Tell Me Something Good About Your Spyder Ownership Experience

[JohnRuckus]

So, I just read through a post about the negatives of Spyder ownership. A lot of responses were mostly contrary. So, that had thinking, what's something good that came out of owning a Spyder/Ryker for you?

I'll start: I wanted one since I first saw them hit the market. I never rode 2 wheels other than a spin around the block on a friend's.
Fast forward 10+ years and C19 swept through the country and world, spawning lock downs and social distancing. After lots of pondering over things I can do to get outside and enjoy "safely", I started looking at the Spyders again. I did some research and decided to take the 3-wheel course that fall.

I purchased my Gwen shortly after as a new machine. I had never done anything like that before. Sure, I've taken trips and splurged on a few things, but nothing this expensive for myself just b/c I wanted it. Never had I bought a brand-new vehicle b/c of the fast depreciation and upfront costs.

So, this was an out of the norm thing for me.

All that to say... getting the Spyder allowed me to "treat myself" to something I wanted and kept putting off for years, and it was well worth it.
2ndly, while I've had a few minor issues, the overall experience has been really good. It afforded me the opportunity to get out and travel and explore during a time when many couldn't/didn't. I connected with people (mostly virtually) who I never would've known or sparked a conversation with.

I've had many kids (even some adult kids) smile, wave, inquire about, or just say "Hey, I like your bike" or "What do you call that thing?"

I've taken rides to places that I've gone to many times before, only with my eyes open to more of the scenery. I saw the world around me differently, from the tress aligning the roadside, to the Skyscrapers creating a city's skyline. I traveled through mountains, twists, turns; and I spotted animals that I never paid attention to before.

Riding the Spyder opened my life to new experiences that I was able to share with others as well. A random ride on a random day for some relaxed focus while listening to tunes or the sounds of my surroundings is a blessing that I'm grateful for. Not everyone can relate, but some of you can.

So, I ask, what good did you get from owning a Spyder? :riding: :dg1:

 

[Leaping1]

After riding 2 wheels since I was 14, I had an accident on my Harley last year. I was able to ride the bike home, even though it was sad looking with the damage to it and me. I have been accused of being hard-headed but that is another story. Anyway, at 77 I decided I might need to go another route, but I had always said that I would never ride a 3-wheeler. Well, those words were really tough to eat. I bought an older 2011 RT-S, because I figured that if I did not like it then I would not be out too much money. 12 months and 10K miles later, I love it. I even like the 998's higher revving engine; I've had no problems with parts; and I have a buddy who does my service work. I have rambled on, but what I have gotten is extended riding time on a wonderful machine.
Leon

 

[AndysF3S]

I test drove the Spyders when they first came out and decided I didn't need one at the time. Last year my Mango Green 22 F3S was sitting in the show room looking lonely so I had a closer look and decided to buy it. I had not been a highway bike rider previously but had my license to drive it. My test drive was taking it home and I have put some accessories on it. There was a bit of a learning curve but not unexpected and if I was going to try one I decided to do it before I turned 75.

In just over a year I have put on 4500 miles/7200 km and hope to put more on before the end of the riding season probably October. No issues with the F3S and I have met and ride with other Spyder owners at least once a week.

 

[2dogs]

I've owned so many different rides I can't even begin to remember them all. But because of bad knees, I had to give up 2 wheels and go to 3 and the Spyder was the choice. Not because it was a Spyder, but because it wouldn't fall over on its own. So it's not my ride, it's "the ride" that gives me the exhilaration I'm looking for. The only other nearby choice was the HD Tri Glide, and it felt like driving a dump truck compared to the Spyder. It was my wife who chose the Spyder. She felt safer and more comfortable on the Spyder than on the Tri Glide. Luckily I guess, I've had minimal issues with my ride and so far, I'm satisfied and happy with my Spyder.

 

[pegasus1300]

After an accident in 2011 I had to go from 2 wheels to 3 wheels or stop riding. I chose 3 wheels. The Spyder has taken me everywhere I wanted to go and brought me home. It is comfortable, as fast as I want to go anymore, and reliable. It looks good though different, but that's fine with me. It just keeps on running at 80,000 miles. Given my income and age, it will probably last as long as I can ride. I like my Spyder because it allows me to still be knees in the breeze with relatively little hassle.

 

[Deanna777]

I was a passenger on a 2-wheel motorcycle for 16 years.

In 2012 I decided to get my own bike, and I ended up buying a 2012 HD Switchback. I did not keep that bike too long. I traded it for a 2012 RTS-SE5 Spyder. The 2012 RTS-SE5 opened up my social world and my motorcycling world, I was going to Spyder events like SpyderFest, in Springfield, MO. and SpyderQuest in Lake George, New York.


I like the Spyder because it is more stable, visible, easier to shift, lower maintenance, farkles, etc. I have met many new Spyder owners and my significant other since I bought a Spyder.


I am currently on my 3rd Spyder - my first Spyder was a 2012 RTS-SE5 Quantum Metallic Blue, which I traded up; then I had a 2014 RTS-SE6 Cognac, which I sold to get my current F3. I have Spyder fever, and I am not looking back.

Deanna

 

[Longtimer]

Owned many bikes, all of them have their own personality. When I decide I wanted a 3-wheeler, I test rode a GW 3-wheeler (I have ridden GW's for years) and it was OK. I rode an HD 3-wheeler, and I won't say what I thought of it! Then I rode the Spyder and loved it! It had a couple of little problems that were fixed with no hassles, and it's just fun to ride! I would buy another one tomorrow if something happened to this one. She loves riding with me on this, she is much more relaxed and enjoys rides more.

 

[Little Blue]

I first heard about Spyders in 2013. My wife thought they looked cute....:shemademe_smilie:
I was still able to ryde my 2 wheel Bike and wasn't ready for a change. Fast forward to 2016 and I was having some trouble holding up my bike. So I needed to make a major decision on my ryding days.

Long story short, I checked out a Spyder and never looked back. It has been a great Ryde for me and my wife. ....:thumbup:

 

[Lee0123]

My wife is riding with me again like when we started dating.

 

[ZiggyF]

I quit riding about 3 years ago when I laid my HD Ultra down & couldn’t pick it back up. I had both hips replaced soon after that, so I sold it & just quit riding. One year ago, almost to the day, my wife & I were having dinner at a friend's & he told my wife to check out his new toy. He had just bought a '23 RTL, so they took off on it & she came back with a huge smile & said, “we’re getting one”. She had sat behind me for over 40 years & we both missed it. Within 3 weeks I had a 2014 RTL sitting in the garage with only 5K miles on it.

I wasn’t sold on it at first, it felt like a bulky snowmobile, but after around 500 miles or so it now feels like a part of me. I ride in two different clubs, one is part of our retirement community, The Villages Nomads, twice a week; and the other is a men’s only group that rides every Friday evening - both are mixed 2 & 3 wheelers. This Spyder has become my 3rd favorite bike/trike. All I need now is a new seat (going to Daytona in the near future to buy an Ultimate Seat) because my butt gets pretty sore. I bought it with 5K miles, and I just turned in 13K in less than a year, so we’ve done a little bit of riding, and I've got “my girl” back behind me again.

 

[Hypurone]

2015 F3-S, owned since new. The only thing to "fail" and give me an actual code (even tho I was ripping along at 80+ and I would never had known unless I looked down for the time) was the Camshaft sensor... $60.00 and 10 mins of my time. I wouldn't even be riding if not for the F3. I had a wicked crash on my Ducati from being run off the road and could no longer hold up a 2-wheeler... Technically, I shouldn't be riding with 7 plates/52 screws in me, but the stability it has is worth the risk to get the "feels"...

 

[NorwegianRT]

When I got my driver license for a car back in 1978, I was allowed to use the license for a 125cc mc.
Never had any use of a 125 cc until my daughter moved out and started living in another city. So I bought a cheap 125cc Tourer and thought I could use this to and from work and my wife would get to use our car a lot more.
Decided to take the mc and go visit my daughter and quickly found out that 125cc is not enough for those long trips.
Then I saw a Spyder RS onboard a cargo ship and was like "those are for me!"
Did some research and Norwegian laws says if you have a car license taken before 1983, you can ride a Spyder.
6 months later I had bought my first Spyder, a 2008 RS, and I was so happy with it. It was the only Spyder in my hometown and I got a good deal of attention, all positive!
After a few trips with the wife onboard, she complained about feeling like she would slide off the tiny passenger seat. She wondered if there were any other types of Spyders, and I was quick to suggest an RT. We neeed one of those was her reply, when I showed her a picture of one. :thumbup:
Months later, I found my current ride in a Sales Ad online, and quickly called to reserve it. A layover from 2012 with warranty as new.
We both love the bike and like any other drivable things with an engine, we have had our share of issues. Two times down Europe and one of them to the BRP Grosglockner challenge.
We have also seen much more of Norway than we would have.

Keep riding friends, get that wind therapy!

 

[shannonmarie]

My Spyder got me back on the road. I had a few motorcycles years ago, but had to sell because finances. Years later arthritis hit me hard causing me to use a wheelchair most of the time. As time went on I missed being out in the wind. Every time I heard others riding past the house I’d get depressed that I wasn’t riding. So I checked out a Spyder. I liked it enough to buy one. Honestly, it’s not as fun as a two wheeler. It’s just not, at least to me. But it’s awesome in its own way. And without it I’d still be sitting at home listening to others have all the fun.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

It doesn't fall over when stopped ;-)>

 

[Deanna777]

You are more visible on the road.

Deanna

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

It's very stable once you learn how to ride it. It takes away the fear of laying it down in the gravel or on tar snakes. It removes, or should I say, lessens the worry of doing so. In turn, I believe I'm a more relaxed rider because of this. I still ride a 2-wheeler occasionally, but it feels a bit awkward now. The whole time I'm on the 2-wheeler, I'm thinking I'd be happier on the Spyder.

I swore when I was 19 and on my 1st HD that I would rather quit riding if it came down to a trike or a Goldwing. Now being 67, I have to look back and just shake my head and laugh at myself. I'm thrilled every time I get on the Spyder, and it never disappoints me. I look forward to every outing.

There's a lot of people out there who think like I did when I was 19, but now when I go to those places where motorcyclists hang out (not bars) quite a few of them want to talk about the Spyder. They're curious about it, and I can honestly give them a good assessment of the Spyder.

 

[tntnj]

I bought a 2017 F3 LTD at 65 years old after riding a Harley for 20 years. A few years later, I bought a Harley Freewheeler, it was so scary on turns! The Freewheeler was sold after 6 months and I bought a 2021 RT, and I am loving it. You do not have to worry about sand, dirt, stones, or wet leaves on the road. And you don't have to worry about tipping your bike over.

This forum is where you mostly hear of issues, how to fix them, and how to do maintenance on the Can Am's. Also, you hear what aftermarket parts are available.

I don't think the forum was made for people to say that they bought one and how great it is. So yes, you will hear more about issues with dealers and servicing etc. on Spyders here.

 

[Snoking1127]

I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet, so holding up a large two-wheeler is out of the question. So I now have two 2018 Spyder RTL's, one in Washington purchased in October 2020 (which I rode up from Arizona in May) and one in Arizona, purchased in January 2024. The bucket list ride from Arizona to Washington included Highway 1 North of San Francisco, then Highway 101 along the coast all the way into Southern Washington before heading inland again. Not bad for an old dude who turned 80 a month later, which also included hitting a dog on I-10 at the California border, but I was able to finish the trip on the banged-up trike. The later repair to the trike cost $5525. Champagne colored tupperware panels were not available, so the cost went up to have them color matched painted. The paint shop did a great job on doing that, you cannot tell the new painted panels from the aged OEM panels.

On edit: Day one of six. The dog was a German Shepperd and I hit it at highway speed. It came out of the brush on the side of the road right in front of me. No time to stop or really brake - steer thru this was my reaction. It took out most of the tupperware on the front right side, right rad leaking, and front of right fender broken off. Right front wheel went over the dog and I did not go down. I am pretty sure a two wheeler would have gone down. Bottle of stop leak and anti-freeze added, test riding back and forth on city streets of Blythe, Ca, and I was able to continue the 6 day ride.

 

[RapidSpyder]

It is very dependable and I ride every month of the year.

 

[FrogmanDave]

Not having to worry about sand at corners and intersections anymore.