2011 RTS Impressions

[Marker]

:congrats: on your new Rouge Rocket and great review.:2thumbs:

 

[Mr. White]

Good update, thanks, Scotty. As I ride eight or so months in very warm weather, the air flow is important to me.

 

[bruiser]

Nice Scotty, I looked at the red :spyder2: that my dealer has on his lot. YEP, sure is pretty. On my last phone survey with BRP, fit and finish was one of the things I mentioned as poor. I like oranges but not the peel. I still need to get my gas gauge replaced, maybe next service.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:congrats: on getting your beautiful new RT Scotty. I know it is not perfect, but it sounds like you will be much happier with it than you were with the 2010 you had. :thumbup:

 

[Phil]

Scotty-

You continue your reign as a wealth of great info presented in a fair and balanced way. My bride saw a red Spyder the other day and said- 'ooooo, I want that'. Insert huge sigh here.

 

[Mr. White]

Scotty-

You continue your reign as a wealth of great info presented in a fair and balanced way. My bride saw a red Spyder the other day and said- 'ooooo, I want that'. Insert huge sigh here.

Phil, I hope you have time to come to the Texas Trike Reunion. Over 65 trikes signed up so far. If I can help, email me.

 

[NancysToy]

3/19/2011 Update

The sun is still shining, it is still reasonably warm, and I am still trying to add a few break-in miles.

Rock Star Status:
When Nancy got her PE Spyder in 2008, people would chase us down to take a look, stop us in parking lots, and take pictures from their cars. With my black RTS, it was far less common. I figured people were either used to seeing Spyders around, or that the RT was so conventional looking that it didn't attract the attention the GS did. I was wrong! With the Rouge Rocket, I am a rock star again! I'm gonna have to add 20 minutes to each fuel stop, once more. :roflblack:

Front Suspension:
The difference between the front suspensions for 2010 and 2011 still amazes me! It is hard to believe that a mere shock absorber change, with the same spring rate, could make such a difference. The BRP engineers really did a good job correcting the body roll problem, without sacrificing ride comfort. I have had a chance to hit some curves hard, and was not the least bit disappointed...even with the springs set on #3. If you want to improve your 2010 RT, and can't justify the aftermarket shock/springs, you might try the 2011 shock. Get the new adjusting rings and the ring protectors, too. :clap:

Paint:
We had a chance to compare my Viper Red to a panel from a Roadster Red RS. Firefly didn't have an opportunity to run a spectral analysis, but the Viper Red is a bit brighter, with a bit more orange. Definitely a different shade of red. It sure is beautiful...and does it ever get noticed. :thumbup:

 

[TicketBait]

Congratulations on your new ride Scotty!

That is one nice Avatar photo you have displayed, I too would have picked Viper Red if it was available in 2010.:cheers:

Thanks for your informative review:thumbup:

Many happy miles to you.

Inquiring minds want to know what your first 3 mods are gonna be?

 

[NancysToy]

Congratulations on your new ride Scotty!

That is one nice Avatar photo you have displayed, I too would have picked Viper Red if it was available in 2010.:cheers:

Thanks for your informative review:thumbup:

Many happy miles to you.

Inquiring minds want to know what your first 3 mods are gonna be?

ESI Mudflap Lights
Powerlet outlet(s)
ESI High Tail Light (HTL)

also:
Eastern Beaver 3-fuse fuseblock
Starcom1 comm system
BRP trailer hitch & wiring harness
front-mounted audio cable (for GPS)
RAM mount (for GPS)
Heated gear harness?

already transferred:
Seat raincover
Fleece windshield protector (for use with travel cover)
BRP Travel Cover

considering:
ESI Bright Sides

 

[Cal777]

Picked up the new, Viper Red 2011 RTS today. I only managed to work in the 30 mile ride home, in the warmth (for Michigan in March) and the sunshine. It was my first ride for 2011...and it was glorious!



Scotty
Do You give the credit for the better air movement to the new smaller windshield? I have a 2010 RT and purchased a large windshield for cold weather riding, and plan to cut my old one down. I think I read that you cut yours on your old RT down to the same size as the 2011's. If so, did this improve the head buffeting and backlash? If not, what else did they do to improve this problem?
Thank You
Rudy

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty
Do You give the credit for the better air movement to the new smaller windshield? I have a 2010 RT and purchased a large windshield for cold weather riding, and plan to cut my old one down. I think I read that you cut yours on your old RT down to the same size as the 2011's. If so, did this improve the head buffeting and backlash? If not, what else did they do to improve this problem?
Thank You
Rudy

I didn't cut my old one down, just comparing my new 2011 to my old 2010 machine. I do think that there is less head buffeting, although the wind is hitting the helmet harder with the shield all the way down. Either the turbulent area has moved lower, or the lessened backlash has helped. Keep in mind that a rider's height and torso height, as well as the choice of helmet, will affect this greatly, so what works for me may not work for you. You may want to try to arrange a 2011 demo ride.

I feel the backlash has been lessened. My back is still cool, but nothing like before. At least part of that is in the new lower wind deflectors, IMO. They are angled back more, and reshaped slightly.

