2010 Base model RT

[Dubliner]

JerryKaren,
Thank you for being the light in the forest. First hand knowledge is always welcome especially when it comes from a frequent flyer. I know that when you buy a newer model all the older foibles come to the surface and all that experience unravels with the new machine and all its finery that makes you stamp your foot and spit.

I have had lemons in the past and don't want to revisit that stand again, so I am looking at my options. Considering the amount of Spyders out there, the prices remain high but they do seem difficult to sell unless you cut your losses to the quick.

As regards, buying a bike and riding it across country, I have done it before in Europe. Maybe I have been lucky, my wife says I have an angel on my shoulder. I have owned and ridden over forty different secondhand machines across a million miles plus not without trepidation or problems mind but I am weary of tedium and wary of the huge price drop from buying new and loosing a bundle after the new car smell wears off So I am looking for a decent reliable machine to ride blissfully into the sunset on with my lady friend safely cosseted on the back. She tends to fall asleep as the miles roll on and on the last trip slept through three fuel ups riding to Cali.


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[Dubliner]

Wiredgeorge,
Thank you for your honesty and it looks like you got a good deal there! 65 psi seems a lot in the back shock, it must give you a harsh ride, I've never had floorboards so I don't really know much about riding with them but I am hoping for a saddle that is more comfortable than my past experiences have been! The boards probably allow you to move your feet around more so comfort is better all round?


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[Bob Denman]

I used to also use 65 psi for mine, when riding double... :thumbup:
NEVER run one with zero air pressures... :shocked:

 

[ARtraveler]

Well gentlemen, thank you for all your candid remarks! They are asking $12,500 Canadian loonies!


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Based on current exchange rate (about 75% of US), the price is $9,375 which is about right. I got $14,500 in trade on my 2010 RTS (premier edition), the one with all the bells and whistles, a year and a half ago. It had 36,500 miles on it.

I had few issues or problems with mine. DPS, cruise control switch, and the connection to the transmission shift linkage came loose one time. I liked that one a lot.

Since you are new to this, buying that old and from way across country is probably not a good idea. I would recommend looking newer and closer to home.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

HOLY CR*P

Mike just has no faith in the 998 engines anymore...
During the first couple of years; the RTs had the aforementioned throttle body issues...
That's the Biggie! :shocked:
But the more frequent oil changes for the 998s, coupled with periodic valve adjustments Do make the maintenance something that shouldn't be ignored...
Here's a comparison of the 998s, versus the 1330s, as far as maintenance is concerned.

:gaah:....As usual Bob you have it WRONG AGAIN ......Don't tell people HOW I feel or WHAT I think about anything because you don't have a CLUE.........What I think is ....the " 998 " is in the wrong PLATFORM.. It is not a " TOURING " MOTOR ...it belongs in a " crotch rocket " type motorcycle....and that's what I think...................stick with recommending " ICE CREAM FLAVORS "........:banghead::banghead::banghead:........Mike

 

[JKMSPYDER]

Mike I'm not sure what you mean by saying the 998 is not a touring motor, but I just returned from the three wheel trike rally in Deadwood, SD after having ridden 4032 miles. My ST-S did great with the 998. Many Spyders before the '14 RT have "toured" thousands of miles with no problems. High revving 998? Yes. Compare it to a crotch rocket? Not in the Spyder platform IMO.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TOURING MOTOR

Mike I'm not sure what you mean by saying the 998 is not a touring motor, but I just returned from the three wheel trike rally in Deadwood, SD after having ridden 4032 miles. My ST-S did great with the 998. Many Spyders before the '14 RT have "toured" thousands of miles with no problems. High revving 998? Yes. Compare it to a crotch rocket? Not in the Spyder platform IMO.

OK I'll bite :roflblack:....If the 998 is a " touring " motor, then why did BRP spend millions of $ designing and bringing the 1330 to market and replacing the " 998 touring motor " in the RT..........just asking your opinion on this .....Mike :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Have to agree with BlueKnight that the 998 is not really a touring motor. It is a great engine for the RS and RSS platform. Very quick and peppy with crotch rocket power. I had two of those, (2008 and 2009).

