• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Considering a Spyder - Can I Ask You Some Questions?

Don't be afraid of the mileage part of the sale if they have a service record, if it's been maintained you'll be OK! If your dreams are doing a bit of traveling the RT will have a bit more luggage space, where the rubber hits the road between the two is that you will sit a small amount differently on an RT vs an F3, and it would be worth your time to go to a dealership and sit on both, then go out and see what you can find on the pre-owned market! It's nice to talk to the person you're buying it from to see why they're selling it! I was down in Tenn a couple of days ago seeing family with my 2012 RTL; found a nice 2025 S2S that had 700 miles on it that the owner just didn't like the way it handled and wanted to go back to two wheels; got a heck of a good deal and came home with that; and my brother-in law got a heck of a deal also! So, take your time, try them out, have fun, and find what's good for you!! :cool:
 
Thanks for all of the info so far. We're definitely focused on 2020 and newer RT's at this point.

I read the F3's sit more like a cruiser bike, which is not where I come from. All the bikes I've owned are more upright seating. So it sounds like the RT's ergos and extra storage might be what I'm after. But I think I'll have the option to sit on both Thursday.
 
jarrett said:
I found a 2022 CAN AM Spyder Roadster F3T for sale by owner.

Is that similar to a RT Limited in terms of two up riding?
Click to expand...
Not quite. Check the Can-Am website for more info. The F3T adds "touring features" (windshield & side saddle bags) to the base F3 model, but is not what I'd consider equivalent to an RT Limited in terms of 2up riding. Can you have a passenger on the F3T (or base RT)? Yes. But there's no topcase/passenger backrest, so much less storage and less "comfort" for your passenger.
F3T "equivalent to" RT
F3L "equivalent to" RTL
 
If you came off sport tourers (Goldwing, etc.) the RT will feel closest in ergos. With the floorboards, you can position your feet under you and shift them forward to stretch out a bit as needed. Also makes standing up super easy. One tip to a smooth ride is allowing the Spyder to track naturally, meaning, just guide the handlebars with a light touch - no death grips! Especially in straight-line riding! Getting used to having only 1 brake pedal takes a little adjusting as well.
 
Yowzer said:
Welcome (back), Jarrett.

As a 2-wheeler jumping to 3 myself, my two cents would be to keep it really slow and simple on your test ride. Like, a big empty parking lot for at least the first 5 or 10 minutes, then simple back roads from there, if you can.

And in case they just turn the bike over to you with no explanation or instruction, here's a useful excerpt (a cheat-sheet) from the famous thread https://www.spyderlovers.com/threads/dos-do-nots-for-new-spyder-owners.41346/ :

NOTE MOTORCYCLISTS: Motorcyclists are seemingly most affected by the lateral movement associated with the Spyder. They are just going to have to realize the Spyder is not a two-wheel vehicle and it is going to feel different. Also motorcycle riders need to "unlearn" counter-steering when riding a Spyder. It simply doesn't apply to a Spyder.

CORNERING:
Read the manual and follow the suggestions. Lean toward the handlebar closest to the inside of the corner. (Right-bar on right turns; left-bar on left turns.) This shifts your weight on the machine and also puts your head slightly lower to the center of gravity; causing you to have less of the lateral-pull associated with cornering with a Spyder.
You may find it easiest to push on the handlebar opposite of the turn you are making; while pulling somewhat on the other. Be sure to push harder than pulling. Push the right handlebar for left turns; push the left handlebar for right turns. A little practice and you will get better at it. Pushing is much easier when you are leaning into your corners.
Use your knees on the sides of the seat to help secure yourself on tight-fast corners.
Your passenger can lean some also if they wish; however, they should hang onto their grab-rails in corners.
Read the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s guide on cornering a motorcycle. The setup they suggest prior to entering a corner applies to the Spyder.
Click to expand...
Having ridden both bikes and ATV's for years, I had little trouble with steering.
My biggest hurdle was learning not to reach for the front brake. 🤣
 
Agree with what's been said so far. Just got mine a week ago, and it's getting better and better once I got past the death grip. Coming from a Kawi Voyager, it's quite a difference. Still reach for the clutch and front brake on occasion, as well as go to lift my foot up or down to shift. but getting better. No regrets.
 
