"Slightly" long term owner experience.

[Pegasus1300]

Originally Posted by Pegasus1300

I like your course correction and your new choice of Star ship. I have put over 40,000 miles on my Spyder since I dumped my GW trike.I have never looked back.





Paul, always follow your comments since you opted for the Spyder from the GW, something you rarely see. Perhaps you could post here, how the Spyder has performed for you, the quality, the long rides, the carrying capacity, wind management, suspension, repair cost, just to mention a few ideas for discussion. Not sure why we don't have more Spyder posts here compared to HD and GW. Don't think you ride two up, but that's always a consideration for some of us. Seems we can discus this vs that on this forum without starting some kind of word war, and that's a good thing.

This was posted in another thread by BikerBillOne,but I didn't want to steal someone else's thread so I will try and answer some of his questions here. A little history first to give some context to what I write.

I have been riding since 1964. British Bikes a Suzuki Trials bike and a Bridgestone 350 GTR, BMW then the Yamaha Venture.I wrecked my last RSV and realized I either had to quit or go to 3 wheels. A friend of mine sold me his Gold Wing trike but I never liked it. When I bought the Spyder I felt brand new all over again.

The Spyder has been a great workhorse and fun machine for me. Every bike I have ever owned has been a daily driver for me as well as traveling machine.That's why I can get so many miles on the clock but not really travel very far. I have been down to San Diego and up to Sturgis with it(twice). I have a twin so I have to watch my gas,but by the time the tank is ready to be filled I am ready to empty mine. Since mine is a Limited it came as an SE5. I have never regretted not having a clutch and I do shift just not with my foot. I shift it both up and down.Since it is a twin it likes to run higher RPM then I was used to from the Venture,but I have gotten used to that. Mine has been stone reliable and I have never worried about it. I think the mechanicals are very reliable.Both Rotax and BRP have been building quality machines for a long time. I do worry about the electronics sometimes but we all have that worry on modern vehicle I think. i have done multiple 500 mile days on it and always been comfortable. I can load all I need on the bike by it's self. When I went to the 75th anniversary of Sturgis I carried an 8 man tent sleeping pad sleeping bag stove, Cpap,Lap Top,cords, clothes, rain gear,camera,some tools, meds. It all fit and rode just fine. I do my own oil changes. I buy Shell Rotella Synthetic 5w40 at Walmart when it is on sale and I buy my filters and O rings and copper washers from BajaRon at a really great price. and change the oil every 4500mi,the recommended interval. I changed out my own plugs and wires when It was called for. I managed to remove the cumbersome factory air filter box but when It came time to reassemble it I put a JT machine air filter on it to simplify things. The noise level went up a bit not much.I still run the factory muffler because it is quiet. I have car tires all the way all the way around and they handle great. I don't know what brand they are,it's what my small town tire dealer said was the best he had so that was fine with me. So far I have over 30,000 miles on the rear and 20,000 on the fronts.They will probably do another 10-15000,but the rear is due for a change.

Rear suspension air compressor went out but that was my fault,hooked up the ride sensor wrong. The paddle shifter also broke but that was also my fault.Part there is outrageous,but labor wasn't to bad. My wife only rides with me occasionally. She finds it safe and comfortable. Since I dumped us on the ground several years ago her enthusiasm is somewhat dampened. I put a gel pad from Motorcycledave.com in the seat and it is much more comfortable. No $1000 seats for me,too much money. This has gone on too long but that gives you must of my thoughts. And I am sure more questions will come.

[bikerbillone]

Paul (Pegasus) finally found it, I was searching under 'new posts', thought it all appeared there, but maybe not. Thanks for the post, it's a keeper for me to file. I was impressed at the mileage you've gotten on the tires, and you're doing your oil changes.

Bill

[trikermutha]

Still eyeing the Spyder I see.

[bikerbillone]

Yes, still eying, cotton candy mostly. Wife and I tripped over to Kissimmee yesterday to check out the show room floor, what a disappointment that was, everything on the floor but what I wanted to look at and touch; couple sales guys approached us and knew nothing, just loud. That dealership was built up in my mind, and then, oh well, we got a day ride in. I want to look at something, I'll have to make a Tampa run.

[Pegasus1300]

Paul (Pegasus) finally found it, I was searching under 'new posts', thought it all appeared there, but maybe not. Thanks for the post, it's a keeper for me to file. I was impressed at the mileage you've gotten on the tires, and you're doing your oil changes.

Bill

Going to auto tires when the stock tires wore out has been a blessing. I got better handling and longer wear. If I don't do my own oil changes,I can't afford to drive it as much as I do.