I'm about to buy my first Spyder -- am I doing the right thing...?

[UNCLEDAVE]

Tomorrow morning (7/17/13) I'm buying a new 2013 RTS SE5 Spyder (my first Spyder). I honestly have trepidations (knots in my gut) about spending $26,000 US dollars considering all the issues that I'm seeing in this web site. Specifically: Clutch, overheating, steering components, limp mode, etc.

Last week I test drove a new 2013 RT-Limited for 7-miles on the X-Way (70 mph limit) & 7-miles on 2-lane (55 mph limit). I liked the machine except for the wandering (sloppy) steering. I'm hoping that I can overcome the loose steering over time with a relaxed grip on the handlebars. Or, spend $200-300 for some anti-sway bar.

Bottom line, help me out folks:

• Should I buy the sway bar immediately after purchase or wait & see if my new machine will possibly steer OK?
• Who makes the best anti-sway bar for the money?
• Other than safety, what's the #1 item to be aware of when driving a Spyder?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm looking forward to reading your advice this evening!

Uncle Dave in Michigan

0-Spyders
2-Goldwings motorcycles
1-Harley Roadking Police motorcycle
Several small Honda & Suzuki motorcycles
​

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
First things first; get the bike and log some miles on it before you've spent the utilities budget on accessories...
Yes, it'll take a couple of hundred miles to start gaining the confidence that you'll want... That's part of this game, and there aren't any shortcuts to it.
So keep the wheels spinnin', and you a-grinnin'! :2thumbs:

 

[03hdjill]

New Spyder

Tomorrow morning (7/17/13) I'm buying a new 2013 RTS SE5 Spyder (my first Spyder). I honestly have trepidations (knots in my gut) about spending $26,000 US dollars considering all the issues that I'm seeing in this web site. Specifically: Clutch, overheating, steering components, limp mode, etc.

Last week I test drove a new 2013 RT-Limited for 7-miles on the X-Way (70 mph limit) & 7-miles on 2-lane (55 mph limit). I liked the machine except for the wandering (sloppy) steering. I'm hoping that I can overcome the loose steering over time with a relaxed grip on the handlebars. Or, spend $200-300 for some anti-sway bar.

Bottom line, help me out folks:

• Should I buy the sway bar immediately after purchase or wait & see if my new machine will possibly steer OK?
• Who makes the best anti-sway bar for the money?
• Other than safety, what's the #1 item to be aware of when driving a Spyder?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm looking forward to reading your advice this evening!

Uncle Dave in Michigan

0-Spyders
2-Goldwings motorcycles
1-Harley Roadking Police motorcycle
Several small Honda & Suzuki motorcycles
​

I think you should go for it.... I just bought my ST Limited the end of May. Have not looked back. I must admit that I worried that I might have problems....never did with my Harley. I have been pleased with my ST and enjoy riding it so much that the Harley has been sitting in the garage. Good luck with your decision. Jill

 

[pwm]

I basically had the same worries as I just purchased my first Spyder in May. Relaxing my grip, keeping the RPM's up, and reading this forum made a world of difference.

I do not have the major heat issues that I have read about although I have not had a long ride as of yet either. The handling came with the relaxing of the grip as well. I will probably put BajaRon's sway bar on at some point but not in the near future. I did put bump skids on and floor boards (mine is a 2012) on for critters and comfort.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

MAYBE SPYDER OWNER

I'm an x-winger also. you must think of the Spyder as a car not a Mtc.....REALLY....and a light touch with the steering will make to twitchyness all but dis-appear.....The Spyder is very responsive to steering input. You do not have to move the handlebars much to change lanes etc. and remember it has POWER steering....As far as a Sway bar goes Talk to Bajaron , He is a sponsor here and has the best one made at avery good price ..go to the HOME page and scroll down ill you find his AD.....But I would wait till you have 1000 miles before changing anything......right now the His Sway Bar won't alter what is going on with the steering issue you are dealing with.............As far as reliabilty goes ...it's a cr*p shoot.....some are totally clitch free, and you don't hear much on Spyderlover's about those.....Here you hear about the problems ...so it seems magnified.....It's very helpful if you are HANDY and know your way around a WRENCH...But not necessary.....if you are BRAVE enough to ask questions and follow What Scotty tells you ( aka NANCYS TOY ).....Hope this helps , Good Luck.. Mike :thumbup:.....PS..As stated above with an SE you must keep the RPM'S above 3800 to keep the clutch plates FULLY ENGAGED...you will get used to doing it. I know this will seem odd being from Gold wing land, But the Spyder motor is a HIGH REV MOTOR as opposed to the Wing.:agree: ,,,,PPS..I reccomend you get a leftover 2012 RT .....the 2013's have some issues that have not been worked out yet.....You can find info on this site about it but you will have to do a lot of looking around.....I'm just trying to HELP make your first Spyder the best one for YOU......Mike

 

[2ndChildhood]

Where in Michigan at you at? I am from the Fenton area. My 2012 RTL is 13 Months old and have almost 14,000 miles with no problems. The Bajaron sway bar is the best $200.00 that I spent on the Spyder.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?23928-New-sponsor-here-for-Filters-amp-Helmets

Life is Great - Be Safe
ToM

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[CyncySpyder]

Teddy & I would like to say Congrats on the New Ryde & Welcome to the SpyderHood~Dave

1st things first
:congrats: & :welcome:

:firstplace:You've come to the best place on the www for anything and everything Spyder related :firstplace:

The following thread was made for new to the Spyder ryders, cause many that switch from a 2 wheeler to a Spyder
try to ryde the Spyder like its their old two wheeler,
ITS NOTHING LIKE IT.
You'll have a learning curve with the Spyder and this thread goes over many of the mistakes & tips most of us (myself included) have made trying to learn the best way to go about finding that sweet spot that we all seek,
:clap:the enjoyment and fun that this machine is made for :clap:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners


:thumbup::yes:Good luck and Enjoy the Ryde :yes::thumbup:



​

 

[ABQAndy]

Go for it!! I have a 2012 RT and have put 8,000 trouble free miles on it so far :2thumbs: I look forward to every day that I can ride.

