First let me say where I am coming from. I own a 1800 ( 2008) Eurowing Trike.
For some time now we have toyed with the idea of changing over to the spyder -RT. This machine was obviuosly targeted at the goldwing community. Looking at its specs one could well image that it would be comparable to my own trike.
Last week we had the chance to have a full days test ride, actually we had to hire it for the day. We could have had a 30 min ride for free but we really needed to see it if was as good as our Goldwing trike. Boy were we disappointed. The specs of the Spyder -Rt are really impressive as it has computers coming out of ever aspect of the machine. Unfortunately this also meant it took control in the most unexpected situations.
The one thing we just couldn't get use to was its computers taking over when ever it thought we were going round bends to fast. The fuel to the engine is reduced once the computers feel that one of the wheels is about to be raised( off the road). Then just as you come out of the bend it would feed the fuel back on with the resulting surge of power, most un-nerving. On normal sweeping turns it acted immaculately but on really enjoyable twisties- mountain passes- it was a bit frightening. It has SCS and TCS controls as well as ABS.
The steering was the heaviest I have ever encountered, I have ridden sidecars for years , ones without any rake, and fully loaded. Nothing compared to this for being heavy. Again, great on the normal roads but to try and do sharp bends took quite a considerable amount of force. We were told that you had to practically lean off the machine ( similar to sidecar racers) to get the best out of it in those situation. Could be great fun but not for me at my age.
I just love the power of the GL 1800 its ability to just trickle along in any gear with no fuss. Its flexibility is astonishing. My previous bikes being ST1100 and GSX1400s ( Before that 96 different bikes- UK and Japanese) and none compare to the GL1800. Perhaps I started from too a high bench mark for the test ride !
Does the Spyder compare in this area. No, you are constantly changing up or down, great if you enjoy a lower powered motor bike but I think most goldwing owners come from a different approach. Just cruising sedately along just isn't for this machine. Overtaking at speed didn't compare to the power of the GL either. If you wacked the power open you could certaily get it to move and for a 1000cc twin it was impressive. No comparison to the surging power of those 1800 cc beating below you.
Fuel consumption was terrible , I estimate that on our ride it was returning less that 25 mpg and this was mainly on country roads. We would need to been filling up around every 160-80 miles or so.
Finish to the Rt was superb and the extra facilities you get are quite impressive, although I couldn't understand why you had to pay extra to have the facility to have bike coms. You also had to include CB?
The noise from the exhaust was meaty to say the least and would be enjoyed by those who like that sort of think. To live with it for a long ride - 6-7 hours would be rather stressful ( to me).
The riding position was reasonable but a little cramped for me and I am only 5-8. A large person would find the handle bars very close.
Its semi auto gear change was quite good and very quick on the up change.
It was manual on changing up and auto for down. Press button gear changing means no clutch only a foot brake which operate all three wheels.
Perhaps the most unsettling thing we experienced was the handling and its power.
This was a review by MCN some time ago.
Odd handling is another issue to contend with. Our test units were setup with the front suspension in its softest setting, which translated to a smooth ride but sloppy handling. Adjusting those shocks requires lifting the bike—not exactly a casual driveway operation. The electro-pneumatic rear suspension on the RT-S adjusts with the push of a button, but even in its stiffest setting the bike doesn’t inspire confidence: turn-in is vague, and it’s difficult to gauge how steering input translates to direction change. Blame overboosted steering, suspension geometry, or the whale-ish amounts of weight this three-wheeler is forced to carry on the road. Bottom line: the Spyder RT’s disconcerting handling takes the fun out of direction changes.
This is just my two penny worth for those who are thinking of jettisoning their goldwing trike for the Spyder. I am sure there are hundreds of satisfied Spyder riders but one wonders if they are past goldwing trike riders?
For some time now we have toyed with the idea of changing over to the spyder -RT. This machine was obviuosly targeted at the goldwing community. Looking at its specs one could well image that it would be comparable to my own trike.
Last week we had the chance to have a full days test ride, actually we had to hire it for the day. We could have had a 30 min ride for free but we really needed to see it if was as good as our Goldwing trike. Boy were we disappointed. The specs of the Spyder -Rt are really impressive as it has computers coming out of ever aspect of the machine. Unfortunately this also meant it took control in the most unexpected situations.
The one thing we just couldn't get use to was its computers taking over when ever it thought we were going round bends to fast. The fuel to the engine is reduced once the computers feel that one of the wheels is about to be raised( off the road). Then just as you come out of the bend it would feed the fuel back on with the resulting surge of power, most un-nerving. On normal sweeping turns it acted immaculately but on really enjoyable twisties- mountain passes- it was a bit frightening. It has SCS and TCS controls as well as ABS.
The steering was the heaviest I have ever encountered, I have ridden sidecars for years , ones without any rake, and fully loaded. Nothing compared to this for being heavy. Again, great on the normal roads but to try and do sharp bends took quite a considerable amount of force. We were told that you had to practically lean off the machine ( similar to sidecar racers) to get the best out of it in those situation. Could be great fun but not for me at my age.
I just love the power of the GL 1800 its ability to just trickle along in any gear with no fuss. Its flexibility is astonishing. My previous bikes being ST1100 and GSX1400s ( Before that 96 different bikes- UK and Japanese) and none compare to the GL1800. Perhaps I started from too a high bench mark for the test ride !
Does the Spyder compare in this area. No, you are constantly changing up or down, great if you enjoy a lower powered motor bike but I think most goldwing owners come from a different approach. Just cruising sedately along just isn't for this machine. Overtaking at speed didn't compare to the power of the GL either. If you wacked the power open you could certaily get it to move and for a 1000cc twin it was impressive. No comparison to the surging power of those 1800 cc beating below you.
Fuel consumption was terrible , I estimate that on our ride it was returning less that 25 mpg and this was mainly on country roads. We would need to been filling up around every 160-80 miles or so.
Finish to the Rt was superb and the extra facilities you get are quite impressive, although I couldn't understand why you had to pay extra to have the facility to have bike coms. You also had to include CB?
The noise from the exhaust was meaty to say the least and would be enjoyed by those who like that sort of think. To live with it for a long ride - 6-7 hours would be rather stressful ( to me).
The riding position was reasonable but a little cramped for me and I am only 5-8. A large person would find the handle bars very close.
Its semi auto gear change was quite good and very quick on the up change.
It was manual on changing up and auto for down. Press button gear changing means no clutch only a foot brake which operate all three wheels.
Perhaps the most unsettling thing we experienced was the handling and its power.
This was a review by MCN some time ago.
Odd handling is another issue to contend with. Our test units were setup with the front suspension in its softest setting, which translated to a smooth ride but sloppy handling. Adjusting those shocks requires lifting the bike—not exactly a casual driveway operation. The electro-pneumatic rear suspension on the RT-S adjusts with the push of a button, but even in its stiffest setting the bike doesn’t inspire confidence: turn-in is vague, and it’s difficult to gauge how steering input translates to direction change. Blame overboosted steering, suspension geometry, or the whale-ish amounts of weight this three-wheeler is forced to carry on the road. Bottom line: the Spyder RT’s disconcerting handling takes the fun out of direction changes.
This is just my two penny worth for those who are thinking of jettisoning their goldwing trike for the Spyder. I am sure there are hundreds of satisfied Spyder riders but one wonders if they are past goldwing trike riders?
:blush:
