I just purchased a used 2008 sm5. What a great bike. I'm new to shifting. I'm a scooter rider and my current scooter is an MP3. I'm looking forward to learning a bunch for you guys and gals.
Btw, I bought this bike for my wife (seriously!). It is going to be her part time commuter bike. She 5' and she loves it. She's the one who talked me into getting an sm5 vs an se5
Thanks rayzer13. We drove it about one mile from home and back. I need to get use to shifting. It stalled on me a few times. I LOVE the reverse feature. I drove it out and she drove it back. She would come to a stop sign whiling keeping it in 2nd and another time in 3rd gear and them go. It's also weird not having a hand brake.
I have a 2008 SM5 myself, and love it. Do you two have motorcycle classifications on your licenses? You'll need that to be legal.
The shifting is something they'll teach you in the beginners Motorcycle Safety Course, if you haven't considered taking it I highly recommend it! To keep from stalling when you come to a stop, pull in the clutch. Always have your Spyder in first gear to take off from a stop, and let the clutch out slow as you roll on the throttle. You'll get used to it. Learning manual is easier on 3 wheels than it is on 2, I would imagine!
There's no keyhole in the key because the kind of holder that comes with the two keys originally lets them plug into the holder, instead of hanging from a loop or chain. You really don't want a keychain, as it will flop around as you ride and scratch up your handlebars. No sense in that!! You'll find yourself spending more money on the new toy to farkle it up and make it your own - no need to ding her up and add a new paint job to that list!!
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CONSUMER WARNING: Use of this Spyder may cause smiling, happiness, urge to ride, excessive wind in the face, desire to call in sick to work, or even extended vacations. Some riders have experienced double-takes, pointing, sudden camera flash, kids waving, and conversations with total strangers. Several instances of unplanned roadside visits with police officers have been reported, though are not common. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your Spyder forum to discuss.
The key is also "Chipped", so if you're thinking about drilling a hole in it for a keychain... find the safest spot to hit with the drill before you make an epensive mistake!
I've been wrestling with the issue of how to carry the key as well... I'm going to stick with the fob that they sent it in... I just hope that it doesn't "wear loose" and drop the key out!
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
sassapnts, I have an motorcycle license, unfortuanately, I took the safety course on a scooter, but I understand the principal of shifting. My wife has not motorcycle license which is NOT required here in California. BUT she has experience riding bikes in Thailand. He's coming to a stop in 2nd and 3rd gear and then taking off. Her only issue is getting use to the power. She only had a 125cc bike up on the farm. but she is adjusting to it fine. Yeah I know I can't drill a hole in the key. I read about the chip. I only got one key sleeve from the dealer. Is that all they come with? Just one sleeve? I bought it used.
took it out last night/evening. FUN FUN FUN. Had to fill up the tank. I read about how it's a 7.5 gal tank and when the low fuel indicator turns on and you fill it up, it'll only take about 4 gals.....I filled it with 4.5 gals..not bad for a 130 trip riding it from Sacramento to San Francisco.
My cousins boyfriend rode it. He said he almost crashed it because he is not use to the steering (I saw him swerve).
Now I need to saveup some money and get a set of foglights for it OR driving lights......
re: keys; hopefully there is an aftermarket solution. I do prefer a keychain situation cuz I might forget it :P and I worry about it slipping out of the keyfob Bob
I'll try to find you some pictures of how they're put together so that you'll know where it's safe to drill or not drill...
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
Here's some pictures that I found on another forum. I hope that they help!
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
my experience is that sometimes dangling keys on motorcycles/quads will leave scuff marks on the switch and in the worst case, I have had them catch on my quad and actually turn off the ignition.
But usually I put a splitable key ring on the motorcycle key and only have the bare minimum hanging from the ignition switch. When I stop, I rejoin the key rings.
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Dave
'11 RT Ltd.
Working on some custom LED lighting with an intelligent controller...
You can always find a "soft" key fob...
Have somebody make up one for you with the "Y" logo!
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2010 Blue RT Audio & Convenience model Se-5 transmision. Dealer-added foglights, accent LEDs and extra speakers. Some RTS chrome windshield, front spoiler and top trunk trim, RTS frunklight and frunk liner, Top Trunk liner, Chrome lower air deflector, fendertip LED bulbs and ISCI floorboards added by yours truly...
Hello from San Francisco
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