Considering my first RT

[Craigmri]

Greetings from Florida.

For the first time in nearly 20 years my wife is considering joining me on the road as a passenger on a Spyder RT. I have demo rode the older V-Twin model but never the new Triple.

I intend on taking one for a Demo ride before I pull the trigger and have two that I'm looking at. Which is the better deal?

New 2015 RT(Base) SM6 in black for $18,000 plus tax and tag.

2014 RT Limited SE6 in Black with 600 miles for $20,000 plus tax and tag. Warranty through 8/2017

Craig

 

[Chupaca]

Welcome..!!

:welcome: hard to say. The big difference will be the transmission. Standard or semi automatic..:dontknow: the base modle can be farkled on up to a limited. have that test ryde and see. good luck...:thumbup:

 

[Sarge707]

I would go with the New Base Model for $18,000- You will appreciate the 1330 6 Speed!!!nojoke

 

[ARtraveler]

A difficult call but the test ride should give you some good answers.

The 2014 LTD is almost $10K off and has the semi auto and all the farkles that most would want.

:welcome: and let us know what you decide.

 

[oldrider60]

RT

I just bought a used 2014 RTS SM6, I been riding motorcycles since I was 15, all different types. I recently sold my Trike which I hated the ride and bought the Spyder. I love the handling of the bike, it has the performance of a sport bike on 3 wheels. My suggestion would try to find something used, low miles in great condition. The gentleman that owned my bike paid 30K for it out the door and added another 5K in goodies and sold it to me for 17,500. I only has 7,300 miles on it. He had to have a F3 so the RT had to go.

I would never buy another new bike, mainly cuz I add a lot more stuff to the bike to make work for me. In the case of a used bike, the work has already been done.

 

[Stranger1759]

RT

If you think you will want floor boards then price them aftermarket compared to being standard on the 2014.
Do you think you will ever use GPS, price the adder for all the components to make it work with the factory radio.
Those two things will probably exceed the $2000 difference.

Just thought of one other, I don't think the base 2015 has the built in air compressor to adjust the rear ride?
You would have to manually add and subtract air. Where this comes into play is pulling a trailer or riding with passenger.

Just some thoughts.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:welcome: I love the SE6 on my RTS. I'd go for that. But you should test ryde both and decide for yourself. Let us know which one you go for. And don't forget to post a pic!!!!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

It sounds like the 2014 is a better deal. I personally prefer the SM over the SE but that's just me, however, you would be getting a lot of extras for that $2,000 including the floor boards, onboard compressor, passenger heated grips and stereo controls, and the semi auto transmission which is priced at $2,000 alone. Don't worry about it being a 2014 especially since it comes with the extended warranty.

 

[2dogs]

Go with the 14

you'll love hyea: that paddle shift once you demo it. The 1330 engine has a lot of deceleration braking power so it's not :lecturef_smilie: like a full auto trans we're used to in a car. Besides, when it wants to, it down shifts all by its self. All you have to do is up shift. This is the beginning of the 21st century so enjoy it while you can with what ever you choose.
Happy trails.......:yes:

 

[GloryRyders]

:welcome: and happy shopping. :yes: The 2014 sounds like a great deal! :2thumbs:

 

[blacklightning]

Although I have a sm6 model, for the $2000 difference, I would go with the 2014 limited. Also, if it is a limited 2014, it is black currant, which I love.

 

[wiredgeorge]

you'll love hyea: that paddle shift once you demo it. The 1330 engine has a lot of deceleration braking power so it's not :lecturef_smilie: like a full auto trans we're used to in a car. Besides, when it wants to, it down shifts all by its self. All you have to do is up shift. This is the beginning of the 21st century so enjoy it while you can with what ever you choose.
Happy trails.......:yes:

I have a manual transmission and tried out the paddle shifter and was not impressed. I think Can-Am should put out a FULL AUTOMATIC and be done with the semi-auto. I certainly wouldn't pay $2K for the paddle shifter. Just not worth it to me but others will likely disagree. I think the greater difference between the two bikes is the floorboards/gps which are both great to have. If you get the base model, you will likely end up adding both anyway.

 

[Craigmri]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I demo rode an RT-S today with SE6. While I didnt hate the Semi-automatic, I didnt love it either. What I did hate was the twitchyness in the high speed sweepers. That will take alot of getting used to.

Craig

 

[MikeT]

I demo rode an RT-S today with SE6. While I didnt hate the Semi-automatic, I didnt love it either. What I did hate was the twitchyness in the high speed sweepers. That will take alot of getting used to.
Craig

The twitchiness you talk about can be the result of many factors:
1. did you have a passenger on board? Did you adjust the rear shock for the added weight?
2. front tire pressure
3. It DOES take some time to get used to 2 wheels in front. Since the steering is faster, you tend to overdrive the Spyder into the curves. I learned to stay to the outside of the curve on entry. Still have some "trouble" with long freeway sweepers. It took me about 800 miles to get used to it after spending six years on a GL1800 trike.
Since arthritis is in my hands, I had to have the SE6 tranny. With time and miles you get smoother at shifting. Don't know if the demo was setup in ECO mode. That affect the shifting feel. Try it out of ECO.
Like many have said, for $2K I'd go with the Limited.

 

[PaladinLV]

Not a tough choice
2014 RT Limited.

AJ

Greetings from Florida.

For the first time in nearly 20 years my wife is considering joining me on the road as a passenger on a Spyder RT. I have demo rode the older V-Twin model but never the new Triple.

I intend on taking one for a Demo ride before I pull the trigger and have two that I'm looking at. Which is the better deal?

New 2015 RT(Base) SM6 in black for $18,000 plus tax and tag.

2014 RT Limited SE6 in Black with 600 miles for $20,000 plus tax and tag. Warranty through 8/2017

Craig

 

[trekguy]

The smoother ride adjustable shock is a great feature. The luggage and floorboards are neat as well. Plus resale value may be higher on a Limited trim level than a low-end model.
And some people..."go first-class all the way!"

 

[mcurtright]

I just purchased a 15 rt limited in Ocala for 23,000
has all the bells and whistles. My wife has never been on
a bike before and with the adjustable air ride on the rear
except for leaning a little more in curves can't tell she's back there
the semi auto trans is great and doesn't take long to get use to it

 

[CanAmIamDavid]

love my 2014

I have the 2014 RTS SE6 cognac ... I bought it September 4th of last year and I have almost eight thousand miles on it and it had no problems whatsoever with it it is a great machine....
Concerning which of these deal is better go?
with your gut....
:+)
David

Greetings from Florida.

For the first time in nearly 20 years my wife is considering joining me on the road as a passenger on a Spyder RT. I have demo rode the older V-Twin model but never the new Triple.

I intend on taking one for a Demo ride before I pull the trigger and have two that I'm looking at. Which is the better deal?

New 2015 RT(Base) SM6 in black for $18,000 plus tax and tag.

2014 RT Limited SE6 in Black with 600 miles for $20,000 plus tax and tag. Warranty through 8/2017

Craig

 

[wiredgeorge]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I demo rode an RT-S today with SE6. While I didnt hate the Semi-automatic, I didnt love it either. What I did hate was the twitchyness in the high speed sweepers. That will take alot of getting used to.

Craig

Can-Am has incrementally fixed some of the issues the initial RT had. The latest offerings have heavier
tie rods and better shocks but they obviously focused on some arbitrary list of doo-dads a top end
tourer must have and perhaps not some of the things I would have gotten down first. Suspension is
one of them. If the suspension is set up properly and the Spyder is aligned properly it helps. A
larger diameter anti sway bar and good shocks also remove much of the "twitchyness" you describe.
My missus has MANY miles riding pillion on a variety of touring bikes and trikes and found our Spyder
terrifying in high speed sweepers initially. I fixed the suspension issues which should never have
been there in the first place with a bit of engineering and testing by Can-Am and once the pillion
boards were adjusted and arm rests added, the missus is now happy with the overall handling of
our RT (2010 base model). Look at the list of accessories a lot of folk have added to their signatures
and note that much of this stuff is there because it greatly improves on the stock parts it replaced.
To make a Spyder yours will take some money and effort but I think it is worth it.

 

[Craigmri]

Wire, Thanks for taking the time to compose your message and I did find it full of informative details. I decided to stay on two wheels and going to pursue a Goldwing. After demo riding everything from the Ultra Harley to the Spyder, I found the Goldwing the only bike that speaks to me.

Craig

Can-Am has incrementally fixed some of the issues the initial RT had. The latest offerings have heavier
tie rods and better shocks but they obviously focused on some arbitrary list of doo-dads a top end
tourer must have and perhaps not some of the things I would have gotten down first. Suspension is
one of them. If the suspension is set up properly and the Spyder is aligned properly it helps. A
larger diameter anti sway bar and good shocks also remove much of the "twitchyness" you describe.
My missus has MANY miles riding pillion on a variety of touring bikes and trikes and found our Spyder
terrifying in high speed sweepers initially. I fixed the suspension issues which should never have
been there in the first place with a bit of engineering and testing by Can-Am and once the pillion
boards were adjusted and arm rests added, the missus is now happy with the overall handling of
our RT (2010 base model). Look at the list of accessories a lot of folk have added to their signatures
and note that much of this stuff is there because it greatly improves on the stock parts it replaced.
To make a Spyder yours will take some money and effort but I think it is worth it.