Have I been honest in my RT reviews?

[Brevet05]

Thanks for all who've had input into this thread. I'm likely to switch over to the RT vs. my 2008 SM5, so I was very concerned with some the characteristics that you've all brought to light about the RT. For me, it comes down to something that Lamont wrote several months ago about his riding alone because his wife doesn't share his passion for riding. That has also been my experience, and despite my initial concerns, have logged just under 9000 miles on the Army Spyder, nearly all of it by myself. However, my wife got interested with the riding I was doing to find the items in Irish's scavenger hunt, and has gone from 'absolutely not' to 'just on post' to 'just not on the highway' to 'just don't kill us.'
So, while the sportier SE5 far better suits my temperment and self-image, I'm looking to give it up to entice her to ride more often and longer with the more posh ride aboard the RT-S. My dream is to ride out to Big Bend with her before we move north to Ohio this summer, and if having a more relaxed ride behind a barn door windshield is the price, then I'll pay it. :shemademe_smilie:

The good news is that I already have an interested buyer for the Army Spyder, so if we can come to an agreement on the value of my mods, then it's off to STS to move into the touring realm. Maybe when my kids finish college I'll get a second Spyder...

 

[MouthPiece]

As I said in a recent and similar thread, I am very pleased with my spyder RTS. Admittedly there are some quirks, but for the most part I've learned to ride this machine with pleasure. I guess the most important part of the equation is my wife. She loves it and has said how secure she feels on it. Since I'm getting older and my need for speed isn't what it was like years ago, I opted more for the comfort than the speed. Hence, I went for the RTS. I'm not sure the "little lady" would have let me get the other anyways.

Bottom line is that most everything that Lamont has reported has held up to be accurate. I also thank him for his reporting. Sometimes this type of setting, i.e., typing on a forum, does not convey the true meaning intended.

Chris Ray, Sanford, Flarda, and a very happy spyder owner.

 

[Jester]

As I said in a recent and similar thread,... Since I'm getting older and my need for speed isn't what it was like years ago, I opted more for the comfort than the speed. Hence, I went for the RTS. .....................
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Chris Ray, Sanford, Flarda, and a very happy spyder owner.

I found the RTS has plenty enough of the "need for speed fix" to keep me going and comfort factor is king!

 

[lawrenc454]

RT5 have too much too lose to be biased

i think they have been fair and honest. Their reputations are worth more to them then our perception of what might have gotten from BRP. They spent their own time and money to help BRP and us to get better Spyders.

The RT has some bugs as will every new production model. There are also variations that occur in building them, and there are lemons occassionally. But there are also bikes and people that aren't made for each other. Our last bike was a beautiful Harley CVO ultra Tour Glide which after 500 miles i knew was the wrong bike for us,

We have over 1000 miles on the RT and dislike a couple of things and will get them fixed in one way or another.

I also know that my riding style is not as agressive as many riders and not as conservative as some riders. As a result I may or may not see issues others see.

I feel bad for those having problems but that is a part of the price we pay for early production bikes.

Let's be constructive and give the info to BRP and give them a chance to see what they can do,

I would suggest we build a list of those things that we feel that BRP SHOULD/COULD CONSIDER. Here are some suggested categories:

SAFETY -true safety concerns , i.e., for me the Spyder going into Limp Home mode at freeway speeds unexpectedly occassionally is a concern and would affect some riders worse than others.

MECHANICAL- things that work okay for most but could be better and more uniform, i.e. gas gauge sending unit is not a safety issue and most m/c gauges don't do much better but it could be a lot better.
- trailer carpeting attachment is poor, mabe a kit of cleaner and different velcro could be supplied

ELECTRICAL - things that work okay for most but could be better and more uniform, i.e. placement of the outlet for the IPOD in the trunk -- if you add the shelf and bag and when i pushed the BRP trunk bag in it not not only disconnected the IPOD line but knocked the outlet cap and lock ring off and the oulet fell back into the speaker enclosure. A nuisance but if the outlet was two inches lower it would avoid the issue. If you didn't buy the shelf and bag the existing location would probably be fine.

CONVENIENCE - what would we like or have liked
- heated seat option from the factory
- adjustable wings under the mirrors for hot weather riding

APPEARANCE -

FUTURE ACCESSORIES - completely optional but our ideas may help
- bluetooth for the entire entertainment system
- HID
-

I work better under constructive inputs and I'm sure that BRP does also.

Lonnie

 

[Questions]

Lamont,
I believe you deserve a great big THANK YOU from all who read and participate in this forum.:bowdown:
Prior to purchasing a Spyder RT S as soon as one became available in my home state of Western Australia, I had read each and every thread on the forum, inclusing all the GS related items.
I found your input and comments to be of tremendous value , honest and not embellished with Sales-speak or B.S.

When the opportunity arose to test ride the RT S I was able to approach this with a reasonable knowledge of what to expect in regard to handling and performance.

regards
Al

 

[wcc002]

From outdoorallens: "Only gripe we have is if you sell a comunication(PACKAGE) it should come with what you need to actually use the darn thing, considering the price..."

Here, here! I so have a problem with that. If a part is required to make another part work, please include all needed parts in the package and all components of a model included on that model!

Side note: my CB has arrived, just not my Spyder. (blue RT-S SE5; ordered October, possible delivery was supposed to be by end of March. Yes, it's killing me that others post they could order one and get it in 10 days. How are these distributed? Sorry, just went away for a weekend trip and was sure hoping it would have been on the Spyder.)