My wife rides a Spyder and I have driven it too - including on some mountain roads near Banff last year. I'm new to the Connie, and rode a Nomad (cruiser) and SV650S previously. The Spyder is certainly different than a motorcycle.
The performance can be improved a bit, but it won't ever keep up with a connie. Coming from a cruiser, one adjustment was to let it rev much higher before shifting. This thing definitely doesn't want you to shift until above 4500 rpm. In this regard it is much more like the smaller SV's twin than the big cruiser's V-twin.
The handling can definitely be improved over stock. Not sure if he has the RT or RS style, but the wife has a 2010 RT and a set of Elka Shocks really improved its handling. Two things that require you to change your approach regarding handling. First, make sure you are not gripping too tight. If you do the DPS (dynamic power steering) will really amplify every slight adjustment you make with your arms and it will feel like it is wallowing back and forth like crazy. Second, in turns, you want to lean your upper body into the turn and push down on the peg with your outside foot. This helps to prevent the feeling that thing wants to throw you off. There are also some sway-bars that can help stiffen the front end. Take a look at the
SpyderLovers forum for BajaRon.
2013's are supposed to have much better stock suspension (among a host of other upgrades). Unfortunately, the engine didn't really get any performance or gas mileage improvements.
I have a friend who has a CanAm Spider. Due to health concerns, he can't hold up a full size bike on his right side when stopped at a light. He does not like the CanAm at all. I am sure he would love one of these. Anybody know a good place to get a conversion done in the US.
