[uppercaseJCT]

I have been a dedicated motorcyclist for years and owned everything from small bike to Harleys and Gold Wings. I am very interested in possibly buying a Spyder. I have joined the group to learn more about them until I make the plunge. I have a few questions:

Can I corner close to the same speed as I can on two wheels (current ride Harley Street Glide)

Is it a little scary at first going around sweepers.

How is it for stopping from high speeds

What kind of mileage can I expect on a tank of fuel?

I assume many of you rode motorcycles prior to buying Spyders? Are you still reaching for the front brake lever?
Thanks in advace for your help.

[nickcaro]

uppercaseJCT, on 19 November 2009 - 03:44 PM, said:

I have been a dedicated motorcyclist for years and owned everything from small bike to Harleys and Gold Wings. I am very interested in possibly buying a Spyder. I have joined the group to learn more about them until I make the plunge. I have a few questions:

Can I corner close to the same speed as I can on two wheels (current ride Harley Street Glide)

Never riden a street glide, so I may not be able to help you on that one. I can tell you that I used to be able to hit turns on my 1125r with tremendous more speed than I can with the Spyder. Biggest difference now, is that I don't worry about what's around the corner. If I come across sand, gravel, road kill or even disabled vehicles I'm confident that I can push through on the Spyder... so in the fall with leaves on the ground after two days of raining-> I can take turns much faster on the Spyder.

uppercaseJCT, on 19 November 2009 - 03:44 PM, said:

Is it a little scary at first going around sweepers.

yeah, it can be terrifying if you try to lean over like you would on two wheels. You need to re-train yourself to handling the Spyder. It took my about 1k miles to really get the hang of it and the learning continues. I remember hitting 25k miles and still learning new ways to take turns. The learning comes quick, but you need to take it easy while it all settles in. Just try to go back to the first time you take a nice turn on two wheels..

uppercaseJCT, on 19 November 2009 - 03:44 PM, said:

How is it for stopping from high speeds

stops like a train. I'm a commuter and its common to be flying down the parkway and as you come over a little hill or around the curve you are faced with dead traffic. I love the fact that I can jam those brakes with all force and not worry about loosing control.

uppercaseJCT, on 19 November 2009 - 03:44 PM, said:

What kind of mileage can I expect on a tank of fuel?

I have a spasm in my right hand, so I use more gas than needed. I get about 140 miles with 5 gallons

uppercaseJCT, on 19 November 2009 - 03:44 PM, said:

I assume many of you rode motorcycles prior to buying Spyders? Are you still reaching for the front brake lever?

For the first 1k - 2k miles I had a few moments of panic where I would reach for the hand brake and freak out as soon as I realized that it was not there. It's enough to scare you silly in the right situations. All I can say is that I have adapted to it and in time, I'm sure anyone can do the same. I had the same level of panic when entering curves and realizing that my leaning was not steering me.

There are many factors that you have to shake loose from the world of two wheels. I have not owned a car in many years, and motorcycles are my only means of transportation. Spyder has no hand brake and you do not lean to initiate turns.
My biggest fear was if I would forget about the hand brake when going back on two wheels. All I can say is that everyone's experience will vary and I have been able to go back and forth from 2 and 3 wheels without forgetting what I'm on, I don't think about it and it works. * But I do constantly remind myself for the first 10 minutes or so..."I'm on two wheels," or, "I'm on three wheels" 8-)

uppercaseJCT, on 19 November 2009 - 03:44 PM, said:

Thanks in advace for your help.

Welcome to the board and good luck on your searches. Head on down to a local dealer and get yourself a test ride.