Why Did You Buy A Spyder?

[foxtail1]

I've posted this before, but after 12 years and 50K miles (mostly long road trips) on my HD, I had a fall on gravel (slow speed, my fault) and got spooked. Since we've got a 1 mile gravel driveway, I just didn't do much riding the last 2 years. I had seen Spyders on the road for years, and sort of liked them. Then I rode one at a dealer demo last spring, but the price tag had me saying, no way.

Then, on a (car) road trip to Canada in July, driving along the northern shore of the St. Lawrence, every third bike was a Can-Am. And they looked like they were having a blast. I went to the local dealer when I got back, planning to buy a 2016 leftover, and walked out with my beautiful F3-S. No regrets at all. I felt a pang when my Harley sold, but I really didn't think I'd ride it again. My husband is happy too, because we're riding together again, just jump-on-and-ride times. (I actually want him to try one too, but he's resisting.)

 

[sylvester]

Bad knees right hip old and decrepit lol:yes::yes:

 

[kngfsh27]

I got my Spyder not long after I started getting treatments for cancer. I found that I was not as steady at stop signs and lights on two wheels. My wife told me that I was done riding and needed to get a convertible car. My idea of a convertible and her idea were not the same. On a whim we stopped at a CanAm dealer and looked at the Spyders. After going to lunch we went back and bought a '14 RTL. Three months later I was retired and rode the Spyder almost 19k in two years. I really liked the Spyder except for the tires. In January of this year I traded for a '17 TriGlide and have almost 12k miles on it. The main thing is to enjoy your life and not stop riding. As for me, a Mazda Miata was not going to make it. Life is short and for most of us riding time is shorter. Get out and ride at every opportunity.

 

[Netminder]

Much the same as kngfsh27, rode two wheelers in my younger days, then stopped for a few years. Had a battle with the big "C" and after treatments were finished we (wife and I)kept getting drawn to the Spyder , every time we saw one.Rented one for the day, and we were both hooked. As kngfsh27 said doesn't matter what you ride as long as you enjoy it. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[wd8ajj]

2013, Back in hospital again for left leg surgery. Sold my trike figuring out that hospital bill would bankrupt me.
2014 recovered and the ins co. covered more than I thought. So stated looking for a new set of wheels. tried to go back to 2 wheels but legs would not support holding the bike up so looked for an Trike or something. Look at getting an RS. Dealer could not find one that I wanted so after 8 hours waiting offered me a 2014 RT for the price I offered for the RS. They put it in writing and I signed also and went home with an brand new RT for what the salesman told be was 6K under dealer invoice. Didn't care BUT never looked back. 22K miles on it and now have a trailer to help. :yes:

 

[hawkiii]

I had been looking for an old Harley to restore. One weekend in the middle of March 2008 we went to a boat show. While looking at boats, we came around a corner and back behind the boats I saw this 3 wheeled thing. Got to talking with the sales guy and I got hooked. Went home and found a couple different forums online. I found a dealer that was going to have a demo event. So I grabbed 3 of my 2 wheel friends to go with me and check this thing out. The demo ride was late in March. April 2nd I was at the dealer putting in my order and my deposit. Took until Oct 13th to pick it up. Loved that GS. When the F3 came out, it was everything I was asking for. Another forward gear, relaxed seating and more horsepower. Got it all in the F3. I still love the Spyder. Getting ready for Red Rock in south Utah.

 

[lebon]

para

Well to be honest, I don't have a Spyder YET! I am a T-12 incomplete paraplegic and the Spyder would be the best choice to make I believe to get on the road. So I am doing my research currently. Of course, I will have to do a hand brake conversion and then figure out a way to get the wheelchair on the bike securely and with relative ease.

 

[loisk]

Well to be honest, I don't have a Spyder YET! I am a T-12 incomplete paraplegic and the Spyder would be the best choice to make I believe to get on the road. So I am doing my research currently. Of course, I will have to do a hand brake conversion and then figure out a way to get the wheelchair on the bike securely and with relative ease.

