Reliability question

[Harry Gilbert]

My wife is in love with the RT. I'm not completely sold on it yet, I like the concept. But.... I currently ride a Goldwing and would not hesitate to just jump on and take off cross country. 35K trouble free miles so far and don't think twice about taking off for a week or two at a time.
We're considering a purchase in March/April 2011 of a 2011RT.

So here's question: Would you feel comfortable taking off on a 6K-7K ride less than a month after buying? Not talking about seats or floorboards just mechanical reliability.

TIA

 

[Lamonster]

I took just short of a 10,000 mile trip this year and have been cross country four times now on the Spyder and three of those times were by myself. I would have no problem doing it again. :doorag:

 

[fastfraser]

:agree: 40,000 clicks on my 2009 SE5. Never left me stranded, mind you my longest trip was only 3,000 K but still very dependable .:thumbup:

 

[MouthPiece]

I'll offer up perhaps not an opposing point of view from the other responses, but a different one. I'm very mechanical illterate (for lack of a better term). I know where the switch is to turn it on. Although I have had no problems whatsoever on my RT-S, I can't help but admit that I would have this sense of trepidation starting out on a long trip.

With that said, I would do it. I realize my limitations and I would plan for just about anything that might come up along the way. When I say plan, that would include, but not be limited to knowing my route and having a dad gum good idea where there would be dealerships nearby just in case. I have also become a member of AAA since I acquired my RT-S. I also would make a check list (done in another thread on this forum) of things that I might need. I could go on ad naseum.

The drift of what I'm saying is that although I would be nervous, that would not prevent me from embarking on a long trip. I would just have to plan more than many others on this forum.

Chris PE# 0004

 

[Dudley]

Me wife (Jennifer, aka KJen) and I made a journey in the summer of 2009 on our 2008 SE5. We rode 13,624 miles in 7.5 weeks, from San Diego to Florida to Cape Cod to Nova Scotia, west to Niagara Falls, to Seattle, then down to San Diego. We had 13,000 miles on it when we left home. We rode 200 to 500 miles a day...blistering heat to temperatures in the 60s, and a couple of times in the rain. Never did the Spyder give us any issues...2 tail light bulbs and a license plate bulb, but I wouldn't consider that an issue. We left and rode on faith...no plans, no dealership listings, no route...just kinda pointed and lived each day as it came. We didn't even book any motels in advance because we had no clue where we would be at any given time. Would we do it the same way again? Most positively absolutely! Life is full of "what ifs" but if we hesitate because of them, we will miss out.
We purchased a 2010 RT in October (after riding over 43,000 miles on the SE5) and look forward to many trouble free miles on it also.

 

[chris56]

today another wing-rider asked me exact the same
with 6000 mls on my RT now - serial Number 00064 - never a bigger problem (rear shock /antenna) - so if you order now everything should be "fully developed" - driving a spyder is (after some 100ets of miles) so "different" to the goldy .. I (and my wife!) would never change back
we drove one day nine hours over the alps here - descent off with a clear head ..

 

[Gary Le Brocq]

2011 RT

Do not hesitate Buy the SPYDER RT.
I have the 2010 RT best vehicle I`ve aver had. Would consider going on long distances at any time.:2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

Just about anything being sold today that's got an engine and transmission in it should be considered to be pretty reliable; far more so than what was being foist upon us as little as 25 years ago.
Rotax engines have been around for a VERY long time and are pretty much bulletproof...(Docdoru's efforts really shouldn't count. :shocked
All of that having been said; The GoldWing has been around for 35 years of constant development and improvement... It's the best mileage-accumulator on two wheels. The Spyders are a new design that IMHO will prove to be a great innovation in the marketplace.
...And I'd take off tomorrow toward the setting sun if only I cold!

 

[docdoru]

(Docdoru's efforts really shouldn't count. :shocked

:2thumbs::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

Sorry Doc... You're just doing your best to find the limits... :thumbup:

 

[Harry Gilbert]

I honestly expected the opposite response than what was posted. I may have to rethink my misgivings on the spyder. should be an interesting winter.

Thanks to all that replied.

 

[BajaRon]

I'll offer up perhaps not an opposing point of view from the other responses, but a different one. I'm very mechanical illterate (for lack of a better term). I know where the switch is to turn it on. Although I have had no problems whatsoever on my RT-S, I can't help but admit that I would have this sense of trepidation starting out on a long trip.

With that said, I would do it. I realize my limitations and I would plan for just about anything that might come up along the way. When I say plan, that would include, but not be limited to knowing my route and having a dad gum good idea where there would be dealerships nearby just in case. I have also become a member of AAA since I acquired my RT-S. I also would make a check list (done in another thread on this forum) of things that I might need. I could go on ad naseum.

The drift of what I'm saying is that although I would be nervous, that would not prevent me from embarking on a long trip. I would just have to plan more than many others on this forum.

Chris PE# 0004

Anything can leave you stranded. Your most trusted vehicle can go Ka-Put. It is a mind set that you can deal with whatever comes down the pike that is the necessary source of confidence.

In this day of cell phones, GPS units, etc., there is little that cannot be overcome. Inconvenience and even hardship are part of what memories are made of. (not that we are out looking for those kinds of memories)

It has been helpful to be a rider for low-these many years. Taking long trips on a motorcycle in days gone by was a true test of abilities. I once pulled the transmission side case off my Honda 750 in the dirt, on the side of the road about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The internal shifter mechanism had fallen appart, it was a Sunday morning and I was several hundred miles from home.

Ok, so not everyone can do that. But to be honest. I was very lucky. No matter how good you are there are breakdowns that you can't handle.

Life is an advententure. It may get you down, but don't forfeit your ability to enjoy it because something might happen. Be sure something will happen and you'll have stories to tell about the day it happened and how you got out of it.

It's the life of a biker!

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :clap: :thumbup:

 

[Neez]

BajaRon is right. Those who seek adventure accept that it sometimes comes with hardships, unwanted surprises and even dangers. Or you can stay home and play video games.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's the life of a biker... :2thumbs:

If you think of "setbacks" as "adventures" or "learning experiences", it really makes them seem less intimidating!
Besides... How else will you find out how loud it is when a June-Bug smacks your visor :shocked: at 65mph? Certainly not by staying safe indoors...

 

[Lamonster]

BajaRon is right. Those who seek adventure accept that it sometimes comes with hardships, unwanted surprises and even dangers. Or you can stay home and play video games.

If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room. :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

It's the life of a biker... :2thumbs:

If you think of "setbacks" as "adventures" or "learning experiences", it really makes them seem less intimidating!
Besides... How else will you find out how loud it is when a June-Bug smacks your visor :shocked: at 65mph? Certainly not by staying safe indoors...

Exactly!

No one wants to break down or have issues. You think I enjoy being stuck? No more than you do, believe me.

So, maybe you don't want to set out on a long trip with a machine that has proven it is unreliable. (though I've done that too!)

But not trusting something, and being unreliable are not necessarily the same thing.

It never ceases to amaze me that a person will not ride their trouble free Spyder because someone else had a problem.

So, take the bus!!! They NEVER break down.. Right!?

Do you FLY!??? - Heaven forbid, but what's to say that you're not riding on the next 911?

Have you taken a CRUISE!??? - How are you going to enjoy it wringing your hands about what happeded to the Titanic?

Do what you can to plan and prepare for problems. And then have a great time! If something happens (and you can plan on that), then just deal with it.

I am reminded of some poor guy that had to take a claw hammer to his very expensive, beautifully well mainted Bush Tec trailer.... He was not only prepared tool wise... But he was also mentally prepared to do what had to be done. And that is the difference between being stuck and working your way out of a jam.

It's 90% mind set, 10% luck, and it can all be 100% fun... after enough time has gone by that is.

My humble advise... ENJOY YOUR SPYDER and the great people who ride them with you. It doesn't get any better than that.

Or, stay at home and wonder what might have been...

 

[murphybrown]

Absolutely Ryde it like you stole it!!!

I am totally NOT mechanical...but refused to allow myself to sit home and veg (which soon will lead to rot!!!)...I jumped on my new RT with a bad digital screen...but my motto is life (some describe as sh%$) happens...so have a plan just in case and if not have a good book, water, TP, space blanket and enjoy the MOMENT....my attitude is what will control my "altitude"...
OK so the digital was bad I still wanted to do a 2000 mile trip...analog still worked so what more did I need. Had read all the negatives about Spyder on here (after I had purchased)...so besides my normal traveling stuff I had a list of Spyder dealers within 200 miles of where I was traveling thru Canadian Rockies and Glacier area...just in case...never needed.
I am right now (grounded due to ice/snow on roads) planning my trip to Spyderfest...it will take me through some Nat'l Parks...Utah area...then into NV & AZ and then who knows.
Fear is just that fear of "what if"...well life happens so I deal with it WHEN it happens not in case it does....
Nothing like ryding my Spyder....it is WONDERFUL...

 

[BajaRon]

I am totally NOT mechanical...but refused to allow myself to sit home and veg (which soon will lead to rot!!!)...I jumped on my new RT with a bad digital screen...but my motto is life (some describe as sh%$) happens...so have a plan just in case and if not have a good book, water, TP, space blanket and enjoy the MOMENT....my attitude is what will control my "altitude"...
OK so the digital was bad I still wanted to do a 2000 mile trip...analog still worked so what more did I need. Had read all the negatives about Spyder on here (after I had purchased)...so besides my normal traveling stuff I had a list of Spyder dealers within 200 miles of where I was traveling thru Canadian Rockies and Glacier area...just in case...never needed.
I am right now (grounded due to ice/snow on roads) planning my trip to Spyderfest...it will take me through some Nat'l Parks...Utah area...then into NV & AZ and then who knows.
Fear is just that fear of "what if"...well life happens so I deal with it WHEN it happens not in case it does....
Nothing like ryding my Spyder....it is WONDERFUL...

I can only speak for myself.. But many of these comments (including my last one) are not specifically directed to you, even though you did start the thread.

It's kind of like pool... Though you may shoot at one ball, you may also bounce off a few others with the same shot.

Obviously, you've set out on the open road under less than ideal conditions.

Many of the remarks are more of a generalization to those who have not taken the steps you have.

And no one wants a rider to exceed their abilities in a way that will get them hurt or damage their ride.

Everyone has to do what they think best and then be confortable with it. What I throw out are no more than my opinions. If they help someone.. Great! If not, then put them where they belong, in the trash bin.

Hope all your rides are trouble free. But if they are not, good luck with whatever comes your way!

 

[Yazz]

Everyone is making such good points!

Before I went on my first solo road trip, an old biker friend gave me some advice.

"Love every minute of your ride. Relish the rain in your face, it cleans the soul. Don't worry about a thing. Just enjoy the road and what it has to offer. The minute you start worrying, you will draw it to you."

There's been many road trips over the years since he told me that. I still use that head-set and its still working for me.

p.s. There's always a tool kit on board to pad the luck...