Motorcycle converts - tell me about your experience

[nonseven]

This is addressed to those of you who were previously (or even still are) motorycle riders and made the switch to a Spyder.

I'm afraid of losing part of the motorcycle experience - the leaning into curves and swaying back and forth with your body that makes you "one" with the motorcycle.

I took a short ride on a Spyder 3 years ago but it wasn't enough to really get the feel.

How did you adjust to the transistion & what part of riding the Spyder do you now like as much or better?


My plan would be to sell my Harley, buy a Spyder ST-S, but keep my Kawasaki KLR650 motorcycle.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's NOT a motorcycle; it doesn't ride or handle like one. :shocked:
I took to it like a duck to water because it closely resembles the feel of a snowmobile or ATV... two other long-term love affairs that I've enjoyed!

 

[SPYD3R]

I'M WITH BOB

:bowdown: I'M WITH BOB ON THIS ONE..... :cheers:

DON'T expect a SPYD3R to handle like a 2 wheeler... IT ain't happen'n...

i rode 2, 3 & 4 wheels for 40 years, but only in the dirt (back woods, etc)... i never felt comfortable on open roads on 2 wheels... don't ask me why, i just never did... when the SPYD3R's were introduced, i didn't even need to take a test ride to know: THIS IS FOR ME...! ! ! so i bought one 3 yrs ago, and in 28,000 miles, i've never looked back... it's a joy to ride, very comfortable, and easy to operate... if you try to ride it like a 2 wheeler, you'll just disappoint yourself... sit back, relax, and enjoy the RYDE..... :yes:

 

[vrodrjs]

I've ridden dirtbikes, four wheelers, and street bikes since I was about 12, 46 now. I still have my VROD but got rid of my Street Glide and got the Spyder last spring. The only thing I feel like I lost is the ass pucker I used to get riding in the pouring rain, in my book that ain't a bad thing. I take a trip to Marble Falls, AR every year and spend a week riding all over around there. Last year was the first year I did it on the spyder. I had a blast riding those roads. It is different than 2 wheels, but different isn't bad. No regrest here.

 

[Marker]

I have to agree with Bob Denman.
My spyder RT S SE 5 works great for my situation as I always wanted to own a motorcycle but never did , then I injured my neck so riding on two wheels is not for me. When I was healthy I snowmobiled so the spyder is a natural fir for me. I ride with friends and relatives that ride bikes and am welcomed by all.

The open air riding and the having the stability of three wheels is for me.
Remember the good times you had on two wheels and look forward to making new memories on three wheels.

I hope this helps:thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I've ridden 2 wheels all my life. On road, off road, whatever. When I first got my Spyder I hated it. It actually scared me!

If I had test ridden the Spyder I'd never have purchased one. I thought it was the worst mistake I'd ever made in a vehicle.

My brain was telling me it was a motorcycle. Handlebars, bench seat, helmet and the wind going by my head = Motorcycle!

But it is not a motorcycle and if you try to ride it like one you'll be very disappointed, as I was.

After about 300 miles it started to grow on me and now after over 30k I can say it's one of the most enjoyable vehicles I've ever owned. I don't ride a Spyder because I can't ride 2 wheels. I ride it because I like it.

And I can go back and forth between 2 wheels and my Spyder with no issues. They are both natural to me now. The only thing is I added a hand brake to my Spyder because I did not want to lose my front brake instincts that I spent so many years perfecting.

 

[ARtraveler]

Like they said above. The :spyder2: is not a motorcycle and does not behave like, or give you the same experience as a motorcycle.

That said: I drove motorcycles (over 35 different ones) between 1965 and 2012. Forty seven years worth.

In the beginning, I had to have a :ani29: just because it was different. Health issues have now forced me to give up my beloved motorcycle and spend all my time on the :spyder2:'s. Not a problem for me, just a different ride. I have managed to put over 55,000 miles on :ani29:'s since their inception.

 

[spydaman60]

:congrats::congrats::congrats:

It's NOT a motorcycle; it doesn't ride or handle like one. :shocked:
I took to it like a duck to water because it closely resembles the feel of a snowmobile or ATV... two other long-term love affairs that I've enjoyed!

:agree: i'm with bob on this one too! I've driven snowmobiles, atv's, street bikes and dirt bikes for over fifty years. knowing how a sled and atv drives is more like the spyder than the street or dirt bike! don't take that as a bad thing. sounds like you have the ability to keep the two wheels under you too. that is something that I can't have due to my knees and their condition. the wife never would have riden with me on two wheels, and she absolutely loves the spyder. already got half of the summer booked with rides.hyea:7800 miles last summer, going for 10000 this summer.:yes::yes:

 

[nonseven]

This input is very helpful. I think I'm over analyzing. I've ridden snowmobiles, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, dirt bikes, street bikes, and they're all different. But I've enjoyed all of them. Nothing like a dirt bike on a narrow dirt trail.

But like SPYD3R, on the highway at 65 mph, on the 2 wheeler, I feel like I'm on borrowed time or something. Hard to explain it.

Anyway, I like the dealer I've been talking to. And they have 7 ST-Ss in stock. That's definitely the one I'm interested in.

I'm less than 2 hours from Nixa MO so you may just see me at SpyderFest. We'll see.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I have never seen so many people agree with Bob, i am amazed.

Cruzr Joe

Sent by morse code from a hidden bunker

 

[Yazz]

This is addressed to those of you who were previously (or even still are) motorycle riders and made the switch to a Spyder.

I'm afraid of losing part of the motorcycle experience - the leaning into curves and swaying back and forth with your body that makes you "one" with the motorcycle.

I took a short ride on a Spyder 3 years ago but it wasn't enough to really get the feel.

How did you adjust to the transistion & what part of riding the Spyder do you now like as much or better?


My plan would be to sell my Harley, buy a Spyder ST-S, but keep my Kawasaki KLR650 motorcycle.

Started on two wheels, had to go to three, never had any experience with four wheelers or snowmobiles.

In the beginning, trying to ride the Spyder through the curves were frustrating. Felt like I was trying to get thrown off. One weekend we were watching bike races and it hit me!

Lean to the inside and put your chin over the inside handlebar. Tried it out and it was a whole new ride!

Now I love the twisties. I'm 'one' with my Spyder, going from side to side, leaning, getting my chin out there in the wind.

It's a different ride from what you're coming off of, it's more physical, but it's exhilarating rolling on the throttle through the curves. Can take the curves faster now on my Spyder than I ever could on my Springer...

 

[Tierhog]

Used to be into sport bikes. Ninjas, Gsxr's, FZR, CBR...now I just have the Spyder. At 40, I miss powering out of a corner some...but the trade offs far outweigh that cornering issue. I never get excited about front wheel washout...sand...long intersections trying to stay balanced, sore wrists or knees...lower back..none of it. They all disappeared. I'm so comfortable it's almost criminal.

They are right...it isn't a motorcycle in the sense your used to. Once you wrap your head around the Y concept...the rest is ancient history. I don't miss it...I replaced it.

 

[nonseven]

Used to be into sport bikes. Ninjas, Gsxr's, FZR, CBR...now I just have the Spyder. At 40, I miss powering out of a corner some...but the trade offs far outweigh that cornering issue. I never get excited about front wheel washout...sand...long intersections trying to stay balanced, sore wrists or knees...lower back..none of it. They all disappeared. I'm so comfortable it's almost criminal.

They are right...it isn't a motorcycle in the sense your used to. Once you wrap your head around the Y concept...the rest is ancient history. I don't miss it...I replaced it.

If you're talking about taking a 4 wheeler around a corner.... I know how to do that!

 

[Chupaca]

Have to agree..!!

Have to agree, some unlearning to do but nothing drastic. Once that is accomplished it is a real hoot..!!:clap:

 

[arntufun]

So are you saying I don't need a motorcycle license to drive this ???????? Can you please tell my DMV (and most of the country) this is not a motorcycle. And while your at it, tell any legal dictionary that it's not as well !!!!!!!!


To the OP....... This is a motorcycle by every sence of any definition. Sorry some posters are mis-informing you about it not being a motorcyle, but they are right that it does not handle like one. :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

I have to agree with the others...this is not a motorcycle as you know it. The early ads called it a cross between a motorcycle and a sports car, and that's pretty close. I have ridden for over 50 years, and still ride 2-wheels. The Spyder has far surpassed them in accumulated annual mileage, however. It is by far and away a superior machine for bad weather, two-up, or towing a trailer. I love it that I no longer have to worry about sand in the corners, lessening skills and strength due to age, or slick, wet roads. I love the g-forces in the turns (but not the body roll). I love the cargo capacity. I love the responsiveness and cornering performance (if ridden and set up right). I like the visibility, too. I don't mind the picky maintenance schedule or the costs...but BMWs hardened me to that aspect. I still like to lean, and I still ride, but the Spyder has carved out a huge place in my life. As Ron said, it is a different vehicle. You don't have to stop liking your bike or car just because you discovered three wheels...you can enjoy them all.

 

[SPYD3R]

SoCar

So are you saying I don't need a motorcycle license to drive this ???????? Can you please tell my DMV (and most of the country) this is not a motorcycle, and while your at it, tell any legal dictionary that it's not as well !!!!!!!!


To the OP....... This is a motorcyle by every sence of any definition, but it does not handle like one. Sorry some posters are mis-informing you. :thumbup:

:bowdown: SOUTH CAROLINA passed a law back in 2009 that only requires a regular drivers license to operate a 3 wheeled vehicle... which includes; SPYD3R's..... :thumbup: :clap:

 

[grumpybob]

I have never seen so many people agree with Bob, i am amazed.

Cruzr Joe

Sent by morse code from a hidden bunker

:agree: Do we all need our brain reset? :roflblack:
:roflblack::roflblack:

 

[dave01]

Went from many years of riding 2 wheelers to the spyder rs then rt. Back to 2 wheelers since I missed the leaning, adrenaline rush, and sportiness the Spyder wasnt giving me. Comfort wise, you just about can't beat the RT, plus a ton of storage too.

 

[Big Arm]

I'm less than 2 hours from Nixa MO so you may just see me at SpyderFest. We'll see.

You don't have to be on a Spyder, to attend Spyderfest. Ride on up and spend a few days visiting with the owners, and the dealer. You have a great opportunity, since you live so close. You just may ride back home on a Spyder. :yes: