First Ever Spyder Ride

[MyEleanor]

Today I took a test ride on a 2014 STS. I have been thinking about a Spyder for a while now and figured I needed to try one out first. My initial impression is positive. It is very different from a motorcycle (as many of you have already observed). I was surprised at how much I was pulled to the outside of a turn during a quick right hander. I needed to quickly adjust my body position to lean into the turn. I was also surprised at the high RPM's for the 998. I am used to cruising at 80 & 3K RPM on my Victory. Much different on the ST. I could have used a sixth gear. I have plans to test ride an F3 next week sometime to get a feel for the 1330 motor and the six speed. I was also a little surprised at how the Spyder tended to follow imperfections in the pavement. I'm not sure if it is due to the increased contact patch (versus a two wheeler), the alignment, or both.

All in all a positive experience. I am looking forward to trying the 1330 to feel the difference between that and the 998. If I choose to go with a Spyder, that will help me decide between the STS (or L) and the RT. Several of the things I experienced during my ride I was expecting thanks to reading many of your posts.

 

[Chupaca]

Great..!!

glad your testing them out. Best way to know. You will find the F3 more to your liking if your coming from a Victory but may find the luggage lacking. Of course you canadd on. Hope you have a great test ryde on the F3...hyea:

 

[Highwayman2013]

You really don't need a sixth gear on a 998 twin, the sweet spot is 5,000 rpms. Remember the F3 is geared lower than the RT for more acceleration, otherwise they have the same drive train.

 

[MyEleanor]

F3 Test Ride

Chupaca, I am test riding the F3 more to get a feel for the 1330 motor than the F3 itself. My dealer doesn't have a newer model RT I can test ride to see the difference between the two power plants. So the F3 is as close as I can get.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THE ONLY CHOICE IS !!!!!!

My dear Friend , I've owned three. Now have the RT with the 1330 Ace engine. The others had the 998...........Unless you are a Mechanic or rich enough to own at least Two Spyders .........Do not buy any Spyder with the 998 engine in it. The reason I said two Spyders is because one will be in the shop either getting fixed or just waiting for the dealer to do something to it / for it ...........The 1330 is pretty much BULLET PROOF .....................AND IT'S ALMOST ......MAINTENANCE FREE .........LIKE THE NEWER CARS ARE....................PS, I wouldn't be at all surprised if BRP stopped selling Spyders with the " 998 " engine after 2015 ....JMHO........Mike :thumbup:

 

[MyEleanor]

Thanks

Highwayman, thanks for the note about the F3. I don't thing I was aware of the gearing change for the F3. So maybe my comparison with the 998 will be a bit off. I was hoping to replicate how the motor in an RT would feel.

 

[MyEleanor]

Dear Lady???

Lol. That was funny. While my handle is MyEleanor, that was due to my Mustang (think Gone in 60 Seconds). My real name is Eric. Although no way you could have known. thanks for the laugh. And the advice on the 998.

 

[BikeIowa]

My dear Friend , I've owned three. Now have the RT with the 1330 Ace engine. The others had the 998...........Unless you are a Mechanic or rich enough to own at least Two Spyders .........Do not buy any Spyder with the 998 engine in it. The reason I said two Spyders is because one will be in the shop either getting fixed or just waiting for the dealer to do something to it / for it ...........The 1330 is pretty much BULLET PROOF .....................AND IT'S ALMOST ......MAINTENANCE FREE .........LIKE THE NEWER CARS ARE....................PS, I wouldn't be at all surprised if BRP stopped selling Spyders with the " 998 " engine after 2015 ....JMHO........Mike :thumbup:

Really ? I would venture to say you are in a very small minority that have had that many problems with the 998. Unless I was going to get a new RT and do a lot of 2 up riding I would not hesitate at all at buying another 998.

 

[ARtraveler]

There is a big difference between the two cylinder and the three cylinder versions.

The two cylinder does like those high revs and 5000 is a good place to keep it.

