[jvirga]

Hi everyone!. I have been looking at the Spyder for nearly two years. I'm about ready to take the plunge. I don't know anyone who rides one and I haven't seen even one on the roads around here (San Francisco Bay Area). I need a little info to make the right choice. I'm not young anymore and it's been years since I sold my last bike. The closest dealership offers a wide range of choices ranging from $16 for the roadster to $26K for the touring model. What's the best choice for a 6' 3" 230 lb baby boomer in relatively good shape? My wife will ride with me at least occassionally. I'ld like to get the right ride at the best price...Thanks

 

[TylerR]

Go talk to Kregg at Speed-Sports.com: Home page in Livermore. I got a great deal on mine and they're really great folks. You'd probably be happier with the RS (sport) model I'm guessing... if you ask real nice, I'll bet you can get a test ride!

FYI, it is a completely different ride than 2-wheels so if that's the world you're coming from, there will be a learning curve involved... it's not bad, it's just different!!

 

[Michelangelo]

I'll add my endorsement of Kregg at Cal Speed sport, and I would suggest getting the RT rather than getting an RS and adding all the upgrades to make the spyder comfortable for long rides, I am out of the country right now but you can call me next week at 408-281-2996, as I am in the Bay Area and would be glad to talk about my experiance with the Spyder.

 

[TicketBait]

I am 6'2" 225 and this is the most fun I have ever had.

This bike works in the rain, works on windy days and if it's a cross wind (just lower fairing) I think it's more windy in San Francisco than Santa Monica.

And oh yes the spyder is wonderful on Sunny days too

Oh and you can ride in the car pool lane.

I just took a trip up to Lake Tahoe and racked up 1200+ miles.
Now that I am seasoned my wife is gonna ride with me.

I got All the gadgets that BRP came up with, and no regrets, everything they make is well thought out. CB / XM radio, GPS, Luggage, covers and clothing. I wasn't sure about the trailer, but now I know I gotta have it

I added some extra lighting in front and on the rear facing mud flaps for extra visibility, I many times ride in heavy traffic.

I also added some highway boards for the longer rides to stretch out

Good Luck, I heard good things about that Lodi dealership.

 

[soberjoe]

Looking good my friend. We are looking at that ride for my wife. Best part is I can ride it too! Glad to hear things are working well with it. No problems so far? Is yours the auto or manual trans? How's the new power steering working?

 

[TicketBait]

no problems with 4700 miles since Jan. 28th of this year. I ride just about every day.

Mine is the auto/paddle shift. I love it cuz many times i am in heavy traffic.

To tell ya the truth, this is assisted power steering so you still have to be in relatively good shape, to navigate. When I went through the practice exercises in the owners manual, I did them on the Demo bike at the dealership. Theirs was a manual. So I got a good hour to hour and a half practice session in a large parking lot 3 times before mine was delivered.

 

[mooneych]

Could you provide information on the extra lighting? I will also be in heavy traffic going into D.C. everyday, and will be interested once I purchase mine this Summer. Thanks!!
Chris.

 

[Dave711]

Just look for day runners at custom dynamics... great lighting setups for the spyders and other bikes... easy install... sort of.. lol

 

[Dave711]

Hi everyone!. I have been looking at the Spyder for nearly two years. I'm about ready to take the plunge. I don't know anyone who rides one and I haven't seen even one on the roads around here (San Francisco Bay Area). I need a little info to make the right choice. I'm not young anymore and it's been years since I sold my last bike. The closest dealership offers a wide range of choices ranging from $16 for the roadster to $26K for the touring model. What's the best choice for a 6' 3" 230 lb baby boomer in relatively good shape? My wife will ride with me at least occassionally. I'ld like to get the right ride at the best price...Thanks

We took the plunge also and lovin it. also baby boomers with a little extra time. We got the RT with audio and conv. cause we wanted the blue. Used to have the bmw 1200LT and was just getting too heavy everytime ya stop and doing the balance dance.. This thing drives different but rydes better than the bmw and it was smooth. So the wife says. The stability of this thing is awesome.. and of course these forums are full of complaints (and some rightfully so) but many happy owners out here with no complaints..

 

[Jester]

I agree that you should take the jump. I used to ride Harleys 20 years ago. About five years ago I bought a Suzuki Burgman which I enjoyed very much. When I saw the first Spyder, I was impressed, but not enough to take the plunge. When I saw the RTS, I was hooked. Traded the Burgman and never looked back. Have the semi auto trans... they should look at the Burgman....a continuously variable or thumb shift ... the best of both worlds.

After a couple of months (during which I am having to educate my dealer) I am still having a ball. Does not have the intuitive lean of a regular bike.... more like a sophisticated version of a 4 wheel ATV. You can crowd it and steer with body english where the same action on a conventional trike motorcycle would be disastrous if not fatal.

Have fun!