for us and I do plan on keeping it, will I buy another new one? Jury's out on that one. When we took possession of ours, I rode it about 400mi. before I allowed the wife onboard because I wanted to make sure that I could keep it between the ditches and could handle those "OH CRAP" moments. I've been in bike crashes before, like they say in racing "your not going fast enough, unless you crash!". I can handle me crashing but I sure as hell do not want to be responsible for harming my wife. I do know there is no guaranties in life, but I try not to "spin that cylinder" too many times. Mad Mac:doorag:

 

[Easy Rider]

You all sold me, I ordered the Bajaron sway bar and heim links. I will get the laser alignment too.

Not ALL of us encouraged you to do that.
Quite a few suggested waiting until you get more riding experience to see if it would REALLY be necessary or not.

But I KNOW it is human nature to hope that everything that is not working out exactly as expected can be "fixed" by some 3rd party.
Sometimes it can't.

Good luck. Hope it all turns out good.

 

[Squanchkava72]

Not ALL of us encouraged you to do that.
Quite a few suggested waiting until you get more riding experience to see if it would REALLY be necessary or not.

But I KNOW it is human nature to hope that everything that is not working out exactly as expected can be "fixed" by some 3rd party.
Sometimes it can't.

Good luck. Hope it all turns out good.

OK some of you all it is then I had been reading up on the sway bar outside of this thread too, this one just sealed the deal for me and it just made me feel good that I wasn't the only one who had a scary first ride. I realize it isn't going to fix time on the Spyder, but I see more positives than negatives and this time of year wrenching doesn't cut into riding time. Plus it isn't super pricey so what the heck, why not go for it. Thanks