Considering 2023 or 2024 RT Sea-to-Sky - some questions to help me decide/commit??

[rational]

He meant the touch action of the screen shuts off over 10mph. The actual screen does not shut off but you have to use buttons on the left handle bar to navigate the screen. Hope this helps.

Ah that makes sense.

 

[Deanna777]

I'm not new to motorcycling but new to the Spyder. Couple of years ago I was serious about getting one and took the mandatory trike endorsement training and ready to go. However, conditions changed, and I ended up deferring. I think I'm ready now. I'm set on an RT and most likely the fully loaded Sea-to-Sky, based on my riding (enough long-distance riding to aim for comfort).

First question: I see dealers in the area (Seattle, WA area) have 2 to 3k off MSRP. Plus a 2% 3 year financing option on 2023 models. Are these ads reliable, or are they bait-and-switch? I understand why they want to unload 2023 models. I see significant savings in buying a 2023 (compared to 2024), plus a good interest rate.

Second question: I understand the big change in 2024 model is Apple CarPlay. I have that in my car and it's a definite plus. However, I am willing to get a 2023 without it if I can reliably use an iPhone GPS app and audio/BT. My research in 2021 flagged the BRP app as a red flag, but reading around now it appears it's gotten good enough to be useful for navigation and audio. Is that a fair assessment? I know it can't beat CarPlay integration but I'm trying to assess if a few thousands dollar in savings can justify the tradeoff.

Also, assuming I can stuff the iPhone and plug into a cable in the glove compartment, Would I be able to see the Nav app on screen or do I have to mount the iPhone if I need to see the screen?

Third question: From 2021 research, the following issues were on the radar - I'll look around, but I'd appreciate it if someone has answers:

1. Overall build quality;
2. Mirrors;
3. Belt tensioner (should be built in);
4. Are the transmission issues fixed?

Final question: Any recommendations (good or bad) for dealers in the Seattle area? I'm Ok with buying from couple hundred miles away, but I'd prefer local because you need them for service. The dealer reputation is for service as much as for original purchase.

Thank you in advance.

First Question; I am not sure.

Second Question; Yes, the 2024 model does have CarPlay. Yes, it is.

Third Question:

1. Overall Build quality is Good;
2. Mirrors are good;
3. ???;
4. NO.

Final Question; I cannot help you with that because I am in the Northeast.

Also, take a look at vtrider's Thread "My New Spyder - Sea to Sky", which he posted on 4/16/2023. He has pictures of his new 2024 RT "Sea to Sky" in there.

Deanna

 

[Quickdraw]

Everyone likes "comfortable seats" .... I bought 3 different Spyders, I liked all three OEM seats .... Comfortable is in the eye/butt of the beholder.... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

It indeed is. I replaced my stock seat for my '21 RT base with the comfort seat. It was ok but this past spring I replaced that with a Corbin 1 piece seat and love it.

Side note: If anyone wants to buy the original seat or the comfort seat, I'll sell them at a decent price. Otherwise I may end up donating them to the local junk yard. Or maybe I'll see if the dealer wants to buy them.

 

[rational]

I suppose the challenge with upgrading from the heated seat that comes with the RT Limited is you need the new seat to be compatible (if you care to have heated seats). Are enough options available besides the heated comfort seat from Spyder?

Related question: In the past I had my non-heated seats on a couple of bikes converted to gel seats by a local shop. Not sure if that process works with heated seats (presumably circuitry inside the seat).

 

[baxter]

check the for sale section in this forum for there are some that have lots of after market stuff and hardly driven with decent price tag.

 

[troop]

It indeed is. I replaced my stock seat for my '21 RT base with the comfort seat. It was ok but this past spring I replaced that with a Corbin 1 piece seat and love it.

Side note: If anyone wants to buy the original seat or the comfort seat, I'll sell them at a decent price. Otherwise I may end up donating them to the local junk yard. Or maybe I'll see if the dealer wants to buy them.

I only have about 900 miles on my 2022 S2S comfort seat. So far so good, but I'll use this upcoming riding season to gauge the comfort. I haven't stuck with any stock seat in many years...

 

[Bfromla]

I suppose the challenge with upgrading from the heated seat that comes with the RT Limited is you need the new seat to be compatible (if you care to have heated seats). Are enough options available besides the heated comfort seat from Spyder?

Related question: In the past I had my non-heated seats on a couple of bikes converted to gel seats by a local shop. Not sure if that process works with heated seats (presumably circuitry inside the seat).

Contact Motorcycle Dave:firstplace: https://www.ads.spyderlovers.com/ads/www/delivery/ck.php?zoneid=45

 

[mecsw500]

The earlier 2021 and 2022 Sea-to-Sky models had lots of extras for the money, luggage bags etc. This made it probably worth the extra money and I probably should have got one rather than the RT LTD I bought.

I'd check what the difference in goodies between the Sea-to-Sky 2023 and the 2024 for everything but the display and I doubt it's very much. Frankly, I don't use Apple Car-play etc, I just couple my phone to my helmets, so although the display now looks a lot nicer it wouldn't be a big deal breaker for me.

So if the $3,000 is between a '23 and '24 Sea-to-Sky that's reasonable in my book, plus 3% financing these days is a good interest rate on recreational vehicles

If the difference is between a '23 RT LTD and a '24 Sea-to-Sky that's not so good.

If I was looking at either year, I would check to see what the Sea-to-Sky gives you over the RT LTDs for each year, as I think now it is largely cosmetic, to which I would take the RT LTD. I just remember when I got mine, the difference was rather more and in terms of useful luggage goodies which I should have probably shelled out for. As for the cosmetic differences I would choose the RT LTD every time as I never much liked the Sea-to-Sky color schemes.

I've never had any transmission issues. It clunks going into first and going into reverse, but no worse than most BMW twins I've ever owned. "They all do that Sir."

 

[troop]

2022 S2S did not come with luggage.

 

[mecsw500]

Yes, mine was 2021 RT LTD and the 2021 S2S had more stuff like luggage and so forth. So I guess now you just get largely cosmetic items for the price difference? If I was looking at a 2023 or 2024 S2S I'd double check what you really get over the RT LTD and see if it is worth the extra.

 

[rational]

So if the $3,000 is between a '23 and '24 Sea-to-Sky that's reasonable in my book, plus 3% financing these days is a good interest rate on recreational vehicles

If the difference is between a '23 RT LTD and a '24 Sea-to-Sky that's not so good.

The difference in features between 2023 and 2024 (primarily the carplay feature) wasn't much to convince me to pay up the extra (and probably pay MSRP and get a loan at market rates), so it came down to 2023 RT L Red Platinum vs 2023 S2S and I went with the 2023 RT L because of the price difference and additional discount plus 2% 36-month financing. I also wasn't keen on a green and really wanted a red, which they had in stock. So that made it easy to snag a deal and the savings were convincing. Picking it up tomorrow :2thumbs: