Everyday use or is the Spyder just recreational

[Pegasus1300]

That may be true in North America but in most of the rest of the world they are an integral part of the fabric of transportation. I have lived in many parts of the world and seen many families,men,women yes and even children solving their daily transportation needs by motorcycle. There are many of us here in the US who have adopted the world model and also use our motorcycles as transportation. How nice that we get to use them also as Recreational Vehicles also. That is what one of the reasons for the AMA,to make sure that motorcycles are included in the transportation scheme here. And that is why more of us need to members.

[bikerbillone]

Pegasus, excellent comment.

[Big Juice]

If you are a "Harley guy", then don't even consider the Spyder. Your buddies will never forgive you and rib you to death!

Now I'm not a Harley guy, I have had a Harley and both kind of trikes, a 1900cc V-twin converted conventional trike, and now a 2017 Spyder F3-Limited. I put 30K on my V-twin trike in 3 yrs and loved every mile, and now have 12K on my Spyder Roadster in one year. Do I like my Spyder........yes I do, and I have had no issues at all.....so I am good to go any day, every day, any where! I like that trust much more than my V-twin, oh, and I love the semi-automatic paddle shift on the Spyder!

That's my story, good luck with your choice!

[bikerbillone]

Juice, very good testimonial for your Spyder, do you have any problems with your dealer or service?

[hogcowboy]

I'd have to say, you got to have a pretty thick skin to own/ride a Spyder. But they are now darn good machines. The first couple of years not so much. Just stay away from the 13's. That was another bad year. But like all bikes, your dealer will make or break your experience. We had to change dealers after a management change with ours. There are great dealers and the worthless ones. So do your homework.

[bikerbillone]

Agree Cowboy, there are tree types of dealers, good, bad, and indifferent, not just Spyder service. If I can't do the simple job myself, I seek out a GW guru independent that has some common sense, it's a flip a coin with the dealer unless you find riders that are satisfied with the service. I hate to ride outside 50 miles for good service, but sometimes that is necessary get out of the aggravation of poor service. If I move to a Spyder, seems there are no good independents that work on those machines, not sure why that is, my feed back is that no one out there wants to work on them outside of the dealer shops. That's part of the reason I'm still riding my 2005 GW/2012 Road Smith. Not saying I won't be riding a Spyder RT, I'll give it another year since I just dropped a pocket full of $ to get my sled in top condition.

[Big Juice]

Juice, very good testimonial for your Spyder, do you have any problems with your dealer or service?

My wife also has a Spyder (her 3rd one, a 2010, 2014, 2016, all used) and we both (I have a 2017) go to a place called SpyderPops in Pearcy, Arkansas. The dealer I bought from is to far away for service (250 miles) and SpyderPops is only about 45 miles. SpyderPops is not a "dealer", he is just a Spyder shop (he is a Master Certified CanAm mechanic). Neither of us have had any problems with our roadsters (that's what CanAm calls them, instead of trikes) so have not had to deal with a dealer so far (12K on mine, 20K on wife's). But we are told by Harvey at SpyderPops that the dealer in Hot Springs (30 miles) is a good dealer and should handle our warranty service correctly, should we ever need it. There's also a FB site that rates and recommends dealers and shops for Spyder service worldwide, it's at .........

https://www.facebook.com/search/str/spyder+service+dealers+and+independents+network+wo rldwide/

[bikerbillone]

IMO, you are fortunate to have the independent shop for your Spyder work. Thanks for the info on FB.

[RTL1330]

I have been riding MC for over 50 years. Had lots of makes and sizes of bikes over the years. Tricked my 2001 Valkyrie Interstate in 2008 and rode her many fun years. Then had a HD TriGlide Ultra classic loaded, was a nice ride but not as nice ride as our Goldwing trike. We bought a new 2014 Spyder RTL loaded in spring 2015, I use it everyday and have

64000 on do now. Did Swaybar and exhaust mod from Lamonster and it corners and accelerates faster than all others I've owned. With the paddle shifter it is easy on arthritic wrist. That's my story and I'll ride it till I rot.

No matter the make, what ever you got just ride it a lot.

[Mgammon]

Well said Ole Venturer friend.

I lost my Stallion during Florence due to flooding.

Am now looking at a Spider RT Limited to replace the Stallion. I need a trike that has reverse and not many around. So, it is another Stallion, a GW Roadsmith, or the Spider. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

[hogcowboy]

Well said Ole Venturer friend.

I lost my Stallion during Florence due to flooding.

Am now looking at a Spider RT Limited to replace the Stallion. I need a trike that has reverse and not many around. So, it is another Stallion, a GW Roadsmith, or the Spider. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Only one has air condition and heater. But that's why I see it as a 3 wheeled car. I really wasn't looking forward to a trike but I admit that Spyder F3 Limited has got my attention. I've always had trouble with Goldwings. My knees hit the fairing but triked I think I could get far enough back finally with a custom saddle. But I'm just not digging GWs. Riding 2 wheeled until I'm forced off but have told my wife if a F3 pops up at a good price, might as well do it. I wanted to convert my Indian but I'd be without a ride and could get a F3 for twice as much as a conversion completed. Then reluctantly sell my Indian and get the F3 almost paid for. Hate the idea but that's where I am.

[Pegasus1300]

Marshall,I think you will really like the Spyder. It was hard for me to leave the Venture after 29 years but 2 wheels just didn't work for me any more and neither did the Gold Wing Trike. I was going to trike a Venture but by the time I got Done I would have had more money then the cost of a Spyder invested in it and it still would have been a 10 year old bike. Found a beautiful used 2012 RTL at a price I could do and never looked back.

[starrider60]

Bought a new RTS in January and put 14,000 plus miles on it in 9 months. Had one problem with parking. Dealer fixed it at no cost to me. Just completed a 2500 mile trip to Texas and back. The Spyder is comfortable and easy to ride. Took me about 1000 miles to get used to it. This machine will add many miles to my riding life.