2012 RT Limited possible purchase

[68vette]

Hi all
New to the forum
We are looking at the possible purchase of a 2012 RT limited with apx 7000 miles . The bike is a one owner who traded it in for a 2014 and appears to be well kept.
The bike is for my wife, she is taken with the Spyder and has decided she wants one. Also when I give up 2 wheels the bike also appeals to me.(current ride is a FJR1300)


I would appreciate any advise as to any problem areas to be aware of while test driving the RT

Thanks in advance
Jeff

[Ken Thomas]

Hi all
New to the forum
We are looking at the possible purchase of a 2012 RT limited with apx 7000 miles . The bike is a one owner who traded it in for a 2014 and appears to be well kept.
The bike is for my wife, she is taken with the Spyder and has decided she wants one. Also when I give up 2 wheels the bike also appeals to me.(current ride is a FJR1300)


I would appreciate any advise as to any problem areas to be aware of while test driving the RT

Thanks in advance
Jeff

Great pick..........can not go wrong !!:yes::yes::yes:

[Pennyrick]

Hi all
New to the forum
We are looking at the possible purchase of a 2012 RT limited with apx 7000 miles . The bike is a one owner who traded it in for a 2014 and appears to be well kept.
The bike is for my wife, she is taken with the Spyder and has decided she wants one. Also when I give up 2 wheels the bike also appeals to me.(current ride is a FJR1300)


I would appreciate any advise as to any problem areas to be aware of while test driving the RT

Thanks in advance
Jeff

Could be the best of the breed.

@ 7,000 all it should need is a rear tire.

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
A couple of things that you might want to keep in mind...
Since it's an SE-5 equipped bike (With the paddle shifters...), you should know that keeping the engine revs up to at LEAST 3,500 rpm or so helps to keep the clutch plates happy.
Reason? It's not until that point that the centrifugal engagement system fully locks up the engagement of those plates. Let them slip too much, and :shocked:...
Checking the rear tire has been mentioned... Don't forget the REAR brakes! They're usually worn out about twice as fast as the ones up front.
Belt tension and alignment are pretty darn important; are service records available?
Engine oil levels are pretty important on the 998 engines... About the first place that they manifest a low oil condition, is in the shifting. Make sure that your are given proper instructions on how to check the oil levels correctly.
(This is a dry sump engine, so the process is kind of important)

I sure didn't mean to scare you; the 2012s are recognized as the best of the "998 RTs", so :congrats:

[Highwayman2013]

We love ours. Rear brake pads wear quickly.

[68vette]

Thanks for the responses I will question the dealer about service records
My wife is really excited about the bike( me too just love getting new toys)

[szohar]

From what I hear this is the best model they ever had.

I had mine for more then a year with 23,000 miles of fun.

You will sure enjoy it.

[ValCruzSpyder]

I own and ryde the 2012 RTS-SE5! Right now, I have a little over 12,500 miles on it. I have heard it said on this site that the back tire wears fast. That may be true, but...I am still on the original tire with no signs of excessive wear. The RT is probably one of the most comfortable of all the Spyders (Biased opinion, mind you). Just a word to the wise, make sure you check your oil regularly. Anywhere between 300 to 500 miles at speeds of 65 or greater, the RT seems to use (burn) a little oil. A splash every once in awhile won't hurt. But make sure you check before you add any additional oil. And the best advice I could give...Go out there and enjoy the ride!!!!! Be safe!!

[Bob Denman]

Sooooo... Tell us about what prompted your screen name? :D
Or better yet; post some pics of it! :thumbup:

[Purple Guy]

I had a 2012 RT-LTD and absolutely no issues with it. Of all the 1st gen RT's IMHO that's the one to get.

[Jim&Teresa]

Our 2012 RT Limited was traded only due to the new engine/transmission on the 2014 RT. Otherwise, we would be happy with it.

We rode 7,650 miles on our 2012 RT Limited - no significant issues. You may get a little belt vibration, but that's "normal" for the Spyders and you can get a smoothspyder tensioner to help with that.

We had ZERO mechanical or electrical/electronic issues with this bike. We NEVER got stuck anywhere with it and it was extremely reliable.

The 2012 RT IMHO is a good bike! :firstplace:

Good luck with your decision to buy! :thumbup:

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: The above posters have you covered. Due diligence of checking with the previous owner, and looking at the service records should give you all the information you need. If the previous owner is on SL, a look at their previous posts will give you information about the :spyder2: also.

Across the board, the 2012 seems to be the best of the 998's.

[pslawing]

I have a 12 RT AND my friend bought a used 12 RT. I THINK IT WAS A GREAT YEAR!!!!
2010 was the first year for the RT AND 2012 was the last year of that design. I don't think you could go wrong. Especially w low mileage.
ENJOY

[68vette]

Bob
the screen name is driven by my other toy, a 1968 convertible vette I bought in 1990 while living in CA. I have had the screen name for other forums and am not creative enough to come up with a new screen name http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.png
It is a 427 bored and stroked to a 492 pulling about 500 hp at the fly wheel according to the computer generated configuration. I also added a 5 speed manual over drive to help keep the RPMs down. I enjoy driving it when not on the Yamaha FJR1300. Hopefully my wife will allow me to drive the RT on occasion
I will post some Pics with the vette and the RT after the purchase


Also again thanks for all the input about the RT
Jeff

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: a 1968; packing a 492... :bowdown:
Well-played; Sir! :thumbup: VERY well-played... :clap:

[Netminder]

The only things done to my 2012 and they were under warranty. Rear shock replaced, front engine seal ( is a known issue, if there is any hint of antifreeze or oil after parking it) besides that as stated above it was a good year! Only other things I have done is change the oil and ride it!:thumbup::thumbup:

[Chupaca]

to this site..you picked a winner. Low mileage and well kept. You will love it and once you get the hang of it you will be on one as well..!! :ohyea::ohyea:

[Ivorspyder]

Go for it .The. 2012 is the best year produced on the RT.I bought my 2012 RT Limited just on 2 years ago and turned 28000 miles today.Absolutely trouble free.Its a great bike and imtend keepin it for a good few year
ivor.

[samewok]

Just remember to not ride the brake or it will on into limp mode.

[Silvervette05]

A few months ago I trade d a 08 spyder for a 2012 rts and it is Great, good luck with your new ride and welcome :thumbup:

[PW2013STL]

:welcome: And :congrats: On your pending :f_spider: Purchase

:agree: :nopic: Of both Vette and new Spyder.

[Don in E Texas]

Your wife will love her Spyder. In case you might have missed it, there is a great thread devoted to new riders that you may find of interest:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?41346-quot-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

Don

[tobor9]

:welcome:You did not say where in SC you are,but if you are buying from Velocity PowerSports in Ladson,SC you picked the best dealer/service center in the state! they will take care of you as they have taking care of my wife(SDM) and me with our :f_spider: The wife just traded her 2011 RTS for a 2014 RTL and I have a 2011 RS. If your near or coming this way let us know and maybe we can get together for a ryde or something.

[Tango]

:2thumbs::congrats::welcome::ohyea:

[napper39]

:congrats:on the 2012 :spyder:ever body here has given you grate advise,make sure they show you how to check the oil,its different than any other bike out there and ive just bought my 55th bike 30 days ago.and the oil needs to be right as the trannie has to be full to shift right,very inportant thing to know.if you need a back tire and brakes hav the dealer install as part of the deal.now ride and have fun:chat::2thumbs: welcome to this site you can get all things spyder answered here.:thumbup:

[Dan_Ashley]

Read post #22. This is very helpful.
Also, on my 2012 RT, I installed a BajaRon sway bar. Made the ride nicer.

[68vette]

Drove to Atlanta Friday night and test drove the RT Saturday
My wife was happy with it so after some negotiating I drove it 280 miles home back to Columbia.
It took a bit to get used to 3 wheels after 40 years of 2 wheels but not too bad.
The suggestions & advise supplied by you guys was very helpful.
The prior owner had bought the bike there so I was able to get service records.

My wife is so excited she wants to drive it to a wedding in Charleston next week.
She will be out riding today in between showers
I'm happy to have a riding partner.
We will post some pictures later.

[Magdave]

Drove to Atlanta Friday night and test drove the RT Saturday
My wife was happy with it so after some negotiating I drove it 280 miles home back to Columbia.
It took a bit to get used to 3 wheels after 40 years of 2 wheels but not too bad.
The suggestions & advise supplied by you guys was very helpful.
The prior owner had bought the bike there so I was able to get service records.

My wife is so excited she wants to drive it to a wedding in Charleston next week.
She will be out riding today in between showers
I'm happy to have a riding partner.
We will post some pictures later.

You have a good dealer in Columbia PS. :thumbup:Nice to have Just in case.

[tobor9]

Drove to Atlanta Friday night and test drove the RT Saturday
My wife was happy with it so after some negotiating I drove it 280 miles home back to Columbia.
It took a bit to get used to 3 wheels after 40 years of 2 wheels but not too bad.
The suggestions & advise supplied by you guys was very helpful.
The prior owner had bought the bike there so I was able to get service records.

My wife is so excited she wants to drive it to a wedding in Charleston next week.
She will be out riding today in between showers
I'm happy to have a riding partner.
We will post some pictures later.

If you have time when in Charleston,give us a call(843-813-2038)maybe we can get together

[SPYDERFUZZ]

You have received some good advise but let me add one more, from my 18wheeler days. I down shift until I get to first gear. It saves the break pads waring early. Of course you may have to jump on them, but red lights and stop signs it will help MHO.:yes::yes::thumbup::2thumbs: