Folks -
I have been lurking for a few days and joined. I am in the market to buy a used Can Am Spyder RS/GS, and would appreciate some input.
THE BACK STORY: I am a 49 year old professionally employed, married guy, no kids. Vary hard working, and now time for a toy. I had wanted a Porsche 911 since reading Road and Track in my bedroom as a 12 year old. I finally bought a near concours 2002 996 Carrera in January 2011, and sold it in May (last month). Great car, ran great, no problems. WAY TOO MUCH GUN!! I drove like a dipstick every time I got in it, and realized it was not for me.
My next thought was to buy a BMW Roadster: wind in my hair, less power. Never something that I really wanted, though....
Then I caught myself looking at the ADV Rider website (again), and the BMW F650 ChainGang site (guilty pleasure for years). My "biking" experience is limited to decades of serious bicycling experience: long road training rides; competing in mountain bike races and biathalons. As for motored bikes, I have ridden minibikes, a Kawasaki KZ 400, and a couple of dirt bikes, all for short rides. Loved them. (I have also owned a quad (rode it alot) and ridden multiple snowmobiles...)
I'd be on a BMW 650GS today, but for my fear of texting soccer moms turning left in front of me, and teens on cell phones.
I love the Spyder. It has more road presence than a bike, and can be lit to emphasize its presence even more. It is three wheeled, and, accordingly, its inherent stability will leave me "inherently upright" and also give me more time to watch for danger in low speed environments, as a newbie. In short, it seems like a safer way to try "biking" and see if I like it, and am not terminally afraid.
QUERY:
What should I buy? My budget (cash, no financing: I show up with a trailer and tow away whatever I buy: old school) is around $12,000-14,000. I'd like a GS/RS, clean, low mileage, well sorted and reliable for that price.
What do I look for? In reading through some of the threads, it seems like some people experienced teething problems with early bikes. Am I okay with a 2008 bike that runs well, and has dealer receipts for the early problems? Or, are there a few variants/years to stay away from?
Any input on criteria for a first Spyder in my price range would be most appreciated.
Thanks-Mawgie
I have been lurking for a few days and joined. I am in the market to buy a used Can Am Spyder RS/GS, and would appreciate some input.
THE BACK STORY: I am a 49 year old professionally employed, married guy, no kids. Vary hard working, and now time for a toy. I had wanted a Porsche 911 since reading Road and Track in my bedroom as a 12 year old. I finally bought a near concours 2002 996 Carrera in January 2011, and sold it in May (last month). Great car, ran great, no problems. WAY TOO MUCH GUN!! I drove like a dipstick every time I got in it, and realized it was not for me.
My next thought was to buy a BMW Roadster: wind in my hair, less power. Never something that I really wanted, though....
Then I caught myself looking at the ADV Rider website (again), and the BMW F650 ChainGang site (guilty pleasure for years). My "biking" experience is limited to decades of serious bicycling experience: long road training rides; competing in mountain bike races and biathalons. As for motored bikes, I have ridden minibikes, a Kawasaki KZ 400, and a couple of dirt bikes, all for short rides. Loved them. (I have also owned a quad (rode it alot) and ridden multiple snowmobiles...)
I'd be on a BMW 650GS today, but for my fear of texting soccer moms turning left in front of me, and teens on cell phones.
I love the Spyder. It has more road presence than a bike, and can be lit to emphasize its presence even more. It is three wheeled, and, accordingly, its inherent stability will leave me "inherently upright" and also give me more time to watch for danger in low speed environments, as a newbie. In short, it seems like a safer way to try "biking" and see if I like it, and am not terminally afraid.
QUERY:
What should I buy? My budget (cash, no financing: I show up with a trailer and tow away whatever I buy: old school) is around $12,000-14,000. I'd like a GS/RS, clean, low mileage, well sorted and reliable for that price.
What do I look for? In reading through some of the threads, it seems like some people experienced teething problems with early bikes. Am I okay with a 2008 bike that runs well, and has dealer receipts for the early problems? Or, are there a few variants/years to stay away from?
Any input on criteria for a first Spyder in my price range would be most appreciated.
Thanks-Mawgie