Motorcycle converts - tell me about your experience

[MMMII]

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.

:agree:

 

[oldgoat]

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.

:agree: This is exactly me, except at 73 I need the Spyder to keep me upright & it did take me longer to get at ease on it..

 

[Bonniele]

Prefer the Spyder vs 2 wheeler

I am the only mother I know who sold her piano to buy a quad to ride with my husband and two sons. They had two wheelers. I tried the 2 wheelers and do quite well but cannot hold them up if they are not running. After one fell on me and about broke my leg, we bought me a quad. We still ride quads in the mountains with friends (husband no longer rides 2 wheelers) but I can now enjoy having my "own" Spyder (husband has one also) and ride the streets, highways, etc. AND, unlike the 2 wheelers, Spyders have reverse. When I see my friend, Suzi, trying to back up her 2 wheeler, I am grateful for my SPYDER!

 

[asp125]

I'm far from giving up my two wheeled madness. I still love the sensation of flying at ground level, dropping a knee in a corner or hitting the unpaved trails. Won't give that up for anything. Out of curiosity though, I rented a Spyder several years back while recovering from a motorcycle injury. I needed to be out in the wind badly, while recuperating and not yet able to ride on two wheels. I had to have a big mental reset, and not ride it like a motorcycle. It still felt somewhat foreign to me however.

Fast forward a few years and both me and my fiancee wanted something we could tour comfortably on, yet not have to balance a huge heavy touring motorcycle. We are both sporty type riders, so no full baggers or 'Wings were in the picture. After renting an RT to see if the Spyder bug still bit, we bought an RS and I configured it with saddlebags and a topcase; kind of our own ST. Now we look forward to touring together.

 

[bertmc]

:agree: This is exactly me, except at 73 I need the Spyder to keep me upright & it did take me longer to get at ease on it..

And now he's got new shocks, so look out!!

 

[spydrluvr]

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.

:clap: :clap: :clap: Wishing you the very best, I dare say that this would be a decision that you wouldn't regret---same wind, same thrill, same views-more comfort-more secure feeling-great ride:thumbup: Hope to see you at spyderfest on your new ST!!hyea: hyea:

 

[shrubs]

I switched from a Wing to the Spyder last year. It was a great decision for me. Gone is the worry about stopping on hills, riding in gravel cemeteries, riding as really slow speeds (traffic or funeral processions), the missus is more relaxed on the back, etc...

I had the Wing for 3 years and but just over 40K on it so I love to ride. I find the ride more relaxing and down right more enjoyable.

 

[Bob Denman]

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

:shocked: Me too!

I thought that I was just a small piece of the "Lunatic Fringe..."

 

[dave01]

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

Cruzr Joe

Sent by morse code from a hidden bunker

The Mayans were off by a few months......The end is near

 

[vrodrjs]

:shocked: Me too!

I thought that I was just a small piece of the "Lunatic Fringe..."

You are, you just have a lot of good company around here.

 

[oldgoat]

And now he's got new shocks, so look out!!

They're on. Now anxiously waiting for one of Ron's swaybars to arrive.

 

[nonseven]

Think I'm going to take the plung as soon as I sell the Harley.

Of the 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, motorcycles I've bought I haven't regretted getting a single one.

Assuming I don't get a lemon, I doubt I'll regret the Spyder.

 

[daveinva]

Sounds like we may have a convert! :thumbup:

Just to add to the thread in case a interested observer pops in... Folks have already mentioned it, but really, it can't be overstated: the peace of mind that comes with being on three wheels versus two is (mostly) worth what you lose.

I ride in an urban environment (otherwise known as "a city"). The knowledge that I can't drop the Spyder riding over potholes, edge traps, gravel, sand, oil, wet leaves, manholes, metal plates, road gators, road debris... the list goes on an on, Spyder don't give a :cus:. :joke:

Brake in a turn? No problemo.

Emergency stop? Stomp on the ABS.

Stop-and-go-traffic? Kick back, rest your feet, there's no bike to hold up.

Honestly, the only downside to the Spyder is that it DOES make you lazy for when you go back to two wheels. The Spyder is so much more forgiving than two wheels that when I'm back on a bike the "pucker factor" kicks up a notch higher than normal (which isn't a *bad* thing-- you *should* be alert, no matter what you ride. The beauty of the Spyder is that it gives you a larger margin of safety for those inevitable "OHSH%T!" moments that you just might not have on two wheels).

 

[jerpinoy]

The only thing I can't do is the wheelie:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[StanProff]

: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:

What if you go through a state that requires a "M" stamp on your license? I live in Tennessee, I know that in Virginia certain things are not legal that Are legal in Tenn. (like after market lights under cars) Kids that have them on their cars have to turn them off when crossing the state line in Bristol or they'll get a ticket. also you can get a ticket for having a radar detector in Virginia. I just wonder if the license thing would be a problem.

 

[NancysToy]

What if you go through a state that requires a "M" stamp on your license? I live in Tennessee, I know that in Virginia certain things are not legal that Are legal in Tenn. (like after market lights under cars) Kids that have them on their cars have to turn them off when crossing the state line in Bristol or they'll get a ticket. also you can get a ticket for having a radar detector in Virginia. I just wonder if the license thing would be a problem.

In general, if it has to do with equipment, you follow the rules of the state where you drive/ride. If it has to do with vehicle licensing, it is the same as your home state in states with reciprocity agreements, but that may not hold up in states without reciprocity. Driver's licensing is supposed to follow the rules of your home state regardless, but that doesn't mean you can't expect a hassle or have to fight a ticket. Officers sometimes aren't well acquainted with these rules.