hrbeta
05-27-2012, 06:29 PM
Today, on our way back from Venice to Boca Raton, Fl, my friend Dan let me try his beautiful 2011 RTS for some 150 miles. I'm very appreciative because I had only ridden RTs for short distances before, and within urban environments. Our trip of today was at a fast pace on Florida's highways and back roads; we hit some rain, some traffic, wind and a lot of heat.
I've had a semi-auto 2011 RS since last October, it's got almost 6k miles. I've put a lot of goodies on it, most relevantly an Evoluzione sway bar, stage 2 front Elka shocks, a HMF exhaust along with an Evo O2 modiffier. I run 20 psi in the front tires and 26 psi on the rear one. The stock rear shock absorber's coil is set in the fourth notch. This I'm telling you so you can appreciate what I'm used to, when it comes to my Spyder.
Dan's RTS has no after market sway bar, but has Fox front shocks and wider, stiffer front tires. It does not have any power enhancements.
I found the RT, very comfortable and very quiet, thanks of course to its stock muffler. If I get me a RT I would not change the muffler either, I like my RS loud but I'd prefer to keep a RT quiet.
In the power department I was positively impressed, to me, the RT is just as quick as my RS.
I did not care much for the fly-by-wire throttle as it feels sluggish, with a lot of play, compared to the wired RS throt.
Also I have to say, I like the semi-auto gear box better, it's quicker up and down than the standard box. I have extensive two stroke off-road experience and I understand the importance of the use of the clutch on a motorcycle but in the case of the Spyder, the nanny completely renders the regular clutch advantages useless, IMHO.
My biggest "complaint" regarding this RT I tried, is that it is not as stable as my RS, it feels very nervous at speeds over 75mph or when it is hit by a gust of wind.
I have high risers on my GS and I sit in a straight up position, I have a large wind shield and highway pegs, however my RS tracks significantly better and feels much more stable. Probably it's just me, 'cause Dan can sure put his RT through the paces.
All in all, I liked the RT. it's a different beast than the RS. I can see myself on one, as a matter of fact, Dan and I spoke about swapping Spyders for a weekend.
I'm hoping BRP works on improving the RT's reliability and also improves the electronic throttle's feeling. As of stability I can perhaps dial my RT to handle more to my liking.
Thank you Dan 👍
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I've had a semi-auto 2011 RS since last October, it's got almost 6k miles. I've put a lot of goodies on it, most relevantly an Evoluzione sway bar, stage 2 front Elka shocks, a HMF exhaust along with an Evo O2 modiffier. I run 20 psi in the front tires and 26 psi on the rear one. The stock rear shock absorber's coil is set in the fourth notch. This I'm telling you so you can appreciate what I'm used to, when it comes to my Spyder.
Dan's RTS has no after market sway bar, but has Fox front shocks and wider, stiffer front tires. It does not have any power enhancements.
I found the RT, very comfortable and very quiet, thanks of course to its stock muffler. If I get me a RT I would not change the muffler either, I like my RS loud but I'd prefer to keep a RT quiet.
In the power department I was positively impressed, to me, the RT is just as quick as my RS.
I did not care much for the fly-by-wire throttle as it feels sluggish, with a lot of play, compared to the wired RS throt.
Also I have to say, I like the semi-auto gear box better, it's quicker up and down than the standard box. I have extensive two stroke off-road experience and I understand the importance of the use of the clutch on a motorcycle but in the case of the Spyder, the nanny completely renders the regular clutch advantages useless, IMHO.
My biggest "complaint" regarding this RT I tried, is that it is not as stable as my RS, it feels very nervous at speeds over 75mph or when it is hit by a gust of wind.
I have high risers on my GS and I sit in a straight up position, I have a large wind shield and highway pegs, however my RS tracks significantly better and feels much more stable. Probably it's just me, 'cause Dan can sure put his RT through the paces.
All in all, I liked the RT. it's a different beast than the RS. I can see myself on one, as a matter of fact, Dan and I spoke about swapping Spyders for a weekend.
I'm hoping BRP works on improving the RT's reliability and also improves the electronic throttle's feeling. As of stability I can perhaps dial my RT to handle more to my liking.
Thank you Dan 👍
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD