Possible new purchase

[frigmall]

Hi.
I am going to purchase my wife a used Spyder. I have a line on a 2009 Spyder GS with the manual transmission. She would rather have the auto but we have a limited budget and this one is a great price. My wife is 60 years old and in great health.
Our question(s) are:
- is the clutch going to be a problem for her small hands?
- the riding position looks a little like a sport bike. Is that going to be an issue if we take any trips?
Thanks for your time.

 

[Warlock]

Hi.
I am going to purchase my wife a used Spyder. I have a line on a 2009 Spyder GS with the manual transmission. She would rather have the auto but we have a limited budget and this one is a great price. My wife is 60 years old and in great health.
Our question(s) are:
- is the clutch going to be a problem for her small hands?
- the riding position looks a little like a sport bike. Is that going to be an issue if we take any trips?
Thanks for your time.

I put a ST seat on my 08 Spyder along with some 4" risers. Did the exact mod to my wife's except I put a comfort seat on hers. The comfort seat sets up up a little higher where the ST maybe a little lower than the OEM seat. My wife loves her SE model. She doesn't know how to drive one with a manual shift. I ride hers from time to time and really like the paddle shift.
David

 

[Chupaca]

Soon to be....

The clutch lever is adjustable for the reach so if you get to any GS or RS, RSS, ST models check it out. Little checking about should net you some semi automatic spyders a good prices. The clutch is assisted so not hard to deal with . I prefer manual but she would have to decide. A test ryde on any of those models would be a good idea. They have them at many dealers. The seating again would be for her to decide and you can make adjustments with porducts on the market from our sponsor vendors here...good luck and hope to see her out there soon....:thumbup:

 

[JayBros]

I heartily agree with Gene about a test ride for your bride. It could be the best thing you do before turning over your coin. Not to appear to be a pessimist but, given your wife's size, aftermarket accessories to make the bike fit her might be a poor second best alternative to a different model Spyder. YMMV.

 

[Tazzel]

As a female, I found the clutch very hard to squeeze compared to other bikes I had ridden.

 

[Marcy]

I've ridden bikes for years and found depending on how and where you ride the constant in and out of a brake or clutch does end up hurting my hands and with carpal tunnel makes the ride a chore. I really recommend a long test ride that will require up and down shifting to see how she really feels.

I love my 6SE but understand the cost factor. Good luck and welcome to the family.

 

[jaherbst]

​" Possible Advice" get something with a semi auto if you really want her to ride a lot with you. I would only recommend the shift to a very few who want to rod around. The auto is just as quick if not quicker anyway. She will tire of the shift and not ride it.

Jack

 

[JimVonBaden]

My wife is 4'10" and small hands. She took the MSF three wheel class on a manual bike and was not happy with the clutch pull effort. Definitely take her to test ride a manual first. The semi-auto is more expensive, but cheaper than a bike that never gets ridden.

Jim

 

[AeroPilot]

Agree that the clutch pull may be a bit much for her, even with adjust settings

As a female, I found the clutch very hard to squeeze compared to other bikes I had ridden.

Our 11RT SM5 wasn't as hard to pull as the Harley Sportster she had, but smaller hands, and as we get older, we sure enjoy the SE model. I think I still would like a SM6, Until I get in some stop and go traffic again!!!!

 

[Copperman]

​" Possible Advice" get something with a semi auto if you really want her to ride a lot with you. I would only recommend the shift to a very few who want to rod around. The auto is just as quick if not quicker anyway. She will tire of the shift and not ride it.

Jack

:agree::agree::agree:

You're not doing her any favors by buying her a manual. She'll never ride as much as you want her to and you'll be disappointed. Better find a little more coin.

 

[al0vely]

Make sure she wants to ride her own first and then buy something she wants.

If she doesn't want it then it is going to make a good cheap purchase for the next owner. :banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[ARtraveler]

Also agree about the SM versus the SE. New, it was a $1,500 difference. It should be no more than $100 or so now if they are counting the SM vs. the SE.

Ride position is important to some. I installed 4" risers on ours and got the SE version as well. The spouse rode it a lot. Would not adapt to the SM (which I had at the time).

Spouse should test drive the unit you are planning to buy. That is very important IMO.

Good luck with your purchase. Let us know what you end up with. :yes:

 

[Dawnie89]

Hi.
I am going to purchase my wife a used Spyder. I have a line on a 2009 Spyder GS with the manual transmission. She would rather have the auto but we have a limited budget and this one is a great price. My wife is 60 years old and in great health.
Our question(s) are:
- is the clutch going to be a problem for her small hands?
- the riding position looks a little like a sport bike. Is that going to be an issue if we take any trips?
Thanks for your time.

Hello, are you still planning to purchase? I have a 2013 ST-L custom with the SE paddle shifters=no clutch lever. The lowest I can go is $11,000. I have to sell due going over seas. I can send pics and other info or you can check out my post from last night. Thank you and good luck!

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