Initial Maintenance and Work
Have just purchased a new to me 2-14 Spyder RT LE with 9K Kms on the clock. Have had a few rides in the last 24 hours and have done some 250K Kms, solo and two-up. Coming from Goldwings. Ride is excellent, quality of finish is quite good, all round very enjoyable. Not much to do to this Spyder. Original owner put the beefier sway bar on, upgraded the handlebars to the tri axis handlebars, and I think a few other items. Only annoyance and I will find a work around for it, is the brake pedal is in the wrong spot for me.
Have looked into oil/filter change, HCM/transmission filter, fuel filter, and checking air cleaner. Will be doing over the next month. Have to schedule in between getting a V-Strom and Goldwing ready to sell. Plugs should be good.
Have ordered a set of passenger arm rests for the Mrs. Looking at a trailer hitch for my N-Line trailer as well.
Will be looking at replacing the front shocks and upgrading to the Elka stage 2 shocks for the RT. Looked at Baja Ron shock adjusters at $185.00 USD - $233.00 CDN pls shipping, taxes/duty. The Elka shocks are just shy of $1K CDN plus tax and shipping I would imagine - out of Boucherville Quebec. Looking at time, tooling and such, the Elka shocks are a better way ahead, and considering the Kms on this Spyder, do it now and enjoy the change. Keep the OEM shocks for a time when the Elka shocks may need to be rebuilt.
Not intimidated with removing the plastic, have owned - now sold, an '08 GL1800, have a '95 GL1500 and an '85 GL1200 Limited Edition Goldwing.
Will be browsing the forum for information on doing this maintenance/work.
Cheers
Does Monster Stage 2 extend clutch life?
Ernest -- thanks for the information on shift point affecting clutch life. I bought my 2014 RT-S with 77K by the first owner. I was worried about oil pressure so replaced RH gauge with GlowShift (which uses 3-wire 5V pressure sensor). Using XPS 5W40 I see 58psi when cold which is the engine relief pressure so the gauge is accurate. Hot pressure above 3500rpm is 50psi and hot idle is 14psi, which is satisfactory for this type of engine. I ride with rpm above 3500 but not so much with shifting. Now I know to shift higher. Thanks.
Did you ask Monster if Stage 2 changes the hydraulic pressures and therefore perhaps the shift points or clutch life? I intend to replace the HCM filter with every 5K oil change but if Stage 2 will increase clutch life it's worth $500 to me.