Spyder as well as Bandit

Does anyone know anyone who has owned one of these?  Wifey and I are thinking of two-up touring, sort-of bike style.

No don't know anyone who owns one, but did have a long chat to a rep at last years motorcycle show.

I think Mike put it the best once we walked off "all the inconvenience of a car with all the inconvenience of a bike all rolled into one"

They don't ride anything like a bike and steer like a quad.

That doesn't sound off-putting at all MM.  I already have two (old, one not working) quad bikes!    Lots of car spaces available and the cagers might actually see me!

I would imagine they would be comfortable  to tour on ,& quite good in strong cross winds out on the open road etc ............do they have longer test rides available to try one out to see if you like it first ?

I could see Jan and I on one of those in the future. One good benefit I think, is that you can let the missus take the controls with relative confidence. Time to give her a dig in the ribs.

We've discussed these before Dave and my view hasn't changed. 
I can see the reasons that make them attractive to some. I fully understand if you become unable to ride. If you like being a bit different etc they make sense.
Personally I'd prefer a conventional trike but full power to you and Bev if you head down this path. 

They seem to be cheapish as a used item so I'd be looking for one 12 months old.

Let me start in front of you though because these take up a whole lane

I have a neighbour who bought a secondhand one and I think it is back with the dealer for the third time this year each time for 2-3 weeks.

He has broken 2 rubber bands @ $700 each, I guess that is the fitted price. He has been told the replacement required specialised alignment equipment. Hmmm!!

I would have thought this could be achieved using a string line or perhaps running it on axle stands.

It is back with the dealer at present getting a clutch push rod replaced. The dealer told him he had to source the part from Canada. I think this is another 3 week repair.

Have you considered a Bandit with sidecar?

I don't think you could beat the outfit that Barry has especially if you include the trailer. Lots of storage space plus comfort for the passenger. I think it also wins from a maintenance and cost of ownership viewpoint.

Chris and I test rode a couple, when they were first introduced. More out of curiosity than anything else.  
Although the drive train seemed plenty exciting, we were both off put by the way you have to ride them. 
At slow speed everything is very comfortable and ergonomic, but once you get to any pace that would require you to lean on a bike,  the effort required just to stay in the saddle becomes quite a chore. 
I have said previously and still can't understand why Spyder hasn't adopted the dynamics of the Piaggio scooter. If they leaned, Spyder trikes would be awesome, but until then my opinion is that most Spyder riders breath a sigh of relief when they get back onto the freeway and the bends are behind them.  
Having said that,  there is some awesome demo videos showing that the machines handle extremely well with the stability control that comes standard. It's just that you require a lot of effort and muscles to hang on.  
I have two friends who own one, both ladies. One is a very large girl with short legs and the other is elderly. Both have ridden bikes for years and each chose the Spyder for their own reasons. I have queried them over the riding effort and both replied with "Oh, you get used to it"
As stated by others, I would strongly recommend a long test ride before handing over your readies.  
And as 2WA said a standard trike, such as a BonTrike, would be a better choice imo. 

Not my cup 'o tea.

I've always like the quirky "space-ship snow mobile" look of the Spyder and with all the fairing/panels there is a lot that can be done with the paintwork if you're into that sort of thing.



I've never ridden (driven ?) one, but from reports there are the same forces acting on you as a sidecar, but where we (sidecarist) have to mainly deal with centrifical forces when turning "into the chair" I believe the Spyder has to cope with this for both left and right corners.  

Up until now the power has also been low for such a large machine (RT is 459kg dry, K7 Bandit weighing in at 225kg).  The new 2014 model has a 6 speed semi-auto transmission (was 5) along with the Rotax 1330cc in-line 3 that has a claimed 115 hp at 7250 rpm and 96 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm - this is suppose to be 40% more torque than the previous 998 engine.  If that is correct the older models are down at about 60 lb-ft. It's hard to tell sometimes about factory figures compared to real life, however here is a 2012 Spyder that has a PC-5 and aftermarket exhaust fitted, so it is a little more lively than standard:



In complete touring rig you could easily be adding 400 - 500kg with two-up and a full trailer, is this enough pulling power ?  My Bandit ran the dyno to 125hp/95 lb-ft, even with that on tap it certainly knows when we're in touring regalia, and my setup with trailer would be a good 150kgs lighter hauling the same load.

But as I said, I think it looks cool, maybe with a tranplanted Busa motor........

Every one I've spoken to that owns one of these loves them, apparently they don't suffer from under steer like a lot of traditional trikes.

I still don't get why anyone would want to ride one unless they were physically unable to ride on 2 wheels

Chook wrote:Every one I've spoken to that owns one of these loves them, apparently they don't suffer from under steer like a lot of traditional trikes.

I still don't get why anyone would want to ride one unless they were physically unable to ride on 2 wheels

1. Trikes (be 2 wheels at the front, or 2 wheels at the rear) have a traction issue at the 1 wheel end.  I would suspect that would limit the available drive in the case of the Can-am;
2. I wonder how many of the 'lovers' were previously riders?;
3. Totally agree, the day I ride one of these is the day I can no longer throw my over.

Yeah Barry - my research has let me down the route of heading towards the 1330cc motor.  That means spending in excess of $30k, gulp.  Not to worry, that will give me time to save.  You never know, the timing might line up so that it coincides with me selling the Canberra property that our daughter currently rents.  Offloading that would give me enough readies without having to look in the direction of the XS & TRX. 

I'll just have to be patient!

Dekenai wrote:2. I wonder how many of the 'lovers' were previously riders?;

Most of them (over a dozen that have come across), they were all what a lot would expect to be "Bandit Age", as far as I'm concerned their hearts were a lot older than their bodies

Ewok1958 wrote:Yeah Barry - my research has let me down the route of heading towards the 1330cc motor.  That means spending in excess of $30k, gulp.  Not to worry, that will give me time to save.  You never know, the timing might line up so that it coincides with me selling the Canberra property that our daughter currently rents.  Offloading that would give me enough readies without having to look in the direction of the XS & TRX. 

I'll just have to be patient!

I want first option on the TRX!

to each their own I guess.

I personally would never buy one.

A lad I worked with years ago, bought one when they first came out, and he loved it, and he use to own a gen 2 bandit.

I still don`t see the point in them.

You may as well by a convertible car instead!!

Did discuss an MX5 with the wife!! 

Ewok1958 wrote:Did discuss an MX5 with the wife!! 

You're going to swap the MX5 and the Wife for a Spyder?

Ewok1958 wrote:Did discuss an MX5 with the wife!! 

there maybe mixed opinions on MX5`s by some, but I can say, after driving a couple, they handle extremely well, and would be a far better choice than a Spyder.

Once again, in my opinion.

You do realise how merciless JC and me will be on you, don't you?

And if you get one ignore our constant pleas of "giz a ride" (drive?)

Seeing as how 2WA got in quicksmart on the Trixie I'll happily take the Excess.

Great now I feel like a circling Vulture

2wheelsagain wrote:Great now I feel like a circling Vulture

That explains your eyes then ...................circling the TRX from above with excitement    

Well, due to discounts amounting to $3,500, the deed is done - I put down a deposit on a 2014 Spyder RT, new 1330cc triple motor, kitted out for touring.  Hoping to pick it up from CMC next Monday.  Not the top of the range model but still 'top shelf' enough for us with all that padded seating and integrated panniers.

So. About the TRX.........

Yep mate - she's alive and well, and staying in my shed (unregistered of course - the funds don't stretch to registering more than the Bandit and the Spyder).