GW Motor Trike vs. RT-S SE5

[Vyperyder]

Hi George,
When I first rode mine I was twitching all over the place and rolling through the corners. :sour:
I checked the pressures and fronts were 25 and rear 32..... :yikes:
I dropped to 20 fronts and 30 rear and bumped the front shocks to 1 off hardest, rear set to 1 off max (shocks were set to middle).
Now she doesn't roll near as much in the corners and doesn't twitch all over the road. :2thumbs:
I might try dropping a few more pounds to see what happens, but so far quite happy with the way she is now handling. hyea:
Of course with this puppy you have 3 wheels on the road giving you feedback from potholes ripples etc etc (I've only been on 2 before)
Not a huge mileage yet (only 400 miles) but I'm working on it.
Weather is cold and quite windy at the moment so getting a good impression of the handling is quite difficult.
Of course the initial twitchiness could have been caused by my overcontrolling during first 2 rides.
I'm amazed at how much more comfortable I feel riding her in only 1 week.
Glad to hear you're getting the gas at the extra special price, sounds like excellent value to me. :thumbup:
cheers :cheers:
Pete

 

[Marker]

Originally Posted by BIG RED 1
Hi Big Red 1
Just wondering if you tried your front tire pressure at 25# yet?

Marker

No, not yet. Just have not gotten around to doing it....I never do today what I can put off until tomorrow....ha ha

:spyder2:

I put in 25 yesterday and rode to Bike Night, about 40 miles round trip. I took the Interstate in to San Antonio, but took the twistie road home (long way). BR1 handled better in the twisies with a firmer ride. It took the curves better, albeit, firmer. I will ride with my buddies Saturday and will see how it goes....so far, better I would say. Thanks.

:spyder2:

Great I am glad that 25# helped you . I do not know how the Texas heat will affect your tire with 25# of air in them. Where I live it does not get as hot as it does in Texas
Marker

 

[Mr. White]

I rode with my usual bunch today, the Hill Country Road Riders, and we hit the twisties for about 40 miles. BR1 handled very well with 25 in front and 30 in the rear. It did not get real warm today, 60 when I left the house and a little over 80 when I got home. A perfect day.

The motorcycles were out. Other than rally days, I saw more scoots than I have in years. Many groups of 10-15 passing often....95% waving.

We rode a total of about 200 miles today, stopping at a favorite Mexican Cafe. I had two of their huge bacon egg tacos and coffee. I am still full.

I must have not filled my tank full as I got 32mpg....we did not ride hard, but did have a lot of slow and go in the twisties. Anyway, an all around great day. BR1 ran perfectly.

:spyder2:

 

[Mr. White]

I was still not satisfied with my radio audio output in my headset of my FF helmet. Looked at the settings again, and....WOW, I found it. I guess the dealer or BRP had set the front/back percentage to the back....I set it to the front and have STRONG audio in my helmet.

I never read about it in the instructions and no one said anything about it. I had seen it on the settings but it was -50% and I thought that meant full audio up front.....wrong, it was full audio in back.

This will certainly help my CB performance, however, I have not tried the CB yet.

Ha, ha. Klutz 1, Audio 0!

I feel more of the bumps and ripples in the tarmac with 25# in the front tire and 30# in the rear. But BR1 handles better in the twisties....shocks set on 4. I will leave these pressures for a while.

:spyder2:

 

[westgl]

2002 GL1800 Goldwing Power

Hey Big Red,

I have a 2001 GL1800 Goldwing and they are powerful when maintained properly.

they have 118 H.P. @ 5500 rpm and 125 lb/ft of torque @ 4000 rpm

That much power at a much lower more driveable Rpm range. Too bad that goldwing Trike had a solid axle rear end and not a 1990's era Corvette Independent rear end, i have ridden them with that vette rear end and they are awesome and handle excellent and no sway.

About the RT Engine, I can see the this type of engine in the RS, but a touring bike should have more torque and low end grunt.

I finally do like my RT, it is getting better all the time, as Fixes come out from BRP, it gets better and has finally got to the point that it is actually enjoyable to ride, and has stopped being a major disappointment.

Hopefully BRP will continue to fix the RT Spyder.

westgl

 

[Mr. White]

Last Saturday, 75 miles from home, riding 60-65, the "check DPS" screen comes on and a little spyder logo in the odometer window flashing on and off.

Rode it home and will take it to the dealer Wednesday. Will ride it today to see if it clears itself.

1450 miles on my 2011 Rt-S SE5.

 

[Mr. White]

Rode 50+ miles today with NO problems. No check DPS, nothing. I ran on the Interstate 50-85, 8,500 rpms in 3rd for a short distance, crused 70-75....beautiful ride except it started getting hot....the WX, not BR1.

BR1 ran like a hose. :clap: :2thumbs:

:spyder2:

 

[Dar]

:thumbup:Glad to hear it George.

