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New Spyder owner initial impressions

Darwood

New member
Well, I just took possession of my new Spyder RS-S SM5 with Garmin GPS (included in the deal) on Friday and I've had a chance to put around 100 miles on it. Here are my observations so far:

Upon delivery to my house I had to do a quick look over before signing the delivery papers and calling it mine. Everything looked fine and functioned as it should, but I had limited time to do a very detailed once over, due to the delivery guy being an hour late and being short on time for another engagement. On Saturday morning I had a chance to really look it over closely and I'm a little irritated with a couple of things. One, there was a small gouge in the front trunk cover that almost looked like something had melted the plastic. It is about the size of a flat head screwdriver tip. Nothing that would be noticed from a distance, but now that I know it's there, it is pretty annoying. Two, on the inside of the clear plastic covering the instrument panel there are two streaks that look like what a water streak would look like on a window, or possibly even some glue that had smeared or run. I'm not sure how I didn't notice this when first sitting on the machine, but now that I know it's there it bothers me a little as well. I'm not sure if it came from the factory like this, or if something happened at the dealer and I'm not sure if I have any leverage in getting these things fixed/replaced or if I waived that right when I signed the delivery papers. Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. They aren't deal breakers by any means, but I guess I expected better quality control from something that costs 18K. Maybe I'm being too nit picky, but I've never experienced this with any new cars I have purchased or the motorcycle I bought. I've sent an email to the dealer to ask if they can do anything, but I'm not optimistic since I neglected to notice these things when I took delivery.

Okay, now to the good part. This thing is fun!!! I have a small amount of experience riding motorcycles and I have ridden 4-wheel ATV's a fair amount and this feels similar to a quad, except much smoother and faster. I definitely feel much more comfortable in traffic than I did on my motorcycle. Granted, I was a newbie to motorcycles so I'm sure I would have become much more comfortable with time, but the Spyder allows you to jump on and ride with no anxiety as a first time rider. My first ride was about 25 miles and when I parked it in the garage after the ride I had feelings of happiness and a little remorse. I had a blast on it, but I also missed the motorcycle experience a little bit too and that was MUCH less expensive. After doing some errands around the house I decided to take it out for a longer ride. I put close to 75 miles on it with the second ride and enjoyed every minute. It's just a great way to get out and have some stress free and EASY fun.

In conclusion I've determined that it might not replace my desire to ride on two wheels and I might end up buying a motorcycle to supplement the fun and have a little different experience on occasion, but I don't regret the purchase and I expect to love it more and more as ride it. I know I enjoyed my second ride more than the first, so if that continues I'll be smiling an awful lot. :D

*** If anyone knows how to rotate the picture I'd love to fix it. It appears upright on my computer, but as soon as I attach it, it rotates. ***
 

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on the inside of the clear plastic covering the instrument panel there are two streaks that look like what a water streak would look like on a window, or possibly even some glue that had smeared or run. I'm not sure how I didn't notice this when first sitting on the machine, *

I had the same streaks on my 2008GS from new and have seen them on several Spyders. Not sure what they are though.
 
I love my RS SM5 and believe that it is a much more "motorcycle like" experience than with the auto. It is a blast to ride and the enhanced stability becomes a comfort that you get used to. You should not have to accept the imperfections in your new bike. I would begin by talking to the dealer and seeing what they say. Maybe they can at least intervene and help with some settlement from the transporter.

Good Luck and enjoy the wind!:doorag:
 
Well, I just took possession of my new Spyder RS-S SM5 with Garmin GPS (included in the deal) on Friday and I've had a chance to put around 100 miles on it. Here are my observations so far:

Upon delivery to my house I had to do a quick look over before signing the delivery papers and calling it mine. Everything looked fine and functioned as it should, but I had limited time to do a very detailed once over, due to the delivery guy being an hour late and being short on time for another engagement. On Saturday morning I had a chance to really look it over closely and I'm a little irritated with a couple of things. One, there was a small gouge in the front trunk cover that almost looked like something had melted the plastic. It is about the size of a flat head screwdriver tip. Nothing that would be noticed from a distance, but now that I know it's there, it is pretty annoying. Two, on the inside of the clear plastic covering the instrument panel there are two streaks that look like what a water streak would look like on a window, or possibly even some glue that had smeared or run. I'm not sure how I didn't notice this when first sitting on the machine, but now that I know it's there it bothers me a little as well. I'm not sure if it came from the factory like this, or if something happened at the dealer and I'm not sure if I have any leverage in getting these things fixed/replaced or if I waived that right when I signed the delivery papers. Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. They aren't deal breakers by any means, but I guess I expected better quality control from something that costs 18K. Maybe I'm being too nit picky, but I've never experienced this with any new cars I have purchased or the motorcycle I bought. I've sent an email to the dealer to ask if they can do anything, but I'm not optimistic since I neglected to notice these things when I took delivery.

Okay, now to the good part. This thing is fun!!! I have a small amount of experience riding motorcycles and I have ridden 4-wheel ATV's a fair amount and this feels similar to a quad, except much smoother and faster. I definitely feel much more comfortable in traffic than I did on my motorcycle. Granted, I was a newbie to motorcycles so I'm sure I would have become much more comfortable with time, but the Spyder allows you to jump on and ride with no anxiety as a first time rider. My first ride was about 25 miles and when I parked it in the garage after the ride I had feelings of happiness and a little remorse. I had a blast on it, but I also missed the motorcycle experience a little bit too and that was MUCH less expensive. After doing some errands around the house I decided to take it out for a longer ride. I put close to 75 miles on it with the second ride and enjoyed every minute. It's just a great way to get out and have some stress free and EASY fun.