 

[BajaRon]

It is important to know if the Spyder is 'Wandering' because of the operator or because of something that needs to be corrected in the Spyder. Most likely it's you, but maybe not.

I would hope that the demo Spyder would be handling correctly.

 

[Frank G]

Knot to worry, this should be the best toy you have ever purchased. :yes::yes: Good advice from the previous contributors.

First of all I (we) are on our second spyder, they take about 1000 miles to break-in and settle down. This includes the steering. the steering and suspension components need to loosen up a bit. The heat issues are from the south and south west, when the temps go above 90 they generate a lot of heat. This last weekend we rode with a group from central Ohio to central Pennsylvania, about 850 miles, at least 4 2013's in the group, no issues, no complaints, no heat modifications.

Love riding in northern Michigan, we have a place outside of Gaylord. ENJOY.

 

[Saluda]

Go for it !

Some of the '13 s had ball joint issues from day 1. Don't know about yours. I went for a '13, no problems and no regrets. Best of luck.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

YES! and :welcome:

 

[ARCTIC]

Can-am is offering a $2,000 rebate on 12's

 

[shelbydave]

It is important to know if the Spyder is 'Wandering' because of the operator or because of something that needs to be corrected in the Spyder. Most likely it's you, but maybe not.

I would hope that the demo Spyder would be handling correctly.

:agree:
When I picked mine up, I think the first thing I posted after the ride home was that it felt "squirrelly". a lot of advice came in afterwards to lighten up on the grip, and give it 100 miles or so. Now, 11,000 miles later, it handles like a dream, very light touch, and fun to ride.

...and no... it didn't take 11,000 miles to get there... only about 100

 

[GuitarPlayer]

:agree: I purchased my 2013 RT-Ltd in February, got my MC license endorsement in April and now have over 5100 miles on my :spyder2:. I am experiencing the right foot heat problem but have taken steps to fix that problem. Other than that, I've had no problems with my :spyder2:. I've been to Maggie Valley with it (960 miles one way) and just returned from a 700 mile trip to Minnesota. Next Tuesday I'm leaving for Northern Minnesota and I expect my :spyder2: to run fine.

Go for it, read all you can about your :spyder2: including the manual, read the forum here and enjoy your :spyder2:!

Tony

 

[dshogman]

I've got about 1000 miles on my RT-S and so far it's been a great ride. Build date was 5/8/13. (Good date, right in the middle of the week - no Monday or Friday issues to deal with.) Check your build date - it's my understanding that those built after April have all the kinks taken out already (bearing in mind that "all" is a relative term). Keep the revs up and enjoy the ride. :yes:

 

[Daisyjoe]

I recently bought a 2013 RTS SE. Experienced a great deal of vibration. Replaced front tires immediately. Now the bike drives and rides like a dream on both straight, flat Georgia roads and in the mountains taming the dragon. I have NO reason to install a sway bar. You mentioned that you drove an RT Limited but you are purchasing an RTS. This is my second Spyder and I continue to sing the praises of the machine. Good luck with your purchase:clap:

 

[StanProff]

It's easy to over react to posts on a forum

Any forum is a place for people to post problems or concerns on a product. This one is no different. Just remember, when you see a dozen post of a problem there are thousands of silent spyder owners out there riding without a concern. I have met many on the road that have never heard of Spyderlovers.com or any other forum on Spyders. Therefore they have no concerns of the problems read about on the forums. They just get on and ride. They do not worry. I ran into a couple yesterday in West Va. at a gas station (retired couple) on an RT that had just returned from a trip to Tenn., Maggie valley area and rode the dragon etc. They were on the return trip home, to Ohio. They had not heard of any of the concerns or problems due to not being on any forums, They had also never heard of the Owners event (someone had mentioned that to them in Maggie valley at the "Wheels through time"). They loved the Spyder and were grinning ear to ear when I approched them as another Spyder owner. Of course I told them of Spyderlovers.com and let them know of all of the positive things about the web site. What I'm trying to say is sometimes ignorance is bliss, (I mean that in a good way).

Get the spyder and just enjoy it. It's a blast!

 

[Tierhog]

Mine has been bulletproof (knock on wood). It's turning 5!

 

[Bob Ledford]

Don't be intimidated

First thing I would tell you is not to be intimidated by EVERYTHING you read on the forum. Better to take the forum contents as INFORMATIVE INFORMATION!

If you have had your demo ride and that satisfied your desires then all that is left to do is get your best deal and go for it.

If you have done your research you know that the 2013 has a new stretched out frame in the frontal area. Which changed the steering geometry somewhat coupled with a supporting vendor of a steering component which is or has been fixed by now.

The heating problem is primarily centered in the hot states like FL where I live. This year it has not been to terribly uncomfortable. But then I gave up riding in 90+ degrees @ 100% humidity too.

Personally the biggest caution that I would offer up to you if you have a choice of multiple dealers in your area is to pick the dealer with the better rated service department. Unless you are mechanically inclined to do it yourself. Then I would substitute parts for service.

Good Luck in the decision making phase.