Any way to modify an RTL to mimic the off-road features of the new Canyon?

[TimKW]

We love to go out on the dirt roads in the high country of Colorado. Some of the mountain passes are accessible, some are not. Don't really want to trade in the RTL for a Canyon, but was wondering if anyone out there has done any mods to allow safer travel on the dirt. Belt guard is the only thing I can think of. Don't know if it's feasible or possible to raise the clearance. Thoughts?

 

[troop]

Quite honestly, you have the wrong machine for that.

 

[BajaRon]

You could off road your Cadillac too. But it isn't going to go well. You can increase ground clearance some. Decent gravel roads may be OK. But much beyond this, you're asking for trouble.

 

[broderp]

I think the question is difficult to answer at this point since the Canyon is a new model. What parts are shared? Are critical parts needed to "convert" compatible with older models? Will new parts fit on the older frame? What modifications would be needed to make them work? If parts do fit, does riding geometry change? What would the cost be for said parts? Etc.


:cheers:

 

[ARtraveler]

Good questions all. The Canyon is a new creature to the line up. I am still waiting for BRP's call to test one. :bowdown:

My initial thoughts on the Canyon are is that it will be for "easy" off roading. If you are going to go where no tow trucks will, that could be a totally different animal.

BRP has the rugged looks down and the ads are begging you to off road to your hearts content. At this point I am waiting and watching.

 

[BajaRon]

I am surprised that BRP didn't Canyon off the Ryker platform. It already has better ground clearance and shaft drive. Both pretty important to where the Canyon is supposed to go. And the CVT is more compatible with questionable terrain as well. We'll see.

 

[Bfromla]

We love to go out on the dirt roads in the high country of Colorado. Some of the mountain passes are accessible, some are not. Don't really want to trade in the RTL for a Canyon, but was wondering if anyone out there has done any mods to allow safer travel on the dirt. Belt guard is the only thing I can think of. Don't know if it's feasible or possible to raise the clearance. Thoughts?

Enough $$$. ya sure https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?116030-Time-to-share-My-1-of-1-Spyder

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

We love to go out on the dirt roads in the high country of Colorado. Some of the mountain passes are accessible, some are not. Don't really want to trade in the RTL for a Canyon, but was wondering if anyone out there has done any mods to allow safer travel on the dirt. Belt guard is the only thing I can think of. Don't know if it's feasible or possible to raise the clearance. Thoughts?

Approx. half of my RT riding now is on dirt, & I have no problems! But going OFF-ROAD with any Spyder/Ryker is IMHO foolish... they only have ONE drive wheel! .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[TheMariner]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDuGC22anBot's

The vid shows a Ryker but the weaknesses would be much the same:

- Needs a more agressive rear tyre for better traction.
- Could do with some more ground clearance.

 

[AVBIZ]

I am surprised that BRP didn't Canyon off the Ryker platform. It already has better ground clearance and shaft drive. Both pretty important to where the Canyon is supposed to go. And the CVT is more compatible with questionable terrain as well. We'll see.

Ron what’s your assessment of the Ryker 5 years into its production run - reliability, common failure points? Thinking of getting a '23

 

[AVBIZ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDuGC22anBot's

The vid shows a Ryker but the weaknesses would be much the same:

- Needs a more agressive rear tyre for better traction.
- Could do with some more ground clearance.

Ah the video - the reason I’m looking at the Ryker again as a FS road adventurer. Surprised the after market hasn’t offered some fender risers for the front wheels.

 

[Mikey]

If you have enough money, you can change anything into an off-road machine, but I believe you're going to be lacking in something when you get it back on the street. There is no swiss army knife in this platform that I can see. You want to get that far back buy a four-wheeler.

 

[AVBIZ]

If you have enough money, you can change anything into an off-road machine, but I believe you're going to be lacking in something when you get it back on the street. There is no swiss army knife in this platform that I can see. You want to get that far back buy a four-wheeler.

The reason folks look to the Ryker/Canyon/modified RT is that they can be licensed, which is a requirement in US forest and other areas. I would look at a UTV, but that only gets me registered (not licensed/plated) for county roads in Georgia.

 

[blacklightning]

After watching the video, I gotta say that Ryker Rally impressed me. They went through places that I would not have imagined or even tried. This Ryker is really sweet. As for the Canyon, that is more money than I would want to try to spend to do some occasional off roading. But I know there are many who will.

 

[BajaRon]

Ron what’s your assessment of the Ryker 5 years into its production run - reliability, common failure points? Thinking of getting a '23

We don't see too many Rykers in the shop for repair. Mostly upgrades. Not nearly as many on the road as the Spyder. But still, they seem to be quite reliable. And our customers don't baby them either, for the most part. 'Flogged', is the word I would use. Of course, you need to match the ground clearance to the terrain, or you'll be tearing things up. You have to keep the CVT happy. A K&N air filter goes a long way in this respect. And an aggressive rear tire is a good idea.

The rear shock is too short on the early models and allows the rear tire to hit the fender. We've got an extension that resolves this problem.

Overall, I am very high on the Ryker. Though it is good to understand it's shortcomings. Every machine has them. You want to match the machines strengths with your primary purpose and its weaknesses with attributes that you are less concerned with. If a Ryker fits your needs, I think it's a great way to go.

 

[AVBIZ]

We don't see too many Rykers in the shop for repair. Mostly upgrades. Not nearly as many on the road as the Spyder. But still, they seem to be quite reliable. And our customers don't baby them either, for the most part. 'Flogged', is the word I would use. Of course you need to match the ground clearance to the terrain or you'll be tearing things up. You have to keep the CVT happy. A K&N air filter goes a long way in this respect. And an aggressive rear tire is a good idea.

The rear shock is too short on the early models and allows the rear tire to hit the fender. We've got an extension that resolves this problem.

Overall, I am very high on the Ryker. Though it is good to understand it's shortcomings. Every machine has them. You want to match the machines strengths with your primary purpose and it's weaknesses with attributes that you are less concerned with. If a Ryker fits your needs, I think it's a great way to go.

Thanks Ron; great details to consider - would love to purchase a Canyon but not wanting payments in retirement will put me on the path towards a Ryker purchase in the near future to compliment the Versys.

 

[troop]

How's this for an off-road Spyder -

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?116030-Time-to-share-My-1-of-1-Spyder

 

[BajaRon]

Thanks Ron; great details to consider - would love to purchase a Canyon but not wanting payments in retirement will put me on the path towards a Ryker purchase in the near future to compliment the Versys.

It will actually help traction to hang a set of bags off the rear and will give you some sorely needed storage capacity. You should be able to wear fire roads out if you do it right. I wish you luck!

 

[Br549rick]

25 parts fiche not available yet. looking to retrofit belt guard.....

 

[AVBIZ]

It will actually help traction to hang a set of bags off the rear and will give you some sorely needed storage capacity. You should be able to wear fire roads out if you do it right. I wish you luck!

Thanks - it looks like the 2025’s have some new XPS tire for the Rally and Canyon. It will be interesting to see if those give greater traction than the previous version.