About to pull the trigger on a 2023 or 2025 Spyder RT Dark - what am I really paying for? Any other major considerations on differences?

Suspension would be the biggest improvement and changes of the digital dash I’m guessing

happyspyder2039 said:

Suspension would be the biggest improvement and changes of the digital dash I’m guessing

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Get your best deal on the 2023, they're mechanically identical. Get a Garmin Zumo XT and you still get a 2 year warranty. $10K difference buys a lot of upgrades/accessories.

I'm with the 2023. As mentioned above, same everything except the screen. The 2025 has the newer screen with Apple CarPlay. I too, would get a Garmin XT from the money saved. You can also get the BEST warranty to give you longer peace of mind.

I have owned two Spyders, a 2020 F3L, and currently a 2023 RTL. You will be plenty pleased with the 2023 RT and probably with zero regrets. For me, I am not a fan of extra electronics, so any added on my vehicles is of no value, but that's me. The Engine is the same and suspension should be similar, but you will have too much fun driving the first several years to probably notice a difference. Save the money and just have fun. Strong suggestion, read the ENTIRE manual before riding and a must is this: LEARN HOW TO CHECK OIL LEVEL PROPERLY. It is not like any other vehicle I have ever owned; not hard, but totally different.

Just my 2¢ - now just purchase one or the other and have some fun! Give yourself some time to get acquainted with driving a Spyder.

* If you like a Digital Touch Screen dash, you'll like the 2025.
* If not, the "simpler" dash on the 2023 is your other, more "rational" choice in my view.
* Let us know what decision you make.

2023

I’m probably showing my advanced age and my innate frugality (bride calls me world class cheap), and I would go for the 2023. Safecracker’s comment about the Zumo XT is excellent, IMO, as the Spyder is wired for a separate GPS as I understand. His second, very good comment is regarding the BEST expended warranty, the best source, AIU, is Thomas Palmer of iMotorsports, and you don’t need to purchase that until just before your factory warranty expires.

The last, and probably most important comment is Redbeard’s about how to properly check the oil level. Read The Freekin Manual, and follow it. Good luck!

Consider a leftover 2024. New dash and handlebar layout- better than 2023 and same as 2025. Dealers have inventory of those on hand with discounted pricing.

+1 on what baxter wrote.

I test rode a 2023 for a day and it convinced me that I wanted a Spyder over a GoldWing for my retirement gift to myself. I agonized over the 2024 vs something earlier question and decided I wanted the 2024 over the earlier version and it would be worth the extra cost (I might miss that extra $10K and its compounding interest if I live to be 90 but doubt I'll get to be that old) and wait (ordered in January but didn't take possession until May).

I like the handlebar controls layout better. For instance, the cruise control just seems to make more sense on the newer models. Though I certainly would have managed with the prior version of that control. I certainly love have real cruise control rather than the friction throttle lock I had on my two-wheeler. Instance number two... I like having handlebar control of volume and skip back/forward for music better than using my Sena controls.

Even though I have some issues with CarPlay, I love having it available and I like the newer, bigger, display in general. I would be kicking myself if I had been my usual self and gone the budget route with a prior model.

I'd make the same choice to get the '24 (or '25) if I were doing it again. Some day, I'll add a backup camera since that circuitry and software is in place.

I use MyRouteApp via CarPlay for my touring and love having the big map, but I definitely have a backup with my Garmin running. Given that I do rely on both, I'm wishing I had gotten a Zumo XT or XT2 rather than saving money by buying a 396.

FWIW, I recently had a 2025 RTL for the day while the dealer was working on my 2021 RT. I like the big screen, the simpler way to engage Reverse, and the back-up camera, but not enough to even consider the amount I would have to pay to get the 2025 plus my 2021 trade-in. I would guess that you are probably better off with the 2023, unless of course the price difference truly does not matter to you.

Here is another vote for picking up the 2023 and spending the $10k in other places. $10k is a lot of farkle money, or you could even pick up another neat used toy with that type of coin. Got the wife a low milage 3rd generation Mini Cooper last week. Think this might be a fun little vacation car for the 2 of us.

We've always been fans of three wheels, two side cars since 2016, one Ural, and a Beemer with a velorex car. For comfort, power, and ease of handling, you cannot beat the Spyder RT. Ours was new in October 2024, took one trip last fall, and looking to take many more this year. The large info screen sold us on the Spyder. If only this 90+ degree weather would break...