Going for a Spyder Test Ride - Advice from SpyderLovers?

[Smylinacha]

Glad you got a test ryde in! Sounds like you had some fun :thumbup:

This is what I noticed from my first ever Spyder ryde:

Handling:
WOW, this thing is sensitive, responsive, very quick!
The SM is nice, I really do enjoy the feel of the clutch and having that control to pull the lever in to disengage.


Braking:
… you guys are right; it was sensitive also, but very good. It was a 2009 SM5 model, no squeaks in the brakes, just ABS stopping power. A coupe of times I found myself reaching for the front brake; but no front brake lever on the handle bars. I got used to it though, in the matter of 10mins.


Acceleration:
WOW, holy ***** this has A LOAD of power under its' panels! Yes, it does enjoy running at higher RPMs. The salesman said the gearing is slightly changed on the RS for 2010 to give more power and torque where needed. He also mentioned the throttle control was done via a cable, just like most motorcycles. (anyone confirm these things fot the 2010 rs????)

I purposefully jammed on the throttle. I was doing about 10mph and jammed it. For a split second the rear wheel spin and I slipped, but only slightly, as the traction control kicked in, reduced the power to the rear wheel and kept me on course.


Sound:
It even sounds powerful, even with the stock exhaust, which I like. I did notice it was not real loud either, which I like.



I did not experience any steering issues on the demo Spyder. We talked a lot about the steering issues, I asked a lot of questions. The dealer here is pretty small and has not seen any issues with they Spyders, but they did follow through on all of the recalls or service bulletins that came out. However, having rode the Spyder and feeling the ease of use in turning, I think I would be scared if the DPS were to fail. I still have concerns about that. I called and talked with a BRP tech today and inquired about the steering issues. They are the tech guys working for BRP, so mostly they will tell you what 'a customer wants to hear', I would assume. The gentalmen I talked with was very nice and did just that; "the DPS for 2010 are different then the 2008/2009 models and are more advanced with enhancements and fixes already built-in, before 2010 production started". I am not (yet) a spider owner, but he did spend 52minutes on the phone with me, answering my questions. I thought that was good customer service (at least pre-sales service - good job BRP).





THE VERDICT:I'm about 95% on ordering a Spyder RS 2010 !!! ….. just need about 5% of convincing before I'm all GO.

 

[docdoru]

The salesman said the gearing is slightly changed on the RS for 2010 to give more power and torque where needed.

This in news to me, I have to ride the white RS-S...
:congrats: for your test-ride :thumbup:

 

[Smylinacha]

Oh boy - I can see it now - Doc will do a thorough testing I am sure:thumbup:

This in news to me, I have to ride the white RS-S...
:congrats: for your test-ride :thumbup:

 

[Sarge707]

Every time you ride it gets better and better. You will leave for a short 1/2 hour ride and return 2 hours later if your lucky! LOL
I went out today (Was 38 degrees) just to go around the block to run the engine.
I came back 45 Minutes later COLD BUT Happy!!:spyder2:

 

[SpyderWolf]

If you lived closer to me, I could push you the other 5% into signing on the dotted line! hyea:

Glad you were able to get the test ride in.

 

[NancysToy]

If I had to wait until I was 100% convinced, especially for any length of time, I'd still be walking. I'm not sure if any vehicle can leave no shadow of a doubt. Personally, anything over 75% is overwhelming enough for me. Maybe that's why there are 24 motorcycles in the garage now. :roflblack:

You are up against some difficult conditions, based on where you live. With the weather, and your need for the Spyder to be your only vehicle, you have still come 95% of the way toward jumping off the bridge. I'd say that was pretty strong, considering.

I know you are worried about possible failure. That is a consideration with anything made by man. There are no guarantees. If the guys in England in the Sixties could ride Triumphs and Beezers, with Lucas electrics, as their main mode of transportation in that cold, damp climate, you should have more than a fighting chance. There will be trade-offs, times when it is a challenge to ride, and times when you can't ride at all. If you can live with that, I say go with your heart.

 

[ameobe]

If I had to wait until I was 100% convinced, especially for any length of time, I'd still be walking. I'm not sure if any vehicle can leave no shadow of a doubt. Personally, anything over 75% is overwhelming enough for me. Maybe that's why there are 24 motorcycles in the garage now. :roflblack:

You are up against some difficult conditions, based on where you live. With the weather, and your need for the Spyder to be your only vehicle, you have still come 95% of the way toward jumping off the bridge. I'd say that was pretty strong, considering.

I know you are worried about possible failure. That is a consideration with anything made by man. There are no guarantees. If the guys in England in the Sixties could ride Triumphs and Beezers, with Lucas electrics, as their main mode of transportation in that cold, damp climate, you should have more than a fighting chance. There will be trade-offs, times when it is a challenge to ride, and times when you can't ride at all. If you can live with that, I say go with your heart.

:agree: Well stated Scotty

 

[groundeffect]

I HAVE A DEPOSIT DOWN!

I have a deposit down on a 2010 RS spyder - Quantum Blue, SM5



Sorry for all of the questions I've been asking the last 4 weeks - just trying to make an informed decision, is all, I'm sure you understand.

THANK YOU for your help everyone, it has been greatly appreciated, sincerely! Once I get some miles on my Spyder, I hope to be able to contribute to new spyder owners, or potential owners to help return the favor.

Cheers and see you around the forum!

 

[DynamoBT]

Congratulations!!!!

 

[the nicko]

Congratulations :2thumbs:

 

[jgwoods]

I must say I'm kind of surprised. I figured you would bail on it.
There's nothing like them so you have to develop your own take on their overall goodness.
I think they are wonderfully useful with 3 wheels and a trunk, stable and safe in bad conditions, and fast too.

I think you will love it, glad you decided to get on board.

 

[jnt]

welcome to the about-to-be owner status! Spyders on The Rock! How cool is that? hyea:

 

[Sarge707]

I have a deposit down on a 2010 RS spyder - Quantum Blue, SM5



Sorry for all of the questions I've been asking the last 4 weeks - just trying to make an informed decision, is all, I'm sure you understand.

THANK YOU for your help everyone, it has been greatly appreciated, sincerely! Once I get some miles on my Spyder, I hope to be able to contribute to new spyder owners, or potential owners to help return the favor.

Cheers and see you around the forum!

:congrats: I just Goggled Newfoundland climate and it appears your warmest 2 months are Jul, Aug at 15 C or about 58-60 F? And I don,t want to guess what it is today!!
Hope you have Lots of Warm stuff to wear?:spyder2:

 

[groundeffect]

I must say I'm kind of surprised. I figured you would bail on it.
There's nothing like them so you have to develop your own take on their overall goodness.
I think they are wonderfully useful with 3 wheels and a trunk, stable and safe in bad conditions, and fast too.

I think you will love it, glad you decided to get on board.

I appreciate your comments, thanks. I've very much looking forward to getting my Spyder, for the reasons you've described! The truck I think will be invaluable for me; getting groceries, and lugging my things around, commuting and adventure riding on the paved backroads around here, the occational gravel road (yes, I will be be going slow to help avoid slipping and gravel in the belt).

The unique "Y" factor stance provides the stability I'm looking for. I've sold my XT250. The new owner and myself are very happy with the deal we landed on, and he was blown away at the attention to detail I provided him on all of the maintenance logs I've performed on it (photos, recipts, and detailed records of maintenance checks, changes, modifications and observations - I used the XT250 shop manual for my work, just as I plan to do with my Spyder).

So, after just selling my XT250 2008, my garage is empty and I'm certainly looking forward to getting my Spyder in there and going over it with a wash cloth every couple of days haha . The snow is starting to build up here again now, so I was very lucky we had a mild spell, at least enough for me to get my Spyder test ride in! . I'm not sure when delivery will be - waiting on a call back from the dealer on ETA, but I'm hoping for another mild spell soon or a very very early spring .


Once I get some miles on it I will be going into the scheduled maintenance and seeing what I can learn there. It is quite a bit different then my XT250, which was air cooled and everything was quite accessible. The Spyder, for me will be challenging, and I'm very much looking forward to it.


Thank you again.
Cheers.

 

[Neez]

Gosh, you Newfies must be a cautious lot, not like us BC boys! I took one look at a Spyder, threw a leg over it and KA-CHING ! SOLD! Didn't even take a test ride. Hasn't all been a bed of roses, I've had my share of mechanical problems, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. BTW, I love that Quantum Blue, great choice! I guess soon you'll be giving us some answers instead of all those questions, lol. Best of luck with your new ryde.

 

[groundeffect]

welcome to the about-to-be owner status! Spyders on The Rock! How cool is that? hyea:

Haha... yep, that's us, the Rock.


If you know the song "Riders on the storm", you can substitute it for "Spyders on Rock".


Cheers and thanks.

 

[groundeffect]

:congrats: I just Goggled Newfoundland climate and it appears your warmest 2 months are Jul, Aug at 15 C or about 58-60 F? And I don,t want to guess what it is today!!
Hope you have Lots of Warm stuff to wear?:spyder2:

I have a set of Hot Hands - from my XT250 riding days, that I will be wiring into my Spyder.

Yep, our 'summer' is between Jul - Aug. We have reached 25-30C ( I guess about 75-80F), once in a while, but most times it's not that hot, it's just right. Yeah, the winters here (like now) can be a little on the low side, about -5, maybe -10C ( I guess about 20F - 30F ? ). However, as mentioned, I did in fact get a ride in last week among an unusual mild period where rain had washed the salt off the roads. It was quite nice! However, since this past weekend the snow has come again on the East side of the Island where I am, and it's about -3C today, about 28F I guess.

This side of the Island stays fairly mild, either just below or only slightly above freezing point most of the winter.


Yep, I have full on warm and rain proof gear I've been using on my recently sold motorcycle.

Thanks for your note!
Cheers.

 

[groundeffect]

Gosh, you Newfies must be a cautious lot, not like us BC boys! I took one look at a Spyder, threw a leg over it and KA-CHING ! SOLD! Didn't even take a test ride. Hasn't all been a bed of roses, I've had my share of mechanical problems, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. BTW, I love that Quantum Blue, great choice! I guess soon you'll be giving us some answers instead of all those questions, lol. Best of luck with your new ryde.

Thanks for you reply, and with time I can only hope to provide some answers to new comer Spyders owners, to help return the favor of the answers and support I've been provided on this cool forum, thus far.

Haha... the dealer did mention I was the most informed Spyder customer he has every seen.

Well, to your point - I took one look at the Quantum Blue color and I knew it was the color for me.... Sure enough, that one was available, already built at the factory ( they said ). So, I'm only guessing, but I can't see it being months for delivery?


Any thoughts on delivery and how long it usually is? I do hope I can get it in winter so I can spend some time in the garage install my Hot Hands and GPS, etc... and of course getting to know the machine is all about. It is a wel coming challenge.


thank you.

 

[WackyDan]

That will be $5.

Thank-you.

:congrats:

 

[Roaddog2]

:congrats: :2thumbs::2thumbs::doorag: