for new website

[sidecars]

I am making a website to help me in my quest to get a Can Am Spyder, a way to think through and learn all I can through writing. And... I like making websites!

So, I am writing a post about the "practicality" of the spyder. Forget fun, forget wind in the hair. Is it "practical"? Can you commute in it? Get the groceries, or what? I'd like to use your answers in my story, so please assume a response is permission to post on my blog. OK?

The page is just starting, so not much there yet.

http://triketrek.com/

Thanks

Bryan

 

[SL Ken]

Gotta say, the rolling the Reliant was hilarious.

 

[Vt. Rider]

Is it Practical?? IMHO...absolutely not.
Yes, it can carry groceries, but not a lot, and groceries tend to be heavy, so the first thought that comes to mind is that they would probably overload the weight limits on the saddlebags and trunk. And there's not that much room to carry a week's worth of groceries....so you'd have to make several trips. Any other trips to other shopping places will cause you to wonder where you'll put all the stuff.
IMHO, practicality goes out the window when buying a Spyder.

 

[sduskin]

More practical than a 2-wheeler...

LOL but not by much.

I commute on mine to work on nice days. 42 miles 1 way. Storage is good for a stop on the way home for dinner for 2. I have picked up a case of coke or 2 bags of dog food and put them in the passenger seat (bungies to hold everything!). I have had 2 watermelons in the frunk.

More visible than a 2-wheeler and much more stable in the rain or on questionable road surfaces.

But practical? No. It's an expensive, somewhat limited functionality, fun way of getting around when the weather is nice.

 

[VA Dan]

Good job so far. Thanks.
Dan

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Chupaca]

Depends..!

what you mean by practical and compared to what. Is a motorcycle practical.? As compared to a car..no as compared to a truck or bus..yes. Economically compared to a moped..no compared to a car..about the same. For carrrying groceries depends on for whom. I can get a weeks worth in the frunk of my RS. But I guess the real question is why buy one.? There you will get the real answers for the success of these machines...:thumbup:

 

[SDM]

Practical or not, our Spyders are our ONLY transportation!!! The hubby (Tobor 9) and I sold our Honda Pilot in January. He's been retired for 8 years and I still work nights. I usually have to stop at the grocery store on the way home from work. The bike can hold a pretty decent amount of groceries. I had a hitch installed and bought an 18 cubic ft. trailer for when I need to pick up 8 cases of San Pellegrino water and 3 cases of Angry Orchard or go to Lowes and buy 5 40 lb. bags of salt! Whatever the weather I'm riding. It's our "monsoon" season - high 90's with high humidity and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Had go in to work early Thursday night. I was driving through heavy rain and water flowing over my driver floorboards. I had the Frogg Toggs and a full face helmet on. Got into work, took the helmet off and said "Drowned rat reporting for duty!":roflblack: I do know one thing. When I was driving the cage into work I was not as happy going in. I lived for my days off when I could ride the spyder. Now I am a LOT happier going into work 'cause I'm riding the bike. Rain? - freezing cold? - sleet? - who cares - I'M RYDING MY SPYDER!!!:clap:

 

[Bob Denman]

If you feel that you need to have a practical reason for one; buy yourself a Mazda Miata instead...
Otherwise; my advice is short and sweet...

 

[Semperfi66]

I have a new RAM 6.4 Hemi which I love but it sucks up the fuel. I save lots of money by using my Spyder to run to the Post office, groc. store, or just cruse around. Besides the fun fuel savings is great.:yes::yes:

 

[sidecars]

Thanks

Thanks for the great info. This has all helped. The article is still in process, but it is well along,

Bryan

 

[Deer Slayer]

TRUE

I did not buy my RS-S to pick up stuff at the market. But I do!:shocked: 3 down and gone.:cheers:

 

[IGETAROUND]

​Practical as defined by Merriam-webster:

[SUP]1[/SUP]practical

adjective prac·ti·cal \ˈprak-ti-kəl\
: relating to what is real rather than to what is possible or imagined
: likely to succeed and reasonable to do or use
: appropriate or suited for actual use

The Spyder is real, reasonable and certainly suited for actual use. Not much better than to get out of work and get a little wind therapy on the way home!!!

