What to look for:

[Grandpot]

I just bought a 2011 RTS-SE5 with 4,000 miles on it. I've been looking all over this board, gathering information because I always do my own wrenching. One thing I have noticed is there are very few problems mentioned for the 2011 year. The only recall appears to be for the fuel cap. This sounds encouraging, but I'm sure some of you folks with more experience may have another opinion. Are there any potential problems I should be looking for.

All input will be appreciated.

[MouthPiece]

Ask your seller if it has been laser aligned. If not, then that is a must. I'm not sure if it was the "11's" or "12"'s that had throttle body issues. Might want to do some "advance searching" up above to see.

Chris

[Bob Denman]

on the bike!
Were you able to obtain service records with it?
Since this is a new purchase; I'd take it to your dealer, and have them hook it up to their BUDS system. Ask them to print you out a report that shows when it was serviced, what recalls and TSBs have been addressed, and what the percentage of time spent at the various operating rpm ranges were.
The SE-5 transmissions don't like being run much below about 3,500 rpm. The clutch plates aren't fully locked-up...

Oh!!

[spyderbirds]

I just bought a 2011 RTS-SE5 with 4,000 miles on it. I've been looking all over this board, gathering information because I always do my own wrenching. One thing I have noticed is there are very few problems mentioned for the 2011 year. The only recall appears to be for the fuel cap. This sounds encouraging, but I'm sure some of you folks with more experience may have another opinion. Are there any potential problems I should be looking for.

All input will be appreciated.

Private Message us if your interested in laser alignment or in just hooking it up to BUDS diagnostics and looking that over.
We are in Fort Mill SC also and can do both.

[PrairieSpyder]

I just bought a 2011 RTS-SE5 with 4,000 miles on it. I've been looking all over this board, gathering information because I always do my own wrenching. One thing I have noticed is there are very few problems mentioned for the 2011 year. The only recall appears to be for the fuel cap. This sounds encouraging, but I'm sure some of you folks with more experience may have another opinion. Are there any potential problems I should be looking for.

All input will be appreciated.

on getting your Spyder! My first one was a 2011 RTS-SE5, also. I had no problems with it at all. Enjoy!!

[ARtraveler]

on your new 2011. The posters above have you covered information wise.

The 2011 is a good one--other than throttle body fix, ours has given us 17,000 miles of great service so far. The 2012 seems to have the reputation of being the best RT Rotax configuration made.

The new 2014 ACE 1330 seems to be pulling ahead though.

[Bob Denman]

The 1330s are great; but there's no flies on the 998s either!

[STELLING MAN]

Congrats on the new ride, enjoy..

[Grandpot]

Thank you, everyone. Sounds like I have a winner here.

Grandpot

[finless]

I have a 2011. No issues.
But be aware while not many recalls, there are several service bulletins that may need to be done.
Some include parts kit like the grommet fix for the side panels so you don't loose them on the highway.
There is a water infusion fix for the radio.
I can't remember them all but there are at least 5 more or so.

Bob

[Flight Risk]

I just bought a 2011 RTS-SE5 with 4,000 miles on it. I've been looking all over this board, gathering information because I always do my own wrenching. One thing I have noticed is there are very few problems mentioned for the 2011 year. The only recall appears to be for the fuel cap. This sounds encouraging, but I'm sure some of you folks with more experience may have another opinion. Are there any potential problems I should be looking for.

All input will be appreciated.

I had my gauge cluster replaced and the throttle body. The 2011 RTS had issues but fixable. A pretty good year.
still have fecking hot air pouring out of the openings on the right side.
overall very happy with it!