Firefly
Active member
hyea:Two wheel testers don't care for safety features, They add extra weigh. :roflblack::roflblack:
And every oz. counts when your trying brake 186 mph
Yet the Spyder is heavier and stops quicker......
-
There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
2011 Can-Am Spyder RT Comparison
- Thread starter docdoru
- Start date
Yet the Spyder is heavier and stops quicker......
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
The big picture--like Scotty says--is that they finally compared the three big horizon chasers in one article.
Cycle World, Rider, and Motorcycle Consumer News (my current 3 reads) have all compared the new Goldwing vs. the BMW KLT. Very good testing and information. From my reading of those articles--I would be inclined to buy the Goldwing if I were making a purchase now.
Power wise--the Spyder is in a class by itself with a much smaller engine in comparison. That takes apples to apples out of the equation.
I did not find the article too informative comparing the three machines--but they did talk about the Spyder a lot.
Cycle World, Rider, and Motorcycle Consumer News (my current 3 reads) have all compared the new Goldwing vs. the BMW KLT. Very good testing and information. From my reading of those articles--I would be inclined to buy the Goldwing if I were making a purchase now.
Power wise--the Spyder is in a class by itself with a much smaller engine in comparison. That takes apples to apples out of the equation.
I did not find the article too informative comparing the three machines--but they did talk about the Spyder a lot.
Last edited:
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Well put! :clap:
I feel like I need to add my 2 cents as I have had a trike and now a spyder. I had a 06 Harley Road Glide that I installed a Champion trike kit on. I have had both hips replaced and I'm getting new knee's this fall and I would still take that Trike anyday over a spyder. The Trike had a raked front end so the corners were a breeze. It also had handlebars and seats that you could add to set it up for YOU. With that said I did have over $30,000 invested and I bought my spyder for under $25,000. The spyder handles somewhat like a snowmobile and the trike handled like a dream. Now I know that the RT is only 2 yrs old and more upgrades will be coming so I look forward to the bars being closer for a better seating position. Now for the MOST important factor, my wife likes the Spyder better. Rick
I have a '02 Gold Wing Motor Trike and a 2011 RT-S SE5. I rode my second GW four years before triking it. It has 61K and runs like a hose....it is smooth, powerful, comfortable and I get 32-34 mpg riding speed limit speeds. BR1 is smooth, powerful (ya gotta keep it up on the rpms), comfortable. I get 29-31 mpg after 4,000 mies of keeping records per my GPS. The GW, as I have said earlier, has better radio and CB, although my PRP radio and CB are doing better after several tweeks. They are different rides. Both are stable at reasonable speeds, 70-75 or so. Ya gotta ride either machine 500 plus miles to get used to and enjoy them. JMHO. I love both for different reasons. I can not comment on the BMW as the last one I rode was in 1954, and it was nice. I heard they have changed some since then.
I will have both machines (maybe a new Wing if they change) as long as the wife gets in plenty of overtime on second shift at the sawmill. :roflblack:
:spyder2:
I will have both machines (maybe a new Wing if they change) as long as the wife gets in plenty of overtime on second shift at the sawmill. :roflblack:
:spyder2:
Last edited:
2Gunns
RT-S PE#0032
like most have said, it is sad this comparison was not trike vs. reverse trike. but consider the messenger here... most likely very few miles on the spyder. it takes a few hundred for the infection to set in.
I'm not old (well not that old), nor new to motorcycling....the only truth in the story was on mpg and even that was skewed. but giving a bit, i bet he only went by when the needle hit empty. I know the guage on my RT-S hits empty around 110, however I ignore that until around 150 miles...as I regularly get 165 before fueling up. still not great, but about all I want between "potty-breaks" anyways
I'm not old (well not that old), nor new to motorcycling....the only truth in the story was on mpg and even that was skewed. but giving a bit, i bet he only went by when the needle hit empty. I know the guage on my RT-S hits empty around 110, however I ignore that until around 150 miles...as I regularly get 165 before fueling up. still not great, but about all I want between "potty-breaks" anyways
All the hoorah comparing to a goldwing or any other 2 wheeler isn't a comparison . If you're going to compare then make it all 3 wheels. Hoorah about how much more storage room a spyder has vs a wing. Throw a trike kit on a wing and then compare storage. Wing trike has more space and its usuable , not skinny and deep.
Pop the throttle on an 1800 wing trike getting on the highway ramps and you'll feel the power. Take the spyder two up with a loaded trailer through the mountains and see what happens and then try the same thing on a wing , bet you notice a big difference.
Hit gravel on a curve with the rear wheel on a spyder and then take the same curve on triked out wing. You "steer " a spyder thru the curves but "plow " with the wing. I had a 7degree rake on my wing and it steered thru curves , not plowed ...and I didn't have to lean to keep from getting thrown off , just sat against the backrest . I rode the dragon many times and I left a lot of two wheelers in the dust.Hopefully in about 2 weeks I'll be taking the spyder to the dragon and we'll see what happens. Right now after riding close to 2k miles on the spyder I think I'd feel more comfortable on the wing thru the dragon but we'll see. I'm about scared to death to ride curves on the RT with only one rear wheel on wet pavementunless I really slow down. Shudder to think whyat might happen if it kicks out while pulling a trailer on gravel or rain.
I ride a 2011 RTSM now . Had 109,000 miles on the wing and never had a problem with it. RT seat is def better than the custom one I had on the wing. Don't have the heat problem on the RT that I had on the wing. Radio and Cb were much better on the wing.Bumps on the RT are a lot more comfortable on the RT , no jarring like with 2 wheels rear.
Now I know someone will jump on me saying if I'm so unhappy with the RT , why did I get it? I bought it because I loved the looks and the salesman was a good talker on how it took the curves etc., and the excellent gas mileage ( 35 - 40 ).Probably had I read all the different forums before buying and seeing all the problems , I may have stayed with another wing.
I'm not saying the RT isn't a good cycle , just say to compare apples to apples. If you get a chance to ride a triked out wing with the EZ steer , by all means ride it. May just change your mind about it being so much inferior to a wing. I think there are a lot of people out there that aren't really that happy with the spyder but won't admit it because they spent so much money on it. Yes a triked out wing is a lot more expensive than the spyder. I'm not all that sure that I'll end up keeping the Rt but have a few things to try before making a final decision , adjusting front shocks being the first to eliminate some of the body lean.
Both bikes have good points and bad points. You just have to figure out which outweighs the other. RT does look good though , gotta admit that . That was partly why I bought it . Now the salesman asks me which I 'd rather do......Look good or better gas mileage. I want both....LOL
Pop the throttle on an 1800 wing trike getting on the highway ramps and you'll feel the power. Take the spyder two up with a loaded trailer through the mountains and see what happens and then try the same thing on a wing , bet you notice a big difference.
Hit gravel on a curve with the rear wheel on a spyder and then take the same curve on triked out wing. You "steer " a spyder thru the curves but "plow " with the wing. I had a 7degree rake on my wing and it steered thru curves , not plowed ...and I didn't have to lean to keep from getting thrown off , just sat against the backrest . I rode the dragon many times and I left a lot of two wheelers in the dust.Hopefully in about 2 weeks I'll be taking the spyder to the dragon and we'll see what happens. Right now after riding close to 2k miles on the spyder I think I'd feel more comfortable on the wing thru the dragon but we'll see. I'm about scared to death to ride curves on the RT with only one rear wheel on wet pavementunless I really slow down. Shudder to think whyat might happen if it kicks out while pulling a trailer on gravel or rain.
I ride a 2011 RTSM now . Had 109,000 miles on the wing and never had a problem with it. RT seat is def better than the custom one I had on the wing. Don't have the heat problem on the RT that I had on the wing. Radio and Cb were much better on the wing.Bumps on the RT are a lot more comfortable on the RT , no jarring like with 2 wheels rear.
Now I know someone will jump on me saying if I'm so unhappy with the RT , why did I get it? I bought it because I loved the looks and the salesman was a good talker on how it took the curves etc., and the excellent gas mileage ( 35 - 40 ).Probably had I read all the different forums before buying and seeing all the problems , I may have stayed with another wing.
I'm not saying the RT isn't a good cycle , just say to compare apples to apples. If you get a chance to ride a triked out wing with the EZ steer , by all means ride it. May just change your mind about it being so much inferior to a wing. I think there are a lot of people out there that aren't really that happy with the spyder but won't admit it because they spent so much money on it. Yes a triked out wing is a lot more expensive than the spyder. I'm not all that sure that I'll end up keeping the Rt but have a few things to try before making a final decision , adjusting front shocks being the first to eliminate some of the body lean.
Both bikes have good points and bad points. You just have to figure out which outweighs the other. RT does look good though , gotta admit that . That was partly why I bought it . Now the salesman asks me which I 'd rather do......Look good or better gas mileage. I want both....LOL
Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
exwinger
I would love to know how you're getting better gas mileage on the RT than a wing. I don't have much time at all on a wing trike but I have a lot of time on the RT towing a trailer in some of the worst riding conditions and I can tell you it handled them all well. I ride the Dragon 3 to 4 times a week and there is no issues there either.
