Ms Pete's new ride

[petenomad]

Originally Posted by krash

I am NOT going to show this post to my wife! I do need to get her a Christmas present, somthing for the Nomad?

Well, I don't know if this helps, but this isn't really a Christmas present. We weren't really planning on buying until spring, but we saw a good deal and couldn't pass it up.

[Tiger J]

I have been dying to try one of those! But I am afraid I will then want one, and I somehow don't think my Nomad would trade even!

[usranger74]

Congratulations Anne and Glenn. Enjoy.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by petenomad

Thanks for talking with us about it Greg. Appreciate all your insights.

She's out right now getting some solo riding time while I watch the end of the Chiefs beating the Packers.

It is certainly an interesting ride. When we test rode it I felt the steering was very twitchy, but I think it was just too tight a grip on the bars causing me to fight the power steering. I rode it a little yesterday but must have been a little more relaxed as I didn't really have that problem. Of course, I wasn't at the controls very long.

No problem... I am just happy that deal worked-out for you.

Regarding how it handles... it takes a "little getting used to". One thing is that you cannot hold the grips too tight or you'll have the Spyder squirming all over the place. The second problem for me was to "un-learn" counter-steering when on it.

Overall... Anne will feel safe on it though and she'll have no problem keeping-up with anyone's bike after a while.

[petenomad]

Ann only rode 2 wheels for about 1-2K miles three years ago so I don't think it will take her too much time to "unlearn" counter-steering. We had the previous owner ride it down to us so she wouldn't be immediately thrown onto the interstate right away. I think he really had mixed emotions about selling, so it was a good opportunity for him to get one last ride. After just a few hours she jumped right on a high-speed road (with less traffic).

[caper]

Originally Posted by cnc

Nice, I showed my wife the pics as she has wanted one for a while. Guess I shouldn't have, 'cause now she she won't be satisfied with what I did get her for Christmas.

Holy Frack Norm What are ya thinking . Now you have to get one! And wrap it so she doesn't what it is

[waterman]

Really glad she likes it.

[BudMan]

Congratulations Ann !!!!!

It's a beautiful machine.
I thought it was going to be another year or so.
Glad you were able to get it done sooner.
I'm sure you'll have a blast on it.

Crystal says Congrats too!!!

[petenomad]

Thanks Dave and Crystal. She is scoping out a day to ride to work this week. Tomorrow is rainy and Tuesday may be snowy, but she says Wednesday will be 40 and she's ready (she only works a mile away). I had to remind her that it will be in the low 30s in the morning. We'll see.

[glwilson]

Bet she'll figure out how to ride it no matter how cold it is though...

[Monkeyman]

Looks like a 3 wheeled Gold Wing (not a bad thing). I still prefer 2 wheels but that really is nice looking. Looks a bit crunched up like riding a sport bike? Didn't know they had power steering. That would feel decidedly odd on a bike/trike.

[ringadingh]

They seem to be installing power steering on a lot of stuff nowadays. Atv's and snowmobiles are now available with it.

[petenomad]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Looks like a 3 wheeled Gold Wing (not a bad thing). I still prefer 2 wheels but that really is nice looking. Looks a bit crunched up like riding a sport bike? Didn't know they had power steering. That would feel decidedly odd on a bike/trike.

The touring model (RT) is a bit more upright than the original spyder (RS). The RS tucks your legs under a bit more and has you leaning forward.

Without power steering I think it would be really hard to steer. You have two wide (essentially car) tires at the front with nearly all the weight pushing on them. It would also require much more extreme turn of the bars than it currently does as the steering is speed sensitive.

Like a Goldwing, it has cruise control and built-in stereo with an intercom system available (so lots of buttons). Height adjustable windshield, heated grips for rider and passenger. It one-ups the Goldwing with the Semi Automatic (clutchless paddle shift) with an engine driven reverse gear. You have to be careful with that throttle in reverse. :)

[oldbikers]

Originally Posted by petenomad

Jim, the backseat of the spyder is pretty comfy. I'm sure Ann would let you ride with her.

Sounds good to me

[watchman]

Tell Ann good for her and congrats on the new bike. Now there will be room for all the stuff she wants to buy on the trips. Just wait, I see a trailer in your future also.