Spyder or Tri-Glide?

[rhino 2]

Sad thing is it looks like a snowmobile with wheels. :rofl:

Funny..... I had one of the first Spyder's Registered in NJ, (2008)..In BRP Yellow and i can't tell you how many times i was stopped and asked did i convert it from a Snowmobile?....Twice by the police wanting to check my registration to see if it was legal .....Now they are common....

 

[paws]

Well????

You have gotten MANY responses to your question from this forum and also over on the SpyderLovers forum.

Surely you have enough honest, as well as biased, opinions to have made your decision??

Please let us know ASAP as we so anxiously await to hear...

 

[Burnerboy]

All though I now ride a Goldwing with a Roadsmith TRIKE kit........... 75,500 miles on it and still running great!!

I believe that my next TRIKE will be a Can AM spyder....... :hooray: I test ridde'n them and love'd it.......

Ronnie

2/2/24

- - - Updated - - -

Well????

You have gotten MANY responses to your question from this forum and also over on the SpyderLovers forum.

Surely you have enough honest, as well as biased, opinions to have made your decision??

Please let us know ASAP as we so anxiously await to hear...

Yes please!

let us know what your decision was::: DID YOU PURCHASE ONE??

Ronnie

2/2/24

 

[Casper]

Ok, I’ll throw my 2 cents in. First I’m a harley guy, i've owned more than you can shake a stick at (from 1957 to 2024)..I’ve owned four Goldwing conversions (one Champion and three CSC) five Harley TG’s.. no can am but I did test ride one.

Goldwind/ runs great, strong motor, smooth, last forever. Hated the sitting position, killed my knees and hips, not much in handlebars to accommodate shorter riders. Just couldn’t get comfortable on it (for me anyway). I think if you like Honda the automatic would be a sweet trike.

Harley/ has the look, has the soul, has the feel of a motorcycle. Has an unsurpassed dealer network, you can outfit your bike, self, wife, kids and dog…fit and finish in superior to most. Has the rumble most love…but (and there’s always a but) it does take parts and accessories to make it right, shocks, lift kit, handle bars, etc…it does run hot (thanks EPA) but it’s fun to make it your own. If I had the extra funds and didn’t mind the wait, I’d buy a RoadGlide and convert it..think. Harleys missing it by not having a RG Tri-Glide..but that’s my Opinion..

my advice? Test ride them all, take everyone’s opinion with a grain of salt.. everyone’s butt is different and we don’t all like the same thing..Corvette, Shelby Mustang, Street Rod, Classic restored…all good, all different. Only you can make the decision…good luck on that..

 

[Notgrownup]

Its not just change oil "see link below"

Also your Freewheeler doesnt have the fairings that trap the heat like a Tri Glide does

That makes a lot of the stuff needed mods

https://www.stonewallhd.com/Service/Maintenance-Intervals

I’ve never seen that service interval and if someone does that, they are quite obviously a sucker. Most of those things listed are suggested and I would bet suggested by any dealer with shady service policies by Honda, Can Am etc… My dealership never pushed that on me. I ve done most of that stuff myself in the past.

 

[Notgrownup]

Sad thing is it looks like a snowmobile with wheels. :rofl:

It was designed in Quebec by Ski Doo Tabarnak.

 

[bamadoughnut]

I'm not the OP, and it's a year later, but thought I would post since I went through the same decision.

I'm 58, and had never been on a motorcycle. Got the itch, but wanted to take my wife with me, so decided on a 3 wheeler.

My mind was made up on a Spyder....until I visited the dealer twice. My local Spyder dealer is RideNow. I couldn't get anything out of the salesman on price, other than "advertised discounts are before dealer fees". They wanted paperwork before even discussing ballpark. I left with zero confidence in them for sales, nevermind follow on service.

I took the MSF course at my local Harley Dealer. A world of difference in experiences. After MSF, a salesman, gave me exact numbers OTD on a 25 triglide.

The local dealer (and overall dealer network), and the piece of mind that came with that, is why I chose the Triglide.

By the way, the Spyder dealer still has every 2024 that i sat on back in Sept 2024....with new discounts.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Hi,

After giving up on two wheels a couple of years ago due to health issues, I am now researching trikes. Other than a devotion to the Harley Davidson brand (I used to own an Indian, so I totally get that), what re the pros and cons of the Tri-Glide over the Spyder? I would love to hear opinions pro and con.