In conclusion I've determined that it might not replace my desire to ride on two wheels and I might end up buying a motorcycle to supplement the fun and have a little different experience on occasion, but I don't regret the purchase and I expect to love it more and more as ride it. I know I enjoyed my second ride more than the first, so if that continues I'll be smiling an awful lot. :D

*** If anyone knows how to rotate the picture I'd love to fix it. It appears upright on my computer, but as soon as I attach it, it rotates. ***

If you bought it from a dealer, ask them to make it all right.
 
:agree: :shocked: Take it back, and let them explain what they're going to do about it...
CafeJimLV...
Since you're getting an ESSEM; you can shift it whenever you want to! :D
But my gut tells me that shifting up around 5,000 rpm or so will put the bigger smile on your face! :thumbup:
 
Thanks

:agree: :shocked: Take it back, and let them explain what they're going to do about it...
CafeJimLV...
Since you're getting an ESSEM; you can shift it whenever you want to! :D
But my gut tells me that shifting up around 5,000 rpm or so will put the bigger smile on your face! :thumbup:

Sounds right.:bowdown:
 
Well..!!

the streaks in the instrument cluster has been a problem before. The lens is replaceable and they should do that. Had something to do with moisture getting in at assembly and then evaporated leaving water marks. The hood scratch/burn mark will be up to the dealer at this point. If really good he will take care of it.
Yes it will grow on you and you may loose that still lingering two wheel feeling. Smiles are permanent..!!:roflblack:
Shifting points vary with the SM and the SE. Good to shift 4,500/5,000 rpm's or higher. The SE clutch is not fully engaged under 3,500rpm's. These are high rpm engines

Congrats on your new ryde and welcome here and to the spyder world....:yes::yes:
 
Thanks to everyone who has viewed my post and responded. This seems like a great forum and I look forward to being part of the SpyderLovers community. I'll let everyone know how my dealer responds to these issues.
 
sold my truck.

I sold my truck that has a wheelchair lift in the bed. I never went anywhere if it rain due to $15000 wheelchair in bed ... So I say why not a SPYDER. My fav. thing to do in my position. Is cruze and site see.I will get a trailer and tow my Power wheelchair..But in most cases I would just stay on the spyder.Im sure I can find some one that wants to go bike ridding. opps trike.If I need to take my chair.. But for the most part. I will ride my chair to the spyder and leave chair sit until I return. I cant stand or walk. So I hope my Spyder is dependable. I hope to ride it home this fall from Fl. to S.W.IND. Me my chair and my service dog. I have had polio for 60 yrs.. So Im a pro at getting by..The gas mileage,the knee's in the breeze. In my younger life. I rode enduro bikes,quad honda 4x4 , harley. Now this is what Ive been looking for. My left hand is strong,my right leg is strong and I never have any pain that I let get to me.. NO PILLs. I ask... Has anyone broke down and had to have it hauled? if so how many times... At least a truck is out of the weather for a non-walker. I do maintenance and care well for my vehicles. any thoughts,warnings,or "no no's"
 
I sold my truck that has a wheelchair lift in the bed. I never went anywhere if it rain due to $15000 wheelchair in bed ... So I say why not a SPYDER. My fav. thing to do in my position. Is cruze and site see.I will get a trailer and tow my Power wheelchair..But in most cases I would just stay on the spyder.Im sure I can find some one that wants to go bike ridding. opps trike.If I need to take my chair.. But for the most part. I will ride my chair to the spyder and leave chair sit until I return. I cant stand or walk. So I hope my Spyder is dependable. I hope to ride it home this fall from Fl. to S.W.IND. Me my chair and my service dog. I have had polio for 60 yrs.. So Im a pro at getting by..The gas mileage,the knee's in the breeze. In my younger life. I rode enduro bikes,quad honda 4x4 , harley. Now this is what Ive been looking for. My left hand is strong,my right leg is strong and I never have any pain that I let get to me.. NO PILLs. I ask... Has anyone broke down and had to have it hauled? if so how many times... At least a truck is out of the weather for a non-walker. I do maintenance and care well for my vehicles. any thoughts,warnings,or "no no's"

Evansvillenowmilton - I have a manual chair I ride with all the time, I can't stand or walk either. We have only broken down once while riding and we called a tow truck ( flatbed) and he was nice enough to give us a ride home and leave our bike at dealer. Our Soyder has been very reliable though. As long as the maintenance and checks are done I believe personally Spyder are reliable vehicles.

Good luck with your Everything from one wheeler to another - nothing like feeling the wind in your face and knees in the breeze. Give me a huge sense of Freedom that my chair sometimes tends to take away. Might want to consider buying a manual chair to take along when going for short ride, rides where you may stop to eat/grab a drink, or in case of emergency ( break down )that you could get into and some could push you in - since you may not always want to take your electric chair. Just as a precaution.
 
Darwood - congrats on your new Spyder :) hope that you continue to love it more and more every time you ride !
 
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