Due to MS, I could not even test ride my F3S my wife did it for me and she liked it that much she ended up getting a Ryker 900 Rally, that is another consideration for you as well when you both could have the fun of riding. :cool:
 
RayBJ said:
If you came off sport tourers (Goldwing, etc.) the RT will feel closest in ergos. With the floorboards, you can position your feet under you and shift them forward to stretch out a bit as needed. Also makes standing up super easy. One tip to a smooth ride is allowing the Spyder to track naturally, meaning, just guide the handlebars with a light touch - no death grips! Especially in straight-line riding! Getting used to having only 1 brake pedal takes a little adjusting as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks, its sounding more and more like the RT Limited is the one for me.

Yeah, I'm a little nervous about the test ride tomorrow. I REALLY like having a clutch and front brake lever, especially for low speed maneuvers. I've ridden off pavement on motorcycles quite a bit as well and have my brain programmed to switch to the rear brake/right footswitch in those situations. I'll just have to lean heavy on that, I suspect.

But I do remember on my last test ride on a Spyder that I felt like the bike was darting side to side while going down the highway. I'm guessing its tough to tell your brain to loosen the grip on the bars when that happens.
 
Dutchy said:
Due to MS, I could not even test ride my F3S my wife did it for me and she liked it that much she ended up getting a Ryker 900 Ralli, that is another consideration for you as well when you both could have the fun of riding. :cool:
Click to expand...
Starting to wonder if that might be the play here. Just get her her own Spyder and I stick to two wheels.
 
jarrett said:
Hi, I'm not new to the forum. Apparently, I joined 16 years ago when I was looking at a Spyder back then. I did a test ride that scared me off.

Since then I got my motorcycle license back in 2018 and have done 65,000+ miles on motorcycles now including multi-day/state trips and such. So not scared of being on the road with cars on 2 (or 3) wheels anymore.

My GF and I want to start doing some two up riding. My first thought was a Gold Wing, but she really wants three wheels for stability. So we are looking into used Spyders and wondered if I could ask you some questions. We'd like to get something reliable that we can hop on and ride on the weekends. And possibly some multi-day trips at some point when the moons align.

Is RT Limited the right model to go for long 2 up rides?

I'd like to buy used, is there a year model/mileage cut off you'd suggest? Like say only 2020 and newer models with less than 6,000 miles on them, something like that? I see a ton of them for sale near me, which concerns me a little, but they are like 2013 models with 10's of thousands of miles on them usually. Newer ones seem to be for sale used less.

Any other tips to consider before purchasing one?

Any tips for 2 wheel riders making the jump to 3? Like how do you go around a corner without leaning? :)

We're going to do a test ride on Thursday to make sure I enjoy driving and she enjoys riding on the back. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
My SAGE advice is to stay on a Rural, quiet country road and practice braking, accelerating and shifting and CORNERING - slow down and smell the roses!(y) Practice the (3 wheel straddle) where you learn to avoid things in the road that you can easily miss with the front tires but NOT THE BIG BACK ONE.

My first Spyder, a 2021 RT SE6, took me maybe 20 miles of the above technique before I got used to the handling, not only on CURVES but even on straight roads that are always somewhat crowned, causing a tendency to pull a little towards to lowest part of the road.

It took me longer to stop reaching for the CLUTCH lever and especially the front BRAKE LEVER and just using the CAR type floorboard brake pedal.

Ingrained MEMORY of 63 years of Legal street riding and 94 motorcycles, including my 2021, and 2 x 2025 RT Limited's, have put habits in that are hard to overcome!

Have fun with your new adventure!

Sam:cool:
 
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