Bfromla
Well-known member
:firstplace: The MSF class should just about be required for the basic license just to drive! Maybe then they would see us more:dontknow::dontknow:
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What about Riders 1st motorcycle being a Spyder?
- Thread starter Tomline
- Start date
ray:
Bam Bam and Pebbles
New member
I guess I am one of the few whose first ride was a Spyder. I have bad knees, ankles and feet and didn't feel like dropping a bike while stopped at a red light. Got my permit on a Wednesday, bought The Beast on Saturday, got my license on Tuesday. Rode it home 180 miles from the dealers on I40 through central NC. Zero problems. I didn't take any safety courses. I have always had the ability to anticipate trouble since I always watch the traffic around me more than the road. It works the same on the Spyder.
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
FIRST RIDE
:clap::clap::clap:.......... Your experience reinforces my point ..... NO motorcycle background makes it Easier to learn how to ride a Spyder ........ No un-learning to complicate things :yes::yes::yes:............ Mike :thumbup:
1st Timer
I came to the Spyder community in May 16 without any 2 wheel experience. I rode a 2wheeler once in a grass field with an experienced rider behind me. Every time I stopped the bike nearly tipped over.
My wife and I had been eyeing other Spyder riders on the road for a couple of years. A good friend (who is a 2 wheel rider) had a chance to rider a Spyder. His experience encouraged me to seriously look into getting one myself. I eventually bought a new 15 St-L. With no riding experience and just haven’t passed my motorcycle learners permit, I had my friend ride it home for me (busy city streets and freeway to get home). Once Home, my friend gave me a few tips and I did a couple of rides down our residential street.
I eventually took a Spyder specific course which was excellent. The instructor emphasized to ride as though we had a target on our back.
my biggest learning over the past couple of years....
- initially I reached for a hand brake from my bicycle experience
- being ultra alert. This sorta came naturally since I was obviously out in the open
- every time I sat down I felt like I should be putting a seatbelt on
- going on the freeway the first few times was very scary!
- even though I hadn’t yet started following other rider experiences (Spyder lovers and Facebook), I was concerned about the spiders reliability. Was concerned I’d get stranded if I went too far away.
My wife and I enjoy the Spyder; there is no way we would enjoy riding 2wheels. Hopefully in June I will be taking another course and getting my full motorcycle (3 wheel only) license.
I came to the Spyder community in May 16 without any 2 wheel experience. I rode a 2wheeler once in a grass field with an experienced rider behind me. Every time I stopped the bike nearly tipped over.
My wife and I had been eyeing other Spyder riders on the road for a couple of years. A good friend (who is a 2 wheel rider) had a chance to rider a Spyder. His experience encouraged me to seriously look into getting one myself. I eventually bought a new 15 St-L. With no riding experience and just haven’t passed my motorcycle learners permit, I had my friend ride it home for me (busy city streets and freeway to get home). Once Home, my friend gave me a few tips and I did a couple of rides down our residential street.
I eventually took a Spyder specific course which was excellent. The instructor emphasized to ride as though we had a target on our back.
my biggest learning over the past couple of years....
- initially I reached for a hand brake from my bicycle experience
- being ultra alert. This sorta came naturally since I was obviously out in the open
- every time I sat down I felt like I should be putting a seatbelt on
- going on the freeway the first few times was very scary!
- even though I hadn’t yet started following other rider experiences (Spyder lovers and Facebook), I was concerned about the spiders reliability. Was concerned I’d get stranded if I went too far away.
My wife and I enjoy the Spyder; there is no way we would enjoy riding 2wheels. Hopefully in June I will be taking another course and getting my full motorcycle (3 wheel only) license.
davehirst
New member
License
Listen, I don't have a problem with everyone getting a license, but requiring the MSF course in my opinion should not be a requirement. If the insurance company wants to give a discount for it , so be it, but to require it is not necessary. When I started riding, you didn't need a helmet or license. I have been riding since 1966. I put have put alot of miles on bikes and my Spyder, as have most of my riding buddies, none of which have had the MSF. It all comes down to common sense, and learning on your own. As I have seen from some college grads, education doesn't equal smart!
TRBorslien
New member
:agree:
It should not be a requirement.
I took the MSF course years ago after I already had my license and years of 2-wheeler experience. I learned some things and felt that I was a better rider for it.
Fast forward to the Spyder, I would love to take a 3-wheeler MSF course, but I can't seem to find one here. The wife and I will have to look into a road trip to join one! :clap:
It should not be a requirement.
I took the MSF course years ago after I already had my license and years of 2-wheeler experience. I learned some things and felt that I was a better rider for it.
Fast forward to the Spyder, I would love to take a 3-wheeler MSF course, but I can't seem to find one here. The wife and I will have to look into a road trip to join one! :clap:
SilverFox1
New member
I’ve been ryding motorcycles of all kinds since the mid sixties. Motocross, enduros, street bikes, big ones and small ones. I even raced motocross’s. Rode a 1949 Indian with “suicide shift”. No accidents. Not even a speeding ticket. Insurance asked me if I had a riders’ course. I said no. It didn’t exist back then! So they charge me extra for not having a certificate. I probably have more experience than the instructor has but still. WHAAAAAt?
SilverFox
SilverFox
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Lots of great replies to this thread. When I started my MC experience (mid 60's) there were no safety courses to take. MN was just considering a helmet law.
I jumped in and bought my first. An 80 cc Yamaha one lunger. It did not take me long to seize the piston on the one.
I did not go the three wheel route until 2008 when I purchased my first one. At that time I got it because it was new and interesting. I did not develop my hip issues until 2011 or so.
I rode three wheels from 2012 to 2017. I have another two wheeler again.
For me, in 2008 it was the "unlearning" curve of about 1500 miles before I was comfortable with the quirks of the Spyder. The first hundred miles were actually a bit scary. Now, 130,000 plus miles later--I think I like em. :roflblack:
Those who ride them for the first time--keep in mind the safety stuff and remember you can be killed on a Spyder just as easy as on a two wheeler. The Spyder is a bit safer than a two wheeler, but will not make you invincible.
I still remember when they first came out and were offering free rides to the press. One person got aboard and promptly crashed and totaled the new Spyder. Oooooooooooooooops. :roflblack::roflblack:
I jumped in and bought my first. An 80 cc Yamaha one lunger. It did not take me long to seize the piston on the one.
I did not go the three wheel route until 2008 when I purchased my first one. At that time I got it because it was new and interesting. I did not develop my hip issues until 2011 or so.
I rode three wheels from 2012 to 2017. I have another two wheeler again.
For me, in 2008 it was the "unlearning" curve of about 1500 miles before I was comfortable with the quirks of the Spyder. The first hundred miles were actually a bit scary. Now, 130,000 plus miles later--I think I like em. :roflblack:
Those who ride them for the first time--keep in mind the safety stuff and remember you can be killed on a Spyder just as easy as on a two wheeler. The Spyder is a bit safer than a two wheeler, but will not make you invincible.
I still remember when they first came out and were offering free rides to the press. One person got aboard and promptly crashed and totaled the new Spyder. Oooooooooooooooops. :roflblack::roflblack:
Hawk1966
New member
FL's made it law -
"Starting on July 1, 2008 the State of Florida requires that new Motorcyclists (regardless of age) must take and pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Training Program before they get a motorcycle only license or can have the Motorcycle Endorsement added to their drivers license."
ofdave
New member
a trike only license endorsement is available in FL. With that, you cannot ride 2 wheels, only 3.
A trike/sidecar course is required, not a motorcycle (2 wheel) course.
A motorcycle endorsement allows you to ride 2 or three wheels (even with no 3 wheel training).
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Hawk1966
New member
And I nervously await my 2 day course next month with OOSI.
ofdave
New member
the trike riding course, right?
not for a traffic/speeding ticket (that'll be your next class
)in the trike class I bet it won't take you long to realize how much better a Spyder does than a standard trike.
and the classroom part does have some good stuff to learn also
no need to be nervous, you'll do fine
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ofdave
New member
hey Chefex, WELCOME !:welcome:
first post I see
so introduce yourself and tell us about your Spyder, pics would even be better.
johnsimion
New member
I've owned several motorcycles sporadically over the years, so I have some motorcycle experience but not a huge amount. I have, however, taken both the basic and advanced motorcycle safety courses -- the advanced course was just last year before I got the Spyder. IMO my motorcycle experience and training is/was virtually useless for riding the Spyder. I can't think of anything I learned in those courses that's applicable to the Spyder other than things like looking far ahead and being very vigilant, but that's common sense anyway. The Spyder has handlebars, the controls are somewhat like a motorcycle, you sit like a motorcycle and it has one rear wheel. There's nothing helpful about these topics in the MSF courses. The focus of the MSF courses is on turning and braking. Those are absolutely of vital importance for motorcycles but have no bearing on the Spyder, which drives exactly like a little car. In fact, I think it might have been even easier to pick up riding the Spyder if I hadn't been riding motorcycles for years. Those who feel the NEED for special training on the Spyder can do the exercises shown on the Spyder DVD that comes with the Spyder and I believe BRP offers some training of its own. If you're a decent car driver, that should be more than sufficient ... assuming you have the proper state licensing.
Tyris
New member
Similar, bought Spyder last year 5/1/17, never driven a two wheeler before, took the Motorcycle Safety Course (with my wife) and provided us with scooters rather than motorcycles two weeks before we bought our RT.
Still learning, but 3500 miles on last year, have not spent much time on the Interstate, I'm more comfortable with it now, but still hate it. Spent most of the 3500 within 50 miles of home, worried about dealer support when traveling abroad. That's my biggest concern and drawback, it's not like Harley's where there is a dealership nearly every 50 miles or so and plus being on the board has not helped with the reservations I've got about dealers abroad. I see see more complains here than compliments and that concerns me but if I waited for that to change would be dead before I bought one. So said screw it.
Much fun so far and wish it would stop snowing so could ride, Iowa winter sucks!
LateLifeCrisis
New member
Same here in Maryland and the problem is the M/C written test is all geared towards a 2 wheel bike which is a disadvantage for those of us who never ridden a 2 wheel bike. After you pass the written test you are issued a learner's permit where you ride in close proximity to another licensed rider until you take the skills test and are issued your permit. At the skills test, you "pretend" that the lines for the 2 wheel bikes are a "little wider, but not much" as you take the test. (What?) Most of the 3 wheel courses here are held at the local HD dealerships and unless you have a Spyder you learn on one of their trikes. Once you pass one of the certified 3 wheel courses, you are issued a certificate which you take to the DMV and are given your 3 wheel endorsement. The DMV schedules a few 3 wheel courses, which consist of a 3 day course of classroom and riding instruction and you MUST attend all three days at their central location - but if you live a few hours away, you either drive each day to and from the course location or stay at a close-by motel. Maryland doesn't make anything easy. We have the advantage of living close to a large high school with a large parking lot where I spent a lot of time practicing turns and stops at various speeds and in general, just getting the feel and hang of things - which I considered my basic training. The salesman at our dealership gives each purchaser a crash course - goes over the bike, explains and demonstrates the controls and equipment and then takes you on a ten mile ride before he sends you on his way - - which was extremely helpful.
Hawk1966
New member
Have limited (hey, let me try that!) two-wheel experience and absolutely no trike. Posted in the general forum about the trouble I had trying to mount a '18 F3 at a dealership, total disaster. Not too worried about the classroom stuff, pretty good at that. I just don't want to not be be able to ride, or fall and hurt myself or worse someone else. Been driving myself absolutely insane and more than a month to go.the trike riding course, right?
not for a traffic/speeding ticket (that'll be your next class
in the trike class I bet it won't take you long to realize how much better a Spyder does than a standard trike.
and the classroom part does have some good stuff to learn also
no need to be nervous, you'll do fine
ARCTIC
New member
Iowa requires a motorcycle license or a motorcycle license with a 3 wheel restriction to ride a spyder. I've had very limited motorcycle experience but a lot of common sense and a strong motorized vehicle sense. I wanted a spyder so I went to the DMV and rented a motorcycle from the shop across the street. I had to push it across the street to the DMV to take the test. I also have a spinal injury so I'm pretty limited in my foot skills and my walking ability. I rode that bike for the first time and my first experience and I PASSED THE TEST first time. So really, the Spyder was my first "bike" but I'd challenge any of you to a mountain sledding competition or an ATV race :2thumbs: . I felt right at home on my spyder and I enjoyed ripping up Pikes Peak on that beast.
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