First ride on the RT-S SE

[Lamonster]

Most of you know my first RT was a pre-production RT-S SM (manual shift). This is what they gave all of the RT5 guys in DC. During our test ride I got a chance to swap out with Martin from BRP and ride his RT-S SE. At that point I fell in love with the simi-auto transmission. You can read about that here.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14020

That day I put in a request for a SE version of the RT. I knew that this was going to be the one I would want to buy if and when I get my RT. It's not that I mind shifting that much but there are times that it is a real pain like when you stuck in a traffic situation and you are doing the stop and go thing. I drove a Boss Hoss for 5 years and it has a two speed auto and you can really get use to not having to pull in a clutch.

As luck would have it I had a problem with my first RT that turned out to be no big deal but they picked it up anyway and sent it back to the factory to get some hardware and software updates. At that time I asked or maybe even begged for a SE when they sent me a unit back. That took a little time because there is a lot of paperwork that follows these units across the border and it was not as easy as I first thought it might be. The good news is I was able to swap my pre-production SM for a production SE. Just to add some icing to this cake I got a fully loaded SE with every option they have including the CB, XM and GPS. That's a lot of letters that really make this a top of the line touring machine.

Receiving RT-S SE Production number 000001
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6978
http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gifhttp://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gifhttp://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gifhttp://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gifhttp://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gifhttp://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gifhttp://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gif

I received my unit on Friday and spent most of my day charging the battery up while I got use to the function of all the controls. The first thing I had to figure out was the XM radio. At first I couldn't figure out how to change the categories but it turns out all I had to do is hit the "set" button when I was in the XM mode. Once I figured that out I hooked up the Garmin 660 GPS. That is interrogated with the sound system and will cut the music out when directions are spoken. That worked pretty good but it did kind of freak me out when it first did it. You can adjust the sound on the GPS to be as loud or louder than the music. I didn't get to play too much with the CB but all seems to work just fine. I did use my iphone/ipod for most of my riding music. It was great to be able to see the songs an artist playlist on my dash and control that with the RT controls.

The next day was Saturday and the weather was really great. It wasn't too cold and I kind of wished it was so I could try out the heated grips. I guess that day is coming soon enough. The wind protection is great on the RT and the only wind I noticed was a little on my shins.

I didn't have anywhere special in mind to go so I decided to head through town and then head north. I stopped by a talked to the new owners of Greeneville Powersports. They really like the Spyder and would love to be a dealer for them. They really liked the RT and I can see the owner winding up with one soon.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6986

I decided to head toward Shady Valley and maybe get a burger there. As I was going down 11e I thought I would stop by the Davy Crockett Park (http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/DavyCrockettSHP/) and take a few pics and a video. This is a pretty cool place to hangout and it's not too far from my house. There's a lot of history in this part of East TN.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6t9jVQ-F7o
Davy Crockett's Birthplace
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6987


In the Park
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6988

Heading back I stopped at a tobacco barn. I'm use to seeing these now but when I first moved here from San Diego I never seen anything like it before. This is how they hang it to dry out after harvest.

This was taken on another ride with my first RT but you can see how pretty a plant it is.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6991

Tobacco Barn
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6989
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=478&pictureid=6990


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6llm2buptw

I wound up spending the rest of the day at another Spyder dealers shop talking with customers that were looking at the RT. My guess is there will be quite a few RT's here in East TN pretty soon.

SpyderLovers.com has a good group of folks all ready talking up the RT and I'm sure in the weeks to come there will be even more activity on the boards. I know I'll be doing my best to post what I can so you all can share my ride down this RT road.
Lamonster

[docdoru]

:congrats::2thumbs:

[musicarcade]

:congrats:
Very cool.
Gotta check out Davy Crockett's place next time I'm in TN

[DynamoBT]

Lamont, is this RT still on loan? I'm confused to whether this one is yours to keep or just what.

[Lamonster]

Lamont, is this RT still on loan? I'm confused to whether this one is yours to keep or just what.
Yes, it is still a loaner but I hope to acquire it after the RT5 program is over. :doorag:

[jimclarkf1]

I was at that park, over 20 yrs ago, I remember it looked the same(small world) The bikes looks great, and THANKS for all your updates:clap:maybe you will take the RT to STURGIS next Aug, and your still welcomed to spend the night at my place. (OMAHA) I hope to go next year:2thumbs:

[musicarcade]

Yes, it is still a loaner but I hope to acquire it after the RT5 program is over. :doorag:
Well Lamont, put 50 to 60K on that baby and maybe (as per Docs argument) you'll get it for free!;)

[bjt]

Yes, it is still a loaner but I hope to acquire it after the RT5 program is over. :doorag:

:2thumbs: Congrats bro.