I have no experience with wrenching on a Spyder...nor do I care. I can tear down any of my HD's and have it back togather the same day- if it doesn't need any special machining.

 

[Arctic Fox]

I'm definitely not an authority on trikes being I've only had my Triglide for about a month. But yesterday I was walking into the local Safeway and in pulls a Spyder or the other brand? It absolutely sounded like a snowmobile while idling (I rode Ski Doos for years). I didn't even walk over to look at it, the sound just turned me off!
No doubt they have a advantages over my Triglide but no thanks! I'd rather push my Harley and wear a back brace than ride a reverse trike! Enjoy your search though.

 

[Notgrownup]

There ain’t no way a Spyder will be in my garage ever.

 

[TwistedKarma]

Americade, free test rides, rawaco was there a few years ago, i don't know if harely brings their trikes too. You have to like it, looks, or ride, will be your determining factors. Dont rush your choice, one of my favs, not mine..

 

[Trail boss]

Greg, welcome to Trike Talk

I had a Spyder and if you just want to ride on three wheels and not get the motorcycle feel The Spyder is probably a better choice it has better acceleration smoother ride a true reverse better brakes..but if you wanna keep that motorcycle feel and you have to ride on three wheels then the Triglide or the Free wheeler is the way to go Riding my Triglide is the closest thing to riding a motorcycle that I’ve had since I got off a riding two wheels in 2017 ..

but like Buying any product do you research on that particular dealership a lot of Spyder dealers are problematic…

I agree with Rhino. I took an Operator Course on the Spyder and it is a blast to ride. The one issue that kept cropping up in all the forums I visited was where to get the Spyder serviced.

 

[geol]

Been riding for many years. I have owned about every brand of motorcycle out there except German/Italian. I have owned Harley and Can Am. First Harley I considered was an Ultra (as I recall). Took a test ride with the wife on pillion... this was about 30-35 years ago and the Harley had the 1340cc engine. Guy I shared an office up in Austin got me to the HD dealer because his BIL was the sales manager. Anyway, I noticed that I would have to plan passing a horse and wagon carefully as the thing was gutless. Wife asked me why it didn't have any acceleration.

Got back and the sales manager asked me what I thought and I mentioned lack of power and he told me they would just drop some "touring cams" in to give it some pick up.... Later I owned a Road King and it was much better. Got into trike some years ago when I started having balance issues. After owning a number of Goldwing trikes (both 1500 and 1800) got the bug to buy a Can Am. Bought a used 2010 touring model with bags and trunk. The ride was poor as the suspension wasn't up to two-up riding. The engine was the twin and it felt like riding a two-stroke dirt bike.

That is the wrong engine for a touring machine... didn't like the lack of torque. Anyway, went back to a Goldwing conversion after owning the Can Am for a year or so. I did change the shocks and went to a heavier sway bar which helped the Can Am handling but the buzzy twin was still hidden under the plastic. Would I ever own a Can Am again. No. Would I own a Triglide? They are crazy expensive and for a whole lot less, a used Goldwing will always be in my garage (unless I can find a used RSV Venture with IRS conversion at a reasonable price).... loved my Venture I bought new in 2000.

 

[Notgrownup]

Fortunately we have so many choices to cover all our tastes and riding styles.

 

[BikerG]

I wanted a factory built trike, so I considered the Spyder RT and Tri Glide. I chose the TG for two reasons. First, the TG is simpler by design. I can do all of my own maintenance. Second, while I preferred the Can Am's performance and handling, I eventually had to get off and look at it. No matter how I viewed it, I just couldn't get over the styling. I already have a Polaris snowmobile. I didn't want another.

 

[TwistedKarma]

Don't forget the vanderhals

 

[14TG]

Don't forget the vanderhals

A couple years ago, while out at Gettysburg Bike rally, they had these Vanderhals outside the HD Dealer.
Although, they are unique in their own kinda way… personally for me, (just like a Can Am) I just could not see me enjoying cruising around in them.
I’m quite happy with my Harley’s, and really enjoy my Tri Glide!

 

[BikerG]

Don't forget the vanderhals

Although they have three wheels, the side by side seating of a Vanderhal (and Slingshot) makes it more car like than trike.