New Spyder ST Owner with a few observations

[tjmphd1]

Hi all,

I have been following the posts on this site for about a month since I decided to purchase a Spyder ST. I picked that up in Hanover PA near my vacation home in Gettysburg, though I live in Northern Virginia. I am really enjoying it, though I share similar adjustment problems that many others have noted--being a long-time bicyclist (road racing) and motorcyclist (mostly Honda cruisers), I have had trouble adjusting to the physics of the two wheels up front. I am having to unlearn all the things I have acquired on my 2-wheeled motorcycles and bikes about moving it around. I figure I will get there with a little more time (Have about 250 miles on it right now).

I have noted something that is a bit, well, humorous that you all have no doubt discussed before, but I would enjoy hearing thoughts on it. While at a graduation event for a niece, several brothers-in-law (and even a niece) started in with ribbing me about getting a three-wheeled vehicle. My brother-in-law, who is after all a bit of a jack wagon at times, made comments about not being able to balance on a "proper bike" (forget the fact that I have had multiple cruisers in the past and have raced bicycles competitively for over 25 years), and his daughter, who had just graduated high school, joining in on her father's fun said something about not being on "a real man's motorcycle."

I am neither thin-skinned nor self-conscious about my Can-Am. I love it and don't care what anybody says. Had I wanted another cruiser, I would have purchased one. I loved the different riding and commuting opportunities given by the Spyder, and sure I like the extra size and stability considering that Northern Virginia is one of the most aggressive driving areas in the country.

However, I wonder how many other riders have gotten those sorts of comments. More than that, though, it made me start wondering about people (even my relatives) who somehow equate two wheels with manhood and three wheels with something less than that. Something is seriously wrong with that mindset, don't you think?

Anyway, my thought is that I am loving it, loving the extra lane presence and stability, and am enjoying riding my Spyder to work and to Gettysburg on the weekends. I plan to get the Baja Ron sway bar at my 600 mile mark (I do feel sway from wind and opposing traffic). Would love general thoughts or recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[Chupaca]

Jealousy..envy..!!

words that come to mind. We all have had those comments. Doesn't bother us at all. We are faster than many, keep up with most and lag behind to very few. Something hated by most. Strange that they accept the trikes but critizize the reverse trike..you will have more smiles and miles as you are questioned by those interested. Those are the fun ones...:thumbup:

 

[Pennyrick]

If that is the case what kind of a wimpy person drives something with four wheels.... or how about eighteen?

If one equates wheels with manhood, it is them that has the problem not you.

 

[SNOOPY]

Hi all,

I have been following the posts on this site for about a month since I decided to purchase a Spyder ST. I picked that up in Hanover PA near my vacation home in Gettysburg, though I live in Northern Virginia. I am really enjoying it, though I share similar adjustment problems that many others have noted--being a long-time bicyclist (road racing) and motorcyclist (mostly Honda cruisers), I have had trouble adjusting to the physics of the two wheels up front. I am having to unlearn all the things I have acquired on my 2-wheeled motorcycles and bikes about moving it around. I figure I will get there with a little more time (Have about 250 miles on it right now).

I have noted something that is a bit, well, humorous that you all have no doubt discussed before, but I would enjoy hearing thoughts on it. While at a graduation event for a niece, several brothers-in-law (and even a niece) started in with ribbing me about getting a three-wheeled vehicle. My brother-in-law, who is after all a bit of a jack wagon at times, made comments about not being able to balance on a "proper bike" (forget the fact that I have had multiple cruisers in the past and have raced bicycles competitively for over 25 years), and his daughter, who had just graduated high school, joining in on her father's fun said something about not being on "a real man's motorcycle."

I am neither thin-skinned nor self-conscious about my Can-Am. I love it and don't care what anybody says. Had I wanted another cruiser, I would have purchased one. I loved the different riding and commuting opportunities given by the Spyder, and sure I like the extra size and stability considering that Northern Virginia is one of the most aggressive driving areas in the country.

However, I wonder how many other riders have gotten those sorts of comments. More than that, though, it made me start wondering about people (even my relatives) who somehow equate two wheels with manhood and three wheels with something less than that. Something is seriously wrong with that mindset, don't you think?

