2018 RTL versus 2014 RTL

[Big F]

Thinking of upgrading my Harley Triglide to Spyder RT. My wife rides a 2014 RT Limited and loves it. The Harley is kind of rough on my back due to suspension stiffness. I found that my 20 year old thinking and my 67 year old body can get me in trouble. Between the stiff ride on the Triglide and lifting something that the body couldn't handle anymore, I am now in the early recovery stages of T6, T8 and T9 vertebrae stress fractures and think it's time to change the ride. When I upgrade my ride we are thinking of upgrading her ride as well.

Any ideas from you people? I know I could find out the differences and likes/dislikes between the 2014 and 2018 models by doing more searching here, but at the present time an not able to sit here too long at a time.

We are stock on the current Spyder and Triglide using Sena headsets for comm. There maybe other enhancements to the 2018 capabilities but not sure what they are. The dash looks a lot better on the 2018, hopefully easier to see in different light conditions, etc. Any accessories we should consider like seat and handle bar upgrades.....

Thanks for any help and advice while I recuperate. I am not ready to give up the riding and know it will be better soon.

No back issues here. But I traded my 2014 RTL in for a 2018 RTL. everything is the same EXCEPT the dash/instrument panel which is pretty complicated for this old "non-nerd"?? don't like to have to use my phone on navigation (and haven't done it yet) but it is what it is.. Hopefully BRP will smooth out the bumps in the panel system soon as I see a lot of comments on this site about the issues.
BIG F

 

[ottawa-rider]

Is the gps function handled via your smartphone and brpconnect or is the gps built in?

Also I have a tremor that varies in intensity a bit but doesn’t prevent me from doing anything but can be annoying. Thumb joysticks can sometimes give me trouble.

The GPS is not built in.

You need a smartphone and BRPConnect. The GPS function is handled by either Google Maps or Genius Maps.

With Google Maps, you need data access at all time.

Genius Maps downloads selected maps to your device so that you do not need data access while on the road. Note that there is a one time fee to use Genius Maps thru BRPConnect.

 

[brerrabbit]

Thanks for all the advice on the Spyders and back issues. I have continued to ride the TriGlide but it is not comfortable, may need a chiropractor, due to seating angle(?) and stiff ride.

We took delivery today, delivered to us 200 miles from closest dealer, on a couple 2018 RTLs. My wife has ridden a 2014 RTL for the last 4 years and she loves the new more comfortable ride of the seat and the easier steering. The Spyder can be stopped and power steering will allow full swing of handlebars with one hand. The 2014 was a bear to turn when stopped, like doing a U-turn and having to stop and backup. She is really excited. Here are a couple of pictures while still on the dealer floor but too cloudy today to get good pictures. The experience with the dealership, Ridgeline Motorsports in Vernal UT, was great. They were very helpful and patient. They even volunteered to deliver them for nothing. It has been snowy and cold here so I took them up on it. We traded in the 2014 RTL. Now to sell the 2014 TriGlide.

This is Joan's new ride:


This is my new ride:

 

[trikermutha]

Congrats!!! Rides looks great!

 

[CopperSpyder]

:congrats: On the new bike, looks nice. I hope your back is getting better!

 

[Bob Denman]

Please throw another ":congrats:" on the pile from me! :2thumbs:

 

[bluewoo]

Nice Color!!

 

[brerrabbit]

Still no sunshine but we got a first ride. A couple more pics:

View attachment 169686 View attachment 169685

 

[Capt. Bob]

Congrats on the new trikes. That is always a very fun time. I have owned an F3s and a am now on my third Tri Glide. I have minor back issues compared to you but one thing I have always done is ride with a lightly inflated Air Hawk seat cushion to dampen the transmission of road shock from the seat to my back. The Air Hawk has helped reduce shocks to my spine very effectively. Another thing you might consider is looking at the ergonomics of your handlebars on your new 2018 RTL and maybe even have a physical therapist look at your riding position, foot placement and your back posture and make any recommendations. You could be amazed at how important posture is in terms of your spine being able to safely/comfortably absorb shocks.

 

[brerrabbit]

Congrats on the new trikes. That is always a very fun time. I have owned an F3s and a am now on my third Tri Glide. I have minor back issues compared to you but one thing I have always done is ride with a lightly inflated Air Hawk seat cushion to dampen the transmission of road shock from the seat to my back. The Air Hawk has helped reduce shocks to my spine very effectively. Another thing you might consider is looking at the ergonomics of your handlebars on your new 2018 RTL and maybe even have a physical therapist look at your riding position, foot placement and your back posture and make any recommendations. You could be amazed at how important posture is in terms of your spine being able to safely/comfortably absorb shocks.

I think the back is healed up fine as far as the broken stuff. I get back aches when doing odd tasks, like bending over cooking or leather work, but I think that is getting better as well.
I ride with an Air Hawk pad as well and have for years, relief for tired butt. We added Lamonster foot pegs to allow changes to leg angle and that helped on the ride today. Am adding back rests as well. I have thought about going to a chiropractor but physical therapy may do the trick. I'll confer with the doc to see what he thinks. Thanks for the idea, hadn't thought about that before.