Farkling a stock RT

[CentralCoastCA]

How many RT owners here bought a new stock Spyder from a dealer and then farkled it up on their own instead of having the dealer do it (saving labor costs)?

If I buy '14 RT and purchase the farkles that I want & have mechanic hubby install them, it should save me a minimum of $2-3k versus buying an unfarkled RTS.

Since I am the main rider on my GS, rarely have a passenger & do not plan to tow a trailer, the RT fits my needs just fine.

Just looking for thoughts on this.......... Thanks!

 

[Cruzr Joe]

How many RT owners here bought a new stock Spyder from a dealer and then farkled it up on their own instead of having the dealer do it (saving labor costs)?

If I buy '14 RT and purchase the farkles that I want & have mechanic hubby install them, it should save me a minimum of $2-3k versus buying an unfarkled RTS.

Since I am the main rider on my GS, rarely have a passenger & do not plan to tow a trailer, the RT fits my needs just fine.

Just looking for thoughts on this.......... Thanks!

If you do this, you will have just what you desire.

If you are doing this to bring it up to a RT-S or RT-L you will wind up spending more money and still have a RT Basic. Nothing wrong with an RT Basic, my 13 RT was a basic and i loved it.

Cruzr Joe

 

[Dan_Ashley]

How many RT owners here bought a new stock Spyder from a dealer and then farkled it up on their own instead of having the dealer do it (saving labor costs)?

If I buy '14 RT and purchase the farkles that I want & have mechanic hubby install them, it should save me a minimum of $2-3k versus buying an unfarkled RTS.

Since I am the main rider on my GS, rarely have a passenger & do not plan to tow a trailer, the RT fits my needs just fine.

Just looking for thoughts on this.......... Thanks!

I did this. I never determined how much I saved. I did it because I just wanted to make the Spyder mine. I mean, I didn't just want the accessories--I also wanted to make it MINE!

 

[Bob Denman]

I brought my 2010 RT A&C up to RT-S "Plus" specs over a period of three years... :thumbup:
I actually did save about $700 over the cost of just buying the RT-S in the first place. :yes:hyea::yes:
Would I do it again? :shocked:
If I am at all capable of tackling the project; I do it myself! :2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

The farkling process does indeed "make it you own." How far you decide to go is totally up to you.

I bought a premier RT-S when they first came out. That had a lot of stock features that was not on the basic one. I added a corbin seat and backrest, a trunk light bar, A frame lights, the luggage set, and floorboards.

The next go around, we got a RT A & C. Floorboards, fog lights, a comfort seat, and light bar for the trunk was all I added on that one.

The 2014 RT-S presents pretty much the levels of options mentioned above, (sans, the trunk light bar). That is the level I would go with for starters. I always end up adding something but would not know up front.

Generally, a farkle "package" saves a bit of money, but we have seen it go both ways here. Decisions, decisions, decisions. :thumbup:

 

[YIRYDE]

You will take a hit If you decide to sell or trade-in your RT. It will still be a RT regardless of how much you upgrade it to be a RT-S or Limited.

 

[Jim&Teresa]

Do all my own farkles....

Hello,

I'm glad you're looking at a 2014 RT....good bike and lots of upgrades for the stock version.

I have added the following farkles and will continue to add more as time goes on. I install my own as it's a hobby for me and enjoy the work. I'm a retired Mechanical Engineer and worked my way through high school and college as a mechanic....so the mechanical things come easy. It's the wiring I usually ask for help through this forum if I get stuck.

Takes time to do, however, enjoy doing it! When I traded my 2012 RT L in for my 2014 RT L, I removed the Sena blue tooth, helmet locks, and netting so I could use on my 2014. However, I did leave on the 3rd brake light, bumpskid, highway pegs, BajaRon sway bar.....so, if you are gonna farkle a lot, plan on leaving some on the bike you trade in as some parts don't transfer to the new one due to model changes....just my thoughts.

Here's my list so far of installed farkles:
HMT 3rd Brake Light w/ Dual Converter
Helmet Guardian dual locks
LED's on mirrors
SENA Bluetooth
Driver's seat backrest
BajaRon's High Performance Sway Bar
BajaRon's Heim Joint Links
Bumpskid
Netting in all compartments

Future installs: Frunk organizer, alarm, etc....

Best wishes for your 2014 if you decide to purchase and enjoy your farkling....

 

[finless]

The only thing I would worry about is if you get a RT without the radio and then want to add it.
I don't know if all that is missing is the radio and speakers and if the harness for it is on the bike or not?
If the harness is not on the bike that will be a big job I think as that harness will run all over the place on the bike (Cluster, fuse block, speakers, etc). So I would at least get one with the radio or have the dealer install the radio when they build it.

Well that's if your hubby mechanic doesn't feel like removing almost all the panels and probably spending a day wiring it up!

Again that's if the entire radio harness is not on a basic RT.

Bob

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Do you mean that you want the base RT versus the RTS or Limited? Or just adding lights and such yourself instead if the dealer? If you still want the SM6 you can't get the Limited. Most if the farkles are pretty easy to install and Chris seems to know jus way around the tool box.

 

[Marker]

Not sure what you are asking. Don't waste your money trying to turn an RS into an RT because you will be disappointed as the RS will still ride like an RS.

If you are buying a no frills Rt and making it into an RT-S or Rt Limited then you will be spending more money than it would have cost to buy an RT-S or RT limited to start with.

If you are buying an RT that you are happy with and then adding "farkles" from site sponsor to make it your own then you can save labor costs by doing it yourself .

Fastfraser and myself put on farles on my RT-S. The graphics were put on by a professional graphic installer, way out of my league.

I hope this helps

 

[skeetshooter]

RADIO

My 2014 plain RT came with radio,Electric windshield,heated grips,ipod or phone hook up.I bought backrest and armrest that's about all i need.

 

[Bob Denman]

That's what we ALL thought; at one time or another...

 

[CentralCoastCA]

Do you mean that you want the base RT versus the RTS or Limited? Or just adding lights and such yourself instead if the dealer? If you still want the SM6 you can't get the Limited. Most if the farkles are pretty easy to install and Chris seems to know jus way around the tool box.

Thanks Ann. I do not want the Limited. The RT seems to suit me best and Chris would farkle it up with the lights and heated seat - I am curious what other people's opinions were on doing farkling themselves - or if paying a dealer to farkle was a better idea.

 

[Bob Denman]

I had my dealer add the A.C.S. to the rear suspension, install the fog and accent lights, and put the front trunk light in for me...
The rest; I managed to pound into submission! :2thumbs:
Oh! The Misus laid down the vinyl graphics...
Before... and after...