Just test ridden the Spyder -RT

[extreme10]

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?

[USNrider]

interesting write up, thanks for taking the time to not only take one for a longer than normal test ride, but also for writing up a review on it.

[kiorana123]

I went for the test ride day here in NZ and really should have done first what I ended up doing last. I have an Ultra soon to be trike, so they gave we the super version as tested by you by the sounds of it. I am 6.3 tall and my height is from my hip to my knee, which is why I have the "Tall Boy" seat on my Harley. Well, got on and the seat was so short I couldn't get seated on the thing. That was the end of my test! By the way, I have exactly the same problem with Goldwings and that is not meant to be a snarly observation, it's just they don't fit my body type! Other than that it is expensive and there have been problems if you do the research, it is a new concept. Dealer support in NZ is minimal which is also the problem for Victory. Fred Rau is their "ambassador" and there are some good videos of his on YouTube. Biking and Triking is like buying shoes, you try them on and they may be a great fit for you and the absolute pits for me. Great idea to hire the machine for a day, it gives you the ability to really research a potential purchase. Thank you. Ian.

[Big_Steve]

Thanks for taking the time to write such a thorough review. Had toyed with the idea of going that way before I bought my VTX trike.

[Gorilla]

Good review from a buyer point of view. Thank you

[Stephen]

Rode the spyder and spent a few months on their website checking it out. Riding the spyder was fine but after reading about the spyder I decided to trike my wing. Didn't cost me anymore to trike my wing then I would of buying the basic spyder and I got to keep all my accessories.

[Gorilla]

Rode the spyder and spent a few months on their website checking it out. Riding the spyder was fine but after reading about the spyder I decided to trike my wing. Didn't cost me anymore to trike my wing then I would of buying the basic spyder and I got to keep all my accessories.

And you will have a mightly fine machine too.

[Stephen]

The spyder rt has to much lawyerism in it for me. Read the safety message on the led screen before you can start it, don't turn much or we'll cut the engine out on you... that kinda of stuff. The pricing kinda sucks too, a radio, heated grips and one extra color choice (not the color of your choice blue only) will cost you $2000.00 extra. If you want other color choices add $2000.00 more to the other $2000.00. Sure you get a couple more options with that but still, for me, not worth it. I did enjoy the ride but without that "we've been around a long time and can prove reliability" that the goldwing does have I know I made the right choice by sticking with Honda and installing the roadsmith kit.

[secondroy]

When I knew I was going to a trike I wanted this bike. It just looked good to me. When they were in town for the Big M/C show I went out and took one for a ride. They really did it up good. I had to watch a CD on how to ride a trike and how safe it was before they would even let go through the cones on the lot.

After we finished the cones they let five or six of us follow a leader on the streets. From the get go I felt like this bike was headed for a crash especially when turning. It was way underpowered and just felt out of control. When we got to the turn-around I got off and told the leader to get someone to come out and get the thing, I was through.

Well, he talked me into riding it back but I never got on one again. I bought a GL 1800 Trike and been happy since. A lot a people apparently are happy with this bike and I respect that. It's just not the bike for me.

I mentioned the power problem to the leader and his response was that I was lugging the engine. He said you have to run it up to 5 or 6 K to get it going. I told him I didn't want a bike I had to wind up that high just to leave a stop light. We parted ways.

Good looking trike though. It looks like it just means business.

[jlb]

hmmm, must be a love it or hate it kind of thing. Although I don't have the RT version of the spyder I love my GS & can't imagine riding a traditional trike. I consiidered going to a trike off & on for months but never comitted. I saw a spyder in a parking lot & had my own 2 months later.

I've been riding mine for 18 months now & haven't had the nanny/brain kick in to slow me down ever. Of course, living in IL we don't have any mountain roads to try it out on. I've heard other people say spyders are underpowered. It's never been an issue for me, but they do rev higher than anything i've ridden before. They seem to run best around 3500 so I generally shift around 4000. Go much below 3000rpm & the engine will lug. Again, i've never ridden an RT so maybe all that built in luggage space causes problems somehow. I hope to make a spyder rally in April, i'll have to test ride the RT & see what all the fuss is about.

janetb