• 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.

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  1. blacklightning

    What did you do to/with your Spyder today?

    Checking fluids and tire pressure in the 2021 RTL. Getting it ready to ride to Maggie Valley with the wife and a few friends for 5 days.
  2. blacklightning

    Thoughts on ever-changing vehicle needs and wants

    I just got back from a 550 mile round trip to SC on my forever truck. It's a 2002 Ford Lightning and gets the same 15 mpg today with 91k miles, that it got 24 years ago when I purchased it with 10k miles. It is not good on gas, but it is my hot rod, work truck, and vacation ride all rolled into...
  3. blacklightning

    What can I do to get a straight shot at the Rear Tire valve Stem?

    Funny this thread should be brought back to life. I will be checking my tire pressure in the RTL this evening or tomorrow in preps for our mountain trip. I have just committed to placing a piece of cardboard on the ground and getting comfortable before adding the air. I will admit, it is...
  4. blacklightning

    Going to Maggie Valley October 11-15 - glad to meet up & ride/break bread with anyone in the area.

    Always ready to ride and meet new people. Where are you located? Even with the much greater chance than average of rain, I am still looking forward to riding. I just picked up a pair of shoe covers for the wife to attempt to keep her dry. The good thing about a passing hurricane is that the...
  5. blacklightning

    Getting Your Money's Worth from a Tire!

    Funny you should mention Bandag. My nephew worked for them a few years doing recaps. He left there and got into truck driving and is now an owner operator.
  6. blacklightning

    Getting Your Money's Worth from a Tire!

    I was a rural mail carrier from 1992-1994. Retreads were my friend on my 1982 ford fairmont. The tread was harder and would wear out slower. The tread pattern was also more agressive which helped with starting and stopping on gravel and dirt roads. In fact, when I could find them, I put mud...
  7. blacklightning

    Going Down Memory Lane; Show Us Your First Motorbikes & Your Current Spyder

    I still consider myself a new rider, since I did not start until age 40. This past August, I celebrated my 60th birthday and 20 years of riding. During this time, I have owned 23 bikes, with 6 of them being Spyders. The first one was a '97 Yamaha FZR600 that I picked up for $1,000. -
  8. blacklightning

    Going to Maggie Valley October 11-15 - glad to meet up & ride/break bread with anyone in the area.

    You will probably find Cades Cove ride to be pretty packed, as there will be a lot of people there hoping to see the elk, and checking out the leaves. The chance of seeing elk there are pretty slim, as they tend to stay closer to Cherokee, Maggie Valley, and along the BRP this time of year. But...
  9. blacklightning

    Going to Maggie Valley October 11-15 - glad to meet up & ride/break bread with anyone in the area.

    We are staying in a cabin in Maggie Valley. We kinda play it by ear. We have a new couple going with us this year, so we will be doing whatever they might want to see. But we will for sure be riding the Cherohola Skyway and the Dragon. We will also do Wayang Rd and parts of 28 South towards...
  10. blacklightning

    What did you do to/with your Spyder today?

    Temperature was 80° and sunny this morning so I couldn't help but to ride. There were supposed to be storms arriving later in the day, so I had to take advantage. As soon as I gassed up, it started to cloud up. I headed North to avoid the rain and 90 minutes later the temperature was 65°. I...
  11. blacklightning

    Spyder ride in Northern Vermont in all her glory today

    You are probably right. Last year we hit it at the perfect time for the hills bordering Maggie Valley to be at peak. We will probably have to ride up to Mt Mitchell or Graveyard Fields area along the BRP in order to see some color.
  12. blacklightning

    Spyder ride in Northern Vermont in all her glory today

    Those are beautiful. We are heading to the NC/Tenn mountains in 9 days and I am hoping to see some color in the 4500-6000' elevation. The color will not be as good due to the drought, but it still should be beautiful. I would actually like some rain a few days before we go so the falls will...
  13. blacklightning

    Question for experienced Spyder owners - New F3 vs Used?

    I am of the belief to go with used and save the extra coin. The price you stated seems a little high. There are plenty of F3S spyders in the $10-11k range. Even saw a 2018 F3S with pretty good milage for $8k. Spyder and bike prices are as cheap as I have ever seen, but that could change with...
  14. blacklightning

    New Member Intro & Questions re Upcoming Purchase Decision

    My reason for switching to my first Spyder (in 2014) was similar to yours. I had an accident and the wife wanted me to stop riding. I picked up a Spyder and have had one ever since. In fact, I am on Spyders number 5 and 6. The 2018 that you rode was a different body style from the 2026 that you...
  15. blacklightning

    Going to Maggie Valley October 11-15 - glad to meet up & ride/break bread with anyone in the area.

    I understand. This is not actually a Spyder Rally of any sort, but just a few Spyder friends that like to get together and ride. We are about 5 hours away as well. When it gets past 4 hours, I tend to want to stay at least for 3 nights.
  16. blacklightning

    Anyone going to Thunder in the Smokies 2026?

    I did it with my buddy KK in 2017. I talked to him last week and we discussed doing it again. I think we will wait until next summer, but I hope the entire thing is open by then. There are still places between Mt. Mitchel and Little Switzerland that are still closed due to Helen.
  17. blacklightning

    Going to Maggie Valley October 11-15 - glad to meet up & ride/break bread with anyone in the area.

    Not sure of the name, or exactly where you are referring, but they are always just off 441 as you leave Cherokee. They are often along the BRP too, and we also see them just outside of our cabin.
  18. blacklightning

    Going to Maggie Valley October 11-15 - glad to meet up & ride/break bread with anyone in the area.

    This is not a spyder rally, but we have about 5-8 couples who have been going to Maggie Valley each fall, just to ride and enjoy the views. After doing this for many years, we finally decided that the best way to avoid the leafers and get better rates is to arrive on Sunday and leave on...
  19. blacklightning

    Just had my Spyder buffed and polished!

    Looks awesome! I have really been meaning to do my 2021 RTL. I did my 2016 F3T myself and it worked great. I just had my wife’s 2026 Audi Q3 done. It was $700 for a 5 year warranty.
  20. blacklightning

    What did you do to/with your Spyder today?

    Temperature was low 50’s in the morning with a high of 80 both Saturday and Sunday. Even though we had lots to do this weekend, with new pastor installation services this weekend, I was still able to get 220 miles in on the BMW Saturday, and another 110 miles on the F3 on Sunday. During...
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