Lurker in Texas sticking his head up.

[lonestarmedic]

Greetings from Floresville, Texas (a bit south of San Antonio)
So, starting the journey down the three wheel trail. Currently on two wheels and love it. However, the wife and I are
looking towards the future. Longer vacations and more miles with a need for taking more stuff. And although I am
in good shape at 53, when might I need to rethink our transportation. We rode a friends Goldwing trike last summer
and really enjoyed it. The Spyder came to mind a few weeks ago. Had ridden one of the first ones back in early 2010.
Found it uncomfortable and twitchey. So we ignored it. Wife saw a picture of the new RT series and suggested we look
into it. So we have sat on one, I have looked at all the amenities, and have been reading a lot. The best information
came from Fred Rau. I listened to a response he had to a review from a motorcycle magazine/online blog. He stated
that comparing the Spyder to a two wheeled touring machine was not the correct way to look at the "Roadster". It
help to sort out what we wanted in a touring bike. The biggest draw to the Spyder is the idea of a purpose built
three wheeler straight from a factory. Not a modified something. And of course the factory authorized trailer and hitch.

So, I am going to take a factory demo ride March 13th. Probably will not be enough to make a decision, but it will help.
Then we hope to take a two-up demo ride at the South Texas Motorcycle Show in San Antonio on March 16th. Any
suggestions will be welcomed. And of course we are always open to go riding.

In my mind I think the RT-S with all the electronic and entertainment amenities would be perfect. Now, the wife says that
I should consider the Limited with the automatic clutch. I tend to like to work the transmission to match our ride and load.
Also, the automatic is another computer and a much more expensive item to repair later. Wife says it would be nice to just
have to shift, gas, and brake. She is thinking about retirement when my joints get stiff etc. Of course I see myself riding
sport bikes at 80 years old

J.B.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
Remember; More than half of the fun is in the shopping! :2thumbs: hyea::yes::yes:hyea:

 

[scooterexpress]

welcome, in my opinion you should consider the spyder rts se5 this will allow your wife to drive, by the way all spyders have computers ok..so if your looking to compare to g/w lets start by looking at how well the g/w can handle twisties from what i was told it cant go into the twisties like a 2wheeler can but the spyder can handle them i think just as good as 2wheels spyder has what we call a nanny it won't let you get to overly aggresive safety protection,g/w trike will get better gas mi then the spyder but then again it depends how hard you twist the throttle.i think the price is right on this type of bike.g/w i feel is alot higher bike+conv kit..theres so much we can tell you about these bikes and why you should get one.i just pointed out a couple of things many more will come forward and tell you more. you can p.m. or we can talk on the phone up to u.hope to see you on a spyder.

jim

 

[NancysToy]

You can also get the RTS in the SE (electronic shift) version. Try both when you take your test ride. Lots of people love the SE.

 

[lonestarmedic]

I realize the Spyders are very computer dependent. However the SE must add to the complexity. I intend to try both auto and manual. I just remember reading about tranamission problems leaving riders stranded.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[crazyspyder]

fellow texan

hello, hey I am 51 and have ridden a 2 wheel like forever (mostly loud harleys) . BUT, I started feeling the old age crude a few years back and started thinking wisely about changing my ride.
ON a 2 wheel you have more negative factors than a 3 wheel, like ...bike falling, droping, skidding, uneven foot holdings, i'm sure theres more.
On the 3 wheel spyder theres positive factors, like -will not tip over (expecially around cornering or curves), automatic, electric steering, air suspension, and most of all- anyone can jump on and drive it! FYI dont even consider a trike they are definately dangerous to drive. I got my 2012 spyder RT Se5 a few months back . dont regret it or miss my HARLEY.
one more thing about the spyder--- takes a few weeks of riding to get used to the driving its a different animal to steer at first!:trike:

 

[jerpinoy]

You can't go wrong with:spyder2:.Have fun while you can,I do:yes::yes:

 

[ingramsail]

The biggest problem with buying a :spyder2: is after the wife drives it she'll want her own. Picked up our first one at the end of the summer and have over 7000mile on it. Found a nice used :spyder2: last week and can't keep the wife home.
Both 2012RT S SE5 and the 2010RSS SE5 are great rides here in the Hill Country of Tx. Just love the semi automatic the best of both worlds.

 

[Tx web rider]

welcome

STAY AWAY FROM SOUTH TEXAS SUZUKI

they are bad news for spyders

 

[Chupaca]

Let the test tell..!!

I will let the test rydes talk for me. Your problem will be, color, shifting, bagger vs sporty, and now they threw in the mixed version ST.. So I will only say...:welcome: you will love the ryde...:thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: My first :spyder2: was an SM5 (Manual). I liked it a lot and had no mechanical isues with it. That, said, my other three :ani29:,s have been SE5's. Over 58,000 miles on :spyder2:,s and still recommend them to others.

Regarding Twitchy: If you are coming off two wheels, there is a learning curve on piloting a spyder. Most that are new to the :ani29: tend to over control at first. It took me a good 500 miles to get to where I felt like I was totally in control.

There are some handling issues being reported on the new 2013,s and I recommend you search the current threads for more information there. That said, a new or used 2011 or 2012 is also a good way to go, and will save you some bucks. I purchased a second :spyder2: last summer, a new 2011, and am very happy with it.

As others have mentioned, a test drive to find exactly what you want is good, and the shopping is half the adventure.