If you haven't found it already, check out the enabled riders forum for lots of tips. Welcome.

 

[INfox]

My husband got me one to have more fun while riding; I was getting bored sitting in the back of his Goldwing on long rides.
I wouldn’t be able to handle a two wheeler and Spyder just made it possible for me to drive a bike as well

At first I was looking for a used one for months - 2014 and up; but the prices were too high IMO. 5 year warranty and few more thousands extra is a good excuse to have a brand new one.

 

[ARNIE R]

After 5 days in the hospital trauma center earlier this year from the 2-wheeler incident, the wife said if I wanted to keep up this foolish riding thing, the next one better have more than 2 wheels or else, so..........

 

[Arion]

Reality is accepting the limitations of my right leg before I dropped one of my BMWs. I found a leftover 2015 F3S with a huge discouent and bought it. It was the right choice.

I recognize this story. My limitation is with my left leg (artificial hip) and not being interested in dropping my BMW again. Surgeon's warning, repeated a number of times, was do not overextend your leg because if you do you run the risk of dislocating my outstanding work and causing yourself some extreme pain. I decided that was good advice and also decided a Spyder would allow me to continue riding comfortably and safely. I'm quite pleased with three wheels and two good legs.

 

[DGoebel]

Back in the 60's I rode my first taco or rupp mini-bike, was motocrossing by the mid 70's, Cafe-biking by the early 80's, took one from So. Cal to Germany (Rode Nürburgring on an open laps day even) for a few years, upsized a couple of times, traded to a cruiser after my first kids were born, upsized a few times, then no bike, then (gasp it's true) a Yamaha 400 Majesty scooter for an about town bike.. tried a Harley trike rental from our local HD dealer.

But for all those bikes, I more vividly remember the first time I saw a Spyder go by on I-35 (Big thanks to whomever was driving that Spyder back on '08 or '09) and I told my wife I'll have one someday.... traded that Majesty for my '13 RTL and have done 12,000 miles in 11 months and 2 days (including MN Winter storage time). In 27 years of marriage, my wife had probably rode with me 1000 miles before the Spyder. In the last year she's logged at least 8,000 of those 12k with me and we just got back from 1,700+ miles in 5 days down to Spyders in the Ozarks and back.

 

[cptjam]

Why buy

Because she wanted it! Borrowed her brother's GS, she fell in love with riding, got her an RT two weeks later. 7 years and 200,000 plus miles later, she still loves it. Just got her a F3T. Loves it! Happy wife, happy life! J

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

Me too. Someone just asked me today- 'why'? I just stuttered. I couldn't easily sum it up.

Just that I was intrigued by them ever since they were announced and I had to try one.

:agree: That sums up mine perfectly. I saw them in an ad when they first came out, and in 2015 I got one.

Joe

 

[PistonBlown]

Why did you buy a Spyder?
Impulse

Why have you kept it?
There are still unridden roads to ride

 

[Big F]

Since we are nearing the new model year announcements, how about hearing some of the reasons you bought your particular :spyder2:. What made you take the plunge?

I have been through five now and looking back:

:ani29:: 2008: GS/SM5. When I saw the new offering in October issue in a MC Magazine--it was yellow--I just had to have one. Put a deposit down in Oct 2007 and had to wait until June 2008. Got the first one sold to a customer in AK. Was a "rock star" for at least a year. Of course the only color available was the up-line +$500 for the half moon silver. :roflblack:

:ani29:: 2009 RS/SE5. Bought spouse her very own. She had to have the semi automatic.

:ani29:: 2010 RTS-Premier Edition. I prefer touring mode so when they offered one set up--I had to have that three wheeled touring bike.

:ani29:: 2011 RT--A & C version. Spouse left in 2010 with her Spyder. My newfound friend Linda--should have her own. I purchased a "left over" 2011 in 2012. She is still riding it and has 28,000 miles on the odo at this point.

