2012 RT was/is considered the best of the 998 Rotax versions. I would recommend that version over 2013.
2013 RT had heat issues and some fires. I won't recommend this.
2014 RT the year of the 1330 triple engine. Has a very good reputation and my two friends have 2014 RT and they are quite happy.
2015 no major changes except for colors.
I dunno, there's many who consider the 2012's as being
only '
the best of the 998 Rotax versions' up until the 2013's came out!! :lecturef_smilie:
Consider Please... the 2013 Spyder's got a bunch of suspension, brakes, & other changes in expectation of the 'new ACE Triple' engine, only then that engine wasn't available in time, so the 'old V-Twin' (but revvier, more exciting, peppier, more responsive

) engine got stuffed back in... making the pre-existing Spyder Heat issues a little worse. So yeah, some 2013's had heat issues, altho statistically & reportedly, far more didn't have any more heat problems than the 2012's & earlier Spyders, but then eventually these excessive heat issues were pretty much resolved for the 2013's by the Heat Alleviation Recall. That said, have a search thru the threads & posts of the vintage, there were more than
just 'a couple' of 2012's & earlier
AND 2014's & later Spyders that
also ended up with those heat recall vents being fitted because
ALL of the Spyders around that time scored
some heat complaints; it was only the 2013's that saw those complaints come to a head & eventually get resolved. Heck, we've even had people chasing the 'heat fix' for their earlier &/or later Spyders
this year!! So it's pretty clear, around that time, they
ALL had Heat Issues.
So all up, if you want '
the BEST' of the 998 Rotax V-Twin Spyders, the 2013 has
GOT to be the stand out choice! The 2012's had a number of identified 'shortfalls', which were largely addressed in the 2013's that got all the suspension, brake, & handling upgrades that went into the 2014's (gotta
LOVE those Brembo brakes!

hyea: ); it's got the latest & greatest engine control, dash, & 'fly by wire' controls & electronics that were available at the time; the heat recall resolved the heat issues & complaints that plagued
ALL Spyders up until then; and it's a newer, younger machine than the 2012's but still has the vibrant & alive V-Twin engine instead of the later but lazy, 'run-away sewing machine' sounding, albeit admittedly very torquey ACE Triple motor that eventually made it into the 2014 Spyders....
Which all boils down to meaning that if you really want '
the Best V-Twin Spyder', and arguably still the '
Best' & most exciting to ride Spyder that's been made yet, you really shouldn't over-look the 2013 Spyders!

hyea: . :thumbup: