Wisecracks about Spyder

[Peter Aawen]

I just tell them I can't afford a Harley

Funny you should say that, cos I have been known to tell some Harley riders that they couldn't afford a Spyder, and even if they could, they probably wouldn't be anywhere near up to handling the greater speed & cornering abilities of a Spyder ridden hard thru the twisties we have here in the Hills! :roflblack:

These days, those same Harley riders don't ever ask me or any other Spyder rider to ride up the back of the mob on any mixed-make bike ride due to the old chestnut 'that you lot with 3 wheels are likely gonna hold up the group by being slow, especially thru the corners' - instead, they quite politely ask us to choose wherever we want to ride, but do prefer it if we stay right up the front, cos they really don't like being monstered by one, let alone a collection of Spyders hard on their tails that're out braking, out cornering, and basically giving them grief for being slow & ungainly thru the tight stuff! hyea:

And largely due to the superlative skills & antics of one of the fastest & most capable Enabled Spyder Riders that I've ever seen (& tried fruitlessly to keep up with pps: ) you should see these same formerly 'dismissive of trikes' Harley riding blokes if they ever see a Spyder with a wheelchair strapped onto the back - it's such a joy to watch them pale in awe & pay homage to anyone with such dedication to riding regardless of any/all else!! :firstplace:

 

[Motorcycledave]

Last weekend I was parking my Spyder and a fellow motorcyclist walking to the same restaurant who had just parked his bike, yelled out "Whoa, I think you have too many wheels". I know he did it good naturedly, and then stopped to ask some questions about the Spyder. He was riding a BMW K1600 and then he mentioned that he had a sidecar rig at home. I asked him why he would think a Spyder is not a real motorcycle, but that his 3 wheeled sidecar setup was still a real bike. He seemed puzzled and then just said "Good point".

It reminded me of when I first started riding in the mid 1980's. My first motorcycle was a Honda Shadow with electric start. A neighbor of mine told me that he liked the look of my ride, but that any bike without a kick starter was not a real motorcycle. I can only imagine what a rider in the 1930's or '40's would have thought had a modern Goldwing suddenly appeared.

I've never regretted switching from the Goldwing to a Spyder for a single moment. Let the wisecracks continue, not my problem.

Although a there is question about what a Spyder is.... in California, they are considered an AUTO-CYCLE because it has more than 2 wheels
however they are insured and licensed as a motorcycle... go figure...

 

[Peteoz]

Although a there is question about what a Spyder is.... in California, they are considered an AUTO-CYCLE because it has more than 2 wheels
however they are insured and licensed as a motorcycle... go figure...

Yes, the state of Victoria out here classes them as an “auto-cycle”, Dave (none of the other states do), and then charges them the same as a motor vehicle for road tolls, registration etc. There is quite the battle at the moment trying to get them to change that…….and fighting with bureaucrats is one heck of an experience.:gaah:

Pete

 

[SLICE]

so yesterday on my way to the Doc i saw 4-5 Harleys and the same amount of spYders heading the opposite direction.
i wondered if they were going to an empty pasture to have a rock fight or if they were just coexisting.
maybe He77 froze over.

 

[FIRECAT]

I tell them I’m not even a biker I’m a snowmobiler I can’t wait for snow anymore so this is my snowmobile simulator been riding snowmobiles since 1968! in fact I like my spider just a bit more than Snowmobiles these days due to the fact I drive right out of the garage instead of having to tow it up eight hours to the northern trail system

 

[Gwolf]

I tell them I’m not even a biker I’m a snowmobiler I can’t wait for snow anymore so this is my snowmobile simulator been riding snowmobiles since 1968! in fact I like my spider just a bit more than Snowmobiles these days due to the fact I drive right out of the garage instead of having to tow it up eight hours to the northern trail system

I don't think that will work very well in Florida.

 

[DT5534]

A few weeks ago, my wife and I participated in the Officer Down Memorial Ride here in Northern Virginia. After having done the ride, we returned to the sponsoring dealership and were enjoying the festivities. My wife started to get a little warm, so I took her jacket back to the Spyder. As I was approaching there were 3 obvious Harley riders (all the branded gear gave it away) standing near and looking over our Spyder. I heard the one make a comment about the dude driving this being afraid to get sand in their [ insert female reproductive area]. He was looking right at me. Being an actual retired Law Enforcement Member (NJ Trooper 25 years) and obviously in far better health (think waistline) knew the comment was directed towards me. Not being intimidated in the least I said hello and asked what they were riding. I received 3 descriptions that had no meaning to me. The one rider asked me about the Spyder. What year and model. Also asked me how long I have been riding it. Told him a year and a half and rode every month since we purchased in January 2021. Then the how many miles question was asked by Mr Female anatomy mouth. When I replied we are getting ready to roll over 9K miles his buddy busted out laughing and stated, looking at you know who, that's more than double of what you have ridden. With that I said enjoy the evening and retuned to my better half with the biggest S eating grin on my face. We ride a 2020 RTL Chalk/Black and have spent plenty of time talking to very friendly riders. There will always be "That Guy'.
My brother rides a Harley once in a while. When we tell him the miles we do on a weekend he tells me his everything would be hurting.
Someone else said it in here. We ride for us and not to impress anyone else.

 

[Bangorbob]

I learned a long time ago that you can't please everyone. I ride for ME not anyone else. What I ride is of my concern only. I still do ride a 2 wheeler but enjoy 3 also. Good luck to all and happy riding.

 

[Dobieone]

I've had my fair share of comments from 2 wheelers about the our Spyder.
With conversation coming to a end I always throw in.
The one thing I don't have to worry about is.
Falling over.

 

[lvmyspyder]

Going to be real honest. My riding brothers ride an Indian, Goldwing and two ride Harleys. They are great guys and I love the heck out of them. They good naturedly ribbed me about my three wheeler when we started riding together, but no longer.

On our trips, everyone and I mean everyone we have chatted with have walked right past all the two-wheelers with all the chrome and said hey what is that?...its a Spyder. Some of the comments were, that is the coolest thing I have ever seen or one word comments, but uttered positively.

I am constantly getting thumbs up from both men and women, young and old when I am on this bike. Also, when I pull over just about wherever I want to, gravel or no gravel, incline or not, wet or dry, don't have to put my feet down, clutch repeatedly when we get into traffic situations, can shift with a paddle shifter like and M3, with auto downshift to cover me if I get behind, can keep up with those bigger bikes not only on the flat and with wind, but through all the twisties AND reverse out of parking spot or tighter situation...the ribbing completely stopped.

There will always be people who try and put you down for riding a three wheeler, or something that is not a this or that, but they can kiss our three wheeled ______. These are capable machines, unique looking, fast and safe when your rip the BS OEM equipment off (sorry you stock guys and gals) off them and put on what they should have rolled off the assembly line to begin with...

We know what we have, other's don't for their own stuck up, ignorant reasons. Let them stay in the dark. For me personally, the two most important things are: this BIKE has extended my ability to RIDE when I could no longer safely ride a two-wheeler and that makes this one, THE most beautiful machine I have ever owned or ridden. Lastly and most importantly, my wife, who I am responsible for when she settles in behind me - has never been safer on a bike...ANY of the other three bikes I have owned, even when I was in my prime. You can't put a price on that. Again, let anyone say what they want, we know what we ride and what we have and that's all that matters...