 

[Mr. White]

Dealer change out the steering sensor today....all okay now.

:spyder2:

 

[Dar]

:2thumbs::congrats::clap::yes:

 

[Mr. White]

Rode 160 miles for breakfast with the Hill Country Road Riders. No problems. It was HOT! My temp gauge said 99 when I pulled in the driveway around 1300 hours. TV guys said it was 107 heat index with the Gulf breeze blowing in the humidity. :yikes:

:spyder2:

 

[MouthPiece]

Rode 160 miles for breakfast with the Hill Country Road Riders. No problems. It was HOT! My temp gauge said 99 when I pulled in the driveway around 1300 hours. TV guys said it was 107 heat index with the Gulf breeze blowing in the humidity. :yikes:

:spyder2:

George, last summer my temp gauge was usually around 104. However, last summer was one of the hottest summers I've ever experienced here in Flarda, and I was born and raised here. It ain't gonna get any better.

Chris

 

[billythekidd]

Well now that I have some actual traveling miles under my belt (1600 in two days) i have to Say the rt is the right choice for me. It has ran flawlessly and even with the stock seat I did not get the Usual sore butt. I also did not get the sore spot between the shoulder blades that I always got with the wing.

The rt handles great and was amazes at how little turbulence there is when you pass a semi. It has rained a lot and i am very pleased with wet handeling as well. My pakit rak has worked with out a problem.

At 80 mph or better the gas mileage drops to 25 or so, but at 70 or less I have been getting around 34 so I am ok with that.

Currently in Seattle so hope the trip home is as great as the trip out.


Well, tired of iPad typing...

Willy

 

[Mr. White]

Well now that I have some actual traveling miles under my belt (1600 in two days) i have to Say the rt is the right choice for me. It has ran flawlessly and even with the stock seat I did not get the Usual sore butt. I also did not get the sore spot between the shoulder blades that I always got with the wing.

The rt handles great and was amazes at how little turbulence there is when you pass a semi. It has rained a lot and i am very pleased with wet handeling as well. My pakit rak has worked with out a problem.

At 80 mph or better the gas mileage drops to 25 or so, but at 70 or less I have been getting around 34 so I am ok with that.

Currently in Seattle so hope the trip home is as great as the trip out.


Well, tired of iPad typing...

Willy

Willy, I, too, started getting sore shoulder blades while on my Wing (61K) but do not on the RT. I have not been riding much, as I don't do well in this heat. I have 1950 miles on BR1 and am starting to really like it. It is a keeper. I run 70-75 and get 29-30 so I am happy with that. I get 31-33 on my GW trike.

:spyder2:

 

[Motogordo]

HAM RADIO OPERATOR

I answered my own question....see below.

I am a ham radio operator (WB5WFW) and should have figured out the low/dis setting. It is a RF Attenuator switch. I have one on my amateur radio transceiver. It puts an attenuator in the antenna circuit protecting the RF amplifier and mixer from overload on strong input signals. This means that if you are close to another CB and they key up, it could damage your unit.

I had not seen these terms used before, but finally gave it some thought....and now we know.

I really enjoy reading all your posts. I am retired also, and have lots of time to post also. LOL. I have been a Ham Radio Operator since I was young (or younger). Call is : WB2MFL . I wish the RTS/SE5 was quieter and a bit smoother, as is my 09 Burgman 650 scooter.

Gordon

 

[Mr. White]

Gordon, good show on the ham ticket. I went through the AF radio school in 1952, flew a few years on a cargo plane during and after the Korean War. Did my hitch, stayed in the reserves, went to college, got a commission and went back in, retiring in 1981...then worked for Sony Corp. for 14 years and retired from them. I also have a 2003 Burgman 650 scooter...a great ride, but I am riding it less and less with the Wing trike and now Big Red 1. I really like my RT...more with each ride.

73 WB5WFW

:spyder2:

 

[Motogordo]

GW 1800 VS CanAm RTS/SE5

As I said, I would post my thoughts and opinions on my Gold Wing Motor Trike and new RT-S.

I picked up the 2011 RT on Tuesday, March 29 and rode it home, about 100 miles. As you know it is very different from the Wing. Apples and Oranges as some of you say. My '02 Wing ('05 kit) has a rake kit (4.5 degrees) for easier steering and Progressive springs in the front forks. It has OEM CB, AM/FM and an add on XM radio. The audio works very well, with smooth, easy to use toggle switches and push buttons on the consol. The 1832cc engine is smooth with no vibration. My MT kit has air adjustable rear shocks with an on board compressor. I have a solid axle from a Mustang V6 with the Mustang disc brakes on the rear 235R 60 15 tires. The Wing has 105 pounds torque and 106 hp. It is a five speed manual.

