Goldwing to Spyder ...

[Csaba]

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

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: A lot of people have been in your place. The Gold Wing is one nice machine. The problem for me and bikes of that size have been issues with my back and hips. Hefting the weight of the GW around can be difficult, especially with a passenger on the back. I have also not dropped a big bike--but have had fears of doing so.

That said, your consideration of a :spyder2: in order to keep riding is a good one. The RT has all the ameneties of the GW with one exception. The engine is only 990 cc but is sufficient for going as fast two up as you would care to to. The Rotax is also a high-rev engine, so you will encounter more noise than you are used to. You have three wheels, so don't have to worry about dropping the :ani29:. You also have a choice of a semi-auto transmission. Suggest a test drive to see how you like it.

The problem you will encounter is that the spouse may like the :spyder2: so much that you will have to get her one to ride for her own.

Let us know what you decide. :thumbup:

 

[Hovdestar]

Gold Wing to Spyder.

I did what you're thinking about doing, and I'm 59 years old. And I agree totally with what akspyderman wrote. I rode nothing but Honda for 30 years, but sold the Wing last summer, and bought a Spyder RT-S. The first time I came to a stop, for a nano second, I thought about foot down, pull in clutch, snick into first gear, and hand brake. Again, for a nano second. Then it was like, hey, don't have to do any of that anymore! I've got the SE5 transmission.

And the Spyder is NOT a bike. It's handling is just plain different. Also, if you do get a Spyder, be prepared for lots of questions. Before I got into a store a couple of days ago, I had three people approach me about the Spyder, so it generates a LOT of interest. Happy riding! <M>

 

[acinpcola]

Ah Spyder Ownership = *Rock Star Life* :doorag::thumbup:

I am also a convert from Goldwing to Spyder RT S SE-5

Be Safe

AC:spyder2:

 

[jerpinoy]

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

:welcome: :agree:I cannot agree more to other:spyder2wners. Happy riding, Ride safe. KIT.

 

[harrypottar]

Last year I went from a 2006 fully loaded Goldwing to a 2012 RT Limited and I have enjoyed the transition. There is a huge difference and a learning curve to go with it, but I would never go back. The handling of the spyder is different to any two wheel bike, if you have ever ridden an ATV it very similar in handling. The goldwing as a silky smooth high torque engine and you can puddle around in 4th gear all day long. The Spyder likes to be run at a lot higher RPM shifting above 4.500 - 5000 rpm this was the hardiest for me to get used too. The spyder for me is a better ride and more comfortable and a lot more fun to tour on.

I could write pages and pages of differences but it boils down to your own taste, see if you can get an extended test ride or see if you can rent one around your area. Myself I had very little issues with my spyder and have not regretted my choice, in the end its not like marriage you can always trade a couple of years later.

harry

 

[Pennyrick]

You will find a great number of :spyder2:riders who come from exactly the same place as you.

Spend some time reading posts on this site about do's and don'ts. Two major items are unlearning the two wheel operation, (that will take a while) and the second is getting used to the lack of bottom end torque you have on the Wing.

You can't successfully pull the :spyder2:from 20-30 mph at low RPM in any gear but first and for Wingers that will take some getting used to. Once you get used to the torque and horsepower bands into the five and six thousand RPM range, the :spyder2:is much more fun to drive than the Wing but you will need to get used to the engine noise.

Do it... you will love it!

 

[Buttsy]

For the past 3 years even my wife is willing to come riding with me and to me that is priceless.

I agree this is where I have enjoyed the Spyder so much, no wife no Spyder for me.

Now of course you are on a Spyder site but perhaps some time on a GW site to find the people that have switched and or gone back may be a good idea? Whatever you do make sure the wife is 100% behind the move, you could trike the GW........there are lots of conventional trike folks that love them. Take your time and make sure, it is a boat load of money either way. Research, research and research again! Good Luck with your decision.

PS: YOU HAVE TO TEST DRIVE ONE..........as someone said it is not a bike.

 

[cbell1]

I too am a former GL1800 rider. I really like my 2013 Black Current Limited. It is really a beautiful machine. However, 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.

 

[Mr. White]

I triked my '02 Wing in '05 due to bad knee...I was 73 and bought Big Red 1 when I was 78. I really like both and it would be a hard choice to pick one. However, triking your Wing is a great option. They are different rides. It is a personal choice....good luck.

:spyder2:

 

[dave01]

I went the other way, from a Goldwing to the Spyder, and then back to a Goldwing. Its a matter of personal choice, but the RT is good to tour on. You will be visiting the gas station more but we all need a break once in a while. Other than safety stuff, its a whole different ride and takes some getting used to. The Spyder just was not for me. Now, a 3 wheeled Goldwing with 2 in front......HMMMMM

 

[soaring hawk]

Just do it!

