Registered for a road test

[DynamoBT]

This is as much as a leap as I can make at this time. I've registered for the open road test at Freedom Cycle, Concord, NH 4/4/09

Maybe the road test will push me faster towards purchase than expected. I don't know. I'd like to see more reliability in the Spyder and less need to modify the living daylights out of it to make it rideable.

I may even be lucky enough to talk my husband into going.

 

[LRCulpepper]

the test ride will get you

The test ride will push you over the edge....also keep in mind the mods you read about on here are not required to enjoy the ride it is more fun than you have ever felt as a stock unit we only do the mods to make it more ours and to make it different than anyone elses, take it from me i road mine to heck and back with no mods at all and i still have very very few mods....and as far as reliability you hear about the issues they are over stated in my opinion those of us that havent had any issues just sit back smiling and riding and in MHO there are alot more of us smiling and riding than typing on here about the issues...now that isnt to say there arent some who have had real problems and i do not want to sound like i am dismissing there issues but i beleive you hear more about the few with issues than the ones without issues...plus from what i have seen and heard most of the issues are on 2008 models and the 2009 is much more dependable....anyhow those are my thoughts and only my thoughts take it for what it is worth......but enjoy the ride and be careful talking hubby into going to test ride you might just end up with two :spyder2:.......

 

[VossHog]

I agree with your thoughts on reliability.

However - and keeping in mind I've never even ridden a Spyder so this is a completely uninformed opinion - I don't think many mods are really NEEDED. When I purchase one next spring I don't plan to make many modifications to it for a while.

There are a lot of mods I would WANT but I really only plan to buy a trunk liner and 12V power outlet. Trunk liner just to have the pockets and 12V power outlet in case I get stuck out in the middle of nowhere and my cell phone is dead or I spend so much time on it trying to get help that it goes dead.

In the short-term, I just want the wind and open road for relatively short trips. I enjoy quiet, so don't want tunes, but can always strap on an Ipod if I do. Don't plan to venture outside of known territory for a while, so no need for GPS.

I would like a cup holder. pps:

 

[effgjamis]

And then, risers, new grips, exhaust, lights, trailer and hitch, seat, and shield.:joke:

Oh well, best to stay stock until one finds and rides others..:yikes:

 

[dltang]

I loved my spyder stock and I love my spyder with all the mods I've done. You don't need the mods to make it ridable, it just makes it different. This is one fun ride. Also, as has been mentioned before, by being on a forum, you are getting the problems with spyders magnified. This is a small percentage of owners and only a small percentage of forum members are having problems. The problems that do exist just get talked about A LOT!! So don't be scared of getting this wonderful new toy. Enjoy your first leap of faith and see where it takes you.

 

[zzneonzz]

You will not want to get off the demo. Its an awsome ride and as for mods its usually cheaper to go aftermarket rather than manufacturer so even if BRP comes up with more accessories it will probably be cheaper to go with something that someone else came up with atleast thats what i've seen.

 

[orangespydiegirl]

We started out with one spyder and now have two. I've had no problems out of my spder and could of rode with or without the mods. They don't make the ride they make the ride more envious for others. Take it for a ride and you will be bringing it home!

 

[NancysToy]

We have owned our Spyder a year now. No reliability problems whatsoever, but I might be hesitant to buy an SE5 at this time. Nancy wanted one at first, but didn't want to wait to own a Spyder. Very few mods for us, and absolutely none that were necessary. We still have a stock seat and stock windshield, and they have served us well. The ride will tell you a lot about the machine, and its comfort and safety, but be aware that it takes a while to get used to and to get your riding technique perfected. It is not quite like anything else. Enjoy the test ryde!
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

As the previous people said, a stock Spyder is very rideable. Most of the first mods that people were doing had nothing to do with making the Spyder more rideable (exhaust, paint, lights, etc.) My best ride enhancing mod has been my Russell "Day Long" seat and I rode the Spyder about 11,000 (very enjoyable) miles before I got that.

 

[FANG]

I have almost 6000 miles on mine and the only mods I have are the 1" riser, LED accent lites and a spider decal on the trunk. I enjoy every minute I spend on the :spyder2:.

So I have other mods planned - yes because the wife and I plan on some 2 up touring so I plan on buying out Corbin -- Seat, trunk box, and bags. NMN triple play, fender lites, LED turn signals, and 3 inch risers. Let see I will also need some hiway pegs.

Plan on some new paint in the future but that is down the road - love my Silver Spyder.

