Newbie, Spyder vs Ryker

Grayson · May 8, 2021

So I'm very new to motorcycles altogether. Considering a trike or reverse trike as a starter. I think the HD Freewheeler looks awesome, but that's just not in the budget.

I gotta admit, at first glance I thought the Ryker was uglier than sin - but it's grown on me the more I look into it. Kinda reminds me of the Ruger LCR, I went from "that's the ugliest gun I've seen in my life" to being my daily CCW for years.

But anyway as I'm reading more, I'm wondering if the Spyder might not be more for me? Of course the cost is more, but still in reach for me. The power steering is mainly what does it, I keep reading that it's easier to handle than the Ryker. I'd be driving around a rural area mostly, lots of narrow winding roads with quite a few hills, with a bit of town riding for my average daily commute.

I'm hopefully going to head to a dealer, maybe later today even, to get a look-see. If I'm lucky I might get to tool around the parking lot...but without an M endorsement I'm not counting on it.

Big Juice · May 9, 2021

The Ryker's new cost is unbeatable, if that is most important. I have not spoke to anyone who didn't like what the Ryker offers for the price, it's fast, easy to ride, automatic and very easy on the pocketbook. Having said that, I love my 2017 F3-Limited, bought new (38K on it now). I moved from a conventional 1900cc V-twin trike that had 50K miles on it, to the Spyder. I look at those two bikes for me as being, the conventional trike as my Cadillac, and the Spyder as my Corvette. There is nothing, I think, that is safer for a motorcycle.

Your best option is always to test ride each style first and get YOUR impression of that style/ride/cost. Good luck and enjoy your new ride as it will be.......

RayBj · May 10, 2021

3 different experiences to choose from

Your new Can-Am trike needs to meet YOUR personal riding style.

The Rykers are smaller, lighter, more spartan, and cheaper than the Spyders. Not really built for long days or comfort but looks like a blast to play with!

The Spyders are better equipped for comfort and all-day/ multi-day trips.

You need to know HOW you plan to use yours before deciding. If you just want to tool around your area for the fun-factor, Ryker may be all you need. Beyond that, seriously consider the Spyders. The F3 is 'sportier' than the RT. The RT has a more protective fairing than the F3 & floorboards that make long days on board better for shifting your legs.

Grayson · May 10, 2021

Thanks all! I did make it to the dealership. It was hopping, every Can Am they had was sold already.

At the time I was strongly leaning Spyder, but I'll have to give it some thought. Long trips aren't really my thing. But that can (and IMO, honestly SHOULD) change. My daily commute is about 15 miles one-way over hills and curvy roads. I'm guessing it's subjective whether for that I would *need* the extra comfort of the Spyder. For what it's worth, the dealer is about an hour drive away on a very scenic route I could see as being a great ride.

Storage space is also something to consider...wish I'd have gotten them to show me the stock options in the lone Ryker they had in. But from what I'm reading all Can-Ams look very highly customizable with options in that department.

I'm thinking doing what it takes to get a test ride in is the best next move, along with really deciding if I'm going to do more than fool around and commute on it.

I do know just from sitting on a Ryker that even though I'm not *that* "THICC," the upgraded seat would be a good investment, lol!

RykerRick · May 10, 2021

It really depends on what kind of riding that you're going to want to do, and whether or not you will carry a passenger. The Spyder by far is a better long distance machine and much better for carrying a passenger comfortably. The Spyder also has power steering and the Rally doesnt. The standard Rally 900 would need upgraded suspension to carry a passenger, and the additional passenger seat and backrest would need to be added. The Rally Edition already comes with the upgraded suspension as well as a few other things. I've ridden both Spyders and the Ryker before buying and chose the Ryker Rally. The Spyder was nice and if I had planned to ride two up, I probably would have gone that route, they are great machines. But, I went with the Ryker over the F3 for several reasons.

Price, I've had bikes that easily cost twice as much as my Ryker Rally Edition, and what they are currently selling the Rykers for are a bargain, so I can still afford to have some two wheelers in the stable. The Rykers are really best for local around town, or short one day trip types of riding. I've upgraded my Ryker to be able to do both local and long distance trips equally as well.

Also I'm a solo rider and never ride with a passenger. I do a lot of long distance rides by myself, its just my me time and the performance of the Ryker just ticks the box. Performance, I've mostly owned sportier bikes or sport touring bikes because thats what has always appealed to me. I've also owned Harleys and two Goldwings, but just about everything else was sports or sport touring bikes. The Ryker is shaft drive compared to the belt drive on the Spyders, and after owning several shaft drive bikes, I really prefer the shaft drive system over belts or chain for the obvious reasons.

Performance again, the Ryker is smaller, lighter, sportier, more agile and maneuvers on a dime, and as already mentioned, its fast. You sit in the Ryker compared to sitting on the Spyder. This helps with that becoming one with the machine feel. Because I usually do a couple of long distance trips every year from central Florida to Tennessee & NC for a weeks worth of riding those beautiful twisty Smoky Mountain roads, I've spent considerable time setting the Ryker up so that its capable for long distance trips.

I've added luggage, cruise control, upgraded to the Comfort Seat and a backrest, Auxiliary driving lights, upgraded horn, LED brake light strobe, additional USB power ports, Garmin Dash Cam Mini, Garmin Zumo GPS (already owned), upgraded sway bar & end links (the factory ones are not too good), insulated drink holder and a few other items. So I probably added another couple thousand dollars getting it set up for solo touring and still I'm $9,000 under the RT SE and $3000 under the basic F3 SE with no luggage.

I now call it the Ryker Rally Sport Touring Edition. Those are the reasons I personally went with the Ryker. Since I've only ridden a couple of Spyders and never owned one, I'm not sure what if any upgrades will be necessary on the Spyders, I'm sure someone will chime in about that. A buddy of mine owns a 18 Spyder and has done some upgrades but I dont know what all other than the seat. I do know that he loves it and wouldnt think of parting with it. A few pics of the Ryker Rally Sport Touring Edition.

pioneer11 · May 10, 2021

I provide this as just another data point.

After many years on Harley "regular" trikes I traded in for a Ryker 900 (not Rally). My riding consists of one up commuting and relatively short (<100 mile) weekend joy rides.

I consider the Ryker much better suited for my use. It is much better handling and has plenty of zip when needed.

YMMV.

Gorilla · May 10, 2021

RykerRick said:
It really depends on what kind of riding that you're going to want to do, and whether or not you will carry a passenger. The Spyder by far is a better long distance machine and much better for carrying a passenger comfortably. The Spyder also has power steering and the Rally doesnt. The standard Rally 900 would need upgraded suspension to carry a passenger, and the additional passenger seat and backrest would need to be added. The Rally Edition already comes with the upgraded suspension as well as a few other things. I've ridden both Spyders and the Ryker before buying and chose the Ryker Rally. The Spyder was nice and if I had planned to ride two up, I probably would have gone that route, they are great machines. But, I went with the Ryker over the F3 for several reasons.

Price, I've had bikes that easily cost twice as much as my Ryker Rally Edition, and what they are currently selling the Rykers for are a bargain, so I can still afford to have some two wheelers in the stable. The Rykers are really best for local around town, or short one day trip types of riding. I've upgraded my Ryker to be able to do both local and long distance trips equally as well.

Also I'm a solo rider and never ride with a passenger. I do a lot of long distance rides by myself, its just my me time and the performance of the Ryker just ticks the box. Performance, I've mostly owned sportier bikes or sport touring bikes because thats what has always appealed to me. I've also owned Harleys and two Goldwings, but just about everything else was sports or sport touring bikes. The Ryker is shaft drive compared to the belt drive on the Spyders, and after owning several shaft drive bikes, I really prefer the shaft drive system over belts or chain for the obvious reasons.

Performance again, the Ryker is smaller, lighter, sportier, more agile and maneuvers on a dime, and as already mentioned, its fast. You sit in the Ryker compared to sitting on the Spyder. This helps with that becoming one with the machine feel. Because I usually do a couple of long distance trips every year from central Florida to Tennessee & NC for a weeks worth of riding those beautiful twisty Smoky Mountain roads, I've spent considerable time setting the Ryker up for so that its capable for long distance trips.

