Trike vs. Spyder

[DJFaninTN]

I didn't buy a Spyder to race anyone in a drag race. Yes we test rode the Tri Glide and to us it was not a fun ride. Very uncomfortable compared to the Spyder plus not near as much storage. That single tire up front was not fun. It felt like I was wresting a bear all day. The wife complained that she felt just about every bump in the road on the rear. I not a huge fan of hearing your pipes all day long. And to top it off, the HD will void your warranty if you are trying to pull a trailer. Spyder handles it with no problem.

But I will guarantee you we get in the twisties and I'll leave you behind. We rode with a bunch of Gold Wing Trikes in East TN and they said no way they could keep up and I was pulling a trailer.

If you don't like the looks .. hey I get it. But don't be jealous when the Spyder pulls up and you see a crowd gathering around. We've learned the hard way to keep your helmet on if you are grabbing gas and want to get on the road instead of gabbing for half an hour.

One of the funniest things ever (and its happened several times) you'll be stopped grabbing lunch or grabbing some gas and a HD rider comes over and starts asking questions. Then a group of HD riders pull up and the guy talking to you all of sudden gets a little nervous that he is talking to a Spyder owner in front of other HD riders. He walks away and goes back to his own bike. Cracks me up that they are afraid to be judged by other HD riders.

But to each his own. We will ride with HD's, Gold Wings or Indians. Makes us no difference. We ride around 12K miles a year.

 

[consitter]

I'm totally with you on not caring about Spyder or Tri Glide. We have both. I'm assigned to the TG and my wife the Spyder, but I'm telling you...if I rode hers enough, I'd probably want to switch myself over to a Spyder. It just rides so much better. As far as riding in the twisties, I could outride MYSELF using the TG. But I'm betting with practice on the Spyder, it would win out.

I've now bared my soul. Hopefully they're won't be too many haters from the Harley side of the family. :blush:

 

[HarleyHoss]

I have had several Harley two-wheelers but we bought a new Spyder RT in 2010.

Nice ride and was ok. But, every bit of maintenance is a struggle. Checking the engine oil requires removing tupper-ware and then the grommets fall out and go who knows where.

Changing the battery is a 3 hour job with all the plastic you need to remove.

Finally gave up on the Spyder and got a Tri Glide.

 

[bikerbillone]

That's one 'big' reason I did not seriously consider a Spyder, getting to the air filter on the gl1800 is enough for me.

 

[rhino 2]

They all have their pros and cons maintenance wise ......Being the Devils Advocate here,

Most people keep a Trike/bike because of the way that Trike/bike makes them feel...Maintenance is a Red Herring .....An excuse to move on to a new and different ride........

 

[trikermutha]

I lift my seat to check the oil and pull out the dip stick..As for the air filter I just checked mine after one season and still looked fine..NO need to inspect it every 3000 miles. But I guess for some that are in dusty areas it could be a nuisance to have to check it more often..

Pulling the battery is simple on the newer models. :yahoo:

Pros and Cons on both Trikes . IMO my Body is much more comfortable and relaxed on the Spyder than the TRI.:jumpy:

Plus no clutch lever and paddle shifting is much better on my hands.:biglol: Stopping is a whole lot better that the TRI was.

Anyway Enjoy whatever makes you happy:scooter:

 

[DJFaninTN]

I have had several Harley two-wheelers but we bought a new Spyder RT in 2010.

Nice ride and was ok. But, every bit of maintenance is a struggle. Checking the engine oil requires removing tupper-ware and then the grommets fall out and go who knows where.

Changing the battery is a 3 hour job with all the plastic you need to remove.

Finally gave up on the Spyder and got a Tri Glide.

BRP has made great strides since the first year of the RT in 2010. Reliability is pretty darn good now. From the 2014 model on the RT maintenance is a whole lot less than previous years. Just like any bike or car out there you are always going to have a few units out there that are subpar.

 

[hogcowboy]

My wife is the Spyder rider and traded her 12 for a 16. So from a twin to a triple. She loves it. Me not so much. It's okay and I did ride her 12 once when I had to get to a doctors appointment and while going there my bike got a flat. Wife stayed with my bike until tow service arrived. So I've ridden a Spyder. Someone else said they don't like them because they feel like an ATV. I agree. However the F3's don't have that same feel. They are more bike like. It's still a Spyder but I am getting drawn to the new F3 Limited. It has just about all the bells and whistle I like. I'm hold out for a Tilting Motorworks conversion but if that doesn't pan out that new F3 Limited just might find a way into my garage. I've yet to test ride one though. That changes everything usually. We'll see.:Shrug:

 

[GARYD]

The TG has everything I want in a motorcycle = vibration/sound/look/dealer network - no auto trans or "paddle shifters" for me. Does it also come with a vase to put flowers in too?

The one and only reason I won't buy a Spyder is the 2 front wheels. I don't care how comfy it is(mine is too with the adjustable air seat), how much attraction it gets(my TG gets way more then I want), or how fast it is (my upgrade makes mine as fast as I would ever want). As long as it makes me feel like I'm on an ATV it'll never be in my garage.

