When I first decided to look at a 2015 RT-L after coming off my second Yamaha FJR, I went into the test ride fully expecting things to feel different. And they did - but not in a way that was shocking or made me think, “What is this thing doing?”
What I learned on that ride was that I could pull over just about anywhere, regardless of what the shoulder or berm looked like. I no longer had to worry about the road’s pitch when putting down a kickstand. The handling, steering, and braking were all different from a conventional motorcycle, but none of it felt unnatural or overwhelming.
That Spyder now sits in my son’s garage with more than 93,000 miles on it. It broke down on the Mid-Hudson Bridge while I was in the middle of one of my Grand Tour trips, and I did not want to wait around for it to be diagnosed and repaired. So, in August 2024, I bought a leftover 2023 RT-S and flew to Chicago to pick it up.
As it turned out, the 2015’s problem was only a $150 relay unit. It was repaired and still runs like a charm. Do I regret buying the 2023? Not really. It already has 29,000 miles on it, and it has allowed me to keep doing the kind of longer, multi-day rides I enjoy. Still, I look back fondly on the 2015 and all the memories tied to it - riding the Million Dollar Highway and stopping at the Beach Boys’ childhood-home plaque in Hawthorne, California, among many others.
Now, at 75, I know my riding years are probably closer to the end than the beginning. But having that extra wheel has made it possible for me to continue taking those long-distance trips with more confidence and comfort. I do still miss having the brake on the right handlebar, but for the most part, I have gotten used to it.
Willie
