Not in the market for another RT, but they show up in my Facebook marketplace. I am surprised at the number of low mileage examples for sale; I'm talking 4 years old and not even ready (as far as mileage is concerned) for their 3000 mile service. I'm working yet, so not piling on nearly as many miles as I'd like, but my '24 has 15,000 miles (which pales in comparison to what some on here travel). Just an observation I thought I'd share. Anyone else notice this or have a theory as to why?
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Anyone else notice the number of low mileage used Spyders on Marketplace? Any ideas why?
- Thread starter Sundown
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I'm thinking it's people bought them and don't/can't get used to the different handling, the twitchyness for lack of a better word.
I will admit when I bought mine, never being on one before, I was seriously considering getting rid of it the first week. After reading the tips, on this site mainly, I stuck with it and glad I did.
I will admit when I bought mine, never being on one before, I was seriously considering getting rid of it the first week. After reading the tips, on this site mainly, I stuck with it and glad I did.
Woodaddict
Well-known member
The Spyder tends to be sold to mid aged to older aged riders. They come from 2 wheels when they start to be unstable to hold up the weight anymore. So those age groups then are more inclined to have minor health problems that need to be taken care of from time to time. And also, these age groups have more discretionary income to spend on one, then often don't have time to ride, and may not be a long time rider anyway. So they try it, then don't care to ride enough.
jdgretz
Well-known member
I suspect there is a lot of buyers remorse involved. As others have said, the Spyder isn't like a regular motorcycle and folks who hope it will be as easy to ride are often disappointed. I bought my 2024 RT-L with 28 miles on it after a year and a half of ownership by the original owner. I would love to know the story behind that. My good fortune.
jdg
jdg
When coming off a two wheeler onto a Spyder, there's a major difference in riding and how one feels riding. More jarring in the handlebars coming from a different suspension set up, now with two wheels in front sending up surface irregularities, and a big tire in rear that is riding on the crown of the road. Some new riders just do not ride enough to get used to the Spyder.
Snoking1127
Well-known member
I think the cost of living here in the US has an impact on a lot of people, so they are looking at things they can trim out of their monthly budget. Car, boat, and RV sales are way down. People are concentrating on essentials and trimming non essential items. It was OK for it to sit unused when times were better.
Elqueso2
Member
It's all of the above and the age factor. I picked up my Spyder from a close friend who decided he just wasn't riding anymore.
Most of it was his age and that he just didn't have the passion for it like he previously did. He sold his Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic and the '23 RTL.
The other part of it could be the gas prices. Here in So Cal, we pay the highest prices in the nation and it's really tough on the pocket book. We just got slapped with another gas tax recently! Diesel is over $7 and my truck is yard art right now. We are averaging about $5.30 for 91 Octane. It costs me over $80 just to fill my car, my motorhome breaks the bank...
Most of it was his age and that he just didn't have the passion for it like he previously did. He sold his Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic and the '23 RTL.
The other part of it could be the gas prices. Here in So Cal, we pay the highest prices in the nation and it's really tough on the pocket book. We just got slapped with another gas tax recently! Diesel is over $7 and my truck is yard art right now. We are averaging about $5.30 for 91 Octane. It costs me over $80 just to fill my car, my motorhome breaks the bank...
pegasus1300
Well-known member
After riding 60+ years I look on back my bikes over the years and realize I have only had 2 new bikes in all that time, a 1969 Norton Fastback bought as leftover in 1970 and a 2008 RSTD bought in 2008. All the other low milage bikes I bought were from people who bought their bike, then wanted something else, whose buddies were riding something else, who didn't like riding, whose wife either didn't like riding or didn't like them riding, got too old, got too sick, got scared, ran out of or just needed the money for something else, or what have you.
My 1st Venture, the guy and his brother bought twin Ventures, then the brother's work took him to another State and he didn't want to ride alone so I bought his barely used Venture at the end of the season (low price). The last Royal Star I bought was from a guy who never owned a motorcycle, decided that he and his wife would become riders and have fun with the wind in their faces on the highways of America. They bought the biggest bike they could find, a Royal Star Venture. On the way home from the dealership, it scared them so badly that they only put 500 miles on it, but it took them 3 years to get over the emotional loss. I bought the bike for less then half of new price.
My Spyder RT, I bought from a retired Marine Col. You could tell he was very active. He had bought all the toys boat, RV, snowmobiles, Spyder. In 3 years he had put 8500 hundred miles on it, then he was diagnosed with dementia. He was selling everything so his wife could put him in a care center when that day came. Sad. Life happens, plans change, sometimes quicker than you think...
My 1st Venture, the guy and his brother bought twin Ventures, then the brother's work took him to another State and he didn't want to ride alone so I bought his barely used Venture at the end of the season (low price). The last Royal Star I bought was from a guy who never owned a motorcycle, decided that he and his wife would become riders and have fun with the wind in their faces on the highways of America. They bought the biggest bike they could find, a Royal Star Venture. On the way home from the dealership, it scared them so badly that they only put 500 miles on it, but it took them 3 years to get over the emotional loss. I bought the bike for less then half of new price.