The one think you liked besides the good looks is the one weak point of the RT, I get about 26-28 mpg towing the trailer and about 30 mpg without it on average. So if you're getting 35-40 you have a very special RT, hang on to that thing. :doorag:
I would love to know how you're getting better gas mileage on the RT than a wing. I don't have much time at all on a wing trike but I have a lot of time on the RT towing a trailer in some of the worst riding conditions and I can tell you it handled them all well. I ride the Dragon 3 to 4 times a week and there is no issues there either.
The one think you liked besides the good looks is the one weak point of the RT, I get about 26-28 mpg towing the trailer and about 30 mpg without it on average. So if you're getting 35-40 you have a very special RT, hang on to that thing. :doorag:
Bob Denman
New member
:agree:, But George beat me to it... pps:
pps:Yep , the high gas miles was salesman talking. He still keeps saying it will go up and I keep saying if it don't will you buy the bike back for what I paid for it....no answer . The most I've got on the RT is 31mpg riding 2 up , no trailer......and that was on a GOOD day. Been hitting a pretty solid 26 - 27 mpg . Will see about it when hauling the trailer tooling down I75 to Tenn. in a couple of weeks. Wish I could trust the gauge or red light but look for gas around 125 miles. I knew on the wing that when the red came on I had a solid gallon left. Looked at miles ridden , divided that by 5 and knew how far I could go before running out. Rt has had the red light on forever and needle buried in red and still only took 4+ gallons.
Maybe see you on or near the Dragon .
Maybe see you on or near the Dragon .
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
It looks like the ball park 30 mpg's are turning out to be the overall mileage for the :spyder2:. IMO--Claims for 35-55 are from la la land. BUT--we did not buy :spyder2: for the economy, did we :roflblack:
OldDog
New member
Observations
Old Dog here. I can only speak as an observer and not a rider. I don't have an RT simply because its out of my reach for now. Economic and Health issues are a factor. That said, based on what I'm reading, here are some things I'm seeing as refinements in this ongoing process to build the best long distance touring machine.
Bigger engine
Greater Range
Greatly improved, multifunctional, Blue tooth capable, world class sound system
Streamlined, instrument cluster (This is subjective)
Continued suspension refinements (make Elkas standard equipment?)
New body design
Easier service access (ergonomics)
More highly adjustable handlebars and foot pedals
Continuous quality control refinement
Improved dealer setup and customer acceptance checklists to avoid costly recalls, lengthy service intervals and bad pr.
It's nice that the RT is being put in the same field of horizon chasers as the Wing and and the Beemer. These companies have had many more years to refine their product than Can Am. It will interesting to see what the RT will be like in 35 years.
Old Dog
Old Dog here. I can only speak as an observer and not a rider. I don't have an RT simply because its out of my reach for now. Economic and Health issues are a factor. That said, based on what I'm reading, here are some things I'm seeing as refinements in this ongoing process to build the best long distance touring machine.
Bigger engine
Greater Range
Greatly improved, multifunctional, Blue tooth capable, world class sound system
Streamlined, instrument cluster (This is subjective)
Continued suspension refinements (make Elkas standard equipment?)
New body design
Easier service access (ergonomics)
More highly adjustable handlebars and foot pedals
Continuous quality control refinement
Improved dealer setup and customer acceptance checklists to avoid costly recalls, lengthy service intervals and bad pr.
It's nice that the RT is being put in the same field of horizon chasers as the Wing and and the Beemer. These companies have had many more years to refine their product than Can Am. It will interesting to see what the RT will be like in 35 years.
Old Dog
- :thumbup:
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
Perhaps...I'm not so sure. The 12-second bracket is pretty hard to crack with a stock machine. I know guys that have torn their hair out trying to get a stock auto like a big block 1967 Dodge Charger into the 12s. On the other hand, I have turned 17s with a 4-stroke 125 cc twin.
What I really don't understand is the focus on performance in a test of touring machines. "Thrills" is not a word someone usually associates with touring. Then again, I don't understand how the K1600GTL has supplanted the K1200LT as a full-touring machine. It sure looks and acts more like a sport-tourer.
dancogan
New member
I agree with you Scotty ... except that a lot of power is nice when touring on a two lane, two-up, and you need to pass. But even given that, the Spyder has always done what we have needed.
The K1600GTL sure doesn't seem like a replacement for the K1200LT either. If it does end up replacing it, then BMW is giving up on the pure touring concept in favor of sport touring with much more emphasis on sport! I haven't ridden one but I've been told that the K1600 bikes are real rockets.
:agree: I had a 68 charger [440 ci] I used every trick And alot of $$ to get in the 12s and keep it there consistently.
docdoru
Doru the Destroyer-Spyder Photo Investigator
No, will not. Major changes are to be done.
