General Spyder info needed...

[ARtraveler]

Peter Aawen, I was listening... just mixed up? I thought I heard a few people mentioning that these engines would self detonate from time to time. Maybe I got mixed up with another.

We can do with out a huge amount of Sporty. No need to tempt her but tour-ability... definitely!

I am assuming that the "post recall" you are referring to is the internal oil passage plug "set screw"? I haven't got much into the "recalls" yet.

I didn't realize that the history of the motors not being ready. Interesting. Build the frame and they will come.

As far as transmissions go, I have not seen anything bad about the any of the transmissions. She would love an auto but I would like to see her back into a manual. It doesn't really matter though.

I will look into the new ECU and what it offers on those engines.

Thanks for the info. My learning curve on these is starting to look like a circle! hahaha

Tim

As I have followed this from top to here, it sounds like you want touring.

That will narrow it down to RT or F3.

No problem with either configuration of engine. I had four of the 998's and now two of the 1330's. See my list in the signature below. The main difference is maintenance costs. 1330's require less.

RT is best for two-up touring. F3 is a little less though a very good machine. I currently have one of each...and currently prefer the F3. We currently ride solo though.

My biggest suggestion is to try both flavors and get the one that suits you best. And...good luck on your hunt. :yes:

 

[MrMagicFingers]

Did not it mentioned yet, but the instrument panel design changed a couple years ago and went with BRP Connect. Not sure what the opinions are now regarding the newer setup, that could be worth researching.

I like the newer panel. I am not (wife hates) the plain LCD look. I am more of an analog gauge kind of guy. As far as the BRP Connect goes, having one on a machine wouldn't sway me at all one way or another. It's something that wouldn't get used unless I could connect to the ECU and alter the bikes contents and abilities.

We both have Bluetooth connections on our helmets that does everything we need.

Tim

 

[MrMagicFingers]

As I have followed this from top to here, it sounds like you want touring.

That will narrow it down to RT of F3.

No problem with either configuration of engine. I had four of the 998's and now two of the 1330's. See my list in the signature below. The main difference is maintenance costs. 1330's require less.

RT is best for two-up touring. F3 is a little less though a very good machine. I currently have one of each...and currently prefer the F3. We currently ride solo though.

My biggest suggestion is to try both flavors and get the one that suits you best. And...good luck on your hunt. :yes:

Definitely want the touring!

That's part of the catch too. This bike is *almost* exclusively for my lovely bride. I would rarely drive it (what's mine is ours and what's hers is her own) hahaha.

However, when we're out on a multi day trip, I can imagine that it might be nice at the end of the day when we go out for supper that we can take one bike and relax a bit if we're sitting in traffic. I can recall many-a-day on the road where we do our most driving the first day or two, up to 1000 or better km's and being to tired to go out for something to eat. Balancing a heavy Goldwing in traffic when your body is tired is not the funnest (or safest).

We're not the skinniest of lightest couple out there so the bike would need reasonable power. If I were to fall in love with this, I wouldn't want to have to go out, sell the Wing and buy a second one. I might... but I wouldn't want to. That would be a very hard day for me.

Tim

 

[JayBros]

My Spyder was my first three wheeler. I've also test ridden a 2016 F3 Ltd and because of the length of my long legs did not like the way the Tupperware hit the inside of my knees. With my RT-S I carry my cold/foul weather gear in R saddlebag, CPAP and its supplies in L saddlebag, tools/junk in rear trunk and can tour indefinitely with the clothing I can stash in the front trunk, a.k.a. frunk.

 

[davev1pa]

Got a 2012 RTL with 3400 miles / 10K. Only have 4100 on it in 2-3 weeks . Love it . Wanted to get in reasonably to see if I liked it. I do. Don't regret not getting a 14 or newer yet. It's super zippy and lots of fun. Still have an 08 Vision but it'll take a back seat for a while. My thought was get in cheap with the most options and try the ride out then work from there without being tied to it. As of now....I got a heck of a deal and a lot of fun.

 

[Michael211_2000]

<snipped> I have not heard good things about the 990's... I think. I have to let all this new info settle down and re-evaluate it in a few weeks. Starting to hit that information over load.

Did you hear those things from people that have owned or currently own one with a 990 V-Twin in it, though? I think not. I've had my 2012 RS with the 998 SE5 since 2013 (it had 880 miles on it used when I bought it off CraigsList from the 1st owner in Baton Rouge LA who was a Harley dude and just couldn't get into the way of the Spyder), put over 17K miles on it so far and the engine has been bullet-proof to date. It accelerates like a rocket ship, passing other vehicles is a little scary because from being behind a slow-poke car doing 45 in a 55 zone my Spyder can easily exceed 80 mph by the time I clear their front bumper! It's like "Oh Chit!" :-O

You do know they have organized drag races with the Spyder RS(S) with 998 V-Twin engines right? Check YouTube for videos of it, it's wild stuff!

I've checked my fuel mileage, and on the average I get between 34 and 36 mpg on a full tank (it's next to impossible to fill the tank up to the exact same level each fill-up, so I attribute the slight variation to that). My pickup truck only gets like 12 mpg max (It's a dually, what can you say? But it's fully paid for so, and handy for towing my boat and stuff). So I consider my Spyder to be the economy vehicle under my car port! LOL!

Now IMHO the RT Spyders probably do benefit from the increased torque of the ACE Engine package, they were a little under-powered with the 998 for their weight. If I wanted a touring Spyder for long cruising road trips pulling a trailer, that would probably be the way to go. But I stay local and like the pep and reliability of the Spyder RS with the V-twin engine it's what works for me. Just don't hate on the V-twin, there's absolutely nothing wrong with or about this engine, Tim.

Regards!

- Michael