I am not a wrench, I am a rider since a ratty 5 hp scooter in 1948. These are my opinions and certainly won't be yours. I will not defend or debate my statements....nor yours.

My RT-S SE5 has BRP CB/GPS/XM radio. I spent two hours trying with little success to tune and set channels on the AM/FM and XM radio. Very confusing and clumsy, much more time consuming than the Wing. My first longer ride, this Saturday of about 180 miles with fourteen other riders on mostly country blacktop backroads. The RT rode and handled pretty well. It understeers in tighter corners and is very touchy to steering input. (I have 18# in the front tires and will reduce that to 16) I have not taken the time to set up the RT as I did the Wing.

I am very disappointed in the audio output to my full face helmet with BRP ear phone and mic. With the volume all the way up on any of the radios, I could bearly make out voices or music unless stopped. My Wing has outstanding output at any speed. I suspect there is a simple fix, I just have not had time to find it.

The RT has good power with it's 80 # of torque and 100 hp.

I topped of the tank before I left with my group. We rode 30-70 moh, with speeds varing often. My gauge went in the red zone @ 120 miles, but the red fuel light did not come on. I was surpirsed when I took 4.8 gal. with 138 on the odometer (which is very accurate as checked against my GPS) for 28.3 mpg. With a 6.6 gallon tank, I think the fuel gauge should be more accurate.

In closing for now, I learned one thing I would not have thought of had I not owned a Wing. The front wheel generated a huge gyroscopic effect on the trike, keeping it steady on line at speed...a GW trike will fall off on a crowned road at low speeds and you have to keep right hand pressure on the hamdlebar.

More later. George Lewis

Oct. 15, 2011
I haven't compared the GW1800 Trike since I haven't ridden one yet. I did sell my 06 GL1800 today and decided to keep just the RTS/SE5. If there would have been a GW Trike available when I bought my 2011 RTS, I would have liked to compare the difference. I sold the Wing because it was too heavy for me in sharp turns and turing into parking places. I was nervous making those turns. However, the bike is fast, smooth and quiet. If the RTS had the GW engine it would be awesome. Yet I think that lots of people like the feel of the twin engine.
Gordon

 

[Mr. White]

I rode Punkin' ('02 Wing w/Motor Trike kit) last Wednesday and today for a total of 350 or so miles. The GW trike is a little heavier in the steering dept. until I get up to speed, then it is like sitting in my Lazy-Boy chair. As you might think, the Wing is stronger than BR1, but BR1 will sure run with the proper rpm's applied to the rear tire. There were eighteen bikes today, all makes, riding to breakfast. Punkin' ran flawlessly as usual.

I believe BR1 is more comfortable FOR ME, the way I have it set up now. Front shocks on 4, front tires at 18, rear 28 with the rear shock set in the middle of the gauge. So far, this is working for me...I have not changed the air pressures recently, just too lazy.

I really enjoy BR1 now with only 4,700 miles on him. I had the one hicup with the DPS sensor, but nothing since it was changed out. I sold my Burgman 650...just was not riding it...always climb on BR1 or Punkin'. Got my price.

One instance today. We were running the speed limit, 70, on a nice sweeping curvy road outside of Bandera, TX, having a good time. THEN, here they came! The sweep said on his CB, 'headlights coming at high speed." I knew it was the San Antonio Sport Bike riders, out for their Saturday ZOOM. Ha, ha, we were on a two lane road, so we pulled over to the right white line and hung on. About ten or twelve went by in the left lane when clear ahead and our lane when it wasn't. Riding my trike, I got over as far as I could. ZOOOOOM, they passed us at 100-110+...hmmm, I thought my engine had quit....and they were gone. These boys are excellent riders and don't crash often....but when they do....ADIOS!

Overall, a great day. The scoots were out today.


:spyder2:

 

[Mr. White]

I have not posted for a while. I have about 4,900 miles on BR1 with no problems other than the DPS magnet going out and replaced in ten minutes. BR1 is a dandy. I am riding my Wing less and less. The Spyder has a lighter feel and rides very well. I will keep my Wing as I do love it too. Due to a local problem I was unable to ride our groups first long distance lunch ride....ie, leave at 0900, ride 175 or so, eat lunch and ride back. My problem here is I have to ride 45 miles to get to our starting place...so I would have 400+...hated to miss it, but we are now in our "winter mode" so our rides will be longer....

I am looking for ward to trying out my battery powered heated jacket liner....hope it work...

:spyder2:

 

[MangoMike]

Why not try heated gear that's wired into your bike, like Garmin. I had a Widder (no longer in business) wired into my Wing and loved it. I don't know if the Spyder has enough electrical power to run a jacket like Gerbings, but I did talk to Fred Rau about this and he uses a Gerbing jacket and raved about it. I guess as long as you're moving it would be okay.

http://gerbing.com/

Mike