2014 RTS Questions

[alwrmcusn]

Could someone provide a bit of "actual" facts to these questions?
1. What is a realistic questimate for the RTS miles per gallon (legal speeds, two up)
2. What is a realistic guestimate for the expected tire mileages, front & rear (legal speeds, two up)
3. How easy is it to do the simple maintenance such as oil/filter changes, coolant, bulb replacement etc?
4. Weather....I know I'll get wet riding in rain but does the RTS provide about the same degree of protection as my Venture's fairing?
5. I currently ride a 2009 Venture trike (Hannigan) with the easy steer option. Curvy roads such as The Dragon/Snake/DiamondBack will still give the arms & shoulders a work out. How does the RTS steering compare to a trikes steering?
Thanks.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
1. You should be in the mid-thirties or higher (I'm averaging 39.4 overall)
2.Front tires routinely will exceed 15,000 miles. The Rears currently are only going about 6,000 miles, but changes are coming!:thumbup:
3.:dontknow: I let the dealer handle those chores... I'm particularly unsuited for mechanical tasks. pps:
4. Other than kicking some weaher up onto the passenger's back; the rain protection is outstanding!
5.It's still a workout; but the steering is FAR more precise. Spyders will put ANY conventional Trike back on the trailer, when it comes to handling!

 

[alwrmcusn]

Thanks Bob
I was hoping for better rear tire mileage.
Any others have any input??

 

[Bob Denman]

Lamont reported about a week ago; they are changing back to the tire compound that was used back in 2012...
Perhaps that'll help!

 

[sddinnh]

1. I can't speak for 2 up because I don't travel that way, but I'm routinely getting 200 to 240 miles per tank

2. I got 7500 out of my rear, but there are better tires out there that you can replace it with. Besides the stock size, 215/60/15's also work very well. The fronts we ended up changing at 8000 because of cupping, but I have no idea how well they would have stood up.

3. Don't do my own maintenance because of my disability, but as bikes go, they are not terribly expensive to have the dealer service.

4. Can't comment on the Venture, but the driver protection is outstanding. I've ridden in the rain without rain pants and have gotten off the bike hardly wet at all. It does suck a fair amount of water over the back, but I think an add on rear fender extender would help that.

5. Coming off a 2 wheeler, I think it's still a fair amount of effort, but the variable power steering works well at low speeds. At higher speeds the power steering lessens to stop you from oversteering

So essentially I'm saying the same thing that Bob did

 

[StanProff]

Could someone provide a bit of "actual" facts to these questions?
1. What is a realistic questimate for the RTS miles per gallon (legal speeds, two up) Does it really matter? you can count on it being between 32 and 40 hyea:.
2. What is a realistic guestimate for the expected tire mileages, front & rear (legal speeds, two up) My Rt is older but have 25,000 so far on the front, rears average 11,000 As said, the '14 compound was changed and is going to change back to pre '14 compounds. This may help get that mileage back up to 10,000 or so.(maybe).
3. How easy is it to do the simple maintenance such as oil/filter changes, coolant, bulb replacement etc? Can't say on the '14's. Not a hard on the '10, 11 or 12's.
4. Weather....I know I'll get wet riding in rain but does the RTS provide about the same degree of protection as my Venture's fairing? Let it rain. no problem. More protection.
5. I currently ride a 2009 Venture trike (Hannigan) with the easy steer option. Curvy roads such as The Dragon/Snake/DiamondBack will still give the arms & shoulders a work out. How does the RTS steering compare to a trikes steering? being real aggressive will still give you a workout but you'll leave regular trikes in the dust.
Thanks.

See comments above.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:
1. You should be in the mid-thirties or higher (I'm averaging 39.4 overall)
2.Front tires routinely will exceed 15,000 miles. The Rears currently are only going about 6,000 miles, but changes are coming!:thumbup:
3.:dontknow: I let the dealer handle those chores... I'm particularly unsuited for mechanical tasks. pps:
4. Other than kicking some weaher up onto the passenger's back; the rain protection is outstanding!
5.It's still a workout; but the steering is FAR more precise. Spyders will put ANY conventional Trike back on the trailer, when it comes to handling!

Bob has you covered on the above.
I have had some different results with tires.

2008, 2009, 2010--front tires 20-23,000 on most sets. 15,000 on the rear tires.

2011, 13,000 on the front tires, and still going on the rear. Its looking like I will get the usual 15,000.

2014, I have 6,000 on the :ani29: currently. The tires still look new and I have adopted the optimistic outlook--as in maybe I got the revised tire formula on mine. Mfg. date 4/19/14.

Fuel Mileage--all pre 2014 998 engines 30 - 31 mpg either one or two up. 2014 ACE 1330, started at 36 mpg and now averaging 40 mpg. 6000 miles on the engine.

 

[alwrmcusn]

Thanks for the inputs from everyone. Useful information for my future use. I'm thinking there is an RTS or Limited in my future. I have a friend who is also really interested in the machines.
I assume almost no one does their own oil/filter changes? Where is the oil filter located? Do you have to strip off panels to get to it and the drain plug?

 

[MikeT]

3. they are not terribly expensive to have the dealer service.

I think that is dependant of the hourly labor rate. One dealer charges "the recommended" BRP rate of $150.00/hour. THAT'S EXPENSIVE.

 

[bluestratos]

Could someone provide a bit of "actual" facts to these questions?
1. What is a realistic questimate for the RTS miles per gallon (legal speeds, two up)
Two up or with trailer 32 mpg or close to 200 miles per tank
2. What is a realistic guestimate for the expected tire mileages, front & rear (legal speeds, two up)
Front tires are wearing well, at 7500 they are barely worn. The back tire may get a couple thousand yet but it is showing wear bars now.
3. How easy is it to do the simple maintenance such as oil/filter changes, coolant, bulb replacement etc?
Very easy, just have to remove plastic to get there in most cases. I do all my own maintenance and major repairs.
4. Weather....I know I'll get wet riding in rain but does the RTS provide about the same degree of protection as my Venture's fairing?
I light rain I never get wet below my visor, I recenty road 10 miles in a steady rain wearing my leather coat and jeans, I the tops of my jeans were damp but I was not very wet at all, I was surprised how dry I stayed. Mostly from stopping at traffic lights.
5. I currently ride a 2009 Venture trike (Hannigan) with the easy steer option. Curvy roads such as The Dragon/Snake/DiamondBack will still give the arms & shoulders a work out. How does the RTS steering compare to a trikes steering?
Thanks.

It has power, variable assist steering, it is a dream to steer.

 

[PW2013STL]

Thanks for the inputs from everyone. Useful information for my future use. I'm thinking there is an RTS or Limited in my future. I have a friend who is also really interested in the machines.
I assume almost no one does their own oil/filter changes? Where is the oil filter located? Do you have to strip off panels to get to it and the drain plug?

The oil filter is on the right side on the 2014's. You do have to remove some panels as well as the right mirror, but it is very easy to do. No panel removeal for the oil drain plugs.

 

[alwrmcusn]

Thanks again for the info. I think I have enough to put a Spyder on my top three list.