Going from Goldwing to Spyder

[Jim&Teresa]

Enjoy your Spyder....

Like others have stated, it takes awhile to get the "character" of a Spyder....it's an awesome bike and we have almost 50,000 miles on our 2014 RT Limited. We also have had many two wheelers and currently own a 2015 40th Anniversary Gold Wing....

I think BOTH of these bikes are AWESOME touring machines. When I ride the Spyder, my worries are less due to the no tipping over, ease of riding in stop & go traffic, etc. We will continue to buy Spyders as time goes on, however, as I'm getting up there (in my 60's), this will be my last Gold Wing.

Enjoy your Spyder, read the references stated by others (such as Do's and Don'ts), take your time to understand this fine machine. It will take a few months of riding before you fully appreciate the Spyder...a big change from the wing....when I first bought our first Spyder RT (2012), I kept reaching for the front brake on the handlebar :yikes:....takes some time for the learning curve.

Safe travels.....

 

[Mazo EMS2]

We had a Honda ST1300. I of course loved it being a strong, fun 2 wheeler...however, my wife never felt "safe" on it, there fore we rarely rode together. No, it's a whole new ball game. Stability and confidence, less stress...etc....I gained a happier wife who loves to ride now. I think you'll find that you ride the Spyder for more every-day type of errands or short trips, just because of the benefits that folks have listed. A happy passenger sure does help:yes:

 

[Warlock]

I just went from a Goldwing 2 years ago to a GS Spyder and back to the Goldwing. Loved the Spyder but rode it till I healed completely up. Just went back to a Goldwing. Nothing wrong with a Spyder but I missed 2 wheels. Just got back from one of my local routes I run for therapy. About a 135 miles round trip with some nice curves and all back roads. Did this same route several times on my Spyder and didn't realize how much work it is to handle the Spyder vs the Goldwing. I'm not tired at all. Now the GS doesn't give the same ride as the RT does. I ride pretty aggressive all the time. On straight up riding the RT rides as good as the Goldwing. But in curves you will work more handling the RT where it is less on the Goldwing. Both has good and bad points and you will have to weight them out and see if it fits you. Like someone else had stated don't get rid of the Wing just yet. I will one day be back on 3 wheels and after riding the Spyder and the conventional trike the 2 wheels up front is way ahead of the other. My plans are to one day to put the reverse trike kit on my Goldwing.
David

 

[kevin_from_ny]

Gooday,
I'm thinking of going from a 2007 Goldwing 1800 to a Spyder 2017. What will I gain/lose on the change over. How is the spyder in tight turns, highway passing at higher speeds?? And anything else you can enlighten me on.
Thanks,
Gary

Im also going from a Goldwing....but im going to keep the wing..

 

[honda]

Wing to Spyder a success

I too bought a Spyder after a Goldwing . It takes miles to get used to it but its worth it. The first few miles are different but will fun and less stress . Good luck

 

[SpyderConvert]

Take a look at this......

 

[Mr. White]

I triked my '02 Wing in '05. Bought my first Spyder in '11. As several have said it takes a while to get used to the Spyder. Hey, they are different rides. I kept my Wing and ride it, but not as much as my Spyder. I love both of them.

:spyder2:

 

[Peteoz]

The handling on the wing is effortless compared to the tricycle and if you have any upper back or neck issues you will find the Spyder challenging

Ray, that’s a rather sweeping claim. I, for one, have upper back and neck issues and do not find the Spyder challenging. In fact, my neck and shoulders feel much better after a day on the Spyder than they ever did on the Victory Vision. It could well have been seating and bar positioning that caused your Spyder issues, not the handling.

Pete

 

[Pallidus Aranea]

After just over three months and 6000 miles on my 2018 RTL, I will honestly say that I still have some 'confused signals" about it.

First - I am just thankful to be riding again. I do like riding the Spyder and maybe more importantly, so does my wife. She was never comfortable on my old bike (understandable - the VROD is truly a 'one-up machine"). For me the adjustment to riding styles is complete. I comfortable in every riding situation that I have encountered - from twisty mountains to high speed interstate cruising - from avoiding the idiots with cell phones to avoiding debris falling off of a truck. Once I became accustomed to the different style of riding - it has been great. I have always been someone that has been "performance" and "quality" driven. I like the performance - I can still rip around corners - still go fast - just differently. Quality - so far so good (as I knock on the wooden desk). Fit and finish seem to be good.
My negative is a personal one - as stated above - if you have neck and upper back issues - Beware that they will be worse. My neck / head were more comfortable riding like a folded taco (forward controls) on the VROD than the posture and riding style the Spyder forces. It isn't buffeting - just different riding.

I would still give the Spyder an 8 of 10. It will take time to get the last stars for maintenance and durability.