-----if buying a $19,000 Spyder is a wise thing----I've ridden motorcycles for a number of year, but the appeal of the Spyder was great, indeed----great looks, good stability over two wheels---but when I read all the problems that many people are finding, it seems a bit much-----the stearing is somwhat loose and awakward-----the large two cylinders sound loud and claddering----the original windshield was to small and low---for a taller person, the seat seems to be a bit too far forward---the handlebars are a bit too low----the transmission on my SE5 jumps, falters, and whines when going among gears, and sometimes bucks at a stop in first gear....the seat is soft but slick and angled so I slide off on turns---I see that so many people are making a lots of changes and modifications to the Spyders and I wonder why that is necessary? My Hondas and Triumphs needed no changes or modifications. I know it was my choice to purcharse the Spyder SE5, but now I'm a bit worried. I took a ride through Newport Beach, with lots of stop and goes, and the trans seemed to labor at every shift----then the 5 Freeway home, and at 70mph, it sounded like it was laboring far too hard. I'm beginning to wonder.
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I'm beginning to wonder
- Thread starter Sara
- Start date
Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
welcome
First off I'll say that I've never owned anything that I didn't have to change to suit me. Everything you listed can either be changed or just a matter of you spending a little more time on the Spyder to get to know it a little better.
Lighten up on the bars and that will help with the steering. I was all over the road for the first 200+ miles or so because I was too stiff, you really need to relax. I have 25K on mine now and most of that is at the upper rpm range and the Spyder loves the high revs. Don't be afraid to run it up to 7K or better.
I'm sure you'll get a ton of good advice here but give it some time before you give up on it. It's new and very different from any motorcycle. :doorag:
First off I'll say that I've never owned anything that I didn't have to change to suit me. Everything you listed can either be changed or just a matter of you spending a little more time on the Spyder to get to know it a little better.
Lighten up on the bars and that will help with the steering. I was all over the road for the first 200+ miles or so because I was too stiff, you really need to relax. I have 25K on mine now and most of that is at the upper rpm range and the Spyder loves the high revs. Don't be afraid to run it up to 7K or better.
I'm sure you'll get a ton of good advice here but give it some time before you give up on it. It's new and very different from any motorcycle. :doorag:
tatt2r
PhotoShop Master
I've also owned other motorcycles a couple new harleys and like lamonster said it took a couple hundred miles to get use to it I sold my last bike after owning it for three years with about 1200 miles on it I've had Spyder for about ten months and have over 9000 miles on it even my girlfriend who was clinicley dead on road after a drunk hit her on a motorcycle loves driving Spyder so much in fact that today in new Hampshire it was 31 degrees and she took it out . I can conner better on this Spyder than I could on my Harley ... So give it a chance change what you don't like and loosen up your grip...
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NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
:agree: with everything said already. Just because you read about it here, doesn't mean all Spyders have problems, or the problems are immense. People just like to sound off. Almost everyone here has put lots of miles on their Spyders, and many prefer them over their motorcycles. It is my wife's first street motorcycle, and she loves it dearly. Stays with me through every corner. I also steal it every chance I get. It is a delightful machine. Every machine sounds different. What you are hearing sounds like it is quite normal, and if so you will get used to it very fast. If there are actual problems, failure to shift, gear indication errors, or something else, I'm sure the dealer will take care of it to your satisfaction. Like the boys said, loosen up your grip (I had to) and enjoy the Ryde!
-Scotty
-Scotty
Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
It was a year ago yesterday that I picked mine up. You can read how my first ride went here. :doorag:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4400
love the spyder
I HAVE HAD THE SPYDER SINCE JUNE AND IT WAS STRANGE AT FIRST. AFTER ABOUT THREE OR FOUR HUNDRED MILES IT BEGAN TO FEEL RIGHT. YOU REALLY HAVE TO GET INTO THE MACHINE. IT'S NOT THE AVERAGE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO THE ENGINE RAN SO MUCH BETTER AS TIME WENT ON AND I STARTED TO LEARN ABOUT THE SPYDER. NOW I LOVE IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SPYDER BUT I REALLY HAVE NO TROUBLE AT ALL WITH MINE. SO ENJOY YOUR NEW TOY IT'S A BLAST AS TIME GOES ON. REMEMBER PEOPLE THAT HAVE RIDEN THE SPYDER FOR 15 MINUTES CAN'T GIVE US THERE OPINION.
I HAVE HAD THE SPYDER SINCE JUNE AND IT WAS STRANGE AT FIRST. AFTER ABOUT THREE OR FOUR HUNDRED MILES IT BEGAN TO FEEL RIGHT. YOU REALLY HAVE TO GET INTO THE MACHINE. IT'S NOT THE AVERAGE MOTORCYCLE. ALSO THE ENGINE RAN SO MUCH BETTER AS TIME WENT ON AND I STARTED TO LEARN ABOUT THE SPYDER. NOW I LOVE IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SPYDER BUT I REALLY HAVE NO TROUBLE AT ALL WITH MINE. SO ENJOY YOUR NEW TOY IT'S A BLAST AS TIME GOES ON. REMEMBER PEOPLE THAT HAVE RIDEN THE SPYDER FOR 15 MINUTES CAN'T GIVE US THERE OPINION.
