My perspective:
I had a full dress Harley....could sit on it longer than I could sit in my lazyboy. Since I only travel 6 to 8 times a year (extended camping or hotel travel), it was too bulky for everyday riding.
I had a Goldwing....It was the ultimate in long distance interstate travel. Much too expensive for the advantages over the Dresser, but it was equally or more comfortable than the dresser. Did not like it's mountain road handling any more than I disliked the dresser.
I had a softail....added thousands in extras for light weight around town travel and extended travel. Custom seat, pegs, handlebars, trailer hitch, etc. Never reached the level of comfort needed for extended travel.
None of the above are made to travel safely in the rain.
Also, none of the above were interesting, exciting, or unique.
I'll have over $23K invested in my Spyder by the time I'm done. I make stuff I can't afford, and I don't get crap for free, so it'll take time. When I'm done, I'll have a lightweight city scoot that'll handle every situation in or out of town. It's the only ALL-WEATHER motorcycle class vehicle in it's price range. Without much effort, you can switch it from "run to the store" to "3 days at a bike rally". It's the only futuristic production vehicle I know of that takes the "old school" imagination required to make it your own. If you don't like tinkering you'll need to wait until major aftermarket companies start pumping out generic add-ons.
I had thoughts of a nice touring class BMW, but hips, knees, and lower back issues that bothered me on all my other bikes would be present with any two wheeled bike on the market.
It absolutely brought "fun" back into riding that was missing for years.
On a side note. Been going to bike rallies for years, and I have more pictures of naked ladies posing on my 3 month old Spyder, than all the Harley's I've owned in the last 18 years. That may add to the "Y" factor, don't know. :dontknow:
