Spyder vs Other

[kmonroe99]

I know this is a Can Am forum, and I'm a current Ryker Rally owner, but I'm looking to "move up." So I'm looking for experience/thoughts on the Spyder F3/RT vs HD Ultra or Honda conversions.

I'm looking for something with more driver comfort and ease of use; passenger use would only be about 10%. I despise the local (SE FL coast) Can Am dealer where I got my Ryker but there's not much choice for local maintenance; lots of HD shops around. Yeah cost of the HD looks higher and I've seen lots of comments that make me think I'd have to do a bunch of mod's for comfort and heat control right out the gate.

Comments?

 

[Warped]

Yes you will have to do a lot of mods right away on the HD and it still wont be that great !

I bought a 2022 Tri Glide in Sept of last year between the heat, the air buffeting, the rough ride, and the handling

I am seriously considering a Spyder Touring bike like the Sea to Sky

I have spent numerous Ben Franklins on air deflectors, floor board extensions, windshields, lift kits, and different helmets

and it still isnt a good piece of equiptment

I had a Goldwing with a Champion trike kit before. A 2005 model and it was by far a better trike. Even though it was 17 years older than this Harley Ferguson

 

[cycle7447]

I know this is a Can Am forum, and I'm a current Ryker Rally owner, but I'm looking to "move up." So I'm looking for experience/thoughts on the Spyder F3/RT vs HD Ultra or Honda conversions.

I'm looking for something with more driver comfort and ease of use; passenger use would only be about 10%. I despise the local (SE FL coast) Can Am dealer where I got my Ryker but there's not much choice for local maintenance; lots of HD shops around. Yeah cost of the HD looks higher and I've seen lots of comments that make me think I'd have to do a bunch of mod's for comfort and heat control right out the gate.

Comments?

Sir - it seems like Warpad had a few concerns. I ride a Harley trike - but, not a TriGlide. Years ago, my wife had a GoldWing trike with a MotorTrike conversion; we love it.

So, when I was ready for a trike, instead of moving to a TriGlde, I converted my 2021 Ultra to a trike with the California Sidecar package. All of the upgrades and mods that Warpad mentioned are not an issue with this conversion.

It starts with the fact that the suspension is independent. You can also get the bike raked - in my caser, CSC uses 11 deg for the Harley. Add to that, the kit has a 5 year warranty.

So, while I will not steer you from the TriGlide, please consider a conversion.

 

[kmonroe99]

Sir - it seems like Warpad had a few concerns. I ride a Harley trike - but, not a TriGlide. Years ago, my wife had a GoldWing trike with a MotorTrike conversion; we love it.

So, when I was ready for a trike, instead of moving to a TriGlde, I converted my 2021 Ultra to a trike with the California Sidecar package. All of the upgrades and mods that Warpad mentioned are not an issue with this conversion.

It starts with the fact that the suspension is independent. You can also get the bike raked - in my caser, CSC uses 11 deg for the Harley. Add to that, the kit has a 5 year warranty.

So, while I will not steer you from the TriGlide, please consider a conversion.

Very nice looking bike.

 

[Pegasus1300]

I rode a Gold Wing conversion for 4 years and over 40,000. It did everything a gold Wing was supposed to do. In the end I sold it and got a Can Am Spyder RTL. That was 8 years ago and I still love it. It runs great, is very comfortable, and still looks pretty good at 75,000+ miles. There have been a few glitches along the way but nothing terminal It is a 2012 model so it has the older VTwin/SE5 engine and transmission, but still goes down the road at freeway speeds, and is still very comfortable.

 

[Notgrownup]

Unfortunately not every bike is right for everyone. For me my Tri Glide fits perfectly. The right recurve windscreen from LRS is really all I needed … rode it for 2 years now and we’ve put lime 10000 miles on it. Got it dialed in now. Can-am is just not for me but seems to work with many. Good luck in your search and research.

 

[rhino 2]

Can Am ‘ Honda ‘ Harley’ What ever makes you feel right.! No one machine fits all ..

 

[wlivin2]

Test drive all and buy what fits you and your comfort. Then you will be happy.

 

[cycle7447]

Very nice looking bike.