My 2014 RT (three cylinder) seems most happy shifting at 3000 rpm. Others have different opinions. In 6th gear at 65 you will be running about 3300 rpms. I like the quieter operation of the 1330 engine. The mileage is also much better. 31 on the two cylinder and 39-41 on the 1330 is what I am experiencing.

Test driving is important to make sure you get the kind of ride you want.

NOTE: Over controlling will make the :spyder2: appear to have skittish steering. Try as little input as possible and use the push/pull technique on the handlebars. You already figured it is good to lean your body into the turn. Most take between 250-500 miles to "unlearn" the two wheel techniques.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

Really ? I would venture to say you are in a very small minority that have had that many problems with the 998. Unless I was going to get a new RT and do a lot of 2 up riding I would not hesitate at all at buying another 998.

:dontknow:.....Actually I personally didn't have any real issues with either of mine. But that's not what I have heard from others on this site who have owned them. The 998 was designed about 30 years ago so it's not exactly current technology.....and considering what's going on with NHSTA at the moment I think the 998 is going to History as far as BRP is concerned ..........BRP now has the 1330 with a much better clutch and transmission ( design ) ....Why would BRP want to invest a crap load of money on the 998....It just doesn't make financial sense if nothing else........I know there are " V " twin lovers , I had a Norton Commando. But would I trade my 2014 RT to have it back ( Yes only to sell it as an antique for a pile of money :roflblack: )......Not on you life.............Everyone here is entitled to their opinion and this is mine ......Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

SEE POST # 10

 

[MyEleanor]

Thanks for all the thoughts so far. With my two wheeler I did quite a bit of touring. Weekend rides to week long rides. Mostly one up, but my girlfriend likes to ride as do both of my daughters. So I'm thinking the 1330 is probably best long term. Which likely means the RT. But I like the looks of the ST better. Sigh. Decisions, decisions. I'll wait until I get a chance to ride the F3 with the 1330 before I make any further decisions. I do appreciate all the input though. I've been lurking on this forum off and on for a year. Compared to other forums for other motorcycle manufacturers, this one seems the most helpful and genuine. Thanks for that.

 

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for all the thoughts so far. With my two wheeler I did quite a bit of touring. Weekend rides to week long rides. Mostly one up, but my girlfriend likes to ride as do both of my daughters. So I'm thinking the 1330 is probably best long term. Which likely means the RT. But I like the looks of the ST better. Sigh. Decisions, decisions. I'll wait until I get a chance to ride the F3 with the 1330 before I make any further decisions. I do appreciate all the input though. I've been lurking on this forum off and on for a year. Compared to other forums for other motorcycle manufacturers, this one seems the most helpful and genuine. Thanks for that.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. I have had the pleasure of owning a 2008 GS, a 2009 RS, a 2010 RT, a 2011 RT, and now a 2014 RT. Four of the five :spyder2: had the two cylinder engine. I still own the 2011 RT as well as the 2014 RT. IMO--the 1330 triple is hands down the best :ani29: I have owned. I have a little over 100,000 two cylinder miles and almost 10,000 miles on the three cylinder version--so far.

 

[MikeinGA]

My dear Friend , I've owned three. Now have the RT with the 1330 Ace engine. The others had the 998...........Unless you are a Mechanic or rich enough to own at least Two Spyders .........Do not buy any Spyder with the 998 engine in it. The reason I said two Spyders is because one will be in the shop either getting fixed or just waiting for the dealer to do something to it / for it ...........The 1330 is pretty much BULLET PROOF .....................AND IT'S ALMOST ......MAINTENANCE FREE .........LIKE THE NEWER CARS ARE....................PS, I wouldn't be at all surprised if BRP stopped selling Spyders with the " 998 " engine after 2015 ....JMHO........Mike :thumbup:

Really ? I would venture to say you are in a very small minority that have had that many problems with the 998. Unless I was going to get a new RT and do a lot of 2 up riding I would not hesitate at all at buying another 998.

