[rat95dynaguy]

Hey all,
New Spyder owner here and loving life! I picked up an 09 three weeks ago and have put about 1000 miles on it and would like to share some thoughts / observations:
I was run down on my Dyna in July of last year and have since suffered through 7 reconstructive operations on both knees, one on my left shoulder and 9 months of rehab for those and the torn back muscles I wound up with. I have been riding Harleys for 30 years (first one when I was 12: a 125 single) and was looking to get back on the road, albiet on something different, hence the Spyder.
This thing is a hoot! The first day I kept having to remind myself, "there is NO front brake lever, stupid!" I have equated riding this thing to a combination of ATV + snowmobile + motorcycle. You take bits of each and roll them into a riding style.
The Spyder is NO corner carver! I tell people that when they inevitably walk up to me and start asking questions. My Spyder is the only one in our county so it generates a lot of looks! Most are very receptive to its looks but a few "die hards" are turned off by its "lack" of handling. Lack? No no no... just different. I had one gentleman tell me "Huh. It's just a jetski with wheels." I told him if he was going to insult me at least get it right...It's a SNOWMOBILE with wheels! LMAO!
I added a 1" riser from BRP to get me more verticle for my back and it helped immensely. I am still working on my forward pegs. I would like floorboards but the ones I have seen are not to my taste and very expensive.
I have been getting around 31-32 mpg but I am not a speed demon and only cruise at 65.
Anyway, it's good to see other riders having a ball! Remember to tell prospective buyers "It's NOT a motorcycle and you cannot ride it like one". I would like to see at least ONE other rider here in central Montana before I get too old! LOL!
Keep three down!

Mike

 

[ediehl]

I'm also a life-long motorcyclist who did a demo ride on a Spyder and decided to give it a try (got mine as a low-mileage ebay purchase).

You're surely correct about it not being a motorcycle! After 2-300 miles I'm still adjusting to that NO-LEAN situation, and yeah, I'm still reaching for the front brake.

My thoughts are that the Spyder would be easier for a newbie to get started on than would be a motorcycle (in fact I wonder if being a motorcyclist is a disadvantage at the outset?), but I think that with a little experience a motorcycle is easier to ride. For instance, on a slightly bumpy straightaway where my bike requires little to no effort, the Spyder requires continuous adjustments. There'a a LOT more effort involved in cornering on the Spyder, and I've noticed that crowned backroads that I scarcely notice on my bike (aside from wearing the left side of the tire more rapidly) are quite noticeable on the Spyder, since the vehicle is physically leaning to the right.

But it's a hoot nonetheless, and I'm sure I'll continue to adapt! Better mileage would be nice (I've got essentially the same engine in my Aprilia Caponord, and I get low to mid 40's there).

Eric

 

[ladyspyderz]

New Spyder Rider

I'm not too close to your State, but I'm nearby in Washington and right next town to me are two others who own Spyders. I'm not happy either with the mileage but it is so much fun to ride. I'm learning each day riding it, especially the cornering and turning. Looking at getting another windhshield taller than the one I have (touring).
Enjoy your Spyder.

 

[pkarowic]

Bike rider for 33 years, it's a great change but change takes time

Hey all,
New Spyder owner here and loving life! I picked up an 09 three weeks ago and have put about 1000 miles on it and would like to share some thoughts / observations:
I was run down on my Dyna in July of last year and have since suffered through 7 reconstructive operations on both knees, one on my left shoulder and 9 months of rehab for those and the torn back muscles I wound up with. I have been riding Harleys for 30 years (first one when I was 12: a 125 single) and was looking to get back on the road, albiet on something different, hence the Spyder.
This thing is a hoot! The first day I kept having to remind myself, "there is NO front brake lever, stupid!" I have equated riding this thing to a combination of ATV + snowmobile + motorcycle. You take bits of each and roll them into a riding style.
The Spyder is NO corner carver! I tell people that when they inevitably walk up to me and start asking questions. My Spyder is the only one in our county so it generates a lot of looks! Most are very receptive to its looks but a few "die hards" are turned off by its "lack" of handling. Lack? No no no... just different. I had one gentleman tell me "Huh. It's just a jetski with wheels." I told him if he was going to insult me at least get it right...It's a SNOWMOBILE with wheels! LMAO!
I added a 1" riser from BRP to get me more verticle for my back and it helped immensely. I am still working on my forward pegs. I would like floorboards but the ones I have seen are not to my taste and very expensive.
I have been getting around 31-32 mpg but I am not a speed demon and only cruise at 65.
Anyway, it's good to see other riders having a ball! Remember to tell prospective buyers "It's NOT a motorcycle and you cannot ride it like one". I would like to see at least ONE other rider here in central Montana before I get too old! LOL!
Keep three down!

Mike

I too have been riding bikes since, well let say a while and leave it at that. Sorry about your misfortunes but you sound like a person who bounces back and just carries on, good on you for that. I bought my Spyder in the last week of May and all I went in for was leather cleaner for my saddle bags on my wonderful 2003 Honda 1300 VTX. You sound like you have been a loyal Harley rider, well I have been a loyal Honda rider. First bike was a beat up 72 Honda 350 scambler and brunt my legs on thoughs darn pipes more than I care to talk about. Anyway, I like to ride and as I did say I only went in to get leather cleaner for my saddle bags. I spotted this RED spyder in the show room, asked a little about it and got little info. Went home that night and read, and read, and read on the internet about the Spyder and most reviews said positive things about them. The next two days went by, I went in and bought the RED Spyder I was looking at but first did the demo ride. Your right, there is no front right brake but there is lot of fun in riding a Spyder. I would say I messed up in the leaning, steering etc but after about two long days I started to get it. I did watch the DVD that came with it. Went to a parking lot (WALMART) and practices what the DVD stated and you know I picked it up. I guess Mike, where I'm going with all this, I'm older, not dead and not locked down in my ways. I can and did learn a new way to enjoy the wind flying by me and it involves the Spyder. I won't go back to the two wheeler after riding it. It adds another element to being on the road and I like it. Take care and enjoy the Spyder experience as not everyone can. Oh, I get around 43 mile/per/ gallon imperial which is a bigger gallon up here in Alberta Canada, but I think it works our to be about 36 mile/per/gallon US. PK