Hi all... I have purchased the 2013 Spyder RS-S in Alloy Orange Metallic. It's at the shop awaiting better weather to bring home as I live an hour away from the dealer.
I have never driven a bike or even got to take the Spyder for a test drive BUT I got my M-1 license woo hoo... Can only drive during the day for now and at my age that makes me feel like a kid getting their first beginners license.
If anyone has any tips on making sure the unit is set up correctly for me ( I found info from Cargasm and adjusting shocks and checking front tire air pressure )
I am 6'3" and 275 lbs. (wish they had smaller fonts to put that in) I've read everything I can get a hold of
I have owned very fast snowmobiles and Seadoo's and am not put off by speed and probably will go into a large parking lot to try a few turns and braking before hitting main roads...
any tips on setting up at dealership for my size before I get it or some first crack tips on the first drive....
I have bought a GoPro to film all the first activity for some friends interested in seeing how they perform, I will be driving in very cold weather ... any tips
Wish me luck
First off, congrats! :welcome:
On setup/delivery, I'm sure others can suggest their own checklist, but I'd add this:
1. First things first, ask to meet the tech who set up your Spyder, and if not the same person, whomever is the "head tech" for your dealer. You're going to own the bike for a long time to come, no time like the present to get to know them on a first name basis.
2. Ask them explicitly if all the latest recalls have been done. Given the 2013 alignment issues reported on the board, ask too if they're confident in the alignment, and if they're capable to addressing any alignment issues there at the dealer (I understand some dealers don't yet have the right equipment). Again, your ride is probably perfect, but you just want to be sure they have a good attitude towards addressing any concerns you have in the future.
3. Since it's a 2013 the battery is probably new, i.e. it hasn't been sitting around on the lot for a long time, so you should be good there. Invest in a battery tender for home if you don't already have one.
4. At your weight, I'd ask them to adjust the shocks before you take delivery. Don't bump them to max just yet-- you'll want to know how the Spyder rides "normally"-- so I'd suggest going 3 or 4 on the rear shock (max is 5), and maybe 2/3rds to 3/4s on the Fox shocks on your RS-S. As you noted, check to ensure the tires are properly inflated (bring your own gauge-- you may end up taking delivery before you're able to confirm the pressure, but this way you'll be prepared to just run over to a gas station and check it yourself).
5. If you're getting any Can-Am mods, have them install them ahead of time. For instance, at the last second I decided I wanted the fog lights and the 12v in the frunk, I called ahead to the dealer and had them install them before pickup.
6. Do the usual TCLOCS checklist before accepting the bike-- run all the lights, signals, horn, check the belt, check that the parking brake is tight, check the cables are connected, find the battery, find the fuse blocks, find the oil, be sure you know how to cycle through the MODE button, be sure you know how to start the bike, engage reverse, etc.
As for pickup day, I'd plan being there when the dealer opens then an hour locally just to get a feel for the bike. Find a big parking lot (big box retailers, shopping malls-- the best are big multiplex movie theater lots, early in the morning there is never anyone there) and ride. Do progressively tighter circles to learn how the bike reacts (note: DON'T do this fast). Learn to lean your body and shift your weight to the *inside* of turns to help keep the Spyder planted. Practice emergency braking at increasingly faster speeds and see how the bike (and your body) reacts (note: in a "panic stop," you will shift forward, often off your behind into a semi-standing position... be aware of how to hang on). Know how to use the foot brake, and how NOT to use the foot brake (riding the brake can set off the limp mode, don't do that). Use a light grip on the handlebars-- if you hold too tightly, the bike will handle roughly. Think "holding a baby bird" light grip.
If you run into a limp mode, don't panic. Stop the bike, pull the key out, and walk ten feet away so the key fob "clears" the bike. Come back twenty seconds later and try again, that usually clears up a limp mode. Obviously, if this happens while you're near the dealer, I'd take the bike back just to check what happened-- as a general rule, if you had a problem during dealer setup, it'll show itself early on (hence why you want to practice *near* your dealer).
Once you're comfortable, I'd take a route home that features as little traffic as possible. That said, believe it or not, highway riding is likely easier than side street riding-- fewer things to hit. Your call, but ride with a "spotter" (whoever helped get you to the dealer) behind you to help block traffic in at least *one* direction.
Most of all? Enjoy yourself, you only get to pickup your Spyder once! You'll be nervous the first time, but with practice (VERY little practice-- it's easier to ride than two-wheels, obviously) you'll get the hang of it in no time.