FANG
New member
Sara; :congrats: welcome
Give your :spyder: a chance. Take it from a real novice to ryding
spyder: was my first open air ryde). Take some advice from the senior members here. I have learned do much about the :spyder: from them. It is true relax and let the :spyder: do what it does best - corner on rail, ryde like the wind andmake you a rock star. It is my best purchase ever. I ryde all the time. Hard to keep me off it now. You will become addicted too. Give it some time - :spyder:tyme.
Give your :spyder: a chance. Take it from a real novice to ryding
spyder: was my first open air ryde). Take some advice from the senior members here. I have learned do much about the :spyder: from them. It is true relax and let the :spyder: do what it does best - corner on rail, ryde like the wind andmake you a rock star. It is my best purchase ever. I ryde all the time. Hard to keep me off it now. You will become addicted too. Give it some time - :spyder:tyme.
bone crusher
Alignment Specialist
I think modifications are a fun part of ownership...I'm not the SE5 fan as I think switching gears with a clutch is most of the fun of being on a bike...it's understandable that they're having problems with this as it's a rather novel idea...they'll get it right sooner or later (we hope).
Regardless, the Spyder is likely the first of many new trykes...it's a great ryde and is safer in many ways...mostly, just being more visible is a good thing.
I don't think you're giving up much as many harley owners who have paid a lot more than $20,000 have problems with their bikes...at least when our bike is idle, the battery doesn't disconnect!
Don't get discouraged...all will be fine...(next time get a SM5...IMHO, more fun and less to go wrong)...
Regardless, the Spyder is likely the first of many new trykes...it's a great ryde and is safer in many ways...mostly, just being more visible is a good thing.
I don't think you're giving up much as many harley owners who have paid a lot more than $20,000 have problems with their bikes...at least when our bike is idle, the battery doesn't disconnect!
Don't get discouraged...all will be fine...(next time get a SM5...IMHO, more fun and less to go wrong)...
ataDude
Mod Maniac
Sara:
Point one on the information here... or any other forum... you'll hear and see all of the bad things but rarely the good. Actually, that's good so that you can be on the lookout for them... you can learn from others. The same thing occurs on every forum, regardless of make or model.
Point two on the handling... like others have said, relax your grip on the handlebars and let the Spyder lead you. A death grip makes the trike seem to handle in a very sensitive manner... a light grip makes it a whole lot better.
Point three on riding... I came from having 27-28 two wheelers over the years... still have one. For the first two-three weeks of Spyder ownershp, my thoughts were like yours... "Why did I buy this thing?"
After the break-in period (for me), I am absolutely thrilled with the ride and handling and will never go back to two wheels. I keep up rather well with the sport bike guys I ride with.
I'll sell my Valk next spring... if there's still a market for it. If not, it will continue to sit in my garage... unridden.
Point one on the information here... or any other forum... you'll hear and see all of the bad things but rarely the good. Actually, that's good so that you can be on the lookout for them... you can learn from others. The same thing occurs on every forum, regardless of make or model.
Point two on the handling... like others have said, relax your grip on the handlebars and let the Spyder lead you. A death grip makes the trike seem to handle in a very sensitive manner... a light grip makes it a whole lot better.
Point three on riding... I came from having 27-28 two wheelers over the years... still have one. For the first two-three weeks of Spyder ownershp, my thoughts were like yours... "Why did I buy this thing?"
After the break-in period (for me), I am absolutely thrilled with the ride and handling and will never go back to two wheels. I keep up rather well with the sport bike guys I ride with.
I'll sell my Valk next spring... if there's still a market for it. If not, it will continue to sit in my garage... unridden.
Smylinacha
Yellinacha
:agree:
Thanks, everyone---I needed that!!
I sincerely appreciate the information and encouragement----I'm on the edge of getting accustom to the Spyder. If it'll stop raining, I'm going to take it up the Ortaga Highway--twists and turns to 6500 feet---at the top, a beer and egg sandwich----maybe the Spyder will be kind to me. I guess it's a matter of getting to know him.......
I sincerely appreciate the information and encouragement----I'm on the edge of getting accustom to the Spyder. If it'll stop raining, I'm going to take it up the Ortaga Highway--twists and turns to 6500 feet---at the top, a beer and egg sandwich----maybe the Spyder will be kind to me. I guess it's a matter of getting to know him.......
bgspyderman
New member
modifications a matter of choice
I imagine if a person tried hard enough they could find fault with just about anything and everything. Modifications are done to personalize objects to our liking, I have had and do have several bikes and I've done something to just about all of them. I have a 06 Cooper S, I've made changes to it, a 04 F150, and have done mods to it. I love my new Spyder and I'm into changing whatever I can do to make it look better or ride better, perform better, whatever. I think my money is being spent well.I haven't heard anyone say that the mods they are making absolutely need to be done for the Spyder to perform at all, just that we each may have preferences in handling, performance or comfort, and thats why changes are being made.
