Thanks for accepting me in the group
I have been a bike rider since the young age of 14. Started off with off-road dirt bikes. Graduated to bigger bikes at age of 16 when I got my first "real" bike, a 1976 Kawasaki KZ400. Since that time, I have owned quite a few more. Gave up riding in 1992 when I got married. Started a family and between that and work life got too busy to maintain the hobby. Recently my daughter graduated college, got a job and became self-sufficient, so I decided to look into getting back on a bike. Bought a used 2005 Suzuki Burgman 650, but a later year came to the realization that the Burgie was too big (heavy) of a bike for me when I started having issues backing out of a bit of a downhill slope parking space due to aging body and weak legs. Yeah, getting old. I know.
Soon thereafter I sought a lighter bike and landed on a 2020 Vespa GTS 300cc scooter. It’s truly a fun, nimble bike and I have been enjoying it since I brought her home. It is half the weight of the Burgie (600 vs 300 lbs) and much easier to maneuver.
I saw my first Can-Am quite a while back (probably early 2010-ish) and I remember it made an impression on me. For the past year I've telling myself that I should get a trike to prolong my riding years as this would also help with some anxiety around the fear of dropping the bike.
I have been looking for trike options since. I considered Burgman with trike kit (no reverse) and other bigger options like a Goldwing or Silverwing trike with reverse capabilities. Then I remembered my long-time fascination with the unique riding platform of a Can-Am bike and decided to find a good deal on a used Can-Am.
I considered the Riker but I really fell in love with the Spyder due to its impressive storage (frunk, saddlebags, and topcase) capacity. and knew that's the bike brand/model for me. After a lot of research, I decided that I wanted a 2014 or newer model. I found a few good deals on FB Marketplace; went through the normal back-and-forth with various sellers till I landed on a great deal. This past Thursday, I drove 6 hours/260 miles round trip to see it. Love at first sight!!! Fantastic shape for a 10-year-old bike. Paid the seller and we went to the BVM to transfer the title on that day. Went back the next day with my wife to pick it up. Rode it back home in the rain through a nice, twisty route (avoiding highway) since this was my very first time riding this kind of bike. Still getting used to the startup/shutdown sequence but I am sure it will become muscle memory in short time.
Two days later (now Sunday) and it's still raining here so no great opportunity to ride and enjoy. Took the opportunity to give her a thorough wash and wax. Also installed a pig-tail connector off the battery for trickle charging as well as setup wiring to keep my iPhone charged while riding. There are more things I want to add/upgrade and those will come with time. I have watched a plethora of YouTube videos. There is a lot to learn about the Spyder, for sure. I already have some questions which I hope I can find answers to here and other sites. I plan on doing much of the maintenance myself. Initially the easy(er) stuff like an oil change at the end of the riding season up here north (~November).
The rains will stop by tomorrow so I am looking forward to taking it out and about and begin my Spyder adventures which I hope will last a long time. First thing on the agenda is my first fill-up. 93 octane, eh? I guess if you want to dance (and indeed I do,) you gotta pay the band. :yes:
Thanks again for the having me as a member of this group. I hope to contribute as much as I learn from others.
Proud to introduce "Athena", the new (to me) 2014 Can-Am Spyder RT SE6.
