Questions for Spyder Owners

[ruttrow]

Hello All,

Just got back from a Spyder test ride. Very different than riding any motorcycle I have ever owned. I reached for the front brake before I even got out of the parking lot. Dealer told me there was not one there and I knew that from the amount of reading I have done, it's hell to get old. Very strange not putting your feet down when stopped. Overall I thought the overall ride was good, steering was different, but something I think I could get used to. Way to quiet for me which I know can be fixed. I think my only concern is the reach to the hand controls, I'm only 5'6 and while reaching the bars was not an issue I feel I'm hunched over more than what I would like. I can see wrist pain in my future. Can anything be done about that? Then I would need to find a dealer where service comes first, when I asked this dealer about service he said they are currently running about 3 to 4 weeks out so that if you know you need something to try and schedule ahead of time. Not great but I understand, I then asked what if something breaks under warranty that puts it out of service, his answer, I could sweet talk the Service Mgr. to try and get around the 2-3 week wait. That will happen. Can anyone help on the what I consider to be reach issue?
Thanks Again,
Mike

 

[shunkmanitu]

Good Morning,

I'm currently and have been for 20+ years a HD rider and I'm considering a Spyder. Looking for answers or opinions from owners.
1. Did most of you come from the 2 wheeled world? What was the deciding factor to switch?
2. What made you decide on a Spyder?
3. Do exhaust mods like the hindle require anything additional? Remap etc?
Ride Safe,
Mike

I have been riding powered two wheelers since '60 but stupid things I have done in the past 45 years is catching up with me.

Arthritis, Diabetes, Kidney Failure, Bullet Wounds, and Agent Orange have all conspired to make it difficult to ride two up on my wonderful old Pacific Coast.

I have ridden a number of trikes and sidecar rigs over the years and the Spyder is the best handling of any and all of them.

I don't ride to be like everybody else, would never have bought the PC in that was the case. The Spyder is a special critter!

SS

 

[jeuchler]

Way to quiet for me which I know can be fixed...

Of course there are several after market exhausts you can put on, Mike.

dltang and bjt have a nice Hindle install video

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9g2oUhl_nE"]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]

which show how easily and quickly it's done. I put on a Micron can from NoMagic Neon like in Lamont's video

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAUdFa1ayC4"]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]

and I like the sound and performance, maybe the mileage, too (I never had checked mileage prior to swapping out the stock exhaust).

..I think my only concern is the reach to the hand controls, I'm only 5'6 and while reaching the bars was not an issue I feel I'm hunched over more than what I would like. I can see wrist pain in my future. Can anything be done about that?

Well, I'm 6'2" but I understand about the reach issue. I had purchased the 1" BRP riser block, but it's still not installed. Other riser block setups are available:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/smf/index.php?topic=1204.0

My lovely bride and I did the long Homecoming ride to Valcourt thru NY and Qc and back through VT and MA, and I was really OK with the stock bar set up. Regarding the wrist pain or numbness, those CB2 Crampbusters are just brilliant for $10.95:

http://www.crampbuster.com/


I put one on each bar end, and it was great to fidget my hands around a bit and remain in control. :bigthumbsup:

 

[ruttrow]

jeuchler,

Thank you for the great info. All I need to do know is pull the trigger on one. Hoping I can do that on Monday.

Thanks Again, Mike