From a Goldwing to an Spyder RT Limited ...

[ollicat]

After my trip last year to Alaska and back on my 2012 Wing, I realized I needed to move to three wheels if I wanted to continue riding.
So after sitting on a couple and feeling like the new RT's fit a guy 6'6", I traded my Wing in for a new, fresh out of the box, 2022 Sea to Sky.

It took me some time to get the feel of three wheels and curves, but Coach Bob videos did help.

Being retired, I am getting out and enjoying it... Come July, I plan to ride up to the NW Angle of Minnesota, and from there, look out!

That had to have been an amazing trip. How many weeks were you out?

 

[valtw]

Before I bought my Spyder, my friends on HD trikes would tell me, now you don’t need to lean into the corners anymore. Boy, were they wrong! That was before I started watching Coach Bob’s videos. I might’ve taken his video's a little too far to the extreme. Now, when I get into the curves in the twisties, I drive it more like I’m on the water and riding it like a Sea-Doo. With the GW, I always knew that I’ve taken it as fast as I wanted to when either my highway pegs or my mini floorboards started scraping the asphalt. But now with the Spyder, I’m really getting aggressive and I’m really enjoying it, but I haven’t found that sign yet telling me that you've gone far enough!
I do live up at 5500 feet in the hills and mountains so most of my riding is curvy roads.

 

[BoatFixx]

I miss the right-hand brake lever too ... actually, I'm still searching for it sometimes ... I'm new to all that, but I'm not sure how I like to step on the brake pedal in a hot turn where I have to brace to avoid being ejected LOL ... Yes, I know we shouldn't brake in a turn ... but hey, sometimes you have to!

I installed the ISCI hydraulic hand brake kit on my 23' S2S, and just did a 3100 mile trip, and I am very pleased.

 

[BoatFixx]

The one thing that bothers me about the Spyder is the throttle. Sounds like what I need is a PedalBox but they don’t make it for the 24 yet.

I installed the PedalBox Pro and just did 3100 miles, two-up, & loaded with gear. It makes a dramatic and positive difference.

 

[valtw]

When the PedalBox comes out for the 2024’s, I will be jumping on it immediately.

 

[ricford]

Using unleaded, even 5% ethanol is most likely OK for most Spyders, I had the ECU upgraded and was told to always use Premium. I did always use Premium anyway. I, however, do not like to pay the price difference but performance is worth it. Does the extra for premium really mean that much. You are after all, riding a premium motorcycle.

 

[RapidSpyder]

84 Goldwing, 2017 RTL

 

[wmjweber45]

The Spyder keeps me riding, but I still miss my Goldwing.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

After about a week and 500 miles I can say that I don't miss my Goldwing at all. As you get older and retire, even thinking about falling on the ground, even at low speed is worrying - you don't heal quickly, and ruining your retirement is also to be considered in these cases. This is why the choice of the Spyder, something that I would never have considered in the past.

Today, I greatly appreciate the feeling of security that this Spyder gives my wife and I. No more fear of bad potholes and gravel in the middle of a curve; the comfort on this machine is exceptional; the Goldwing was also good in this aspect, but never at the level of my RT.

The only downside with the RT is the powertrain, the Goldwing was so much smoother on the engine and transmission side, it's like night and day. The Spyder sometimes reminds me of my old Can Am Outlander XT650 by the sound emitted and its roughness, LOL.

In conclusion, I did so well to get rid of my motorcycle and dive into the Spyder adventure. As soon as the break-in is over, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive will probably be our first long trip, a trip that we had just done on our Goldwing... Then Tail of the Dragon, where I think I'll miss my Goldwing.

I wrote my impressions in part to say to the motorcycle guy who is getting older and somewhat more fearful, go for it, you won't regret it!

I had the same experience when I bought my wife a Spyder RT-L. I fell in love with it and decided to combine my DCT GL1800 with another Spyder to keep the GW riding experience without all the stress of road hazards, etc.