[BeRight]

Yes, it is still a loaner but I hope to acquire it after the RT5 program is over. :doorag:

BRP may have to destroy your RT - all depends on how it is classified. I think that pre-production vehicles have to be destroyed after their evaluation phase is complete.

[Lamonster]

BRP may have to destroy your RT - all depends on how it is classified. I think that pre-production vehicles have to be destroyed after their evaluation phase is complete.

Except for this RT is a production unit.:doorag:

[DynamoBT]

Well, wasn't that a clever switch!!

[BumbleBee]

:2thumbs: Great pictures and video.

My sister took me to both places a few years ago. East TN is beautiful, might be our final retirement in a few years!!!




Have fun on your RT-SE, fully loaded, way to go :ohyea::spyder2::yes:

[BeRight]

Except for this RT is a production unit.:doorag:

:2thumbs::clap::D-Sweeeeeeeeet!

[Big Arm]

Lamont, Your ride this week-end brought back some pleasant riding memories.
The day of your BBQ, the wife and I rode out to the Davy Crockett State Park, and really enjoyed our visit. I'll post a couple pics of inside the house. On our way out of the park, we stopped and watched the workers in the field cut tobacco. We had never seen tobacco being harvested, or being dryed before.
Also stopped at the Andrew Johnson Presidential Museum in Greeneville.
You have an awful lot of history there in your back yard.
That's why we were almost late for the BBQ :joke:

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/larryspic/crocket1.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/larryspic/crocket2.jpg



http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/larryspic/crocket3.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/larryspic/crocket4.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/larryspic/crocket5.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc325/larryspic/crocket6.jpg

[Lamonster]

Lamont, Your ride this week-end brought back some pleasant riding memories.
The day of your BBQ, the wife and I rode out to the Davy Crockett State Park, and really enjoyed our visit. I'll post a couple pics of inside the house. On our way out of the park, we stopped and watched the workers in the field cut tobacco. We had never seen tobacco being harvested, or being dryed before.
Also stopped at the Andrew Johnson Presidential Museum in Greeneville.
You have an awful lot of history there in your back yard.
That's why we were almost late for the BBQ :joke:
Thanks for the pics Bro. :thumbup: It is a great place to live. :doorag:

[Lamonster]

Since this is probalby the first peek at a fully loaded RT can you show a picture of the intercom/headset hookups? Where did they put them for the driver and the passenger and is the connection the same as on the wing?

I'm still really surprised that the driver/passenger intercom and headset connection to the audio system isn't standard on all of the RT models. I think they really missed the boat on this since it's supposed to be a touring machine. We're debating between the RT and another GW Trike....this oversight on their part is a big strike against the RT. I don't want a CB so I'm not too keen on paying the extra money for one just to get a headset connectin to the audio system.

Not the same as a wing but they can be adapted I guess.

Passenger connection
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=494&pictureid=6993

Passenger controls
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=494&pictureid=6994

Driver connection
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=494&pictureid=6992

[dwsdad]

Hey, folks! Been lurking here a while ever since I test rode the RT Nov 7. I really the bike, but I have to wonder why they are sticking with a hardwired intercom when Bluetooth headsets are getting better and better. The other thing that concerns me is the estimated gas mileage. If the rumors I hear of 30mpg are true, that may keep a lot of touring riders away. With the likes of the Wings getting around 40 and the BMW getting around 45, it's going to be hard convincing these serious touring riders to get an RT. Going across West Texas with only an effective range of 150 miles is going to dicey.

[Ken5517 / Wish Again]

Not the same as a wing but they can be adapted I guess.



Fred could answer this question, he uses his regular helmet and was the only one to have a CB set up with plugin's.

[Lamonster]

Hey, folks! Been lurking here a while ever since I test rode the RT Nov 7. I really the bike, but I have to wonder why they are sticking with a hardwired intercom when Bluetooth headsets are getting better and better. The other thing that concerns me is the estimated gas mileage. If the rumors I hear of 30mpg are true, that may keep a lot of touring riders away. With the likes of the Wings getting around 40 and the BMW getting around 45, it's going to be hard convincing these serious touring riders to get an RT. Going across West Texas with only an effective range of 150 miles is going to dicey.

