Roll call: Younger riders or riders with no health issues?

[jcaburto]

49 here and no health issues.
My RTL is my first ever bike. Never really felt like I wanted to learn how to ride a two wheeler. But about 2 years a go I fell in love with Spyders I found on magazines and the very few on the road.
Last February me and my wife went to the dealership for a "test ride" not knowing they don't do those any more, a couple of hours later I came out with an ear-to-ear smile riding my bike home.

 

[SpyderSkeets]

Honestly I think that is one of the stupidest laws VA has. I understand requiring it if someone doesn't have a motorcycle license already, but if you can ride a motorcycle legally, you should be able to ride a Spyder legally too! VA won't even let you take the written and driving test all at once either. You can take the MSF course and get it in 2 days, or if you want to test out at DMV, you pass the written test and get a learners permit. Then wait at least 30 days before they allow you to take the driving test.

Sorry, rant over!

Totally agree. I took the three-wheeled course last month. There were several people who showed up on two wheels and I asked them why would they be there if they already had their motorcycle endorsement and they told me they had a 2w endorsement but that didn't allow them to drive a trike. Yes, the Spyder rides differently than 2wheels, but you would think that if you have a motorcycle license, that would be enough. Meanwhile, there was one or two people who didn't seem like they should be driving a car, much less a trike and then suddenly after 2½ days, they were legally allowed to ride a trike! So dumb!

 

[sprdmx]

I’m 32 and I’m on my second spyder. First one was 2012 rss, new one is 2017 f3s Daytona. I’ve had Harley’s and streetbikes but I just prefer the spyder and so does my wife.

 

[classicvw]

OK. Since no one with health issues posted here (as requested) It seems that of those with no health issues, most of you guys are on a Spyder because your lady didn't want to ride on 2 wheels with you, but will ride on the Spyder... Interesting. :shemademe_smilie:

So the vast minority are people who chose the Spyder just for the sake of choosing a Spyder over say, a YamaHondaSaki. (Rubs Chin)...

 

[mark4Jesus]

OK. Since no one with health issues posted here (as requested) It seems that of those with no health issues, most of you guys are on a Spyder because your lady didn't want to ride on 2 wheels with you, but will ride on the Spyder... Interesting. :shemademe_smilie:

So the vast minority are people who chose the Spyder just for the sake of choosing a Spyder over say, a YamaHondaSaki. (Rubs Chin)...

That sums it up for me! I had thought about getting a trike kit for my Victory, but that would have been close to what I paid for my Spyder.

 

[ARtraveler]

I'm 72. No health issues. Road motorcycles for over 40 years. Love my f3t. Got it in June. The more I ride it the more I like it.

:welcome: and :congrats: on your new F3 :yes:

 

[Poseidon]

OK. Since no one with health issues posted here (as requested) It seems that of those with no health issues, most of you guys are on a Spyder because your lady didn't want to ride on 2 wheels with you, but will ride on the Spyder... Interesting. :shemademe_smilie:

So the vast minority are people who chose the Spyder just for the sake of choosing a Spyder over say, a YamaHondaSaki. (Rubs Chin)...

My wife still rides with me, but wanted a ride of her own. She likes the looks, handling, and performance of the Spyder. With her smaller size, she was having a difficult time finding a 2 wheel bike that fit her and hit all three of those points the way a Spyder does.

 

[grieppc]

funny that you should mention that

edit edit edit edit edit edit picking a bike up off the ground would be impossible three wheels eliminates that. I drove up to Mora Mn. for the 10am ride (40 degrees) and when I walked in the dealership immediately noticed I was the youngest one there (54) I asked where the under 40 crowd was and someone chimed in and said they meet in the building next door (its a swamp) hehehe

 

[Deanna777]

I am 55, I don't have any health issues.

I bought my first spyder when I was 50 years old, I went with a spyder because of the safety features, stability, visibility, comfort, opening up different avenues for me,( spyder events, meeting other spyder riders, etc.), and freedom on the roadways.