Thanks - we love it

 

[Delkhouri]

I know this is a Can Am forum, and I'm a current Ryker Rally owner, but I'm looking to "move up." So I'm looking for experience/thoughts on the Spyder F3/RT vs HD Ultra or Honda conversions.

I'm looking for something with more driver comfort and ease of use; passenger use would only be about 10%. I despise the local (SE FL coast) Can Am dealer where I got my Ryker but there's not much choice for local maintenance; lots of HD shops around. Yeah cost of the HD looks higher and I've seen lots of comments that make me think I'd have to do a bunch of mod's for comfort and heat control right out the gate.

Comments?

I am in the same boat as you. I have a Ryker Rally and while i like it, I want to get into some longer trips and the wife and oldest daughter have shown interest in rides as well. So the Ryker is just not the right tool for the job for me. I am looking into spyders and freewheelers. I have not made a decision yet but here are my thoughts

Spyder Pros: Easier to just hop on and ride right from the start- Semi auto and single brake are just easier, I am already used to the configuration, more comfortable, better handling, often less expensive.

Spyder Cons: Bad dealers/dealer network, too many electronics, longevity concerns

Freewheeler Pro: Dealer Network, way more aftermarket accessories, longer lasting/easier to work on, looks and feels like a motorcycle

Freewheeler Cons: Expensive, Need to customize it out of the box, comfort

I am looking in the used market with a budget of mid to upper teens. So that leaves me with 16-18 Spyder F3T's or 15-16 Freewheelers with the Twin Cam 103

 

[kmonroe99]

I have to agree with your Pro's and Con's. My personal experience with Spyder where I live is the dealer network/support is just horrendous; same with sales. The closest dealer is about an hour away; there's at least 3 good HD shops right in town.

I am in the same boat as you. I have a Ryker Rally and while i like it, I want to get into some longer trips and the wife and oldest daughter have shown interest in rides as well. So the Ryker is just not the right tool for the job for me. I am looking into spyders and freewheelers. I have not made a decision yet but here are my thoughts

Spyder Pros: Easier to just hop on and ride right from the start- Semi auto and single brake are just easier, I am already used to the configuration, more comfortable, better handling, often less expensive.

Spyder Cons: Bad dealers/dealer network, too many electronics, longevity concerns

Freewheeler Pro: Dealer Network, way more aftermarket accessories, longer lasting/easier to work on, looks and feels like a motorcycle

Freewheeler Cons: Expensive, Need to customize it out of the box, comfort

I am looking in the used market with a budget of mid to upper teens. So that leaves me with 16-18 Spyder F3T's or 15-16 Freewheelers with the Twin Cam 103

 

[Delkhouri]

I have to agree with your Pro's and Con's. My personal experience with Spyder where I live is the dealer network/support is just horrendous; same with sales. The closest dealer is about an hour away; there's at least 3 good HD shops right in town.

Locally they jack up the price like crazy... when i went to get my ryker the local shop wanted nearly $16.5k after all the additional fees they added on. It cost 11,500 new so that's $5k in taxes, fees, and add ons... I passed and bought a used one.

 

[Deplorable]

I had my GoldWing converted to a reverse trike at https://Endeavortrikes.com

I chose the GoldWing over the CanAm because I knew it fit my wife and I without a bunch of mods. The reverse kit doesn't change the ride or ergonomics of the bike. We tried a CanAm but it just didn't fit. The only suggestion the dealer had was to try a different seat and relocate the handle bars for a start. I didn't like the idea of putting about $2000 into a brand new trike before the first ride.

I also considered the pros and cons listed above and just couldn't justify a CanAm.

Endeavor can convert most brands and models of bikes. If you have a bike that fits you this could be a good way to go.

 

[Notgrownup]

One of the main reasons I gravitated to the Tri Glide is I know how to work on Harleys and the dealer network is vast. I would like to get a CSC converted Ultra limited. This would be my other choice or a Goldwing CSC conversion. I just can’t make myself like a Canam. I would test ride as many styles you are thinking of before you make a choice. It’s a huge investment in your pleasure. I have upgraded my suspension, seat, cooling options on my Tri Glide and I love it.

Good luck choosing and most importantly, choose what you like and enjoy.