Debating

[todthebod]

Not sure which Spyder to purchase, RT or RS? Any thoughts? Going to be doing some short trips and long trips?

 

[acinpcola]

I debated this some thing before I purchased my RT. It came down to the fact that with my goldwing it was great for the short and long trips with the storage space, so I went with the 2011 Spyder RT S SE 5, of course it had to be Viper Red:spyder2:. I have had it going on oh 3 weeks I believe it is - had the 600 mile service completed - and am getting used to the way this machine handles. Over all the RT S SE 5 gets a :2thumbs: from me.

Good luck with your decision. Ride Safe
AC:doorag:

 

[sledhead]

I went with the RS simple because of cost. (Turns out I got a screaming deal on a used one with 300 miles on it:thumbup It was my first bike so I didn't want to drop a lot of coin only to decide I didn't like it. Turns out I LOVE it!!! Never expected to be this excited about owning this thing. I put on 6000 miles last year and cried when the snow came. Anyway you can mod an RS up pretty nicely to come close to an RT and not spend as much $$ as a new RT. Sure the ride is different but I like the option of having more of a sport bike now and then. Just my 2 cents.
Bottom line is you will have a BLAST either way!!!
Good luck!:2thumbs:

 

[Slybird]

:welcome: Over the years, I've owned three Goldwings and an Ultra Classic (which I traded in for my 2010 Timeless Black RT-S SE5 last August). In the eight and a half months I had the RT-S, I've put on 11,000 totally trouble-free miles. When I stop for gas, go to the store, or whenever I stop when I'm on the :spyder2: more often than not one of the first things people will ask is "How do you like it?" My simple, but heartfelt truthful, answer is "I LOVE IT!!!" :2thumbs: My advise would be to take a test ryde on both the RS and the RT, then decide: Do I want a sport-ryde or a touring machine. If you decide on the touring machine, go with the RT. I agree that you can MOD the RS up to be a touring machine, of sorts, but also look at the seating position. "Ninja vs Wing" seating. But test drive them both and have fun!!

 

[BikerDoc]

try one of each RS for reasonable cost and sportster thrill,, RT for long range touring and comfort.... seriously it depends on your budget, what "some" short range and "some" long range really means.. You need more specific data and information to make a decision yourself or for us to truly help.. Of course test riding both of them might just cause you to fall in love with one or the other and that would be that. I love my RT and I can ride leaning forward for hours so the RS was out for me

 

[NancysToy]

This is not a decision someone else can advise you on. It is a purely personal choice, that only you can make. Each has its own strong points and drawbacks...and each individual views those traits differently. Ride both, or at least sit on them a good long time if you don't have an endorsement. Do it more than once if you can. Do a little research, including searching your soul for what will make it happy. Ask some questions, too. We can tell you the differences between the machines, and we can tell you what we like, but we can't tell you what you will like.

 

[Baphomet]

If I bought another Spyder exclusively for myself it would be an RT for the comfort. I already have a two-wheeler for the thrills (chopped Sportster). Right now I have an RS and the reason is because my wife is the primary rider and because of physical limitations she could not mount the RT without a great deal of difficulty, but she hopped right on the RS.

Now my personal taste would dictate that the RS is a better looking Spyder, but at 54 years old comfort trumps looks in a lot of things, if you know what I mean.

 

[StriperKing]

I just want both. I have an RT but find times I wish I had an RS and times I am glad I have the RT. Someday :shocked:

 

[Spyder Couple]

We bought the Rt-s for the my wifes comfort as she has the health issues. She loves the comfort. It doesn't seem like it would be hard on her back with the nice back rest. She didn't have any problems getting on or off. My daughter is talking if she got one it would be the RS as she likes the sport bikes.

Test ride all you can before you decide. Sit on each one several times.

Let us know what you decide

 

[Blue Star]

I went with the RS simple because of cost. (Turns out I got a screaming deal on a used one with 300 miles on it:thumbup It was my first bike so I didn't want to drop a lot of coin only to decide I didn't like it. Turns out I LOVE it!!! Never expected to be this excited about owning this thing. I put on 6000 miles last year and cried when the snow came. Anyway you can mod an RS up pretty nicely to come close to an RT and not spend as much $$ as a new RT. Sure the ride is different but I like the option of having more of a sport bike now and then. Just my 2 cents.
Bottom line is you will have a BLAST either way!!!
Good luck!:2thumbs:

Cost is what moved me to the RS, but if I could afford it I would get the RT.

 

[JohnS_Rosamond]

I could have gotten an RS but bought an RT. When I sat on the two, the RS seat seemed to have a slight crown to it (like a horse saddle) whereas the RT seat was flat and had a little lip at the rear for some lumbar support. The other thing was the larger wind deflector/windscreen area of the RT. I rode a Harley with no windscreen and once I got my second Harley with a large wind screen I didn't ever regret it. I was able to get my RT slightly above cost and couldn't pass that up. Last thing was that Fred Rau stated he felt that the RT could better handle the desert heat than the RS. Never had an RS but the RT does fine in the desert heat.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I was fortunate in that I was able to borrow a RS before I made a purchase. After riding it for a short time I knew I would be more comfortable on the RT as the riding position of the RS bothered my knees. I am very happy with my decision.

 

[Bob Denman]

This is not a decision someone else can advise you on. It is a purely personal choice, that only you can make.QUOTE]
:agree: "Each to his own notion.", said the old woman as she kissed the cow...

Besides; more than half of the fun is in the shopping! :2thumbs:

 

[Y Rider]

This is not a decision someone else can advise you on. It is a purely personal choice, that only you can make. Each has its own strong points and drawbacks...and each individual views those traits differently. Ride both, or at least sit on them a good long time if you don't have an endorsement. Do it more than once if you can. Do a little research, including searching your soul for what will make it happy. Ask some questions, too. We can tell you the differences between the machines, and we can tell you what we like, but we can't tell you what you will like.

:agree: Couldn't state it any better.

 

[effgjamis]

I have ridden the RS many thousands of miles and the RT 17,000+ miles.
They do not ride the same and it would be a matter of personal preference.

Like sporty, then RS, want tourning then RT

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: All good advice above. Test Drive, Test Drive, Test Drive. Find the model that suits your needs and desire. Bottom line: RS = Sporty: RTS = Luxury Touring--Given no add-ons.

 

[boomboom1]

I bought an RS mainly because of the price difference and at the time I really did not know what the difference in the two machines was. I have found the RS to be a bit uncomfortable due to the handle bar position and the location of the foot pegs. I dont like having my knees bent backward for a long time. I am considering having footpegs or a floorboard installed along with handle bar risers. In any event, I still love the RS. But if money was no object and I was doing this over, I would get the RT.