Thinking of making the switch from the Goldwing!

[Kias]

Hi! New guy here.

I currently have an '08 Goldwing sans airbag. My wife has an '07 Shadow, sans, well... almost everything. But it is her first bike. I've been riding bikes in the dirt my whole life, and I think it was around 2003 when I switched to getting my first "Only-Road" bike. It was a Suzuki Burgman 650. A scooter it was, but I always left the Harley's in the dust at the lights. They'd usually catch up with me when I stopped just to find out what I was riding!

My wife and I would pack that thing to the brim and head out into the White Mountains in NH for the weekend. We called it "The Baby Goldwing" Ahhh, good times, good times!

In '06 we had moved back to Ohio and my wife got tired of riding... ummm... we'll just say she got tired of riding pillion, and wanted her own bike. I told her she had to take an MSF course first. I took it in New Hampshire because they waived the DMV hoops you had to jump through, and I got a discount on my insurance. It was actually an awesome course to go through, and highly recommend it if you haven't. I got "scolded" when I practically bunny hopped the 2x4 we had to drive over. Give me a tiny 250 and tell me to drive over a board... ha! At the end, they wanted me to become an instructor, which I started to pursue, but our careers took us back to Ohio.

My wife took the course, and her graduation present was a nice new shiny Honda Shadow 750. A year later, I traded in my baby Goldwing for a real one. On the way home from picking it up, I decided to see what it had. It was in 2nd or 3rd gear when I punched it. That's something I'll never forget! I remember practically yelling, "NO NO NO NO!!! Wheel on giant bike stay down!!" This thing was definitely not my Father's Goldwing. 4 months, 12,000 miles, and a set of tires later, I loved that Goldwing!

Meanwhile, back on the Shadow, things weren't so good. While my wife really likes her bike, she's made a list of things she wants on her next one. Heated grips, radio, a gas gauge, the list goes on and on. I finally concluded she wants a Goldwing. The only problem is she's short. Really short. I did some research, found some seats that were lower and found some suspension mods that could make it a tad shorter, but alas... Nothing could make it short enough for her. Then we were thinking about a Goldwing trike. That's when I remembered this weird looking thing I saw when I was filling out the paperwork at the dealer for the GW.

The employees were clearing a corner of the building, hanging these signs that said "Spyder" on them. Then I saw them pushing this strange looking trike across the parking lot and right into the door. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why they were pushing it backwards though. So I wandered on over to it, and noticed they weren't only pushing it backwards, you actually rode it backwards too! Whoa! That's different!

So 3 years later I started researching this "Spyder" thing for my wife. Turns out, it has everything that I normally use on the GW! Now I think I want one too!

We're looking at the RT Limited since it has everything on our wish list. Plus a factory trailer? How cool is that? However, I'm not quite clear on whether it has heated seats or not. I think it's just the grips, is that correct?

Earlier today I found out it doesn't have a hand brake, which was a complete show stopper for me. There's no way I'd ride that thing without a handbrake. That's the goto panic lever that's been ingrained in me for decades! Grab that first, do everything else second. Luckily, I ran across the ISCI handbrake, so that'll be a day one addition to the Spyders.

I'm finding as the years tread on, I don't want to get on my GW to drive it to work as much, not because I don't like the bike, but because at 5am in the morning my whole body is aching, and I don't have enough time to "snap" out of it. So I write it off in my mind as being unsafe to ride the bike and climb into the car. In reality, I just don't want to pull it up off it's kick stand. My thinking is with a spyder I would just climb on and go.

Well, I'm pretty sure I had a question when I started all this, other than the one about the heated seats... Can't think of it now though. I'm sure I'll remember it soon enough though.

I would love to hear any thoughts from people who switched from the GL1800 though. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Not a GoldWinger, but have had Kawi Voyager, and Yamaha Venture pre retro version. 1984.

I wouldn't let the no handbrake thing be a deal breaker. You can add on an aftermarket version from one of our forum suppliers.

I find you really don't need it though. The ABS on Spyder work very well thank you. Its like driving a car with an automatic transmission--stomp on it and stop.

RTS will give you all of the amenities that you are used to with a couple exceptions. I wish :spyder2:had a bigger, quieter engine like you have in the GW. The :spyder2: still has plenty of power with two up and loaded--but I find it noisy--because the Rotax likes high revs. I never had a GW because I find the height to be a bit much for my bad back. Too much bike to pick up and heft around. :spyder2: solves that for me.

RE: Shadow: I also have a Kawi Vulcan 900 LT. They come decked out with windshield, floorboards, bags, and a backrest. Height for standard seat is 26 ". I added a Saddleman seat and have the seat height down to 25"--perfect for me. Cost for the new 2012 about $9,500. I bought a brand new 2009 last year (2010) and got it for $7,500. Plenty of power and I have ridden it all day without any pain.

 

[exwinger]

comparison

You can't compare the spyder to a wing or a yamaha or suzuki or any other two wheeler. It's just about as hard to compare it to a regular trike of any kind , total different riding .

I sold my wing trike in July and bought a spyder and after "learning" to ride all over again I absolutely love it. I thought I made a mistake buying it when I first started riding it but after about 600 miles or so it's a dream. It doesn't handle like a normal trike by any means. I've let some of my wing trike buddies try it and everyone of them is amazed at the riding and handling differences but they all think they could come to really enjoy it.

You won't have to worry about keeping up with the 1800s by any means. I've been on quite a few rides with 1800s and have no problem at all keeping up , even on superslabs. There might be a few really tight curves that they'll takie a little faster than me but not many but that was the same with the wing trike. Some curves are just easier on 2 wheels but then if they lean just a bit too far or if they hit a stick or stone its all over .

As far as not having the handbrake , don't let that bother you. I'm still reaching for it sometimes from old habits . Believe me , when you give the footbrake the heavy foot the bike stops just fine but you'll still be squeezing the handbarake . I've only had to panic stop one time and after that I'm a believer. Just grab the bars tight and brace because if you don't you'll be kissing the windshield but its a controlled stop.

A lot of people say the spyder has more storage ( cubic feet ) than a wing and it does but its awkward storage , long and skinny. Depending on the wing trike brand you get more cubic feet and more usable but you won't be disappointed in the spyder storage. You're also not going to get the mpg the dealer says you'll get and it will be considerablly less than a wing. I've been averaging 30 - 35 mpg on mine, after about the first 2k miles which I can live with and thats riding two up. In town riding with a lot of stop and go drops you down to around 25 + or -.

Price a new wing and have it triked and you could be looking at $40k or more depending on what you get as addons. You can get the spyder for a lot less than that and its decked out if you get the RTS.

Don't buy from a dealer that won't let you road ride it for a test . And when you do road test it don't let that one ride convince you that you don't like the way ir rides or handles. It takes some adjusting of shocks and air pressures but it will work out .

Bottom line....I think you'll really love it once you get some miles under your belt.

 

[Kias]

Thanks for the input, I love it!

As far as the handbrake is concerned, I have no doubt in my mind that if you stomp on the pedal that it stops, I've seen a few videos and it sure looks like it stops right now. My concern is me. I don't have time to adjust to the fact that it's the pedal I'll need to stomp on instead of the handbrake. I average about 2.5 panic stops a day. I drive 40 miles one way to work and about 38 of those miles have cornfields on both sides of the road. Things jump out at me without fail, every single day. Sometimes I think they just wait for me before running across the road. More than a few times I've ended up staring at a deer a couple feet away from me before it takes off running again. I rarely go over 45mph in the morning while it's dark out.

I'm not trying to compare a Goldwing to anything. IMHO, there is no comparison. The GW is all that and a bag of chips! Those are fightin' words in some places, so I'll just leave it at that. The wing will be paid off next year, and I'm trying to figure out whether to keep it and go farkle crazy or sell it and get a Spyder and go farkle crazy. I'm leaning towards the Spyder as I'm pretty sure I'd ride it more. That whole picking the wing off the kickstand, backing it out of the garage, and getting it on the road at 5am is getting old on my bones. Once I'm going, I'm fine. The rest of the day is fine too. Maybe I should just get a different job. But I do like getting off of work when most people are just getting back from lunch!

Maybe I'll get my wife one first, and park it next to the wing. Then keep track of which one I grab more in the morning. :2thumbs:

 

[Leslee]

We have a Gold Wing but I no longer feel as comfortable riding with my husband as we get older (and sometimes more startled). I also want both of us to be able to drive if we take a long trip. So in June we bought a 2011 RTS-SE5. My husband is having fun driving it too and has only ridden his Wing twice since we got the Spyder. Today I had to ask him to ride the Wing so I could ride my Spyder.

Honest, all it will take is a few quick stops with the semi-automatic transmission and you won't think about that hand brake. I, too, reached for it for about 10 rides. No more. It stops, and without heavy stomping.

I'm sure you've read on this site about some of the reliability issues--especially compared to the Wing. But I so enjoy driving my Spyder that I'm willing to put up with the issues I've had.

Your wife will love it! IMHO.:thumbup:

 

[STUNMUN]

Traded my Wing too

In June I traded my much loved 07 Wing for an RT. The decision was gradual over a two year period of wondering if I could pick up the Wing and also what a small amount of sand in the road could do to me. After 35 motorcycles I have made the switch to something that has caused total obsession. Apart from the fact that I am mobbed everywhere I go, that people can't keep their hands off of my Spyder, that questions about it range from the bizarre to the ridiculous, that after 46 years of biking on just about anything with two wheels and having covered this continent from Mexico to Alaska, I can honestly say "Thank you Lord" for this contraption. I know that there are many machines out there worthy of accolades of durability, beauty, sound etc, but my Spyder with my questionable knees and desire to drive the safest motorcycle ever built keeps me pumped up like I am 16 again with my Honda 250. I watched a trike go over while manuvering at about 15 MPH and decided against triking my Wing. I have friends that have turned their attention away from biking due to their age or fear of an accident-pitiful. I don't want to do that. In conclusion, this ain't a car minus a tire or a motorcycle plus a tire. It is a whole new way of traveling.

 

[rafiki2cu]

In June I traded my much loved 07 Wing for an RT. The decision was gradual over a two year period of wondering if I could pick up the Wing and also what a small amount of sand in the road could do to me. After 35 motorcycles I have made the switch to something that has caused total obsession. Apart from the fact that I am mobbed everywhere I go, that people can't keep their hands off of my Spyder, that questions about it range from the bizarre to the ridiculous, that after 46 years of biking on just about anything with two wheels and having covered this continent from Mexico to Alaska, I can honestly say "Thank you Lord" for this contraption. I know that there are many machines out there worthy of accolades of durability, beauty, sound etc, but my Spyder with my questionable knees and desire to drive the safest motorcycle ever built keeps me pumped up like I am 16 again with my Honda 250. I watched a trike go over while manuvering at about 15 MPH and decided against triking my Wing. I have friends that have turned their attention away from biking due to their age or fear of an accident-pitiful. I don't want to do that. In conclusion, this ain't a car minus a tire or a motorcycle plus a tire. It is a whole new way of traveling.

:agree:

 

[Kias]

This morning's activities included 2 skunks, a opossum, 6 deer, and something that I'm pretty sure was a chupacobra, though I'm a bit too far north for that thing, so perhaps not. While the skunk and opossum I would probably roll right over with not much more than a bump, the deer and chupacobra looking thing would've been ugly had I connected with it. I'm not doubting that I'd get used to the foot brake, I'm doubting I could get used to it immediately. It's also not likely that I'd use my common sense and just leave the thing at home in the morning until I did get used to the foot brake. hyea:

$1400 to ISCI is a small price to pay for a peace of mind. I'm absolutely impressed with their setup, this only from the close up pictures and videos I've found of the system.
:bdh:
As far as the reliability issues compared to the Goldwing, it looks to be about the same. When the GL1800 first came out in 01 or 02, it had it's problems too. Welds in the frame that could crack, or collapse completely. Bank angle sensors that could fall off, making the engine shut off unexpectedly. Leaking brake systems. Lots of electrical and electronic problems. The people who have problems are always more vocal then people who don't have problems which always makes it sound worse than it really is. (Except for the people with the problem... It really is that bad!) I look for the manufacturer that's trying to fix their mistakes. It does look like they're doing that with the Spyder.


So going over the specs again, I've determined the seat is not heated. Any third party solutions to this other than Corbin? Not that I'd be against getting a Corbin, just looking at my options. Still trying to remember that original question I had... Must be my age. :shocked:

 

[dancogan]

I added the ISCI hand brake. From riding 2 wheels I became accustomed to having a hand "hover" over the brake lever any time I wasn't sure what a car might do. Even when they stop coming out from a side street you're never sure if they will look right at you and pull out. Anyway, I consider that ability to "hover" over the brake lever very important to my safety and ability to stop quickly if needed. You don't want to hover over the foot brake because light pressure on it will cause a fault, and it's hard to tell if you're touching the brake or not. No such problem with the hand brake. But it is large and requires a fairly large and strong hand.

 

[NancysToy]

:welcome: I don't have a Wing, either, but I have not ridden my BMW much since I got the Spyder RTS. Both machines sit side-by-side in the garage, but I always seem to hop on the Spyder. Not need to lift anything from the side stand or onto the center stand. Much safer in marginal weather conditions, too. Just hop on and go!

Nothing wrong with the ISCI handbrake if your mind is programmed that way. I never had integrated brakes on a motorcycle, so I use both the pedal and the hand lever. The Spyder may have made me grab some air, but it never slowed my braking because I always use my foot, too. Those with integrated brakes and a tendency to grab only the hand brake have more adjustment to make.

You are correct that the Spyder has only heated grip (front and rear), but no heated seat. Corbin does have a heat option, but Corbins don't fit some people (like me). Contact Russell Day-Long. They offer a heated seat option, but I don't know if it is available for the Spyder.

ExWinger had some great advice, speaking from his experience. Like he said, take a couple of test rides...and don't expect to get used to the Spyder immediately. It takes a bit of adjustment, but it is well worth the effort.

 

[bullant12]

Because of a recent training, I became a GWRRA member. Before we went to their safety training in Alabama, I started receiving their magazine and on all 3 issues I've been getting, pages 3, 4 and 5 have Spyder adverticements. :2thumbs:

 

[Oldmanzues]

I never owned a Gold Wing because the ST1100 fit my needs and wants better.
I looked/rode several trike conversions. GWRRA has a trike course which is very good. I took that on a borrowed VTXb 13300 Motor Trike conversion. I took it again on my Spyder RT. I can only say, I love my Spyder.
I have been riding motorcycles for sixty years and lots of miles. I woulod say is 90% as much fun as two wheels, with lots advantages. One that has not been mentioned is reverse. Spyder back up very well.
Gold Wing problems, read a copy of Wing World sometime. I never carred a spare alternator (1500)on anything I owned.
Good luck and safe riding.
OldManzues

 

[Pennyrick]

Klas:

Somewhat similar situation here although both my wife and I have been riding since the mid 70's.

My wife had a Burgman 400, liked it a lot but she had ACL surgery and had problems at stoplights. We had it triked and she loved it that way but it was hard to steer. When she test drove an RT with power steering that did it and she moved into an RT SE in 2010. She will be getting her new 2012 shortly.

I had a Valkyrie Interstate that I loved and also a GL 1800. When my arthritis really got to be a problem I decided to trike one or the other and eventually traded the Valkyrie (my favorite bike of all time) for an installed Motor Tryke IRS Kit on the Wing. It too was hard to steer until I put the Rake kit on it and that made it better. I learned to like the triked Wing but the few times I drove my wife's RT it seemed more comfortable and tracked better in the wind and around 18 wheelers.

This year I traded the GL 1800 three wheeled bike in on a new RT SM. The only thing I miss is the low end torque on the GL, other than that the Spyder is a better all round machine. Some folks complain about the sound system but I find that when it is adjusted properly for fade, treble and bass it is comparable to the Wing system.

It steers easier, has better road manners (no wander or waver, although you have to learn not to over-correct), is more fun on the sweepers and seems to be less fatiguing than the Gold Wing. It also attracts a heck of a lot more attention.

 

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to the PARTEE my friend!! :2thumbs: You've found the right place for sure for questions, gripes, opinions, more opinions and even uhhh;never mind... pps:

 

[Gordy]

if you want a heated seat you could instal this kit www.cozywinters.com its a heated seat kit

 

[Hawk Eye]

Not a winger, but I am 70 and love the ride You will toooo.

Pete :doorag::doorag:

 

[soaring hawk]

GOLDWING IS GONE

:thumbup::thumbup: MY WIFE HAS A BIKE AND A FAIRLY NEW RIDER SEEMS SHE ISN'T RIDING HER BIKE, SO WE SAT ON A SPYDER RT-S THIS MIGHT BE THE TICKET I PROPOSED WE SELL HER BIKE AND THE GOLDWING. AND 7000 MILE LATER ON OUR 2011 RT-S (RUBY) SHE LOVES IT AND I DON'T MISS THE WING. IF SHE SEES ONE OF THOSE SHOPS ON A TRIP WE JUST SPIN AROUND AND GO CHECK IT OUT NO WORRIES OF SAND, GRAVEL ECT IT'S SO RELAXING RIDING NOW AND THE BENIFIT WE BOTH CAN DRIVE, SHE THREATEND TO GET ME A PINK T=SHIRT WHEN I RIDE PILLION. SO I CAN BE THE BIKER CHICK ON THE BACK:roflblack:
I ALSO HAVE AN ADVENTURE BIKE BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE I SEEM TO WANT TO RIDE THE SPYDER MORE. SO JOIN THE SPYDER FAMILY, JUMP ON, START IT UP AND ENJOY THE RIDE. :clap::clap::clap:

GARY AND GWEN

 

[prmurat]

Reliability???

[$1400 to ISCI is a small price to pay for a peace of mind. I'm absolutely impressed with their setup, this only from the close up pictures and videos I've found of the system.
:bdh:
As far as the reliability issues compared to the Goldwing, it looks to be about the same. When the GL1800 first came out in 01 or 02, it had it's problems too. Welds in the frame that could crack, or collapse completely. Bank angle sensors that could fall off, making the engine shut off unexpectedly. Leaking brake systems. Lots of electrical and electronic problems. The people who have problems are always more vocal then people who don't have problems which always makes it sound worse than it really is. (Except for the people with the problem... It really is that bad!) I look for the manufacturer that's trying to fix their mistakes. It does look like they're doing that with the Spyder.

From my experience (only 3500 miles on my RT)getting used to the rear brake "only" should be the least and last of your concern... A Spyder is so hard to get used to that using your foot only, like in a car, is not the main problem...
Regarding the reliability I'd love to share your enthousiam (and you have not even spent the $30,000 entry ticket!): if Honda had a 1/4 of a Spyder's problem they would be out of business!!! It is true that BRP is working at fixing problems, I am sure Yugo was trying too!!!
I have a Spyder only because I cannot ride an heavy bike two up for touring (radial nerve gone in my right arm) and "I have to do with it" but the repetitive problems on a brand new bike are taking their tolls on my already lacking enthousiam... even looking at a Ural right now: at least my hope will not be as high!!
Philippe

 

[rhinozxq]

I'm going throught the same process of trying to decide if I want to get rid of the Goldwing trike that I've had for 6 years and get another :spyder2:. The wife bought her :spyder2: after almost taking out a boulder with our trike while trying it out in our drive way. She was tryingto brake and rolled on the throttle at the same time. The next weekend our dealer had an open house and was doing demo rides on the RT. They spent 5 minutes going over the controls with her and out on the road we went. After a 30 minute ride we came back to the dealer and she walked in and bought the 2011 RT Limited that they had on the floor. She is so comfortable on her :spyder2: that I don't get much of a chance to ride it. She has put over 3700 miles on it so far and is still going. From what I have experience so far on my rides both on the front and the back of the :spyder2: I absolutely love it and I definately love the semi automatic. If I still feel this way next season the Goldwing will probably be replaced with another RT. We just put sealboards on and they have definately made it more comfortable having a larger platform for my feet and a position to stretch out my legs. I want to do some long trips on both and make sure that it is still as comfortable as I think it is now. We have done almost 1000 miles in a day on the Goldwing. I'm notlooking to do that on the :spyder2:, but I would like to be able to do a long day a be comfortable when we get off at the end of the day. From what I've experienced so far I think we will.

Try out the wife's RT and form your own opinion. I know I try to take the :spyder2: whenever I head out, but the wife usually takes it first.

 

[Kias]

Thank you everyone for your opinions!

Oh, and don't diss the Yugo! They JUST stopped making them in 2008. :yikes:

I just found out last night that my Mother just put a new Spyder RT in her garage! Can you say "Unlimited Test Rides??" :2thumbs: hyea:


Now if I can just get that fatherly figure guy to get rid of his Harley... That thing's in the shop more then any other bike I know! I tease him by telling him I found something wrong with my wing. When he asks what it is, I tell him I found dirty oil in it, and it required a complete change. Terrible, just terrible.

Thanks again! I'll definitely let you know what we decide!