New to the Site and Seeking Advise

[Ph2ocraft]

I've liked the Spyder since seeing a green 08' at my local dealer.
Problem was I couldn't get any of my friends interested in even looking at one much less buying one.
I currently own 11 1000cc and above motorcycles with most of them being early 80's street bikes.
I've also gone the route of a couple sport cruisers in the way of a Kawi Concours and a BMW K1200s
I've always preferred a basic straight up riding position.
Im turning 56 this May and due to a little crazier past I have a complete replacement right hip and right knee along with a repaired severed ACL in the left knee.
My wife and I are very active on PWC and cruising the Delta.
Well, I think you know where I'm heading with all this.
I want a Spyder!!
My real question is what do I need??
Sport, touring, twin, triple?
I'm kind of lost but know I want to tool around town
Take some long rides
Enjoy the mountains
I'd love to get some help narrowing the field.
Suggestions or ideas very WELCOME.
Thanks
Al

 

[C3517C]

Well as you might expect there is no correct answer to your question. First, most people will tell you whichever Spyder they have is the best one. That's fine, we all bought the one that we liked best. It just depends on what your main purpose for the bike is. If you like taking trips, you want an RT. If you want to cruise around town with a sporty attitude, probably an F-3. If you want to feel the road beneath you and the wind in your face, probably an RS. They all have their place.
I've had an RS and now have an RT. For my personal preference I like the creature comforts and storage of an RT. Your going to have to take some test drives to see what suits you, and how much money you want to spend. I'm sure you'll find the right one in short order after that. Good luck, have fun.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
:shocked: We can't tell you what to buy...
But most of us will offer an opinion anyway!
It all comes down to comfort: what do you need, to make you and your Better-Half feel the best after a day in the saddle.
The RT is the mileage-gobbler" of the bunch. It offers the best two-up long distance comfort.
The RS is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It's the sportiest, but the seating position might be too aggressive for a long day in the saddle.
The ST is a compromise. It gives a more relaxed seating position in the sportier bike.
The F3 offers cruiser seating. It is the latest design, and sits you down into the bike much lower.

The vee-twin is a "revver"; let it climb up into the rev range that it likes, and it'll SING!
The triple is a "torque", and offers about a 20% increase in fuel economy...

Your choice... Happy Shopping!!

 

[SPIDR1]

TO YOUR LIKING

The previous posts give very good input on the model of bike you would like to own. Like it was said, it depends on where you ride, if you have a rider with you and comfort. At my age, the RTL model fits my needs. I like to tour the back roads and the country side but yet it handles very well on the open roads. Best advice is to try out the different models and go for it. We would welcome you to the club!

 

[Myron Ah]

New to site and seeking advice.

Remember, you get what you pay for! I have knee, spinal cord, shoulder, hand and wrist issues. All that and arthritis everywhere. Sitting in the crotch rocket type position was never an option so I never thought I would be able to ride one. With my issues I finally got a bolt on trike kit for my Midnight Venture. It was nice but the shoulders did not like steering and the riding was not as fun especially for my wife; choppy/rocky on the pasenger. Sat on a 2013 RT and liked it. Tried it out and was sold. One reason I tried one was the electric assisted power steering!!! With my shoulders and neck issues, it was a chore to steer the Venture and I was ready to give up riding. The Spyder is more two wheel like in that you want to "lean" in turns. My wife says it is the best riding bike of the 4 we have owned; '81 Honda CB 900, '85 Goldwing Aspencade and the Venture which was my favorite until this RT. I added highway pegs so I could stretch out my 6'0" 250lbs. (I'm lowballing my weight!) frame. Floorboards and heel toe shifter and Bead rider cushions. However, the most important thing I did was make the seat my own! I doctored mine after reading remarks and reviews on this great sight. Cut out the lunbar support to give me more room and added a back rest. I even replaced the stock foam in the back rest with softer foam because it was too stiff. Trial and little error. For some the after market seats are great. For me the after market/retirement wallet did my refining. Good hunting and try many models.

 

[AY4B]

All you need is your Gut feeling. Go to the Spyder store near you and look. If there is one there you cant live with out, then show interest and they will make you a deal you cant refuse. That is where the adventure begins. :clap:

 

[Bob Denman]

Ergonomics

"Every picture tells a story..."


http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

[AY4B]

If you have leg problems like some of us, get one that you can move your legs around. Floorboars with pegs are what I like. if I cant move to different positions, my hips start to cramp.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

If you have a dealer near you that rents Spyders, I would recommend renting one for a day. With me personally a 10 min test ride didn't work. I hated the Spyder. Then after reading all the does and don'ts for new Spyder owners on this site, I tried it again.
I rented one for a day and found that I hated it for the first 50 miles, that is when I learned to relax and quit with the death grip on the handlebars, and from that point on I was HOOKED! I purchased mine just about a month later when I found the color I wanted in stock. It did take a little bit to get used to not counter steering and leaning in the corners, but one you are accustomed to it you can scream around the corners and have the ride of your life!

The last 2 bikes that we toured on were Yamaha Venture Royals, and my wife says that the ride on the Spyder is MUCH better. It is nothing for us to put on 400-600 miles in a day without here complaining or wanting off. It was me on the Spyder. I found that factory seat to hurt my hips and I replaced it with a Russel Day Long Saddle. Now I have no complaints on the long rides either.

As far as a twin or a triple, I have never owned a twin, but the maintenance cost that have been posted here for the triple are much lower than the twin. But there again it will depend on the model you get.

I love my 2015 RTL, but I must say that the F3 looks like a riot to ride.

 

[Lin]

You really have to go to the dealer and start by sitting on them and then taking something out for a test drive. It is all about the feel and comfort only you can judge.

And.... Welcome to Spyderlovers!!!!!:welcome::welcome::welcome:

 

[Tango]

:welcome: You need to sit on the various models first. See which one, or ones you think you like. Next ride them. You will figure it out. And have fun doing it. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Suggestion

Take a ride up to Elk Grove Power Sports and test Ryde all of the models, then make a decision. From what you have described that you like to do. It might be an RT, but they will all be a little different. EGPS is the best dealer in Northern California with a great service department and great honest sales staff. You can't g wrong. Tell them Larry and Annette sent you and ask for Allen in the sales department. They will fit you into the right motorcycle. Then come on out on a Ryde with the Spyder Ryders of America Sacramento Chapter (srasacramento.com) then register for the Nor-Cal Spyder Ralley. You will have a blast. https://sites.google.com/site/norcalspyderrally/

 

[Ph2ocraft]

First of all Thanks for the kind welcome to your site!!
Ive been doing a bit of reading on the site and with the comments above I know a couple things that I must have.
Triple cylinder versus the twin based on torque numbers alone.
I couldn't get a "feel" for which is a smoother power plant but I'm assuming that belongs to the triple as well.
The other thing that really caught my attention is that you sit into the newer Spyder, I think I'd prefer a lower center of gravity.
Ill be visiting the dealer on Tuesday and feel I'm better versed in what I'm looking for.
Ergos are what sell me on my watercraft (just bought a sea Doo 300RXT-X).
Then I like gobs of acceleration-no real reason, I just like it.
Thank You ALL for the suggestions and input.
Ill post up as I get closer to my decision.
Ive got some test rides to do

 

[bronzeflex42]

I like the RT myself. Wise decision to go with the Spyder brand. They are nice machines. :welcome: you got mail. hyea:hyea:hyea:

 

[Chupaca]

Welcome. ..

This gets asked a lot. Through the years of being here I have found the only solution and recommendation is to go out there and try them all. As mentioned above we all love out rydes got them for our own reasons and would not admit to our mistakes. :roflblack: many move on up to what they feel is the better ryde for them. They are expensive and we realize you don't want to err in your choice. Test ryde them all it is half the fun of getting one and the best way to make up your mind. Let not looks nor color influence you go for the comfort and handling..jmho...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

First of all Thanks for the kind welcome to your site!!
Ive been doing a bit of reading on the site and with the comments above I know a couple things that I must have.
Triple cylinder versus the twin based on torque numbers alone.
I couldn't get a "feel" for which is a smoother power plant but I'm assuming that belongs to the triple as well.
The other thing that really caught my attention is that you sit into the newer Spyder, I think I'd prefer a lower center of gravity.
Ill be visiting the dealer on Tuesday and feel I'm better versed in what I'm looking for.
Ergos are what sell me on my watercraft (just bought a sea Doo 300RXT-X).
Then I like gobs of acceleration-no real reason, I just like it.
Thank You ALL for the suggestions and input.
Ill post up as I get closer to my decision.
Ive got some test rides to do

Now comes the FUN part...

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:welcome:
:shocked: We can't tell you what to buy...
But most of us will offer an opinion anyway!
It all comes down to comfort: what do you need, to make you and your Better-Half feel the best after a day in the saddle.
The RT is the mileage-gobbler" of the bunch. It offers the best two-up long distance comfort.
The RS is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It's the sportiest, but the seating position might be too aggressive for a long day in the saddle.
The ST is a compromise. It gives a more relaxed seating position in the sportier bike.
The F3 offers cruiser seating. It is the latest design, and sits you down into the bike much lower.

The vee-twin is a "revver"; let it climb up into the rev range that it likes, and it'll SING!
The triple is a "torque", and offers about a 20% increase in fuel economy...

Your choice... Happy Shopping!!

"Every picture tells a story..."


http://cycle-ergo.com/

:welcome:

I agree with Bob's post about the different models. The egos illustrated will depend on your height and inseam. Another choice you didn't mention is manual (SM) or semi-automatic (SE) transmissions.

I just say test drive them all and then decide which fits your needs the most.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and enjoy the hunt. As others have said, a test drive or two will help determine what you like best.

I have had five assorted--see signature pictures below. I recommend a 2014 or later if your budget will allow it. The triple is a sweeter engine than the twin. Less maintenance also.

2015 or higher added the F3 configuration. They come in sport, touring, and LTD. All RT's now have the triple and three basic levels of trim also.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
I just say test drive them all and then decide which fits your needs the most.

Or bring a REALLY fat wallet to the dealership... :2thumbs:

 

[Deanna777]

You really have to go to the dealer and start by sitting on them and then taking something out for a test drive. It is all about the feel and comfort only you can judge.

And.... Welcome to Spyderlovers!!!!!:welcome::welcome::welcome:

:agree: Deanna