Spyders passing HDs

[Wahrsuul]

Yeah, I can't say I've ever had anyone block me other than clueless/inattentive cagers. We've got one of those "eliteist" HD riders here - refuses to park his bike in the designated motorcycle parking, won't make rooim for anyone else to park in the same spot when the bike parking is full...

When I lived in Daytona, you'd run into all kinds. But for the most part they were all pretty friendly, even to the young kids on the "rice burners".

I've had some here not wave back, but I can never be sure if it's intentional or they didn't see me in time, or...

 

[Pooch]

Only time we have ever been intentionally blocked on the road was by an older fellow on a bicycle.
There were 3 of us and 4 of the bicycles. It was a narrow country backroad. We slowly approached the group and the first 3 bicyclists moved over to single line to let us pass. The lead bicyclist moved into the center of the road such that we could not pass on either side… and just stayed there. He had on his rearview mirror and all his equipment. But just in case he didn’t hear or see us us our lead man revved his pipes at him after following behind him for a bit.. the guy just stayed in the middle of the road. Finally he thought it was time to let us pass and moved over. We calmly and slowly passed him in case he decided to jerk back over in front of one of us.. As I got next to him I could see him laughing like crazy and even though I had to really fight the urge to stick my tongue out at him I just waved and went on down the road.

 

[Saluda]

Lately more and more people hate getting passed (car or bike). Don't understand it !

 

[milryder]

I ride in mostly rural areas on my bicycle when not on the RT and often wave at motorcycle riders and cagers. I think they are surprised and usually wave back. Now some familiar cars in the area wave first and give me plenty of room. Its about showing goodwill to those who've never been on two or three wheels. It seems next time they just care a little more and look out for a fellow traveler. Somehow I've become more human to them. In 6500 mi. on the RT I've encountered few issues and wave whenever possible.

 

[Scotts8826]

I've never had anything of this scale happen to me in the eight years I've ridden a Spyder. I've had only one HD rider give me a rather negative hand signal when I waved at him, otherwise, a decent number wave and others don't. I've found that if there is a group of HD riders, the front riders are more inclined to NOT wave while those in the rear will.

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

Just don't jump on a Honda Silverwing scooter, he will blow you off the highway, yes a scooter. 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds, top speed at least 120 mph! I have seen several Harleys get blown away, but they do have quality control at their plants and a good dealer networking system! BRP could learn a lot by looking at Harley, and yes Harley is using business, but they have a very strong owner support system! I am on my 3rd Spyder!

 

[Navydad]

Just don't jump on a Honda Silverwing scooter, he will blow you off the highway, yes a scooter. 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds, top speed at least 120 mph! I have seen several Harleys get blown away, but they do have quality control at their plants and a good dealer networking system! BRP could learn a lot by looking at Harley, and yes Harley is using business, but they have a very strong owner support system! I am on my 3rd Spyder!

I had a Yamaha T-Max scooter. If not familiar Google it and see what it is capable of. I embarrased a lot of guys especially in places like The Dragon.
I've been snubbed at traffic lights, gas stations etc. but can't recall being blocked or ran off the road intentionally by another rider. As far as the waving thing goes I am guilty of not waving. Nothing personal, I just don't always wave. If your heart is broken just because I didn't wave then you have the problem not me. Now if you are sitting at the side of the road or a corner of a parking lot I will ALWAYS stop and ask if assistance is needed no matter what you are riding.

 

[shakin_jake]

Just don't jump on a Honda Silverwing scooter, he will blow you off the highway, yes a scooter. 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds, top speed at least 120 mph! I have seen several Harleys get blown away, but they do have quality control at their plants and a good dealer networking system! BRP could learn a lot by looking at Harley, and yes Harley is using business, but they have a very strong owner support system! I am on my 3rd Spyder!

~~~the Swing is fast but incapable in stocks trim of going over 100 MPH. I bought a first year model (2002) used in 2003. All subsequent Swings (motors, drivetrain are identical). No doubt, it was/is a screamer, and i proved it on more than one occasion by those that challenged me to stoplight duels, leaving them in my dust. But once you hit 100 MPH, the show is over

Not that anyone asked but i set mine up for long distance touring. I had an aux. 4 gallon fuel cell bungied on the pillion plumbed under the Tupperware so the hose ran into the stock fuel cap i replaced with a conversion a friend turned for me on his garage lathe, which was nothing more than round aluminum sock screwed to a Stant radiator cap with a threaded 90 degree brass fitting. I also had day-long custom build a leather saddle it’s back rest and a Clearview XL wind screen rounded out the LD mods i used

IIRC It had around 5 K miles on the odometer when i purchased it and I added approx. 20 K more miles selling it in around 2005 as I wasn’t riding the big miles much FWIW I used the Swing as a lighter weight touring platform after selling my 92’ Honda ST1100. She was a nice LD machine if a bit bloated hence the detour to the Swing. Anymore, I’m lucky if i make it down to Key West once year to wet my beak (partake in a little refresco=


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[UtahPete]

Just don't jump on a Honda Silverwing scooter, he will blow you off the highway, yes a scooter.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/silver-wing-600/2001/

 

[Wahrsuul]

I wish I could find a decent '96+ ST1100. best handling bike I ever owned and about the most comfortable. Had a couple ST1300s, but didn't like them as much.

I looked at the SilverWing as a potential commuter bike for a while, but never got on one. But I have noticed other riders tend to ignore any kind of scooter.

 

[Gwolf]

I rode a highly modified Harley Sportster for almost 30 years. It would leave any of the Big Twin Dressers in the dust unless they had about 15 grand worth of pro engine modifications. Some of the Harley Big Twin riders do the same thing to people who ride a Sportster. They call it a girl's bike and ask when I am going to buy a real Harley. It is part of the Harley salesman's BS when you go to a dealership. They want to sell a Harley that costs twice what the Sportsters do...... more commission. Most of the buyers don't realize they get a slower, and less nimble bike.

 

[bikergirl]

My wife and I went to Lake George Americade 2021 and the 2 wheel bikers outside of town would wave (in town your arm would be out all the time) But none of the Can Am riders would wave and there was at least a 20 - 30 of them that we pass.
We were at Spyderquest a couple of weeks before that and everyone waves. Very friendly group of people.
On a normal ride 95% of bikers wave.
When we stop at the local coffee shop and bikers come in 99% of the of them are at least cordial. Alot of them are older and look at the Spyder as an option to keep riding.

 

[vito1943]

I've never been blocked by bikes, regardless of what I was riding at the time. I have had motorcyclists act annoyed when I passed them, again regardless of what I myself was riding. Riding a Spyder since last summer I have not noticed any particular animosity from any riders, although I notice a low fewer returned waves as compared to when I was riding my Goldwing. One thing I find amusing is that riders of conventional trikes seem more accepted as riders, in terms of waves, than Spyders or other (I assume) reverse trikes. Maybe its because coming toward you the front of the conventional trike looks like a motorcycle whereas the Spyder most definitely does not look like a motorcycle.

 

[MudBug]

I've encountered more sport bike riders that don't wave than HD. Maybe it's their wrist position making it awkward. My last 2 bikes were HD, and I liked them a lot. I switched to a Ryker because I was tired of oil leaks . I hate rev bombing. I never did it even when I could.

 

[Zoot]

Interesting. Around here, almost all riders will wave - HD, sportbikes, whatever.

On my bicycle I've been hit twice, once intentionally (Texas pickup), once accidentally (lost snowbird in Arizona). I've had cagers try to force me off of the road on a few occasions (in Utah).

 

[Bfromla]

:sour: opcorn: . :dontknow:

 

[sledge]

I HAVE NEVER had an HD rider try to give me that kind of trouble ... But ... I have passed many of them, and they would not wave or even look at me, and until July of 2021 I have owned 5 Goldwings in a row. I'm not sure if they dislike a Spyder any more than they Dislike a Goldwing or not. LOL ....... But, I really don't Care Anyway.

 

[MudBug]

I had a Yamaha T-Max scooter. If not familiar Google it and see what it is capable of. I embarrased a lot of guys especially in places like The Dragon.
I've been snubbed at traffic lights, gas stations etc. but can't recall being blocked or ran off the road intentionally by another rider. As far as the waving thing goes I am guilty of not waving. Nothing personal, I just don't always wave. If your heart is broken just because I didn't wave then you have the problem not me. Now if you are sitting at the side of the road or a corner of a parking lot I will ALWAYS stop and ask if assistance is needed no matter what you are riding.

It was you wasn't it? You're the first person EVER who didn't wave at me first.

 

[MonPaul]

.

My poor, old, slow V-Max is still a mystery to some HD owners and the outcome is truly embarrassing for them. The Spyder easily outruns them on the curves. BUT---- I can't recall a 2 wheeler ever attempting to block my path.

Lew L

I used to live in Milwaukee so a lot of Harley's. When I got my Valkyrie it was pretty obvious it had 6 cylinders (Honda didn't exactly hid them) and you wouldn't believe how many HD riders tried to race me! I'm sure you had a lot of fun on your V-max, I know I did I got so sick of going back and forth with them I got a license plate that said. WYTRY. Never had to say another word - I just stayed far enough in front of them so I could point back to my license plate. I guess they think noise equals horsepower?
Getting back to the subject though, I was shocked that all the Harleys I see on my Spyder wave to me. I could really care less, but it really surprised me, never had one problem.

 

[Lew L]

I used to live in Milwaukee so a lot of Harley's. When I got my Valkyrie it was pretty obvious it had 6 cylinders (Honda didn't exactly hid them) and you wouldn't believe how many HD riders tried to race me! I'm sure you had a lot of fun on your V-max, I know I did I got so sick of going back and forth with them I got a license plate that said. WYTRY. Never had to say another word - I just stayed far enough in front of them so I could point back to my license plate. I guess they think noise equals horsepower?
Getting back to the subject though, I was shocked that all the Harleys I see on my Spyder wave to me. I could really care less, but it really surprised me, never had one problem.

Hi Mon,
I also had a Valk ( a Tourer ) and it is a wonderful motorcycle. Changed the big windshield for a modified bullet faring. All black-- wish I had a pix.

Lew L