expensive oil

[easysuper]

1 1/2 years ago when my little bride took my Spyder in for an oil change, she ended up buying her own RT-L, fast forward and this weekend on our way home from our 200 mile round trip to our spyder club meeting we stopped at a local dealer to pick up a quart onf oil as her 2013 has a thirst for the stuff, long story short , she left with a 2015 RT-L with the Tri-Axis handel bars included in the deal and they swaped out her hitch, on the way home she kept saying how easy it steered compared to her 2013, I never noticed the defrince between my 13 and my 14 that I have now. Any way she's happy now and we all know that a happy wife means a happy......

 

[tip]

new ride

Congratulations!!
I like the way you shop!
Enjoy - you made a great choice,
Tip

 

[jcthorne]

Just FYI, 2013 and 2015 RT have same front suspension and handling characteristics. If the 2013 was harder to steer or maintain direction, it was in need of an alignment.

Likely your 2015 also needs one if the dealer does not do laser alignment as part of PDI. Most don't.

 

[kngfsh27]

:congrats: on your new Spyder. And you didn't have to worry about spilling any oil.

 

[ARtraveler]

:congrats: on the new :spyder2:

 

[easysuper]

Just FYI, 2013 and 2015 RT have same front suspension and handling characteristics. If the 2013 was harder to steer or maintain direction, it was in need of an alignment.

Likely your 2015 also needs one if the dealer does not do laser alignment as part of PDI. Most don't.

All our bikes have had the Lazer alignment and I have had several people tell me that the 2014s and up steer easer than the 2013.
I noticed a little change but being that my wife is much smaller and shorter arms noticed a bigger change.

 

[Chupaca]

Congratulations. ...l

Must be nice to keep "keeping up with the Jones" in house...:roflblack: just keep that in mind if you upgrade your ryde :lecturef_smilie:

 

[Bob Denman]

The oil may have been expensive, but the look on her face: Priceless! :2thumbs:

 

[MouthPiece]

As Jcthorne, said the steering and handling characteristics changed "dramatically" in 2013 and continued on up.

Chris

 

[jaherbst]

Just FYI, 2013 and 2015 RT have same front suspension and handling characteristics. If the 2013 was harder to steer or maintain direction, it was in need of an alignment.

Likely your 2015 also needs one if the dealer does not do laser alignment as part of PDI. Most don't.

The 2013 and the 2014-16 Have a completely different front end. This is why the steering is that much different. Also the steering ratio had a major change. Just for your information.

Jack

 

[jerpinoy]

This is the reason why I don't let her take my :spyder2: for oil change.:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[ottawa-rider]

Well now, she will not have to worry about checking the oil so much, the 1330 engine is good in that department.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: She'll need to fins another excuse to prowl the dealership...
"Honey... I think that my bike is a bit low on blinker fluid... Do you want me to pick up anything else for you at the dealership?" :yikes:

 

[jcthorne]

The 2013 and the 2014-16 Have a completely different front end. This is why the steering is that much different. Also the steering ratio had a major change. Just for your information.

Jack

Sorry but you are wrong for the RT. The change was between 2012 and 2013. The only real changes between 13 and 14 are maintenance free a arm joints and a slightly revised shock calibration. The full geometry and frame changed from 12 to 13.

There were lots of problems with the 2013 RTs, but suspension and handling and brakes were not among them. Much improved from the previous design. The larger brakes was the reason for the new for 2013 15" wheels.

 

[jaherbst]

Sorry but you are wrong for the RT. The change was between 2012 and 2013. The only real changes between 13 and 14 are maintenance free a arm joints and a slightly revised shock calibration. The full geometry and frame changed from 12 to 13.

There were lots of problems with the 2013 RTs, but suspension and handling and brakes were not among them. Much improved from the previous design. The larger brakes was the reason for the new for 2013 15" wheels.

No you are wrong. I have owned both. Park them side by side and you will notice a complete difference between the 2013RT and the 2014RT front end suspension system. This was my main reason for buying the 2014 when I owned the 2013 RT. Handling and steering on the 2014RT is 100% better than the 2013 RT.

Jack

 

[Bob Denman]

To deepen this mystery a little bit...

BRP shows different part numbers for the A-arms:
2014:
RH upper: 706201732
RH lower: 706201734

2013:
RH upper: 706201682
RH lower: 706201684

I don't know why... It might simply be that the new shocks required a differently configured mounting point... :dontknow:


...Or, there may be something more interesting going on! :shocked:

 

[jcthorne]

No you are wrong. I have owned both. Park them side by side and you will notice a complete difference between the 2013RT and the 2014RT front end suspension system. This was my main reason for buying the 2014 when I owned the 2013 RT. Handling and steering on the 2014RT is 100% better than the 2013 RT.

Jack

Again, sorry. We own(ed) both and work on both regularly. 2013, 14 and 15 are the same suspension. yes the Frunk lower body work is different but that has nothing to do with suspension and brakes. The 2012 and older are very different.

Others here have confirmed same. Your memory of the model year changes is a bit off. We have had both in the garage together for months at a time and even swapped many parts from the 13 to a 15 before selling the old bike. Including suspension components. They are essentially the same. There may be differences in steering assist programmed into the electronic controls but they feel very much the same on two properly aligned bikes. The slight edge actually goes to the lighter 2013 on handling.

 

[jcthorne]

To deepen this mystery a little bit...

BRP shows different part numbers for the A-arms:
2014:
RH upper: 706201732
RH lower: 706201734

2013:
RH upper: 706201682
RH lower: 706201684

I don't know why... It might simply be that the new shocks required a differently configured mounting point... :dontknow:


...Or, there may be something more interesting going on! :shocked:

Yes, as already mentioned, the 14s have different joints on the a-arms going to the maintenance free style. But the geometry is the same and many components are interchangeable. Sway bars for instance and most aftermarket shocks. None of this applies to the 2012 and older as they are completely different.

 

[Bob Denman]

Yes, as already mentioned, the 14s have different joints on the a-arms going to the maintenance free style. But the geometry is the same and many components are interchangeable. Sway bars for instance and most aftermarket shocks. None of this applies to the 2012 and older as they are completely different.

:agree:

"No you are wrong. Park them side by side and you will notice a complete difference between the 2013RT and the 2014RT front end suspension system. Handling and steering on the 2014RT is 100% better than the 2013 RT."

Jack... Did you forget to clean your glasses? :joke: