Trying to break the harley addiction

[vrodrjs]

I had a dead "Quill Turtle" in my lane, and tried to miss it in that manner... :yikes:
And I STILL got about twenty quills stuck in the rear tire sidewall! :gaah:

What is this "Quill Turtle" you speak of Mr Denman? We have box turtles and snappers around here, but I have never heard of a quill turtle. Porcupine?

 

[fyrertuck]

Last ride was 19 years on a wing and I rode two other HD. Pick up a New 2012 RT in may of 2012. I can tell you I am not looking back. I Love this thing and will not go back to two wheels.:yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

What is this "Quill Turtle" you speak of Mr Denman? Porcupine?

:2thumbs: You guessed it!
But we call them much worse; right after the impact! :gaah:

 

[Deanna777]

:welcome:and :congrats: to this website. GREAT CHOICE!!!!!

2 years ago, I bought a HD Switchback ( it was new to the Harley Line) I traded it for a 2012 RTS-SE5, I love my spyder and I will not go back to a 2-wheeled motorcycle ( I have a card saying " RESTRICTED TO RIDING A THREE WHEEL MOTORCYCLE ONLY this is from Vermont Agency of Transportation Dept. of Motor Vehicles and must be carried with License/ Permit). I feel safer and I like the features that the spyder offers. Deanna777

 

[Cruzr Joe]

It's not what you ride , it's that you ride

The Spyder (especially the 14 with a six speed and 1330) is a much more comfortable relaxed ride.

Cruzr Joe

 

[threewheelcurious]

thinking of doing the same switch because of road conditions and extending the season

The amount of sand, gravel, road debris, wildlife and weather here have me looking to sell my sporty and grab an RS-S.

 

[warp10]

Have a Harley Ultra and a Hayabusa. I will be selling the Harley and keeping the busa. Had a 2012 RT-S, had no problems doing 500-600miles days. just got the new 2014 RT Limited in Cognac and it is even smoother than the 2012. Make the switch you will not be dissapointed

 

[Attagrl]

My hubby rides an Ultra and feels that if we could justify spending the money to insure a third bike, he would get an ST as soon as they come out with a 6speed, 1330cc motor for it. But since it costs about $3000 to insure our bikes for a 6 month riding season, he will probably just wait until he's tired of two wheel riding. They're both fun, but it depends on what kind of riding you want to do.


Sent from my iPad

 

[Spydman]

Have both love both. different as nite and day

 

[Rd_Runner]

I am not here to bash HD riders

Been lookin at a 2014 with the tree cylinders. Has anyone here had to break that harley addiction. Are you glad you did. Are they comfy to ride all day?. Any input will help


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I have owned two HDs. A 2004 883 which I trade for an 03 HD Ultra Classic bagger that I rode for four years and about 10,000 miles. Overall it was a decent ride with many pluses and an equal amount of minuses.
Pluses
- fuel injection worked flawless
-comfortable to ride
- retained its value
- decent fuel mileage (compared to my Spyder)
Minuses
- Expensive to repair even WHEN I do ALL of my OWN wrenching :banghead:
- HEAT in the summer. I got really tired of fried thighs
- No anti-lock brakes (on my model)

Ultimately, the heat from the air cooled V Twin was the deciding factor. Why did I have to suffer heat in a technological era that made it really unnecessary?????

This last December I trade my HD Ultra for my current ride, a Can AM 2013 RT-S :spyder2:
Its definitely not perfect, but, to me the pluses really out weigh the minus
In fact, if the cost of Can AM parts were not on par with HD parts, I would say that the Spyders are far, far, better overall than my previous HDs. But, this is just my personal opinion.

So if you weigh the pluses and minuses it really comes down to your personal preference.
For me...I love my Spyder with its few flaws and will not go back to an HD with a greater number of flaws.

I highly recommend you try a Spyder if you haven't yet.
the 2014s are yet another generation and the newest 3-cylinder just maybe the best Can AM motor for the RTs yet particularly if you want to pull a trailer. I recommend you try it, you just may really like it.

Me...I love the V twin in my 2012 RT-S...it is a little hot rod.
And...it is just really cooooool to ride.
:yes::yes::yes:


- Rd_Runner

 

[shooter]

I've done the Harley's, and Goldwings before the Spyder and I would never go back to two wheels again. Feel much safer on my 2012 RTL.

 

[Bob Denman]

What makes you feel safer? :dontknow: :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

As you can see, lots of passionate answers here concerning HD vs. :spyder2:.

My advice is to test drive the :ani29: and see if it is truly for you. Some like, and some don't.

The :spyder2: has a lot of refinements that are not on the HD, but whether or not that is a deal breaker is going to be up to you.

I have owned two wheelers since 1964 (over 35 different). Got on board the :ani29: thing when they first came out. Had a :spyder2: and a Kawi Vulcan in my garage for a time. Health issues caused me to part with two wheels.

Also looked at Tri-Glides prior to going with an RT. The TG ergos did not fit me, and I found the price about $5K higher than the :ani29:. For me, the decision was to go with :spyder2:. I have not regretted my decision.

Enjoy your hunt for the ride that suits you best. :thumbup:

 

[vondalyn]

spyder convert

The amount of sand, gravel, road debris, wildlife and weather here have me looking to sell my sporty and grab an RS-S.

I got my first 2-wheels back in 1984. For many years it was our second vehicle so it got a lot of year round usage. Got my 2nd 2-wheels about 10 years later. A few years later and after some close calls with cagers and several of the items mentioned above, I decided to sell it and didn't ride for awhile. When the spyder first came out, I wanted one, but wasn't in a place financially to afford it.

Finally got a 2012 RTL in June 2012. I had no previous experience with ATVs/jet skis/snow mobiles, so I had a bit of a learning curve for riding in the twisties on the spyder. I ride in the mountains year round and don't worry too much about the road conditions other than potholes and snow blown across large areas of the road. I can ride fast and sporty -- it's a different lean that you do with 2 wheels, but it's fun and I love it and would never consider going back to 2 wheels.

I just passed the 21,000 mile mark on the odometer, so that should say how much I'm loving it. Give it a try, you might like it.

 

[summerdawn]

I went from a screaming eagle springer to an RTs. I am not going back. I loved my bike and rode it over a lot of the U.S. and Canada but it was not a touring bike. I wondered when I went to the Spyder if I'd be missing anything. I'm not. I gained a lot. I gained unbelievable comfort. I didn't think it was possible to be so comfortable on long trips! I gained storage, stability, visibility and new friends! People everywhere want to talk about the Spyder. I do miss the Harley dealership network. That is a great thing that Can Am can not compete with- yet anyway. I believe I am safer on the road, in the rain, in the corners. I still like riding motorcycles but not as my main ride.

 

[Can-Am Poogs]

I think people are attracted to the nostalgia of a HD over most other things. The Spyder is in a class of its own. I like the feeling in a curve on a two wheeler of being sucked down into the seat because the bike leans and how effortless it is. Took a while to get used to the Spyder wanting
to throw the rider off and the effort to turn by pushing and pulling. However, it is nice not to worry about low or high siding. I like the look of the triglide. But the storage seems compromised. The new infotainment are probable the best to ever be put on motorcycle. The price tag is about ten grand more than a Spyder. And to be honest as far as three wheels go I think two on the front is a better systems.


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[Lycosa]

Can Am / HD

Harley makes a great, quality product. Ihave owned 5 of them over my 45+ years on the road. Two of them were trikes. I now ride a 08 GS and I must say that I Really like the Can am. I’ve only had it since July of last year but if for some reason it disappeared or burnt up, Iwould buy another tomorrow. As we are really talking rider preferencethough, find a way to test ride both. That’s the only way to decide which wayto jump off of that fence.:bdh:

 

[threewheelcurious]

I got my first 2-wheels back in 1984. For many years it was our second vehicle so it got a lot of year round usage. Got my 2nd 2-wheels about 10 years later. A few years later and after some close calls with cagers and several of the items mentioned above, I decided to sell it and didn't ride for awhile. When the spyder first came out, I wanted one, but wasn't in a place financially to afford it.

Finally got a 2012 RTL in June 2012. I had no previous experience with ATVs/jet skis/snow mobiles, so I had a bit of a learning curve for riding in the twisties on the spyder. I ride in the mountains year round and don't worry too much about the road conditions other than potholes and snow blown across large areas of the road. I can ride fast and sporty -- it's a different lean that you do with 2 wheels, but it's fun and I love it and would never consider going back to 2 wheels.

I just passed the 21,000 mile mark on the odometer, so that should say how much I'm loving it. Give it a try, you might like it.

I am anticipating a similar experience.

 

[threewheelcurious]

I went from a screaming eagle springer to an RTs. I am not going back. I loved my bike and rode it over a lot of the U.S. and Canada but it was not a touring bike. I wondered when I went to the Spyder if I'd be missing anything. I'm not. I gained a lot. I gained unbelievable comfort. I didn't think it was possible to be so comfortable on long trips! I gained storage, stability, visibility and new friends! People everywhere want to talk about the Spyder. I do miss the Harley dealership network. That is a great thing that Can Am can not compete with- yet anyway. I believe I am safer on the road, in the rain, in the corners. I still like riding motorcycles but not as my main ride.

Your gains are the key considerations in my perspectively wanting to switch rides.

 

[Silvervette05]

I have had 2 Hondas and 2 Harleys. They cannot beat the 1 spyder I had and the one I own now. the RT I have now is the best