I imagine if a person tried hard enough they could find fault with just about anything and everything. Modifications are done to personalize objects to our liking, I have had and do have several bikes and I've done something to just about all of them. I have a 06 Cooper S, I've made changes to it, a 04 F150, and have done mods to it. I love my new Spyder and I'm into changing whatever I can do to make it look better or ride better, perform better, whatever. I think my money is being spent well.I haven't heard anyone say that the mods they are making absolutely need to be done for the Spyder to perform at all, just that we each may have preferences in handling, performance or comfort, and thats why changes are being made.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
The twisties take a little technique. If you haven't already, raise the tire pressure to 20 front, 30 rear, it really seems to help. You may decide to crank up the preload on the front shocks, but my wife has not, and I find the cornering acceptable, too. Most important is to lean your body into the turn to shift your weight. Even a little bit helps a lot. You may even find it helps to slide part of your backside off the seat to the inside of the turn. Very active ride compared to a motorcycle. It will give you a workout. Once you get used to it, it is most enjoyable. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Take a picture at the top for all of us.
-Scotty
Heres my 2 Cents.....
I experienced the same as Sara did. I found the Spyder uncomfortable & difficult to steer at first. In fact I also wondered the same as Sara did, why did I buy this Spyder and as time went on I made changes to be more comfortable (Corbin backrest, 4" riser No Magic Neon, 32" Windshield Marcel, Front springs adjusted). Once you have ridden the Spyder it by itself becomes easier to ride with much less effort. The Spyder is stable and doesnt need as much muscle as we think it does when we first start riding it. My suggestion is when you ride try to relax your arms and grips a bit until you get the feel of it. The mods make it more comfortable & I found the 4" risers make it easier to steer and handle. Thats my 2 cents!
I experienced the same as Sara did. I found the Spyder uncomfortable & difficult to steer at first. In fact I also wondered the same as Sara did, why did I buy this Spyder and as time went on I made changes to be more comfortable (Corbin backrest, 4" riser No Magic Neon, 32" Windshield Marcel, Front springs adjusted). Once you have ridden the Spyder it by itself becomes easier to ride with much less effort. The Spyder is stable and doesnt need as much muscle as we think it does when we first start riding it. My suggestion is when you ride try to relax your arms and grips a bit until you get the feel of it. The mods make it more comfortable & I found the 4" risers make it easier to steer and handle. Thats my 2 cents!
:agree::congrats:welcome:thumbup:a beer and a egg sandwich I'll have to check that out
.Hi Sara (I have a grand-daughter of the same name only with the "h" on the end) I live in Newport Beach, the town you rode in. Too bad we didn't meet on the road. I have had my Spyder since April and I love it. I haven't done any mods except the factory 1" bar riser (I'm 6'3"). I only have about 1000 miles on mine at this point because I divide my time among many interests and lots of antique bikes. However, I haven't had any Spyder problems at this point in time.
I ride other bikes (mostly antiques, as mentioned) so one mod I do intend to make is to add the handlebar brake handle. That is probably the most complicated mod anyone has done to their Spyder but if you are not used to braking with your right hand it is one mod you probably won't desire to do.
Smokester also lives in this area and he has mentioned that he rides Ortega Hwy. I haven't taken my Spyder up there yet but as another person on this thread has suggested, you should probably get some more saddle time before that ride. I rode Mt Palomar with Lamonster, when he was out here in August, and he left me in the dust on the twisties because I didn't have enough time on the Spyder to feel confident in taking the curves as fast as he did. However, when he got back to TN he posted that he had just turned 20,000 miles on his Spyder! I think at that time I had about 600.
We should try to get together with some other owners in this Orange County area and do a ride.
Frank (trikester)
I ride other bikes (mostly antiques, as mentioned) so one mod I do intend to make is to add the handlebar brake handle. That is probably the most complicated mod anyone has done to their Spyder but if you are not used to braking with your right hand it is one mod you probably won't desire to do.
Smokester also lives in this area and he has mentioned that he rides Ortega Hwy. I haven't taken my Spyder up there yet but as another person on this thread has suggested, you should probably get some more saddle time before that ride. I rode Mt Palomar with Lamonster, when he was out here in August, and he left me in the dust on the twisties because I didn't have enough time on the Spyder to feel confident in taking the curves as fast as he did. However, when he got back to TN he posted that he had just turned 20,000 miles on his Spyder! I think at that time I had about 600.
We should try to get together with some other owners in this Orange County area and do a ride.
Frank (trikester)
