RS vs RT

[donec]

I think you should base your decision on....
1. What you can afford.
2. What is available in your area.
3. What do you want to do with the Spyder.
Around town or long distance touring
4. Riding alone or with a passenger
5. Weight requirements.
6. Which looks better to you.
7. Do you want to make mods to the Spyder?

 

[Sarge707]

You want comfort -Or performance?
Do you drive easy and mild mannered -Or Do you like to be on the edge in acceleration and cornering.
Are you gonna drive 10 hours at a time? (Not Me!) OR a couple hours and stop and take a decent break.
The choice is yours?:dontknow:

 

[MRH]

In the most general terms, I've always regretted purchasing something less expensive with the intent of modifying it to be like the thing I actually wanted. I save a few dollars, but always less than I'd anticipated, and almost never get what I was after.

This quote isn't 100% on target, but it still applies:

“It's unwise to pay too much, but it's worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that's all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

 

[Spyder Monkey]

I'm probably the weirdo on this but I prefer the RS to the RT for comfort because for the most part I hate windshields. Never found a windshield experience I liked better than no / minimal windshield. I'll take even wind blast over a dead air pocket surrounded by turbulence any day.

That said, everybody else has covered the topic pretty thoroughly. For price, if you are patient you can find good deals used. It is a down economy and there are people with too much toy out there.

How close and how competent is your nearest dealer?

Something to think about.

 

[FutureRyder]

Besides if more RTs are being sold than RSs then that just makes my RS even more unusual. hyea:

Your RS already is unusual, in a good way. :yes:

 

[pro10is]

Never base your decision to buy an RS primarily on comfort. The RT obviously has the advantage there. If you want a touring Spyder (and you have the extra money) get an RT. Easy choice.

The RS is all about sport, in riding and in looks. If that's your primary consideration then the RS is the easy choice. You can make comfortable enough but you can't make it as comfortable as an RT, just as you can't make an RT as sporty as an RS.

 

[serf]

definitely try both... but don't expect to easily or cheaply turn the rs into a touring bike. If you are flying solo its a much shorter trip than +1.

 

[Ron2andia]

Waaaaaaait for iiiiiiit...

:roflblack::roflblack:

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

I have had both, a '09 GS :thumbup: and '12 RT-S. I loved my GS with mods to make it more comfortable. Thought moving to the RT would make it even better. I like the radio, adjustable windshield, and cruise control. I'm not sure on the ride, seating comfort compaired to the GS, handling, and how I'm ignored by other bikers. I know the engine and transmision is not as smooth as the GS.

The RT-S goes in for the 600 miles service tomorrow and I hope some of the issues can be corrected. :dontknow:

 

[donec]

purchasing something less expensive with the intent of modifying it to be like the thing I actually wanted.

I don't think most people bought a GS wishing they could get an RT. I know I didn't and I did not mod my GS to make it like an RT. However! I did and am, modding it to make it more to what I want (which at present the don't make). My biggest complaint with the RT (I have not seen anyone say this before) is the big trunk on the back. For people that have trouble swinging their leg over it gets in the way.

 

[daveinva]

Just go here and read my opinion:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...r-looking-for-information&p=486777#post486777

Okay, can we PLEASE dispense with the old and inaccurate meme: it does NOT cost "as much as an RT" to make the RS a touring machine. :banghead:

Just rode up to NYC and back this weekend, a.k.a. "touring." Comfy as can be, but fast and sleek when I needed it :thumbup:

 

[Sarge707]

I don't think most people bought a GS wishing they could get an RT. I know I didn't and I did not mod my GS to make it like an RT. However! I did and am, modding it to make it more to what I want (which at present the don't make). My biggest complaint with the RT (I have not seen anyone say this before) is the big trunk on the back. For people that have trouble swinging their leg over it gets in the way.

That Darn Trunk?? Every time I sit on one at the Dealer its a "Royal Pain in the Butt" to have to lift my long leg WAY UP IN the air to clear that Monster?? Hopefully the New ST will have Additional Storage, More Horsepower, a Front small glove box, Manually adjustable Windshield, More neutral Seating between the RS and RT, Heated Grips and RETAIN the cable throttle assembly!!!!!!!!!!!:hun:

 

[Firefly]

Just go here and read my opinion:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...r-looking-for-information&p=486777#post486777

Just rode up to NYC and back this weekend, a.k.a. "touring." Comfy as can be, but fast and sleek when I needed it :thumbup:

Well, your list really doesn't bring an RS that close to an RT - you're not comparing apples to oranges:

1. Easy Risers: $130
2. RIVCO floorboards: $350
3. Madstad bracket and 24" winshield: $290
4. Ultimate Seat: $905 ($480 for the seat plus I bought two $200 backrests)
5. Nelson-Rigg CL-950 saddlebags: $100

To do an RS up right to be close to an RT-----you'll need:

1. Risers: ($130 for basic, $450 for top of the line).
2. Madstad and windshield: $300 minimum.
3. HARD Sidecases: $800
4. Hard Topcase: $300
5. Rack for topcase mounting: $300
6. Heated grips: $125
7. Heated rear grips: NA
8. Stereo system: $1,000
9. Adjustable rider floorboards: $200
10. LED tail lights: $130.00
11. Glovebox: $80 for soft - $1,200 for hard.
12. Cruise Control: MC Cruise $550.

Plenty more I'm sure I'm overlooking.

Realize all the above prices don't include installation costs. Sure you can do it yourself as I did.. but the RT comes already done. To be fair, the labor has to be counted in.

If you really want to bring the RS as close to the RT.. it's gonna cost you a good $5,000 give or take.... so well up to the cost of an RT if not more.

I just went thru this very decision... and for my riding miles and trips I take, the RT made much more sense.

I'd love to have one of each.. maybe someday.. but I can tell you which I'd be taking on longer trips... the RT.

 

[Firefly]

That Darn Trunk?? Every time I sit on one at the Dealer its a "Royal Pain in the Butt" to have to lift my long leg WAY UP IN the air to clear that Monster?? Hopefully the New ST will have Additional Storage, More Horsepower, a Front small glove box, Manually adjustable Windshield, More neutral Seating between the RS and RT, Heated Grips and RETAIN the cable throttle assembly!!!!!!!!!!!:hun:

HUH? Lift your leg up over the rear trunk on an RT??? I've never seen anyone do that to mount one.

Why retain the cable throttle system? Totally old school. Fly by wire is the future--- even HD's come that way now. It's really slick.

 

[NancysToy]

HUH? Lift your leg up over the rear trunk on an RT??? I've never seen anyone do that to mount one.

I've seen folks try to do this. Mostly they are used to motorcycles, and try to mount from the ground or dismount directly to the ground. Stepping on the footpeg and mounting or dismounting helps a lot...much like mounting a horse. Some people with short legs or artificial joints have difficulty bending their legs enough to get their foot over, too. For those folks, having no topcase or backrest makes some sense. For most of us, we prefer the extra cargo capacity.

 

[r1100rider]

HUH? Lift your leg up over the rear trunk on an RT??? I've never seen anyone do that to mount one. Why retain the cable throttle system? Totally old school. Fly by wire is the future--- even HD's come that way now. It's really slick.

Because the cable throttle body's work perfect and the computer controlled ones have caused a hundred limp modes throttle by wire is fine just make it work before you dump it on us

 

[FutureRyder]

NancysToy;493643Stepping on the footpeg and mounting or dismounting helps a lot...much like mounting a horse.

...or mounting an ATV. I kind of hate making the comparison, but it's there. I always stepped on the floorboards of my ATVs and swung my leg around and over the seat. My Grizzly eventually had a rather large cargo box on the back, that still wasn't really in the way of doing that.

 

[MRH]

I don't think most people bought a GS wishing they could get an RT. I know I didn't and I did not mod my GS to make it like an RT. However! I did and am, modding it to make it more to what I want (which at present the don't make). My biggest complaint with the RT (I have not seen anyone say this before) is the big trunk on the back. For people that have trouble swinging their leg over it gets in the way.

I didn't say that anybody bought anything in any way, simply that when I've tried to cut corners I usually end up bloody. If somebody wants and RT, get an RT; don't try to turn an RS into one. Which Spyder is best for a particular owner is a completely different issue, and one that I didn't address in any way.

Personally, I want my touring bike to be able to hold enough for a weekend away, and the rear trunk is a big asset. To each his own.

 

[Firefly]

Because the cable throttle body's work perfect and the computer controlled ones have caused a hundred limp modes throttle by wire is fine just make it work before you dump it on us

Hmmmm. I've not heard of any problems pertaining to the fly by wire throttle and limp mode. Seems if there were '100' cases of this it would have been a hot topic out here.

 

[Firefly]

I didn't say that anybody bought anything in any way, simply that when I've tried to cut corners I usually end up bloody. If somebody wants and RT, get an RT; don't try to turn an RS into one. Which Spyder is best for a particular owner is a completely different issue, and one that I didn't address in any way.

Personally, I want my touring bike to be able to hold enough for a weekend away, and the rear trunk is a big asset. To each his own.

I agree and I don't think it's that people started out with the intention of making their RS into an RT, but if you look at the majority of RS's that show up to events---- most have added such modifications. When the GS first came out there was no RT... So we didn't even know what we were doing other than making the spyder better for touring. BRP paid attention and then released the RT.