After some True Can-Am insight - will I be making a huge mistake buying the RTL or F3?

[Bubby-D]

I went and test drove the 2020 RTL that I had mentioned and found a monkey wrench in the process. The bike does not auto downshift. I was cruising at 55 mph in 6th and when I started to brake, I noticed the bike was still in 6th but I was at 40 mph. I hit the brake again, got to 30, and the bike finally started to downshift. I turned around and started back to the shop. I go up to 60 mph, in 6th, hit the brake, and dropped it down to 45, and it was still in 6th. I had to resort to manually downshifting. I've been reading where this is a common problem with the RTL and that some of the solutions are to check the oil level and/or old oil, check battery connections, to a faulty left-hand control module, bad reverse actuator, or bad ECM. Not sure if I want to continue with this buy.

 

[Dusterdude]

If you can afford the RTL, buy it!

 

[Rdrnr]

It will downshift @ 2000rpm approximately

 

[blacklightning]

I went and test drove the 2020 RTL that I had mentioned and found a monkey wrench in the process. The bike does not auto downshift. I was cruising at 55 mph in 6th and when I started to brake, I noticed the bike was still in 6th but I was at 40 mph. I hit the brake again, got to 30, and the bike finally started to downshift. I turned around and started back to the shop. I go up to 60 mph, in 6th, hit the brake, and dropped it down to 45, and it was still in 6th. I had to resort to manually downshifting. I've been reading where this is a common problem with the RTL and that some of the solutions are to check the oil level and/or old oil, check battery connections, to a faulty left-hand control module, bad reverse actuator, or bad ECM. Not sure if I want to continue with this buy.

Dropping speed down to 45 will not result in it downshifting from 6th. With it downshifting at 30, that actually sounds about right. I am not certain, but I have been to 45 and in 6th gear many times. This does not sound like a problem. Test ride another and see if you get the same or similar results.

 

[weeneil]

Ok so a quick update. I am going tomorrow (9/26) to look at and test ride a 2020 RTL Chalk Metallic - Dark Edition
with 7,294 miles and list for $19,084 out the door with tax, title, etc. Hope if all goes well, it'll be coming home with me. Once again thank you everyone for you much valued and appreciated comments, insights, and guidance. Will let yinz know when I get home how it went.

A year ago we went to try out the trikes. The F3S was deemed "a hooligan bike" by my wife; after that, we tested the RT, and they are totally different. We bought the RT and like it so much we have sold our 2 wheeler 2 weeks ago because we only used it for 60 miles in the past year! Whatever you end up with, I hope you enjoy the transition as much as we do, happy spydering.

 

[Bubby-D]

One last update. I pulled the trigger and I'll be picking up the 2020 RTL this coming week. It has some add-ons that I didn't see when I first saw the bike pix. Top box luggage rack, 2 water bottle holder (not going to be able to get anything bigger in them than 12oz plastic water bottles), rear passenger armrests, a Akrapovič Sport Touring 3C silencer muffler, and front auxiliary light. The only thing that I'm baffled about, is that the previous owner had a Garmin Zumo GPS, and when they traded it in, they left the mount for the unit, and it's still attached and wired in. Any who, here's to getting my knees in the breeze.

 

[racoon]

Interesting that they left the Garmin mount, since the 2020's didn't come with a GPS from CAN-AM.
The 2018's did have a Garmin GPS option from CAN-AM.

I will say that when I first got my 2024 Spyder I "hardwired" a Garmin GPS mount to the accessory power port. That required removing several of the plastic panels to route the wires to the user accessory power port near the right front tire.

 

[Bubby-D]

They did leave the mount, and it's hardwired to the bike. Not sure why, and the dealer said the former owner took the head unit with them.

 

[old Timer]

Nice looking Spyder.

 

[Knizar]

They did leave the mount, and it's hardwired to the bike. Not sure why, and the dealer said the former owner took the head unit with them.

View attachment 251774

Buddy, I believe you have a seat up-grade also. I have a 2020 RTL, and that isn't the OEM seat that I have.

 

[Bubby-D]

Buddy, I believe you have a seat up-grade also. I have a 2020 RTL, and that isn't the OEM seat that I have.

I believe you're right. I didn't even notice. I'll investigate this further. Thank you for pointing that out.