Backseat Ryder

BACKSEAT RYDER

Shotgun on the Spyder

I’ve been riding pillion with Steve since 1980. We took our honeymoon in England, Scotland and the lsle of Man aboard a Kawasaki. So I had a lot of backseat time to compare with the Spyder ride when I hoisted my ancient butt aboard the sporty three-wheeler.

It was quite different from what I’d experienced on two wheels.

At first, riding shotgun on the Spyder felt like riding a log down a flume at a water park, as first one hipbone, then the other seemed to be sliding sideways and down-and that was just when the three wheels were on a slightly uneven surface.

When the Spyder takes a corner, your legs and hips stay perpendicular to the ground while your ribcage slides left or right, a movement that reminded me of a belly-dancing class I took

decades ago. But once I got past the log-riding and belly-dancing sensations, I found that being a Spyder ryder was actually quite pleasant.

As a passenger, you’re jostled around a bit more than the guy in front, but you get used to it pretty quickly. I found it more comfortable to keep a firm, straight-armed grip on the handy grabrails by my hips than to try to put my arms around Steve; there was too much space between us. I did, however, grip him with my knees when we went around curves, as I would on any bike.

Was it enjoyable? Sure. I wouldn’t say the Spyder is better or worse than a motorcycle. Just different. And hey, there’s a huge storage compartment up front for your purse and any purchases you might happen to make along the way...

Lanny Thompson