Spyder vs. Conventional Trike - What are the Biggest Differences?

[robmorg]

I went from 2 to 3 wheelers back in my 30's and at one point had a two wheeler and a 3 wheeler..since then its all been 3 wheels since..
I got tired of putting my foot down in oil at a stop lights along with trying to hold up the bike when its windy out etc etc..

Went from the Harley Tri Glide to a 2014 Spyder and have not been happier..

But before you decide I recommend test driving different types of trikes to see if it is for you..

I just saw trikermutha's post above, and it it got me thinking.... I often get asked the question, "Why did you decided on a Can-Am rather than a conventional trike?" (often asked by other riders), or... "How does your Can-Am compare with a trike with the two wheels in the back?" I usually babble something about how the two wheels in the front are more stable, etc., but I don't have any personal answers to those questions because, while I've ridden large cruisers for years, I've never ridden a conventional trike. But I am very curios about how others with trike experience would answer those questions.

So... For those with conventional trike experience, what would you say are the biggest differences you've noticed (good or bad) between the conventional trike and the Can-Am "reverse trike"?

 

[Bob Denman]

The reverse trikes steer so much better... nojoke :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Good question for what I am sure will be a lively discussion. :yes:

I am one who came over from big cruisers (mostly). Jumped right in when the GS first came out because it was new and "different."

When the RT first came available in 2010, I went to HD and did a tire kick on the Tri Glide. Wanted to make sure I was not making a mistake. For me, I did not like the ergos, from the get go. Did not like the shudder and shake, or even the sound. Then they talked about price, Instead of $27K or so (the mfg. MSRP) for the basic that I was looking at, He wanted $39K. Rotsa Ruck Charie. That sealed the deal for me.

I have done other research and the glaring things that seem different are:

:ani29:: Handling is different with one wheel up front. Prone to tipping if corners are taken too fast.

:ani29:: With the GW trikes, a lot of dealers will not service them or do warranty work. The local dealer states that the triking of the GW, voids the warranty, and that you are on your own from there.

:ani29:: Cost for a triked up version of the GW or a TG is usually a lot more than the entry fee for a :spyder2:.

:ani29:: Electronically and safety wise, the :ani29: is somewhat ahead of the other choices at the moment.

Let's see how the information compares with those who have had actual miles experience on "other" trikes.

 

[Pennyrick]

Had a GL 1800 with a Hannigan trike kit and traded it in on my first Spyder Rt.

- two wheels in back puts a lot of 'push' on the single front wheel making it very hard to steer at low speeds. It also takes an armload of power to get it through tight turns at any speed because the rear 'push' wants to make that single contact patch up front go straight. The solution is a 'rake' kit to kick out the front wheel by anywhere from 4-10 degrees and this changes the steering angle to be more like a chopper but it does turn easier.

- A trike kit doesn't allow room for bags so the only storage on a two-wheels-in-back deal is the little baby trunk that doesn't hold much. A Spyder has about three times the storage space of a triked two wheeler.

- Dealers (except Harley) do not want to work on trikes because they are a 'kit' and not assembled and warranted by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or what ever base bike is used. Most dealers do not have a lift that can get the single front/double rear design off the ground.

 

[ARtraveler]

I neglected to add in my post above:

:ani29:: Triumph now makes a "factory" trike and uses the 2300cc triple for the engine. This gives one more trike that comes with a factory warranty. I like the 2300cc engine, but am not going to change at this point in time.

 

[2dogs]

Answer

Comfort, cost, performance/technology/MPG, storage, safety and most of all; my wife liked the test ride. :2thumbs:

 

[Chupaca]

Basically...

sums up in one word...handling. All the rest is cosmetic looks, bling, farkels, demensions, name etc. Spyders have the most safety and assist systems. At least from ryding both and the sidecars thats it for me...well there is the fun factor...hyea:hyea:

 

[2dogs]

Triumph??

I neglected to add in my post above:

:ani29:: Triumph now makes a "factory" trike and uses the 2300cc triple for the engine. This gives one more trike that comes with a factory warranty. I like the 2300cc engine, but am not going to change at this point in time.

Do you still have to park your triumph over a cookie pan? :roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

Do you still have to park your triumph over a cookie pan? :roflblack:

I have heard of no issues with the newest Triumphs and leaking oil. The early ones were pretty leaky. There are a lot of T-Triple riders up here, and in the group I sometimes ride with. No leakers. :yes:

 

[2dogs]

Good news

I have heard of no issues with the newest Triumphs and leaking oil. The early ones were pretty leaky. There are a lot of T-Triple riders up here, and in the group I sometimes ride with. No leakers. :yes:

My first step up to a big bike from a Honda 50, was a 250 triumph. Shift pedal on right brake pedal on the left, and what a mess it left on the garage floor. :banghead::banghead: That was long long ago and far far away, but things are much better now thanks to my 14 RTS. :2thumbs:

 

[lightnin leeRoy]

Spyder versus conventional trike

The biggest reason I say, is the Spyder is the safest bike or trike on the road.
Other reasons would be stability and comfort along with others as mentioned above.
Lightnin`LeeRoy

 

[PistonBlown]

Spyder vs 'Convential Trike'. Ones designed for purpose, fun and fast - one isn't. I rest my case:

 

[BajaRon]

As others have stated,

Stability

Handling

A standard trike cannot overcome the simple physics that having 1 front wheel dictates.

 

[Dragonrider]

For those with questions, take the MSF Trike/Hack class. First time you "two Wheel" a trike, will make you a Spyder believer..

 

[MidTNDawg]

Using one word

will suffice. Whether the one word is handling or stability , this is the biggest difference. The result of the difference is another one word answer, "fun".

 

[eddie j henry]

The Spyder have a true reverse gear.

 

[flaggerphil]

Handling and stability...or has that been brought up yet?

:thumbup:

Also, it's really a lot better when you can see where the two wheels are when they're in front of you. Makes it much easier to go into smaller areas.

 

[LEEB]

I rode Harley (2 wheels) for a long time and love them, but when it was time to go to 3 wheels we test rode a 2014 Tri-Glide. My wife didn't like it at all, and I was not impressed by it's handling characteristics. Throw in a starting price of over $33k plus setup and delivery. We then test rode the 2014 Spyder RT-S (SE6). I was impressed by the handling and nice performance, although it did take 500 miles to really feel comfortable. My wife liked the way it rode, and it seems to her that she actually has more seat space on the Spyder over the Tri-Glide. Now, through in a sticker price of $28.5k, which was then negotiated down with the dealer, and you have a deal. As many on this site have said, 'We have never looked back!"

 

[rays hell]

Youtube

I saw a great comparison video on Youtube. I thought was very interesting
When it comes to corrective steering the Spyder wins.
What would you prefer?

 

[bhfromme]

I test rode both GW and Harley trikes before falling in love with Spyders. The difference was like night and friggin day.

The snappy acceleration of the Spyder can't be matched by either the GW or Harley trikes. That was huge for me. Plus I like seeing both tires in front of me instead of wondering if your rear tires are going to fit through a tight space. And cornering with a Spyder is a blast. Cornering on a trike is less than fun at best and downright terrifying at high speeds.

Another important consideration for me was passenger comfort. Passenger comfort on the HD got very low marks. The GW was better but when my wife sat on the Spyder she just smiled. Big, big difference.

Spyders are more comfortable, more modern, accelerate better and handle better. It was an absolute no brainer.