I don't ride one at the moment. But have done in the past and may do in the future.
,
Aug 7, 5:49am
I rented one of these for 3 days to take my wife on a motorcycle tour from Christchurch to Kaikoura. While it's not a motorbike (and I have owned a fair few in my younger days) its still a good fun machine and a lot safer (particularly for the inexperienced) than a bike. It still has heaps of power, but the traction control and three wheels make if far more forgiving than a bike. It also requires a car license rather than a bike license to operate. I felt a lot more confident thrashing it around the windy back roads with the wife on the back than I would have on a bike. I'd recommend it for a fun weekend, but personally wouldn't buy one. Not sure why so many bikers feel so threatened by them though? seems a little sad.
berg,
Aug 7, 6:37am
Very similar to wife's GSX-S1000
m16d,
Aug 7, 7:01am
I'm trying to think of a smart arse answer. . there's also a 750 Yamaha triple in the shed too. does that make me ungay.
clark20,
Aug 7, 7:51am
Come on kids, play well together. If he wants one let him get one. How about just listing the pros and cons, and stop calling each other names.
PS and yes I have a bike license.
floydandu2,
Aug 7, 8:03am
I think they are a great alternative for the ex-bikers who through age or infirm are unable to ride two wheels, but still like the feeling of the open air.
But they are more akin to a convertible car - not any form of a bike. That's just taking the piss. I find them to be downright annoying road hogs that turn up to charity rides, having lost the spatial awareness of a biker, and put the two-wheeled riders at risk.
klrider,
Aug 7, 5:45pm
If you do get one, please don't park in motorbike parks like one twat does in Wellington, takes up at lease three parks and about as much room as a small car.
kam04,
Aug 7, 8:57pm
wow, there's a fair bit of anti against these things. No actual owners have come on to give comments. Maybe too afraid to . I've never owned a bike but have ridden one a couple of times years ago. I'm retired and getting up there a bit now and would like a 'toy' to muck around and have some fun on so maybe this will be ideal for me, Must be careful though not to go to areas where there are two wheel riders or park in bike parks in case of retaliation.
rovercitroen,
Aug 7, 9:49pm
Guy at work has one. He used to ride bikes but due to a back injury finds the Spyder easier. He says it is HUGE fun to ride/drive.
apollo11,
Aug 7, 10:34pm
No the saying is 'He who shouts gay the loudest needs to come out of the closet'. Anyone who rides for the love of it (as opposed to weekend warrior bad boy wannabe's) is a good sort in my book. If I was given the opportunity to ride a Spyder I'd take it. It looks like you could do some good donuts on it.
danchop,
Aug 8, 12:19am
They look different alright.Didnt realise theyre front drive though,can they still do burnouts?
berg,
Aug 8, 2:10am
Spyder is rear wheel drive not front. The new ones will do burnouts. The computer shut the old ones down pretty quick if you tried
richardmayes,
Aug 8, 2:56am
There's usually at least one can-am riding with every gaggle of brightly-coloured weekend warriors caning their race bikes over the Rimutaka hill. Usually in the middle of the group, not right at the back.
I like them because they tailgate less on the hill, they don't lane-split on the motorway, and they seem to stay on their own side of the damn road around blind corners better than bikes do!
desmodave,
Aug 8, 3:53am
Your not holding people up on their travels are you , you do drive a whale don't you ? . 1 thing with motorcycles is if your not moving , you fall over . You don't get that with 3 wheels .
richardmayes,
Aug 8, 4:54am
I always pull over to let faster traffic pass where I can (unlike the last biker I caught up to.)
The thing about the Rimutaka hill is, you can't just stop anywhere.
You can, however, brake-check the really impatient ones. Get lost Valentino Rossi, it's my road too.
tamarillo,
Aug 8, 5:00am
And this is the guts of it. They're huge fun. So what does rest matter, anyone who wants fun in motoring is worth having around. I prefer my two wheels, but totally get why these things are better for others. I reckon a few riders would actually be better off with them judging by their pathetic cornering speeds on two wheels. Op, get one and enjoy it.
You can kill some time on a spyderlovers forum while you wait for answers from the horses mouth if you like.
whqqsh,
Sep 5, 7:13pm
Youtube has some interesting ride review clips, some find it hard to get used to the controls. They're not for me, I did build a VW trike many years ago & got it running & riding, just needed to sort brakes & lights, until a guy came over to buy some parts off me & offered stupid money for the unfinished project as it was exactly what he was trying to build but couldn't get the proportions from his head to the build & his was nowhere near as good. It was put to me & seemed sensible that a trike base is the worst of both worlds. The width of a car & stuck in traffic, yet still sitting out in the weather
apollo11,
Sep 5, 9:33pm
I agree, can't help but think of them as a motorcycle for paraplegics (sorry to any paraplegics out there).
jusluckee,
Sep 5, 11:53pm
Good post and link, thank you desmodave.
Went for a ride on a new one today. Pretty darn good feeling. A hefty bike but with power steering and all the bells and whistles made the ride quite smooth. A lot of take off power too. The gearing is simple and smooth too.Like the cornering on 3 meaty wheels, more stability than 2 wheels. (I don't like heeling in yachts either, or leaning on 2 wheels, lol). Had both so have some experience. This could be a good bike for me, I'm not disabled or elderly. I'm a female who wants a useable daily brand new toy and feel the wind without tipping over or kneeing the road. Liked it. Thanks.
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