First impressions...

[MickeyFisher]

Hey, everyone! I wanted to start a new thread since people were asking about my first impressions. We only did a short ride today, about a half hour in LA traffic, but it was enough of a taste to get me hooked.

Fred told me before we started that I might have more trouble than Faran, because I'd be holding onto some motorcycling habits. He and Lamont told me ahead of time to relax and let the Spyder do the work. Wow, were they right.

It took me a few minutes to relax my upper body and not want to oversteer. I rode the brake a little at first, I think to overcompensate for feeling like I was giving up some control by not having a hand brake. But, after a short while I got the swing of it, especially once I was able to feel out the shifting and all. I still had plenty of phantom hand braking going on, but that'll probably take awhile to go away, haha.

The easiest thing to get used to was leaning into the turns, because...well, that's just really fun to do.

It was a blast, even though it was short, and I even got to experience a little of the rock star feeling. I was stopped at a light when a car pulled up next to me. The two young boys in the back rolled down their window to check me and the Spyder out, smiling from ear to ear. I gave them the thumbs up, the light turned green and I took off. Two future owners, right there!

I'll post more after the big ride tomorrow, and I'll do a full thread with pics and video once I get back across country!

 

[Slybird]

Welcom to Spydermania!! It will only get better!!!:yes::yes::yes: Do keep us posted on your adventures.opcorn:

 

[Raptor]

Good stuff Mickey! I think it is true that it is tougher for more hardened motorcycle riders to transition to the Spyder than for first-timers or riders that have not ridden for years. Basically you almost have to forget everything you think you know about riding and adapt a new skill set. But the new technique comes to you at a pretty quick rate and soon you will be doing things instinctively, just like you did on two wheels. The main thing the more experienced guys out here tell the rookies is... RELAX! And it's true; you just have to relax, feel what the machine is telling you and be smooth. Do that and you will be fine. The real joy for you will be when you get out on the open road. That is when the world really reveals itself to you. But of course, you already know this!

The attention you will get is also something you will get used to. Just today I stopped to fuel up and it took me 45 minutes to get out of there! I was approached by three different gentlemen wanting to know about what I was riding. The Phantom is a machine that really turns heads (as do all Spyders!) but it's all blacked out, and I ride it with some 'tude which probably enhances the presentation!

Keep the reports coming Sir! Sounds like you are off to a great start.

 

[Riker]

:2thumbs: The fun is just beginning ... hyea:

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and enjoy your ryde.

 

[NancysToy]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

The bait has been nibbled and the hook has been set! I think you did the right thing by waiting to take that first ride. The emotions must have been overwhelming. Sounds like you did your homework and were well prepared. Don't worry about the phantom handbrake. If you still ride conventional motorcycles, like me, you'll never want to lose that instinct. It makes me feel good whenever I grab a handful of air, knowing that I won't hesitate when I hop back on the Beemer.

Enjoy the Ryde!

 

[Lamonster]

You did good Bro. Here's a link to what I posted today if you missed it. :2thumbs:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28239

 

[arntufun]

Way to go Mick !!! Have you thought about what your first mod is going to be ??? You now have the look but, now you need the sound. I'm hinting around to, an exhaust change. :thumbup: Oh by the way, :welcome:

 

[flamingobabe]

:2excited::2excited::2excited: for y'all......it's going to be a fun ride....

 

[bullant12]

:welcome: You are just getting your feet wet!! We know that you will enjoy this!!!:congrats::yes:

 

[DynamoBT]

:congrats: Fun times ahead!!!!!

 

[dltang]

And the adventure has begun. Keep us posted and keep on smiling.

 

[napper39]

you have made the frist step now like they all told you relax and soon you will be riding like the wind.have fun it took me a long time to get the feel i had those motorcycle bran but ive been ridinr sence 1952 50 motorcycles and my bran couldnt let go till 1000 miles on the spyder ,hope you get it sonner than that .have fun thats what its all about.:spyder::congrats:

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Excellent

Great to hear Mickey. I'm very happy and excited for you!

 

[Bootie]

First Impressions

Hey Mickey,
Good to hear from you.
I had been riding 2-wheelers since 1964 and for those 47 years I have ALWAYS had a hand brake. Then all-of-a-sudden I had none (on my RT). The first mod I did was to install an ISCI hydraulic hand brake. I consider that addition a 'must'. All other mods are simply icing on the cake. There is nothing like a Handbrake to give you a piece of mind when your feet are 12 inches from the foot brake. The difference between getting immediate braking action and braking 300ms(or more) later can be the difference between good and evil outcomes.:lecturef_smilie:

 

[Wheeler~]

Mickey, every day on a Spyder is a new and exciting experience. They just keep getting better too! Keep us up to date on your personal thoughts. :thumbup:

 

[MickeyFisher]

Day 2, big ride today! Three minutes after I started it up we were on the freeway in LA traffic, talk about a trial by fire, haha. Then we hit the pch and up Mulholland where I got my first taste of twisties. It was fantastic. Still a bit of a learning curve until the last hour or so. Speeds that weren't comfortable yet on the way up were second nature a short while later.

I'm glad to hear some of you were still learning after a thousand miles. I'll be putting in close to three thousand this week on the way home, so I hope to be pretty comfortable by the time I get back to Ohio!

All in all, i'm in love and it's going to be a long term relationship!

 

[GloryRyders]

:congrats:, sounds like you are having fun. Just wait until you can get on the back roads of America and ride your :spyder2:. Then the fun really begins:yes:.

 

[Wheeler~]

:2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

Miles and smile to your and yours Mickey! :2thumbs: