17 RT-S possible purchase

[nchangin]

Good morning! I'd like to thank this site for allowing me to join this wonderful organization. I have been reading the posts for several weeks and reviewing models/prices etc. In fact I was looking at spyders for years as a riding solution as I am mobility challenged. A little history, I was born and raised on a farm my past experience with motorcycles has been typical early 80's stuff, Honda ATC's, dirt bikes (YZ's), older on off 2 strokes (suzuki TS250 example). Anyhoo's when I was 15 (1986) I suffered spinal cord injury (SCI). As someone can imagine that kinda of experience leads to lifestyle changes and I stopped riding. Fast forward to today, now I have arthritis that's hit or miss, sometimes get back pain so severe I'm down for 3 days etc, but you work past it, pain treatment, arthritis treatment to overcome and keep moving. Now I'm 47 and really tamed back a bit and a few years ago I got the motorcycle fever again. I do walk with a forearm crutch but I'm not super stable but hey anyone can balance once upright right? So my main problem is I can't move my ankles at all so shifting is hard. I can press my feet down (foot brake) fine but coming up is more difficult.

But I found a solution! Good ole Hondamatic. 1982 CS450A. I get out and ride short distances but obviously it's not functional, first off I need to put on foot braces called AFO's in the business. Now mine are old heavy uncomfortable and don't fit right cause they 15 years old but they keep my ankles stable for balancing the bike. Now when I say disfunctional I mean I can balance the bike fine but problem is getting feet on and off foot pegs cause well I can't move my ankles and not much feeling down there. Once I'm up and going no problem, but stopping starting is quite hard to do as I do have hip muscles that are paralyzed too so that's what makes it hard getting feet on pegs. The main problem is I can't go anywhere because I can't carry my crutch or wheelchair or on a CM450A.

If you ever owned anything from 1982 you know the struggles. It's been a good bike really, just have to keep little things in check, run good fuel and no ethanol drain the carbs when storing etc.

I wll have some extra money coming in from my home sale etc and thought hey great midlife crisis mobile and a good investment. I went to my local dealer sat on 2009 RS with a nice price, sport bike feel, peg for feet, not very comfortable, windshield was super low, not comfortable. Soooo...tried a newer F3 tourer model, sit like a harley cruiser leg's extended forward and not comfortable and I had a heck of a time getting to brake pedal so this isn't going to work.

They have a used 2010 RTS 991 SMT with a trailer, wow this could really be a good solution, room for crutch and wheelchair too. Sit on it and very comfortable, windshield is functional, hey this is the one for me. Their asking 14.5 K but my concern it has 60 k miles. Do some research and nada book is lower than what they are asking but most of the research I've found is the spyders seem to hold value relatively well even 2008 9 10 models. More research I found info about difference between the 998 and 1330. More research found out about 2014 on up had good changes on the bikes for the better (SE6 trans). More research about the 2010 RTS find that well financing is going to be hard because of it's age and not going to get a good interest rate, or term (want a longer term lower payments), and the more I read the more I really want to be on a 1330 for many reasons......I start looking at used 2014 RTS on up, well they are out there in private sales, but there is no way to get a super low interest rate on a older bike and private sale. And I'm finding the 2014 on up are still running 14 K up price anyway. So now big rebates and super low interest on on 2017's yes! So after researching I want 2017 RT-S, SE6. I really dig the auto leveling seat, seems like a must have.

I start checking other dealers sites etc, well all of the dealers in my state all running about 21K to 22K before taxes/lic. So I start checking nationwide, if I buy from another state they running as low as 18 K beofre taxes/lic but they out of state and 1500 miles away! Now when your talking tax rates being a percentage, why wouldn't I purchase there at this low price and get serviced at my local dealer? That's a minimum of a 3 K swing in price, game changer if you ask me. 500 to 1000 to ship still a 2 K difference.....

Now here is my question, I keep reading get a good dealer, but how do you know it's a good dealer? I mean yes you have reviews/volume etc, but also keep in mind any service I need I assume it doesn't matter where you buy your cam am if they are a dealer they service it because it's under warranty. Is it acceptable to buy out of state and get serviced locally? If not why? (very sorry for the long post, but the devil is in the details)

[MercerLake]

I believe that your choice of the 2017 RT SE6 is a very good one particularly with your physical problems. Good used ones are out there due to folks trading up. 2015 and newer all have the 1330 motor, Finding a good dealer with a qualified service technician can be more difficult, have to visit and check the service dept. If they have factory trained technicians they'll be proud of it and readily tell you! Happy hunting you're on the right trail! And welcome to the forum!!

[wrb3004]

They have some pretty good deals on some left over 2017's. 21999 for an RT-S SE6. That includes set up and free shipping.

[Beaudog]

I would pass on the 2010 with 60K on it.

I have a 2017 RTS I think it would be a good choice for you. A lot smother running than the 998 and shift points are lower.

[irvin48]

also a lot better mileage and extended oil changes, lower rpm cruising..
we have a 15 rts and so far very happy. let us know what you end up doing
and happy hunting!--irv

[ARtraveler]

The 2010 RT with 60k is WAY OVER PRICED AT $14K. $10K is more like it. I have a 2011 RT SE5 for sale at $11K with 28K miles. And...it has received no bites.

Blue Book is good for getting "ball park" values. There is usually a gap of $4K between "wholesale (trade in)" and dealer price for used. Beware of what you pay. A good perusal of our ads here will give you a reasonable ballpark price for what to pay. Ads with 500 looks and no sales--indicate price to high.

Right now--its a tough sellers market for used. That should mean a good buyers market. Sharpen up the negotiation skills.

Ask about specific dealers. The recommendations or non will come out.

[Saluda]

Good luck.

[nchangin]

The 2010 RT with 60k is WAY OVER PRICED AT $14K. $10K is more like it. I have a 2011 RT SE5 for sale at $11K with 28K miles. And...it has received no bites.

Blue Book is good for getting "ball park" values. There is usually a gap of $4K between "wholesale (trade in)" and dealer price for used. Beware of what you pay. A good perusal of our ads here will give you a reasonable ballpark price for what to pay. Ads with 500 looks and no sales--indicate price to high.

Right now--its a tough sellers market for used. That should mean a good buyers market. Sharpen up the negotiation skills.

Ask about specific dealers. The recommendations or non will come out.

I agree it is overpriced, but it does have the matching can am spyder trailer, it's numbered, limited edition etc so that's their theory, they only selling it as package and it's a gorgeous color combo too, all black with accents. I just don't want to be the guy that has to fix everything that is worn from the mileage, not to mention the higher cost of ownership for the 998 engine.