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2012 Spyder RT-S used...now what?

S

Sscheitel

New member
Ok so I’m waiting on the delivery of a 2012 RT-S and wanted to know what updates and upgrades need to be done to the bike? I’m concerned with the major items that are a must-do but would also like to know the should-do’s as well from other 2012 owners.

Thanks
Steve
 
a dealer could give you the info for the bikes history ….. could … however if the past owner / owners did all their own maintenance …. it won't be recorded in BUDS …. if you tell us the mileage that would be very helpful ….. mike :ohyea:
 
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:agree: What he said! Then, while it's nice to hear what everyone else has done, I still reckon it's best to ride the thing yourself for a while, and see what YOU think it needs! :thumbup:

Now the basic've been covered, while my ride is a 2013 RT, some things are still pretty common across the board.... many if not most of us will look at upgrading the under-body protection with a bump-skid or similar; improving the Spyder's roll resistance & help both your cornering AND your straight line stability by fitting a better anti-sway bar (from BajaRon maybe? He's a vendor/supporter here who sells some pretty great sway bars & heaps of other cool gear ;) ); maybe even tossing the crappy Kendas that for many are at best, problematic, :rolleyes: & fitting some 'better' tires in just about all measurable aspects from the wider range of Passenger car tires in 'close to standard' sizes that are available out there; & cos it's an RT & just about everything in the way of maintenance involves removing the mirrors first, fitting a set of Magic Mirror Mounts in place of the flimsy plastic & wire OE mounts... but the list of possible upgrades & farkles only grows from there, and who knows, since it's a 2012 RT, it's likely been ridden a little already and some of this stuff or any extended list may already have been done... :dontknow: You've simply gotta get it, climb aboard, have a ride, try to relax your grip on the bars, drop your shoulders & elbows, lean into the corners a bit as you steer around them, and see what you reckon about it all! :clap: Welcome to the wonderful world of Spyder Ryding & the Miles of Smiles that it brings! :ohyea:

Over to you! Enjoy! :2thumbs:
 
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Sscheitel, looks like a nice bike in good shape. The only add on I see are a small ball mount and a heal shifter. The ball mount was probably for a phone and the heal shifter looks like it was home made and you may want to take that off if you ride two up, looks close to the passenger floorboard, but the bike looks real nice! I don't think you will need to do anything to it for while unless you decide to add something later.
 
Definitely ride it for a while before deciding on what to add/remove. I got mine about a month ago and haven't doen anything to it yet. But there's several things the PO put on that I'll be removing, and one or two things I'd like to add.
 
Just poking around looking for driver floor board options. Are the web boards no longer available?

Website appears to be inactive.

Also what options do I have for driver floor boards for the SM5 (manual) RT-S?
 
Can't suggest floor boards, but Value Accessories (a forum sponsor) has some. Used to be another, also, but don't see them any more.
Oh, and when I got my last Spyder (used) first thing I had done was an oil change. I had no info that previous owner ever did anything, so I got it done.

Enjoy! You will find your face hurting from all that smiling.
~Sandee~
 
sandeejs said:
Can't suggest floor boards, but Value Accessories (a forum sponsor) has some. Used to be another, also, but don't see them any more.
Oh, and when I got my last Spyder (used) first thing I had done was an oil change. I had no info that previous owner ever did anything, so I got it done.

Enjoy! You will find your face hurting from all that smiling.
~Sandee~
Click to expand...

I purchased these floorboard for my RT. The absolute best upgrade I've done so far to my 2012 RT.

https://www.canamspyderaccessories.com/rt-18-line-x-aluminium-floorboards/
 
Sscheitel said:
Any issues with my RT being manual transmission?
Click to expand...

Some of the a/mkt floorboards need you to fit a heel/toe gear change lever cos the left side floorboard won't leave you enough room to squeeze your boot under the pedal & lift it to change up; but that's usually an easy fix, often from the same a/mkt supplier! ;) So the only 'real' issue you're likely to find with a manual Spyder over a Semi-auto will probably be if/when you try to sell it on!! The manual Spyders tend to lose value marginally quicker & are generally a little harder to sell than the Semi-Auto's. :shocked:

But that shouldn't worry you atm, you should just get out there & enjoy the Miles of Smiles ASAP! :thumbup:
 
I ride a 2012 RTSE5. If everything is fine, then the first upgrade to me is the skid plate (if it doesn't have one). That's about protecting your investment. These things lack front end clearance, especially for people crossing over from 2 wheels. You might want to consider having every factory light bulb replaced as a preventive measure, too. Get the brakes checked and replace as recommended. Rubber, battery, and an oil change are obvious. If you put it in the shop for any of that stuff, have a Spyder Tech go through the entire electrical system and give you a report. Make sure you have the correct iPod connection pigtail if your version has the iPod compatibility. Those are the things I'd address before riding it awhile to figure out my preferences.

FYI, my 2012 RTSE5's only mechanical failures in 15,000 miles have been a battery replacement, the air bag (adj rear suspension), and a new water pump. A severe wind gust
at 65 mph snapped one of the 3 windshield pins several months ago, but that was a freak "accident" kind of thing and a $15 (parts kit) + 30 minute garage fix. In general, you won't read a lot of "problem" posts on here about 2012 RT's.
 
I have a 2012 RTL SE5 with 49,000+Has run well and been very enjoyable. I added the BajaRon sway bar after riding for a year. By then I knew I needed it. I added car tires all the way around as the OEM tires wore out. I have ridden it to Bear Tooth Pass, Chief Joseph Highway, 2 Deadwood 3 wheeler rallies, 2 Red Rocks Spyder rallies in St. George Ut, Yuma, Montrose, Co, San Diego, Ca and lots of other places. I also bought used with 8500 miles. Just ride a little and things will begin to suggest themselves. The only 2 things I did right away is the blue tooth dongle and cord from motorcycledave.com and his gel seat pad. I also got Sena headsets from him so my wife and I could communicate on the bike.
Welcome to the circus, enjoy the Spyder. Post early and post often with pictures.
 
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