krazykat
New member
Traded my 2013 RT Ltd for 2014 RT Ltd (Cognac) on Friday and here are my observations:
Overall rating: "ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC"
Details: Engine is a marvel of smoothness and power. 6 speed tranny is wonderfully smooth-shifting with barely a noticeable "click" when shifting.
Tracking is straight and true, even better than my 13 after new ball joints and alignment. Using the shift assistant, I found under light/normal acceleration, the shift points are at approx. 2700 rpm which finds you in 6th gear by the time you reach 50 mph and that works perfectly. No more need to rev up like the V-twin did. Did roll-ons at highway speeds and in 6th gear from any speed 50 mph and up, acceleration is superb (dare I say GoldWingIsh). Tried it from 45 mph and I don't recommend it. Found cruising at 75 mph taching 3800 rpm instead of a screaming 5500 rpm on my 13. Fuel economy was 30.7 mpg first tank but don't know if it was truly full at onset (was dealer fill-up). Fuel warning light came on at 157 miles. My 13 fuel warning light had come on at 123 miles on my 125 mile ride up to dealership in Clearwater, Fl. The oil check routine is quite easier than before with the stick under the seat. The overall ride and handling seems about the same as my 13 was - in other words quite good.
Now the biggie: heat is totally non-existent. However only rode in 84 degree weather today (after all it IS winter in south Florida!). A Small amount of warm air exits from both lower side vent grills and certainly no blast-furnace heat at your right foot. Reverse fans work flawlessly at low speed/stopped. The glove box now only got a little warm and the Styrofoam insulator is now gone which almost doubles size of storage compartment.
The only down-side I can think of if they did nothing to improve the teeny-weenie digital display lights and numbers the totally disappear in the sunlight. I still can't see the turn signal blinker lights in the sun.
Bonuses: (1) New Maintenance schedule, 3,000 mile first break-in inspection and 9,300 miles after that!!!
(2) Garmin Zumo now comes with life-time free map updates (as long as you sign up for them within 60 days of first use).
(3) The pesky flip-flopping turn signal switch the many of us complained about now seems to have been resolved.
(4) A big, big bonus is the promotional 4 year warranty that BRP provided (I guess it is for a limited time).
So if anyone is contemplating going to a 2014, I strongly recommend the RT series and be prepared for a totally different ryding experience.
I say kudos, double kudos and triple kudos to BRP for a job really well done!
(This was written during super-bowl commercials, so you may find some typos).
Overall rating: "ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC"
Details: Engine is a marvel of smoothness and power. 6 speed tranny is wonderfully smooth-shifting with barely a noticeable "click" when shifting.
Tracking is straight and true, even better than my 13 after new ball joints and alignment. Using the shift assistant, I found under light/normal acceleration, the shift points are at approx. 2700 rpm which finds you in 6th gear by the time you reach 50 mph and that works perfectly. No more need to rev up like the V-twin did. Did roll-ons at highway speeds and in 6th gear from any speed 50 mph and up, acceleration is superb (dare I say GoldWingIsh). Tried it from 45 mph and I don't recommend it. Found cruising at 75 mph taching 3800 rpm instead of a screaming 5500 rpm on my 13. Fuel economy was 30.7 mpg first tank but don't know if it was truly full at onset (was dealer fill-up). Fuel warning light came on at 157 miles. My 13 fuel warning light had come on at 123 miles on my 125 mile ride up to dealership in Clearwater, Fl. The oil check routine is quite easier than before with the stick under the seat. The overall ride and handling seems about the same as my 13 was - in other words quite good.
Now the biggie: heat is totally non-existent. However only rode in 84 degree weather today (after all it IS winter in south Florida!). A Small amount of warm air exits from both lower side vent grills and certainly no blast-furnace heat at your right foot. Reverse fans work flawlessly at low speed/stopped. The glove box now only got a little warm and the Styrofoam insulator is now gone which almost doubles size of storage compartment.
The only down-side I can think of if they did nothing to improve the teeny-weenie digital display lights and numbers the totally disappear in the sunlight. I still can't see the turn signal blinker lights in the sun.
Bonuses: (1) New Maintenance schedule, 3,000 mile first break-in inspection and 9,300 miles after that!!!
(2) Garmin Zumo now comes with life-time free map updates (as long as you sign up for them within 60 days of first use).
(3) The pesky flip-flopping turn signal switch the many of us complained about now seems to have been resolved.
(4) A big, big bonus is the promotional 4 year warranty that BRP provided (I guess it is for a limited time).
So if anyone is contemplating going to a 2014, I strongly recommend the RT series and be prepared for a totally different ryding experience.
I say kudos, double kudos and triple kudos to BRP for a job really well done!
(This was written during super-bowl commercials, so you may find some typos).
opcorn:
hyea:
