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New to me - which Spyder?

P

poprivit

New member
Not a Can Am Spyder owner yet. I'm 78, just sold my BMW R1200R. I'm a tad too unsteady on two wheels, so a Spyder is in my future.
I want to start off slow, so what would be a good purchase for $8k or less as a beginner. I'm fairly good with tools, and sent a couple of Snap-On dealer's kids through college, so working on a Spyder is no problem.
So, girls, and boys, what would you recommend.
Oh yeah, I live near Las Vegas and will pay in cash.
Photo is my last bike.

IMG_0166.jpg
 
Test ride as many as possible and shop around. Facebook and here on SL site. If I were to do it again I'd focus on 14s to 17s they seem to have the fewest problems. But as for 8K, that's wishfill thinking. You've got to get up to twice that for a decent reliable ride. Good luck searcing.
 
:welcome:

Your price point might be a bit low for getting started with a Spyder. I would recommend a 2014 or higher year with the 1330 three cylinder engine. The older, 998's, especially the early ones 2008, 2009, which would be in that $8K price range, may be more work than you desire or are capable of working on.

I have seen 2014 going for $12K or so. I have a couple F3's, a 2019 and 2020 for sale. See my ad if interested.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...ARtravelers-2019-F3Limited-and-2020-F3Limited
 
Very nice BMW. I see it is the later liquid/air cooled engine and has some nice farkles such as luggage, Corbin seat, etc.

Like other members said, I doubt you would be happy with the 990cc engine so therefore 2014+ 1330cc engine. Which is very nice: 3-cylinder, DOHC, counter-balance shaft, throttle-by-wire, Bosch ECM/TCM, etc. You'll like it although not quite as sophisticated as the BMW twin.

If you want to continue the open air ride then you want the F3 series.

And if you get one for $8K that's better than me at $9K ... including trailer.:ohyea:
 
Your price point may be a tad too low. I would second the comments of other posters suggesting that you stay in years that have the 1330 engine. After that then the question is do you want an RT or an F3. I rode a bike similar to your BMW (R1200RT) in that it had a seating position with your feet basically directly under your body. The F3 has a feet forward cruiser seating position while the RT has a more sport bike position like the bike you now have. That is the reason I went to an RT when I had to give up the BMW. I found the seating position of the F3 awkward and uncomfortable. But this bike is for you and not me so test ride or at least sit on both an F3 and a RT and make your own decision. Incidentally it is less expensive to spend the money to get what you want the first time than to try to save money by buying older used bikes. I bought a 2019 RTL and found I loved it then traded for a new 2022 Sea to Sky where I could have saved about $5,000 by getting the 2022 to begin with. Someone suggested a Ryker. Your decision but the Ryker's look terribly small and seat the rider down close to the pavement. Again your choice. No matter what you will enjoy the Spyder.
 
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Like others have said, at your current budget you're probably looking at a used Ryker instead of a Spyder. I just made the switch myself a little over a month ago. I came from an R1200RT-LC and Energica Ribelle. I rented an F3-S for a week and test rode both F3 Limiteds and RT Limiteds (with my wife). Personally I found the F3 "sportier" despite the cruiser-ish riding position. My wife liked the lower riding position of the F3 Limited over the higher passenger seat on the RT Limited. But like others said, you need to test ride the different models to see what fits you the best. I highly recommend taking multiple test rides if at all possible and perhaps renting one or more. It's such a personal decision that even the cost of renting is money well spent.
 
Pop -- assuming your riding future will be a 3-wheeler here are your choices:

H-D and Honda (side-by-side): dangerous single steered front wheel sans safety electronics

Polaris (side-by-side): Slingshot (almost the same length and width of my Ford E-350)

Vanderhall (side-by-side): Santarosa, Classic, Venice: very nice but if I wanted a side-by-side I'd get a sidecar

Can-Am (fore-aft): Ryker (maybe too small); 990cc Spyder (out of production); 1330cc Spyder (Bob's your uncle!)
 
Not sure what you mean by H_D and Honda (side-by-side). They are the same as the Spyder, fore-aft. While Honda does make Side by Sides they are for off-road use and I don't think Harley has entered that market.
 
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I am 76 and just went through what you are going through. Got rid of my 2 wheeler (Harley Heritage) and wanted to try a Spyder. I found a 2011 Can Am RT-S with the Semi-Auto transmission. Had to pay $10,500.00 but it had 20K miles and looked brand new and everything works. I like this bike very much. I agree that the later models with the 1330 engine and 6 speed transmission would be nice. But I wanted something I could pay for and enjoy. If you are like me and have never ridden a 3 wheeler, I will warn you that you are in for a surprise. It took me about 150-200 miles to relax and enjoy the ride. It does not ride anything like 2 wheels but relax and everything will be great.
 
The key will be to test ride and see which seating position works for you. As for your price point, it might be a little low for getting into a 1330 engine, but you can certainly find one for the $10k range. It will take a little patience, but they are out there. I am looking at a 2017 F3 base that is in that range. Just waiting for the title to come to him and then we will close the deal. Good luck with your search.
 
poprivit said:
BL - does the 2016-2017 Base come with Cruise? It's a deal breaker for me and my two replaced knees.
Click to expand...

You can add cruise control to the F3 Base model. All you have to do is change out the RH Switch Housing from a F3S. It's a plug N play install. I have the part and plan on installing this fall or winter.
 
So Poprivit, did you find something or are you still looking? Let us know how your search is coming.
 
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