Your experience/thoughts on Spyder vs Other Trikes?

[RideOn]

A problem with equilibrium inhibits me from riding much on two wheels. As a long-term Harley owner, I gave them the first opportunity to convince me by riding both of their trikes. (There is a new trike based on the RoadGlide for 2023 but I expect it has the same problems.)

The Freewheeler has very tight ergonomics for me (6"1") with my knees rising above the gas tank on the standard floorboard position. The Tri-Glide is more accommodating in that respect. However, I could not believe the jarring, uncomfortable ride on both. The straight axle rides, as someone else mentioned, like an empty 1-ton pickup. It makes the HD better used as a paint shaker than a riding machine. Having to use a steering damper to control the front end is also a clue to its handling.

Instead I bought a used Spyder ST, and have since traded up to an RTL. In my opinion, far better trikes than either Harley. After owning the RTL a year or so, I tried out another Tri-Glide just to see. It confirmed for me that I'd made the right choice. The Harley still rides like a truck. It also does not have a "real" reverse but uses the starter motor instead for brief intervals in reverse.

I like the looks of the HD trikes, but can't stand to ride them. If you look through CycleTrader, you will see many HD trikes, even older ones, with very high prices but very few miles on them. I think that is testimony that a lot of people buy them to polish rather than ride.

I intend to keep my Spyder until it's time to give up riding altogether. Sorry, Harley.

 

[Pooch]

Loved my GL1800 Gold Wing IRS Motor Trike conversion. No one within 300 miles to service/fix the trike kit part in case something went wrong.
Reluctantly sold it and purchased a 2021 Spyder RTL.
It isn't my Gold Wing but its a really nice, comfortable vehicle and it's dealer is only 46 miles from me.
I do prefer the single wheel up front as on the trike vs. the 2 wheels up front on the Spyder.
You need to ride a 2020+ RTL and a motorcycle trike conversion to decide for yourself.

 

[tofriendscreek]

I haven’t ridden any other brand/model since I bought my first Spyder RS in 2009, but have a friend who has “experimented” with a number of alternatives to his Harley “trike with a trunk,” as he calls it. His assessment was “the ones with one wheel in front are akin to driving a dump truck,” where a Spyder is a sports car. It’s all about the machine you are most comfy owning and ryding.

 

[Pooch]

His “dump truck” steering experience could very possibly be that the Harley did not have a rake kit.
A rake kit makes all the difference in ease of steering on the motorcycle trike conversion or the Harley factory Tri-Glide.
It is an add-on for a Harley trike. The Tri-Glides do not come from the factory with a rake kit.. or didn’t. All my Tri-Glide friends have had to add it to their rides .. however I don’t know if Harley added it to their 2022 machines. And, of course, the Harley conversion kit rider friends added it first thing.
However, some trike kit conversion makers include it in the price of their kits.
I have had 2 Gold Wing trikes. The bike with the Motor Trike kit already had a 4-1/2 degree rake kit installed when I bought it. I had no problems at all, ever, with the ease of steering. The other Gold Wing we added to the stable had a Lehman Monarch II kit installed. And yes.. pulling that thing around a curve was tough. We had a 4-1/2 degree rake kit put on it and it too became just as easy to steer as the other trike.
Good luck with your decision and I wish you miles of smiles with it.

 

[RickWB]

Ernest - You indicated one Can Am dealer on Vancouver Island. There is actually 2 Can Am dealers on Vancouver Island. Ladysmith and Courtenay.

Rick

 

[Deanna777]

I had heard that the Honda trikes are more difficult to steer.

I have a 2014 RTS-SE6 Spyder, it is easier to steer and handle, plus it has VSS, Anti-Lock Brakes, DESS, (Digital Encoded Security System) and other safety features.

My thoughts are - take a test drive on F3 or an RT.

Good luck!

Deanna

 

[Peacekeeper6]

I know this is a Can Am forum, and I'm a current Ryker Rally owner, but I'm looking to "move up." So I'm looking for experience/thoughts on the Spyder F3/RT vs HD Ultra or Honda conversions.

I'm looking for something with more driver comfort and ease of use; passenger use would only be about 10%. I despise the local (SE FL coast) Can Am dealer where I got my Ryker but there's not much other choice for local maintenance; lots of HD shops around. Yeah cost of the HD is higher and I've seen lots of comments that make me think I'd have to do a bunch of mod's for comfort and heat control right out the gate.

Comments?

To be honest, I don't think there is a trike that's easier to use than a semi-automatic Spyder.

Paddle shift, automatic downshifting, an inherent "reverse-trike" design that outmaneuvers, outbrakes and has a real reverse than the trikes made by Honda or HD, to me the choice is clearly obvious. You just have to sit on the various models to see which ones fit you the best and also decide what kind of riding you do most often (touring = RT, canyon carving = F3).

 

[canamjhb]

I had heard that the Honda trikes are more difficult to steer.