Keep us posted and let us know what you decide.

 

[OJ UK]

Take your time to get around the learning curve!

Hi there from the UK J.B.! I'll go along with everything that has been said so far!

These guys are experienced Spyder Ryders. I'm a noobie here and have just bought my first Spyder and as
an experienced biker (almost 50 years!) have found the transition to three Spyder wheels to be reasonably
straightforward! I have to admit that I've only ridden about 50 miles due to the
winter weather!

Back in the 80s I was a motor-cycle instructor so have ingrained habits that must be dispensed with when Spydering.
No-one goes on the back of my Spyder 'til I've gotten proficient!
When I take a passenger I want them to be impressed not scared $...less!

The most impressive ride I had was during the evening's free instruction I got from my dealer when he took
me on the back and made some extremely rapid progress indeed. I thought "If this guy can do this then so can I!"
For us bikers there is a learning curve....the real kicker is that the car drivers don't have any real problems! (Other than
having no AirCon and having to breathe real fresh air! )

So take your time and enjoy and if you get the chance of hopping on the back of a competent ryder just do it!

 

[Oldmanzues]

I love my Spyder for many/all of the above reasons. One thing not mentioned is reverse gear. I was at a Patriot guard mission on Sat and due to lack of space, My Spyder was on a "deep" downward slope to park. I heard a gentleman on a GW trike ask another guy, how was I going to get out. the other guy said, just drive/back it up.
Oldmanzues

 

[lonestarmedic]

Thanks for the welcome.

Yep I figured out South Texas Suzuki pretty fast. Choices are Kent Powersports, Woods in New Braunfels, Woods in Austin. I understand that the two Woods aren't connected any more. Austin is corporate and a multi-store chain. New Braunfels is single owner. Kent seems to have gotten them when they got Joe Harrison. New Braunfels had about 4 in stock Saturday. Salesman was so-so.

I really like the metallic brown with all the goodies. However, I see it is only available with the automatic.

JB

 

[AlamoRyder]

STAY AWAY FROM SOUTH TEXAS SUZUKI

they are bad news for spyders

Couldn’t agree more! Kent Power Sports has a great service tech but their prices are a bit higher than you could get up the road at Louis Power Sports in Greenville. It is well worth the price to buy there and either ship it home or ride it home. Call Curtis at 903-454-4440 and tell them that Cleve Wilson referred you. You can see the ad in ebay under Can-Am Spyder RT search term. They have RT-S SE5 in red at $20,995 or so.
I am located in San Antonio and now have two RT’s. THe second one we bought in Greenville and it couldn’t have been easier. Call me and I will be glad to talk to you about it. 210-393-8835.

 

[TexasSpyder]

+1 for Louis PS great deals great setup great people great prices. When you do the test drive remember to not tense up and over grip the handlebar it will affect the handling.

 

[Can-Am Poogs]

Spyders are addictive

I am 43. I love my spyder. I get what you are saying about the manual transmission. I rode a demo SE5 RTS for a week before I made my purchase and I bought an SM5. Although I like the concept of the SE5, and my wife if she were to want to ride one of these would prefer it, I didn't like that almost every time I went to signal my thumb would catch the paddle and accidentally upshift me.:banghead: It drove me nuts. I prefer to work the machine and let the gear be as short as I want it to be without the bike shifting down on me. I kept loosing track of gear which made me uncomfortable, and I don't know why it matters because on an SE5 who cares what gear you are in. All you have to do is drive. You can hear when the Spyder needs an upshift and you don't have to downshift. I am sure anyone eventually gets used to the SE5 with practice. Btw, did I hear right!!! Did the state of Texas get snow today:shocked:?

 

[TexasSpyder]

18" with 70+ mph winds in Amarillo. Here we had 1/4" snow and 60 mph winds.

J. D.

 

[bertmc]

Had ridden one of the first ones back in early 2010.
Found it uncomfortable and twitchey. So we ignored it.

Me too, but I came back in 2012 & tried again.

Akspyderman says "Regarding Twitchy: If you are coming off two wheels, there is a learning curve on piloting a spyder. Most that are new to the :ani29: tend to over control at first. It took me a good 500 miles to get to where I felt like I was totally in control."

Agree, and it tracks different, so will always feel different. But if you get it set up with proper tire pressure & shock adjustment, we all guarantee that the twitchy goes away.

Also, the automatic is another computer and a much more expensive item to repair later. Wife says it would be nice to just
have to shift, gas, and brake. I really like the metallic brown with all the goodies. However, I see it is only available with the automatic.

My wife would never drive the 2 wheelers, but she said if we got 3 wheels & automatic she would learn. Just in case we were out sometime and I couldn't drive, she could drive home. She has her license now. She picked the Lava Bronze.

Do it.

 

[soaring hawk]

Welcome

To help you with sm5 or se5. Put it this way in traffic or at a stop light a sm5 you have to hold in the clutch, se5 you can have both hands free. On an incline no slipping the clutch.
we love the se5 :trike: We bought ours without a test drive, but it took 500 miles to unlearn my motorcycle habits, just remember when you test drive not to over steer , hold the handlebars like you have a small bird in your hands and not to crush them that way :f_spider: won't
Be so twitchy. I now ride the spyder rt-s se5 more than my two wheeler. Hope to see you on the open road.

Gary & Gwen