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Think of changing from a Freewheeler - is the Spyder any easier &/or safer?
- Thread starter Strelnikov
- Start date
Quickdraw
Member
I had my heart set on a Tri-Glide, and while watching videos one night, I stumbled upon the Ryker. I mentioned it to my wife and how it was automatic. She then became interested then, so we went to the dealership the following day and bought that and the '21 RT. I have to say, I'm glad I didn't go with the Tri-Glide. I've never driven a Tri-Glide, but I have read enough to know that the Spyder was a much better decision for me. Plus, the wife got a bike she loves, so wins all around.
When you first ride a Spyder, make sure your mindset is in the right place. Take it as a totally new experience, not a "motorcycle", i.e., a 2 wheeler experience. Several years ago, I flirted with the idea of a Spyder and went to the dealer to get a demo ride. But I was still thinking "motorcycle". I thought the vehicle was trying to throw me off, as did my wife as passenger. I ended up buying a new Goldwing. Jump ahead six years and at 78, I knew I needed something lighter than the Goldwing, or something different. I took a demo ride on a new Spyder RT on the assumption that this thing was not a motorcycle, but something else. It took me all of five minutes to decide that the RT was for me. Two and a half years later, I have never had a single regret at making the switch, and my wife says she is more comfortable on the back of the RT than she was on the Goldwing.
I'll just comment about getting used to the 3 wheels rather than 2. The big difference is in the curves. Instead of leaning, you just steer it as you would a car. I found it instantly comfortable. My learning curve included not having a front brake lever (for the first 50 miles or so), not trying to put a foot down at stops (for the first 10 miles or so), not having to downshift and not having a manual clutch (about 10 minutes). The one aspect of riding a Spyder that took me a while to master was to ride in the center of the lane rather than in the leftmost third as I usually did with a two-wheeler. This took me a couple of hundred miles before I started to ride in the center of the lane without having to think about it.
I'll just comment about getting used to the 3 wheels rather than 2. The big difference is in the curves. Instead of leaning, you just steer it as you would a car. I found it instantly comfortable. My learning curve included not having a front brake lever (for the first 50 miles or so), not trying to put a foot down at stops (for the first 10 miles or so), not having to downshift and not having a manual clutch (about 10 minutes). The one aspect of riding a Spyder that took me a while to master was to ride in the center of the lane rather than in the leftmost third as I usually did with a two-wheeler. This took me a couple of hundred miles before I started to ride in the center of the lane without having to think about it.
This Great Lake Bike Tour SOUNDS INTERESTING??? Is this one Lake Huron ONLY???
Snoking1127
Well-known member
Out on the open road you glide the Spyder, try to man handle steer it and it will be all over the place. A well setup Spyder will go straight down the highway, and only requires a slight pressure on the offside handlebar to turn or make a correction. Yesterday I did a test ride on my second (new to me 2018 RTL) after installing a BajaRon sway bar. This machine came to me with Alka shocks on the front and I put my PPA wheels with Vredestein Quatrac S tires on the front and it goes as straight as an arrow on the road. Got behind a semi and the wind was buffeting me around while the trike was going dead straight down the road. I normally run on cruise control a lot and just rest my hands on the handlebars. TWO THUMB DRIVING! Left thumb shifts up and right thumb controls the cruise control.
Get in the twisties and you drive it more like a snowmobile shifting you weight to the inside on corners if you want to take them really fast. The Spyder has really nice power steering and there is never a point that one has to muscle it around.
safecracker
Well-known member
Hope your search is going well.
Gwolf
Well-known member
I rode a Harley Sportster trike for about 30 years that I built myself. It was not much effort to steer, had a slightly raked and extended front end on it. Bought an F3-S five years ago. The F3 is much more stable and a smoother ride, but the steering effort is about the same. Another difference is that I could find shops that work on Harleys and had parts in most any town in America. Not so with the Spyder. I could repair the carb-ied Sportster with some baling wire, a couple of zip-ties, and some duct tape on the side of the road. Not as likely to get the F3 going again. Tire changes, oil changes, and everything else is a major job. But I don't plan to go back to the Sportster. It was making my arms go numb after a couple of hours from the vibrations coming through the bars, altho the F3-S has good points and bad points too, as well as being more expensive. The F3 solved the vibration problem. It runs smooth as glass in any RPM range. Very well balanced engine.
vs 
vs McClendons
Member
I've had two Spyders RTLs, a 2019 and now a 2024. I've also had a Tri Glide (2021), and a Lehman Trike conversion on an Ultraclassic. Believe it or not, I liked the Lehman trike conversion better than the Tri Glide, but both were similar.
The Tri Glides ride more like a bike in a straight line than a Spyder, but the ride is very harsh. The Spyders are much smoother and easier to ride as soon as you take a turn of any kind. I do miss separate brakes (Spyders only have a brake pedal stock) and I prefer the normal shifting on a Tri Glide. But the Tri Glide ride is HARSH... Yes, I had to say it twice! I also felt less stable at fast speeds on the Tri, as it always felt that if I had to turn quickly at speed, I could tip it (mine had the Harley stability system, but still felt iffy).
The thing not mentioned, both my Spyders felt a little squirrely, especially at first, I attributed it to oversteering, and it got better but still... On my 2024, I put a BajaRon Ultimate Sway Bar ($300ish total) - WHAT A DIFFERENCE! It is now rock solid, turns so much better, and just feels more stable. No comparison, it totally handles better and safer than a Tri Glide once I put the new sway bar on. If you test ride, and you should, and you feel the Spyder "roams" slightly, realize that it likely does not have the upgraded sway bar fitted and that only gets much better.
The Tri Glides ride more like a bike in a straight line than a Spyder, but the ride is very harsh. The Spyders are much smoother and easier to ride as soon as you take a turn of any kind. I do miss separate brakes (Spyders only have a brake pedal stock) and I prefer the normal shifting on a Tri Glide. But the Tri Glide ride is HARSH... Yes, I had to say it twice! I also felt less stable at fast speeds on the Tri, as it always felt that if I had to turn quickly at speed, I could tip it (mine had the Harley stability system, but still felt iffy).
The thing not mentioned, both my Spyders felt a little squirrely, especially at first, I attributed it to oversteering, and it got better but still... On my 2024, I put a BajaRon Ultimate Sway Bar ($300ish total) - WHAT A DIFFERENCE! It is now rock solid, turns so much better, and just feels more stable. No comparison, it totally handles better and safer than a Tri Glide once I put the new sway bar on. If you test ride, and you should, and you feel the Spyder "roams" slightly, realize that it likely does not have the upgraded sway bar fitted and that only gets much better.
Jackhartjr
Active member
In my Spyder training course we were told to run the speed up a bit and brake as hard as we could.
It took a few tries; however, we finally got it. IT STOPS ON A DIME!
I would imagine that if you put the Spyder and Harley along with any other trike, the Spyder will stop much sooner and much safer than the others!
BajaRon
Well-known member
I have a neighbor who is a classic, died in the wool, been riding them since I could walk, Harley man. He's asked me about my Spyders more than once. He converted to a Tri-Glide some years ago. Probably for the usual reasons. He says it rides like a truck, steers like a truck, shakes like a square tire, and can't get out of its own way. And this is a guy who would probably punch you in the face if you ever said anything bad about Harley.
I asked him why he didn't at least give a Spyder a try. No, he says. As much as I am tempted, I just can't do it.
I've got nothing against Harley or their Tri-Glide. I always say, "Ride what you like." Nor do I have any personal experience with the Tri-Glide. But based on this guy's assessment, I think the Spyder is a hands down winner.
I asked him why he didn't at least give a Spyder a try. No, he says. As much as I am tempted, I just can't do it.
I've got nothing against Harley or their Tri-Glide. I always say, "Ride what you like." Nor do I have any personal experience with the Tri-Glide. But based on this guy's assessment, I think the Spyder is a hands down winner.
racoon
Well-known member
Maybe you should print out a Harley Davidson logo, tape it to the frunk lid of a Spyder, and offer to let him take it for a ride around the parking lot... or around the block.
Jackhartjr
Active member
He would love our enclosed trailer! Has Harley stickers on all four sides.
We use it to transport our Spyder.
I figured that no one would steal a Harley, but would the Spyder! Lol
troop
Well-known member
Blackmarket H-D parts would bring in a lot more $$ than Spyder parts...
racoon
Well-known member
Even those Spyder parts that are impossible to find?
Only you'd probably wanta make sure there's not much gas in it, maybe even have the 'low fuel' light showing when you let him on - at least that way, it won't be a loooong ride!!
You never know, lotsa these 'died in the wool' Harley Trike riders have been known to fall in love with love with Spyders on their first ride, maybe because they suddenly realise how bad the Harley Trikes really are...
Not so many of those still on two wheels, tho - I guess they haven't been forced to face their own mort... errm, reality yet!
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