My dilemma with the new 2020 RT

[Peteoz]

Having looked hard at moving from my 16F3-L to a 20RT-L rather than a 20F3–L, the key RT features which I thought would convince me to swap, actually add very little value to me apart from the Electronic Screen. I stress that this is just for MY particular requirements, and is in no way intending to denigrate the new RT, which I believe is a superb bit of gear. I stress that I have not taken a 20RT for a test ride, so this is based on feedback from riders who have been able to.

The major influencing decisions are -
Extra 40L of 20RT storage over 20F3 - not required for me.
LED lighting standard on 20RT..... only needed rural for me...will add LED spotlights to 20F3.
Extra 25Kg of carrying capacity of 20RT over 20F3 is not required for me.
Long floorboards/legroom (of 20RT over current RTs) - Still very cramped compared to F3 according to several long inseam riders.
Stabiliser Bar- not noticeably different to previous RT after test rides....would need upgrading for me.
Shocks - not noticeably different to previous RT after test rides......would need upgrading for me.
Quick remove 20RT trunk with LINQ - Already on 20F3.
Electronic Screen - BONUS.

Looks like I am going to be better off saving the $5k Aussie difference (roughly) between the 20RT and 20F3 and buying aftermarket shocks and stabiliser bar for the 20F3 keeping my Daylong seat, screen and aftermarket boards/ highway pegs, even without taking the new 20RT for a test ride. That way I would still be well in front over just a stock 20RT without even looking at the extra cost of aftermarket shocks, bar, seat, screen, Highway pegs etc.

I will gladly be corrected if I have any of the above screwed up.....and I will still test ride the 20RT when it eventually makes it out to Oz, but I am not as hopeful of a match to this 6’7”, 320lb, 38”inleg body as I was when the model was first released😉.

Pete

[Mikey]

Good Luck mate!!! Only you can fight this battle!!

[cptjam]

Ride it. Then decide. Everyone has different criteria. It is very good. Other than a cup holder, it begs for few mods.

[CopperSpyder]

Sounds like you have a good comfort level with what you have F3L. Its free to test all models first before deciding what you want in advance but giving good thought to what you want first as you are doing is good. Sounds like you want what you have (comfort) but newer (hopefully better improvements). Not sure how it works in OZ but Test them find what you like and wait for end of year for left over for best price. Because you have a great machine you like now you can wait a little. I think there are some changes form the 2017 to the 2020 in the dash and steering. Good Luck Shopping!!

[BajaRon]

Evaluating your specific needs and applying them to the various model options tends to lead to a much happier customer in the end. Some people get glazed eyes and go for the hype. Only later to discover that all the added features are not as important to them as they thought they would be. For a different customer, the RT might well be the perfect way to go. But when you boil it down. This is exactly why manufacturer's make different models to begin with.

I think you are going to be very happy with your well considered choice.

[AVBIZ]

Let things percolate for awhile; the RT is a new model which the manufacturer and dealers need time to figure out. You’ll get a better and cheaper bike if you wait until later in the year. You forgot about looks and I think hands down the F3 is a great looking bike. The 2020 RT is much improved (looks wise) but I’m still biased towards the F3:)

[MRH]

If you don't need the features that make the RT a better choice for longer trips or the more comfortable seat for a passenger, then I can't see why you wouldn't stick with your F3.

Much of what I like about new RT are those things that make it more like the F3, with more storage for longer trips.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hi Pete, have you considered moving your Wilbers from the 16 F to the new F 3, they might be the same length ???? …. and IMHO the 16 Radio is a lot better than the newer ones …. good luck …. Mike :ohyea:

[ARtraveler]

Yes Peteoz: A dilemma indeed. I was in the pretty much the same place. I know you read my post on comparing the F3L to the RTL. For me, it boiled down to $$$.

Everyone is right on when they suggest giving the RTL a try before making a final decision on which to buy. It is a great decision to have to make. BRP has two machines which are WOW. There are some pictures of the 20 F3L in two different threads now. Give them a look if you have not seen them yet. EDIT: I see you have been there. :yes:

And good luck on the hunt. It's going to be fun. :yes:

[Peteoz]

Yes Peteoz: A dilemma indeed. I was in the pretty much the same place. I know you read my post on comparing the F3L to the RTL. For me, it boiled down to $$$.
Everyone is right on when they suggest giving the RTL a try before making a final decision on which to buy. It is a great decision to have to make. BRP has two machines which are WOW. There are some pictures of the 20 F3L in two different threads now. Give them a look if you have not seen them yet. EDIT: I see you have been there. :yes:
And good luck on the hunt. It's going to be fun. :yes:

Thanks Everyone........Yeah, it is not a bad dilemma to have, AR, as I like the looks of both models. I’ll just sit back and wait now until they arrive in Oz sometime this year and go for a test ride. For me, it’s more about comfort than our speed these days, so if I fit the RT, and it rides well for me (and it should, with so much more shock travel), I’ll make the final call.

Pete

[Peteoz]

Hi Pete, have you considered moving your Wilbers from the 16 F to the new F 3, they might be the same length ???? …. and IMHO the 16 Radio is a lot better than the newer ones …. good luck …. Mike :ohyea:

Yeah, I did think about that, Mike......but then I remembered I tossed the old OEM shock as it was looking pretty shoddy after it had me on it for 12 months before I switched to Wilbers. :thumbup: Luckily, I never listen to the radio....:2thumbs:

Pete

[KX5062]

Pete, I test rode a 2020 RTL back to back with my own 2016 RT, a (very) mile low used 2017 RTL, and a new (left over) 2018 F3L. To me the new RTL rode better in just about every way. I went into the test rides thinking it would all be potato potatoe, but it wasn't. I honestly was a little more excited about the F3L than the 2020 RTL. I had ridden an F3T years ago, but not recently. So it was kind of a clean slate between the models in my mind.

I was truly surprised at how much more competent the 2020 was over the older designs. It rode smoother, handled better, and just took the whole ride experience to the next level. Now, I'm not a bloody huge bloke like you, so that could change the entire deal, but for me it was a game changer. I agree with Joe, hold your water and don't make any assumptions until you ride one, you might be surprised.

[Peteoz]

Yeah, thanks KX.
I reckon it will primarily come down to how much legroom the RT has, and to some extent, price difference (The RT will be upward of $40k out here). As you and others have said, wait until a test ride...... I only posted this as I want to make sure I have all my considerations in place prior to that test ride and don’t buy on impulse :thumbup:

Pete


Pete, I test rode a 2020 RTL back to back with my own 2016 RT, a (very) mile low used 2017 RTL, and a new (left over) 2018 F3L. To me the new RTL rode better in just about every way. I went into the test rides thinking it would all be potato potatoe, but it wasn't. I honestly was a little more excited about the F3L than the 2020 RTL. I had ridden an F3T years ago, but not recently. So it was kind of a clean slate between the models in my mind.

I was truly surprised at how much more competent the 2020 was over the older designs. It rode smoother, handled better, and just took the whole ride experience to the next level. Now, I'm not a bloody huge bloke like you, so that could change the entire deal, but for me it was a game changer. I agree with Joe, hold your water and don't make any assumptions until you ride one, you might be surprised.

[SpyderAnn01]

Pete, you have some very valid points. I too am long legged and I also have hip issues that make the forward controls on my F3T more comfortable than the mid controls on the RT. I have said this before, if you are very tall or very short the new 2020 may not be the best fit for you, you really need to sit on one and try it out. That said, the 2020 RT is superior to any other year of RT, and I have owned more than one RT in the past so I speak from experience.

To clarify Pete's post, the top box on the 2020 F3Ltd uses the same mounting as the new RT so it is truly easy to remove. The top box on the 17-19 F3Ltd was not easy to remove, or maybe I should say not quickly removed.

[bikerbillone]

Hi Ann, Bill Williams here, I'm the guy that met you and Joe at Homosassa, I'm in talks with the GM at Seminole Power Sports, Eustis FL. Millie and I did a demo ride for about 20 miles or so on Sunday, I was very impressed with the ride as was Millie, not sure where this is going, but Ken seems like a really nice guy, so far so good. Joe said to let him to know if I pulled the trigger, and so, I will.

[Peteoz]

Pete, you have some very valid points. I too am long legged and I also have hip issues that make the forward controls on my F3T more comfortable than the mid controls on the RT. I have said this before, if you are very tall or very short the new 2020 may not be the best fit for you, you really need to sit on one and try it out. That said, the 2020 RT is superior to any other year of RT, and I have owned more than one RT in the past so I speak from experience.

To clarify Pete's post, the top box on the 2020 F3Ltd uses the same mounting as the new RT so it is truly easy to remove. The top box on the 17-19 F3Ltd was not easy to remove, or maybe I should say not quickly removed.

Thanks Ann, we are of the same mind (sorry.......didn’t mean to frighten you :ohyea: ).

Pete

[jaherbst]

Ride it. Then decide. Everyone has different criteria. It is very good. Other than a cup holder, it begs for few mods.

Cup Holder???? Who needs a stinking cup holder?��

[cptjam]

Everyone!

[bikerbillone]

Yes, gotta have that drink holder, especially for the Mrs.

[Pirate looks at --]

Pete, I don't know how much importance you put on "performance". Just be prepared for that 2020 F3L to be a big step down in performance from your 16 F3L. The new models have the tine rear sprocket just like on the RT and that tends to really tame the beast in the F3. I found the newer F3Ls to be very disappointing with regards to the "fun" factor. Lots more Nanny input really dulls exhilaration. With your height and weight (I am only 5'8" 160) I think that may be an even bigger issue.

[cptjam]

Pete,
Come to Texas! We will have a fantastic test ride, then you can decide! Joe

[glennm]

Pete,
Come to Texas! We will have a fantastic test ride, then you can decide! Joe

And a holiday as well! :cheers:

[Peteoz]

Pete, I don't know how much importance you put on "performance". Just be prepared for that 2020 F3L to be a big step down in performance from your 16 F3L. The new models have the tine rear sprocket just like on the RT and that tends to really tame the beast in the F3. I found the newer F3Ls to be very disappointing with regards to the "fun" factor. Lots more Nanny input really dulls exhilaration. With your height and weight (I am only 5'8" 160) I think that may be an even bigger issue.

Thanks Pirate.....I didn’t know that.......luckily, sheer performance is no longer the prime consideration for me, although I do enjoy getting the F3 moving on the odd occasion. I imagine Jase from ECU Xtreme will soon have an ECM upgrade available for the 2020 models which will give me enough zip.

Pete

[Peteoz]

Pete,
Come to Texas! We will have a fantastic test ride, then you can decide! Joe

That is tempting, Joe.......the only concern is that I have to fly business on a trip that long, for the sake of my legs, I imagine that return trip from Oz would cost nearly as much as the Spyder :cheers:

Pete

[bikerbillone]

Joe, you wanted to now if I pulled the trigger, and I did, today. Bought the 2020 Chalk RTL (Dark) at Power Sports in Eustis, FL. Fine folks there and I think they treated me right. Rode it 70 miles, best ride I ever had.
Bill

[cptjam]

Congratulations, Bill! Very happy we could help. Enjoy the new ride!! Joe

[pegasus1300]

Hey good for you.:yes::yes::2excited: I knew you would love it. Ride Boley Ride. :congrats::2thumbs::nopic:Now we need a picture.

[Pirate looks at --]

Thanks Pirate.....I didn’t know that.......luckily, sheer performance is no longer the prime consideration for me, although I do enjoy getting the F3 moving on the odd occasion. I imagine Jase from ECU Xtreme will soon have an ECM upgrade available for the 2020 models which will give me enough zip.

Pete

That should fix that for you!

[Fat Baxter]

I sat on a new RT last weekend. Overall, it looks weird somehow compared to my 2014 RT-S (but then, I thought all Spyders looked weird when they first came out). The longer floorboards just look a bit off, IMO.

Sitting on it was vastly different. I've read over the years of many Spyder riders grousing about how cramped the stock seating position was, necessitating a different saddle that positions them back a few inches and lets them stretch their legs. Well, BRP was listening, and the new Spyder indeed sits you back.

Except, shorter riders like me (5', 7", with a 30" inseam) now have the opposite problem. On my 2014, the brake pedal is right next to my foot. Just pivot up on the heel, move the foot leftward a bit, and the pedal's right there. On the 2020, the brake pedal is forward and up a bit from my toe; I have to lift my entire foot and move it up and forward. I noticed it helps if I pivot my right hip a bit. Not liking that; not sure how that'll affect reaction time. Shorter women riders may have the same problem.

And .... it just looks a bit odd to me. And all that flat black plastic is gonna be a pain to keep clean.

[bikerbillone]

Baxter, I now have given some thought on cleaning the flat black (matte), my sales guy says use S100 and keep it hydrated so it doesn't turn from sun and elements. I'm not sure if that's good advice or not. So I'm looking for a good product to use. Yikes, the foot brake, I was thinking the wife was gonna get her trike endorsement so she could drive this thing later on, she's kind of short, so this may be a problem. I did not think of that when I bought. Maybe there will be aftermarket extension. :pray:

[Peteoz]

Yeah, the general consensus from those fairly tall/fairly short riders who have sat on/ridden the 20RT appears to be that it is not going to suit long legged or short legged riders in its current form, Bikerbill. It appears that they have designed it to suit “average leg Joe” (which is quite understandable), and give them the ability to move their feet around while riding, but without the adjustability of the U-Fit system it is not great for other leg lengths.

Pete


Baxter, I now have given some thought on cleaning the flat black (matte), my sales guy says use S100 and keep it hydrated so it doesn't turn from sun and elements. I'm not sure if that's good advice or not. So I'm looking for a good product to use. Yikes, the foot brake, I was thinking the wife was gonna get her trike endorsement so she could drive this thing later on, she's kind of short, so this may be a problem. I did not think of that when I bought. Maybe there will be aftermarket extension. :pray: