Tslepebull
Active member
I traded my 2019 Ryker Rally on a Canyon std model yesterday. My selection of the std model over the XT or RR is due to my needs. I never ride with a passenger, and can add heated driver grips, back-up camera, and luggage and still come out about $1500 below the XT or $6,000 below the RR. I can buy a lot of fuel and tires for that. I ordered the Std model last month (three days before the end of the extra year of BEST warranty promotion) when my dealer got an RR on the floor and I had the opportunity to sit on it and evaluate the riding position. It reminded me of my old BMW R 1200 GS which was the most comfortable long distance vehicle of any kind I have ever owned. The RR is still on the floor and my Std was the first Canyon (of any trim) sold by my dealer.
So far I have 150 miles on the Canyon and here is my first impression compared to the Ryker Rally.
1. Height: it is like climbing out of a Miata into a Jeep CJ. I have a much better view of traffic and can look SUV drivers directly in the eye. The feeling is "commanding". The extra several inches of ground clearance make it less likely I will scoop up a dead possum on the road. There is more arc side to side in turns due to the higher radius, but nothing concerning. As so, there is a bit more forward pitch during braking or chopping the throttle compared to the Ryker, but again, not concerning.
2. Ride quality: the extra suspension travel really calms the shock from our (less than smooth; much less than smooth) rural East Texas roads. I specifically selected some of the most awful roads I could find today, and the bump steer and shock up my spine were non-existent. If the shocks ever hit the bump stops at the end of their travel I could not perceive it; this was not the case with the Ryker.
3. Riding position: the upright (feet under me) position felt natural and comfortable. I really like to be able to stand on the pegs when the going is rough or when I need to see over a blind hill. The Ryker's feet forward position put pressure directly on my tail bone and caused a weird flex of my spine, making rear tire bumps really harsh and somewhat painful.
4. Fuel mileage: surprisingly, considering the larger engine and greater vehicle weight, was about 10% better than my Rally and will likely improve as the engine breaks in. It is nice to be able to run 75 at 3900 rpm vs 6300 rpm with the Ryker. Much more relaxed.
5. Shifting: I have never ridden a Spyder, so this is my first experience with paddle shifters. I am still trying to lose old habits of chopping the throttle to shift and have only honked the horn once while trying to upshift. Otherwise, it's very smooth and my left hand once again has the pride of doing something besides just hanging on. I missed shifting with the CVT on the Ryker.
6. Wind control: wind noise and buffeting with the stock windscreen are minimal. I look over the windscreen throughout the full range of travel. I played a bit with the adjustment knob and really did not see much difference between low to high in how much wind I got. Rain coverage is yet to be seen.
7. Mounting the trike: on the Ryker, I just stepped over the seat and squatted. On the Canyon, I step up on the pegs and swing a leg over the seat. Once again very familiar.
I'm not bashing the Ryker; mine served me well over the past 6 years, and if the Canyon had not been released I would still be on the Ryker. However, (for me) the Canyon is an improvement and (for me) was worth the difference in price. Yes, it has only been 24 hours and the Canyon and I are still in our honeymoon phase. Will I regret not getting the RR? I don't know, we will see how I feel after the first 500 mile day in the rain.
So far I have 150 miles on the Canyon and here is my first impression compared to the Ryker Rally.
1. Height: it is like climbing out of a Miata into a Jeep CJ. I have a much better view of traffic and can look SUV drivers directly in the eye. The feeling is "commanding". The extra several inches of ground clearance make it less likely I will scoop up a dead possum on the road. There is more arc side to side in turns due to the higher radius, but nothing concerning. As so, there is a bit more forward pitch during braking or chopping the throttle compared to the Ryker, but again, not concerning.
2. Ride quality: the extra suspension travel really calms the shock from our (less than smooth; much less than smooth) rural East Texas roads. I specifically selected some of the most awful roads I could find today, and the bump steer and shock up my spine were non-existent. If the shocks ever hit the bump stops at the end of their travel I could not perceive it; this was not the case with the Ryker.
3. Riding position: the upright (feet under me) position felt natural and comfortable. I really like to be able to stand on the pegs when the going is rough or when I need to see over a blind hill. The Ryker's feet forward position put pressure directly on my tail bone and caused a weird flex of my spine, making rear tire bumps really harsh and somewhat painful.
4. Fuel mileage: surprisingly, considering the larger engine and greater vehicle weight, was about 10% better than my Rally and will likely improve as the engine breaks in. It is nice to be able to run 75 at 3900 rpm vs 6300 rpm with the Ryker. Much more relaxed.
5. Shifting: I have never ridden a Spyder, so this is my first experience with paddle shifters. I am still trying to lose old habits of chopping the throttle to shift and have only honked the horn once while trying to upshift. Otherwise, it's very smooth and my left hand once again has the pride of doing something besides just hanging on. I missed shifting with the CVT on the Ryker.
6. Wind control: wind noise and buffeting with the stock windscreen are minimal. I look over the windscreen throughout the full range of travel. I played a bit with the adjustment knob and really did not see much difference between low to high in how much wind I got. Rain coverage is yet to be seen.
7. Mounting the trike: on the Ryker, I just stepped over the seat and squatted. On the Canyon, I step up on the pegs and swing a leg over the seat. Once again very familiar.
I'm not bashing the Ryker; mine served me well over the past 6 years, and if the Canyon had not been released I would still be on the Ryker. However, (for me) the Canyon is an improvement and (for me) was worth the difference in price. Yes, it has only been 24 hours and the Canyon and I are still in our honeymoon phase. Will I regret not getting the RR? I don't know, we will see how I feel after the first 500 mile day in the rain.
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