Deanna

Not really. The Honda trike and Spyder steer very differently. With 2 steering wheels the Spyder is much more susceptible to road anomalies. And we all know learning to have a light grip and unlearn 2-wheel habits can take some time. The Honda trike did not require learning new techniques, at least for me. I was comfortable and confident right away. As far as force (muscle) required, there is virtually no difference, at least in my experience. Others not having a raked tree (easy steer) will, of course, have a different experience. The dealer I use here told me that he will not sell a trike, new conversion or used, without a raked tree.

 

[pauly1]

My experience is dated but has some relevance. We test rode a H-D TriGlide™, a RoadSmith conversion, another odd-aftermarket conversion, and two GS Spyders all on the same day.

H-D licensed the Lehman solid rear axle trike design for installation on the TriGlide and subsequent models: it is a rough-riding design but tends to not lean in the corners. Unless the machine hits a bump with the inside rear wheel which will bobble the heads of rider and passenger. The stock machines have a 26 deg rake on the front end, the same as the FLT family.

The RoadSmith conversion on a H-D Ultra Classic had independent rear suspension with a torsion anti-sway bar: it’s ride was better but the RoadSmith added a very larger rear end profile on the bike. It had a raked front end, but in the end, was still more work to ride compared to the Spyders.

The odd-aftermarket conversion was installed on a softtail H-D. Although a much smaller and presumably more nimble bike, it had a very poor (harsh) ride.

Plus they were all manual shift and the clutch pull was quite strong on all of them. But they all had that big v-twin sound that you can’t get our of smaller, 3-cylinder, high-revving internal combustion engine. And for the most part, had a very large dealer service network, if that’s important to you.

We went with the Spyder family, warts and all, and have not been disappointed. (Well, except for the pathetic BRP Connect fiasco.) Based on the physics of two wheels up front, they are inherently more stable that two wheels in the back (think Honda and Yamaha ATC from the 1970’s and 80’s).

 

[Deanna777]

Not really. The Honda trike and Spyder steer very differently. With 2 steering wheels the Spyder is much more susceptible to road anomalies. And we all know learning to have a light grip and unlearn 2-wheel habits can take some time. The Honda trike did not require learning new techniques, at least for me. I was comfortable and confident right away. As far as force (muscle) required, there is virtually no difference, at least in my experience. Others not having a raked tree (easy steer) will, of course, have a different experience. The dealer I use here told me that he will not sell a trike, new conversion or used, without a raked tree.

canamjhb,

What I meant was that if the Honda Trikes don't have power steering, they can be difficult to steer.

Also, to each his own opcorn:

Deanna

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

My youngest brother (recently deceased) had a Harley Tri-Glide (factory installed conversion) for only a few months. One of his biggest complaints was the front tire tended to skip in hard cornering. The rear axle wanted to keep the bike going in a straight line and the friction of the front wheel wasn't enough to overcome that tendency, hence the 'skipping'. He sold it and bought a 2020 RT which he really enjoyed for the few months he was able to ride until the big "C" hit his brain.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

My youngest brother (recently deceased) had a Harley Tri-Glide for only a few months. One of his biggest complaints was the front tire tended to skip in hard cornering. The rear axle wanted to keep the bike going in a straight line and the friction of the front wheel wasn't enough to overcome that tendency, hence the 'skipping'. He sold it and bought a 2020 RT which he really enjoyed for the few months he was able to ride until the big "C" hit his brain.

IMS, very sorry to hear of your loss sending many ray:....... and when I decided Riding my Gold Wing was not going to be possible, I tested both the GW Trike conversion, and the HD trike ..... both scared me .... a friend had heard about the Spyder and we went to look at it .... Traded my GW on the spot ..... JHMO .... Mike

 

[canamjhb]

Just a comment..... Not all traditional trikes are or ride the same! Comments like front wheel skips, hard to steer, rides like a lumber truck, etc. only mean that applies to the experience of one rider on one trike. Not all trikes have IRS. Not all trikes have raked trees. Not all trikes have the same wheelbase and track. Not all trikes have been converted by knowledgeable and qualified shops.

I want to assure all here that my CSC/Goldwing DOES NOT ride like a lumber truck. The front wheel DOES NOT skip in turns. The steering is as easy as it was on my Spyder. In fact it is easier!

I would not own a trike that did not have a rake kit or IRS because of the potentially poor riding characteristics many of you might have experienced. I think describing a poor or scary riding experience without qualifying that experience by disclosing the details about the trike ridden can be misleading.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Just a comment..... Not all traditional trikes are or ride the same! Comments like front wheel skips, hard to steer, rides like a lumber truck, etc. only mean that applies to the experience of one rider on one trike. Not all trikes have IRS. Not all trikes have raked trees. Not all trikes have the same wheelbase and track. Not all trikes have been converted by knowledgeable and qualified shops.

I want to assure all here that my CSC/Goldwing DOES NOT ride like a lumber truck. The front wheel DOES NOT skip in turns. The steering is as easy as it was on my Spyder. In fact it is easier!

I would not own a trike that did not have a rake kit or IRS because of the potentially poor riding characteristics many of you might have experienced. I think describing a poor or scary riding experience without qualifying that experience by disclosing the details about the trike ridden can be misleading.

Your CSC conversion is an automotive rear differential also, right? That makes all the difference in cornering as the the wheels are free to turn at different rotational speeds vs both turning the same with a solid rear axle.

 

[canamjhb]

Your CSC conversion is an automotive rear differential also, right? That makes all the difference in cornering as the wheels are free to turn at different rotational speeds vs both turning the same with a solid rear axle.

That's correct. When I'm cornering, I don't have the rear end trying to push me off the road or giving me a lumpy ride. Tri-Glides are all manufactured with a solid axle that affects handling and ride. Lots of owners unhappy, but there is a solution. There is a company named IMS Trikes that makes an IRS kit for HD Tri-Glides among others. But you really have to like your trike and have a fat checkbook. Prices start at about 11 grand.

When I switched to my CSC from my Spyder I did a LOT of homework and talked to a LOT of owners and dealers. The difference from one brand/configuration to another is huge. It's unfortunate to categorize all of them the same. Not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to provide real information I have experienced and learned so the OP has a better understanding about what they are asking.

 

[staneric]

The Harley trikes I've seen are pretty much next generation versions of what the police department used to use 60+years ago to do parking enforcement. Compared to the Can Am, it's the Flintstones vs Star Wars.

 

[Fat Baxter]

I have a 2014 RT-S, and I'm considering moving to a Tri-Glide for one simple but very important reason: Harley dealers know how to maintain their product.

My local Can-Am dealer raped my Spyder last summer. While trying to troubleshoot a rear suspension compressor problem, they swapped out the main computer with a test unit, apparently looking for a CANBUS issue. System checked out OK. When they put my original unit back in ... Zap! it died. They claimed my unit died on its own, and I had to pay $900 for a new one. By the way, it reset my odometer to zero. They also installed a new rear tire (Kenda -- spit!). When I got home, I noticed the belt was walking off the rear sprocket and was sawing its way through the chain guard (which was the only thing holding it on). They immediately sent out a flatbed to pick it up. Said the technician was unfamiliar with the new belt tensioning process. They did replace the chain guard at their expense.

The problem is, they introduced a new problem with my compressor, but damned if I'm going to give them any more money. I'll just live with it. But I no longer trust the bike on a long trip. And steam comes out of my ears when I see the triple-digit odometer.

I so pissed, I haven't ridden it in six months. I put fuel stabilizer in the tank and plugged in a battery tender; it just sits there in my garage.

To top things off, a few years ago I injured my back (compression fracture between the shoulder blades). Any ride more than 2 hours and my back starts complaining. I've considered trying to find some tri-axis handlebars, but that's about $1K installed, with no guarantee it'll help. And that would require another powerport solution, as the tri-axis bars are incompatible with the power block I got from Lamonster (more $$$!). A new/modified seat might also help, but that might be as much as $1600 for an Ultimate seat, again with no guarantee that it will help my back.

So, I could wind up sinking as much as $2500 or so into an older bike, which my dealer has already demonstrated that he can't maintain. My wife says she's OK if I buy a new Spyder, but again, why should I buy another Spyder if the dealer can't maintain the one I have? And there's again no guarantee my back will be happy.

[Updated: don't get me started on their handling of my DESS issues]

Which brings me back to the Tri-Glide. there are Harley dealers in almost every town, and all they know how to service are V-twins. Yes, I've read about the truck-like ride, but I went from a BMW to a Spyder, and that was already like going from a Miata to an F-150, so what have I got to lose? OTOH, the cost of a new Tri-Glide is equal to a fully equipped Miata.

The other option, which I'm seriously considering now, is to simply dump the Spyder as is, and retire from motorcycling altogether after 45 years in the saddle.

Those of you who have decent Spyder shops don't appreciate how lucky you are.

In sum, based on my experience, moving to a Tri-Glide is a reasonable option (or a Ural sidecar rig, but our current relationship with Russia puts a crimp on supportability.)

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Fat Baxter, I'm sorry you have had so much trouble. ..... I've taken my 14 RT to all the dealerships in Vt. (I think there are only three) and have issues with all of them. Lucky it was mostly warranty work. .... Personally speaking, Dealership/tech issues are the weak link for Spyders. .... I do all my maintenance (from day one) and I think that prevents a lot of headaches and saves a LOT of money. ...... I'd get a Miata instead of a Harley...... Good Luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[EdMat]

. I'd get a Miata instead of a Harley..

If it wasn't for my Miata my Spyder would have a lot more miles on it!

 

[Gwolf]

Fat Baxter, I'm sorry you have had so much trouble. ..... I've taken my 14 RT to all the dealerships in Vt. (I think there are only three) and have issues with all of them. Lucky it was mostly warranty work. .... Personally speaking, Dealership/tech issues are the weak link for Spyders. .... I do all my maintenance (from day one) and I think that prevents a lot of headaches and saves a LOT of money. ...... I'd get a Miata instead of a Harley...... Good Luck .... Mike :thumbup:

I agree with that! I picked up my new Spyder the day after it was un-crated. Took it home and went over the whole thing again, to see if the dealer had missed anything. Yeah, they had missed things. The Spyder has never been back to the dealer since I picked it up. Not for service, not for tire changes, not for anything. Never had any problems with it, and only the normal wear items have ever been changed. The dealership does not fix the problem, the dealership is the problem.