TLDR: ST-S or RT-S, long distance tourer, which to go?
Now after demoing a 2012 RT, 2009 (I believe) RS, and a ST (shhh shh) I was hoping my mind would be closer to decided. Unfortunately it seems to be the opposite.
First of all let me state what I feel at this point as a newbie to the Spyder scene.
1. My initial guess that I would enjoy the Spyder is accurate.
2. My initial feeling that I would feel more relaxed/comfortable overall is accurate.
3. My initial guess that I would enjoy manual over semi-automatic is accurate. Semi shifts really smooth and fast, however I just feel it takes so much of the experience away (clearly everyone will have their own opinion on this).
4. My initial guess that all Spyders would ride fairly similarly, this I found to be in my opinion incredibly inaccurate. The RS especially with the manual shifting was extremely sporty, even more than I could have imagined. It being an older trade in, and not a 2013, it really dipped into the corners which while fun started to tire me out even on the short demo stretch when we took it on slow twisty roads.
I guess that's most of what I thought about it going into it. I've rode motorcycles for 5 years now. I started out on a 650R ninja, and just earlier this year made a big jump to a Victory Cross Country Tour(XCT). I am finding the XCT to be fine for solo riding, however after taking it on a week long 1500+ mile trip 2up I just don't think it is for me unfortunately. I will admit I packed it up quite a bit for the trip, but it like the RT Spyder claims a storage of 41 gallons(I still don't know how the RT has that much). The weight of the passenger and gear wore on me pretty quickly. It was a breeze cruising on the highways, but stopping felt like a chore. I unfortunately while am 5'10", have only a 30 inch inseam. I can flat foot it, but I'm not sure if it is the weight of it, or not being used to a cruiser, just seems a bit unnerving to me. Well unfortunately the construction zones in the province of Quebec don't seem to have the same standards that I am used to in the states. On what I consider on a main road, I believe it was route 132 from Rimouski to Campbellton there were 2 particularly bad construction zones, the first one had what I would guess to be 18 inches of loose gravel. Long story short the bike went down and suffered cosmetic damage when riding through.
My goal with the purchase of the XCT was to have a long distance two up touring machine to be able to take multiweek vacations across the country. Unfortunately it seems for me the beast seems a bit unwieldy under load of gear and a passenger.
Whether for better or worse I started to look at a Spyder as a possible solution.
I'll see what comments I get before I make this post too long, but what I am looking for is a fun bike commuting to work, and on daytrips (up to 300 mile days) as well as a long distance machine(as well as be able to do easy weekend camping). I am now starting to see the reason to have multiple bikes in the garage. However if possible I am still going to try to do it with one.
I am convinced I want manual regardless if I get the ST or RT, as I don't drive in traffic much which I could see as a huge benefit to the semi automatic, and I am 100% convinced I would find it more enjoyable.
After experiencing the beast that is the XCT, is it a bad idea to try to get an ST, add the removable saddlebags, add perhaps a 55 liter givi trunk (I had a 46 liter on my 650R), and have a goal of trailering a camping trailer as well? I would use the trunk for helmet storage. My XL Nolan does not fit in the RT saddlebags and seems like a squeeze in the frunk. Or should I go for the RT for the comfort factor of myself and my passenger?
TLDR: ST-S or RT-S, long distance tourer, which to go?
From the demo I went to I heard the demo guy state that the RT can't keep up in the twisties with the RS, but the new ST can. Opinions?
Thank you!
Now after demoing a 2012 RT, 2009 (I believe) RS, and a ST (shhh shh) I was hoping my mind would be closer to decided. Unfortunately it seems to be the opposite.
First of all let me state what I feel at this point as a newbie to the Spyder scene.
1. My initial guess that I would enjoy the Spyder is accurate.
2. My initial feeling that I would feel more relaxed/comfortable overall is accurate.
3. My initial guess that I would enjoy manual over semi-automatic is accurate. Semi shifts really smooth and fast, however I just feel it takes so much of the experience away (clearly everyone will have their own opinion on this).
4. My initial guess that all Spyders would ride fairly similarly, this I found to be in my opinion incredibly inaccurate. The RS especially with the manual shifting was extremely sporty, even more than I could have imagined. It being an older trade in, and not a 2013, it really dipped into the corners which while fun started to tire me out even on the short demo stretch when we took it on slow twisty roads.
I guess that's most of what I thought about it going into it. I've rode motorcycles for 5 years now. I started out on a 650R ninja, and just earlier this year made a big jump to a Victory Cross Country Tour(XCT). I am finding the XCT to be fine for solo riding, however after taking it on a week long 1500+ mile trip 2up I just don't think it is for me unfortunately. I will admit I packed it up quite a bit for the trip, but it like the RT Spyder claims a storage of 41 gallons(I still don't know how the RT has that much). The weight of the passenger and gear wore on me pretty quickly. It was a breeze cruising on the highways, but stopping felt like a chore. I unfortunately while am 5'10", have only a 30 inch inseam. I can flat foot it, but I'm not sure if it is the weight of it, or not being used to a cruiser, just seems a bit unnerving to me. Well unfortunately the construction zones in the province of Quebec don't seem to have the same standards that I am used to in the states. On what I consider on a main road, I believe it was route 132 from Rimouski to Campbellton there were 2 particularly bad construction zones, the first one had what I would guess to be 18 inches of loose gravel. Long story short the bike went down and suffered cosmetic damage when riding through.
My goal with the purchase of the XCT was to have a long distance two up touring machine to be able to take multiweek vacations across the country. Unfortunately it seems for me the beast seems a bit unwieldy under load of gear and a passenger.
Whether for better or worse I started to look at a Spyder as a possible solution.
I'll see what comments I get before I make this post too long, but what I am looking for is a fun bike commuting to work, and on daytrips (up to 300 mile days) as well as a long distance machine(as well as be able to do easy weekend camping). I am now starting to see the reason to have multiple bikes in the garage. However if possible I am still going to try to do it with one.
I am convinced I want manual regardless if I get the ST or RT, as I don't drive in traffic much which I could see as a huge benefit to the semi automatic, and I am 100% convinced I would find it more enjoyable.
After experiencing the beast that is the XCT, is it a bad idea to try to get an ST, add the removable saddlebags, add perhaps a 55 liter givi trunk (I had a 46 liter on my 650R), and have a goal of trailering a camping trailer as well? I would use the trunk for helmet storage. My XL Nolan does not fit in the RT saddlebags and seems like a squeeze in the frunk. Or should I go for the RT for the comfort factor of myself and my passenger?
TLDR: ST-S or RT-S, long distance tourer, which to go?
From the demo I went to I heard the demo guy state that the RT can't keep up in the twisties with the RS, but the new ST can. Opinions?
Thank you!
hyea:
Ha ha, I was extremely lucky. From the short ride all I can say is it seems to not wear me out like the RS did, it did feel truly in the middle in terms of the weight. Other than that I need to ride it longer. However after riding it I will say it is making my decision tough. I was leaning before more towards the RT, but after riding the RS, then the ST. I no longer know. 
