My 2014 Ride Report

[Cruzr Joe]

Timeless Black 2014 RTS Picked up from PitBull PowerSports yesterday.

Well ............................... 120 Mile ride (City Streets, Highway and in the Mountains) today in 58 - 60 degree weather, Samewok came by and we headed to Hot Springs Arkansas to see Spyderpops (Harvey).

I had a 2012, 2013 and now a 2014 and while i enjoyed the previous two, the ride on the 14 is drasticaly different, the shifting is so smooth and quiet that you hardly know you've changed gears, the bike is quieter also, the muffler and engine noise is different (more mello), you can hear the music better than before because of the lower sounds from the Spyder. The lower torque feels very responsive in every gear, the transmission automicaly drops back to the next lower gear as before but only when you are stopping, not for slowing down.

The new engine is fast and very responsive as you go through the gears, the biggest change i noticed is from 1st to 2nd, previously you had to get to a certain speed and rpm to change, not anymore, change when you get ready, i used the eco mode but it seemed to be less responsive so i quit using it , maybe later.

NO HEAT, nuff said

Probably need the sway bar upgrade, ordered mine today, got the links ordered also, and the 3rd & 4th Brakelight, and the Mirror Turn signals, working on getting a new bumpskid to protect the front end.

The new radiator air inlets are trash collectors, bugs, leaves, small pieces of paper, etc. no problem just an observation

The new seat has more cush for the tush.

Shocks appear to be a little better than previous

Black is a hard color to keep clean.

No vibration at any speed.

Brakes, steering etc appear to be the same all good

After 120 Miles i still had between a 1/4 to a 1/2 of fuel, thats GOOD, previously 120 and i was really hunting a gas station

I have no complaints, here are some differences i observed

No styrofoam caddy in the glove box

No automatic Frunk Release

Oil Dipstick under seat now

Tool Kit no longer has a air gauge

No Chrome on RTS it's either Black or ?? Brushed Aluminum

Seconday Battery Terminals Gone (maybe they forgot them on mine )

More to follow as i find it or can't find it

Cruzr Joe

[Cruzr Joe]

Also the adjustable air vents work on the 2014 RT's you just have to use shorter screws

Cruzr Joe

[warp10]

how many 2014's did Pitbull have there?

[Cruzr Joe]

how many 2014's did Pitbull have there?

ONE 14, and i got it, he has several more coming in next week

[Ronbo]

Timeless Black 2014 RTS Picked up from PitBull PowerSports yesterday.

Well ............................... 120 Mile ride (City Streets, Highway and in the Mountains) today in 58 - 60 degree weather, Samewok came by and we headed to Hot Springs Arkansas to see Spyderpops (Harvey).

I had a 2012, 2013 and now a 2014 and while i enjoyed the previous two, the ride on the 14 is drasticaly different, the shifting is so smooth and quiet that you hardly know you've changed gears, the bike is quieter also, the muffler and engine noise is different (more mello), you can hear the music better than before because of the lower sounds from the Spyder. The lower torque feels very responsive in every gear, the transmission automicaly drops back to the next lower gear as before but only when you are stopping, not for slowing down.

The new engine is fast and very responsive as you go through the gears, the biggest change i noticed is from 1st to 2nd, previously you had to get to a certain speed and rpm to change, not anymore, change when you get ready, i used the eco mode but it seemed to be less responsive so i quit using it , maybe later.

NO HEAT, nuff said

Probably need the sway bar upgrade, ordered mine today, got the links ordered also, and the 3rd & 4th Brakelight, and the Mirror Turn signals, working on getting a new bumpskid to protect the front end.

The new radiator air inlets are trash collectors, bugs, leaves, small pieces of paper, etc. no problem just an observation

The new seat has more cush for the tush.

Shocks appear to be a little better than previous

Black is a hard color to keep clean.

No vibration at any speed.

Brakes, steering etc appear to be the same all good

After 120 Miles i still had between a 1/4 to a 1/2 of fuel, thats GOOD, previously 120 and i was really hunting a gas station

I have no complaints, here are some differences i observed

No styrofoam caddy in the glove box

No automatic Frunk Release

Oil Dipstick under seat now

Tool Kit no longer has a air gauge

No Chrome on RTS it's either Black or ?? Brushed Aluminum

Seconday Battery Terminals Gone (maybe they forgot them on mine )

More to follow as i find it or can't find it

Cruzr Joe

For the great and timely report! I can't wait to compare notes! Was it worth the long wait? Sounds like it!!!
Ronbo

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for your report on the new 2014.

One question. Seat: More cush for the tush. Are you saying more or less support than previous? I found the OEM on my 2010 and 2011 way to soft. After 50 miles I was ready to get off. Thanks.

[Cruzr Joe]

Thank you for your report on the new 2014.

One question. Seat: More cush for the tush. Are you saying more or less support than previous? I found the OEM on my 2010 and 2011 way to soft. After 50 miles I was ready to get off. Thanks.

a little more padding

[Flash Gordon]

I agree with everything that you said. I only had the 2013, but comparing it to the 2014 is just as you say, entirely different experience. I don't know about the battery things that you speak about, but I never knew that my 2013 had a connection for a battery tender, but the 2014 is visible hanging in the Frunk between the zipper liner. A friend told me that my 2013 had the same thing but was hidden behind the liner. I could not be any more pleased with my new Spyder.

Now get that retirement started so you can have time for more Miles of Smiles!!!

[SpyderAnn01]

Timeless Black 2014 RTS Picked up from PitBull PowerSports yesterday.

The lower torque feels very responsive in every gear, the transmission automicaly drops back to the next lower gear as before but only when you are stopping, not for slowing down.

The new engine is fast and very responsive as you go through the gears, the biggest change i noticed is from 1st to 2nd, previously you had to get to a certain speed and rpm to change, not anymore, change when you get ready, i used the eco mode but it seemed to be less responsive so i quit using it , maybe later.

e

My experience was that it will does down shift automatically when you slow down. The manual indicates that there is a set speed /rpm before it allow you to upshift to 2nd.

[murphybrown]

Len had video on FB....showing replacing stock shocks with Elkas. It was a black '14. Yours? You state in initial review shocks acceptable. I put Elkas on my '10 but if not warranted on '14 ???? Definitely appreciate your review. Thanks

[Cruzr Joe]

Len had video on FB....showing replacing stock shocks with Elkas. It was a black '14. Yours? You state in initial review shocks acceptable. I put Elkas on my '10 but if not warranted on '14 ???? Definitely appreciate your review. Thanks

That was my 14 but he did not put Elka's on it, i think he was just playing around

I like these shocks

Cruzr Joe

[Chupaca]

review. Thanks for that. Many are waiting for known people to give views and reviews and this one counts big..!!

[Rich Otto]

Congrates Joe you waited about 3month for it. Enjoy Your new ride, I will see you at Spyder Feast. Your friend Rich Otto. MO Gang

[samewok]

You forgot about the laser alignment you wanted.

[Rid'nrandy]

Very good information! Thanks!

[SNOOPY]

Timeless black? Never owned a black vehicle, never will.

Hard to keep clean, exactly!

I know some swear by black and I'm glad you are happy w it.

I have never got the black thing? To hard to keep clean and always looks dirty?

i don't even like black interiors on cars because they always look dirty.

I just don't get it, guess I'm just more practical, and like a clean look.

Just stating a personal preference, hope you enjoy it......and cleaning it.


.

[Dan McNally]

Thanks for the update . . . sounds like you are in for some serious fun!

[Trickie Dick]

Thanks for your analysis. It sounds like they made several nice improvements. I love the black. Hard to keep clean but imho the best looking color on a vehicle when it is clean. Enjoy

[SpyderAnn01]

Timeless black? Never owned a black vehicle, never will.

Hard to keep clean, exactly!

I know some swear by black and I'm glad you are happy w it.

I have never got the black thing? To hard to keep clean and always looks dirty?

i don't even like black interiors on cars because they always look dirty.

I just don't get it, guess I'm just more practical, and like a clean look.

Just stating a personal preference, hope you enjoy it......and cleaning it.


.

In my opinion, there is nothing prettier than a clean and shiny black vehicle. I've owned many and even a timeless black Spyder (which was beautiful).

[stevedfive]

Since there isn't a second set of battery connectors, will you hookup the battery tender thru the power outlet in the trunk?

[Cruzr Joe]

Since there isn't a second set of battery connectors, will you hookup the battery tender thru the power outlet in the trunk?

No, connected the other end of the Battery Tender Jr directly to the battery and charge it that way, a quick connect setup, seems to be ok.

Cruzr Joe

[GloryRyders]

Thanks for the report...............can't wait to see and hear them in person!

[cuznjohn]

report, thanks, i figured they had to do a much better job than they did on the 13's so it is really good to hear a great report. as far as the inlets for the radiators do you think at slow speeds and at stops that if the fans come on in reverse if they will blow most of the leaves and junk back out of the radiator

[Bob Denman]

Joe,

Can you tell us what length screws you needed for those adjustable deflectors?

[ulflyer]

Is the turn signal off switch any better than on previous models? Hopefully you got one that works as it should.

I lived with a crappy one til it finally malfunctioned and the replacement works great.