2017 or 2018 RT?

[Al_lockup]

Hello All,

Ready to pull the trigger. have a $2000.00 off coupon on the 18's but the 2017 are offering good discounts too.

it will be my 1st Spyder, are the 18's with the new dashboard the way to go?

[Garf]

I just took delivery of a 0 miles 2017 RT-L and couldn't be happier. Paid a little over 25K OTD and prefer the analog instrument panel.
I had a Zumo 590 from my old bike so I plan on selling the new one that came with the spyder. This will make the 2017 an even better deal.

[ThreeWheels]

Given the way the Spyder has evolved, I'd go with the 2017. It's got most of the bugs worked out.
If you like the electronic dashboard, wait until 2020 or so when it's been in production for a couple of years.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong. If I am, someone on this forum will surely let me know right away.

[Peter Aawen]

You never want to buy the vehicle with the 'first' of anything, and if you read the threads here, there aren't too many new 2018 owners who aren't doing some 'unpaid testing & product development/fine tuning work' for BRP; almost invariably on that 'new' & 'first edition' electronic/digital dash!! Give it a year or two for the bugs to be ironed out & all the necesary instructions on how to operate the 'all new dash' to be formalised & known by most, and it could be great.... until then, do you REALLY want to be BRP's unpaid crash test dummy??


I'd be looking for the best deal you can get on the highest spec 2017 you can find out there that floats your boat, & let others do the unpaid 'production testing' & have all the frustrations of owning the 2018 with it's all-new dash!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

You never want to buy the vehicle with the 'first' of anything, and if you read the threads here, there aren't too many new 2018 owners who aren't doing some 'unpaid testing & product development/fine tuning work' for BRP; almost invariably on that 'new' & 'first edition' electronic/digital dash!! Give it a year or two for the bugs to be ironed out & all the necesary instructions on how to operate the 'all new dash' to be formalised & known by most, and it could be great.... until then, do you REALLY want to be BRP's unpaid crash test dummy??


I'd be looking for the best deal you can get on the highest spec 2017 you can find out there that floats your boat, & let others do the unpaid 'production testing' & have all the frustrations of owning the 2018 with it's all-new dash!

..... Plus the new instrument cluster may not be what you like .....it's very different from what it was and I think maybe tooooooo high tech ..... plus I've heard confusing things about the Stereo ...you might have to have an I-phone ..........check it out first ..... plus the Hit on depression is mostly after the first year so let thedealer take the Hit .........Mike

[JayBros]

..... Plus the new instrument cluster may not be what you like .....it's very different from what it was and I think maybe tooooooo high tech ..... plus I've heard confusing things about the Stereo ...you might have to have an I-phone ..........check it out first ..... plus the Hit on depression is mostly after the first year so let thedealer take the Hit .........Mike

wholeheartedly!!! Give BRP a year to work out any bugs.

[IGETAROUND]

..... Plus the new instrument cluster may not be what you like .....it's very different from what it was and I think maybe tooooooo high tech ..... plus I've heard confusing things about the Stereo ...you might have to have an I-phone ..........check it out first ..... plus the Hit on depression is mostly after the first year so let thedealer take the Hit .........Mike

I get quite depressed even thinking of paying close to MSRP for one of these beasts!!!

Al in Kazoo

[donsspyder]

I just got a 2018 rtl and the steering is so much easier than the 2017. If i were you i would have the dealer let you try them around the parking lot.They put a different steering gear box on the 2018. day and night different. It takes 8 lbs to turn the 2018 and 30 lbs to turn 2017. I have a 2017 and a 2018 That is the difference at ideal wen you turn short and take of. The new dash is all different you will get used to it.The 2018 has auto rear shock air ride also. They switched over the new gear box in august of 2017 so some of the later production models had them. I would make sure be for i bought one. I hope this helps you and any one else. Don Harvey If you have any questions feel free to call me @ 1 607 4323069

[Highwayman2013]

I just got a 2018 rtl and the steering is so much easier than the 2017. If i were you i would have the dealer let you try them around the parking lot.They put a different steering gear box on the 2018. day and night different. It takes 8 lbs to turn the 2018 and 30 lbs to turn 2017. I have a 2017 and a 2018 That is the difference at ideal wen you turn short and take of. The new dash is all different you will get used to it.The 2018 has auto rear shock air ride also. They switched over the new gear box in august of 2017 so some of the later production models had them. I el.would make sure be for i bought one. I hope this helps you and any one else. Don Harvey If you have any questions feel free to call me @ 1 607 4323069

Both have the air leveling systems, except the base model.Interesting about the steering though. It just depends if money is important or being a beta tester is important.

[4 MARIE]

I just took delivery on a 2017 RTS, the new dash and bells and such did not impress me. I'm more interested in the ryde.
AND they will never go backward toward a simpler "dash". Loved my 14, and while I only ridden the new one about thirty
miles, I am gonna love it too.

[Ex Winger]

I bought the 2018 RT and really like it.I was surprised on how easy the steering was.Seems to shift smoother than my 2015 and i really like the new dash.You have to road test and buy what you like.
Bill

[Bob Denman]

The six-speaker sound system really ROCKS, on the 2018s!

[Mr. White]

I bought a 2017 RT-S and saved enough to buy a lot of gas and insurance. My '17 is the same running gear as my '14, no difference that I can tell other than the steering seems a little easier at slow speeds. The dash means nothing to me. If I an read the odometer, gas, RPMs and temperature gauge then I am happy. I check my speed on my GPS. My plan is this is my last Spyder.

[ThreeWheels]

I bought a 2017 RT-S and saved enough to buy a lot of gas and insurance. My '17 is the same running gear as my '14, no difference that I can tell other than the steering seems a little easier at slow speeds. The dash means nothing to me. If I an read the odometer, gas, RPMs and temperature gauge then I am happy. I check my speed on my GPS. My plan is this is my last Spyder.

I'm thinking you've got one or two more left......................

[Michael Hobbs]

Hello All,

Ready to pull the trigger. have a $2000.00 off coupon on the 18's but the 2017 are offering good discounts too.

it will be my 1st Spyder, are the 18's with the new dashboard the way to go?

I just bought an 18 could not find a 17 rt ld in blue I’m disappointed with the new dash not enough apps very restricted +the phone has to go into the frunk If they would open access to the entire phone and apps it would be great also you cannot listen to fm radio on your Bluetooth. I don’t know if this is the norm it’s my first spyder I’m use to the nav gold wing but I do like the bike in every other way

[ARtraveler]

Hello All,

Ready to pull the trigger. have a $2000.00 off coupon on the 18's but the 2017 are offering good discounts too.

it will be my 1st Spyder, are the 18's with the new dashboard the way to go?

A difficult choice. I have been a beta tester since day one. Got the first 2008 sold in Alaska, bought an early 2009 with SE transmission, bought a premier 2010 RTS, and one of the first 2014 1330's. Happy to say no issues with any of them.

There does seem to be some issues with the 2018 new dash. It is way technical for me. I am going to wait a year or two for them to get any "bugs" out of that system.

That said--I recommend testing both versions and see what floats your boat. The 2017 should have extra off the MSRP due to the "older model" situation.

Let us know what you decide.

[wrb3004]

I just got a 2018 rtl and the steering is so much easier than the 2017. If i were you i would have the dealer let you try them around the parking lot.They put a different steering gear box on the 2018. day and night different. It takes 8 lbs to turn the 2018 and 30 lbs to turn 2017. I have a 2017 and a 2018 That is the difference at ideal wen you turn short and take of. The new dash is all different you will get used to it.The 2018 has auto rear shock air ride also. They switched over the new gear box in august of 2017 so some of the later production models had them. I would make sure be for i bought one. I hope this helps you and any one else. Don Harvey If you have any questions feel free to call me @ 1 607 4323069

To my knowledge the DPS unit was upgraded for the 2017 models. Interesting to know what more changes were made for 2018.

[SpyderAnn01]

I get quite depressed even thinking of paying close to MSRP for one of these beasts!!!

Al in Kazoo

I know, depreciation is very depressing.

[Al_lockup]

[QUOTE=Garf;1354358]I just took delivery of a 0 miles 2017 RT-L and couldn't be happier. Paid a little over 25K OTD and prefer the analog instrument panel.
I had a Zumo 590 from my old bike so I plan on selling the new one that came with the spyder. This will make the 2017 an even better deal.[/QUOT

Sound good.. I would not turn down a deep discount on the 2017 RT-L if that is possible.

[Al_lockup]

Thanks all. I really appreciate your interest and insights. Not getting any chances to test ride at the dealers because of the weather / insurance regulations. I know the rebates will be ending soon also.. I do like the dark model option on the 18's with the tinted lenses. From your responses, looks like either year is mechanical the same. Thanks again, and i will update you after "the deal"

[Al_lockup]

The six-speaker sound system really ROCKS, on the 2018s!

Bob, how do you like the new self level suspension on your 2018? Is it always adjusting? Or stays set with the current weight?