My Spyder RT, I bought from a retired Marine Col. You could tell he was very active. He had bought all the toys boat, RV, snowmobiles, Spyder. In 3 years he had put 8500 hundred miles on it, then he was diagnosed with dementia. He was selling everything so his wife could put him in a care center when that day came. Sad. Life happens, plans change, sometimes quicker than you think...
BajaRon
Well-known member
I hated my 1st Spyder for about 500 miles. If it had not been for Lamont, I'm sure I would have gotten rid of it. It takes a person committed to mastering the difference between a reverse trike and 2 wheels to break through the learning curve to the awesome experience that can be had with the Spyder.
It takes incentive, of some kind, to get there. Just a passing fantasy won't do it. Especially since whatever fantasy you might have isn't going to fit well with reality. Thus, you end up with a virtually new, older Spyder for sale.
I tell everyone that calls in to the shop about Spyderlovers. Because, frankly, I think this forum, with the support and encouragement it offers, helps to keep new riders in the saddle long enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I will say that from my experience, people that get to this point tend to keep their Spyders longer than most any other motorcycles. The experience is just that good!
If they do trade it in, they most often get another Spyder. That says a lot about the platform.
It takes incentive, of some kind, to get there. Just a passing fantasy won't do it. Especially since whatever fantasy you might have isn't going to fit well with reality. Thus, you end up with a virtually new, older Spyder for sale.
I tell everyone that calls in to the shop about Spyderlovers. Because, frankly, I think this forum, with the support and encouragement it offers, helps to keep new riders in the saddle long enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I will say that from my experience, people that get to this point tend to keep their Spyders longer than most any other motorcycles. The experience is just that good!
If they do trade it in, they most often get another Spyder. That says a lot about the platform.
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Extreme low mileage on an older machine is a red flag for me. If they don't ride it, they probably know nothing about long term storage. I know it matters what part of the country we are talking about, but around here with our wild early and late Winter temperature swings, moisture invades everywhere. Once it gets in, the only way to get rid of it is to ride it out. It's important to know why it was not being ridden and how it was stored.
kbirdsong
Member
I had a friend with a Norton Atlas way back. I helped him build that bike out of parts in the old wooden barracks at Ord. Good times.
I will agree with BajaRon on not liking the Spyder at first after coming off two wheels - I did not like the handling one bit. It's sad if there are people who dump them before ever getting acclimated. I took a few thousand miles to retrain myself, but now I love it. Reminds me of a post I read somewhere (not on this site) as I researched how to ride these to their full potential. One guy chimed in after a test drive lambasting the unpredictable handling of the machine and scorned them for being downright dangerous, to the point he was critical of anyone who
would take such a monstrosity on public roads.
would take such a monstrosity on public roads.
happyspyder2039
Well-known member
When I purchased my Spyders, I had a local Job and rode every day whenever possible. The last 10yrs I've been driving a Semi and put 150k a yr on it. So my Spyder sits a lot. But I still maintain it and ride when I can. I even tried to sell it at one time. It barely has 8000 miles, so low miles doesn’t mean it’s bad.
rjinaz86323
Active member
I bought my 2018 F3L in 2020. It had 148 miles on it.
BajaRon
Well-known member
All great stories, and just goes to prove the point that all of us who have completed the crucible of passage know is true. It's mostly the rider, and not the machine. But try to tell this to a dyed in the wool 2-wheel guy who has been riding since he was a teenager. (like me...) Us hard headed bikers don't take well to advice sometimes. Especially when it suggests that we need to make a change in the way we approach riding.
Those of us who know the rewards of humbling ourselves and putting in the effort of retraining our attitudes tend to go out of our way to help the next person make it over their mountain.
But what will put you to shame in a hurry is a lady (or man for that matter) who has never ridden 2-wheels. I've seen them get on a Spyder and right out of the gate, ride away with no issues. All because of what I call, the lack of 2-wheel baggage (muscle memory)
You and I will continue to preach to the uninitiated. The ones who listen will reap the rewards. Those who give up and throw in the towel too soon simply provide a stepping stone for another rider who want's to try the platform.
All the while, Spyderlovers.com (that means you) offers a helping hand that can put the cherry on top of this riding experience.
Those of us who know the rewards of humbling ourselves and putting in the effort of retraining our attitudes tend to go out of our way to help the next person make it over their mountain.
But what will put you to shame in a hurry is a lady (or man for that matter) who has never ridden 2-wheels. I've seen them get on a Spyder and right out of the gate, ride away with no issues. All because of what I call, the lack of 2-wheel baggage (muscle memory)
You and I will continue to preach to the uninitiated. The ones who listen will reap the rewards. Those who give up and throw in the towel too soon simply provide a stepping stone for another rider who want's to try the platform.
All the while, Spyderlovers.com (that means you) offers a helping hand that can put the cherry on top of this riding experience.
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