Mike,
Your right about the 1330 is a better motor and don't have the heat problems and fire problems (moved the EVAP canisters) of earlier models and will give it a better resale value. I remember reading that a SpyderLover had two spyders and they both broke down a the same time. BRP still has a big parts distribution problem. I hope they stop building the "998" engine. That way when I stop riding I can tear the Spyder down and sell the parts, I will get more money that way than what the resale value will be for the whole Spyder. That's IMHO.

Mike

 

[lightnin leeRoy]

As others have said, I had a '12 RT S with the 998 engine, thought it was great until I rode & bought the '14 RT L.
Hands down again for the 1330 Ace engine.
I put 7000 miles on the '12, I have 4000 miles on my '14 RT L
Which ever one you decide, enjoy!!!

 

[Oldmanzues]

If you liked the 998 RT, you will love the 1330. I have a 2010 Rt with little over 26 thosand on it right now. I rode a 2014RT Se for about a week and loved it. I just could not convice myself to buy the 2014 at my age, 79, so I will continue to ride the 2010 RT and enjoy it. no real problems.

I have not been on a F-3, but have ST. You stated you have riders, I would suggest taking them on a demo ride if you can on a ST or F-3. I hear they are not the best for passengers. The RT is great according to wife
Oldmanzues

 

[LEEB]

If you liked the 998 RT, you will love the 1330. I have a 2010 Rt with little over 26 thosand on it right now. I rode a 2014RT Se for about a week and loved it. I just could not convice myself to buy the 2014 at my age, 79, so I will continue to ride the 2010 RT and enjoy it. no real problems.

I have not been on a F-3, but have ST. You stated you have riders, I would suggest taking them on a demo ride if you can on a ST or F-3. I hear they are not the best for passengers. The RT is great according to wife
Oldmanzues

May I say, at 79, you are my hero!!!! Hoping I am physically able to ride my Spyder when I'm 79, and beyond!!

 

[MyEleanor]

I have not been on a F-3, but have ST. You stated you have riders, I would suggest taking them on a demo ride if you can on a ST or F-3. I hear they are not the best for passengers. The RT is great according to wife
Oldmanzues

Thats a great idea OMZ. I'll see if I can get my girlfriend to go on a test ride. We have a second dealer here in Tucson that may have an RT I can test ride instead of the F3. That way I can get a feel for how the RT handles and she can see how comfortable she is on it.

 

[desertryder]

998

Mike,
Your right about the 1330 is a better motor and don't have the heat problems and fire problems (moved the EVAP canisters) of earlier models and will give it a better resale value. I remember reading that a SpyderLover had two spyders and they both broke down a the same time. BRP still has a big parts distribution problem. I hope they stop building the "998" engine. That way when I stop riding I can tear the Spyder down and sell the parts, I will get more money that way than what the resale value will be for the whole Spyder. That's IMHO.

Mike

I have had several bikes with the 998 rotax in them, an Aprilia Futura, and 2 KTMs. In my opinion it is one of the best motorcycles engines made. It is reliable, lots of torque and plenty of high end punch. I bought a 2012 RT because it has the Rotax 998 twin. The 1330 may also turn out to be a great engine but it doesn't have the strong track record of the 998. Any issues with the 998 based Spyders were caused by vehicle design issues, not power plant problems.

 

[StanProff]

I have had several bikes with the 998 rotax in them, an Aprilia Futura, and 2 KTMs. In my opinion it is one of the best motorcycles engines made. It is reliable, lots of torque and plenty of high end punch. I bought a 2012 RT because it has the Rotax 998 twin. The 1330 may also turn out to be a great engine but it doesn't have the strong track record of the 998. Any issues with the 998 based Spyders were caused by vehicle design issues, not power plant problems.

:thumbup: I agree. The 2010 RT S that I bought new in 2011 was an awesome ride. My wife and I rode it cross country and loved it . The 998 was a strong powerplant. All you had to do was keep it in the right RPM range, it loved it in the 6 and 7 thousand range and had great power. I had no problems with it in over 26,000 miles. I traded up to a '14 RT S and I do agree with others about the 1330 triple, it is a great touring engine with the torque needed for riding two up loaded and pulling a trailer. It is a strong smooth motor.