 

[dancogan]

ESI Mudflap Lights
Powerlet outlet(s)
ESI High Tail Light (HTL)

also:
Eastern Beaver 3-fuse fuseblock
Starcom1 comm system
BRP trailer hitch & wiring harness
front-mounted audio cable (for GPS)
RAM mount (for GPS)
Heated gear harness?

already transferred:
Seat raincover
Fleece windshield protector (for use with travel cover)
BRP Travel Cover

considering:
ESI Bright Sides

Scotty,

First, :congrats: on the Rouge Rocket. Secondly, I really like your list of accessories. What kind of seat raincover do you have or are you getting? It sounds like something would would be very worthwhile.

Secondly, is there a reason you won't be running the GPS through the Starcom? That's what I do and it seems to work well, although my pillion doesn't hear the GPS.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty,

First, :congrats: on the Rouge Rocket. Secondly, I really like your list of accessories. What kind of seat raincover do you have or are you getting? It sounds like something would would be very worthwhile.

Secondly, is there a reason you won't be running the GPS through the Starcom? That's what I do and it seems to work well, although my pillion doesn't hear the GPS.

Thanks for your thoughts.

We made our own rain covers, after we could find nothing available commercially. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22035

My intent with the audio cable is to run it to the Starcom1. It could be run to the speakers, however. I like the fact that just the rider hears the GPS. I had to replace my old XOG with a Garmin Nuvi, however, and that particular Garmin has no audio output. I'll have to bite the bullet and get a Zumo, with a lot of features I don't use, to get my audio back.

 

[NancysToy]

4/8/2011 Update

Well, we finally got a little weather warm enough and dry enough to enjoy riding a bit more, here in Michigan. I got a few hundred more miles on the 2011 RTS this week, and I have a few more observations.

Windshield/Deflectors:
I finally reached freeway speeds. Still lots less wind backlash, and reduced head buffeting, even with the lower windshield. I can feel air on my arms now, which I couldn't with the 2010. It requires a bit more clothing in the cold, but it will be welcome in the heat. I couldn't get any air through my sleeve vents or my mesh jacket, with the larger windshield.

Much less wind influence, dancing, and darting close behind semis on the highway. I think this is partly due to the revised windshield, and partly to the new front suspension.

After only a few fills, my gas mileage is noticeably better. This could be just a difference between the two particular machines, or it could be the improved mileage BRP expected with the revised windshield/deflectors. Either way, it is welcome.

DPS:
As I said before, this is my first exposure to the new DPS. I was finally able to do quite a few miles on familiar, twisty roads. I am still getting used to the difference, but overall I like the new box. The Spyder no longer has to be manhandled through the long sweepers, and is very predictable in the turns. It starts into a turn a bit easier, which I am not used to, but it no longer dives in after the apex. Part of this may be the new shocks, but a lot is the steering. It goes where it is pointed.

Heated Grips:
BRP said nothing about changing the heated grips, but it appears that they did. I have already reported that the rear grips are warmer...and lighted to show which step is turned on. I am pleased to report that the front grips no longer roast you alive! On the 2010, the grips were so hot that I had to cycle them on and off, even on "Low" with heavy gloves. "High" was unbearable! On the 2011, I rode for an hour at 40 degrees, with medium weight gloves, with no such problem. I even survived with a crack in the palm of one glove, without turning the heat off. On "High", the teperature is just strong, but pleasant. It works great with heavy gloves. Very similar to the heated grips on my BMW now, which is the gold standard, IMO. Once again, it appears that BRP has listened and responded.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:2thumbs:

Very glad to hear this one is doing so much better for you than your 2010 did.

 

[NancysToy]

Great reporting Scotty.

My only problem is that with every improvement you note my gottahaveone nerve gets more agitated.

What I really need from you is one big colossal reason/justification that I can take to Management. When she saw the Red RTS at the dealer it was almost enough but I need a real killer.

Boy, I wish I could help you out, but the Viper Red did the trick with my boss. :roflblack:

Now I want a matching trailer, but my justification seems a little weaker on that one. :dontknow:

 

[frank3]

Great report Scotty. Confirms what I thought also. I had already installed the 2011 shocks, windshield ans air deflectors on my 2010 RT about 2 months ago. Noticable improvement. Ride often and safe.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Thanks for the Updates Scotty

:2thumbs:Great to hear the comparisons:2thumbs:

 

[Spyder Cat]

Comic Relief

Oh that's disappointing ...

....

....


So then ....
I can quote you as saying the 2011 gets 144mpg, when the tank is filled with 87 octane the exhaust smells of lilacs on a warm summer's night and the seat makes everyone appear 15 lbs lighter & 15 years younger?

Where but at Spyderlovers.com can a
person rely on such great comic relief?!
:roflblack::clap::roflblack:

:firstplace: You guys are :firstplace:

 

[BikerDoc]

:congrats: on new ride Scotty, and thanks for the information.. think I may wait for 2012 to see if they tweak things a little more before I replace my 2010 RTS which is running and performing surprising well.