First of all I would like to say hello to everyone. I have been reading the post everyone has posted....long way to go yet. And lots of different opinion's on the Spyder SE5. I am a very petit woman/grandmother, I do ride a 700 king (Queen) quad with no problem, I haven't rode a motorcycle for sometime, but I have rode them, My Hubby (Intothenew) and I want to ride together somewhere besides the woods, and I for one would rather be in the driver's seat then the passenger seat so I need my own seat and handlebars.. I don't like to share with him. First question would be for the ladies how easy is this machine to ride and maneuver? Second question is how well does this machine do on gravel roads? Anyone have trouble in gravel? Ladies, and Gentlemen help me out here. We are still in discussions on this machine you could be the deciding vote .:chat:
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Several Questions
- Thread starter martha
- Start date
Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
welcome
The Spyder is pretty easy to handle. I would say just as easy as your 4wheeler.
It will drive okay in the gravel but with the VSS it will shut down if you start to get any wheel spin and it's pretty easy to spin the wheel. Your best bet would stop by a dealer and take one for a test drive. :doorag::spyder2:
The Spyder is pretty easy to handle. I would say just as easy as your 4wheeler.
It will drive okay in the gravel but with the VSS it will shut down if you start to get any wheel spin and it's pretty easy to spin the wheel. Your best bet would stop by a dealer and take one for a test drive. :doorag::spyder2:
Living in Florida and being out where I live we have quite a few shell/gravel roads. The Spyder handles fine on them as long as you hold a steady speed and do gradual accelerations. Now when I goose it she'll start to get sideways and then the traction control comes on.:2thumbs:
O
orangespydiegirl
Guest
You will love it! I always say it handles close to a 4-wheeler. I hadn't rode or drove a bike in over 20 years when we got my spyder and I handle it just fine. I have ridden on gravel roads to the lake several times without a problem, as long as you take it slow you'll do fine. Good Luck in you purchase.
The local dealer has offered a test ride, I am just waiting for reasonable weather. There are no gravel roads close to the dealership, but 4-lane and nice back roads. I don't know if they would allow gravel anyway on a nice new spyder.
Some more info, I am 5'-3" tall and 30" inseam. Bar risers or windshield recommendations?
Thanks for the responses.
Don in E Texas
New member
Don't know if my comments will help or not... our local dealer/sales gal is a grandmother ... rides her grandkids on her Spider. I'd guess she is 5'2" or so. My wife is the same size - 5'2"... we have our test ride scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). Wife and I are 73 yrs young --- looking forward to our day in the saddle. I'll post a new thread with my thoughts, etc after the test ride tomorrow... and my wife's thoughts, too. We share things 50/50.......meaning that 1/2 of the time she is correct; 1/2 of the time I'm wrong.... (Guys, you need to remember the math here -- we've been married 53 yrs and the math works!!)
we'll see.
don
we'll see.
don
Thanks
Risers and Windshield
I'm tall and the build of the Spyder seat in relation to the foot pegs and foot brake pushes me a bit too much forward---I think being 5'3" would be about perfect for sitting on and operating the Spyder SE5, which is what I have. I installed the 4" risers that can be found on Ebay (Can Am Spyder), and they are really nice and adjustible--they go up and pull back toward you allowing you to make it fit your reach and size. The original windshield is too small----so if you get an F1 Winshield from Marcel in Florida, it's perfect. Being older, I had to get rid of my motorcycles---can't handle the weight, unsteadyness, and putting the feel up and down constantly---so the Spyder is doing fine right now---I've had it in water,dirt, and slight gravel, and it did fine---just didn't push it too hard. The Spyder is a realtive new machine with some correctibles/mods/and changes---it has the potential of being not only a great looking and great operating machine, it could end up being one of the best "open-air" rides in the world. When the weather improves and the rains end, I'm taking my red and black Spyder (The Black Widow) up the coast of California for a long and tough ride---will push it to its limits---if it makes it, I'll be happy---if it breaks up, I'll see where it goes from there----The SE5 (electric shifts) have had some issues (problems)-----So----as was said, take a good ride and see how it fits----good luck.
I'm tall and the build of the Spyder seat in relation to the foot pegs and foot brake pushes me a bit too much forward---I think being 5'3" would be about perfect for sitting on and operating the Spyder SE5, which is what I have. I installed the 4" risers that can be found on Ebay (Can Am Spyder), and they are really nice and adjustible--they go up and pull back toward you allowing you to make it fit your reach and size. The original windshield is too small----so if you get an F1 Winshield from Marcel in Florida, it's perfect. Being older, I had to get rid of my motorcycles---can't handle the weight, unsteadyness, and putting the feel up and down constantly---so the Spyder is doing fine right now---I've had it in water,dirt, and slight gravel, and it did fine---just didn't push it too hard. The Spyder is a realtive new machine with some correctibles/mods/and changes---it has the potential of being not only a great looking and great operating machine, it could end up being one of the best "open-air" rides in the world. When the weather improves and the rains end, I'm taking my red and black Spyder (The Black Widow) up the coast of California for a long and tough ride---will push it to its limits---if it makes it, I'll be happy---if it breaks up, I'll see where it goes from there----The SE5 (electric shifts) have had some issues (problems)-----So----as was said, take a good ride and see how it fits----good luck.
Oh! Please let me know how the test drive goes. I will be waiting your return. We've been married for 30 years. :clap:Love it. Thanks
intothenew
New member
shunkmanitu
New member
There are lots of women riding>>>>
>>>>in addition to many of us more senior types and several who have less than full function of their legs.
As for gravel, the last klik to our property is gravel, from there, 300 meters to the house, is well mowed grass land. Iktome:spyder2:handles it as well as the Subaru except Carolyn will NOT follow within a hundred feet on the rock. Her little bit of extre weight gives me a bit more throttle to use on dirt.
>>>>in addition to many of us more senior types and several who have less than full function of their legs.
As for gravel, the last klik to our property is gravel, from there, 300 meters to the house, is well mowed grass land. Iktome:spyder2:handles it as well as the Subaru except Carolyn will NOT follow within a hundred feet on the rock. Her little bit of extre weight gives me a bit more throttle to use on dirt.
Dudley
New member
After 40+ years of riding two wheels, the Spyder was an answer to continued riding. I am only 5'8", 140 lbs., and have since 1976 ridden bikes weighing 700 lbs. or better, even had a Yamaha Royalstar Venture, 965 lbs. Anyway, at 65 I was getting tired of all the excess weight needed to have a comfortable ride. And I had become uncomfortable in providing my wife (passenger) a safe ride. Hence, the SE5 Spyder. I got the SE5 so she could also learn to drive it, and she is doing really well. The Spyder, as any vehicle, 2, 3, or 4 wheels is as safe as the one in control. I can say from experience, you can drive onto a parking lot with gravel surface at 35 mph and come to a quick and safe stop. The ABS brakes will not lock up and the 3 wheels will keep you steady. Some riders push their Spyders to the limit, while others just enjoy riding and adding the miles. We have 5000 miles on ours, and it will be 3 months old tomorrow.
:agree::agree:Me :ani29::ani29:
Smylinacha
Yellinacha
Hey Martha! I'm petite too and you will find the Spyder a blast to ride. No problems whatsoever! On gravel it seems fine - not that I ride in it alot - I don't think you'd wanna constantly be on gravel but if you have to go on it, no problem. I did notice that the Spyder doesn't like wet grass though - it doesn't go anywhere when on wet grass. But other than that - steering is great, no vibrations, shifts real good. You're gonna love it.
When they stone chipped the roads here in Michigan, I did pick up a stone in the belt, but I got it removed before it could do any damage. It is kind of a freak thing, but if you do ride on gravel, check the belt for trapped stones. There is a picture on an old thread of an owner who wore a hole in the belt due to a lodged stone.
SpyderRider2492
New member
Smylinacha
Yellinacha
Yep :agree:
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Maybe I should point out that the Spyder will negotiate gravel roads, but cannot take any that are very rough. There is precious little ground clearance on this machine. It is not like an ATV. Please also note that BRP does not recommend riding off pavement (or in wet weather either, for that matter). We all do it, though. Only you know what the roads are like where you want to ride. If they are smooth gravel, you will probably be OK, but your speed will be reduced because of the VSS. You can't broadside through turns on a stock Spyder too well, and the rear wheel breaks loose under acceleration fairly readily. Rough or rutted gravel roads, or mud, could be trouble, however. People have made it to Alaska on Spyders, so there is certainly hope that it will suit your needs.
-Scotty
-Scotty
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