First Time Owner/First Time Poster

[BigLenny]

Hi Everybody!

I hope this message finds you all doing well.

Well, we finally did it! After many years of riding motorcycles across our beautiful nation, my wife and I pulled the trigger 11 days ago, and purchased a 2020 Spyder RT Limited Chrome. So, 3 days after purchasing it, we loaded it on a trailer, hauled it 2 days from our home in Arkansas to Flagstaff, AZ, left the truck and trailer there, and then took our new Spyder on a 1200 mile, 6 day ride that included northern Arizona, Southern Utah, and southeastern Nevada. Currently, we are back in the truck on day 1 of our 2 day drive back to Arkansas with our Marsala Red (Miss Kitty) Spyder resting on the trailer behind us.

Let me say this: WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!

Having said that, there was a sizable learning curve the first few days. The first couple nights, I was sore in my shoulders from fighting it all day. I wasn’t purposefully fighting it, it was all subconscious. Finally I got better at releasing control, relaxing my grip, and letting the bike do what it naturally does. I’ve been told by a number of Spyder riders that it takes about 1000 miles to get used to it if you’re coming directly from riding a two wheeled bike. I agree with that estimate.

The 6 days and 1200 miles have left me with a few questions and observations:
1. Why can’t I increase my speed by throttle when the cruise is set? It appears the only way to increase speed is to push the cruise button up.
2. Is there some kind of kit to move the rear trunk back an inch or two? My wife isn’t a large gal (5’2”, 120lbs), but she said it’s a tight fit back there compared to the room she has on our 2 wheeled bike.
3. I’m gonna be looking to get an upgraded sway bar soon. Open to suggestions.
4. Side loading saddlebags are for the birds. We have spent all of our previous riding years with top loaders, and I’m tellin ya, we will never get used to the hassle of having to slide the liner out to get something out or put something in, much less worrying about something falling out when we open it. We’re very open to saddle bag liners that can make this process better. Any suggestions?
5. It doesn’t take much for this bike to click the cooling fans on. I’m not used to that. Our previous bike was water cooled also, but it had to be a scorching day, with us sitting in traffic a long time for the fan to come on. Is this normal?

As I said; we LOVE this bike, and are elated to own it.

Looking forward to getting to know you all as we experience our years ahead of ownership.

Please do not hesitate to begin bombarding me with info that I need to know and be aware of.

Big Lenny

[JP58]

Spyderpops makes a trunk extender for the 17 thru 19 F3L. Dont know if he is making one for the linqs system. You could call him and ask.

[JayBros]

Congratulations!

I suggest you read the Do's and Do Nots sticky. There's a lot of good information in the thread. Also, do yourself a big favor and read your operator's guide thoroughly if you haven't already done so.

If you momentarily want to increase your speed while you have cruise control on, say to pass a slowpoke, all you have to do is roll on the throttle. When you set the CC it electrically puts the throttle back to idle so you have to roll on enough to pass the point at which you set the CC.

Can't comment on the 2020s fans coming on but mine don't come on quickly unless it is broiling hot.

Good luck and ride safe!

[almosthere]

Spyderpops sells a great set of custom made bags for the 14-21 RT saddle bags.Utilizes every square inch with convenient pockets and dividers.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Congratulations!

I suggest you read the Do's and Do Nots sticky. There's a lot of good information in the thread. Also, do yourself a big favor and read your operator's guide thoroughly if you haven't already done so.

If you momentarily want to increase your speed while you have cruise control on, say to pass a slowpoke, all you have to do is roll on the throttle. When you set the CC it electrically puts the throttle back to idle so you have to roll on enough to pass the point at which you set the CC.

Can't comment on the 2020s fans coming on but mine don't come on quickly unless it is broiling hot.

Good luck and ride safe!

..... I have a 14 RT and can increase my speed vis the throttle ..... It returns to the setting it was at..... at worst you just have to re-set it ..... good luck .... Mike Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd

[ARtraveler]

Turning the throttle will over-ride the cc.

[RICZ]

Congrats on you new toy and welcome to the world of 3 wheeling. It sounds like you need to give yourself time to "get used to" or adjust your thinking to what you have, instead of what you used to have. I've been there, so I know what you are dealing with.
I find bag liners limiting as they fill the case, leaving no room for what stays with the bike. I carry a change of clothes (usually just underwear) and toiletries in a small duffel and take that into the hotel. While tools and rain gear, etc. remain with the bike. Pretty Wife and I have done extensive touring all over this country and in Europe and that system has worked for us for decades. One bike came with liners and we never used them. You can have them if they'll fit. There were for our '92 Yamaha Venture Royale.

[JayBros]

If I have the CC set and grab a handful of throttle to pass grandpa and grandma out checking the crops in their cage when I've completed the pass I simply relax my grip on the throttle and the Spyder slows the the speed at which I set the CC. If I downshift to make the pass the downshift cancels the CC and I must reset it.

[Navydad]

My 2015 RT throttle has a slower response time as well if the cruise control is set. I can twist the throttle and it will override the cruise, but it still doesn't have the same response as it does when the cruise is off. If I want the throttle response back I just kick it down a gear.

[RayBJ]

The Bajaron sway bar is the only one I've seen and it's made a world of difference on my 2020 RT.

[Arion]

We chose Hopnel saddlebag liners for our Spyders and have been quite pleased with them. They're reasonably priced and they've held up well. Several sponsors sell them.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'm not sure I can explain it clearly but with the 2005 Goldwing I had I found myself unintentionally accelerating above the cruise setting. If held the throttle in the position it was in when I set cruise, any turn of the throttle to open immediately caused the speed to override the cruise setting. I don't know how the difference is built in but with the Spyder I can roll the throttle forward and backward a little bit without affecting the cruise speed. If I deliberately roll the throttle open then it overrides the cruise. I find the Spyder more relaxing when it comes to holding the throttle hand grip.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

My 2015 RT throttle has a slower response time as well if the cruise control is set. I can twist the throttle and it will override the cruise, but it still doesn't have the same response as it does when the cruise is off. If I want the throttle response back I just kick it down a gear.

I believe this is LAG time .... my 14 RT takes slightly longer if the throttle is completely released , but if I'm near the equal setting as the CC there is NO lag ...... Mike

[BigLenny]

Thanks to everyone for your responses!
We just pulled into our house from the two day drive back home from Flagstaff. What a wonderful ride! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Spyder!

BLUENIGHT911, IdahoMtnSpyder, Navydad, ARtraveler, JayBros, I'm gonna take several of your advices and roll on the throttle a little farther when I have CC on the next time I'm on the bike. I wasn't used to having lag time. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

JayBros, Thanks for the tips. I'm gonna dive into those Do's and Do Not's tonight. I have been reading the operators manual a lot, but also know you guys have a wealth of street knowledge on this site for me to tap into, so my learning curve will be shorter.

almosthere, I'm aware of the saddlebag liners that SpydrePops has been offering, however, when I was at his place a couple weeks ago, he informed me they are on backorder because of COVID, with no lead time set in the near future. Those are the best ones I've seen yet, os far as how much they fill the total cavities of the side cases.

Arion, I'm gonna take a gander at those Hopnel ones. I might get those in the mean time, while I wait on SpyderPops to get a shipment of his in.

Raybj, I'll consider that Bajaron sway bar soon.

JP58, I'm certainly gonna look into a trunk base extender from SpyderPops, if he offers one.

RICZ, I completely agree with you that I need to get used to what I have, instead of what I used to have. I actually think it has been a blast so far to learn this new beautiful machine. I had bag liners for our 2007 Yamaha RSTD, but really didn't use them that much. Thats because the saddlebags were top loaders, so when you opened the lid, everything stayed perfectly where you stored it. With these side loaders, it just feels to us like we need the stuff in a liner to keep it from falling out when we open the door. For this first trip, we used the Frunk for my wife's clothes, and toiletries, the rear trunk for my clothes, and the side cases for daily use stuff, like her purse, and water jugs, and other stuff. Oh, and I purchased from SpyderPops before we left on the trip, a luggage rack for the rear trunk lid. We strapped a roll bag on top with a few pair of shoes. We'll be experimenting a while on how we're gonna pack for future trips. Heck, we may even get a trailer, who knows.
Thank you for the offer on the liners from your Venture Royale, but I think we'll be fine. Ahhh, a 92 Venture Royale; now that was a fine bike.

Thanks again everybody!

BL

[pegasus1300]

First congratulations on the new RTL 2020. I came to the Spyder after 50+ years on 2 wheels, Yamaha Ventures and Royal Stars since 1986. I love my 2012 Spyder. Since it is a 2012 RTL it came semi hard luggage cases for all for 4 compartments. I use the front and larger side side bag for my wife and the smaller compartment for myself. The rain gear goes on the rack and the daily use stuff goes in the trunk. Just a quick grab of the bags and we are unloaded, or lloaded when leaving in the morning. Value Accessories has the Hopnel bags which are soft sided more like the old Venture Royale bags.

[BigLenny]

First congratulations on the new RTL 2020. I came to the Spyder after 50+ years on 2 wheels, Yamaha Ventures and Royal Stars since 1986. I love my 2012 Spyder. Since it is a 2012 RTL it came semi hard luggage cases for all for 4 compartments. I use the front and larger side side bag for my wife and the smaller compartment for myself. The rain gear goes on the rack and the daily use stuff goes in the trunk. Just a quick grab of the bags and we are unloaded, or lloaded when leaving in the morning. Value Accessories has the Hopnel bags which are soft sided more like the old Venture Royale bags.

Hi Pegasus1300. I do remember way back when I first started looking at Spyders, they did come with the semi hard luggage cases. They came with a GPS too. I guess BRP, like most other companies, decided to cut costs, as the unitts became more popular.
So, you were a Venture rider? That is a fine bike. My wife and I have been riding a Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe for 13 years. Have been to 31 states on that sucker. Are you a member on Venturerider.org? I think I remember you being on there.
I hear folks on this site are as awesome as the people on Venturerider.org.

[Deanna777]

Deanna