:ani29:: 2014 RT-S Had to have the 1330 three cylinder. Traded the 2010 in on this one. Very happy and just turned 28,000 on it yesterday.

No more :spyder2:'s since 2014. Have not been tempted by the F3 configurations--but I did go and look, test sat, but did not bite on the touring configuration.

If this year is colors only, probably no 2018 in my future either. I am currently back on two wheels also. Having a lot of fun there.

We can sometimes be a tough crowd for the BRP marketing department. :bbq::bbq::bbq:

I rode 2 wheelers for years and then none for several years. was getting the itch and saw the Spyder so bought one in 2010. Loved the feel but needed the good stuff so traded to a 2012RT Limited. everything fine tll they came out with 6 speeds and the 1330 so traded again for a 2014RT Limited. and all is well...
Now going to see what 2018 has to offer???
BIG F

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

I guess I'm one of the rare people here that owns and rides a Spyder because that's what they prefer rather than health issues or physical ability says that's what they need. I have been / still am a snowmobile rider since the age of 13. I've had many sleds over the years and love the sport. Snow conditions however are not what they used to be and consistently riding a sled every year is more and more difficult because of mother nature and land owners closing off their land to public trails. The Spyder allows me to "snowmobile" (or close to it...much closer than a 2 wheel bike) all spring summer and fall.


The Spyder is just like riding a snowmobile. Well, it used to be until the F3 was released. The F3 is like riding a snowmobile from 1980-2000. The GS/RS is like riding a snowmobile from 2003 to present day. I've noticed that others on this forum like me (younger people.....30's and up that ride a Spyder cause they want too) prefer the RS bikes over RT's and F3. Perhaps BRP will once again offer us a product in the Spyder line up. Also, I think BRP his missing a huge opportunity not directly marketing to snowmobilers. Riding a Spyder for a day or weekend in New England pretty much parallels riding a snowmobile. You travel on from town to town, hit stores and restaurants, hang out with friends, see the sites. Riding the Spyder feels like riding a sled (although sleds have more power). You don't need to worry about snow cover, you don't need to worry about trail closures, you don't need to worry about -10 temps. I think if BRP specifically showed more snowmobilers they can have the same experience on pavement they would sell more Spyders.

 

[Myron Ah]

Why did I buy a Spyder?

Had spinal cord injury and surgery. Recovered well but leg issues and vertigo prompted me to a bolt on trike kit (training wheels). Was nice but not as fun. Found a 2013 RT-S with 400 miles on it. Did not know about heat issues. tried it. Wife liked it. Got wanted for trade in on the Venture and love it. Had no real issues heat wise. The fix came and works fine. Joined Great North Spyder RYDERS. Been to SpyderQuest. Had to cancel trip this year due to shoulder surgery but planning on next year. The power assisted steering was also a big selling point because of shoulders.hyea:I will also say that I prefer three wheels to two especially when my wife is with me. Two wheels was fun but I never liked slow going in parking lots or high speed traffic. Reverse is great too!

 

[easysuper]

Started riding what we called doddle bugs in the 60's worked all the way up to the cruisers , stopped riding in the 90's always talked about buying a touring bike when I retired, took a 30 foot fall and ended up with a fused ankle and with both knees replaced decided I did not feel comfortable on two wheels any longer, still wanted my dream not to die, wife talked me into trying one of them "funny" looking trikes, fell in love in about 10 minuets and bought our first Spyder. First one was a 2013 because we had not done enough research, but still loved the concept just not the heat. My wife loved riding but nor 2 wheels so she bought her own and now we have a 2014 and 2015 RTLs and ride about 20,000 miles a year. When I retire in one more year we will start riding seriously .

 

[C. Lee]

My health limited the time I could spend on my golwing. It took me over 3 years to pull the trigger for my spyder and I am glad I did. I ride the spyder much more than 2 wheels. It was necessary to keep riding. Chris