[Donzo1]

getting a Spyder...

I currently have a Shadow Sabre 1100 it's a great bike. But I like the look, safety and the Rotax 990 the Spyder has. I have a Canam Outlander 800 quad and love the handling and flat out grunt speed of the Rotax 800.

I rode the Spyder at the Rancho Cordova shop and thought it was a blast.

My only concern is that I will miss the leaning that you get with a 2 wheeler. Any of you guys miss anything about the 2 wheelers? I guess I could keep the bike also - but considering the cost of the Spyder - I kinda need the cash from it to throw in.
It seems like the Spyder will be a better all around ride with the extra storage for groceries/beer/clothes etc. and 3 meaty tires on the ground for traction/safety.

I guess I want to be talked into buying this machine!!


Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[graysonrider]

Donzo, I had 2 wheeler, I sold my wife on the Spyder based on the safety of it vs a standard 2 wheeler. Im glad I did it, my kids love it. More importantly I feel safe having them on it with me. I never felt that way on 2 wheels with my kids. However if you enjoy taking a curve at 30 mph and leaning into your bike the spyder is more of a 4-wheeler sensation in tight corners. Even though it has power steering, its a little effort involved in comparison to a 2 wheel bike. It was either going to be a Harley or a Spyder I am more than happy with my choice. You give up a little , but you get much more in the Spyder.

 

[Spyderman]

Leaning...

Maybe you can't "lean", but you can sure hang over to one side like when you're turning hard on a four-wheeler

The additional safety from its ABS, Traction control, Stability control are light years ahead of most bikes, but personally, my opinion is the mere size/physical presence means the Spyder is SEEN by cars.

Three people in the last year have been killed in our area, two were sitting at STOP SIGNS.... run over from behind, The other was run over from behind while driving on a two lane. This sort of thing is way less likely on a Spyder.

 

[Donzo1]

Thanks for the replies Graysonrider and Spyderman - I have sold my wife on the added safety - I had not thought about the visibility improvement...good point. You cn't beat the look, thats for sure!

How about pulling power and highway cruising? When I rode the Syder it was on back roads and did'nt get to pour on the throttle or cruise on the highway.

I picture the Spyder being the best of both worlds - sportscar/motorcycle...

 

[415spyder]

the power is there. especially on 3rd gear. i cruised for about 2 hrs on the freeway last week, and i had no problems passing anyone. the guys are right. even on the freeway with a stock pipe, everyone sees you. unlike all the other bikes i rode in the past, i had to throttle hard so dumb drivers could notice me.

 

[zeebill]

Ditto most of the above comments and I will add emphasis to the fact that steering effort on mountain and tight roads is greatly higher than a 2 wheeler. Oh and you had better shift your weight like a four wheeler or the computer will kick in and bleed off throttle. A good high speed highway tourer but definately not a back road mountain bike! The power steering at low speeds is barely noticable you do have to horse it around corners. If they could tweek the front end geometry to loose some of the Ackermann Effect (like change the kingpin angles) and still not run afoul of the computer setup they would have a better bike for the hills around home. I frankly hold up traffic trying to get down mountain roads or up them for that matter. The extreme cutbacks north of home make the front end push like a bear and really make the steering effort go through the roof. Put more camber angle in the front wheels and take the Ackermann Effect out and they would have a mountain blaster because the power is there. The old road racer in me makes me know what it needs but I will be darned if I want to mess with things like this anymore. Come on guys get the spyder rolling right! Bill

 

[Donzo1]

Thanks for the replies 415 and Zee - I have decided to buy one - they seem like a good fit for me. I love riding my bike but have had a couple close calls that prob would not have happened with the Spyder - speed and safety, what a concept!
I also ride a Canam outlander 800, so I am familiar with the steering wresling match -

 

[BeRight]

Be sure and post a picture and let us know which model spyder.

 

[DeanoBee]

I had my first test drive today with the manual option (I'm looking at the SE5 Semi-Automatic for myself).

The steering effect is certainly different than anything else I have driven of late. It felt that the machine wanted to tip over if I approached a turn too fast. I never had it out on a winding stretch of highway but it seems that if you don't get your body into a turn, the turning radius will be rather large.

I love the look, feel, etc, but the steering has me pondering. I'm sure it's like anything, once you're used to it, it will become second nature.