I have spotted a 2020 RT LTD that might suit me - what do you think?

[Isopedella]

I have had my 2017 F3 for about 16 months now.

Not so sure the wife is over the moon with it. Not much room for her.
We game off a GL1800 for touring which we rode for more than a decade.

I have 50 years or so on on bikes so I guess not a spring chicken any more.


I have spotted a 2020 RT LTD. Oho. That looks great. Got that paddle shift.
It looks to have much more room for a pillion and extra storage available.

Its only done 1500km and totally mint.


I am 6-2 and thinking the rider foot position is further back and may be more suited for my beaten body.

Among other things my lower back may not be put under as much work on the RT as the F3.

Thinking this may be better suited.


But thinking there may be some things to be aware of with these.


Any thoughts from you folk riding the RT LTD's.

 

[Bartender]

I switched from a 2019 RTL(old style) to a 2022 RTL(new style) 9 months ago. More room than the 2019, superior handling and cornering. Love it. If the 2020 is priced right and has been taken care of buy it you won't regret it. I don't understand why they handle so differently but the new body style RT just handles completely differently. You will love it. You are correct that the seating position is different between the F3 and the RT. The F3 is more feet forward and in my opinion harder on the back. The RT with your feet more under your body is much easier on the back.

 

[Isopedella]

Cheers.

Is this the latest shape your talking about? Thinking possibly it may possibly be an older one but 1st registered here in NZ in 2020.




]

 

[al0vely]

The photos you have are of the new body style - 2020+ RTL.

We have a 2014 RTS which I am not fond of but my BF likes it well enough to keep for himself.

I sold my 2016 F3L a couple of months ago because I purchased a new to me 2020 RTL. It takes some getting used to the different riding style but I am glad I mad the move as the RTL feels better to my body getting on and off. If I was riding the F3L - getting on / off 3 or 4 times per trip my body was done (knees and back) but not so much with the RTL. I added the Utopia drivers backrest and a sheepskin seat cover and now it is as comfortable as my recliner chair.

The one thing I miss is the agility and fun factor of the F3L ... but the RTL is a joy in its own way and my body thanks me.

 

[Isopedella]

Cheers + great.

Still getting my head around the changes.

CRIKEY....AN EARTHQUAKE...... JUST GAVE A RUMBLE AND A SHIVER.

Not sure if thats good or bad omen. haha.

 

[Pooch]

I chose the 2021 RTL as it was the most similar thing for comfort to me as my Gold Wing trike. I like the more upright touring position and the F3L was too "cruiser" stylish with the feet forward. Plus, my model appears to lend more protection from the wind and rain - much like the big protective fairing on the Gold Wing. Storage is great, heated seats, grips, cruise control, power steering, no more holding the clutch in at stop lights... yes indeed I do like this vehicle.

 

[chipveres]

Indeed the Spyder RTL is the closest to a Gold Wing in the Can Am line. We are still working the teething pains out of our new-to-us 2020. First the infamous missing bolt in the ACS linkage and now an air leak at the check valve or elbow. Minor poop becomes major when it takes 2 hours to get the side panels off. Not yet sure if we will love it or hate it.

 

[Isopedella]

Cheers.

Found this on the u-tube. The other side is the same apparently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxrvY5jz57Y

 

[Peteoz]

Cheers.

Found this on the u-tube. The other side is the same apparently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxrvY5jz57Y

Yes, but that is only the painted panels…….you then have to remove the large black panels underneath before you can really get at wiring etc, Iso.

Regarding the ‘20+ RT, I moved from a ‘16 F3-L to a ‘21 RT-L. I loved the F3, but the body was a bit small for my 6’7” frame. Friends would see my helmet arriving way before the F3. Picture a camel on a bicycle:2thumbs: . I soon fell in love with the RT. It is a larger body, has better element protection, great pillion accommodation and comfort (longer rear shock). It has LED headlights, looooong floorboards, and that electric screen is brilliant. Plus, I find it handles as well as my F3 did, although I am not one of those who rides at the limit. You can certainly tour in comfort on a well set up F3, but not at the same level of comfort as the new RT. Yet the performance is remarkably similar. Needless to say, I am very happy with the “upgrade”.:thumbup:

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

Just as an aside, this is roughly what you have to do to get the internal panels removed -

Remove the painted panels.
Remove the passenger and drivers floorboards. No need to remove the brake pedal assembly.
Remove the Rotax panel and rain splash guards at the floorboard
Remove the tiny (#1 Phillips) screw pin right up front behind the sway bar….... it’s a bit of a pain.
Remove the clips and attaching screws from the panel along with the bottom front saddle bag bolt (10mm bolt & nut…bit hard to get to on the right due to muffler). There are some push pins right down low that are easy to miss.
Then just pull on the panel to get loose (left panel first as it is easier to get out than the right because of the brake pedal) and be careful down at the floorboard area as there is one piece that snaps around (but not right around) the tubing. Then just slide it out. With the right side, you have to manoeuvre it over the brake assembly, but it comes off fairly easily.

Pete

 

[Isopedella]

I'm retired and been turning nuts since the 70's. I also where at all possible have maintained and serviced all my own vehicles so its not really any bother.

But the info is good. Yes its all hidden away for sure.

As long as its not a major pain for oil changes and stuff im happy with that. The plugs / leads and other stuff, well I just suck it up.

I put the biggest F4 on my F3 and the Winglets. Visor up riding all day if I wanted.

What screen have you got on yours Peteoz.

 

[Deanna777]

I have had my 2017 F3 for about 16 months now.

Not so sure the wife is over the moon with it. Not much room for her.
We game off a GL1800 for touring which we rode for more than a decade.

I have 50 years or so on on bikes so I guess not a spring chicken any more.


I have spotted a 2020 RT LTD. Oho. That looks great. Got that paddle shift.
It looks to have much more room for a pillion and extra storage available.

Its only done 1500km and totally mint.


I am 6-2 and thinking the rider foot position is further back and may be more suited for my beaten body.

Among other things my lower back may not be put under as much work on the RT as the F3.

Thinking this may be better suited.


But thinking there may be some things to be aware of with these.


Any thoughts from you folk riding the RT LTD's.

HI,

I just came from a 2014 RTS-SE6. I sat up more upright, my feet were more in-line position, the floor-boards were a bit longer, I was comfortable riding it (had 30,000 + miles on it). I did not have any lower back problems (had my 2014 RTS-SE6 for 9 years). My 2014 RTS-SE6 was not a Limited. It had the older style front.

I hope the above info helps.

Deanna

 

[Peteoz]

I'm retired and been turning nuts since the 70's. I also where at all possible have maintained and serviced all my own vehicles so its not really any bother.

But the info is good. Yes its all hidden away for sure.

As long as its not a major pain for oil changes and stuff im happy with that. The plugs / leads and other stuff, well I just suck it up.

I put the biggest F4 on my F3 and the Winglets. Visor up riding all day if I wanted.

What screen have you got on yours Peteoz.

I have a bastardised F4 screen, Iso. I had it on my F3, it is a 25”. A bit of cutting holes here and there, and it works a treat as it is a few inches wider and taller than stock. It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works, and can remain until it either cracks or I put the BRP screen back on for trade in. I was going to get a new F4 or 7jurock screen, but shipping charges out here are prohibitive at the moment.

Pete

 

[Isopedella]

I have a bastardised F4 screen, Iso. I had it on my F3, it is a 25”. A bit of cutting holes here and there, and it works a treat as it is a few inches wider and taller than stock. It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works, and can remain until it either cracks or I put the BRP screen back on for trade in. I was going to get a new F4 or 7jurock screen, but shipping charges out here are prohibitive at the moment.

Pete

Man that so works for me.

 

[Isopedella]

The bike's at a dealer and I looked online - I see they have dropped the price for about 8% so today, they may offer a good trade in price for my F3 to move this on. It's been there for a while...

Not that Spyders are huge sellers down here. Few about but that's it.

I showed Momma Bear the photos and she's onboard, if I want it.

I have yet to sort out the recall on the sprocket (I did the remove, clean, and lube not long after I picked it up myself) so will fang up to have a sticky beak, it's a pleasant 90-minute ride with a few sections of twisties. Hope to get up there in the near future.

So, anything else I should ask about these while I'm there? Brake bracket comes to mind.

 

[bikerbillone]

I came off a 2005/2012 GW Conversion to a 2020 RTL, not one regret. More luggage room, wife is quite comfortable on the pillion, I think you and wife will be quite pleased with the 20 RTL. The arm rests do not swing wide enough but nothing's perfect.

 

[linguine]

I have had my 2017 F3 for about 16 months now.

Not so sure the wife is over the moon with it. Not much room for her.
We game off a GL1800 for touring which we rode for more than a decade.

I have 50 years or so on on bikes so I guess not a spring chicken any more.


I have spotted a 2020 RT LTD. Oho. That looks great. Got that paddle shift.
It looks to have much more room for a pillion and extra storage available.

Its only done 1500km and totally mint.


I am 6-2 and thinking the rider foot position is further back and may be more suited for my beaten body.

Among other things my lower back may not be put under as much work on the RT as the F3.

Thinking this may be better suited.


But thinking there may be some things to be aware of with these.


Any thoughts from you folk riding the RT LTD's.

We picked up our 2020 RT Ltd in Feb of this year. Wife loves it, and she drove it well over 50% of the time on our first excursion to Kanab, UT from Phoenix, AZ.

We love the storage, the seating, the speaker system (phone connected via BT, playing Spotify in offline mode), the gas mileage (well over 37+ mpg on that trip).

 

[IGETAROUND]

The bike's at a dealer and I looked online - I see they have dropped the price for about 8% so today, they may offer a good trade in price for my F3 to move this on. It's been there for a while...

Not that Spyders are huge sellers down here. Few about but that's it.

I showed Momma Bear the photos and she's onboard, if I want it.

I have yet to sort out the recall on the sprocket (I did the remove, clean, and lube not long after I picked it up myself) so will fang up to have a sticky beak, it's a pleasant 90-minute ride with a few sections of twisties. Hope to get up there in the near future.

So, anything else I should ask about these while I'm there? Brake bracket comes to mind.

make certain that they have done the brake switch recall and that it's fitted with an new front pulley to eliminate the howl.

Al in Kazoo

 

[Peteoz]

make certain that they have done the brake switch recall and that it's fitted with an new front pulley to eliminate the howl.

Al in Kazoo

Iso, just to add to Al’s very valid comment above, the newish (I.e. not the latest “recall” pulley) front pulley to eliminate Whistle/howl” that some of the ‘20 models experienced is pure white. You should be able to see it from underneath.

I would also verify that the airbag auto adjustment rod that sits on the side at the rear of the drivers seat has been connected. It doesn’t appear as common in the Antipodes, but many US dealers somehow miss connecting them at assembly, which makes the ride a bit harsh. I’ll see if I can find a photo.

Pete

 

[Isopedella]

So .. thanks for the reply's. Appreciate them.

So after doing some homework and stuff I rang the Dealer this morning. Whats the story on this?

Its an ex-demo one sold to a bloke who took for a few rides and decided its not for him.

Then. Yes we are selling it but on behalf of the owner. Not interested in any trades on this.

Thanks for that I said, saved me an 1.5 hr ride up to have a look.

Its a not so bad winters day down here, temp is about 10C/50F but sunny, thinking I will go for a ride and enjoy my F3.