I don't think the BMW or Wing trikes are getting any better than the RT. This is not a motorcycle and you are driving another wheel and have more wind resistance.

As far as being hardwired or bluetooth you can still run a bluetooth system independent of the RT. You can use a bluetooth through the Garmin 660 too if you want to use the phone or listen to music.

[docdoru]

welcome

I was crossing Texas on I-10 (CC50) and never used the fuel reserve. :doorag:

[dwsdad]

I don't think the BMW or Wing trikes are getting any better than the RT. This is not a motorcycle and you are driving another wheel and have more wind resistance.

That's a good point. Since I wouldn't consider a trike in my future, I never thought about them. The Sypders are just so unique that I wouldn't mind owning one and keep comparing them to what I'm used to riding.


As far as being hardwired or bluetooth you can still run a bluetooth system independent of the RT. You can use a bluetooth through the Garmin 660 too if you want to use the phone or listen to music.

True, you can, but some Bluetooth systems won't do intercom. I guess my point was, if you're going to throw technology into a "bike", why not go whole hog and make the comm system as techy as the rest of the bike.

[medican]

Since we are on the topic of comms:

They say the Garmin in integrated into the sound system of the bike, Does this mean that if linked to a Bluetooth phone you can talk on your phone as well using the pre existing comms? (ie. mike in helmet)

What I’m after is to have it all work together and get out of it what I need.

1. comms when riding 2 up
2. answer phone (only when family calls)
3. integrate what the Rt has on it (not spending $$ for it not to use it)

If I were to use something from http://www.cellset.com/ (http://www.cellset.com/) to tie the whole system together and use a Bluetooth set up on the helmets.
Now saying that, If I needed to hook up(wired) for this to work I would. just not my first choice.
I would spend the $$ if the GPS will do a two way with the phone.

Sorry guys not very experienced in this area any help would be great.

Thanks
Richard

[Freditor]

Lamont,
Thank you! You're a genius! I've had my Spyder RT, with an XM radio, for about two months now, and never could figure out how to change tuning categories. I could only use the "general" category, and couldn't find the menus for the others. I've figured out how everything else works on this rather-complex audio system, but that one escaped me until I read your post. Cherrie is thrilled - now she can listen to the Comedy Channel!
Fred

[Freditor]

Fred could answer this question, he uses his regular helmet and was the only one to have a CB set up with plugin's.

I have a multitude of helmets with various headsets. Several work with the RT, but you need to note the following:

Most standard Gold Wing hookups use a five-pin DIN plug. The RT uses a seven-pin DIN, much like the Victory and most Harley units. This is not a problem, so long as you have the two-piece headset cords, like the modern J&M units. Just swap out the lower cord with the five-pin plug for a lower cord with a seven-pin, and everything works perfectly. The five-pin will plug in, and the speakers will work, but the microphones won't.
Basically, the RT setup is the more modern type. If you have an older headset, with a one-piece cord and five-pin plugs, then it won't work properly.
Fred

[Lamonster]

I have a multitude of helmets with various headsets. Several work with the RT, but you need to note the following:

Most standard Gold Wing hookups use a five-pin DIN plug. The RT uses a seven-pin DIN, much like the Victory and most Harley units. This is not a problem, so long as you have the two-piece headset cords, like the modern J&M units. Just swap out the lower cord with the five-pin plug for a lower cord with a seven-pin, and everything works perfectly. The five-pin will plug in, and the speakers will work, but the microphones won't.
Basically, the RT setup is the more modern type. If you have an older headset, with a one-piece cord and five-pin plugs, then it won't work properly.
Fred

Good info that I could not provide. Thanks Fred :doorag:

[bjt]

Didn't those pre-production RT's come with an instruction manual? ;)

[BumbleBee]

Didn't those pre-production RT's come with an instruction manual? ;)


I remember Fred Rau telling me, he didn't get a manual with his. He had to figure everything out himself. :2thumbs:

[bjt]

I remember Fred Rau telling me, he didn't get a manual with his. He had to figure everything out himself. :2thumbs:


Well that stinks.

[mrwidget]

:congrats: glad to see you back on a rt