[SMGray]

Hello,
I'm seriously considering buying the new Touring Spyder within the next few days. My wife and I currently ride a 2008 Gold Wing and have been very happy with it. However, I'm looking at the Spyder as being a safer and more stable bike for us at this time. We are both in our late 50s and to be honest.... sometimes its tough to keep the Wing straight up with both of us and a bunch of full cases. But this would be a major change for me and I was wondering if any of you have come off of a Gold Wing or BMW K1200LT (my previous bike) and if you have, maybe you could give me your impressions of the good and bad about the Spyder Tourer vs one of the aforementioned bikes.

I would appreciate any input I can get on this. The last thing I want to do is buy the Spyder only to wind up turning around a year from now and having to purchase another Gold Wing. I appreciate your input.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[SpyderRyder]

From a wing to a Spyder

I traded my Goldwing for a 2009 SM5 Spyder last September for the same reasons that you described. The Spyder does not have the overall raw power of the wing and the fuel mileage is less than the wing. Dealer maintenance is more expensive than the wing and there are a lot less dealers. I do not miss the pucker factor riding in the rain and in heavy traffic. Riding in the rain is not a problem anymore.
For me the Spyder is more fun, similar to a sport bike, more RPM's, a little more noise, the V-twin is not as smooooth. I use it as my primary mode of transportation all year long. Do I miss the Wing? Nope !!!

 

[armed infidel]

Let me get in my 2 cents before you commit. I sold my BMW K1200LT and replaced it with the 2010 RT-S that I special ordered last November. The BMW was excellent transport for my wife and I ....even been to Key West on it, but like you, in our 50's and looking for safer travels with more "trunkage" started lusting over the Gold wing trikes as a replacement. The trike configuration seemed to be in our future as a logical upgrade. While still looking at every trike on Ebay, we heard about (and checked out) the new Spyder RT that was soon to be on the market. I was "bitten"...had to have it! I had riden one of the sport versions that have been around, but my back can't take riding like a monkey on a football....but this RT was different...sits like a tour bike and has cargo space that won't quit. I placed my order, without ever riding the demo.
We got the bike about a month ago and have about 650 miles on it. We ordered every option, except the overpriced Nav. unit. Even bought new touring helmets outfitted with JDM comm. goodies....total invested: $31,000. Now....what we think of this decision: My wife hates it. Scares her to death when cornering and being buffeted around by the wind. The BMW, as you know, would "knife" though the air, like melted butter. Carving the roads with confidence and precision. The Spyder needs vertical stabilizers and rudders for better control, as it has it's own mind when on the highway. The wind REALLY effects it, no matter how aerodyamic it looks. In that department, it wins....it looks great and folks really rubberneck as you go by. Pretty peppy engine, but have had issues with the paddle shift auto-system....doesn't always "release the clutch" when coasting to a stop and kills the engine.
As the driver, my impression is it's a LOT more work to handle and keep under control than the BMW was. Honestly...and I am probably dropping some jaws here......I would trade my Spyder for the BMW K1200LT Trike that was listed on Ebay, right now.

 

[armed infidel]

.........and another thing. The fuel mileage is terrible on my RT. I don't push it hard but only get maybe 30MPG. The K1200LT.....as you know, gets 40-50 MPG. With a smaller tank and lower miles per gallon, you will really notice having to stop to fill up every 150 miles.

 

[SMGray]

Armed,
Thank you VERY MUCH for your honest input. My wife and I just retuned home moments ago from a test ride on a Spyder RT. Like most test rides, it was only about 20 miles total, but that included many curves and my wife tried to be a trooper but I could tell she didn't like it at all. After the ride, I asked her if she was relaxed at all and she stated that she was stressed through each turn and even on the straights she felt the back end of the bike wagging from side to side and didn't enjoy it much. She said she would probably get used to it but I am sure that she was just trying to let me decide without her input. I asked her if she would have any problem just staying on the Wing and she finally said she would prefer the Wing.

I thought the RT was fun but I had to work it the whole time I was riding it and I realized that it would be fun for short trips but I was looking for a long-hauler and this just wasn't going to work. Bottom line: it falls far short of the Wing and the LT. It's too bad because I was looking forward to the convenience of that semi-automatic transmission but I'm not going to give up the comfort, power, and sound system that I currently have on the Wing.
Thanks for your input. You helped me confirm what I already suspected.

 

[SAINTaholic]

We have been contemplating between the RT-S, Wing, and BMW. Thank you all for your opinions this definatlely helps. Although we both will still go on the demo for the Spyder tomorrow, I now know what to look for and expect. Yes, each bike is different as well as each person; what urks you about the Spyder may not the next person, but at least I know specific things to be more aware of..... Thank you.

 

[Bob Denman]

Hey... it ain't gonna ride like a motorcycle; it can't! My Missus and I have put almost 900 miles on in less than 3 weeks here and really do enjoy the handling of it. On varying road surfaces it is much more stable, and it's easier to ride if you're not trying to "push the envelope". Mileage?? 35 to 37mpg here so far and it seems to be getting better as things loosen up.
Is there a learning curve? You betcha! Is it worth it? Ditto!