RT-S Handling Issues
While I'm not an avid poster, I have owned an RT-S PE since early January and personally, my experiences are similar to Scotty's.
In terms of the fit and finish, my RT came out of the box with a damaged passenger grab handle. That piece has yet to have been replaced. To be fair, when the Dealer told me last week that it hasn't yet arrived, I told them that we'll get it done when my riding season ends in a few months.
Yes, I have the bad gas gauge and brakes that squeak very loudly. I've also noticed the same poor braking characteristics that Scotty clearly pointed out. On my first service, the Dealer told me that there was (at that time) no fix for the gas gauge and that they'd monitor the brakes. (Not a warm and fuzzy feeling to have brakes that squeak and feel inadequate). For whatever reason, the brakes don't feel that they can stop the Spyder RT in an efficient manner.
Now the big thing...Highway Speed Handling:
We have to remember that the RT is billed as being a touring machine. If it was billed as an "around towner" or "bar hopper" my expectations would be reasonable, but it's not...it's a highway touring machine. Or at least, that's how it's promoted. Personally, I've been very disappointed with the Spyder's poor handling at more than 55 miles per hour. Add a bit of wind to the equation and it's more work than fun attempting to keep it running in a straight line. At times, it feels downright unstable when riding at highway speeds. The handling at speed feels as if there is absolutely no margin for error and it's similar to what Scotty and what others have described.
When I first noticed the lack of handling issues, I chalked it up to rider error and adapted my two wheeled riding style for the Spyder. I eased up on the grips, but after 2,000 miles, it's not a good ride on the highway.
Also, if you're riding with friends, they will not want to ride behind the RT as it displaces so much air, that it creates a buffeting situation for those riding behind the RT. Also, one friend who was riding behind me (before the buffeting got to him) commented that the Spyder's rear end was bouncing up and down like a 1960's Cadillac. Yes, the Dealer is aware of these issues and is doing their best to solve them, but they need some input from the factory that so far, has not yielded positive results. I've tried adjusting the rear shock both by adding/removing air pressure and with the dash controller and it still bounces.
Before you ask, I've tried every known combination of front shock absorber/tire pressure settings known to man and while it may ride okay for a very short period, it quickly goes back to feeling like I'm riding a bucking bronco. Allow me to add that during the first week of ownership, when I first noticed the problems riding at highway speeds (the speed limits here are 70 mph), I attempted to change the shock's settings. One side's adapter ring was so tight, I couldn't adjust it. So, I took it to the dealer and it broke off. The tech told me I had a bad shock, but the factory felt it was just a bad ring...and that's all that was replaced. Possibly all this can be cured by new shocks, but until the factory wants to try that, I'm stuck with what they tell the Dealer.
I've had two limp home situations over a ten day period and it's yet again in the shop. In fact, this trike has been in the shop so frequently that I've gotten to know the dealer's pickup/delivery person very well. I have a lot of confidence in my Dealership and would buy from them again, but it seems that the weak point is the factory identifying an owner's problems and providing a fix.
Yes, I've contacted the Spyder Team at BRP and have gotten nowhere with them other than being told to deal with the dealer. When I attempted to point out that I've read about other similar situations on this site, I was told not to believe everything I read online...really.
Please note that I'm not a rookie to the world of motorcycling and this is my 15th motorcycle (yes, I know it has three wheels!).
I have a nice, respectable relationship with my Dealer and when they picked it up this week, I requested they not return it until it's right. If they can't make it perform as the comfortable, stable touring bike that the factory promoted, to put it on the showroom floor and sell it. Sorry, but I'm getting tired of being a guinea pig for a product that can't cruise smoothly at reasonable touring speeds.
I've attempted to be realistic in my expectations for the Spyder RT and can only hope that the Factory and the Dealer can figure out what's wrong and either repair it to operate as promoted or to provide a painless method of allowing me to remove it from my garage.
I really wanted to like the RT as I truly enjoy it around town. But I purchased the RT to take trips on and if it can't be properly repaired to be somewhat smoother and more confident at 70 mph, I'll be telling her goodbye.
And, one more point, the cruising range on this touring machine is, IMHO, inadequate. I recently took a trip that had around an 80 mile stretch with no gas stations. It was strange to have to be seeking a gas station before and after that stretch while my friends with tour bikes had to wait for me while I re-fueled.
I've attempted to be honest in my assessments of the RT-S PE, and while there is much to like about it (around town handling, easy U-Turns, smooth transmission, decent audio system, good storage, etc.), that unstable feeling at highway speeds is a deal killer for me. After all, the RT is supposed to be a touring trike and highway speed handling is part of the equation that separates a street machine from a tourer.
