NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Took another RT demo ride today. If this unseasonable weather would hold, I would do it weekly until my RT-S came in, just to get the feel for the new ride. Here are a few more thoughts to add to my first review. I will say that the RT-S felt much more comfortable and familiar on the first ride, with a couple more days studying it and familiarizing myself with it on the dealership floor behind me, too.
The Ride: Felt much better the second time around. It is different than the GS/RS and takes a while to get used to. The first ride, I thought it wallowed. On the second, the corners felt firmer and more controlled. It was probably a matter of making minor adjustments in my riding style. It does seem to have a tendency to oversteer, and dive into a corner sometimes. This could be from a bit different steering geometry, a "lean steer" tendency, or possibly slight changes in the steering. My feeling was that it was a bit prone to be influenced by the way you lean, more than the RS. I'm sure it will become more natural with time in the seat. I'd still like an aftermarket swaybar. BTW, it will not steer while stopped on pavement, either, so that alone is not a sure sign of trouble with updated GS steering.
Power: It still feels more than adequate as long as the revs are up. Very smooth and controlled. Comes alive at five grand. I'm getting spoiled by the fly-by-wire throttle. I don't miss that resistance at all. Got a chance at a few hills and curves today (no mountains in Michigan), and the RT-S ate them all up, accelerating at will. Horsepower junkies may not be satisfied, but a worn out old racer like me will be perfectly happy. Remember, the Top Fuel cars that do 340 mph now only did 200 when I was driving them...I'm easy to please.
Comfort: I'm getting more used to the high bumstop. Still feels odd to me, but certainly not uncomfortable. I'm just not used to it. Got a chance to switch quickly from BMW to RT-S to BMW, and I certainly noticed to luxury and comfort of the Spyder seat. I will be able to triple my mileage before I start to squirm, for sure! My knee never cried out for a change of position, but I did try the spoilers as highway pegs. Very sturdy and in a nice place. They will need scuff covers for sure. I purposely sought out some rough road and bumps. Not Cadillac soft, but very comfortable and steady. You're really gonna like the Ryde!
Fit & Finish: This demo wasn't quite as good as the first I rode. Fit is splendid, even, and tight, but most panels showed a hint or more of orange peel in the paintjob. It is a personal thing, but this makes me crazy, especially on a black vehicle. I will admit that the Spyder was better than most cars coming off the line these days, but it still saddens me. Today's urethane paints are sensitive to orange peel, and it cannot all be buffed out. I hope mine is better than this demo was. Sorry, too many bike and car shows under my belt. BTW, the rear tire was off center by about 3/8". Not a misalignment in the fender brackets this time (there are none). Most people will never notice.
Audio: Tried the external speakers again. They seem to work well, but I can't seem to get used to them. I like the less distracting sound from my helmet speakers. For those of you that like them, they will be good. Switching modes and changing stations was a challenge. I am not familiar enough with the controls yet, and the display screen is pretty small for old eyes with bifocals. If you buy an RT, be sure and spend plenty of static time playing with the radio, mode changes, and setting your presets. Add pushing the buttons to your parking lot practice routine. :joke:
Rider Protection: Compared to my BMW RT, which has a wider and taller than stock, Cee Bailey's windshield, the Spyder was very still. I felt more wind pressure and cold at my back, riding solo, but far less wind on the hands and shoulders. My BMW RT is good...the RT-S is better! Kept the windshield down most of the way. Wind noise better than my Beemer, too. Probably quiet as a mouse in another helmet. My Scorpion is not a quiet helmet! Heated grips on low are slightly warmer than my BMW. Grip controls are conveniently located.
Me: Still grinning, still positive I did the right thing in ordering. Only drawback is that after carefully ignoring the fact that I had pre-ordered one, I am now getting impatient for delivery. After the wait for the first PE, I thought I had this figured out, but the demo rides exposed my weakness. Oh well, patience is highly over-rated anyway! :2excited:
The Ride: Felt much better the second time around. It is different than the GS/RS and takes a while to get used to. The first ride, I thought it wallowed. On the second, the corners felt firmer and more controlled. It was probably a matter of making minor adjustments in my riding style. It does seem to have a tendency to oversteer, and dive into a corner sometimes. This could be from a bit different steering geometry, a "lean steer" tendency, or possibly slight changes in the steering. My feeling was that it was a bit prone to be influenced by the way you lean, more than the RS. I'm sure it will become more natural with time in the seat. I'd still like an aftermarket swaybar. BTW, it will not steer while stopped on pavement, either, so that alone is not a sure sign of trouble with updated GS steering.
Power: It still feels more than adequate as long as the revs are up. Very smooth and controlled. Comes alive at five grand. I'm getting spoiled by the fly-by-wire throttle. I don't miss that resistance at all. Got a chance at a few hills and curves today (no mountains in Michigan), and the RT-S ate them all up, accelerating at will. Horsepower junkies may not be satisfied, but a worn out old racer like me will be perfectly happy. Remember, the Top Fuel cars that do 340 mph now only did 200 when I was driving them...I'm easy to please.
Comfort: I'm getting more used to the high bumstop. Still feels odd to me, but certainly not uncomfortable. I'm just not used to it. Got a chance to switch quickly from BMW to RT-S to BMW, and I certainly noticed to luxury and comfort of the Spyder seat. I will be able to triple my mileage before I start to squirm, for sure! My knee never cried out for a change of position, but I did try the spoilers as highway pegs. Very sturdy and in a nice place. They will need scuff covers for sure. I purposely sought out some rough road and bumps. Not Cadillac soft, but very comfortable and steady. You're really gonna like the Ryde!
Fit & Finish: This demo wasn't quite as good as the first I rode. Fit is splendid, even, and tight, but most panels showed a hint or more of orange peel in the paintjob. It is a personal thing, but this makes me crazy, especially on a black vehicle. I will admit that the Spyder was better than most cars coming off the line these days, but it still saddens me. Today's urethane paints are sensitive to orange peel, and it cannot all be buffed out. I hope mine is better than this demo was. Sorry, too many bike and car shows under my belt. BTW, the rear tire was off center by about 3/8". Not a misalignment in the fender brackets this time (there are none). Most people will never notice.
Audio: Tried the external speakers again. They seem to work well, but I can't seem to get used to them. I like the less distracting sound from my helmet speakers. For those of you that like them, they will be good. Switching modes and changing stations was a challenge. I am not familiar enough with the controls yet, and the display screen is pretty small for old eyes with bifocals. If you buy an RT, be sure and spend plenty of static time playing with the radio, mode changes, and setting your presets. Add pushing the buttons to your parking lot practice routine. :joke:
Rider Protection: Compared to my BMW RT, which has a wider and taller than stock, Cee Bailey's windshield, the Spyder was very still. I felt more wind pressure and cold at my back, riding solo, but far less wind on the hands and shoulders. My BMW RT is good...the RT-S is better! Kept the windshield down most of the way. Wind noise better than my Beemer, too. Probably quiet as a mouse in another helmet. My Scorpion is not a quiet helmet! Heated grips on low are slightly warmer than my BMW. Grip controls are conveniently located.
Me: Still grinning, still positive I did the right thing in ordering. Only drawback is that after carefully ignoring the fact that I had pre-ordered one, I am now getting impatient for delivery. After the wait for the first PE, I thought I had this figured out, but the demo rides exposed my weakness. Oh well, patience is highly over-rated anyway! :2excited:
