First Ride on a 1330 RT-S

[stewartj239]

For those of you who know me, I have a 2013 RT-S that I have made extensive modifications to in order to address known issues and to maximize the handling and performance. To this day, my 2013 has been flawless and is a superb ride.


Today, I was at my Can-Am dealer catching up with them as it has been quite some time since I was last there. They had a 2016 RT-S demo unit and they asked if I wanted to take it for a ride. Since I have yet to ride a Spyder with the 1330 in it, I was more than happy to go thrash it.


On paper, there is not a huge HP difference between the V-Twin and the Triple, which is why I was surprised at how much roll on power it had when cracking the throttle while coasting. The mid-range power was excellent. I was a little bewildered because I didn't think that the extra 5-10 HP would be so significant, then I realized that a big part of that extra surge is due to the extra gear that the V-Twin does not have. That 6th gear makes a huge difference as the gear ratios are closer together which allows the power to come on quicker.


So there you have it. I still love my 2013, but walked away being very impressed with the 1330. One thing worth noting is that I am not a semi-automatic lover. I must have a clutch and since it has been dropped on the 2017 RT-S, I might be moving to a 2016 sooner rather than later. We will see.

 

[WA5VHU]

My 2013 RS is much quicker and sportier than my wife's 2014 RT. Methinks you are not keeping your RPM's up high enough for the 998 engine?

 

[ARtraveler]

I am lucky enough to have one of each flavor RT in my garage. I like the 998 but love the 1330. :yes:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The only thing I liked better on the 998 vs the 1330 is the sound of the exhaust.

 

[Peter Aawen]

.....One thing worth noting is that I am not a semi-automatic lover. I must have a clutch and since it has been dropped on the 2017........

You do realise that the SE's actually DO have a clutch tho, don't you?? It's the same gearbox, & just that the SE clutch is operated by a computer so you can't damage things & the revs are always right regardless of how incompetent or otherwise the operator might be!?! :thumbup:

By the way, does your V-Twin have a Cat Eliminator instead of a catalytic converter?? Removing the converter normally makes for a significant improvement in mid-range response & roll-on acceleration.... All other things being equal, I haven't found a 1330 that responds or accelerates as well as an otherwise stock V-twin with a Cat Eliminator fitted yet, altho I've tried damned hard!! That said, I'm still looking for a 1330 with a turbo!!

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

Awhile back I posted that I thought my V Twin I used to own had better response than the 1330 I now own and a number of people thought that maybe I didn't know how to use the throttle. nojoke Glad to know that I'm not the only one that thinks that.

 

[Chupaca]

Ahhhh....

Admit it...your hooked..:roflblack: that is what test rydes are for....

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: You're already almost in the net... :thumbup:
Thanks for re-affirming our comments about the power being less about the numbers; and more an out how it beels! :clap:

 

[stewartj239]

My 2013 RS is much quicker and sportier than my wife's 2014 RT. Methinks you are not keeping your RPM's up high enough for the 998 engine?

The 2013 RS and RT may have the same engines, but are they not tuned much differently? I believe the RS is a different animal than the RT. I've raced dirt bikes my whole life and have ridden 2 wheel street since I was 20, so I know how to use a clutch and always run the RPM's high. I never lug the motor. The 1330 RT motor is much stronger in the middle than the 998 RT motor. As I said, I believe the extra gear has a lot to do with it.

 

[stewartj239]

You do realise that the SE's actually DO have a clutch tho, don't you?? It's the same gearbox, & just that the SE clutch is operated by a computer so you can't damage things & the revs are always right regardless of how incompetent or otherwise the operator might be!?!

Yes, I am aware of that. Down the road, I expect they will move it to a DCT configuration.

By the way, does your V-Twin have a Cat Eliminator instead of a catalytic converter?? Removing the converter normally makes for a significant improvement in mid-range response & roll-on acceleration.... All other things being equal, I haven't found a 1330 that responds or accelerates as well as an otherwise stock V-twin with a Cat Eliminator fitted yet, altho I've tried damned hard!! That said, I'm still looking for a 1330 with a turbo!!

Yes, my V-Twin has the cat bypass on it with a Power Commander and Auto-Tune. It runs great, but from gear to gear, the ratios are quite wide with the 5 speed. When I cracked the throttle on the 1330, it definitely has a harder pull within the same gear. I did that for each gear. In a sprint, I can't say it would be quicker, but it feels quicker. While there, I also test rode an F3, so I rode all 3 engines back to back. I rode mine there, then rode the RT-S, then the F3, then rode mine back home.

 

[stewartj239]

Thanks for re-affirming our comments about the power being less about the numbers; and more an out how it beels! :clap:

In my opinion, the numbers definitely don't tell the whole story. The HP increase is minimal, but the usability of the engine is way better. Again that extra gear changes a lot of things. I rode the 1330 on one of my regular routes and my gear selection, especially in the corners, was not the same as with my 2013. With the RPMs up, you can get in and out each gear quicker.

 

[Bob Denman]

Sooooo... Have you started checking the banking and credit card statements yet??? :roflblack:

 

[stewartj239]

Sooooo... Have you started checking the banking and credit card statements yet??? :roflblack:

I am kicking it around. With the fall just upon us, this is the time of year that my wife and I do most of our touring. We go up to the Adirondacks quite a bit to see all of the fall foliage, so right now is not a good time to change the ride. In addition, I have a ton of accessories that I would pull off the 2013 that I believe will bolt on to the 2016 chassis as I believe it is the same. Those include the Elka suspension, ISCI front brake, vented windscreen and a number of other items. I would plan to do that over the winter. Besides, my dealer does not have a 2016 SM6. I did a quick online search and there are quite a few out there, just not so much around here, but they can be had.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Stewart, You might want to check that the 2013 Elka Suspension components actually do fit & can carry the substantially heavier 2016 RT before you commit to swapping those across. I know a couple of people here in Aus who have tried to do the same but ended up being disappointed. :gaah:

 

[stewartj239]

Stewart, You might want to check that the 2013 Elka Suspension components actually do fit & can carry the substantially heavier 2016 RT before you commit to swapping those across. I know a couple of people here in Aus who have tried to do the same but ended up being disappointed. :gaah:

Yes, I have not bottomed that one out yet. I have a friend who did a similar swap and from what I remember, the front shocks came over as is, but there was a spacer or some attachment needed for the rear. At this point, I am guessing, but will definitely confirm things and report back.

 

[Bob Denman]

Well... Most of the fun is in the shopping anyway! :clap:

Until you buy it! Then; the fun factor rEaLlY gets cranked-up! :yes::yes::yes:

Happy Shopping! :thumbup:

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

power of 998cc VS 1330cc

Guys,
I have a spyder RT Limited with the 5 speed auto, and you are discussing the transmission and engine! I can't argue with any of you! But I can tell you about the many Harley's I had! The one i just traded in on my Spyder was a 1600 (1594cc) with the 6 speed transmission. My friend has a 1450cc with the 5 speed transmission! His 5 speed was faster than my six speed, his bike pull much better in the North GA Mountains than mine! I had to climb the mountains in 4th gear to stay with him in 5th gear! He got 2 to 4 miles to the gallon better gas mileage in the mountains than I did, and yes on the interstate Hwy running 70 miles per hour, he still beat me on gas mileage! My last two Harley both had 6 speed transmission, all the others had 5 speeds! I think Harley screwed up with their 6 speed! Now on Spyders I am no judge, but I think each of you have good ideas! I would like the lower RPM's and better gas mileage I think, but that my two sense! I hope you enjoy reading this and now you can argue with your Harley friends!!

 

[stewartj239]

Just to follow up with everyone, I did take the next step and start looking into trading my 2013 for the 2016. Based on the value of the 2013, the price to upgrade was just over $10K - whether I traded or sold it on my own. After riding it during the fall with my wife, we decided that the price was too steep to justify at the moment since the 2013 runs perfectly. I no doubt like the versatility of the 1330 motor better, but the plan is to keep the 2013 for at least another 2-3 years before upgrading.

Since that left some money in my pocket, I decided to purchase yet another motocross bike. I grew up riding and racing 2-stroke MX bikes and switched to a 4-stroke a few years back. I wanted to go old school and find a Honda CR125 or CR250. Honda stopped making 2-strokes in 2007, so they are getting pretty hard to find in nice shape. I found this 2003 CR250 in CA and had it shipped to NY. It has low hours and doesn't really need much work, but I will be rebuilding it and tearing down to the frame over the winter.

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

2013 trade to get a 2016 with 1330 engine

Yes, I also looked at a 2016 RT Limited with the 1330 engine. The dealer wanted $12000 to trade, and I only have about 1800 miles on mine! I can't justify $12,000 to get an extra 9-10 miles per gal. If I ride another 15,000 miles, it would save me about $400 for extra fuel on the 998cc. Would you spend $12,000 to save $400? Beside, at the Maggie Valley Rally, I couldn't see where They could pull up the mountains better than I could. In fact, higher reving engine performed very well!

Just to follow up with everyone, I did take the next step and start looking into trading my 2013 for the 2016. Based on the value of the 2013, the price to upgrade was just over $10K - whether I traded or sold it on my own. After riding it during the fall with my wife, we decided that the price was too steep to justify at the moment since the 2013 runs perfectly. I no doubt like the versatility of the 1330 motor better, but the plan is to keep the 2013 for at least another 2-3 years before upgrading.

Since that left some money in my pocket, I decided to purchase yet another motocross bike. I grew up riding and racing 2-stroke MX bikes and switched to a 4-stroke a few years back. I wanted to go old school and find a Honda CR125 or CR250. Honda stopped making 2-strokes in 2007, so they are getting pretty hard to find in nice shape. I found this 2003 CR250 in CA and had it shipped to NY. It has low hours and doesn't really need much work, but I will be rebuilding it and tearing down to the frame over the winter.


View attachment 140634

 

[Sam Mac]

Just to follow up with everyone, I did take the next step and start looking into trading my 2013 for the 2016. Based on the value of the 2013, the price to upgrade was just over $10K - whether I traded or sold it on my own. After riding it during the fall with my wife, we decided that the price was too steep to justify at the moment since the 2013 runs perfectly. I no doubt like the versatility of the 1330 motor better, but the plan is to keep the 2013 for at least another 2-3 years before upgrading.

Since that left some money in my pocket, I decided to purchase yet another motocross bike. I grew up riding and racing 2-stroke MX bikes and switched to a 4-stroke a few years back. I wanted to go old school and find a Honda CR125 or CR250. Honda stopped making 2-strokes in 2007, so they are getting pretty hard to find in nice shape. I found this 2003 CR250 in CA and had it shipped to NY. It has low hours and doesn't really need much work, but I will be rebuilding it and tearing down to the frame over the winter.

View attachment 140634

Nice looking CR. I have a couple racing friends that live in Syracuse or Tundracuse as they call it. You should have enough time over the winter to rebuild it. :thumbup: