Other peoples reaction

[Thunderpunk]

Everywhere I go ppl look and when I stop ppl ask and say good things. Of course I love that and all but I'm really amazed at how many ppl have not seen these bikes before except on tv commercials or somewhere they don't usually go. In my part of the world, New Orleans westbank, there aren't any (or very few) that I see even driving around in the car. So, I guess down south here they are quite a novelty.

I grew up on the Westbank in Terrytown. Over the lake in Madisonville now. Just ordered my 2021 Spyder F3-SE6 yesterday. You are correct. They are few and far between in SE LA. The only thing that concerns me is getting decent service. I guess we'll see how it goes.

 

[carsong]

I get people asking about it all the time. Everyone I've talked to has had positive comments. I know what I enjoy, and I don't care what others think, but it's nice to get the waves from other riders. I know some people think, "Well, maybe I'll get one when I'm old and feeble." That's okay. I enjoyed my 40+ years of riding on two wheels, too. Now, I'm lovin' life on 3, very quick, wheels.

 

[Wmoater]

I rode HD's for 52 years and enjoyed every mile.
A year ago I bought my first Spyder, A 2016 F3 Limited, and have not regretted that decision.

My advice to you is: It's not WHAT you ride - It's THAT you ride that matters.
Get out there in the wind on something.
If it's a Spyder you will have chosen wisely grasshopper.

Smoke68

I agree. I only rode my Harley from 98 to 13 but here is what I have to say. My wife and I go to a straight up Harley (bad as$) bar every Wednesday on my spyder. It’s the type of bar that serves .35 wings and .25 draft and only big tired trucks, bikes and muscle cars are there. I sit on then back patio and watch all those “all in black leather bandaned boys” walk up to my bike and look it over each week. I’m known as spyder boy. I’m 52 but they call me boy anyway. Not one has ever said get a real bike. There’s a Vietnam vet that can probably kick the crap out of all of us, and he only has one leg. He’s thrown his body over my spyder a couple times and sat. He just smiles. He’s getting one so he can ride again. 3/4 of those guys smile and cheer him on to get one too. Harley guys are the same as you and me. I get waves from them all. When my wife is on the back, every rider waves. In my area, I’d say 50 percent of the weekend warriors are 50 plus year olds and their wives on the back just like us here. In fact, I’d say the average age here is 60+ and respected. We’re all the same. We enjoy the wind in our faces. As for common people, I get asked everywhere we go about the spyder. Is an eye catcher magnet and everyone smiles because it is a happy looking machine.

 

[Plarimer]

I’ve ridden Harleys since 1956 and I’ve always shown respect to other riders with a good wave. Now that I switched to an RT, I find a lot of curiosity at fuel stops etc. and very few people don’t wave back.

 

[kennygee]

Im in Clemmons NC and my job is in Winston Salem NC and every time I stop for gas or at lights I get questions and nothing but great feedback about the bike... Just like anything else we have to use wisdom but all in all I never regret the purchase and look forward to longer rides and not just commutes to work...A little story I met a couple at a parts store and when the husband saw the bike we ended up talking about motorcycles for about two hours in the parking lot...He actually was a Harley rider and still has one, but its to heavy to keep up..(bad knees from years of abuse..) but he actually gave me a lot of good advice on maintenance and about riding in general...I say all that to say keep riding be safe and use the wisdom from this website and others to expand your knowledge on the beautiful machine that keeps us older folks in the wind...:cheers:

 

[RayBJ]

I'm a recent convert from 2 wheels sport tourer to the RT because my ego can't deal with the 0 mph drops. Everyone I rode with before has fully accepted the transition. At 1st, I relegated myself to sweeper to stay out of the way of the 2 wheeled hooligans in our group. After 2 months, I'm now running in 3rd or 4th slot because the guys behind struggle to stay with us in the twisties. Many times I nearly ran into them in corners. One of the fast guys (on a FJ09) dropped his bike at a light last weekend - not 30 minutes after he showed a serious interest in my RT. I think anyone with an open mind would consider a Spyder when their riding desire is stronger than their ego. Wind Therapy works regardless of the wheel count under you.

As for waves, I've found those that waved at me before still wave and those that wave at no one, still don't.

 

[Snoking1127]

Here in Arizona just about everyone waves, hand out and low beside you. I think it is newbies that have not yet learned the wave that don't do it. Now, when a Spyder is passing the other direction I put cruise control on if it is not already on and give them the touch down wave. Regarding a group of HD guys looking down their noises at you at a stop, drop the Spyder in reverse and back a circle around them. How do you like me now??

 

[Stache]

I’ve been told, on occasion, “it’s not a motorcycle”. I usually explain:

MOTORized biCYCLE
MOTORized triCYCLE

Followed by some variant of “go away, you silly person”

 

[Rattlebars]

After 66 years and 500,000 on 2 wheels and knees destroyed by motocross, I love this thing. Care not what anyone says, never did...

 

[Yabbadabbadoo]

My favorite riding partner is my brother, on his Harley. I always lead because I have the GPS and just randomly pick out curvy roads and stuff. He tells me he's amazed at how many people point and gawk at my Spyder. He's also noticed a lot of other motorcycle riders that didn't wave to me but waved to him.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Some of the nicest folks I know ride Harleys. They have accepted me and what I choose to ride and we ride together almost every weekend.
And they invite me to bike night at the HD dealer every month.
I guess it is the same wind.:doorag:

Me Too

Cruzr Joe

 

[Hoginedgewood]

Last week, I was on 2 wheels wife on spyder. HD passing opposite direction gave me 2 fingers down, then he gave her 3 fingers.

 

[RazzleH]

Last week, I was on 2 wheels wife on spyder. HD passing opposite direction gave me 2 fingers down, then he gave her 3 fingers.

What do those finger signals mean please?

 

[Peter Aawen]

What do those finger signals mean please?

2 fingers down = keep 2 wheels on the road; 3 fingers = keep 3 wheels on the road

Basically, the rider giving these 'signals' is recognising & sharing the 'Brotherhood of Riders' :thumbup: