Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mike, a long time lurker from Coal City, IL. I have owned a 2009 GS-SM5 since July of '10 and have been lurking around since. I got the Spyder as a 20 something but recently turned 30. The Spyder is no doubt a great ryde just as this is a great site.
My spyder has the BRP sportrack with backrest, comfort seat, passenger peg extensions:shemademe_smilie:, and an 80 cent spring to pop the trunk. I also added the six-spoke wheels. With the modifications my wife has become much more comfortable on the Spyder, though I think she would still prefer I ride a 2-wheeler for the leaning and the better view over my head instead of looking at the back of it. She rides a Yamaha Vino 125 and is terrified to try to drive the Spyder.
I get a lot of questions on the Spyder like most of us do but don't have any really funny stories to tell. While I was in Tennessee(starting the day after the owner's event
), a young man told me how excited he was to go buy his brand new 2011 yellow Spyder. Apparently he hadn't got the memo on current colors. I guess that's why they have painters.
I haven't had many issues to speak of in my first 3k miles. Lots of brake fluid leaks at first, I think the reservoir was overfilled and the caps were definitely installed wrong. Took it to the dealership to fix prior to realizing the caps were on wrong and it came back leaking just as bad as before. Once I fixed the caps I haven't had anymore issues. I've had the brake pads replaced and the horrible squealing is gone, now I just have a more subtle squeal/howl that is most noticeable when riding slow. I'm not smart enough to know if it is brakes, bearings, belt, or some other b-word.
My biggest complaint is that the roads in Illinois are FLAT and more importantly STRAIGHT! It is like driving on an empty chess board here, with one piece dropped in the center named Starved Rock.
I look forward to meeting more Spyder Lovers in the near future and really hope to make it to some events. I am considering attending the ride from Woodstock, IL this weekend but may have a conflict.
Thank you all for being Awesome!
My spyder has the BRP sportrack with backrest, comfort seat, passenger peg extensions:shemademe_smilie:, and an 80 cent spring to pop the trunk. I also added the six-spoke wheels. With the modifications my wife has become much more comfortable on the Spyder, though I think she would still prefer I ride a 2-wheeler for the leaning and the better view over my head instead of looking at the back of it. She rides a Yamaha Vino 125 and is terrified to try to drive the Spyder.
I get a lot of questions on the Spyder like most of us do but don't have any really funny stories to tell. While I was in Tennessee(starting the day after the owner's event

I haven't had many issues to speak of in my first 3k miles. Lots of brake fluid leaks at first, I think the reservoir was overfilled and the caps were definitely installed wrong. Took it to the dealership to fix prior to realizing the caps were on wrong and it came back leaking just as bad as before. Once I fixed the caps I haven't had anymore issues. I've had the brake pads replaced and the horrible squealing is gone, now I just have a more subtle squeal/howl that is most noticeable when riding slow. I'm not smart enough to know if it is brakes, bearings, belt, or some other b-word.
My biggest complaint is that the roads in Illinois are FLAT and more importantly STRAIGHT! It is like driving on an empty chess board here, with one piece dropped in the center named Starved Rock.
I look forward to meeting more Spyder Lovers in the near future and really hope to make it to some events. I am considering attending the ride from Woodstock, IL this weekend but may have a conflict.
Thank you all for being Awesome!