Spyder RS Seat/Steering Conversion

[Derwin]

OK. I believe I have a buyer for my MP3 500, and now I'm needing to decide on which Spyder to purchase.

Hands down I like the RT best, without a doubt. I love the way they made it so you are actually SITTING UPRIGHT, instead of leaning forward. But the pricetag is so freaking high that it's completely out of my reach.

Here's the question.... Is there a way to convert the RS to make it like the RT as far as the seating for the driver is concerned? I know there are risers out there, but do they actually make the seating identical to the RT?

My plan (if possible) is to buy a USED RS and then have the seating converted so that I can sit upright with a backrest.

Is this possible?

Derwin

 

[MarkLawson]

Seems to me that you'd have three challenges ahead of you.

1) Get a saddle that was better suited for touring. Some folks have done this and I've heard some good things about it.

2) Handlebar changes. The RT handlebars come back significantly further than the RS handlebars, even when the RS has the 4" risers installed. There are other options here that would allow you to put on handlebars that are more like the RT's, but you'd also then have the expense/trouble of lengthening cables and hoses to the handlebar control clusters.

3) Foot peg placement might need to be modified to bring your feet more forward. A saddle designed to allow the driver to sit further back would, in effect, assist with this issue. Floorboards offered might assist too, as well as highway brackets/pegs.

I believe many have done the things described above (I did the 4" risers and highway brackets on my wife's '08) and had very satisfactory results.

Go for it!

 

[Rando]

sure, handlebar risers and this:

http://www.utpr.com/spyder.html (scroll down the webpage)

 

[BajaRon]

Here's the question.... Is there a way to convert the RS to make it like the RT as far as the seating for the driver is concerned? I know there are risers out there, but do they actually make the seating identical to the RT?

Derwin

My answer would be no. The RT seating and steering geometry is fundamentally different than the RS.

However, having said this I think it is entirely possible to get a very comfortable touring configuration on the RS. In other words, there is more than 1 way to skin this cat.

On the RT the whole seating/stearing is moved rearward to a point that I don't think you can reasonably modify the RS to match. Some have even complained that the RT Steering is TOO FAR BACK! Something you'll never hear with the RS. But that is not to say that you can't get a more upright and much more comfortable riding position on the RS.

My suggestion, if possible, is to find an RS that is modified along the lines of what you're looking for and sit on it. It may not tell you all you want to know but it will give you a better idea of what you can expect.

And though the RT may be out of your price range, it is a great deal for what you get. Just take a look at the pricing of anything else that is similar and you'll see that it is a pretty good deal.

 

[Derwin]

sure, handlebar risers and this:

http://www.utpr.com/spyder.html (scroll down the webpage)

Yep. That would resolve the backrest thing. But that was really the LEAST of my concerns, since there are many companies that can customize a seat.

My MAIN concern is with the seating position itself. I desire to ride in an UPRIGHT position, just like they made the RT. Having risers installed is the only option, I guess, but is that safe? If they installed very long risers, and added to the wiring, would that be safe? Just wondering.

Derwin

 

[Derwin]

My answer would be no. The RT seating and steering geometry is fundamentally different than the RS.

However, having said this I think it is entirely possible to get a very comfortable touring configuration on the RS. In other words, there is more than 1 way to skin this cat.

Well, that's what I'm trying to figure out... how to skin this cat to match what I want/need. It seems like I may not be able to do it... I don't know.

And though the RT may be out of your price range, it is a great deal for what you get. Just take a look at the pricing of anything else that is similar and you'll see that it is a pretty good deal.

I never questioned whether or not the RT was a "good deal" or not. I simply stated that it was way out of reach for ME to even consider getting it. We are, after all, in a recession (some would say a depression!), and money is not easy to come by for a lot of people.... me included! That said, though, I think I can scratch up enough to get an RS!

Derwin

 

[BajaRon]

Well, that's what I'm trying to figure out... how to skin this cat to match what I want/need. It seems like I may not be able to do it... I don't know.

Like I said, the short answer is you're not going to be able to match the RT exactly. But in my opinion, you can get close enough. Especially if it's an RS or nothing.

As far as safety goes it's been done by a lot of riders with (as far as I know) no issues what-so-ever. This has been a pretty bulletproof mod.

I never questioned whether or not the RT was a "good deal" or not. I simply stated that it was way out of reach for ME to even consider getting it.

It was your statement of "the pricetag is so freaking high" that threw me off here.

We are, after all, in a recession (some would say a depression!), and money is not easy to come by for a lot of people.... me included! That said, though, I think I can scratch up enough to get an RS!

Derwin

Isn't it amazing that when things were going well they kept telling us things were really bad. Now that they have managed to make things really bad they keep telling us things are getting better.

There seems to be 2 entities that can be wrong almost all of the time and still have a big following. The weather man and the government.

 

[Smylinacha]

Hey Derwin! I must have missed something - had no idea you were selling the MP3! Well congrats to ya on looking into a Spyder.

Not that I sit totally upright but the BRP comfort seat helped me and I got the Magic Man 3" risers along with the BRP 1" riser. HDX also put some highway pegs on my Spyder so I can rest my legs when I need to. I also have a Magic Man cruise assist which could help to relax your throttle arm.

So I'm not totally upright but I am comfortable.

I hope you can buy a Spyder soon

 

[Derwin]

Hey Derwin! I must have missed something - had no idea you were selling the MP3! Well congrats to ya on looking into a Spyder.

LOL! I didn't either until a few days ago! I change my mind with the wind...it's one of my major faults!

So I'm not totally upright but I am comfortable.

I hope you can buy a Spyder soon

That's very cool. I just want to be comfortable while I'm riding, and sitting upright is what I think would be best. If it's not possible with the RS, then I'll just have to pass on it and save up for an RT.... or a USED RT a couple years from now!

But, hey, I want to be on the road with my own Spyder, and attending one of Lamonts barbecue's before I get too old to ride! I'm 44 now, and the years just keep slipping away!

Derwin

 

[jnt]

Can be done, Derwin! We passed up the clamp-on-the-bar risers and got the 7" bars with custom 'console' from Kewl (stock cables work!). That got W sitting upright, but the seat didn't work. Got a seat with backrest from Russell a year ago, and that did it! First trip confirmed the success! The pegs are still a little back, but Kewl's hiway peg setup gave option to move feet around. Those mods plus the CHAD shield did it for us.

For some :cus: reason, I can't post pics:gaah:. PM me with your email and I'll email them.

 

[NancysToy]

I agree with Ron, you cannot completely duplicate the RT riding posture. Depending on your shape and size, you may not even be able to get upright. Your leg position will also be different, even with modifications. Don't let that scare you off, you can make yourself quite comfortable...albeit at a cost. How, depends on how you are built, and how you like to ride. I hate my feet forward, for instance, while others crave it. If you are buying in the used market, look for a Spyder that is already modified. If you take your time (I know it's hard to do) you can find something that already fits fairly well.

 

[Smylinacha]

Yep - it's all about customizing. now I think Derwin, you'd have no problem finding a used Spyder - you won't pay nearly as much as a new one or an RT. Get one of those and then customize as you go. This way you'll be on one sooner. If you wait till you have enough cashola for the RT years from now - you'll be loosing out on alot of riding seasons!

 

[retread]

Most of the custom seat people can change the seat so that you sit farther back; my Russell moved me 2 inches back and an inch up from the stock set up. Probably (SWAG) the Kewlmetal bars would do the rest, I understand they have 9 inch bars that some have used, but you have to add extensions to the controls for them. ISCI has boards and pedal kits but I don't know what the dimensions are for them. There's a lot of mods available, and collectively, the folks here have probably got most of them, check the pics and ask the owners.

john

 

[Derwin]

Thanks, guys and gals. I appreciate the input.

By the way, jnt, my email is [email protected]

Derwin

 

[Derwin]

I have a 2009 SM5 with the 4in. risers that actually tilt back and up installed at the dealer. I also put in a Utopia backrest and Highway pegs. I am 6'1'' tall and I am sitting upright. Works great for me. Try to find someone that has risers and see if that will work for you.

Well, the FIRST thing on my "to do" list is to actually GET a Spyder! lol.

But I'm just trying to figure out all the possibilities NOW so that I can make a decision that I won't regret.

By the way, I'm only 5'7" tall, and I weigh a couple bills.

Derwin

 

[Smylinacha]

I bet you can get them at good prices on craigs list or ebay.

Well, the FIRST thing on my "to do" list is to actually GET a Spyder! lol.

But I'm just trying to figure out all the possibilities NOW so that I can make a decision that I won't regret.

By the way, I'm only 5'7" tall, and I weigh a couple bills.

Derwin

 

[Derwin]

I bet you can get them at good prices on craigs list or ebay.

Yeah, I've been checking. I put in an offer for an SE5 for $11,000, but I don't think the guy is gonna take it. I'll keep looking, though.

Derwin

 

[Dragonrider]

There's a low milage '08 SM on E-bay that will go for under $10K - For that, you can buy a great Spyder AND a used GW for touring, and still leave $$ in your pocket.

I have a Spyder and Valk - and I don't have $20K in the pair.

 

[Derwin]

There's a low milage '08 SM on E-bay that will go for under $10K -

Yeah, I noticed. But I need an SE5 because I can't handle the manual shift.

If you come across any SE5's for that, let me know.

Derwin

 

[jima1153]

I would figure at least $2,000.00 to get a stock RS into a more comfy riding position (risers, seats/backrest, hiway pegs, windshield) .

I would try to find a used one already tricked out if you are trying to get the biggest bang for your buck.

My $0.02 worth.