First non-riding impression

[LennyO]

Just to set the playing field - I currently own a GL1800 Goldwing.
Because of health reasons - seems like the Spyder would be a good choice for me primarily because of the:
1. 3 wheels
2. SE5
3. Electric shield
4. Fun factor

I went to the nearest dealer to take a look at one.
Well... there were NONE on the floor inside, though plenty of crates in the yard.
"We don't build them until they are sold".....T
They showed me an almost completed 2010 leftover RST.

The fit and finish seems pretty good.
The storage is ample at least the way me and my wife travel.
Instrumentation is nice and clear.
Hand controls are in the convenient locations.

BUT.. the seat is positioning me too far forward (the same issue I had with the Wing until I had the seat re-done)
The passenger's seat is smaller than I expected and the back-rest is very upright. I am concerned that if I create room for myself, there will be nothing left for my wife.
We are not large people... I am 5'11" 32" in seam, 220lb, my wife is 5'6" 120lb.
I see that behind the passenger's seat there is room, which is taken up by the hinges for lifting the seat.

In the stock form it just wouldn't work for me for sure.
Another thing is - you have to dismount to fuel up... small issue but could be easily designed better.
I was told that Corbin has a flap to allow fueling.

I asked about the test-ride... they practically laughed at me...
Is that generally the case ???

 

[Yfactor]

The very first thing I would do is try another dealer as most offer test rides. Until you have done this it would be hsrd to address the other issues. The seat can be easily replaced with a Corbin having the gas door. If the gas door is not as importand the you can decide among many other after market seat makers.

 

[retread]

Check another dealer, this one doesn't want your business, and probably doesn't understand why the ones he has aren't selling.

john

 

[Dudley]

Check another dealer, this one doesn't want your business, and probably doesn't understand why the ones he has aren't selling.

john[/QU


I agree. This "dealer" is not a dealer. With that attitude I can't understand how he stays in business. Find another dealer who will properly demonstrate the RT to you and your wife. No wonder some of these dealers can't work on Spyders correctly.:gaah: This makes my blood boil.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:

 

[boborgera]

:dontknow:
Might i ask which dealer you went to??

 

[Dudley]

Another thing is - you have to dismount to fuel up... small issue but could be easily designed better.
I was told that Corbin has a flap to allow fueling.


I know we all have our own particular ways of doing things, but why does anyone fill up a motorcycle without getting off? IF, for some reason, the engine starts on fire while you have gasoline flowing into the tank, what will you do sitting on top of the flames? Of all the laws concerning fueling vehicle safety, I have never seen one about dismounting a motorcycle to refuel. But if you don't want to dismount to refuel, the Corbin seat has a flap that will allow you to do so while sitting.

 

[Bob Denman]

:dontknow:Might I ask which dealer you went to??

That might not be a bad piece of information to put out here so that others will know who and what they are dealing with when they pull into the parking lot.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: :agree:to check with a dealer that wants your business. Let the site know who the "non-customer friendly" dealer is.

Many seat and backrest options. Corbin can help you out if you need to customize the seating position, and it has a flap for the gas cap for easy filling. Not a cheap option--but very satisfactory.

Riding position: you might look into floorboards--a couple sponsers on this site.

 

[Raptor]

Another thing is - you have to dismount to fuel up... small issue but could be easily designed better.
I was told that Corbin has a flap to allow fueling.


I know we all have our own particular ways of doing things, but why does anyone fill up a motorcycle without getting off? IF, for some reason, the engine starts on fire while you have gasoline flowing into the tank, what will you do sitting on top of the flames? Of all the laws concerning fueling vehicle safety, I have never seen one about dismounting a motorcycle to refuel. But if you don't want to dismount to refuel, the Corbin seat has a flap that will allow you to do so while sitting.

I was thinkin' the same thing, Dudley. I WANT to get off when I refuel. That gives me the oppurtunity to check other things as well before I take to the road again.

That whole fire thing was a valid point also! :roflblack:

 

[LennyO]

I was thinkin' the same thing, Dudley. I WANT to get off when I refuel. That gives me the oppurtunity to check other things as well before I take to the road again.

That whole fire thing was a valid point also! :roflblack:

Yes, that is true from the "fire" point.... It's just that sometimes when I am in pain (like back pain or hip pain), I'd rather not get up

Just don't get into the " you should not be riding, then" please!.... I fight my doctor about that all the time...:2thumbs:

In any event - I appreciate all the comments! Very active forum!
I like that!

BTW, the dealer is Ledgewood Powersports in Ledgewood NJ.

 

[spyder11]

First time spyder owner

hello I own a rt-s 2011 spyder not the limited editon but next one down from that . I am having trouble with a noise in the rear when I take off .The tech at Brp told my tech to check the belt and he did and did some ajustments and it is still doing it . I am also having drouble with the brakes making a noise and I was told my warrentie will not pay for it and this started at 600 mile actually before that. I am also have trouble with the stirring sometimes . It seems I am fighting it most of the time . We make sure the air pressure is good and all. The tech told my Tech that they are working on figuring out the belt noise . There is not wear or tear or anything like that in that area and it shifts good . I am really dissapointed in the handling of the bike. I am taking it back soon and I am leaving it there until it is fixed the way it should be. I am just wondering if anyone else is having any problems with the 2011 rt-s models. Any info about this will be appreciated .
Thank You from west virgina
Ann:dontknow:

 

[acinpcola]

Lenny, I too had to give up my goldwing due to a disability from service. I own a 2011 RT S SE-5 and it is great. I agree with the others who have told you to check out another dealer. I went to a dealer that was 500+ miles away to get mine. I understand that there is one in Bensalem, PA that folks say is a great place to go for a :spyder:.