My first complaint when I got a premier edition RT in 2010 was that it seemed a bit underpowered unless you wound it out (5500 shifting points, etc).

Don't get me wrong. I toured 36,500 miles on the 2010 and we now have 21,000 miles on the 2011. Both 998's. So I think I can say been there and done that. :roflblack:

One of my earlier suggestions (late 2010 or so) was a bigger engine for the RT so it would be quieter, more torque, and would probably get better gas mileage. I bought one more 998 (the 2011) in 2012 for akspyderlady.

At that point I was pretty much done. Then, BRP came out with the 1330 three cylinder. Yep! I had to get me one of those. A little over a year later, going on 18,000 miles and I am pretty happy. Got the quieter, more torque, and almost 10 mpg improvement in gas mileage. Less required maintenance too.

Now, what in the heck are they going to be announcing for 2016?? :bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TOURING MOTOR

Have to agree with BlueKnight that the 998 is not really a touring motor. It is a great engine for the RS and RSS platform. Very quick and peppy with crotch rocket power. I had two of those, (2008 and 2009).

My first complaint when I got a premier edition RT in 2010 was that it seemed a bit underpowered unless you wound it out (5500 shifting points, etc).

Don't get me wrong. I toured 36,500 miles on the 2010 and we now have 21,000 miles on the 2011. Both 998's. So I think I can say been there and done that. :roflblack:

One of my earlier suggestions (late 2010 or so) was a bigger engine for the RT so it would be quieter, more torque, and would probably get better gas mileage. I bought one more 998 (the 2011) in 2012 for akspyderlady.

At that point I was pretty much done. Then, BRP came out with the 1330 three cylinder. Yep! I had to get me one of those. A little over a year later, going on 18,000 miles and I am pretty happy. Got the quieter, more torque, and almost 10 mpg improvement in gas mileage. Less required maintenance too.

Now, what in the heck are they going to be announcing for 2016?? :bbq::bbq::bbq:

Thanks AK, you got my intended meaning. I was not putting down the " 998 ", I have said in past post's it's a great motor. But not a " touring " motor. The 1800 Gold Wing motor is an incredible motor, .....if it was put in a Motocrosser would it still an incredible motor....YES, but the bike would S*CK........jmho.......Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Ask Spyderjockey about his 998-equipped GS...

...That has over 111,000 miles on it! :bowdown:


Not a touring motor? :dontknow:

 

[wiredgeorge]

Wiredgeorge,
Thank you for your honesty and it looks like you got a good deal there! 65 psi seems a lot in the back shock, it must give you a harsh ride, I've never had floorboards so I don't really know much about riding with them but I am hoping for a saddle that is more comfortable than my past experiences have been! The boards probably allow you to move your feet around more so comfort is better all round?


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65 PSI is not harsh... it is firm. I just got finished last evening installing new and heavier springs on my Elka shocks and the difference is marked. The Spyder now turns flat. I am pretty confident that my Spyder now handles in the top tier of Spyders. Even if you buy a top of the line machine, the same modifications will need to be done. The stock seat is also fine. I test drove a 2012 RT with a very expensive Corbin and it didn't have the thigh support and I slid around on it. The bike also handled poorly as mine did when I first got it. Last handling step is to get the chassis laser aligned.

Be aware that some of the comments you hear come from folks who love drama. The folks like SpyderAnn who had 59K miles on her 2010 seldom post constantly but after a bit I have begun to note that when they say something, I take heed. This is my first Spyder so my opinion is not based on long experience but I have owned over 50 bikes in the past and have owned virtually every touring bike made in the 20th and 21st century hehe (I am old). Except for a BMW... never owned one.

 

[Bob Denman]

:crackpipe:
Mating it up to the six-speed and new clutch engagement system might be problematic...
Read my post again... I never said that everyone loved the power delivery of the 998.
If you've been here as long as you've said in the past (five years...); you MUST remember when there were folks looking into oversized front sprockets...