Spyder vs Trike

[Huelshorst]

Just for discussion, which 3 wheels gives me the best touring machine and the most for my dollars. Spyder's 2014 touring RT now has 1330cc and a 6 speed transmission plus all kinds of upgrades. Some of you riders that have had both, which has the smoother ride and comfort. Years ago on my Spyder test ride I thought the steering too sensitive and it was underpowered but I've heard of lot of improvements over time. Course a trike has more room for 2 people, think more luggage room and you can get all the power you want with extra dollars. Any opinions!

[rhino 2]

Just for discussion, which 3 wheels gives me the best touring machine and the most for my dollars. Spyder's 2014 touring RT now has 1330cc and a 6 speed transmission plus all kinds of upgrades. Some of you riders that have had both, which has the smoother ride and comfort. Years ago on my Spyder test ride I thought the steering too sensitive and it was underpowered but I've heard of lot of improvements over time. Course a trike has more room for 2 people, think more luggage room and you can get all the power you want with extra dollars. Any opinions!

Just go to any spyder forum and see all the problems their having with BRP/Dealer support. I had a spyder and had to dump it, I traded it in for a Tri-Glide, and couldn't be more happy...

P/S When you do read some of the complaints, Try to read between the lines.
If you complain too loud you'll be ask to move on' as in leave the forum, spyder owners are very sensitive about their baby's... [been there been asked]

[Bill Reber]

Just go to any spyder forum and see all the problems their having with BRP/Dealer support. I had a spyder and had to dump it, I traded it in for a Tri-Glide, and couldn't be more happy...

P/S When you do read some of the complaints, Try to read between the lines.
If you complain too loud you'll be ask to move on' as in leave the forum, spyder owners are very sensitive about their baby's... [been there been asked]

Ditto

[lboos]

Same as rhino 2.

[screwball]

Test drove an RT, nice machine. Seemed to steer a bit easier, just wasn't comfortable with the rider position, felt funny. Biggest deterrent to me was the lack of dealers out there and aftermarket goodies aren't that available. We have had phenomenal luck with our SeaDoos, so like BRP. Guess we are just Harley Snobs.

[msocko3]

If I had to choose between the 2 it would be HD all the way. The dealer network is 2nd to none, it comes in handy if you would have problems on the road. I looked at and sat on the Spyder, it just wasn't for me.

[Livin2Ride]

Everyone above pretty much covered it. 5000 on a RT convinced me that a different trike was needed, 20,000 on a TriGlide has proven me right. M3 is right about the access to dealers and the dealer support if you ever need it.

[Oldmsocko]

I much prefer the traditional look of the TG. I am very happy with mine.

[Buckin']

Spyder vs TriGlide is as VW is to Porsche.

[Geezzer Glide]

Well I've never owned a spyder and never will.
I prefer not to ride something that looks like George Jetson should be riding it. Happy with my Tri Glide.
Dan

[DK Custom Products]

Just for discussion, which 3 wheels gives me the best touring machine and the most for my dollars. Spyder's 2014 touring RT now has 1330cc and a 6 speed transmission plus all kinds of upgrades. Some of you riders that have had both, which has the smoother ride and comfort. Years ago on my Spyder test ride I thought the steering too sensitive and it was underpowered but I've heard of lot of improvements over time. Course a trike has more room for 2 people, think more luggage room and you can get all the power you want with extra dollars. Any opinions!

Have ridden a couple of Spyders. No doubt the Spyder is smoother...but for me that does not equate into touring comfort. The HD is much more comfortable for myself and Mary.

I always thought the Spyder would handle winding roads and twistys better than the TG. However, after riding with one in front and behind me for a couple of days in the hills of KY, I am not so sure.

One day it was raining and I saw the back end of the spyder break loose and start swinging around. The same corner, same speed, our TG was rock solid.

Dunno if it was rider input, or just that in those conditions the Spyder did not handle as well as the TG. I do know that when that back end was swing around in the curve, the Spyder rider told me later he felt like he was going to lose control and go off the road.

Kevin

[geezerglide11441]

First time I saw a Spyder behind me my initial thought was that it was a "snow machine" behind me!! Very ugly no matter how they ride!

Roger

[Sloufoot]

Everyone forgets.... Harley had one on the drawing boards at one time! The only difference was the engine & trans, & the front wheels tilted into the turn. I think there was only one or two ever built.
I had one in the Spyder RS model. Paddle shift automatic. Worked great by the way. Scary fast ! I did like the electric power steering, but had a friend that had one decide to turn left on it's own. All he could do to keep it out of the other lane of traffic!
I had NO problems with my dealer ! In fact he replaced front tires that were wearing too fast from alignment. MoCo said no, but he replaced then anyway & did complete bike alignment. Good dealer ! Too bad he is just an authorized service shop for Harley, & I live 75mi away.
I couldn't do with the crotch rocket position & all the Tupperware, so I sold it when I bought the Tri Glide. No regrets !!

[Fusionfool]

We had a 2012 RT Limited Spyder. The ride was smoother but I must qualify that statement. The auto adjust rear air bag make for a smoother ride for passenger. The two wheels up front tend to amplify any imperfection in the road. At higher speed the Spyder starts to harmonize, starting at the belt, then felt through out the bike. Just did not like the feel on the interstate like I do with the HD. Driver comfort, there is non. I never could get comfortable on long rides, started with a back rest, then floor boards, and never could get a comfortable position. You sit straight up, with very limited driver seating if you have a passenger on back. Problems we had: Rear auto shock air bag / pump bad right out of the factory. Took over 4 times to the dealer each resulting in at least a week without the Spyder, over heating issue in stop and go traffic with limp home mode condition, uneven front and rear tire wear, and need to adjust air pressure very frequently like every other day, and my least favorite is the NANNY system, they boast it as such a good safety system, but really took the enjoyment away from an experienced rider. If a wheel starts to lift cut power, if rear tire spin cut power, if you have never ridden a bike / trike before, maybe the NANNY system is good, but not for me, and no option to easily turn it off. You sit lower on the spyder, and it did not feel like riding a bike at all, more like riding a snowmobile, and you must keep very hi RPM while riding the Spyder, they do not like lower RPM and will have problems if you ride at lower RPM regularly. The list goes on, but I do not claim to be an expert in the subject, I only had ours for 3 months of riding, and 5,000 miles.

[AzDaven]

Coke or Pepsi, Chevy or Ford, H-D or Can-Am.... Every brand has their loyal followers. I prefer traditional and solidity of H-D. What Can-Am did was tool the skies off a snowmobile and put wheels, took the track off and added a tire and "invented" a new trike. I rode one and the fear that one of the front wheels would come off due to metal fatigue scared me, plus the rider position was uncomfortable.

[boots]

Wife had 2009 TriGlide 20k miles and I had a 2008 Gold Wing CSC trike 40k miles. You can see that I now have a 2014 TriGlide and love it recalls and all. My brother has two Can-Ams and loves them. I would not have one. Just my opinion.

[DTR 11TG]

Spyder vs TriGlide is as VW is to Porsche.

A VW & Porsche, created by the same person, Spyder vs Tri Glide, not created by the same person.

[Copasetic]

Spyder vs TriGlide is as VW is to Porsche.

Which one is the Porsche?

[Buckin']

Which one is the Porsche?

I wouldn't own a VW.

[md47]

I own a 2013 Can Am RT Limited. However I cannot compare it to a Tri Glide. I can say I'm not happy with the way mine drives. As stated previously the bike is very sensitive to roadway imperfections. I have a great dealer and they work hard to take care of me by ordering parts ahead of time and also gave me a loaner while my bike was in on a recall. I strongly recommend you rent both and spend a weekend driving each to see which you prefer. A few hundred dollars will be money well spent before you purchase a new Spyder or Tri Glide. I did not do that but will be renting a Tri Glide for 2-3 days to see if it will give me the ride I want from a trike. Either way I recommend you look at the 2014 or later. The Spyders will be a different machine with a new 3 cylinder engine, upgraded transmission and electrical system. The 2014 Tri Glides have their own upgrades as well. Good luck!