Anyway, my thought is that I am loving it, loving the extra lane presence and stability, and am enjoying riding my Spyder to work and to Gettysburg on the weekends. I plan to get the Baja Ron sway bar at my 600 mile mark (I do feel sway from wind and opposing traffic). Would love general thoughts or recommendations.

Thanks!

I have to disagree w you!:gaah:








.








southeastern Va has the worse traffic! :roflblack::roflblack:

.

 

[SNOOPY]

And I don't care what others may say about the Spyder, they're just jealous.

I usually get a thumbs up from everyone I pass. :thumbup:

 

[NZSpyderRyder]

Manhood

This is my other bike, what does that say about my manhood.

 

[tjmphd1]

This is my other bike, what does that say about my manhood.
View attachment 90151

Now that is a sweet uni-wheel ride!

 

[ARCTIC]

The most offensive comment I usually get is "Someday when I can't ride a real bike I'm going to get one of those" :shocked:

 

[Knarfoh]

Has never happened, not even once!

Most are curious, including non-riders. Many are guys who rode years ago, but gave up motorcycles when the wife, kids, etc. came along. Yesterday, a woman wanted me to tell her all about it because she had seen other women riding a Spyder.

To be honest, if you want to ride safely ("in the autumn of your years" -- lyrics from a Frank Sinatra song) this is the way to go.

Yes, I loved my 2-wheeled motorcycles and enjoyed them immensely. However, I wish to continue riding safely for a LONG time and I made the switch several years ago.

Anyway, I am pretty sure your virility is not improved by something you put between your legs. I have seen plenty of macho wannabees on Harleys. After the mystique wears off, it still comes down to the person.

 

[ValCruzSpyder]

Heard THAT before!!!!!!!

The most offensive comment I usually get is "Someday when I can't ride a real bike I'm going to get one of those" :shocked:

Almost ticked me off! Then I looked at him and said "By the time you figure out what everybody already thinks about you and your ride, you will have missed all the fun." He asked me what I meant, and I let loose. I simply explain "The reason no one wants to ride with you, is because you CAN'T ride the bike you have right now!!!" Then I pointed out the simple fact of him being so forgetful at red lights...forgetting to put his feet down!!!! Get what I'm saying!?!?
At any rate, I LOVE my Spyder!!! Not too concerned with the sour grapes! All in all, most of the folks I've met, actually like the "Plastic Pony" as much as I do!!! 'NUF SAID!!!!

 

[tjmphd1]

I like everybody's feedback--though I will debate the relative viciousness of Northern Virginia traffic versus Southern...

I guess I should have added that other than those comments from my relatives (who again, admittedly, can be jerks just for the sake of being jerks), I have only had one comment since bringing it home the week before last. I went to a CVS about a half mile away pretty early in the morning, and when I came out a guy was behind my ST checking it out. He spent about five minutes asking me all about it, where I got it, and how much I enjoyed it. Of course, I raved about it.

I did notice, too, on my way to Gettysburg from Leesburg that some of the hardcore Harley guys going in the opposite direction refused to return the standard "salute." That made me laugh pretty hard--I try to acknowledge all the non-car vehicles I encounter, even the bicyclists and mopeds. It's all about supporting the rights of cyclists, regardless of the steed. To be fair, lots of other riders were quick to do so on that ride, though, so I am thinking that the bias is with a small subset of jealous, little-minded people whose self-esteem is propped up only by the facade of their coolness. I love my Spyder, so screw them! I will continue to enjoy my rides, wave to all, and let people ask me questions about my ST.

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[sundancer240]

Not a day passes when I'm out riding when I do not get a thumbs-up, a smile or little kids awestruck....it's all good. Just yesterday I was sitting in traffic waiting for a train to pass and the gentleman in a car in front of me got out of his car to ask about the Spyder, there he stood in traffic asking me questions. Do you think he would have gotten out of his car if I was on two wheels???

 

[SNOOPY]

I like everybody's feedback--though I will debate the relative viciousness of Northern Virginia traffic versus Southern...

roflmao


.

 

[SNOOPY]

Not a day passes when I'm out riding when I do not get a thumbs-up, a smile or little kids awestruck....it's all good. Just yesterday I was sitting in traffic waiting for a train to pass and the gentleman in a car in front of me got out of his car to ask about the Spyder, there he stood in traffic asking me questions. Do you think he would have gotten out of his car if I was on two wheels???

I love the kids faces. :thumbup:

.

 

[ValCruzSpyder]

Enjoy the RYDE!!!

Enjoy every mile of your new found friend!!! You will find that most people appreciate a nice tryke...even if it is a little different. We Spyder Ryders ryde with our heads high for a reason!!! We thoroughly LOVE our SPYDERS. THIS is why we ryde!!!!!
:yes::yes:

 

[ARCTIC]

I love the kids faces. :thumbup:

.

It's funny how much they will obviously follow you with their undivided attention when you ride by. I was riding down a designated scenic highway last weekend and there's a house at a T intersection and there was 10 children playing out in the yard. I could here "HEY.... THERE'S a SPYDER!!!!!" by one of the kids and all of them ran towards the edge of they yard and watched as we turned and sped away :roflblack: :roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: to the party. What you have encountered is pretty typical of the public. About 99% are pretty great to deal with. They like to ask questions because the :spyder2: is not something that you see every day.

Those who come up to you and point a finger or criticize your ryde--what can we say? :yikes: There are a lot of morons out there. I don't let the couple I have encountered rain on my parade. I consider it their loss. hyea:

 

[Saluda]

Enjoy what you ride

The heck with what a few may think or say. Trikes existed long before the Spyder and I've seen some pretty serious looking drivers on conventional trikes before. By the way, they always wave.

 

[jwulf74]

Harleys (2 wheelers) are like male or female body parts...half the population has them. If I wanted to be like everyone else, I would got one of those....

And if you really wanna rub it in on the family members, just challenge them to a race. . Unless the have a crotch rocket, I bet they won't be able to take you.

 

[Garrin]

I feel your pain

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[TD]I don't care what others think i love my 2014 spyder rss. I have sciatica so i don't trust my left side and don't have to worry about laying it down if leg gives out, but I get a lot of comments on how sweet the bike is.[/TD]
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Hi all,

I have been following the posts on this site for about a month since I decided to purchase a Spyder ST. I picked that up in Hanover PA near my vacation home in Gettysburg, though I live in Northern Virginia. I am really enjoying it, though I share similar adjustment problems that many others have noted--being a long-time bicyclist (road racing) and motorcyclist (mostly Honda cruisers), I have had trouble adjusting to the physics of the two wheels up front. I am having to unlearn all the things I have acquired on my 2-wheeled motorcycles and bikes about moving it around. I figure I will get there with a little more time (Have about 250 miles on it right now).

I have noted something that is a bit, well, humorous that you all have no doubt discussed before, but I would enjoy hearing thoughts on it. While at a graduation event for a niece, several brothers-in-law (and even a niece) started in with ribbing me about getting a three-wheeled vehicle. My brother-in-law, who is after all a bit of a jack wagon at times, made comments about not being able to balance on a "proper bike" (forget the fact that I have had multiple cruisers in the past and have raced bicycles competitively for over 25 years), and his daughter, who had just graduated high school, joining in on her father's fun said something about not being on "a real man's motorcycle."

I am neither thin-skinned nor self-conscious about my Can-Am. I love it and don't care what anybody says. Had I wanted another cruiser, I would have purchased one. I loved the different riding and commuting opportunities given by the Spyder, and sure I like the extra size and stability considering that Northern Virginia is one of the most aggressive driving areas in the country.

However, I wonder how many other riders have gotten those sorts of comments. More than that, though, it made me start wondering about people (even my relatives) who somehow equate two wheels with manhood and three wheels with something less than that. Something is seriously wrong with that mindset, don't you think?

Anyway, my thought is that I am loving it, loving the extra lane presence and stability, and am enjoying riding my Spyder to work and to Gettysburg on the weekends. I plan to get the Baja Ron sway bar at my 600 mile mark (I do feel sway from wind and opposing traffic). Would love general thoughts or recommendations.

Thanks!