 

[GeminiJane]

My Spyder (SM5) has the least mods of any of the 7 other bikes we own. We most often change seats, windshields, shocks, suspensions, add bags, wire for radios and GPS, etc. on all our rides. The only thing I've done to the Spyder is add a powerlet plug for my heated gear and a mount for my GPS. The seat and the handlebars are perfect for me. I plan on buying bags for touring but my husband hasn't been able to ride for about 8 months and I'm holding off on the luggage until I know if I'll be taking it on solo and/or long distance travel this summer. I bought the tank bag but it's not been out of the package yet since the trunk fills every need I can imagine (except for the sacks of dog food that get strapped across the back seat).
Have fun with the demo ride - hope you get good weather and good roads to get out and enjoy.

 

[bandwagon]

My SE5 is wonderful

Just finished a nice ride in the country, and enjoyed the Spyder, I just love the automatic kickdown. It sounds great and the gear changing is smooth. Lots of people eyeballing my Spyder and that includes the cows which seemed to have been talking to me. I'm sure they were just chewing and the red caught their eyes. Ken
:2thumbs: :2excited::yes:

We have owned our Spyder a year now. No reliability problems whatsoever, but I might be hesitant to buy an SE5 at this time. Nancy wanted one at first, but didn't want to wait to own a Spyder. Very few mods for us, and absolutely none that were necessary. We still have a stock seat and stock windshield, and they have served us well. The ride will tell you a lot about the machine, and its comfort and safety, but be aware that it takes a while to get used to and to get your riding technique perfected. It is not quite like anything else. Enjoy the test ryde!
-Scotty

 

[bone crusher]

I have almost 6000 miles on mine and the only mods I have are the 1" riser, LED accent lites and a spider decal on the trunk. I enjoy every minute I spend on the :spyder2:.

So I have other mods planned - yes because the wife and I plan on some 2 up touring so I plan on buying out Corbin -- Seat, trunk box, and bags. NMN triple play, fender lites, LED turn signals, and 3 inch risers. Let see I will also need some hiway pegs.

Plan on some new paint in the future but that is down the road - love my Silver Spyder.

I have the 1" riser too...no need for more...I'm 6'1" and am very comfortable on the bike...I know others like the higher risers, but even stock, the bike is comfortable....

 

[0228lisa]

You will not want to get off the demo. Its an awsome ride and as for mods its usually cheaper to go aftermarket rather than manufacturer so even if BRP comes up with more accessories it will probably be cheaper to go with something that someone else came up with atleast thats what i've seen.

Do you know where I can get an aftermarket phantom package? Googled it with no success.:dontknow:

 

[fastfraser]

Do you know where I can get an aftermarket phantom package? Googled it with no success.:dontknow:

:2thumbs: Once you go phantom you can never go back.:2thumbs: EBAY 800.00 is the cheapest i have seen plus 40.00 shipping takes about 3 days.

 

[Lamonster]

I don't know, I spun a rod bearing on my Suzuki 2006 M109R at 20,000 miles and I have close to 26,000 miles on my Spyder now with no really issues other than self inflected ones. I just heard the other day that the factory has some Spyders with well over 50K now and they are doing just fine. :doorag:

 

[DynamoBT]

I bumped the road test up to 4/2. Hubby is coming and I registered him for a ride even though he has to stay on the closed cones course. No "M" on his license. I hope they have both the SM5 and the SE5 available for rides.

Never having been to a BRP Corporate event, how pressured will we be made to feel to purchase on the day? My husband is the type who likes to mull over things for a long time before pulling the trigger. I can pretty much guarantee we will not be making any decision the day of the test ride no matter how great the ride is.

Back to lurking until after the ride. Very grateful that this forum exists.

 

[sleepman]

Never having been to a BRP Corporate event, how pressured will we be made to feel to purchase on the day? My husband is the type who likes to mull over things for a long time before pulling the trigger. I can pretty much guarantee we will not be making any decision the day of the test ride no matter how great the ride is.

Back to lurking until after the ride. Very grateful that this forum exists.

I did a demo at Daytona in March 2008, no pressure to purchase. Actually a really well run event. Even though the Spyder was still fairly new there were plenty of owners there who gave advice and I'm sure there will probably be Spyder owners at the event you go to.


Mulling it over isn't a bad thing. Besides if you want a second test drive most dealers have demo's for you to ride.

You can put plenty of miles on it without doing any mods. Besides the exhaust I didn't do anything else until I had over 6,000 miles.

As for reliability, well I have a love hate relationship with my Spyder. But while some of the minor problems I've had seem to have happened to a few others, like the relay's and exhaust gasket. My major issues seem to not be common.