Goldwing to Spyder ...

[tampe]

Hello, I'm the new guy here, and I made last fall that what you are thinking now.
I sold my Goldwing out and bought a Spyder, and I like to ride it. I had a fear of driving on wet asphalt Goldwing because here the patched sections are slippery, near-miss situations were already many, but fortunately I do not crashed. I live in Finland, you know the country where polar bears walk on the road and in the winter the sun does not rise .. (joke) Sorry about the poor language.



Spyder driver from Finland

 

[Chupaca]

No regrets..!!

we have no regrets and have to say don't miss it at all. Must also say they are two totally different beasts so you are not really trading you are moving into a different world of ryding...we love it..!!:thumbup:

 

[Woody]

We understood you just fine, tampe. I appreciate hearing from you and enjoy a diverse perspective!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Csaba]

Update

While I have yet to put my butt on a Spyder, but my quest to pick a three wheel ride continues. Considering all my options I stopped over at my local Harley dealer to test drive a factory Trike. Now, I must add that I used to own a Road King and it was one of my favorite bikes so I am not new to Harley Davidson but now I am coming off of a Goldwing.
Steering was very strange as expected, not leaning and no counter steering is different for sure. That will take some getting used to, but the entire feel of the bike reminded me of a riding mower more than a motorcycle built in 2013. The shaking, banging the bumps was not pleasant at all. When I (politely) mentioned this to the dealer, he said "it's new, needs to break in". The Honda dealer just gave me a key and told me to bring it back after 4,000 miles for an oil change, there was no talk of break in period.
I assume the steering will be a little different on the Spyder because of the two wheel in the front, but how much of the bumpiness is because of the 3 wheels and how much is the "Harley" roughness.
I took the option of buying a Harley off my list, but looking for feedback on the feel of the ride between trikes with the two wheels front and back.

As always, thanks for the input.

 

[cbell1]

As far as the ride goes I think you'll find it quite comfortable. No roughness as far as I'm concerned. Your wife may find it a little rougher because she will be over the back wheel. I test rode a couple of GW Trikes and had an experience similar to yours on the Tri-Glide.

 

[boborgera]

I never rode a Gold wing, But i did have a Valkyrie, and a VTX 1800, Those bikes were so smooth they could put you to sleep on the high way. As far as the Spyder [i had one for 3 years traded it for a Tri] it rides much better than a Tri-Glide, That said You can't compare a Tri Glide to any other Trike, Different machines for different missions You have to own one to understand. !!

 

[dave01]

While I have yet to put my butt on a Spyder, but my quest to pick a three wheel ride continues. Considering all my options I stopped over at my local Harley dealer to test drive a factory Trike. Now, I must add that I used to own a Road King and it was one of my favorite bikes so I am not new to Harley Davidson but now I am coming off of a Goldwing.
Steering was very strange as expected, not leaning and no counter steering is different for sure. That will take some getting used to, but the entire feel of the bike reminded me of a riding mower more than a motorcycle built in 2013. The shaking, banging the bumps was not pleasant at all. When I (politely) mentioned this to the dealer, he said "it's new, needs to break in". The Honda dealer just gave me a key and told me to bring it back after 4,000 miles for an oil change, there was no talk of break in period.
I assume the steering will be a little different on the Spyder because of the two wheel in the front, but how much of the bumpiness is because of the 3 wheels and how much is the "Harley" roughness.
I took the option of buying a Harley off my list, but looking for feedback on the feel of the ride between trikes with the two wheels front and back.

As always, thanks for the input.

No where as smooth as the Goldwing, mainly because of the fact that the 2 front wheels take the bumps seperately and you feel them more. That and the tires the Spyders come with do not absorb the bumps well. Its mainly a different feeling on the Spyder. You can change the shocks, swaybar, settings on the shocks, etc to take some of it away though. You will notice, since you came off a Wing, that the Spyder feels like it is vibrating in the grips and pegs. This is only from the higher revs you will be running. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[gnirtsnod]

...I haven't gotten to the point it's a fun ride. I currently have 1200 miles on it so hopefully the fun starts soon. As others have said it is a totally different ride. If you've ridden trikes then you know turning corners sitting up straight is a lot different than leaning a 2 wheeler into the turn. If you can, take a long duration test ride with your wife. It will be a totally different experience for her also.

The first 400 miles for us was questionable. We were not sure if we made the right choice moving over to the Spyder (from an HD Ultra), but we hung in there and now we are at the fun stage. We went out tonight for a 50 mile ride and my wife was like a queen on the throne riding down the highway!

My experience with the test drive was that it merely introduced me to the Spyder and proved to me that I had a lot to learn about the differences. Now, I can't wait to get on it and go.

The deciding factor was keeping my wife riding with me. I wasn't willing for her to give up riding and the Spyder has kept the two of out in the open air together.

Finally, test riding a rear-wheel trike left no doubt about how suited I was for the Spyder.

 

[Csaba]

...The deciding factor was keeping my wife riding with me. ..

Besides the gadget factor, that is my driver as well. "Happy wife, happy life!"

 

[Francois_Carole]

I had both Goldwing and Spyder RT. Good thing about Spyder is My wife could drive.

I had both Goldwing and Spyder RT. Good thing about Spyder is My wife could drive als


I had both Goldwing and Spyder RT. Good thing about Spyder is My wife could drive also.
we just took a trip from WI to Texas (2,500 miles) and she drove about 20 hours with me sit in the back (200+ pounds guy) without any problem. I did enjoy watching without driving.
Make sure you have a good intercom system to talk and listen music.

Call me is you want to share experience. I also have a Spyder RT 2010 for sale (7,800 miles) at very good price. You could then try without spending a lot and then trade for new one later. 262-344-6285 (Frank).

I am the new guy here. Been riding for a long time, my current ride is a late model Honda Goldwing with all the trimmings. For the past 3 years even my wife is willing to come riding with me and to me that is priceless. I enjoy riding with her on the back seat a great deal .. I ride and enjoy the road and she talks and talks and talks. Only stops talking if I lean a little more than she is comfortable with. You get the picture!
I have yet to drop any bikes, but at 53 my body is not the same as it used to be and the Goldwing is a heavy beast. My fear is that I drop the bike and my wife will never get behind me ever again. So, I am thinking of a Spyder RT SE5 trade.
I am sure I am not the first person thinking/doing this, so my question is: What is that transition like?
Thanks for helping out the wannabe sypderlover

Csaba

 

[MRH]

I had both Goldwing and Spyder RT. Good thing about Spyder is My wife could drive als


I had both Goldwing and Spyder RT. Good thing about Spyder is My wife could drive also.
we just took a trip from WI to Texas (2,500 miles) and she drove about 20 hours with me sit in the back (200+ pounds guy) without any problem. I did enjoy watching without driving.
Make sure you have a good intercom system to talk and listen music.

Call me is you want to share experience. I also have a Spyder RT 2010 for sale (7,800 miles) at very good price. You could then try without spending a lot and then trade for new one later. 262-344-6285 (Frank).

Welcome to the forum, Francios, I see this is your first post.

Unfortunately, this thread is from 2013 and I imagine that they OP has already made his decision. There is a great tap on the top that is my go-to for this site called "What's New?".

It took me a while to figure out why one of the posters was talking as if the new RT's didn't have the larger engine, until I noticed the dates, and I've been here for several years.

 

[StanProff]

Besides the gadget factor, that is my driver as well. "Happy wife, happy life!"

You mentioned in your first post at being interested in a 2012 Spyder RT. I haven't seen anyone mention the difference is the 2014-2015's with the inline triple motor and 6 speed as opposed to the V twin High RPM 5 speed. I have owned both and can say without reservation of the benefits of the 3 cyl and extra gear. Don't get me wrong, the RT V twin I had was a great ride! Loved it. The wife and I road across country on it and enjoyed every minute of it. Three years later I traded up to a '14 RT. The extra H.P. (115) and toque with the inline 3 is great! This motor has a strong pull from 35 mph or so in 5th gear. A much different ride than the V Twin that was very happy in the upper rpm range. You also mentioned having or spending 27,000 and I feel sure there are some new '14's still in show rooms that can be bought for that amount. If you have the money go for the later model (14 or 15) if not find a good used 2012 and enjoy it.

Stan

 

[MRH]

Again, this question was posed two and a half years ago.