Hi Private Pilot. Here is a link to a website that helps to explain models and equipment. Hope it helps.
https://www.autoevolution.com/moto/can-am/spyder/
Thanks! I found this website a week or so back and have been using it quite a lot for reference already, although there's two challenges I've been finding is that a lot of people are horrible with including the specifics on the model they are selling (An RT is obvious, the others seem to start to blend together a little), and some others don't even seem to know or care to provide details. It's terrible trying to pry info out of people trying to sell their stuff sometimes lol.
PP -- tell us more
1. About your wife's shoulder problem. Eg range of motion, strength for lifting/pushing, stiffness
2. About your travel plans. Sunday ride to brunch, day ride to farmer's market, weekend at friends, vacation in Victoria Island, ...
Without knowing more, you probably want the RT with big floorboards and a fold-down driver's backrest to make mount/dismounts easier. If your rides are day-long or less, save money with the 990 engine else get the 1330 engine. Also look into spending some bucks on heated gear -- seating, grips, outlets for vest/gloves. Riding in open air can really suck the heat out of your body leading to aches and pains and dangerous fatigue -- which again points to an RT.
And last big question -- can you do your own maintenance? This is a big factor budget-wise. Spyder's don't need all that much and for the most part it's easy but dealer labor is pricey.
Shoulder issues are common rotator cuff issues, but manageable. I know that the steering is heavier on a Spyder than a bike, but that's moot. What will be more important is how her arms fall onto the bars in the end, the more neutral the better.
Type for riding for her is typically 3-5 hour day rides with lots of stops. Occasional, maybe once or twice a year a longer destination ride for 2-4 days. Luggage space isn't a massive concern (so an RT isn't "essential" from that perspective) as I ride a full dresser 2 wheeler and can haul a lot of luggage on my own bike. Between mine and the frunk on a spyder we're fine.
We are both experienced riders. Lifelong for me, 5+ years now for my wife. We have lots of gear including heated etc already so no concerns there. Pretty much any Spyder will be an improvement from the perspective of wind and weather protection vs her current motorcycle.
As for maintenance, I do most of it myself and have a well equipped garage. Anything short of an engine rebuild (and I've done those too in the past but have lost interest in that sort of stuff now lol) will be done on my own, so there's no concern about upkeep on an older machine.
As for the 2014 and up with the 1330 vs the 990, budget dictates we will probably in the 2014 and under range. Although I ride a lot (20,000-30,000km a year), my wife usually rides maybe 5000km tops. Can't justify a ton of money sitting there in the garage not getting used a ton, especially living where we do where the bikes sit for 6 months of the year to begin with. I may ride it occasionally but any long/serious rides, I'm pretty partial to my 2 wheels still.
