Picked up a 2010 998 RT, 20k mi, and after some confusing shifter issues, it's running fine. I like the comfort, power, and storage, but I'm not thrilled with the absence of the two wheel feel, the bikes reaction to the wind, truck turbulence, the tupperwear covering everything up, and the cramp that appears between my shoulder blades. Not sure what that's about. But having been fighting serious health stuff for the past year, I'm not sure I'm ever getting back on a Road King or Goldwing. Thinking of going smaller and simpler, a Sportster 1200 or a VTX. I appreciate everyone's input when the new ride was having issues. I'll stick with the Spyder for now, still in rehab. Thanks, Mick
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My first thousand miles on the Spyder
- Thread starter Slickster
- Start date
jdgretz
Active member
Yeah, the Spyder will let you know about those muscles you have not had to use when on two wheels. Tell your Physical Therapist about the Spyder and how the steering effort is different. If (s)he's any good, (s)he will give you some exercises to strengthen those muscle groups. Pulling on the handle bars rather than pushing is a whole different feel.
Good luck and hang in there, it gets better, although I still miss my Goldwing.
jdg
Jackhartjr
Active member
The cramp between your shoulders is probably because you have a death grip on the steering. You'll get used to just barely holding the grips.
safecracker
Well-known member
What Mikey says 
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Thanks, I miss my Goldwing also. I toured on a 1500 and an 1800, terrific rides for sure, zero issues over 30,000 miles
Snoking1127
Well-known member
Learn to just guide the Spyder out of the highway. I engage CC and just rest my hands on the handlebars most of the time. I have the HD swaybar and use good car tires on my Spyders.
hogmemberisold
Active member
I see there's a Long Reach handlebar available for the '23. Might be worth a try.
Going to three wheels takes some getting used to.
It took me a while to get used to my Ryker. Corners I used to rail through, I white knuckled at half the speed.
Like you, most of my bikes had me leaning forward with my feet tucked up (the old superbike or flat-track riding position).
Sitting upright with my feet forward felt strange and added some aches and pains I wasn't used to.
Adding a windshield helped reduce the wind buffeting and unwanted movement with the handlebars.
Give it some time, it gets better.
Hope this helps
Bruce/Raven
It took me a while to get used to my Ryker. Corners I used to rail through, I white knuckled at half the speed.
Like you, most of my bikes had me leaning forward with my feet tucked up (the old superbike or flat-track riding position).
Sitting upright with my feet forward felt strange and added some aches and pains I wasn't used to.
Adding a windshield helped reduce the wind buffeting and unwanted movement with the handlebars.
Give it some time, it gets better.
Hope this helps
Bruce/Raven
Snoking1127
Well-known member
He has a 2010.
I’m transitioning from a ‘18 GL to an ‘18 RTL. The upright riding position on the RTL was messing with my existing lumbar problems. Long story short, I’m wearing a soft back brace for riding and it is exactly what I needed, no issues whatsoever now. BTW, we installed the OEM backrest, it’s too confining and pushes me closer to the bars than is comfortable. I believe I’ve got this sorted and I'm very happy with the new ride.
I recently sold a Ryker 600 that I put some miles on, learned to guide if rather than muscle it, especially over bumps and uneven roadway, same on the Spyder. I'm generally resting my hands on the bars as opposed to constantly trying to correct the path. My posture must be contributing to the cramps, I have a Vstrom 650 that I can ride for hours without discomfort. Also, I am 5ft 11in with long arms, so it's an easy reach to the bars. Thanks for the replies. Mick
Going to keep the Spyder for 2 up with wife, get rid of my Vstrom, too tall, and look for a Honda VTX 1300 for me, something low, lighter, with decent power and minimal maintenance. I was out today on the Spyder, 20 mph side wind, and surprised to feel it push me around, especially weighing in at 1000 lbs.
Snoking1127
Well-known member
HD sway bar will help with that.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
It seems like the road surface contributes a lot to how the Spyder behaves. On a flat, smooth surface, it's is great; on a worn stretch with an uneven center section, where the back tire rides, it can feel like it's all over the place. The Spyder is easy to operate, I'm getting used to its feed back, but not comfortable yet.
Mikey
Well-known member
Did you upgrade the sway bar? And what are you running for tires? And a good set of shocks will make a big difference! These are all of the things a LOT of us have found out through the years! Yes, they get pushed around a little in the wind, you have to remember it's not a cafe racer you're on there! 
The biggest thing in getting comfortable on a spyder is seat time and a few upgrades, and I know what you're thinking I spent all of this money why should I have to buy upgrades! Well, that's a good question that we all would like answered, but until BRP pulls their head out this is what works! Hard pill to swallow but it's the facts! I got a brand new S2S that I am doing it to this year, why, because it was what I did to my 2012 RTL and it works for me. Now maybe you will find that a sway bar may be enough to make your ride better and you will like the bike more, that's a YOU thing that only you can make! Heck, my new bike I just mentioned, I got from a gentleman who bought it new, put 700 miles on it, and wanted to go back to a cafe style bike! He never gave it a chance, he was fighting the bike down the road and over steering it, just didn't like it, he gave me a good deal and took a loss with it! I gave him green backs he was happy, I was happy! So good luck, be safe!
The biggest thing in getting comfortable on a spyder is seat time and a few upgrades, and I know what you're thinking I spent all of this money why should I have to buy upgrades! Well, that's a good question that we all would like answered, but until BRP pulls their head out this is what works! Hard pill to swallow but it's the facts! I got a brand new S2S that I am doing it to this year, why, because it was what I did to my 2012 RTL and it works for me. Now maybe you will find that a sway bar may be enough to make your ride better and you will like the bike more, that's a YOU thing that only you can make! Heck, my new bike I just mentioned, I got from a gentleman who bought it new, put 700 miles on it, and wanted to go back to a cafe style bike! He never gave it a chance, he was fighting the bike down the road and over steering it, just didn't like it, he gave me a good deal and took a loss with it! I gave him green backs he was happy, I was happy! So good luck, be safe!Similar threads
