daveinva
New member
Got to sit on an ST Limited for the first time today at my local dealer... as a 2010 RS owner since May 2011, figured I'd share my "experienced" impression.
Likes:
-- The ST is definitely a touring bike.
Now, I am the stereotypical "mod my RS into an RT" owner-- happily so, I might add. Yeah, it cost money, but I *didn't want* an RT then, I wanted an RS setup for touring. Risers, footboards, aftermarket seat, bigger windshield... you name it, I put it on my bike.
Well, the ST has all that standard (at least the Limited does). The footboards are superb, the handlebars come back at a perfect angle, the windshield is nice, the seat is more upright. All in all, I felt like I was sitting on my "touring" RS, but this was all stock from the factory. Nice job, BRP.
-- Nice mix of RT goodies on the ST Limited. The heated grips, the integrated GPS and radio... it's nicely appointed.
-- It's sharp. Handsome lines that look even better in person. The ST's a good looking bike.
Dislikes:
-- The stock ST mirrors are better than the stock RS mirrors, but not as good as the RS mirrors modified with the aftermarket up-and-out extensions. I don't know what in the way of aftermarket mods will be possible-- the ST mirrors, like the RT mirrors, appear to be of a piece with the body and not amenable to extension. It's a shame, especially since I've gotten spoiled by great (and far safer!) view offered by the extended RS mirrors.
-- The ST seating position is better than the RS, but the seat isn't as plush and bolstered as the RT. The more I ride my RS, even with my Ultimate, the more I fancy the RT seat and its bolstered position for the rider. Ditto the passenger seat on the ST-- you'll still need a backrest for the passenger, just like the RS, to safely ride any kind of distance back there.
-- It looks to me like all the aftermarket Spyder mods are going to have to be wholly redesigned for the ST. Little things like the reflectors (Brightsides and Mud Flaps will need to be different), the rider footboard position (precludes highway pegs close in-- you don't need them, of course, with the footboards there but many of the highway peg mods out there rely on that "close in" position). Anyway, I didn't spend too much time looking but those were the few things that jumped out at me.
Overall? It's a nice, nice bike. Had it been available when I bought my Spyder, I definitely would have bought the ST instead of the RS. But now that I have the RS all setup for touring, I've got no motivation to trade it in for an ST, at least by sight alone (we'll see how I feel once I ride one). I think my next Spyder will be an RT just because of the comfort and storage for 2-up touring, but for those interested in a flexible ride for around town and touring fun, the ST looks like a perfect option.
Likes:
-- The ST is definitely a touring bike.
Now, I am the stereotypical "mod my RS into an RT" owner-- happily so, I might add. Yeah, it cost money, but I *didn't want* an RT then, I wanted an RS setup for touring. Risers, footboards, aftermarket seat, bigger windshield... you name it, I put it on my bike.
Well, the ST has all that standard (at least the Limited does). The footboards are superb, the handlebars come back at a perfect angle, the windshield is nice, the seat is more upright. All in all, I felt like I was sitting on my "touring" RS, but this was all stock from the factory. Nice job, BRP.
-- Nice mix of RT goodies on the ST Limited. The heated grips, the integrated GPS and radio... it's nicely appointed.
-- It's sharp. Handsome lines that look even better in person. The ST's a good looking bike.
Dislikes:
-- The stock ST mirrors are better than the stock RS mirrors, but not as good as the RS mirrors modified with the aftermarket up-and-out extensions. I don't know what in the way of aftermarket mods will be possible-- the ST mirrors, like the RT mirrors, appear to be of a piece with the body and not amenable to extension. It's a shame, especially since I've gotten spoiled by great (and far safer!) view offered by the extended RS mirrors.
-- The ST seating position is better than the RS, but the seat isn't as plush and bolstered as the RT. The more I ride my RS, even with my Ultimate, the more I fancy the RT seat and its bolstered position for the rider. Ditto the passenger seat on the ST-- you'll still need a backrest for the passenger, just like the RS, to safely ride any kind of distance back there.
-- It looks to me like all the aftermarket Spyder mods are going to have to be wholly redesigned for the ST. Little things like the reflectors (Brightsides and Mud Flaps will need to be different), the rider footboard position (precludes highway pegs close in-- you don't need them, of course, with the footboards there but many of the highway peg mods out there rely on that "close in" position). Anyway, I didn't spend too much time looking but those were the few things that jumped out at me.
Overall? It's a nice, nice bike. Had it been available when I bought my Spyder, I definitely would have bought the ST instead of the RS. But now that I have the RS all setup for touring, I've got no motivation to trade it in for an ST, at least by sight alone (we'll see how I feel once I ride one). I think my next Spyder will be an RT just because of the comfort and storage for 2-up touring, but for those interested in a flexible ride for around town and touring fun, the ST looks like a perfect option.
opcorn:for magic man and Custom Dynamics to come up with a brightside and mud flap LED kit for the 2013 fenders, that will be sweet!
