Hi-jack alert!!!!
Ok as a lurker on this board and an owner of a Gold Wing, for those of you that moved to a Spyder from a Wing:
- what attracted you to the Spyder over the Wing?
- your thoughts on the torque curve as compared to the Wing? In other words, where does the Spyder start making power?
- how does your SO like the seating as compared to the Wing?
- what about the wind for your SO again as compared to the........?
Taking a long look at the Spyder versus a Wing before I buy my next bike.
Thanks all.
I had my wing back in 2006, moved from a VTX 1800. This was my first wing, loved the smooth quite torquey engine. However the ride was not as comfortable as I expected it to be, I had to put floorboards on to get ride of knee pain. Shock where hash hench lots of GL riders spend close to 6k putting on a full Monty kit. The biggest issue was for my wife she had real trouble getting on and off, she is small and would have to climb up, knee on seat and twist, to the point she stop ridding with me.
Don't get me wrong I liked the wing, a good all round bike, but I started to look for a new bike. Didn't feel that mother Honda had done enough with the 2012 model for me to buy another, I looked at the victory vision and a few others.
I got an offer of a demo event ride in the mail (proof that marketing does work) from can-am. I did a lot of research, joined this board and learned a lot. Took the spyder out for a very long test ride, fell in love with it. Traded the GL and I've never regretted it once. My reason had nothing to do with wanting 3 wheels, being in my late 40's I could still Handel the GL no fear of dropping. It was comfort, features, looks and just great fun to ride.
The Spyder is to me the perfect long distant touring machine. The wife loves it, she can get on and off real easy plus she can do all of this before I even get on the spyder. I did put seal floorboards on because I prefer boards to pegs. She uses these as a step up to the rear boards.
The engine on the spyder takes some getting used too, it likes too run at higher RPM, you feel the power 5k and up. You can not cruse at 30 mph in 5th gear. You have to stay above 3.5 k RPM, but you get used to it. It's a V-Twin so not as smooth but then again what else is, maybe the new BMW are the closest but I didn't like them either after the test ride. Anyone looking the the new BMW K1600 should look at the Concourse or the Goldwing, the BMW try's to be both rather than be good at one thing.
My wife loves the spyder, hated the GL with a passion to high, too much wind buffering. The spyder as motorized windscreen which the GL should have had years ago. Love that I can lower it then when we hit the highway just raise it up. The top buffering as gone lot smoother, not as much leg coverage especially in the rain as the GL but I'm going to order Baker Built Air Wings to take care of that.
I purchased the RT limited and prefere it over my wing any day, but I have read other stories on the GL riders forum whom have regretted the move. Take a test ride and see for you self. Local dealers in in MA will be happy to take you out. There is a demo event this weekend in north Conway NH.
BTW, the Spyder pulls our cargo trailer much better than the GL ever did.
im in Bellingham MA if your close your welcome to swing by and take a look, pm me.
My original thread
harry
opcorn::bbq::cheers:Mike
