[Steve The Greeen]

Took a ride for the first time on the Spyder. Wasn't "thrilled". It would take some getting used to. I road the RT-S with my girlfriend. It handled more like a SeaDoo than a bike. The acceleration was not what I was expecting. It didn't have much of any acceleration after 70mph.

I did like the overall highway ride. Nice and smooth. The adjustable ride control really made a difference. I liked the layout of the controls. Seat was comfortable. Loved the heated grips and stereo. Love the looks. Got tons of comments.

I rode on the back with my girlfriend driving around the neighborhood. I was "really high" up there. Felt every sway of the bike. Had to hang on!

I was expecting to be "wowed" or "thrilled", but walked away thinking twice about it. Might still get it for my girlfriend. But not sure I'd get one for myself. Now, if it had more power at highway speed, I might not be so resistant....but not sure that much power is a good thing! Ha!

Not being critical. Just jotting down a few notes. Maybe some of you had a similar "first ride" experience?

[SpyderByte]

My first ride on the RS was not the most comfortable, but I knew there were many modifications I could do to make it more suitable for my body and riding style. I was right I have logged 34,000 miles on the RS model. The RS has NEVER lacked for power or acceleration. Maybe an RS would be more fun for you. I prefer the RS over the RT because it is more like a motorcycle. Are you coming from a 2-wheeler? It certainly is not the same thing. After 37 years of riding a 2-wheeler, it sure was different for me. Have you tried the Spyder RS? If not, I suggest you do so. Just my two cents--after all, you asked.

[SpydherLuv]

I agree with Spyderbyte, if you're looking for more agility and power, test ride an RS . You do have to keep in mind that these handle nothing like a motorcycle, so try to keep your expectations to a minimum and enjoy the ride.
My first test ride was on a RS-Semi Auto and I wasn't super thrilled with the way it shifted and purchased a RS-Manual. It didn't take long before I realized that perhaps I should have given the semi-auto another test ride before deciding because the clutch was pretty stiff for my hand. I was able to test ride an RT-S at a demo show the local dealer had here in the summer and that's when I was told how the Semi-auto's actually shifted, and fell in love. So, I now own an RT-S, Semi-auto. I miss the spunk of the RS, but I have so many more amenities on the RT that it makes up for it.

[Steve The Greeen]

Not interested in an RS. I'm thinking about getting one with a trailer for touring with my girlfriend. Also, something for her to ride.

Are there power commanders, fuel maps, mufflers, cams, etc that might increase the acceleration?

[SpyderByte]

She can ride an RS like many of us females. Also, an RS is perfectly capable of towing a trailer as many people do.

[bigjohn]

I didn't like my spyder for the first 150 miles or so...takes a lot of getting used to and I had a goldwing trike before getting the spyder. Big thing about the sway is to tighten up the front shocks.....an absolute world of difference.

As far as acceleration goes , I have had no problems , crack the throttle at 70 and can feel it go and that's riding two up.

Spyders are a different breed...you either love them or hate them...I'm glad I didn't give up, I love it now.

[poucherg]

I've had my Rt for a little over a month. When I first got it, I'll have to admit I did wonder if I had made a mistake. I traded an 07 venture for it. Now, I'm so glad I did. I am really just now getting totally comfrotable with spyder. I have had no problem with acceleration, at 70, if I crank the throttle, I have to watch it or run the risk of going to jail, hits 90 i blink of an eye. I say if there are things you like about it, get it ride it like you stole it.

[Valleyspyder]

I purchased mine the first year it was available in the states.
I never took it for a test drive.
I was reading about it for a couple years and really getting knowledgeable about the technology and the companies behind it.
I was leery about the company at first because I have never heard of BRP or Can Am (it's because I don't do outdoor or water activities), then I did more reading of it's history and was impressed.
I had to get it.
The first time I rode it was the morning that I purchased it.
I was on it for a mile until I had to get on the highway to get home.
I was in the New Haven area of 95 and that place is full of other vehicles and the highway at that part is very run down.
You bet I was scared sh*tl%ss.
For the first week of riding it, I thought I made the biggest mistake in my life because it rode nothing like a motorcycle, and it still doesn't.
Now three years later, I just love that darn thing.
Even though I miss the two wheel action and I will buy another two wheeler, I will never ever sell my Spyder.
I definitely one day will be handing this down to my kids, but not when I'm alive. ( it'll be on my will )
Definitely the best vehicle purchase ever for me.

[RattiganRoger]

Valleyspyder, on 24 December 2011 - 08:24 PM, said:

I purchased mine the first year it was available in the states.
I never took it for a test drive.
I was reading about it for a couple years and really getting knowledgeable about the technology and the companies behind it.
I was leery about the company at first because I have never heard of BRP or Can Am (it's because I don't do outdoor or water activities), then I did more reading of it's history and was impressed.
I had to get it.
The first time I rode it was the morning that I purchased it.
I was on it for a mile until I had to get on the highway to get home.
I was in the New Haven area of 95 and that place is full of other vehicles and the highway at that part is very run down.
You bet I was scared sh*tl%ss.
For the first week of riding it, I thought I made the biggest mistake in my life because it rode nothing like a motorcycle, and it still doesn't.
Now three years later, I just love that darn thing.
Even though I miss the two wheel action and I will buy another two wheeler, I will never ever sell my Spyder.
I definitely one day will be handing this down to my kids, but not when I'm alive. ( it'll be on my will )
Definitely the best vehicle purchase ever for me.

agree 100%

[SpyderDon65]

I've been riding on and off road motorcycles for about 38 years of all kinds. I had the opportunity to ride the new (2007 and up) Spypder RS models many times. When the RT model came out in 2010, I sold my GoldWing 1500 and trailer for the new RT-S with trailer. I will say too that I wondered for about the first 1000 miles if I had gone the right route. After I learned how to set the suspension up for me under different conditions and the engine got broken in and I learned how to corner aggresively without being able to lean - I was convinced. Now I wouldn't have it any other way and my wife agrees. The Spyder may not be for everyone but it is the safest 'biking' option out there and has more built in systems , options and storage than any other touring bike for the best price going. The engine performance really seem to come alive after about 3000 miles of break-in to the point that I was quite surprized by the increase.

My suggestion would be to put more time in the driver's seat before putting out the money. I tell others that you need a minimum of 4 hour but preferably a day or two in the saddle to start to appreciate all that a Spyder is. As I've said - 'I love it!!".

This post has been edited by SpyderDon65: 26 December 2011 - 10:33 PM

[hrbeta]

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 12, 43 years ago. I've ridden all types and sizes and I thought I had made a $18K mistake when I got my 2011 GS semi-auto three months ago.
I joined this Forum and started interacting with other Spyder owners and I got advised to give it some time to get used to it. That was the right advise, I got the hang of it now and I absolutely love it. I've been tweaking my Spyder to make it feel even better, more customized to my liking.
Three things I really like about this vehicle over a regular bike, it is more noticeable to car drivers, it feels better when carrying a passenger and my front end won't get from under me.
I might also get me a regular bike in the future but I'll sure keep my Spyder, they are easy to get to love.
Cheers.

[Tonga]

hrbeta, on 01 January 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 12, 43 years ago. I've ridden all types and sizes and I thought I had made a $18K mistake when I got my 2011 GS semi-auto three months ago.
I joined this Forum and started interacting with other Spyder owners and I got advised to give it some time to get used to it. That was the right advise, I got the hang of it now and I absolutely love it. I've been tweaking my Spyder to make it feel even better, more customized to my liking.
Three things I really like about this vehicle over a regular bike, it is more noticeable to car drivers, it feels better when carrying a passenger and my front end won't get from under me.
I might also get me a regular bike in the future but I'll sure keep my Spyder, they are easy to get to love.
Cheers.

I agree! Love my RT!!

[JOESPY]

Felt the same way when i got my rs after adjusting the suspension felt really better, after instaling elka shocks now im the driver.

[doctor]

Steve The Greeen, on 09 December 2011 - 10:48 AM, said:

Took a ride for the first time on the Spyder. Wasn't "thrilled". It would take some getting used to. I road the RT-S with my girlfriend. It handled more like a SeaDoo than a bike. The acceleration was not what I was expecting. It didn't have much of any acceleration after 70mph.

I did like the overall highway ride. Nice and smooth. The adjustable ride control really made a difference. I liked the layout of the controls. Seat was comfortable. Loved the heated grips and stereo. Love the looks. Got tons of comments.

I rode on the back with my girlfriend driving around the neighborhood. I was "really high" up there. Felt every sway of the bike. Had to hang on!

I was expecting to be "wowed" or "thrilled", but walked away thinking twice about it. Might still get it for my girlfriend. But not sure I'd get one for myself. Now, if it had more power at highway speed, I might not be so resistant....but not sure that much power is a good thing! Ha!

Not being critical. Just jotting down a few notes. Maybe some of you had a similar "first ride" experience?

Go with your first impression.

[GCeee]

We're in the UK and we owned a large touring bike of one make or another continuously from 76 to 08. Anything you do and enjoy for 32 years is really hard to give up. In 08 I had a stroke. I'm told it affects different folks in different ways and horror stories about the extremes of that are plentiful and well known. I came out of it not too badly affected, except my sense of balance is slightly off so I gave up two-wheelers, mainly because I didn't know what would happen when I leaned the bike into a corner and I never did raise the courage to try it, so I sold my BeeEmm R1150RT.

Last March I bought a Spyder RT-S SE5 which I can safely ride with confidence now but it took all of last summer and some of the autumn for me to become completely at ease with its peculiar handling characteristics. Neither a car nor a bike, the Spyder is related to both but doesn't behave on the road like either. I read somewhere that without Bosch's stability electronics the Spyder would never have been put on the market, it was simply too unstable to release it for sale.

Personally, I want the Spyder to regenerate some of the fun times we've experienced while touring around Europe and it promises to deliver that in 2012. I can understand why the Spyder handling feels weird for someone coming from a two-wheeled background but my advice is to stick with it, it's worth learning how to ride it.