For those who have only owned the 1330 ...

First, I have never ridden a Spyder with the 1330. I am willing to bet it is the better overall engine for the way most people ride these machines (and the direction that most new models have drifted towards recently).

I will tell you though - the 998 V-twin can be a blast to ride when it's rung out, particularly the SM5 models with a clutch. I have been taking likely my last few rides this week and I find myself doing a few burnouts, and stretching its long legs, particularly going from about 25 to 60 mph in 2nd ... in a hurry, I might add. This engine is a screamer and turns a normally conservative Gold Wing rider into a bit of a naughty boy.

If you like a racy twin, this one is a good one.

I also like it when cruising at around 55 mph / 4000 rpm...it makes a nice little twin throb at that speed that's pleasing the ear and soul.

I love my 998 V-Twin and manual transmission. It's just the way a motorcycle is supposed to be. A bit raw and ready to ride hard. But it will go from East Tennessee to California just like the SE's

I certainly enjoyed my V-twin too. Coming out of the expressway on-ramp and brushing off the Harley in front of me was lots of fun... hitting 94 in 4th while hopping around his struggling noisemaker... then shifting on into 5th and cruising about 80 and staying ahead of him no matter what! FUN!

And it always upshifted smoother than my SE6, too.

Four 998's (one SM and three SE), and two 1330's.

Going against the pack here for the many reasons that I have posted as to why I like the 1330.

I do ride my Vulcan Vtwin 900 a lot though.

No further comments, I will let you folks duke it out. :roflblack: :bowdown: :roflblack:

Just to clarify - not saying one is better than the other - just noting that the 998 with the SM5 is a fun, fun, fun motor that turns a Spyder into a bit of a stable, smooth riding sport bike, and if you have only owned the 1330, you might never know! :2thumbs:

I have only ridden the 1330, unless you count a couple trips around a parking lot about 10 years ago on an early RT.

Please continue to enjoy revving the snot out of your v-twin, we will continue a "more-relaxed" riding style, which suits the 1330 just fine. My testosterone-induced vehicular racing urges were curbed a LONG time ago, and my wife has never been affected by them. We do ride in a "spirited" manner that keeps us well ahead of the general population, but we just don't feel the urge to test the traction limits on every corner or stoplight.

Due to other stuff happening in our lives, we only get 6-10,000 miles per season, and somehow just seem to enjoy lower-revving engines. Her Suzuki and mine are both very happy in the 3-5,000 RPM range, redline is 9,000. My Wing is only turning 3,000 RPM at 70 mph, redline is 5,500.

These lower-revving engines also have one other quality that we enjoy. QUIET. No complaints about the stock Spyder, but I heard several this past summer at Zanesville and Maggie Valley that I would have trouble riding NEAR, let alone ON. I'm just happy they're not in my neighborhood.

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Originally Posted by Steve W.

I have only ridden the 1330, unless you count a couple trips around a parking lot about 10 years ago on an early RT.

Please continue to enjoy revving the snot out of your v-twin, we will continue a "more-relaxed" riding style, which suits the 1330 just fine. My testosterone-induced vehicular racing urges were curbed a LONG time ago, and my wife has never been affected by them. We do ride in a "spirited" manner that keeps us well ahead of the general population, but we just don't feel the urge to test the traction limits on every corner or stoplight.

Due to other stuff happening in our lives, we only get 6-10,000 miles per season, and somehow just seem to enjoy lower-revving engines. Her Suzuki and mine are both very happy in the 3-5,000 RPM range, redline is 9,000. My Wing is only turning 3,000 RPM at 70 mph, redline is 5,500.

These lower-revving engines also have one other quality that we enjoy. QUIET. No complaints about the stock Spyder, but I heard several this past summer at Zanesville and Maggie Valley that I would have trouble riding NEAR, let alone ON. I'm just happy they're not in my neighborhood.

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:agree: ... I've owned two V-twins and ride a 14 RT now .... as far as performance goes I can do everything on my 1330 that I did on either of the V-twins .... the only noticeable difference is , my RT is smoother and quieter. .... Mike :thumbup:

The twin with the standard was a lot of fun. Very peppy. Did get tired of the shifting, had owned a lot of standards (cars & trucks included). Now I do enjoy the 1330 but glad for the twins I have owned. I guess everything has it's time.

I owned a 1330 with the SM6 first, and then purchased a 2012 RSS with the SE5. Now I own a 1330 with the SE6. The sound of the 998 is much better than the 1330 will ever be. It was also very fun to ride. I have now put a cat delete on my 1330 SE6 and it is snappy at the throttle, like the 998. But the sound is not there. A friend has a 2011 990 with the SM5. I am thinking about trying to pick it up from him as a 1 up fun ride.

I've owned a number of high revving twins over the years but I'm sure glad I didn't buy the 2012 spyder from the lady across the street. I'm so thankful I waited and bought my 2014 1330. I've become a believer over the years of less RPM, larger cubic inches, and low-end torque.

My 1330 has no difficulty reaching and sustaining the posted speed limits. Each of us has our own purpose and needs from our machine. Relaxed, and relaxing, riding through open countryside, some twisties from time to time. I don’t need an adrenaline rush.

To each his, her, their, it’s own. The ‘20 RTL fits my needs fine, the ‘20 900 Ryker suits my wife. Happy miles, happy smiles, happy trails.