Who or what inspired you

[Mo Lee]

Seeing this thread, and not wanting to steal it I will start a new topic.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?35584-DO-YOU-KNOW-THIS-COUPLE

I am sure there is a lot of stories out there just like it, that being said and since it is too cold and slick for a lot of us to ride. I think it would be interesting to read how or who inspired everyone into the Spyder world and most importantly how you found Spyderlovers.
Myself the first one I remember seeing was LaMonsters, posted on the Valkyrie Forum by some of his buddies from his Valk days. This is also where I learned about Spyderlovers. As for what made me take the plunge, it had to be my Wife with a little help from Len at Cowtown.

 

[bitsy224m]

LOL

I AM THE ONE THAT STARTED THE THREAD ...DO YOU KNOW THIS COUPLE.....AND THE COUPLE THAT I AM LOOKING FOR INSPIRED ME TO LOOK INTO GETTING A SPYDER.....THEY HAD PURCHASED THE RT AND WHEN THEY WENT TO A RALLY OR SOME KIND OF EVENT SHE SAID SHE SAW WOMEN RIDING THEIR OWN SPYDERS SO SHE BOUGHT HER RS.....THAT INSPIRED ME AND NOW I HAVE A WHITE LIMITED RT 2011....AND LOVE IT...THEY ARE THE ONES THAT TOLD ME ABOUT SPYDERLOVERS.....THANKS TO LAMONT.....I THINK HE KNOWS EVERYBODY....AND SOME GUY I THINK I HAVE FOUND THEM BUT SO FAR NO ANSWER TO MY MESSAGE TO BOTH OF THEM.....SPYDERWOMAN AND OWENS9FINGERS.....I HOPE TO RUN INTO THEM SOMETIME AGAIN....VERY NICE PEEPS......hyea:

 

[Yol Bolsun]

Who inspired me?

Why, twas SWMBO (aka: sewnonnie). We were watching TV one evening, I with my laptop on my (yep, lap) and SWMBO beside me, (really watching TV). Of a sudden, she exclaimed, "That looks like fun!" and sprang from her recliner. As I looked up and noted the end of a 'Spyder Commercial', she was at her PC and Googling Can-Am Spyder. After looking at several sites, I posed her... would YOU drive this? Her answer was yes!

The next day, we were at the local dealership and fell in love with the Spyder. We stalled the dealership, (we had a trip to Okinawa to visit our grandchildren). First day back from Oki, I visited the dealership (Mountain Motorsports), and had to wait while they brought in a Blue RT SE5 (A&C) from Tennessee. While awaiting that arrival, I found SpyderLovers. Downhill from there.

 

[dannymax]

Advancing knee issues had me thinking about hanging up 2-wheel riding for awhile but when my V Max toppled over on me (in the driveway) because my knees just wouldn't react properly I began to give some serious thought to some kind of change. Having been on motorcycles since I was 14 (over 50 years) I was resistant to change....thinking it was maybe the V Max, I traded for an FJR1300 which was a little easier to drive but of course, didn't do anything for the knee situation. I looked into 'trike-ing' either the remaining V Max or the FJR but determined that would be a really bad idea on a high perf motorcycle....not being a fan of the big production trikes like the Gold Wing or Harley, the Spyder became the next logical choice. Just so happened that there was a used '09 SM5 with only 3K mi. for sale locally, I hooked up with the guy, took it for a short ride and was completely hooked! :2thumbs:

Finally, a machine that I can just get on and ride, no modifications, just ride!! Well, maybe a Hindle pipe, Givi W/W, some highway pegs....maybe improve the handling a little....gee, it wouldn't be difficult to put nitrous on one of these.......who was I kidding!

How did I find Spyderlovers.com?.....Why, Coz the recruiter.....of course!!hyea:

 

[owens9fingers]

You Found Us !!

I AM THE ONE THAT STARTED THE THREAD ...DO YOU KNOW THIS COUPLE.....AND THE COUPLE THAT I AM LOOKING FOR INSPIRED ME TO LOOK INTO GETTING A SPYDER.....THEY HAD PURCHASED THE RT AND WHEN THEY WENT TO A RALLY OR SOME KIND OF EVENT SHE SAID SHE SAW WOMEN RIDING THEIR OWN SPYDERS SO SHE BOUGHT HER RS.....THAT INSPIRED ME AND NOW I HAVE A WHITE LIMITED RT 2011....AND LOVE IT...THEY ARE THE ONES THAT TOLD ME ABOUT SPYDERLOVERS.....THANKS TO LAMONT.....I THINK HE KNOWS EVERYBODY....AND SOME GUY I THINK I HAVE FOUND THEM BUT SO FAR NO ANSWER TO MY MESSAGE TO BOTH OF THEM.....SPYDERWOMAN AND OWENS9FINGERS.....I HOPE TO RUN INTO THEM SOMETIME AGAIN....VERY NICE PEEPS......hyea:

I'm sorry I havn't been keeping up with the posts, but I"m on it now! Yup..... we're the ones, and we're sure glad you got into the "Spyder Family"....... and "Spyderlovers" !! We've met a lot of nice people since we got our Spyders, and it's always great to here of someone else that has joined in! It was the other riders who inspired "Spiderwoman" and I to jump in, and if we had a hand in your decision...... that's GREAT !
I sent you a PM...... Thanks for the kind words, and hope to see you at "Spyderfest" in Cuba !!hyea:

 

[MarkLawson]

Several years ago my wife decided to take a basic rider's class and get her motorcycle endorsement. We then got her a new Honda Silverwing ABS because it was easy to ride & she didn't want to mess with having to shift gears. It would also be able to run the highways behind my Goldwing. After a year and only 262 miles, half of which were mine, she told me she wanted to sell the scooter (Yes!) & get a trike (Noooo!).


Well, I had just read Fred Rau's first column in MCN about the Spyder three days earlier. I had never heard of or seen one. On his recommendation, I suggested we look at a Spyder instead of a traditional trike. A day or two later, we had bought a new '08 GS manual shift. I told her that once she got used to shifting, it would no longer be an issue, which was right.


I began working on it to install mods to make it more comfortable (handlebar risers, Utopia backrest, highway pegs, etc) & safer (front fender mud flap lights, J&M CB) and easier to operate (MC Cruise motorcycle cruise control). Of course, I found it a ton of fun to ride, although I couldn't get comfortable on that saddle. I told her that if I could figure out how to get comfortable, I could see me riding one in a couple of years. This was June of '09. In September, BRP announce the RT. I ordered one with trailer within a week or two & took delivery the first week of January 2010.

Having been a member of a number of Goldwing forums, including www.gl1800riders.com (Lamont's Goldwing forum), it didn't take much hunting to find the premiere Spyder forum of them all, & here I am.

 

[rogerb]

A broken ankle and then an article about it in Rider Magazine by Clement Salvadory. He compared the Spyder to other trikes. But what helped me make up my mind was his comment It steers better with less push on the handlebars while turning corners. That sent me to a Spyder dealer. Finding Spyderlovers was by Googling for a hand brake for the Spyder due to broken right ankle. No regrets on either. Both changed my life and loving it. Only regret didn't happen sooner. Could of skipped the ankle part. :thumbup:

 

[flamingobabe]

well, I'm about the same as MoLee.....heard about the Spyder from Lamonster....but never dreamed I would own one.....I have a bum hand and just assummed I would never ride.....then one day in May of 2010...my husband, hotglue was off shore and I was looking at Valkyries on Craigs list and ebay...bored I started looking up Spyders....found one just 10 minutes from the house....called the guy, but he couldn't see me until Sunday afternoon...hotglue would be home then...we went...we bought...and the rest is history...thank you Lamonster

 

[zrc]

I have been following Spyders since they were a concept and always thought they were the thing to ride since I walked off my 2 wheels and sold them due to abuse from the ex. After she became the ex, I worked for almost a year before I was reminded about spyders by a commerical on ESPN. I started my searching immediately.

Basically I showed up here (thanks google), started talking to people, and got a used RS and wham bam, now I have found a new place to act like an idiot, which I seem to excel at.

 

[BlueKnight]

Well I saw the Spyder RS when it first came out, but even though it looked cool I wasn't really interested in buying one because it was more of a sport bike and I am more of a "bagger" person. Then one day I was searching the internet for something (don't remember what) when I came across the ad showing the RT and I said "I WANT IT", so I preceded to get the process rolling.
First I had to sell my one year old Kawasaki Voyager 1700 after about two months of trying to sell it, A gentlemen from Texas drove up to New York to buy it hyea:. Have you ever tried to drive a full dresser up on the back of a pick up truck :banghead: I will never try that again.

Next was the worst part of the whole ordeal, which model RT , after picking the Limited, I went to the credit union and the rest is history.

 

[Pennyrick]

Back in the 2009 I was riding a Yamaha 650 Classic but I really wanted something that would be a bit more comfortable when touring with my wife when she was riding her Burgman 400. I really wanted a Valkyrie and found a pristine '99 Interstate model at World of Wheels in Marietta, Georgia. We drove to Marietta one day and I ended up buying the Valk with less than 8,000 miles on it.
While I was negotiating the price my wife wandered the showroom and found a early model Spyder GS and thought it was pretty neat. The salesperson told her that they also made a touring model with power steering. That got my wife interested because of her one bad arm that hindered her on conventional bikes.
A week later we visited a dealer in Lawrenceville where she took a test ride on a new RT but it wasn't a color she liked.
The following week we found a 2010 Orbital Blue RT SE in Gainesville, Georgia with less than 1,000 miles on it that had been reposessed by the bank. That replaced the Burgman and the rest is history. She is now on her second RT, The Lava Bronze.
I loved the Valk but her Spyder was easier to ride due to my bad hip. Last year I acquired my RT SM.

 

[lyonsden]

CAUSE OF MY ADDICTION

The person at fault for my addiction is my best friends wife. They ride a Harley and were at Bikes Blues and BBQs and went for a test ride on a Spyder.
They had always wanted us to get a bike and go on trips and the occasional afternoon ride with them. My better half was dead set against it. She is an
RN and had worked for several years in Intensive Care unit. She had seen a lot. Anyway the friend came home from BB&BBQs and told me about the Spyder.
I googled it and then me and my brother went to KC to look at them. I was interested. Better half didn't even want to talk about it. I waited till the
2011 RTs came out and finally talked her into going and looking at one with me.(took along best friend and wife for moral support). I rode it, I loved it,
she tolerated it, and we bought it. :yes:She said she was not riding it! If I wanted to that was fine. After a ride around the block she decided she wanted to
go a little farther. Last October we rode to Missouri with best friend, his wife and another couple and visited the winery's and did some ziplining. Great Time!!
I heard her tell her sister it was a BLAST!! Then she said "but I probably could have had just as good of time in a car". She's coming around I think.
(Now I want a trailer) I'm working on it. :thumbup: I found spyderlovers.com through google looking for any informtion available.

 

[docdoru]

When VW GX3 cancelled the US production I moved to Spyder RS 2008:

 

[NancysToy]

I suppose I have to blame my wife. We had been looking for several years to find a street ride for Nancy that would suit her novice status and her 5'1" height, yet allow her to keep up with me out on the road. One day I accidentally happened across a picture of the Spyder in an article about three-wheelers such as the Morgan Tri-Car. Nancy insisted on seeing one that day! The next week, she saw a yellow one and put down her deposit. Soon a PE Spyder was hers. I swiped it as often as I could, and when the RT came out she said "Why don't you get one of those?" As a result, I am spoiled rotten, and my BMW languishes. I suppose the real inspration is the Spyder itself. These things are addictive! Best ride I have ever owned...bar none!

 

[boborgera]

07 Was a bad winter for my VTX 1800, Too much down time because of too much snow.
April 08 I was kicking tires at my dealer, And there was this 3 wheeler siting there looking lonely so i bought it on the spot, So this way i could ride most days though the winter.

 

[BajaRon]

My story is simple.

June 2007 - Lamont says 'You need to buy one of these'.

June 2007 - (2 days later) I put my 1K down on a Spyder.

January 2008 - Full Moon Spyder shows up at Tampa Bay dealership (yes, Florida!)

January 31 - I have a brand new Spyder.

I've always done whatever Lamont tells me to do... This was the 1st time he was right! :roflblack:

 

[SteveMac]

I was inspired by my marriage and an empty nest.

The Spyder has helped put my wife and I on a common interest path. Before this, we tried playing golf together. I loved it. She hated it. So, we spent alot of time apart due to work, and then since our interests didn't converge, we spent a lot of time apart outside of work too. We had also spent over four years taking care of three ailing parents and lost all three in that time frame. And our son had left for college, so the buffer was gone. Not a good recipe.

So, we bought the Spyder (which I had my eye on for a couple of years) and we decided to scrap our non-common interests and do something together.

Best decision we ever made. :firstplace:

We got back on track doing something together that we both enjoy. I found SpyderLovers, then we went to SpyderFest. Met the MoGang and found some great friends and I can say we had more fun together last year than in the previous 25 years. Along the way, we also met and made friends in Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, and on and on!

So, I guess you could say the Spyder is good marriage counseling! :2thumbs:

 

[AndyIsRiding]

It's my wifes' fault.:yes:

We had been talking for years about buying a cruiser and touring around, east to west, etc.
I had scaled down to a KLR to just drive around in the area.
I was looking at the new Yamaha, but it was not available yet.
Then looked at the Kaw Concours and some BMW models.
We were watching TV and a Spyder RT commercial came on, the boss goes, "get one of those":2thumbs:
Next weekend we went shopping and got one.
We put 15000km on it last year, and hope to do better this year.hyea:

 

[spyder3]

Spyder journey

#1. Watched a commercial on TV
#2. Run down to computer to research
#3. Found this site
#4. Looked for a local dealer(tons of frustration):gaah:
#5. Expressed my frustration on this site:banghead:
#6. Len from cowtown :bowdown:
#7. It was all over but the spending :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:
#8. The spending continues:banghead:
#9. So does the fun

I blame most of you and of course Len!

 

[REDSPY]

Tomorrow will mark exactly one year that I saw and sat on the Spyder RT at the Wash DC Motorcycle show. When I got home with all the pictures that I took on my iPhone, my wife said this is exactly what she would enjoy to ride. Local dealership was having a 3 wheel appreciation day the following Saturday that we both attended and my wife signed up the first Spyder motorcycle course to be offered in the DC area. That’s all it took to begin looking for the right deal and we purchased our Red RTS in April. It was ready to be picked up the weekend of Spyderfest 11 but decided to push off delivery to go by way of plane and rental car Spyderfest. So glad we went to Spyderfest as we got to meet all the other Spyderlovers, buy lots of goodies, like floorboards, hand brake, air wings, sat on Lamont’s Corbin seat, tested out Ticket Bait’s Corbin arms rests which lead to the Corbin order when we got home. Also won the Old Ridge Boys guitar as a prize to boot. (which now hangs in my man cave in a glass case) I’m still trying to learn how to play.

All I can say is my Goldwing does not get attention now we have the Spyder and I feel real sorry of my Valkyrie sitting next the Goldwing. My wife still would rather be the passenger, but feels good that she could take over the driver’s position at any time. We went on a 3000 mile trip throughout New England this past fall on the Spyder where it really hit us on how comfortable we were and felt so much safer on 3 wheels than we ever felt on the Goldwing. Still trying to work our schedules to get to Spyderfest this year and will have to wait and see. Off to the DC Motorcycle show tomorrow with orders not to bring home anymore pictures.