Hi Spyderlovers!
Just thought I'd introduce myself as I hope to become a regular member of the group. Hail from the San Francisco Bay area for the last 20+ years or so but have spent a decent amount of time in Colo. and Oregon as well. Mid 50's semi retired (I think, quit my job a few weeks back we'll see how I feel in 6 months) and really want to get a Spyder. The conversations have started with the wonderful other half but it's going to be a process. Conversation got a bit quiet with I told her I wanted an RT and the response was "that's as much as a car". Bless her
When we get closer I will definitely be here for more advice. I got the M on my license 3 years ago after taking the safety course for the explicit purpose of meeting my brother, a two wheel guy, for a trip in AZ. I rented a 2008 (not even sure what model it was, looked like a sport model) from a local guy in Tempe and we went from Tempe to Sedona to Flagstaff over two days where my brothers bike broke down. I'm not too proud to say I was pretty nervous for the first 2 hours but after we got on open road and I loosened up I loved every single minute of the trip. Everyone we met asked about the Spyder. We hit everything from rain to hail to light snow, warm and chilly so for a first ride it was a really good experience. We cut the trip short a day when his bike broke down and the weather was prohibitive for the day we wanted to get to the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately that sort of forced us to return to Tempe a day early and we rode two up on the way back; we were able to get his and my stuff in the Spyders frunk and storage. Freeway riding with semi's is definitely NOT the part I enjoyed as speeds ranged from 55 to 80 while watching a Kenworth barrel closer in the mirror but again good experience and I loved the bike. I even kept the bike a day we didn't need it because i didn't want to turn it back in. I now have $1500 worth of gear that has been sitting in the closet: it needs a purpose.
Since then I've been lurking here and fantasizing about the day and hoping that my wife will also ride with me. We have one in college in North Dakota in the flight program but still have a 14 year old at home so I don't think she would do much until he too is in college. In the meantime that will create an interesting purchase decision when the time comes so as to not overbuy and decide used vs new.
Like I said I've done a bit of forum reading and it seems like the first decision would be to find a reliable dealer out here that really knows how to service these and provide good customer service. If anyone reading this has had positive experiences with any dealers in the NoCal area I'd like to hear about it, or what to look for and ask when I stop in. I assume asking if they have a trained Spyder mechanic would be one of the questions.
Thanks for allowing me to join the community!
Steve
Just thought I'd introduce myself as I hope to become a regular member of the group. Hail from the San Francisco Bay area for the last 20+ years or so but have spent a decent amount of time in Colo. and Oregon as well. Mid 50's semi retired (I think, quit my job a few weeks back we'll see how I feel in 6 months) and really want to get a Spyder. The conversations have started with the wonderful other half but it's going to be a process. Conversation got a bit quiet with I told her I wanted an RT and the response was "that's as much as a car". Bless her
When we get closer I will definitely be here for more advice. I got the M on my license 3 years ago after taking the safety course for the explicit purpose of meeting my brother, a two wheel guy, for a trip in AZ. I rented a 2008 (not even sure what model it was, looked like a sport model) from a local guy in Tempe and we went from Tempe to Sedona to Flagstaff over two days where my brothers bike broke down. I'm not too proud to say I was pretty nervous for the first 2 hours but after we got on open road and I loosened up I loved every single minute of the trip. Everyone we met asked about the Spyder. We hit everything from rain to hail to light snow, warm and chilly so for a first ride it was a really good experience. We cut the trip short a day when his bike broke down and the weather was prohibitive for the day we wanted to get to the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately that sort of forced us to return to Tempe a day early and we rode two up on the way back; we were able to get his and my stuff in the Spyders frunk and storage. Freeway riding with semi's is definitely NOT the part I enjoyed as speeds ranged from 55 to 80 while watching a Kenworth barrel closer in the mirror but again good experience and I loved the bike. I even kept the bike a day we didn't need it because i didn't want to turn it back in. I now have $1500 worth of gear that has been sitting in the closet: it needs a purpose.
Since then I've been lurking here and fantasizing about the day and hoping that my wife will also ride with me. We have one in college in North Dakota in the flight program but still have a 14 year old at home so I don't think she would do much until he too is in college. In the meantime that will create an interesting purchase decision when the time comes so as to not overbuy and decide used vs new.
Like I said I've done a bit of forum reading and it seems like the first decision would be to find a reliable dealer out here that really knows how to service these and provide good customer service. If anyone reading this has had positive experiences with any dealers in the NoCal area I'd like to hear about it, or what to look for and ask when I stop in. I assume asking if they have a trained Spyder mechanic would be one of the questions.
Thanks for allowing me to join the community!
Steve
. Our 2014 RTS has been great.
