Has anyone gone from a Ryker to a Spyder then back to a Ryker?

[delkhouri]

Has anyone gone from a Ryker to a Spyder back to a Ryker?

I had a 2019 Ryker Rally that was my first motorcycle in 15 years. It was fun. I would hop on and go for rides whenever I could. I started getting into motocamping and wanting something more comfortable for longer tours. I loved the Ryker for riding around town and back roads but I found that I did not enjoy it on the highway for two reasons:

1. the CVT would drop speed if your hand even slightly moved on the throttle;
2. at 70mph it was revving close to 7k rpm which was loud and drowning.

So I sold the Ryker and found a 2016 Spyder F3-T SM-6. The Spyder is nice; it's more comfortable; it's much bigger; and it has so much more luggage capability. I rarely ride two up, but when I do, the wife is so much more comfortable.

But I have found myself in a season of life where I have had a career change for the better, and my kids are getting older and have more activities. So I rarely have time for any touring now, or even full day trips. And while the Spyder is more comfortable, the Ryker was more fun. Where I used to just jet out for an hour on the Ryker because it was quick and easy, I just don't do that on the Spyder, because it's just a bit harder to ride. It's heavier and it's more cumbersome. It just seems more like work in every way, except on the Highway!

So I am thinking about selling the Spyder, buying a used, low mileage Ryker, and using the excess money to help pay off a thing or two, then having a simpler machine for quick rides. Has anyone else done this? Am I crazy for thinking about going back to a Ryker?

 

[Peter Aawen]

Not sure if you're crazy or not, but who am I to judge! Still, have you considered a lower spec F3 with the SE6 trans??

From what I can see above, I reckon that way it wouldn't be too hard (especially if farkled appropriately) to get ALL the 'good' things you want without any of the 'not so good' things that come with the Ryker, all in the one package...

Even if you don't go to a base model F3 or an F3-S, the lower spec F3-T's can be a lighter bike, more nimble than the 'all the fruit' versions, while the SE6 can give you all of the riding advantages of both the Manuals and the Semi-autos with none of the CVT or high rev issues that go with the Ryker on either back roads and the Highway, and they can still be comfy enough to do local Highway stuff &/or longer trips solo or even 2-up, if it ever comes to that.

I've done a few thousand miles on a Ryker, including a couple of longer trips, and if I had to chose between any Ryker and any F3, I'd be looking for an SE6 F3 without all the trunks etc... But that's just me - You've gotta do You!

 

[greer]

I don't think that's a crazy plan at all, delkhouri. Go for the fun every chance you get.

Sarah

 

[delkhouri]

Not sure if you're crazy or not, but who am I to judge! Still, have you considered a lower spec F3 with the SE6 trans??

From what I can see above, I reckon that way it wouldn't be too hard (especially if farkled appropriately) to get ALL the 'good' things you want without any of the 'not so good' things that come with the Ryker, all in the one package...

Even if you don't go to a base model F3 or an F3-S, the lower spec F3-T's can be a lighter bike, more nimble than the 'all the fruit' versions, while the SE6 can give you all of the riding advantages of both the Manuals and the Semi-autos with none of the CVT or high rev issues that go with the Ryker on either back roads and the Highway, and they can still be comfy enough to do local Highway stuff &/or longer trips solo or even 2-up, if it ever comes to that.

I've done a few thousand miles on a Ryker, including a couple of longer trips, and if I had to chose between any Ryker and any F3, I'd be looking for an SE6 F3 without all the trunks etc... But that's just me - You've gotta do You!

I actually really like the SM-6 transmission. I have ridden a SE-6 several times and did not love it. Honestly if I could get a Ryker with a manual I would be really happy. But a base model Spyder F3 is going to cost the same as my F3-T so it's basically just trading for something less capable. The Ryker can be had cheaper.

That being said my 2016 F3-T is pretty base/stock with the exception of a passenger backrest and an aftermarket sway bar and it reminds me of an old Cadillac. It just sort of sways and floats down the road. Yes it's comfortable but definitely not for quick spirited rides.

The question isn't is the Spyder better, it absolutely is. But it's more of a question of, is the Spyder matching the life I actually live? The Spyder is a touring machine sitting in a season of life where I mostly need a quick escape.

A Ryker might actually get ridden more because:

• "I have 45 minutes before dinner" → take the Ryker
• "I need to run to the store" → take the Ryker
• "The weather is beautiful" → take the Ryker

The Spyder requires an event:

• plan a route
• have several hours
• commit to a ride

The Ryker requires a moment. And honestly, those little moments may be what I need right now.

 

[Danvirsse]

I took your first two steps, Ryker 900 to F3-T, and I'm happy with that arrangement, for now. While I do run around locally with it, there are times I miss the spunky Little Ryker. I've said to my husband, more than once, if we had the space (we don't), I'd have both. So no, you're not crazy.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

Only you can decide which machine works the best for you.
IMHO though, The Spyder can do more, more comfortably than the Ryker, and is a more versatile machine.

 

[Mikey]

Heck, just buy one and put it beside the F3, then you have the best of two worlds!!!

 

[delkhouri]

Heck, just buy one and put it beside the F3, then you have the best of two worlds!!!

can't afford that. But I will give you my address if you want to send me one

 

[ErinI]

A Ryker might actually get ridden more because:

• "I have 45 minutes before dinner" → take the Ryker
• "I need to run to the store" → take the Ryker
• "The weather is beautiful" → take the Ryker

The Spyder requires an event:

• plan a route
• have several hours
• commit to a ride

The Ryker requires a moment. And honestly, those little moments may be what I need right now.

Only you know what feels right when you ride, and that is what should drive your choice.

I would say however, that those things you list as reasons you ride the Ryker more, are the reasons I most often ride my Spyder RT-L. I frequently pop off on quick jaunts - most often taking it out to the stables to check the horses and then zip around some of the mountain roads here. Going to the store? I have plenty of room to carry my purchases back with me - even if I take a passenger. The storage is pretty impressive on this thing. Beautiful weather (and I am not stuck in meetings at work) - absolutely will take the Spyder out.

I rarely plan a route, unless I have a specific place I need to be - and even then, I will often play it by ear. I ride my Spyder much more often for shorter trips than long ones, simply because that is what I have the most time for. And I am committing to a ride any more than I would be on anything else. It is a 'seize the moment' kind of ride for me.

About the only complaint I guess I have with the Spyder (which may or may not exist with a Ryker - I haven't driven one) is the 'start up' time from turning the key to actually starting the engine. And even that isn't such a big deal because I simply find myself turning the key as soon as I approach the bike, then putting the rest of whatever gear I may be using (jacket most often, but also helmet if I am going any significant distance). By the time I am done with that, the bike is ready, and I just hop on and go.

No matter what you choose - enjoy the ride!

 

[nightfalcon]

Have never ridden anything other than my Ryker Rally, not really inclined to either... works for me. I get the reasons you mention for wanting a Ryker, it's so easy to just jump on and go for a quick spin on a smaller lighter, easy to manage bike. I would say if you get a Ryker Sport with cruise control your throttle annoyance might disappear. Also check out noise cancelling earplugs; they aren't that expensive and could possibly fix your another bugbear.

At the end of the day, if a Ryker will get you out enjoying the freedom only riding brings then go for it I say. Life never stays the same and you can always change back later on if circumstance demands.