 

[JayBros]

Not the Spyder, but You

How adaptable are you? Darwin had something to say about that. You live in the Northwet. Look at all the bicycling humans around you; many of them adapt, others are fair weather cyclists. No, it isn't practical but I've had onlookers gawk at all the groceries I can squeeze into it at Costco. Why? Because riding is FUN!!!

 

[ARtraveler]

Not practical, over-priced, and very expensive to farkle and maintain. Up here the riding season is March - October (for those brave of heart).

I used mine as a commuter 5 days a week and 45 miles (going on 100) round trips. Rain, shine, hot, cold, didn't matter.

Went shopping with it two times or so in 7 years of ownership.

Now, I just go on daily rides (50 - 100 miles) most days. Have not done any overnights this year--and may not.

I like them anyway. :yes:

 

[pegasus1300]

This is like a tire and oil thread. Who knows if its practical for you or what that even means as far as you're concerned. The reality is only you can decide if it is practical for you. I have commuted and shopped and done most things you can do in a car on a motorcycle or trike or now Spyder for over 50 years. It is neither practical nor impractical it is the way I live. How do you want to live?

 

[coz]

Just for Fun

Mine is just for fun. I don't ride it to work, or to the store, because I don't want to associate the bike with those things in my mind. It's a fun toy that could be somewhat practical I suppose . That's just me.:roflblack:

 

[sidecars]

More than practical. I bought one!

I just made an offer, and it has been countered/accepted, on a 2015 Can Am Spyder Special Edition red/black. I've just applied for the loan, and though my credit is good... 35 years at same employer... 30 years married... 28 years in same house.... I won't believe it is happening until I get word back.

The only thing I wonder about is that cut down windshield. I am 6 feet tall, but an unusually large percentage of that is in my torso. It's as though I am 6'5" tall when I sit down...if that makes sense. I wonder if I should try to trade out for the cheaper "normal" windshield, as opposed to this cut down and darkened windshield. I'll probably take it as is, and see.

Moto Guzzi goes for sale next week. Beautiful bike.

I am nervous, and excited. It feels right.... pretty much! ;-)

Thanks for all the good thoughts so far.

http://triketrek.com/?p=109

Bryan Lowe

 

[ARtraveler]

I just made an offer, and it has been countered/accepted, on a 2015 Can Am Spyder Special Edition red/black. I've just applied for the loan, and though my credit is good... 35 years at same employer... 30 years married... 28 years in same house.... I won't believe it is happening until I get word back.

The only thing I wonder about is that cut down windshield. I am 6 feet tall, but an unusually large percentage of that is in my torso. It's as though I am 6'5" tall when I sit down...if that makes sense. I wonder if I should try to trade out for the cheaper "normal" windshield, as opposed to this cut down and darkened windshield. I'll probably take it as is, and see.

Moto Guzzi goes for sale next week. Beautiful bike.

I am nervous, and excited. It feels right.... pretty much! ;-)

Thanks for all the good thoughts so far.

http://triketrek.com/?p=109

Bryan Lowe

:congrats: that is my favorite color. I would start thinking farkles now.

Try it with the on board windshield--you may like it. Am guessing if you don't, there may be a few who would be willing to do a swap.

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: Welcome to "Club 1330"!! :2thumbs:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOU CAN BECAUSE YOU TRY

Practical or not, our Spyders are our ONLY transportation!!! The hubby (Tobor 9) and I sold our Honda Pilot in January. He's been retired for 8 years and I still work nights. I usually have to stop at the grocery store on the way home from work. The bike can hold a pretty decent amount of groceries. I had a hitch installed and bought an 18 cubic ft. trailer for when I need to pick up 8 cases of San Pellegrino water and 3 cases of Angry Orchard or go to Lowes and buy 5 40 lb. bags of salt! Whatever the weather I'm riding. It's our "monsoon" season - high 90's with high humidity and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Had go in to work early Thursday night. I was driving through heavy rain and water flowing over my driver floorboards. I had the Frogg Toggs and a full face helmet on. Got into work, took the helmet off and said "Drowned rat reporting for duty!":roflblack: I do know one thing. When I was driving the cage into work I was not as happy going in. I lived for my days off when I could ride the spyder. Now I am a LOT happier going into work 'cause I'm riding the bike. Rain? - freezing cold? - sleet? - who cares - I'M RYDING MY SPYDER!!!:clap:

:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:.................Pay no attention to the Naysayer's....they are too worried about stuff to enjoy themselves.. Mike :thumbup: