To all the other old 2 wheel riders;

[gnirtsnod]

in the world (well I take that back, there is one but it takes two people) than powering out of a curve in third or fourth gear on a Harlery.... but at the same time, there's no worse feeling in the world than that Harley sliding out from under you. You can get the powering out feeling with a Spyder and avoid the sliding out from under you feeling....at a certain age, the Spyder wins tires down.....:bowdown:smoky

Paint Bank, VA, had a special place in my heart...and still does for a different reason. First, it is a quaint old town that I happened upon when in the middle of a ride, I needed a bathroom break; however, a year later I converted my bagger into a sled just seven miles away. The "sliding out" is a helpless feeling that I hope to avoid with my new Spyder.

I will still ride my Ultra...I think. It's only been up to the gas pumps and back once since Spydee arrived. This darn three-wheeler is fun!

 

[Tierhog]

Powering out of a hard turn..and gas mileage. Otherwise, Spydee takes the cake in all respects

 

[IntoTheWind]

Turning point, 2 to 3

I rode motorcycles for over 45 years, in the last year both knees were replaced, forced to Retire. I had to make a decision; I could no longer balance/hold up the weight of my 09 Stratoliner. It was a hard choice but giving up on riding altogether would have been far worse, I discovered the Spyder one weekend and saw the possibilities. I traded in the Stratoliner towards the Spyder RT Limited 2012 the next week and have enjoyed my new steed ever since. Yes, I miss the two wheels but life changes and one has to adapt to a newer means that still allows you to enjoy the experience of riding. Now it's the journey, the adventure that waits around the next bend and riding off into the sunset with a mount that won't hold me back no matter the outcome of the weather. Retired and making everyday count, hopefully see you on the road; enjoy.:yes:hyea:

 

[james danny]

You dont have to worry about holding a spyder up and it feels safter. also has more storage and confort.

 

[asp125]

Slowing down for a corner, executing a perfectly matched downshift, sliding a butt off the side, then tipping into the corner. The world goes from upright to 45 degrees, maybe more. Your knee skims along inches from the pavement. You clip the apex and roll on the throttle, the front end wants to reach for the sky but you dance on a razor's edge as you straighten up and shoot for the next apex. That's the allure of two wheels.

You sit upright, ready to downshift for the corner. You press on the outside floorboard and put a knee against the "tank". The machine wants to throw you off, but you put a butt off to the inside and a shoulder towards the inside mirror. You steer the machine towards the apex and power out. The front end wants to lift the inside tire, but you let the machine pull you through. You pull over, pop the frunk and pull out a cold drink. That's the allure of the Spyder.

 

[Schnauzer]

Got both, gonna keep both

Still have the 2 wheelers, love to rip down the road.. For me the only advantage of the "Y" factor is wet weather riding.. No need to slow down.. just keep haulin ass, where on 2 wheels I'm a bit more cautious.. Besides like someone stated.. "Spyder" is hers

• :lecturef_smilie:
  

 

[Hberninger]

Rode 2-wheelers for years. Traded my 2004 Harley Road Glide for the 2012 RT in October. I still have a Sporster in our condo in Ohio, so when I go there in the summer I have something to ride. Love both the 2-wheeler and the Spyder. I like to go on longer rides, and the Spyder fits that bill perfectly. For short day trips when I am in Ohio, the Sportster is ideal. Different, but love them both.

"Double Trouble" talked about his '99 Valkyrie Interstate. That's one bike I would love to have owned.

 

[gwritesel]

Been riding 2 wheelers for 46 years but was starting to get a little wobbly and uncoordinated at low speed.Got into a high speed wobble last July and totaled my victory,broke my left hand in several places when I got pitched off,luckily that was the only thing broken at the speed I was traveling when the wobble started.Anyway can't squeeze a clutch right now and could not stand to not ride until my hand was better so I bought a 2012 RT SE. I like it,it keeps me in the wind and I go out in the garage and squeeze the clutch on my old Shovelhead to try and strengthen my hand,I may get her out this summer if the hand gets strong enough,but the Spyder will be doing all the long rides.And the high speed wobble was not the fault of the Victory,there were several factors at play,the Vic Cross Country was one of the best bikes I've ever owned.
Geo.

 

[JJRider]

At 52, been on two wheels for 40 years, mostly dirt over the years. I ride dual sport (DR650) now with friends but after my wife mentioned that she would consider riding on the back of a Spyder, that was all it took. She was not interested in riding on two wheels but feels comfortable on the Spyder. We have a 2011 RS. We enjoy the weekend 100 mile rides and then at least one 2000 mile ride during the year. I don't feel as safe on the Spyder with the exception of gravel and a stray deer. Just glad my wife can now go on rides with me.

 

[bikeguy]

A 2-wheeler is still the ultimate freedom machine - or maybe that's all in my head. I still ride my 2-wheeler in the dirt, but not as much as I used to. I'm working on my old R90/6 so I'll have a 2-wheeler to ride on the road.

But the big advantage of a 3-wheeler is that it doesn't fall over when you stop. Without the Spyder, I'd still be riding 2-wheelers but I'd be riding alone. My wife never told me that she wouldn't ride with me anymore but I know she was ready to give it up after I dropped my BMW twice with her aboard. I didn't want to lose my riding companion after more than 35 years of riding together. Another advantage of the Spyder that is seldom mentioned is that I can park it anywhere I stop. I don't have to worry about how the ground slopes or whether there's a hole under my kickstand or a rock. Just park it and get off.

Thanks to the Spyder, I'm still riding and my wife's still riding with me.

Cotton

 

[bhfromme]

Love reading these stories. Here's mine. Both of my older brothers rode Harleys for forty years. My oldest brother, a million miler, was killed when a car turned left in front of him. My other brother's bike has been in his garage ever since.

I saw a Spyder one day at the mall and it was love at first sight. I asked my brother what he thought and he said he had seen them and was impressed. And he also said he was glad his little brother would have three wheels not two.

Bottom line for me is safety. The Spyder is very stable but above all else it's extremely visible. You'd have to be blind not to see me coming. Ryde on guys. And be safe.

 

[asp125]

When my sweetie and I are out on our dual sports or road bikes, we are sharing the same experience separately. We communicate over our comms or talk during stops. When we're on the Spyder we are traveling through the same landscape but I feel her arms around me... I LIKE THAT! (So does she)

 

[Bob Denman]

"Motorcycles are kind of like Baskin Robbins..." :2thumbs:

 

[CapNCrunch]

BEEN TWO WHEELING SINCE 1953

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of the Spyder vs your 2 wheel ride?
And if you no longer ride a 2 wheeler, do you miss it?

For me, the big advantage of the Spyder is the stability, but in a sense that's also the disadvantage as leaning
and countersteering are out.
And yes, I love my Spyder but I do miss the 2 wheel ride.

Had to get off 2 wheels after hitting a deer at 65 MPH, back when I was 75 (2008). Not a good experience: concussion, 7 broken ribs, collapsed right lung, and broken finger. OH, YEAH ... and a case of road rash. Went out and bought a Yamaha FJR 1300-AE after that ("get back on the horse"), and rode it for 3 years, but decided it/I was too unstable at stop signs and gravel parking lots. Traded for a 2011 SPYDER RT-S SE-5, and haven't looked back. Love the stability, reverse gear, power steering, paddle shifting, and ABS. Oh, yeah ... and the feeling of security. And I can still get the wind in my face any time I want!
So, remember: If life hands ya lemons ....... make lemonaid!
Ride safe,
CapNCrunch

 

[otter28169]

My spyder gives me that snowmobile feel all year long. I have been lusting after them since they were introduced and it only took five years to get one. Now I am spreading the word. My wife wanrs one. My father wants one. My snowmobile dealership owner is getting one, and two of my friends are currently saving their pennies toward one (one for each of them). If Bombardier would market this thing to snowmobilers, they would make a fortune.

 

[dave01]

Rode 2 wheelers since 12 on the dirt and since 16 on the street. Many years without a car and just my trusty Kawi. Got my first spyder in 2009, got rid of it in 2010 for the RT and mine was a love/hate relationship. Loved the feeling of riding with others, but missed the reliability of all of the 2 wheelers i owned. Back on 2 now and lovin it. Won't go back.