For those of you who have one, did you move on to the Spyder from a two wheeled MC? I'm contemplating doing this for several reasons. I currently own a 2018 Gold Wing. My wife won't ride with me because she's never been comfortable on two wheelers, but she said she'd consider riding on a Spyder. Another reason is because Spyders are easier to get on and off of, and you don't have to hold them up at red lights. The RT models also have much more cargo space than ANY bike, and they're much safer because there's much less chance of tipping over on one. My main concern is the available power. Even with the 1330cc engine, these things only produce 115 HP, and 96 ft. lbs of torque. That's down 10HP from the GW, and almost 30 ft.lbs. of torque. The difference in HP isn't much, the the torque is a big difference. I'm not a speed demon, but I do like having that power available when I want/need it. The RT (or RT Limited) is almost 200 lbs. heavier than the GW, so that's going to limit its performance even more. If I'm going to be riding two up with luggage, how much am I going to miss having that extra power? Also, I'd be looking to buy used, so which year models should I be looking at, and which ones should I stay away from? If there's anything else I should know about, please post...
Can Am Spyder
- Thread starter grampi
- Start date
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
Maybe you can test ride one with Mrs. Grampi on board and see if she really will ride one. That's a big stretch from her not wanting to ride to touring two up with luggage etc. Unless it doesn't matter if she ends up riding or not.. 
Most Can Am dealers I've been aware of, will allow test rides. Only you can decide if the power is adequate. My sister has one with the 1330cc engine, I've ridden it. It did nothing for me. Sort of like riding a snowmobile on the road. But there are those who love them, so go try one with the wife.
I'm on my second Spyder, this one being a RT Sea To Sky. I'm only a 100% solo rider, so can't help the two up question. The 1330cc motor is a good power plant. While owning my Spyders, I also owned 5 two wheelers during the same time frame. I now only have the Spyder. I find it to be more fun. www.spyderlovers.com is a great place to get info..
I've registered on that site, but apparently the mods are slow to activate new accounts. I still can't post on this site...
Take one for a test drive with your wife. After that, if she is open to riding more, find a place to rent one. Go for some longer rides a few times to be sure she likes it.
My experience has been that if two wheels was the excuse for not riding, a different excuse will materialize after being on the Spyder.
My experience has been that if two wheels was the excuse for not riding, a different excuse will materialize after being on the Spyder.
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
- Joined
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I'd do a trike kit on your Wing..my wife's uncle (retired Nascar HoF driver, and 93 years young) still rides a Wing but did the trike kit a few years ago. He rides the Kyle Petty charity rides every year and the trike has given him the stability and comfort he needs.
The ONLY way I would do that is if the conversion would put the two wheels in front. No way I'd do it the other way...
Not yet, but I am looking for one to ride. There are several listed on FB Marketplace in my area. I just need to find an owner willing to let me ride it...
Here you go. They do Goldwings too.
You don't need a Facebook account to see pictures or their contact info.
https://www.facebook.com/TiltingMotorWorks/about
Yep, that's the mod I'd do, but I'm not going Oregon to have it done...there used to be one in KY that did a similar mod, but I think they closed...
Where there's a will, there's a way.
There are motorcycle transport companies who could haul it to Oregon, and back.
You've stated you're retired. Hop on that Goldwing and see the Country.
The wife and I have ridden around a good portion of the Country on Sportbikes...
I do quite a few road trips on the Wing. In '22 I rode to the Sturgis bike rally. Last summer did the EAA Air Adventure, and did the Dragon, this year did the Mid Atlantic Meet, and the Vintage Motorcycle Days. Next year doing the EAA again, and the following year doing Sturgis again...there will probably be a few more shorter trips sprinkled in there somewhere...
My wife has transitioned to an F3 from 2 wheels. She's happy to be comfortable riding again and being back in the wind.
I'm hitting 7 decades and soon will be doing the same thing when funds allow. A friend who is 84 still gets to ride with his wife onboard on his RT.
My Road King is getting heavier by the year sadly.
The Spyder can get out of its own way and no trike tippyness. Onboard nanny will override stupidity. It will rail around corners faster than any trike conversion.
I will go to the F3 for the leg room over the RT with the bent knee riding position. I'm 6' and like to stretch my legs out.
As said it's like a snowmobile on the road, but sleds can kill you just as quickly also. We still ride sleds also.
The beauty of being old is dealers will gladly let you take a test ride, take one.
I'm hitting 7 decades and soon will be doing the same thing when funds allow. A friend who is 84 still gets to ride with his wife onboard on his RT.
My Road King is getting heavier by the year sadly.
The Spyder can get out of its own way and no trike tippyness. Onboard nanny will override stupidity. It will rail around corners faster than any trike conversion.
I will go to the F3 for the leg room over the RT with the bent knee riding position. I'm 6' and like to stretch my legs out.
As said it's like a snowmobile on the road, but sleds can kill you just as quickly also. We still ride sleds also.
The beauty of being old is dealers will gladly let you take a test ride, take one.
I rode two Spyders yesterday. One was an F3 Touring and the other was an RT. Both were 2017 models. I didn't care for the RT at all, mainly because of the cramped riding position you mentioned. The F3 was a pleasure to ride. It may have been more comfortable than my Gold Wing. The riding position was perfect, and the seat with a rider's backrest was incredibly comfortable. Because it was the touring model, it had the full size trunk, which gives it much more cargo space than my Wing also. It only has about 8500 miles, so it still looks new. My only worry is that I don't know if I'm quite ready to give up the Wing yet...
Sounds like the F3 is the one for you. Just do it, you will ride more when you are comfortable on bike and can just hop on and go.
If a deal came along, I would not hesitate to say goodbye to my '01 Road King I've had since new.
If a deal came along, I would not hesitate to say goodbye to my '01 Road King I've had since new.
My stepdad converted to a Spyder from 2-wheels. He was having problems with one of his legs working reliably (turned out to be MS). He rode it for 4 years. It kept him riding beyond what he normally would have. I test rode a couple when he was buying. I was impressed by the handling. The leaning was odd, but you get used to it. I was a little disappointed when the power steering servo failed at <10K miles, and around 3-4 years old. Of course it was out of warranty and the part was $800. Luckily the dealer stepped up and covered 1/2 the cost.
There really is no leaning on a Spyder. Leaning into it to help stay on the machine, yes, but no leaning like on a a two wheeler. The Spyder tracks like it's on rails...
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