Spyder = ?

[DynamoBT]

As with any mode of transportation, the Spyder will mean different things to different people. I thought I'd start a thread where people can post their thoughts on how owning and ryding the Spyder has affected them. Basically, what ryding a Spyder means to you.

I'm middle aged. OK, closer to the upper end of middle aged, but not in my youth anymore. I've wanted to ride a motorcycle for as long as I can remember. I got no support for pursuing my dream at all. I ended up sort of forgetting about my dream to ride. Then I met a new friend through work who was just getting their motorcycle license at 40. Huh, if she could do it, why couldn't I? So I signed up for the BRC and got the "M" on my license. Yeah, it took me two tries. So what. I did it.

But learning to ride a motorcycle stressed my upper body something awful. I've had surgeries on both shoulders and balancing the bike at stops was taking its toll. Then I ruptured a disc in my back. I thought that riding was out for good. Sold my bikes. Thought I was done.

Enter the Spyder. Wow, I could still do this!! From day one, which was only last week, I've been able to ride in conditions I had never even attempted on a two wheeled motorcycle. It was like instant success. I even took the Spyder from one exit to another on a highway today! I was months away from that on a motorcycle. With the Spyder, I can do this!

So the Spyder is the means of a dream coming true for me. It's validation that I'm not over the hill yet in spite of numerous injuries and surgeries. It's something I can "do" when so many other activities I used to do have faded away as I've gotten older. The Spyder is freedom, adventure, the common connection to this group of wonderful people. It's sheer joy when I'm ryding it.

So, what is the Spyder to you?

 

[Don in E Texas]

Interesting thread, Marilyn.

My future bride and I first rode a single cylinder Harley Davidson (see attached photo - actual bike had seat for two that we rode)... only went a couple of blocks before the bike quit (fouled spark plug).. this was about 1954 or so. Been interested in bikes since. My favorite bike? Our 1982 Honda Interstate!! But with all the traffic in Dallas then (can you imagine how bad it is now!!) I was not riding it - sold it. Years passed - still had an interest in riding. My brother and I - when we visit each other - visit bike shops -- I feel VERY uncomforable sitting on any of the larger bikes. I had a Honda 600cc scooter but it was NOT for me -sold it with 300 miles on it. Then I found out about the Spyder!! Talk about being hooked!! Wife and I both love this machine. If not for the Spyder, I would not have any motorcycle. 73 yrs old here...

Oh -- side note.... when I was a youngster (age 12 or so), my little girl friend was named Marilyn --- Marilyn Monroe.. (no, not THAT one!!)..

Ride safe...

don

 

[irish2themax]

At 65 and after two back surgeries and operations on both knees, I thought my chances of getting a "bike" were slim to none. I was looking at Harley Lehman trikes but it was hard to swallow the price. The one day my brother (an AVID Harley rider) called me and told me about "this new machine" he had seen. He thought it was just what the doctor ordered (pun intended). I found a dealer close by and went and test drove the SE5. It was love at first bite! I hope to log MANY miles on my Spyder while saving miles on my body.

 

[fastfraser]

56 years old got my first bike last year a 2008 Piaggio MP3 500 a three wheeler with 2 wheels in front but only 1 foot apart, great bike- scooter. It would go like a bat out of hell and out lean a motorcycle, but not very good on the highways, to lite. Then along came the :spyder2:. Go any where on this thing and the wife will actually ride on it. May not be a good thing but at least something we can do together. Now planning a trip to Americade in June . Just the two of use and the :spyder2:

 

[bone crusher]

Okay, let's not make everyone out there think that the Spyder is for more mature, injured persons!

I'm in my 30s and wouldn't consider riding anything else...why?? I like being seen on the road...no, I'm not referring to my ego, I'm referring to the vehicles on the road seeing a 5 foot wide, 8 foot long 'motorcycle'.

This bike is a heck of a lot of fun to ride...it's quite fast...and it's a lot safer than a two-wheeler...without question...

Although I treat people like those who are in the thread above me here, I think and hope this bike has appeal to everyone...it certainly isn't just for those whose 2-wheeling days are hitting the sunset. I could've gotten any bike I wanted...I opted for the Spyder and wouldn't go any other way.

My only regret...meeting Evan from NMN...all his light improvements and other toys are making my wife wanna kill me! yikes!

To everyone of all ages, sizes, shapes, injuries, degenerative changes, etc...the Spyder is soooo much fun for all of us and this forum is wonderful!!!!!

 

[Capt John]

Never owned a MC. There is a serious reason for that. I was all primed to get my 1st bike at 14. The week my dad was going to go buy it. My youngest uncle wrecked my older brothers bike. Mother said "not no but h*%! no" what do you think dad did LOL!!! :gaah:Closest thing I've owned was 2 Honda 3 wheeler. Since these were for off road and mine was set up for hunting. Mom was okay with that. I never realized the feeling of freedom of open road ryding. Even after a stressful day. I can jump on and go. It definitely has brought some much needed enjoyment into my life. I would love to ryde it to work, but I work in and around a very dirty and dusty enviroment. Ships, trains and barges ful of coal. The 2 times I have driven to work. It was so dirty. I swore I would not ryde it to work anymore.

 

[vt228]

after 4 surgerys on my back had L4L5 fussed .Iwas told my bike days where over till last year I tryed a spyder in Laconia New Hampsher and was back after 3yrs of no bike ryding am back.there is a God :clap:
Thank you spyder bilders for bringing me back /

 

[Smylinacha]

I went thru several bikes and I wasn't comfortable on any of them except for my Deluxe. But something was going on in my neck and after xrays, many visits to the dr's I was told I have Cervical Stenosis C5-C7. This all started with me thinking I had carpel tunnel because it was in my arms and wrists - thought I got it at work.

But, when I'd go out riding, sometimes if it was a long trip, my arms would start to tingle and sometimes they'd fall asleep - I could NOT feel the controls at times. It was the discs in my neck that were pinching the nerves. And sometimes my neck would hurt so bad, specially after a long ride, and during regular desk days at work, nothing worked other than hard core pain killers, physical therapy at work or laying down and not wanting to get up. Got to a point where riding became more of a chore for me and I could ride pretty well but those slow speed manuvers started to suck more and more with tingly hands, arms and a throbbing neck. Then we moved to a place where our street comes in from a verticle drop - no matter which way to get out, it's either vertically up or vertically down - and once we moved here I figured there's absolutely no freakin way I'm gonna get my bike up or down Billygoat, vertically challenged freakin neighborhood (our house is for sale - wanna buy it?).

So then Roaddog found the :spyder: (He still rides his Harley too) and I was intrigued. At that time it was the P.E.'s that were out and it was hard to even get on a list to get one. But a year later after he got his, I test drove one and here I am! Best thing I ever did!

 

[bone crusher]

Oh my gosh, I should just open a Spyder specific rehabilitation center...so much can be done to help people...

 

[effgjamis]

Oh my gosh, I should just open a Spyder specific rehabilitation center...so much can be done to help people...

Lets franchise them..

 

[brutus450]

Okay, let's not make everyone out there think that the Spyder is for more mature, injured persons!

AMEN BROTHER...........im 41 (not young but not old) and nothing wrong with me (mentally maybe):roflblack:

I took my MC test on my spyder and my freinds thought I was an idiot because now I cant ride 2 wheels. I tell em "why the hell would I want to get off the Spyder, so YOU can ride it?" i dont thinky soooo......

 

[Oldmanzues]

Hummer HD

Interesting thread, Marilyn.

My future bride and I first rode a single cylinder Harley Davidson (see attached photo - actual bike had seat for two that we rode)... only went a couple of blocks before the bike quit (fouled spark plug).. this was about 1954 or so. Been interested in bikes since. My favorite bike? Our 1982 Honda Interstate!! But with all the traffic in Dallas then (can you imagine how bad it is now!!) I was not riding it - sold it. Years passed - still had an interest in riding. My brother and I - when we visit each other - visit bike shops -- I feel VERY uncomforable sitting on any of the larger bikes. I had a Honda 600cc scooter but it was NOT for me -sold it with 300 miles on it. Then I found out about the Spyder!! Talk about being hooked!! Wife and I both love this machine. If not for the Spyder, I would not have any motorcycle. 73 yrs old here...


Oh -- side note.... when I was a youngster (age 12 or so), my little girl friend was named Marilyn --- Marilyn Monroe.. (no, not THAT one!!)..

Ride safe...

don

I thought, maybe you were talking about a 1923 or so HD big single. the one shown has a interesting History, if I remember it right. The Brits (BSA) stole the design from DKW ( I think) a german company, called it a Bantam. Then HD stole the design from them. It was a 125 cc and they made it into a huge 165cc.

Maybe stole is a bad word. The Companies borrowed heavly from the others.

We used to go camping Alice Cooper, not that one.
Old Man Zues

 

[bone crusher]

AMEN BROTHER...........im 41 (not young but not old) and nothing wrong with me (mentally maybe):roflblack:

I took my MC test on my spyder and my freinds thought I was an idiot because now I cant ride 2 wheels. I tell em "why the hell would I want to get off the Spyder, so YOU can ride it?" i dont thinky soooo......

I did too! In MD, we get a 'M' license with a 'J' restriction...3 wheels only...that's fine with me because I'll never be on 2 wheels anyway...I believe I was the first one in MD to take the test...wasn't easy, mind you...but it was fine...

I tell my Harley friends that the Spyder has many advantages...mainly that you drop it...that usually keeps them quiet as most people who have been 2 wheeling for a while have dropped their bike at least once...usually leading to injury! ouch!

Go us..Go Spyder!

 

[bone crusher]

Lets franchise them..

That'd be great...good reason for me to get to sunny Florida more...up here in MD, the sun isn't around too much yet this year!