I'm glad Spyder owners like their bike it is an alternative. Look at all the people that would NEVER ride a motorcycle, are now riding a Spyder. The more riders we can get, the better chance we have to fight government intrusion into our freedoms. Hopefully you all belong to the AMA or other MRO.

Long live 2 and 3 wheel motorcycles - - and their owners.

Save The Wave!!

BTW, I'm not embarrassed to talk to Spyder owners or Victory/Indian/Vespa owners either.

 

[trikermutha]

:duel:

 

[rhino 2]

The only time i was embarrassed Was when i parked next to a few Spyder owners that i knew from when i had a Spyder. , And i had to push the Tri-Glide out of a parking space , And they offerd to help me.:blush:.. That was before i put in the Mechanical reverse...

 

[mirider]

IMO like arguing Ford vs Chevy, they both get you down the road. ThumbUp Just a matter of personal taste and who cares if one's faster than the other ??? I like the sound, look, and ride of my TG so that's what I own.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Happy Father's Day you muthas!

Title says it all :clapping:

In the past few days, I had an opportunity to take the same 120 mile route out in the countryside of North Florida/South Georgia on my 2017 Tri Glide first and today on my 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3S. For my physiology, the Tri Glide rider position is a bit more comfortable. The rumble of the Harley is unmistakable and fun. However, the Rotax 1330 in my F3S Spyder is somewhat vibey with a lot of grunt coming out of those 115 ponies. The steering is much heavier on the Tri Glide but then again, the steering is almost too light on the Spyder. The Spyder suffers from bump steer over uneven pavement sections where the Harley with the front wheel does not.

The engines on the two machines are so different. The Harley motor is old school even though it is a new M8 compared to the Rotax 1330. I frankly think I have a bit more confidence in the Rotax than I do in the Harley lump at this point. Time will tell if that is an issue that might try and bite me?

The above poster suggested that this is a Chevy vs. Ford debate. I would respectfully have to disagree. The two machines are conceptually so different and still trikes that it is amazing to me. Of course everyone has their preferences. I prefer to ride both :clapping:

 

[rhino 2]

I had a Spyder And now i have a Tri-Glide....Their both trikes and thats where the similarities end...Thats like me trying to compare my [EX] VTX 1800 to my [EX] Suzuki Sv650....Both are bikes but for two different missions..

 

[trikermutha]

Title says it all :clapping:

In the past few days, I had an opportunity to take the same 120 mile route out in the countryside of North Florida/South Georgia on my 2017 Tri Glide first and today on my 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3S. For my physiology, the Tri Glide rider position is a bit more comfortable. The rumble of the Harley is unmistakable and fun. However, the Rotax 1330 in my F3S Spyder is somewhat vibey with a lot of grunt coming out of those 115 ponies. The steering is much heavier on the Tri Glide but then again, the steering is almost too light on the Spyder. The Spyder suffers from bump steer over uneven pavement sections where the Harley with the front wheel does not.

The engines on the two machines are so different. The Harley motor is old school even though it is a new M8 compared to the Rotax 1330. I frankly think I have a bit more confidence in the Rotax than I do in the Harley lump at this point. Time will tell if that is an issue that might try and bite me?

The above poster suggested that this is a Chevy vs. Ford debate. I would respectfully have to disagree. The two machines are conceptually so different and still trikes that it is amazing to me. Of course everyone has their preferences. I prefer to ride both :clapping:

Have you had the chance to test ride the RT before you went with the F3? Just wondering your opinion if you did?

I have had the Tri and Now the Spyder RT and know the difference between the two.

The F3 is lighter and driver is seated different than the RT.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Have you had the chance to test ride the RT before you went with the F3? Just wondering your opinion if you did?

I have had the Tri and Now the Spyder RT and know the difference between the two.

The F3 is lighter and driver is seated different than the RT.

I did sit on some RT's and the riding position was more comfortable like my Tri Glide. However, I wanted a lighter and sportier trike to compliment the TGU. I added floorboards and upgraded the seats on the F3. I have only invested a total of about $15k in the F3S with all of the farkles and as you know, that is about $10K less than the RT's.

I will be doing my annual oil change tomorrow on the F3S Spyder as it is within two weeks of being due. I have been looking at the YouTube videos and had ordered a OEM factory synthetic oil change kit along with some Gold Plugs to get rid of the Torx bolts. I even bought a 35mm spanner to open up the oil filter canister. I only had an opportunity to put 3k miles on that trike this year because of all the other vehicles I was messing with. I suspect I will at least double that mileage this coming year. It is a fun challenge to balance my time between my two trikes and my street legal sports/race car. The RT's are definitely the Barco Loungers of the Can-Am series but are also pretty spirited in their own right. I just didn't need two trikes with luggage capabilities.

 

[trikermutha]

I did sit on some RT's and the riding position was more comfortable like my Tri Glide. However, I wanted a lighter and sportier trike to compliment the TGU. I added floorboards and upgraded the seats on the F3. I have only invested a total of about $15k in the F3S with all of the farkles and as you know, that is about $10K less than the RT's.

I will be doing my annual oil change tomorrow on the F3S Spyder as it is within two weeks of being due. I have been looking at the YouTube videos and had ordered a OEM factory synthetic oil change kit along with some Gold Plugs to get rid of the Torx bolts. I even bought a 35mm spanner to open up the oil filter canister. I only had an opportunity to put 3k miles on that trike this year because of all the other vehicles I was messing with. I suspect I will at least double that mileage this coming year. It is a fun challenge to balance my time between my two trikes and my street legal sports/race car. The RT's are definitely the Barco Loungers of the Can-Am series but are also pretty spirited in their own right. I just didn't need two trikes with luggage capabilities.

I been running amsoil in the 1330 now. Find that it quiets the engine down some. 35MM spanner. I thought it was a socket head type canister.

You will need a 6MM allen head and 45 MM torx to remove the drain plugs

 

[Capt.Bob]

I been running amsoil in the 1330 now. Find that it quiets the engine down some. 35MM spanner. I thought it was a socket head type canister.

You will need a 6MM allen head and 45 MM torx to remove the drain plugs

I have been messing around with too many mechanical things in the past couple of days. The open end/closed end ratcheting wrench I called a spanner because I have been messing around too much with my Lotus 7 replica. The Brits call wrenches spanners and I was at a loss for the proper word. Thanks for the heads up on the allen head and torx tools. I preliminarily tried a 40mm Torx in the transmission plug and it seemed to fit properly? Not sure if it is an equivalent to the 6mm allen? I am not that great a mechanic but I try hard and take 3-4x as long as a pro to do the same job.:xzqxz:

 

[trikermutha]

I have been messing around with too many mechanical things in the past couple of days. The open end/closed end ratcheting wrench I called a spanner because I have been messing around too much with my Lotus 7 replica. The Brits call wrenches spanners and I was at a loss for the proper word. Thanks for the heads up on the allen head and torx tools. I preliminarily tried a 40mm Torx in the transmission plug and it seemed to fit properly? Not sure if it is an equivalent to the 6mm allen? I am not that great a mechanic but I try hard and take 3-4x as long as a pro to do the same job.:xzqxz:

Be carefull not to round out the stock plugs. They will be tight to get off if its the first time. That don't sound right. Try 6mm on trans and oil is T45 torx

Better take this to Spyder area before we get a spanking :tongue:

 

[DJFaninTN]

get a laser alignment and add in a Baja Ron Sway bar on that F3. I've also gotten rid of the cheap Kendra tires and gone with a real car tire on front and rear. you'll be amazed how much of a difference the tires will make.

 

[Capt.Bob]

get a laser alignment and add in a Baja Ron Sway bar on that F3. I've also gotten rid of the cheap Kendra tires and gone with a real car tire on front and rear. you'll be amazed how much of a difference the tires will make.

DJ, The Baja Ron Sway Bar was one of the very earliest mods as I felt that there was too much body lean even with the Fox shocks up front. I also added the Can-Am 2-Up rear shock to increase the stiffness of the rear of the trike. Finally, I went to Doc's Spyder Alignment in Folkston, GA and got the three wheel alignment (True Laser Track system where both front wheels were toed in 1/2" relative to the rear wheel). Doc used to align the three-axis gyros spinning at something like 3,000 revolutions per second (can't remember actual number) on atomic-powered submarines so I think he got the hang of the True Laser Track alignment system fairly quickly I even helped him with the laser placements because I use laser alignment all of the time for my large Newtonian telescopes in the collimation process for the mirrors.

My Kendra tires (all three) only have 3k miles on them as they were put on by the selling dealer at time of the used sale with 6K on the clock and so I have been pleased with their overall performance. Being that I am not riding a sport bike anymore like my last one which was a Yamaha R1, the Kendras are really adequate for 99% of my shenanigans on the trike. I ride it smoothly through the twisties and have yet to activate the Nanny (electronic stability control). Over on the Spyder Lovers Forum, I have seen a lot of words on tires but don't seem to be able to drill down on people being able to say how much better non-OEM tires really perform overall. I have heard a lot of whining about the stock tires and the rear's limited longevity but I have not heard definitive information that suggests non-OEM from a performance standpoint are particularly superior other than in terms of longevity?

To keep this thread relevant to the Harley trikes, on my 2016, at just about 15k miles, I changed up the front tire with the one Kevin from DK Customs was raving about where you run a rear tire in reverse and found that it did not negatively affect the handling of my 2016 TGU and may possibly have been just a tad more responsive than the OEM. Supposedly, the tire (Michelin Pilot Activ rear 130/90-17) would give the rider 25-30k miles of service which in some cases was 2-3x better than the OEM Harley front tire. Lest folks think I was riding my sport bikes like mopeds, I would routinely roast a $200 sticky rear tire in about 3-3.5k miles with no burnouts.