2013 RT-S SE5, need opinion
Hello All: I am new to this forum and appreciate all the helpful comments everyone has on this forum. I hope to one day contribute too.
I just traded in my 08 GS for a 2013 RT-S SE5.. and though expected driving experience to be different, I was not expecting too much.
First, I know that the seating position has change and it seems to be positive experience. I believe I can adjust quickly to that seating position.
Second is power, it feels like my RT-S is underpower even when I am only riding solo.. all 200lb of me by myself. at 45-60.. I can be in 4th or 5th gear and the bike shakes during throttle up.. RPM is about 3500-4500 during the shaking as if I am too high of a gear and slowly speeds up. (though I have not gunned it) The bike only has 100miles on it right now.. so maybe in the break in period I should be patient with it.
Third, I have been reading about the bike tracking left and right (hunting) at higher speed (45 and up). Coming off another Spyder, I think I have some sort of expectation that is accurate already.. but I maybe wrong since this is a touring model and not a GS.. and from what I understand there are more changes in the front end on the 2013. I drove it to the dealer this afternoon.. the owner took it out, and his tech took it out too, but both provided response as if it was normal.
During driving home, I am now trying to experiment and learn hoping I would get comfortable with the swaying.. but at 60, I feel like driving a car with lots of give in the steering on the highway. I decided to pull over at a neighbor and just to check out the give on the steering and here is what I video'd tape.
Can anyone verify that this is normal give? I don't recall my GS having this much give. If this is normal, is there any way to tighten it? or is this by design?
I purchase this for the wife, I still have another GS that is getting the power steering fix too.. Perhaps I have been riding with a bum steering system and have gotten comfortable with it instead of a working power steering:) either way, it is way uncomfortable for me.. season'ed rider. I am worried about letting it take the wife around.
Thanks in advance for anyone's input..
Here is the videohttp://youtu.be/c8XXh8kwcsk
Have the dealer run your Vin# and they will be able to let you
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hobbicam
Hello Illinois Boy,
thanks for the link.. it was really helpful.. looks like I was a little RPM shy on this bike. I did try the highway today and reached 65 at 5th gear.. I had a full-face helmet and the engine was louder then what I expected. I have not been behind a big windscreen before, my GS had wind noise that must have over powered the engine noise. Being that the RT-S has the windshield perhaps there were less wind noise and the engine was more noticible.
I will head out and try your suggestions.
@ Bob Denman, working with them on it...(cross fingers that this is something I am not just feeling).. I may have to find another RT-S rider in the area and ask if we could give each other test ride and compare to theirs.
@Chupaca, is there any way to tell (photo or something) to know if the ball joints has been replaced? I can only take the technicians word on all this. I did ask that this afternoon, no answer, and I sent the video link to the service team but have not gotten a email response yet.
Thanks again..
Hobbicam
know if the balljoint upgrade is needed. I just walked out to my 13' RT Ltd. and have none of the play I see in your video.... None. I would take it right back to the dealer, slowly and carefully, because that play looks totally unacceptable.. Keep us posted and good luck!