New 2013 Spyder RT-S SM5

[stewartj239]

My wife and I recently purchased a 2013 RT-S SM5 in Viper Red. I’ve ridden 2 wheels my whole life and have been licensed for 25 years now. Our last bike was a VFR800 with all of the touring accessories.

Our neighbor bought a 2012 RT Limited SE5 last year and from day one, my wife was interested in it. We’ve taken it out numerous times since then and she loves it. So much so, that she wouldn’t even get on the VFR anymore. Therefore, we made the switch.


For me, I was willing to give up the 2 wheels, but I could NOT give up the clutch, so we bought the manual. We have about 750 miles on it so far and we are really enjoying it.

As far as modifications, I'm thinking about adding a sway bar and exhaust. I'd love to hear opinions on both of those. Thanks.

Spyder.jpg

[acinpcola]

on the new wheels. The BaJaRon swaybars are the greatest !!

[EnjoyingTheRyde]

Congratulations on the ryde! We're thinking about the anti-sway bar for my wifes ryde also...

[ARtraveler]

on your new ryde.

I am not a fan of the add-ons you mentioned--but don't let that stop you. You have to farkle the new your way.

[finless]

Congrats! Mine is a SM5 as well. I just wanted the manual tranny. You will like it!

As for add-on's I went for additional safety stuff first like trunk break light and turn signals on the mirrors. Then went for a BRT communication system.
I don't think I need the sway bar honestly. It rides fine for me with shocks set at 5. But I know/heard the 13's don't allow shock adjustment.

Bob

[Buttsy]

As far as modifications, I'm thinking about adding a sway bar and exhaust. I'd love to hear opinions on both of those.

I would wait until you have a few more miles under your belt for the sway bar. Make sure you need it, at first I thought I would have to do something but earlier this year I caught myself sailing along the expressway as comfortable as can be, no swaying, no fear, straight as an arrow. As for the muffler I would not put one on unless I removed the Catalytic convertor. I just don't really see the "gain" to a muffler after the catalytic convertor on these things? Just my opinion however if you go ahead let us know what you think?

[Bob Denman]

Now that fun can REALLY begin!

[samewok]

Congrats and the swaybar is great.

[Topshotta]

My wife and I recently purchased a 2013 RT-S SM5 in Viper Red. I’ve ridden 2 wheels my whole life and have been licensed for 25 years now. Our last bike was a VFR800 with all of the touring accessories.

Our neighbor bought a 2012 RT Limited SE5 last year and from day one, my wife was interested in it. We’ve taken it out numerous times since then and she loves it. So much so, that she wouldn’t even get on the VFR anymore. Therefore, we made the switch.


For me, I was willing to give up the 2 wheels, but I could NOT give up the clutch, so we bought the manual. We have about 750 miles on it so far and we are really enjoying it.

As far as modifications, I'm thinking about adding a sway bar and exhaust. I'd love to hear opinions on both of those. Thanks.

Spyder.jpg

Congrats and ride safe!

[GloryRyders]

and on your new ..............Ron's swaybar is well worth the money, so are Elka Shocks, Vented Windshields, etc., etc., etc. Once you have the "farkle" bug, it never ends!

[PrairieSpyder]

The first thing I added was a bump skid to protect the nose. I didn't think the anti-sway bar would be necessary, but now I have it and there's a great improvement.

[pwm]

and ditto on the bump skid

[jansboy]

I second the Bump Skid. It saves the bottom from a lot of curb crunches, It is illegal to remove any emission device. Including a Cat. Converter. I installed a straight pipe on my 2012 Rt s. it wasn't too expensive. I like the sound and I think it improves the power also. It doesn't sound like a Harley but you tell it is a high performance V twin.

[SpyderAnn01]

The red looks great with the black wheels! I also have the 2013 RTS SM5 because paddle shifting to me is just weird. I have the BajaRon sway bar and love it I just got back from a weekend in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming and it handled great with the bar.

Enjoy the new ride!

[Chupaca]

on your new ryde..I agree you should really get comfortable with your roadster before you modify the handling. The BajaRon sway bar makes a big difference. The shock re-locating blocks do as well. Then there are the shocks. We have done the bar later the blocks and found that this is our happy place. Shocks are really expensive and the handling is great now. Exhausts will depend on what you want. Better sound or better performance. Depending on that you have a variety of choices. The new Yoshimura 77 I hear is great but don't know if you have to add the regulator as well..well enjoy the ryde and send some pic's...

[stewartj239]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. We have almost 1000 miles on the Spyder and decided to order the sway bar. The stability control system is engaging quite a bit when cornering and I'm hoping that the sway bar helps to alleviate that. I like the safety feature in general, but I think it kicks in way too early. Any thoughts?

[captblack]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. We have almost 1000 miles on the Spyder and decided to order the sway bar. The stability control system is engaging quite a bit when cornering and I'm hoping that the sway bar helps to alleviate that. I like the safety feature in general, but I think it kicks in way too early. Any thoughts?

I am thinking that if you are riding that aggressively you will really want the sway bar and maybe a shock upgrade. As for a muffler, I changed to a 2 Brothers and even though it will never be as loud as some two wheelers, it does have a deeper note that gets a bit stronger the more miles you run.

[kaykinder]

we had concerns when we first started riding our new RT-S 4 weeks ago - but we slowed it down (got off the highways) and gradually increased our speed over a week of daily riding for hours - within 1 week the issues were gone. No more high speed wobble, no computer system kicking in at corners. This spyder rides like a dream and the more relaxed we drive the smoother the ride.

I am not new to driving motorcycles - this is simply a different beast that doesn't respond well to traditional two wheel handling.

You can buy the sway bar but if you give it a bit more time to relax more you may find it unnecessary. It all depends on how aggressively you want to ride. Whatever you decide the ride needs to fit your fun.

Best wishes & enjoy

[stewartj239]

I am thinking that if you are riding that aggressively you will really want the sway bar and maybe a shock upgrade. As for a muffler, I changed to a 2 Brothers and even though it will never be as loud as some two wheelers, it does have a deeper note that gets a bit stronger the more miles you run.

For the exhaust, I guess I'm assuming that the bike is restricted with the stock muffler on there. That has been my experience with previous motorcycles. In reality, it doesn't feel too plugged up with the stock unit. I'm assuming an aftermarket exhaust would make the bike run a little cleaner while adding a little more HP. If this is not true, then I won't waste the money.

[stewartj239]

we had concerns when we first started riding our new RT-S 4 weeks ago

I am not new to driving motorcycles - this is simply a different beast that doesn't respond well to traditional two wheel handling.

It sounds like you are a new RT-S owner as well. We bought the Spyder over a Gold Wing because my wife felt more comfortable on it. I have ridden 2 wheels on the street for the last 25 years and 2 wheels on the dirt for the last 35 years, so the Spyder is new to me. The more I ride it, the more I like it, but I do want to learn it and push it - it's just human nature. My biggest complaint right now is with the VSS, so I hope the sway bar will help with that.

[ThreeWheels]

Welcome.
Good choice on the swaybar. REALLY makes a difference.
I also suggest you consider a Utopia Backrest. It's great for long distance comfort.