Deanna

 

[ARtraveler]

I was wondering the same thing. I am 47 and havent met anyone on a spyder that is younger than me yet. I know they are out there. Riders of 2 wheels have no idea what they are missing. I have a brand new Victory Magnum, but I ride my 2014 RT-S all the time. I only rode the Victory once this summer and now it needs a new battery. Would be nice to meet some younger riders who like to ride hard and carve the corners, and pass some Harleys.

I am thinking that the older age demographic has to do with the cost of the :f_spider:. When they came out in 08--entry level was about $15,999. In those days you could buy a pretty nice motorcycle or even a car. Lot's of money for a toy.

Currently--entry level for new is about $23,000 and change, with prices now topping out at about $33,000. You can buy a really nice car for that amount. Most twenty somethings do not have that kind of cash to throw around. :thumbup:

 

[classicvw]

I am thinking that the older age demographic has to do with the cost of the :f_spider:. When they came out in 08--entry level was about $15,999. In those days you could buy a pretty nice motorcycle or even a car. Lot's of money for a toy.
:thumbup:

Well that thinking might be true if all you could buy was new Spyders but one could get into the Spyder world for 10 grand or less if they buy used, and even so I still see an older demographic riding them.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

That sums it up for me! I had thought about getting a trike kit for my Victory, but that would have been close to what I paid for my Spyder.

In my case triking my Goldwing would have cost almost as much as the 2013 RT with only 615 miles that I bought. Selling the 'wing paid the lions share of the Spyder cost! :clap::yes:I had already decided to move to three wheels. The fact the Spyder is built ground up as a three wheeler and the cost of it made it a no-brainer to buy it.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Well that thinking might be true if all you could buy was new Spyders but one could get into the Spyder world for 10 grand or less if they buy used, and even so I still see an older demographic riding them.

I think it's the bike itself and the mystique, or lack of, that causes younger riders to not go for them, the touring class of bikes that is. The desire for show, raw power, and speed, to a great degree is inversely proportional to age. In this case the stereotype is somewhat valid, IMO.

Let's invert the question. Why do you see more younger males on cruisers than you see older males and women of all ages? That demographic is what Honda was reaching into when they introduced the F6B.

Also, sometimes older means wiser! :yes:Why spend more money than necessary to only have the same benefit? :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

Well that thinking might be true if all you could buy was new Spyders but one could get into the Spyder world for 10 grand or less if they buy used, and even so I still see an older demographic riding them.

Yes, the used market is another option. I have no experience there. But, you do have a valid point. :yes::yes:

 

[mark4Jesus]

Polaris wasn't selling the Victory's and Indians to a younger demographic, thus the introduction of the Octane. The Octane did appeal to younger riders. The dealer where I bought my Vic posts pictures of people who buy on there FB page. You see very few 20 somethings. Of course as akspyderman mentioned, Vics and especially Indians are priced out of the budget of most 20 somethings. My son bought his new Vic Gunner when he was 23. Don't see that much around here. Most of the younger riders are buying used bikes from the dealer.

 

[foxtail1]

Spyder is primarily my wife's bike. I'm 45 and she just turned 47. She has been riding as passenger with me for years. She has experience on dirt bikes and ATVs, but no street bike experience. She had been talking about getting her own bike for the last 2-3 years, but just never found a bike that really peaked her interest until we rode with Blacklightning back in June of this year. When she saw his F3T, she knew it was what she wanted. We did a demo days, bought it 2 weeks later and the rest is history. I have two bikes, but still enjoy riding the Spyder too. I'm signed up for the 3 wheel MSF course next weekend so I can be legal riding it. Honestly I think that is one of the stupidest laws VA has. I understand requiring it if someone doesn't have a motorcycle license already, but if you can ride a motorcycle legally, you should be able to ride a Spyder legally too! VA won't even let you take the written and driving test all at once either. You can take the MSF course and get it in 2 days, or if you want to test out at DMV, you pass the written test and get a learners permit. Then wait at least 30 days before they allow you to take the driving test.

Sorry, rant over!

I don't understand. If you have a class M license in Virginia, you are licensed for both 2 and 3 wheeled vehicles. So, if you've got a Virginia Class M, you can legally ride the Spyder without any other training or licensing. (https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#motorcycle.asp)

 

[Poseidon]

I don't understand. If you have a class M license in Virginia, you are licensed for both 2 and 3 wheeled vehicles. So, if you've got a Virginia Class M, you can legally ride the Spyder without any other training or licensing. (https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#motorcycle.asp)

That is correct. If you have an "M" endorsement you are grandfathered in to be able to ride either one. They don't issue an "M" endorsement for motorcycles anymore tho. They issue an "M2" (2 wheel motorcycle only) or an "M3" (3 wheel motorcycle only) endorsement. If you do both classes you get an "M" endorsement. When I moved to VA and transferred my drivers license over to VA I didn't notice, but they left off my "M" endorsement. I didn't have a bike at the time and didn't notice they didn't transfer it. I went to a demo days when I was looking for a new bike. Gave them my license at registration. That is when I first realized the mistake that was made at DMV. Long story short. I had to take the MSF course again and got an M2 endorsement.

 

[foxtail1]

That is correct. If you have an "M" endorsement you are grandfathered in to be able to ride either one. They don't issue an "M" endorsement for motorcycles anymore tho. They issue an "M2" (2 wheel motorcycle only) or an "M3" (3 wheel motorcycle only) endorsement. If you do both classes you get an "M" endorsement. When I moved to VA and transferred my drivers license over to VA I didn't notice, but they left off my "M" endorsement. I didn't have a bike at the time and didn't notice they didn't transfer it. I went to a demo days when I was looking for a new bike. Gave them my license at registration. That is when I first realized the mistake that was made at DMV. Long story short. I had to take the MSF course again and got an M2 endorsement.

Ah, thanks for explaining. I've had my M for many years, and didn't realize that Virginia had changed the rules. For what it's worth, I agree with you— if you can ride 2, you shouldn't need anything more to ride 3.

 

[cmbspyderrss]

Just turned 45yo and no health issues other than an old back injury that makes me choose what i can and can't sit on. my spyder purchase was actually my Dad's fault. My dad wanted to ride again after a long break from 2 wheels. I helped him look for his bike and got the bug to do ride again during that. I didn't want to finance so i had a $10k budget including any future mods. I needed something comfortable due to a back injury but FUN. On the list was a Ducati Hypermotard, HyperStrada, Multistrada, Honda VFR 400, 500, 750 or 800, Yamaha FJR1200, MT10, FZ-09, Suzuki SV650 and a few others. I went to test ride a VFR 750 and loved it but the particular bike didn't sit right with me due to the mileage and a few other owner answers of "I am not sure". It was on the top of the list but still had to test ride the others. I always knew :spyder2: existed but were way out of my Budget so never even thought of "Looking". While looking through the Cycle trader for more VFR's my :spyder2: popped up and i said no way that price is real. Looked at some more :spyder2: on CT and a few were within $$ range but to high mileage for me. I decided to grab my cash and go take a look at mine and test ride it. You never know. After 5mi i almost didn't go back. Sooooo Fun and comfortable. As they say it was sold before i got back to the sellers house. I made mine even more comfortable and will continue to do so and just wish i could ride it more. Never a thought has crossed my mind of "I should have just got a 2 wheeler".

Would love a new F3S or T but out of budget and even though i could probably finance it i just don't get to ride enough to justify it.

 

[Wildrice]

73 & still lying about my age

Lucky for me I have no more garage room for my turbo Hayabusa---I still think about getting a 400# 1000 cc. I love having a reverse gear. My solo skydiving days are just a memory.
If anyone has a pipe wrench could you help me unscrew the lamp post?
Darrell