First test ride. Not at all what I expected.

[Eagle1]

I agree, let the wife see the video and read the dos and don't, then let her practice And decide for herself.
I had 2 wheels over 45 years, but had ridden snow mobiles, so the transition was quick. Just had to get used to no front brake lever.

 

[Denny B.]

I agree that the steering is a bit too sensitive. I wish it were a little less so. Some may say I'm out of alignment. And that may be true but I find it sad you have to spend money to fix a brand new vehicle that should be right when you buy it.

 

[hdlongrod]

After riding 2 wheels for so long the adjustment period to my wife's SE5 took about 50 to 100 miles or so. When it came time to buy my Spyder I found that the SM5 was much more comfortable and enjoyable for me. Just sitting on the spyder and pressing the little button to shift was not doing it for me. :f_spider:

 

[Idaspud]

TEE HEE HEE......
YOU TOO HUH.....?
me 2.... my 1st ride was so 'strange'.... but after 40,000 miles, i would NEVER go back to 2 wheels....
enjoy, and have fun....
Dan P
Easley, SC
SYPD3R

after reading your post checked the milage,I have ridden a little over 32,000 miles on my 3 separate Spyders I am very comfortable on my 2014 RTs and would never go back to 2 wheels

 

[Pennyrick]

So, how many miles does it take to get real comfortable with the Spyder steering and finger paddle shifter? How long before it becomes second nature?

The steering just seems so sensitive I would be afraid to make a quick correction if needed. I can see why the heavier sway bar is a favored update. This bike just had an alignment at the dealer. It was a used 2010 or 2011 silver RS.

Thanks
John

Your post took me back to 1974 when we bought our first Honda 360 T's. My wife and I were born and raised in Canada and grew up riding snowmobiles. When we moved to Michigan we thought riding the Hondas would be fun and had them delivered to our home from the dealership. We both took our first rides and we both missed the first turn and ended up in a field. We just couldn't seem to get used to the fact that you had to lean in a different direction than we had learned on the snowmobiles.

It took a few weeks to get the hang of counter steering but once we got it in our system we could hang on corners with the best of them. Over the years we rode Suzukis, more Hondas, Harleys, Yamahas and ultimately the first Spyder. Whoopee!!! that was like learning to ride all over again. It took us about 500 miles to UNLEARN our two wheel habits. It came back quickly but maybe that was because of our snowmobile experience.

I'd suggest 750 miles for you but if your wife doesn't have to UNLEARN any of those two wheel habits she will be up and running in short order.

Don't discourage her.

 

[JohnnyK]

Thanks for all of the replies

First I would like to thank everyone that replied. The info and insights are really appreciated.

I think we are going to have my wife take the test ride on Friday. The dealer said we could take it out for a few hours. The ride will be on a RS SE5 with the high rise handle bars. If she likes it and wants to go for it the next choice will be a new 2014 with 3 year warranty in either manual or auto, The used one we are test riding which is only slightly cheaper and no warranty, or there are two 2008 Spyders available locally for sale by owner. Both are RS SM5's for $10K. As much as I would like the security of a warranty getting a Spyder for 4~5 grand less is really attractive. I can do my own wrenching as long as its not something that requires expensive special tools.

The bike I ride is a 2000 Kawasaki ZR7. 750 inline 4 engine. It is ultra reliable and has never left me stranded or in need of a tow. I'm hoping for a similar experience with the Spyder.

I'm sure I will love farkeling and modding the Spyder. And it will be fun to take out once and a while after I get comfortable with it.

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: I hope that the next step is a successful one for the both of you! :thumbup:
Please let us know what happens...

 

[JohnnyK]

Pulled the trigger

Well we went to the dealer today and the Spyder that we were wanting to ride was out so the salesmen put her on an RT to ride around the lot until the RS came back. She seemed to be doing real well lapping the building. She got of and said she like it and said it road great. The RS hadn't come back yet so we went and grabbed some lunch. Right after we got back the RS showed up so she took it around the building a few time and then we hit the road. She on the Spyder and me on the her Vulcan 500. We did about a half hour ride. She liked it and felt that this was a bike that she would take out by herself. She always worried that if she dropped her bike she would never be able to get it back up. So we discussed the pros and cons and decided to pull the trigger. We traded her Vulcan 500 and got a 2011 RS SE5. It has the backrest, Bar risers, and tall windshield. They just did a laser alignment on it. So now I just need to order the BajaRon swaybar.

We road two-up home so I have about 20 mile under belt and it is getting more comfortable.

Thanks all
John

 

[ARtraveler]

Well we went to the dealer today and the Spyder that we were wanting to ride was out so the salesmen put her on an RT to ride around the lot until the RS came back. She seemed to be doing real well lapping the building. She got of and said she like it and said it road great. The RS hadn't come back yet so we went and grabbed some lunch. Right after we got back the RS showed up so she took it around the building a few time and then we hit the road. She on the Spyder and me on the her Vulcan 500. We did about a half hour ride. She liked it and felt that this was a bike that she would take out by herself. She always worried that if she dropped her bike she would never be able to get it back up. So we discussed the pros and cons and decided to pull the trigger. We traded her Vulcan 500 and got a 2011 RS SE5. It has the backrest, Bar risers, and tall windshield. They just did a laser alignment on it. So now I just need to order the BajaRon swaybar.

We road two-up home so I have about 20 mile under belt and it is getting more comfortable.

Thanks all
John

:congrats:

 

[Richard2762]

First rule of ryding a Spyder, Do Not Take A Strangle Hold On The Handlebars! Relax, correct GENTLY, don't panic. If you've ever ridden an ATV, it's a lot like that on steroids. Get some markers, cones, whatever, find a mostly vacant parking lot, lay out a course, and ryde thru it. Lean into the curves, you have to, the Spyder won't. It can take 200 to 1000 miles to get really comfortable on a Spyder, but it's worth it!

john

ATV on steroids .that is it , never saw it put better

 

[vided]

:congrats::yes::yes::yes: