No longer a Spyder Virgin!

[Derwin]

Well, I finally was able to take a nice test ride on the Spyder. All I can say is....WOW! That thing had far more POWER than I had ever dreamed. But I have never handled a motorcycle in my life, so this was ALL new to me. I had a heck of a time shifting gears. I think the dealer was going to have a stroke as I fumbled through first, second, and then third gear! (I never went beyong third gear)

One thing I have to say is that it seems sooooo very "front heavy", and it was difficult to steer the thing when going slow. And, again, shifting gears was way too much work for me! I really don't know how you guys do it who have driven motorcycles all your life. I guess it takes getting used-to. All I can say is that I am very glad that I ordered the SE5 model. I know I'll still have to shift gears, but hopefully it will be much easier.

I know this may be considered blasphemy on this site, but I may have been scared out of this Spyder. I think this may be "too much" machine for me.....I don't know. I am considering dropping this order, and getting a Piaggio MP3. What do you guys think? Give it to me straight......You won't hurt my feelings!

Anyway, if anybody has any suggestions for a new rider, I will glady accept them!

Here are some pics of my brother and me riding today.

 

[Lamonster]

I think if there was a way for you to spend a little time on a fourwheeler you would find that the Spyder drives much like a fourwheeler. I would say give it a chance before you give it up. Geez, even a girl can ride a Spyder. ;D :joke: :spyder:

 

[RTGENE]

It's so easy a caveman can do it.

 

[jeuchler]

It's so easy a caveman can do it.

Hey!

I'm offended by that!

(OK, well, it is easy. We cavepeople are just sensitive, is all...)

 

[Lamonster]

;D

 

[jeuchler]

;D

Cool.

You saw me on television!

 

[Director]

Well, I finally was able to take a nice test ride on the Spyder. All I can say is....WOW! That thing had far more POWER than I had ever dreamed. But I have never handled a motorcycle in my life, so this was ALL new to me. I had a heck of a time shifting gears. I think the dealer was going to have a stroke as I fumbled through first, second, and then third gear! (I never went beyong third gear)

One thing I have to say is that it seems sooooo very "front heavy", and it was difficult to steer the thing when going slow. And, again, shifting gears was way too much work for me! I really don't know how you guys do it who have driven motorcycles all your life. I guess it takes getting used-to. All I can say is that I am very glad that I ordered the SE5 model. I know I'll still have to shift gears, but hopefully it will be much easier.

The steering is very light at road speed. It sounds like you were just puttering around a parking lot, so you really didn't get the full picture of what the Spyder can do. You will be surprised how quickly you get used to the power as well.

Bruce :bigthumbsup:

 

[Derwin]

Bruce,

Yeah, that's about all we did.....Putter around the parcking lot....but it was a BIG parking lot! ;D

The thing just seemed so heavy, and difficult to handle, and the shifting of gears seemed so distracting to me. I can't even imagine riding this on a main road, and worrying about shifting those gears. I would be DEAD within the first 5 minutes! :-[

I think this thing MAY BE a little too much for me. So, what do you all think of the Piaggio MP3? I know this site is dedicated to Spyder related talk, but I need some input from you guys.

Derwin

 

[jeuchler]

...So, what do you all think of the Piaggio MP3...

OK, click that button that says "modify" and erase that quote above and replace it with

"So, what do you guys think of the new Spyder SE5 with electronic transmission..."

:bigthumbsup:

 

[TrailerTrash]

I think if there was a way for you to spend a little time on a fourwheeler you would find that the Spyder drives much like a fourwheeler. I would say give it a chance before you give it up. Geez, even a girl can ride a Spyder. ;D :joke: :spyder:

:spyder:
Hey - I resemble that remark!

Seriously, have you considered taking a motorcycle training class. We learned on lightweight bikes, two days work. I think it would give you some real confidence. I hadn't ridden my Yamaha for over a year when I got my Spyder. Hopped on and all that training came right back. Shifting will become second nature very quickly.

I know you can do this! :bigthumbsup: After all your time here, I would hate to see you step down to the Piaggio, the Spyder is so much cooler!

 

[pphantom538]

Give the spyder a try before changing your mind. I Just took the MSF class last spring and got my MC endorsement. Then had to have knee reconstruction & couldn't ride the bike I bought (Kawasaki VN750). Jumped on a spyder in February and got comfortable with shifting within a half hour. Just think, we don't have to remember to put our foot down when we stop, just sit back and relax.

 

[Wijllie]

If you had driven a motorcycle before and would have been familiar with gear shifting you wouldn't ask
Too much things too new and you have a situation to be confused.
One thing at a time, once you learn the shifting your ride will be a lot smoother.
If you don't want to wait to learn it you can go for the SE edition with auto clutch.
But once you learn shifting with normal gear you realy love to love it
It's like most things when they are new; think about the first time you drived a car.
Give it a bit time and do it a lot and you will see even you can handle a Spyder.
Once you can you wouldn't want to think about a MP3 'moped' any more ;D NEVER!

 

[NancysToy]

Give the spyder a try before changing your mind. I Just took the MSF class last spring and got my MC endorsement. Then had to have knee reconstruction & couldn't ride the bike I bought (Kawasaki VN750). Jumped on a spyder in February and got comfortable with shifting within a half hour. Just think, we don't have to remember to put our foot down when we stop, just sit back and relax.

Full replacement, repair, or partial? Interested because my wife is having more and more knee problems. She was supposed to have a full replacement a few years back. Just got her Spyder, but her physical therapist says with a new knee, she won't be able to bend it far enough to ride it. Sure would like to hear an opinion in the opposite direction.

Derwin, I understand your fear, confusion, and frustration, but I think you will get used to the Spyder quickly. I have ridden the MP3, and it is a blast, but not up to the task of anything more than city riding. The new 400 could change that, but it still won't be a road queen. That machine takes almost as much getting used to. First, it leans, which will floor you at first if you have never ridden a motorcycle. Second, it steers like a motorcycle, so don't plan on turning it into the corners as you did the Spyder. Last, the seating is like in a chair, which makes me very uncomfortable, but I have ridden motorcycles for 50 years. Don't make up your mind without a Piaggio test ride, at very least.

I fully agree about taking a class. It will give you practice and confidence. My wife had only ridden a Honda Trail 90 at low speeds before she got her Spyder. Like you, she fumbled around greatly with the shifting and clutch, her first parking lot practice session, even though she drives a stick shift car at times. The second session she was far smoother, and more confident. It just kept getting better. She is taking her MSF course now, and said by the end of the day she didn't even think about the shifting anymore. Ride some more, give it some time, it will become second nature.
-Scotty

 

[Derwin]

:a18:
YOU GUYS ARE ALL FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for the feedback, and especially for the encouragment. :bigthumbsup:

I WAS considering the Piaggio MP3 500, and I just went to view it again (the website), and there is no way I am going to step down from the Spyder now. Scotty's words really ring true with me.....I may have just as many problems with the Piaggio as I would with the Spyder, so I would much rather deal with it and have the Spyder at the end of the day.

Also, I went and looked at the SE5 again on the main website. This reminded me how easy it looks to switch gears by just using your thumb. I'm pretty sure I could get my thumb trained to do that! ;D

Anyway, Thanks again to everybody for your kind words. Hey, Lamont, I think you have created a nice little Spyder Family here, and it's second to NONE!

Derwin

 

[pphantom538]

Derwin,
Great to here you'll give it a try.

Scotty,
My reconstruction was to avoid replacement in a few years - 4 tears, 4 cysts and some bone scrapping. Doc was great and I was walking (gingerly) 3 days later. Back at golf 6 weeks. No residual problems. Knee about 90% and should hold off the replacement for another 10 years. Doc said the key was the icing every 20 mins for the first week. Then 4 weeks physical therapy. Only problem is range lifting my toes ahich is what bothers me when I shift.
Ask Nancy's doc if she's a candidate - it worked great for me.

Regards,

Paul

 

[barb36jack31]

You will get the hang of it real fast. Remember, if you goof up, just stop and start over. You don't have to worry about falling over. Just start over again and in no time you will be shifting like a champ.

Jack H.

 

[ocsurfrr]

Cool.

You saw me on television!

LOL...
But seriously if you talk all the aspects away from a bike like shifting and control doesnt it become a car?

 

[jebkaylor]

Me, I enjoy shifting bikes and cars but its not for everyon and thats what the electronic shift is for!

 

[Derwin]

Me, I enjoy shifting bikes and cars but its not for everyon and thats what the electronic shift is for!

Amen, brother! I can honestly say that I would not be getting the Spyder if they did not offer the SE5 electronic shift. But I actually like a stick shift in a car. I drove a truck with a stick shift for around 5 years, and really enjoyed it. But shifting the Spyder was completely different, and I just would not want to go through the learning process, even though I know I could learn it after time. But since they are offering the SE5 model, why should I bother with the manual? More fun? Well, maybe! But I think riding the Spyder in either the manual or SE5 will be more than enough fun for anyone to handle!

Derwin

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty,
My reconstruction was to avoid replacement in a few years - 4 tears, 4 cysts and some bone scrapping. Doc was great and I was walking (gingerly) 3 days later. Back at golf 6 weeks. No residual problems. Knee about 90% and should hold off the replacement for another 10 years. Doc said the key was the icing every 20 mins for the first week. Then 4 weeks physical therapy. Only problem is range lifting my toes ahich is what bothers me when I shift.
Ask Nancy's doc if she's a candidate - it worked great for me.

Regards,

Paul

Paul,
Thanks for the reply. I had much the same done on the right side last year, and it worked wonders. Left side is shot, but I am a candidate for a partial there. In no hurry, as long as it still bends. Pain doesn't bother me much. My wife, unfortunately, is not a candidate for reconstruction. She shattered her right tibia into twelve pieces, lengthwise, right through the joint plateau. They fortunately did not have to amputate her leg, but some fragments stick up higher than the rest, up to 1/4". They wanted to do a replacement as soon as she healed, then asked to again after she had all the metal removed a year later, and yet again another year later when she had it scoped to remove some scar tissue and debris. Doubt they will give her another chance. She is having increasing problems, so we are on pins and needles. Certainly OK for short rides, most days, but her MSF course regimen of five hours a day on a bike took a toll. We'll just have to remain hopeful. She passed, BTW. Road ticket soon, then I will have to relinquish the Spyder to its rightful owner.
Scotty