Going to wait for the next generation Spyder

[Chodarider]

Hi All,

I have been hooing and humming about my obsession with the Spyder all year. The dealer that I was considering buying one from (Snow City) had demo days recently so I got to drive one for the first time. I will be honest here; It is the most fun I have had on 2 or 3 wheels in years, it is very quirky, my demo ride had a weird experience where it counter corrected my steering at low speeds, I got to speak to 2 Spyder owners that get their maintenance done at Snow City.

The verdict:

While I really would like to get the 2012 RSS in Green my better judgement has told me to wait to see if competition comes in or a better dealer network is set up in our area before I am $20K+ deep into this. Snow City is rated much higher than the other dealers that are 100's of km's further and I heard from one really unhappy owner and one that was merely satified with the level of service.

So to scratch my itch I decided on just getting a 4 wheeled toy that I know very well the issues that are asscociated with it (worse than the Spyder)but a safer bet for the short term. I sold my Vespa and added in less than $1,000 for the following:

I pick up a 1978 Triumph Spitfire next week. Never seen a drop of rain or winter, one owner (91 yrs old), all original with a rebuilt engine and frame off paint job. There is no rust on the body or frame and she drives like a typical little British Sports car.

When the next gen of Spyder is released ... I will be watching closely!

Till then ... Cheers!

 

[ulflyer]

Whoee, that is one nice little car. Yeah, the old Brit sportsters did have thier own set of quirks, mostly electrics, but compared to the Spyders those things are childs play to diagnose and deal with yourself.
If it has dual carbs like my MB Midget had, you'll need to learn to sync them, which you can do with a stethoscope to listen to sounds of each....or buy a cheap guage that makes it even easier. Not likely to have any probs with the motor if the rebuild was done right.

 

[NancysToy]

It sounds like the demo you rode needed a steering sensor calibration. Countersteering is not normal. It does take a couple of demo rides, or some time in the seat for the Spyder to feel "natural", BTW. It is different from most vehicles we have encountered. At any rate, enjoy the Spitfire. As was said, lots of quirks, just not electronic ones.

 

[daveinva]

Alright, this stings real bad. You know the Spyder's got a bad reputation when someone willingly chooses a British classic car over the Spyder! :roflblack:

Good luck with the Triumph (she's a beaut), and hope to see you at the next-gen!

 

[ThreeWheels]

I can appreciate the fact that the OP is disappointed with the Spyder and has chosen not to buy one.
But with only two posts on the forum one of them is to tell us he's not joining the club?

What's the point?

Just my opinion, I know I could be wrong.

 

[Chodarider]

Spyder is still in my blood ... just not comfortable to pull the trigger yet.

ulflyer: Thanks pal! The Bonet on this car is the most amazing thing I have ever seen ... you can literally bend over and remove the oil plug beneath the engine. Single carb! Do you know if there is a way to tell if they used hardened valve seats?

NancysToy: Firstly, I wanted to thank you for being the most supportive and encouraging member to me when I first reached out on this site. After reading many, many posts here I am always amazed at how you have a very personable way of helping anybody in search of answers or advice. Indeed there was something wrong with the demo I had but it happened towards the end and I did get to drive another unit shortly after. I also know that it takes many hundreds on km's to get comfortable with the unique ride which a demo will never give you.

daveinva: Spyder byte?? lol I'm envious of all of you who are enjoying care free driving on your spiders. If money wasn't an issue I'd buy one and get a second one as soon as the first one went to the shop ... that's just not the case for me. My new toy is a fraction of the cost of even a decent used Spyder and I can take my girl and dog around to share the enjoyement.

ThreeWheels: I'm still a Spyder lover, just not an owner. Be assured that I will keep my Spike Witwicky transformer in the new car to always remind me of how bad I have obssessed over one. Obviously I haven't posted 642 posts like you ... I don't own a Can-Am. I am a member who enjoys reading this forum. Now if you think I have no right to have posted my thoughts, or your reply was to get support from others to have me banned cause you think I am a troll then that's a different story. Sorry if this post have bothered you but I would like to stay a member and check in.

 

[mxz600]

ThreeWheels: I'm still a Spyder lover, just not an owner. Be assured that I will keep my Spike Witwicky transformer in the new car to always remind me of how bad I have obssessed over one. Obviously I haven't posted 642 posts like you ... I don't own a Can-Am. I am a member who enjoys reading this forum. Now if you think I have no right to have posted my thoughts, or your reply was to get support from others to have me banned cause you think I am a troll then that's a different story. Sorry if this post have bothered you but I would like to stay a member and check in.

You are welcome to stay IMO.

Enjoy your 4 wheeler, I know that someday you will be on three.

 

[Bob Denman]

Alright, this stings real bad. You know the Spyder's got a bad reputation when someone willingly chooses a British classic car over the Spyder! :roflblack:

:shocked: he's right you know... When you consider that those cars featured lighting by the "Prince of Darkness" (Lucas); and it's picked over a Spyder???:roflblack:
It's also why the British like their beer warm; Lucas made refrigerators too!

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: We do get our share of trolls--but you don't come across that way. I have owned 3 :spyder2:'s, 2008, 2009, and 2010. I have been through the growing pains with the new and innovative technology--just like every other :spyder2: owner.

I bought mine mostly for the uniquness of the ride and the fact that I don't have to fight the weight of the machine with my bad back & such.