I've added luggage, cruise control, upgraded to the Comfort Seat and a backrest, Auxiliary driving lights, upgraded horn, LED brake light strobe, additional USB power ports, Garmin Dash Cam Mini, Garmin Zumo GPS (already owned), upgraded sway bar & end links (the factory ones are not good), insulated drink holder and a few other items. So I probably added another couple thousand dollars getting it set up for solo touring and still I'm $9,000 under the RT SE and $3000 under the basic F3 SE with no luggage.

I now call it the Ryker Rally Sport Touring Edition. Those are the reasons I personally went with the Rally.Since I've only ridden a couple of Spyders and never owned one, I'm not sure what if any upgrades will be necessary on the Spyders, I'm sure someone will chime in about that. A buddy of mine owns a 18 Spyder and has done some upgrades but I dont know what all other than the seat. I do know that he loves it and wouldnt think of parting with it. A few pics of the Ryker Rally Sport Touring Edition.

VERY VERY nice

Grayson · May 12, 2021

Gorilla said:
VERY VERY nice

I'll second that, thanks for the pictures and write-up. That's an awesome looking ride.

RykerRick · May 12, 2021

Thank you both. It took about 7 months to slowly get it to where I wanted it. Its still not as good as a Spyder on the long distance hauls and never will be, but I think its as close as a Ryker can get and still retain some of its sportiness, if that's a word. The last accessory added was auxiliary driving lights. I put them on to be better seen by cage drivers during the day, but they made a nice difference at night too.

paws · May 13, 2021

Rick!

Very well done!

I like it!

Must say...this looks like a well groomed muscle man in a tuxedo just waiting to show off it’s underlying beast!

RykerRick · May 24, 2021

Thanks Carla.

MikeyTX · May 26, 2021

I have the twin to Paws scoot. I like having the full length floor boards along with the more protected feeling the RT Ltd gives me. The storage is outstanding. The optional hot tub and back massager are the cats meow.

bikerbillone · May 27, 2021

Some very good comments here for sure and I'm glad to see some information on this forum about the Spyder and the Ryker. Do you ride, or anticipate ever riding two up, then your option would be the Spyder RT. After some years on the GS/RoadSmith conversion, I opted for a 2020 RTL because it was the first year for more storage space, that was the trigger. My wife loves that machine so we ride two up most everywhere. We live in central FL as an earlier poster and do the ride up to TN for some 'different riding experiences.

MikeyTX · May 27, 2021

Do keep one thing in mind. Regardless of which model you eventually purchase, cut up your credit cards. :laugh: There are way to many "Gotta Haves" on the web.

Burnerboy · May 27, 2021

I have to say that the first time that I test road the spyder, I love'd it................

We ride with a couple of folks that has spyder's and they all love em!

Ronnie

rhino 2 · May 27, 2021

Outside of the Spyder not being ready for prime time [First ones of the line 08] I loved mine....I'm sure they are ready now....

Frankensport · Jun 10, 2021

I have a 2015 f3s that I bought used last year one year after I bought a new Ryker 600. I use the Ryker for my daily commute of 20 miles. To the question of one over the other, it's just a matter of convenience or comfort to me. The f3s rides like I am floating compared to the Ryker. That said, I think maybe a good mid-choice ride for me would be the Ryker Rally. Better shocks, better swaybar make it more comparable to a Spyder. Perhaps you should consider buying a used one for your first. Then if you want to go in a different direction, you won't take a big hit on your investment.

cavie · Jul 26, 2021

Ryker is a sporty bar hopper. Spyder is a cruising motor cycle.

Pegasus1300 · Jul 27, 2021

I got home Saturday night 7/12 from the Deadwood 3Wheeler Rally,Deadwood SD. My old 2012 SpyderRTL did just great. 2300 miles.It now has 68,000+ miles and still going good. I am very pleased with my choice for a general all around rider. I can ride it to the store,up the twisty canyons,around town or to the next couple of states. Although some have made great tourers out of the Ryker to my mind the Spyder RT is the best do anything 3 wheeler.