Take a test ride - check out the seat, as was said there are many seat options that you can do also there is the floor boards also.

Let us know what you decide.

Be Safe
AC:spyder2:

 

[LennyO]

hello I own a rt-s 2011 spyder not the limited editon but next one down from that . I am having trouble with a noise in the rear when I take off .The tech at Brp told my tech to check the belt and he did and did some ajustments and it is still doing it . I am also having drouble with the brakes making a noise and I was told my warrentie will not pay for it and this started at 600 mile actually before that. I am also have trouble with the stirring sometimes . It seems I am fighting it most of the time . We make sure the air pressure is good and all. The tech told my Tech that they are working on figuring out the belt noise . There is not wear or tear or anything like that in that area and it shifts good . I am really dissapointed in the handling of the bike. I am taking it back soon and I am leaving it there until it is fixed the way it should be. I am just wondering if anyone else is having any problems with the 2011 rt-s models. Any info about this will be appreciated .
Thank You from west virgina
Ann:dontknow:

Wow! This is very upsetting indeed!
I am really sorry to hear of such problems, especially on a new machine... This model is exactly what I was looking for.
Please keep us posted on the developments!
Best of luck with it!

 

[LennyO]

Yes, I am definitely looking for another dealer!
Hope I find one close enough... would be terrible to go out of state just for a test ride...

But, PA is not THAT far

I thank you all for your input!

Will keep you posted!

 

[bone crusher]

Another thing is - you have to dismount to fuel up... small issue but could be easily designed better.
I was told that Corbin has a flap to allow fueling.


I know we all have our own particular ways of doing things, but why does anyone fill up a motorcycle without getting off? IF, for some reason, the engine starts on fire while you have gasoline flowing into the tank, what will you do sitting on top of the flames? Of all the laws concerning fueling vehicle safety, I have never seen one about dismounting a motorcycle to refuel. But if you don't want to dismount to refuel, the Corbin seat has a flap that will allow you to do so while sitting.

+1...have no idea how you pump gas while sitting on the bike...does the hose magically get up and go to your tank?

 

[IWN2RYD]

+1...have no idea how you pump gas while sitting on the bike...does the hose magically get up and go to your tank?

I have seen many ryders get really close to the pump... Slide their card... Open the gas cap... Grab the fuel hose and pump away... never leaving their seat...nojoke

 

[SethO]

Another thing is - you have to dismount to fuel up... small issue but could be easily designed better.
I was told that Corbin has a flap to allow fueling.


I know we all have our own particular ways of doing things, but why does anyone fill up a motorcycle without getting off? IF, for some reason, the engine starts on fire while you have gasoline flowing into the tank, what will you do sitting on top of the flames? Of all the laws concerning fueling vehicle safety, I have never seen one about dismounting a motorcycle to refuel. But if you don't want to dismount to refuel, the Corbin seat has a flap that will allow you to do so while sitting.

I was thinkin' the same thing, Dudley. I WANT to get off when I refuel. That gives me the oppurtunity to check other things as well before I take to the road again.

That whole fire thing was a valid point also! :roflblack:

Yes, that is true from the "fire" point.... It's just that sometimes when I am in pain (like back pain or hip pain), I'd rather not get up

Just don't get into the " you should not be riding, then" please!.... I fight my doctor about that all the time...:2thumbs:

In any event - I appreciate all the comments! Very active forum!
I like that!

BTW, the dealer is Ledgewood Powersports in Ledgewood NJ.

+1...have no idea how you pump gas while sitting on the bike...does the hose magically get up and go to your tank?

I don't get off the spyder because it would be extremely inconvenient to do so, because of the whole wheelchair thing. Could it start on fire (especially being a spyder and a track record of this) yes but that is why I took the canister off. On my 1000 miles in 17 hrs and 45 minutes death ride I got off i29 and back on with a full tank of gas in less than 2 minutes and 45 seconds. I do see and understand that I am physically( and I am sure mentally) in a different situation than 99% of the owners on here but i have done it for 52,000 miles and it has gotten me here

To answer the original question, if you don't want to lift the seat or get off just cut the plastic at a 45, then have someone sew extra black leather on the edges and put a velco piece to hold in place, there is a pic of the one I have(it looks like crap because I want function over looks, as you can see from the rest of the outside of my spyder)

as for the difference in between the wing and the spyder, if I was not hurt I do not think I would have a spyder but it is the BEST 3 wheeled machine on the market for the price and daily use, period.

 

[LennyO]

Thanks for chiming in SethO!
Way to keep on living!

Re: your signature,
I am no stranger to injuries, but I always think that it could be much worse...
I know, it must be very hard but you do way more than just exist!
I am impressed!

 

[stormtrooper]

LennyO I had problems also at that dealership.Walked in dealership with cash in pocket got the run around with them and walked out.I went to Horns Outdoor in PA.They are about 30 mins down 80 west if you want to check them out.I called and told them what I wanted ( 2010 RS-S ) and gave me a good deal over the phone.They let me test ride the Spyders and was very happy with the way they treated me. :2thumbs: