Pillion Passenger can't reach the hand grips - any ideas?

[dragonhi]

Perhaps someone can advise me. I picked up my RT Ltd six days ago and I am gradually unlearning 50 years on solos and sidecars.
My problem is my tiny wife can ride it OK, but when she is in the passenger seat, she can't reach the hand holds. I have had to raise the footrests to the top notch. She is very nervous about not being able to hang on, made harder because we are sitting further apart than on our previous bike where she could hang on to me.
Any clues?

 

[MRH]

I'm looking at the photo, and I just can't see how reaching the handrests would be difficult for her, can you upload a pick where she trying to do it?

 

[racoon]

You didn't mention the year or model of your Spyder, but I'm guessing 2024 RT Limited?

The solution may be adding the Passenger Armrests accessory.

 

[TheMariner]

Welcome fellow Croweater!

Passenger Armrests are a great idea, or you could try one of these: https://www.amxsuperstores.com.au/products/oxford-rider-grips-pillion-grab-handles

 

[Mikey]

:agree: I have a set on my bike and my wife loves them! I think they came from Corbin.

 

[Redbeard]

I put armrests on my 2023 RTL for the Mrs. She loves them. They were easy to install; a bit pricey, but it does keep peace in the family so it is worth it! I purchased mine at:

https://leadersrpmshop.com/can-am-new-oem-optimal-comfort-easy-access-passenger-armrests-219401181/

for a bit over $400.

SKU: 219401181; Condition: New; Availability: In Stock; Width: 12.00 (in); Height: 18.00 (in); Depth: 16.00 (in).

 

[racoon]

I just noticed that dragonhi is located in South Australia, so while I still think the armrests are a good idea, purchasing them closer to home is a better idea.

 

[JayBros]

My bride can easily reach the passenger grips; however, based on decades and many thousands of miles of tandem bicycle riding, I would definitely not like the grab handles gizmo. When I introduced the better half to the Spyder I told her that, for our safety, just follow my lead as if on the tandem. It worked just fine. Were she not able to reach the pillion hand grips, I would eat the cost, and install the BRP passenger armrests.

 

[Lew L]

.

My wife loves the arm rests. She can reach the hand holds also and uses them in the twisties.

Lew L

 

[TheMariner]

I just noticed that dragonhi is located in South Australia, so while I still think the armrests are a good idea, purchasing them closer to home is a better idea.

We Aussies would like to think that was the case.. but regrettably we have almost no option but to purchase direct from the U.S. & suffer the exchange rate and extra freight costs. Even if parts & accessories are available here, they are sometimes marked-up quite heavily because of smaller volumes and "If you want it now you'll pay for it". Puchasing direct from the U.S. is often cheaper than buying locally... shipping just takes longer. Vendors like Slingmods & Value Accessories (and others I'm sure) make this an easy process.

 

[racoon]

There are no Spyder accessory shops down under?

 

[Peter Aawen]

There are no Spyder accessory shops down under?

Nope! Apart from dealers, who largely don't stock a heap of accessories anyway - not really...

 

[racoon]

I did some poking around and found the CAN-AM Australia website, and then found the following page, which is where you customize your Spyder.

https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/au/en/shopping-tools/customise-your-own.html

If I click the Spyder RT and on the next page click RT Limited it changes to:

https://can-am.brp.com/on-road/au/e...m=SPY_R66&package=RT_LIMITED&unitid=000G1RF00

On the right side is a menu to select (1) Color, (2) Engine, and (3) Accessories.

Clicking Accessories and then Seats & Backrests shows Passenger Armrests as the second item on the list.

 

[Peter Aawen]

But racoon, and this is the major sticking point here - all of that ^ assumes that there's an outlet &/or dealer nearby (ie, within about 1000 miles) who either has those armrests in stock; OR who can be bothered to order them in!! :yikes:

And you know what '(making an) Ass(of)U(&)ME-ing' does, don't you?! :banghead:

 

[TheMariner]

Picking accessories off the website might work when you are configuring your Spyder prior to ordering-in a brand new one, but that's about all. If you want a new Spyder from a Dealer you either have to take whatever he has on the floor (if any) or be prepared for a long wait (10 months for a fellow owner just recently) for one to be ordered in from BRP.

I can almost guarantee no Dealer carries accessories on the shelf... they barely carry necessary spare parts

Such is live down in the Colonies on the other side of the world !

 

[dragonhi]

Thank you to everyone. The boss says she will practice more before deciding on armrests. It is true that Spyder shops are rare down here. There is one dealer in the whole of South Australia, a state bigger than many countries. On the up side is that we have lots of roads and great scenery.

 

[racoon]

As part of the Apple Carplay "compensation" offered by CAN-AM in the US, I decided on some clothing and riding accessories.

I browsed the web, made up a list, and then went to see my salesman, who got the sales manager involved, who then referred me to the parts guy.
My list had sizes, colors, and the part numbers.

The parts guy was very patient, and banged away for awhile on his keyboard making notes on the list.
He then explained that a couple of my selections were no longer available, and then allowed me to come back a second time with an updated list, which he then ordered the stuff for me.

I'd handle accessories the same way.
Identify what I was interested in, provide details to my dealer and ask if they can be ordered.


I could understand a long delay if I was ordering a Spyder that wasn't in stock, or otherwise available locally. I'd be forced to wait for a shipment from the factory.
Or maybe it's that the US works differently in terms of how optional accessories are purchased?

 

[dragonhi]

We bought our 2023 RT Ltd. quite quickly. The dealer had it in the warehouse in a box. We said cash and my wife Kate started haggling. A few days later we picked it up at a price we could afford. We are retired and our funds are limited. Anyway, we now have a vehicle that lets me keep riding after my body was wrecked by Covid 19.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Thank you to everyone. The boss says she will practice more before deciding on armrests. It is true that Spyder shops are rare down here. There is one dealer in the whole of South Australia, a state bigger than many countries. On the up side is that we have lots of roads and great scenery.

Hey Dragon, like many other South Oz Spyder Ryders (if not 'most others' ) for my own sanity and my Spyder's 'useful longevity', I personally do not use that dealer any more than is absolutely necessary - and I'm not alone in that! nojoke :yikes:

I'm not kidding when I suggest that if you got your Spyder from Adelaide, you really should check it over closely to ensure that it's been assembled properly, and that not too much has been damaged &/or 'over-looked'... :banghead:

If you can't do that yourself, I'll PM you the contact details for Stu, a very capable independent Spyder Tech based in Unley, SA (he lives up in the Hills too, altho in Aldgate, not Birdwood! ); and some of the other (not so local dealers/techs) who have actually helped & looked after South Oz Spyder Ryders. :thumbup:

 

[TheMariner]

Stu, a very capable independent Spyder Tech based in Unley, SA (he lives up in the Hills too, altho in Aldgate, not Birdwood! )

Agree 100%.. Stuart is very well respected in the local Spyder community.