We went from a goldwing to a rt-s se5 the first 600 miles were a learning curve but after that

we never looked back.. The spyder is a more relaxing ride and my wife can drive also.

it's not a goldwing, but sure is a blast. So JUST DO IT!!!:spyder2:


Gary and Gwen

 

[Coyne Spyder]

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

We traded a Goldwing for a Spyder RT Ltd. and after several thousand miles of adjusting really enjoy the Spyder! We toured all over the western US and into Canada and loved the Goldwing but after 73 birthdays, touring with a fully loaded Goldwing and two up became a concern for both me and my wife. We both miss the leaning into the curve of a 2 wheeler but have made the adjustment and neither of us want to go back. We both feel the Spyder has equal or better comfort and wind protection. The big difference for us was the high revving engine, the additional noise associated with high rpm's and not leaning into the curves. Once the adjustment is made neither of us want to go back.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

:welcome: as you can see you are not alone in making (or thinking about) the switch to 3 wheels. I think you are wise in being proactive.

 

[Csaba]

Thanks

Thanks for all the great feedback. So besides the obvious different riding style three are plenty of other things I'll need to get used to. I looked at the Goldwing trikes but at $40,000 it is a bit steep for me with kids in collage. That is why I thought of the Spyder even the RT Limited is around $27,000. I found a dealer not too far from me who sells both Honda's and Spyders with a rental program. Hopefully they can provide some additional information between the two bikes. I believe a weekend rental is coming in the near future and promise to report on our experience.

 

[azjerry]

I have both. Kept my wing and bought a ST-S for the wife, but I've put a few miles on it also. I'm 65 this year and still fine on 2 wheels but really didn't like riding two up. the wife has wanted to learn to ride but having never ridden a bicycle, she couldn't take the MSF course. Finally it is offered on a 3 wheeler, she took the course and we bought a Spyder. I'm happy with both. I've never ridden a traditional trike so I can't compare but I would be perfectly happy taking the Spyder on a trip.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Another view point

I got my Spyder RT Limited 2011 at 71 and have not looked back or for another GW since I sold my 1988 1500 in 1996.

like others have so stated it is not a GW and it does not ride like one. The one biggest problem you will have to get used to is the flat cornering . Because you now (both you an your passenger) will have tore-learn how to compensate for centrifical forces trying to pitch you off the bike. It took me about an hour to master it. My riding buddy (wife) still insists on sitting bolted to the center line like a good two wheel passenger should. Which translates to hanging on with two hands, knees and butt.

Once you master the conversion from two to three wheels you will have a good time.

Another couple of points the others skipped over is the dreaded soft asphalt disappearing kickstand syndrome. Remember how when it was hot, wet, or soft ground your kick stand would mysteriously disappear putting your GW on its crash guards. That you can forget as a Spyder does not come with one.

You can also forget about looking for rope, sandy, debris on the pavement, or oil slick places to NOT STOP IN at traffic lights. You can forget about how long it will take you to backup into a parking space because you have a true reverse gear and not a electric driven super slow back up like your GW does. No more missed shifts or forgetting to put it in first gear at a red light either.

But you will have to learn how to keep the gas tank full. But your butt won't be screaming let me off this thing when you decide to ride from full to empty. The fuel capacity is less, the mileage is less and the weight is higher by a few pounds.

Another point that the others missed is the startup drill. Your GW probably was easier to crank up, insert key, push starter button engine starts! The Spyder drill is insert key, turn on, wait for mission control approval (computer to boot and verify all is AOK), press Mode button, press start button, release parking brake, press shifter and tweak throttle to go. All that can be done while you put your helmet and gloves on. It takes seconds but if a train is bearing down on you it seems forever. LOL

Onelast thing. It will take you longer to check your tire pressure. You have one extra tire!

Hope this fills in some of your blank spots! We would all like to see your on a Spyder:yes:sooner then later

 

[jthornton]

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

I have a 2009 GL1800 and a 2012 RT-S SE5 and they are very different. Make sure you and your wife ride the RT before purchasing it.

I'm 59 and not the least bit worried about dropping my GL1800 as it is designed not to get hurt if you fall over. That being said the DJFire slow speed driving thread on the GL1800 forum is very informative and has made my slow speed driving much more relaxed and fun.

The major differences between the two are torque, MPG, and handling and if you get the SE5 (I love my SE5) the lack of levers on the handlebars.

John

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome: If you've got a dealer that'll allow you to take one out as a rental; :2thumbs: Just remember that it'll take a couple of hundred miles to really start getting the feel of the Spyder's handling characteristics. Do you have any ATV or snowmobile experience? those seem to be the most similar to the Spyder...

 

[Csaba]

First impresions ...

So, it begins ...
Weather was nice yesterday and the "transformer" (my kids call my Goldwimg) out of the garage so I put the Syder dealer's coordinates into the GPS and went up to Emmaus to see a Spyder in person. Found some nice roads along the way and a good diner ... one can never have too many of those in the GPS.
They had one Spyder on the floor with all the cover off showing all the engineering that went into this thing. I will never see those parts again since I can't change a light bulb without running into issues.
The Spyder looks very well thought out, every detail is spot on. It screams "add some more gizmos". It is obvious that BRP made this thing to be very configurable. Riding position is very much the same as the wing. My first Goldwing was a discounted left-over yellow but it has grown on my over the years and I really like that color. The Spyder RT-S yellow is much nicer almost gold looking ... very nice.
The dealer didn't have their demo/rental fleet set up yet, so I could not take one out yet but first impressions were very positive both on the bike and the dealer.

So, the journey continues ...