I too, am now waiting for the "2nd generation" before making any additional purchases--hope they don't take to long though.

 

[Bob Denman]

The next generation...

 

[Lone Spyder Ryder]

I can appreciate the fact that the OP is disappointed with the Spyder and has chosen not to buy one.
But with only two posts on the forum one of them is to tell us he's not joining the club?

What's the point?

Just my opinion, I know I could be wrong.

Just read what was said. that was the point.

 

[3whlLefty]

Great looking Spitfire!! Those old British cars aren't very fast but they do make all the right sounds so you think you're going fast. :roflblack:

Also very easy to work on. Enjoy it!! Don't worry about being here and not being an owner. I followed the posting for a long time before I finally bought my :spyder2:. Now that the desert heat is letting up I plan to be out lots.

As for the next generation, I'd like to see a nice smooth 4-cyl engine like the Honda CBR1000. I doubt any one here will agree with me on that but those 4's are really sweet IMHO.

 

[Bob Denman]

How about a long-stroke, MUCH larger, low revving V-Twin hooked up to a full automatic tranny? The engine configuration wouldn't require a major chassis re-think; but the tranny??? :dontknow:
Oh! More fuel capacity for better range! :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

How about a long-stroke, MUCH larger, low revving V-Twin hooked up to a full automatic tranny? The engine configuration wouldn't require a major chassis re-think; but the tranny??? :dontknow:
Oh! More fuel capacity for better range! :thumbup:

Au contraire. A longer stroke engine is most certainly going to be taller. The valve covers are almost crammed against the frame as it is.

 

[ARtraveler]

Round Two ?------------:roflblack:

 

[wyliec]

Chodarider

I had a new 1976 spitfire (white). I kept it for less than a year and then got rid of it. I'm trying to remember why. The u-joints come to mind; but, they weren't on the drive shaft. Are there u-joints at the end of each of the axles?

Welcome aboard.

 

[Bob Denman]

I thought I covered my butt with the proviso that I didn't think that it'd require a major chassis re-think... pps: Drop the bottom of it a bit since there's fair to good clearance under the beast... and leaning isn't an issue! :thumbup:

 

[daveinva]

Enjoy your 4 wheeler, I know that someday you will be on three.

Especially driving a British car! :roflblack:

 

[ThreeWheels]

ThreeWheels: I'm still a Spyder lover, just not an owner. Be assured that I will keep my Spike Witwicky transformer in the new car to always remind me of how bad I have obssessed over one. Obviously I haven't posted 642 posts like you ... I don't own a Can-Am. I am a member who enjoys reading this forum. Now if you think I have no right to have posted my thoughts, or your reply was to get support from others to have me banned cause you think I am a troll then that's a different story. Sorry if this post have bothered you but I would like to stay a member and check in.

Let's put an end to this before it get's caught up in a silly flame war.

You're more than welcome to join. And you are more than welcome to share your thoughts.
I have no desire to ban you, much less the ability. All opinions are welcome, and in fact, differing opinions are even MORE important. Nothing was ever improved by a bunch of yes men.

From your third post you are clearly not a troll, but one could hardly glean that from your original post.

Should we ever meet, I'll be happy to buy you a drink. Anybody who buys a Triumph is aces.

 

[Chodarider]

What a great Forum ... Loving the openess to an improved Spyder

mxz600: You are a gentleman ... and perhaps can see into the future ... What stocks should I buy?

Bob Denman: Yes Bob ... Halogen headlights will be on my top list of upgrades. As for warm beer ... I had to drink a boiling stout during Rugby initiation at University (among 15 or so luke warm beer out of boots and plungers and Wild Turkey out of a condom) ... Put the damn brews on ice. I also think that a twist and go would be the ideal tranny along with a better range


akspyderman: I guess you could say that I may be a very, very, very late adopter of technology. If Can-Am trained me how to fix the Spyder, set me up with BUDS and tools at home I would be all over it. I have a messed up ankle but decided that 2 wheels didn't do it for me any longer. I have dreamed many times that I was riding on a Spyder ... but it wasn't a green RSS ... it was a matt black RT and my girlfriend was hanging on behind me ...
See you on the next gen.

Lone Spyder Ryder : Thanks bro for hearing me!

3whlLefty: Thanks! So true ... a very unpretentious car. I imagine that Can-Am would listen to the users and anti-up on a lager engine ... they just have to much history with the Rotax.

NancysToy: Think outside the box here ... Can-Am needs a totally fresh design to accommodate all of the features that everyone here would love to see. I believe they can do it! If not, I know the competition will eventually bring one to life.

wyliec: The U-Joints are on the end of the axles and are a known problem on most Triumphs .. causing horrible noises. If the car isn't rusted underneath, it's not that bad a job replacing them ... just take of the wheel, all brake parts remove the nuts holding the axle to the trailing arm housing through the large holes in the rear hub, unbolt the inner end from the diff side axles and there it is ... a X shaped troubled part to replace. Did your car have the overdrive? Thanks for the welcome!

daveinva: HA! ... I can picture a rear wheel rolling off ... But not while I am driving it. I have no intention to give up my dream of owning a Spyder, I am just betting my time on waiting for a more refined machine to be launched.


ThreeWheels: Peace my friend! But I am not a Brit ... I am Canadian and love my Beer ice cold.