Help me decide - RS, RS-S or ST

[Bob Denman]

Will do! :thumbup:
While serving my "collegiate sentence" Rider ; I spent more than my fair share of time in between "Bordertown", and Cape May!
We used to run to Philly just about every week; the Spectrum had the best shows ever! :2thumbs:

 

[DrewNJ]

Will do! :thumbup:
While serving my "collegiate sentence" Rider ; I spent more than my fair share of time in between "Bordertown", and Cape May!
We used to run to Philly just about every week; the Spectrum had the best shows ever! :2thumbs:

Hahaha...your really showing your age! It hasn't been the spectrum for close to 20 years.

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[Bob Denman]

pps: I know...
But it's my age; I earned it!
We prowled around down there starting in 1974...
I think that the last concert I saw down there was Tull... mybe in 1984??? :dontknow:

 

[donec]

This is is the weird part, you have to have a bike to get your license, but you can't get a bike without your license? :banghead:

Lol

That is not always true. BRP has demo days and they will allow you to take a test ride in a controled area through some cones without having a motorcycle endorsment if you watch their dvd on the spyder. It is not as good as going on the road but you can really get the feel some of the differences of riding a spyder in turns. That is how I got my first test ride.

 

[SNOOPY]

I did the demo too, but thought it was a joke going around cones at 4 mph.

Wife thought it was a joke too.

 

[NetJunkie]

Find a friend w/ one and a parking lot.... Or go get a learner's permit. Here in NC it's not hard to get the learner's permit. Just take the written test and you can go ride whatever you want, just no passenger.

 

[Deanna777]

Find a friend w/ one and a parking lot.... Or go get a learner's permit. Here in NC it's not hard to get the learner's permit. Just take the written test and you can go ride whatever you want, just no passenger.

You can do the same thing in Vermont. I have done it, I got my License with my Spyder. :yes::yes::yes::yes: Deanna777hyea:

 

[Deanna777]

If you've got the 2014 Spyder brochure; open it up!
The very first page of it gives a pretty good view of the riding positons on all three platforms! :thumbup:

If you have the 2013 Brochure on Page 4 and 5 is also, gives you a picture of "three Different Riding Positions". Deanna777hyea:

 

[Bob Denman]

This site is a WHOLE lot of fun! :thumbup:

http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

[SNOOPY]

This site is a WHOLE lot of fun! :thumbup:

http://cycle-ergo.com/

You should see a Can Am w an 11 foot tall rider on it! roflmao






:roflblack:

 

[RandyL]

Hey guys, I'm a former 2-wheeler but I want to sell/trade-in my 2 bikes for the Spyder for safety reasons. I've been ready to buy the Spyder for almost a year now, but I've been waiting for the weather to warm up so I can test drive them, which I think I'm going to schedule for next weekend.

So I've been kicking around these 3 models: RS, RS-S & ST. I'm a manual transmission guy all the way, so there's no questions I'm going with the SM5 (which I understand can't have the ST floor boards). Ideally, I'm going to try to test drive all 3, but I feel that may not be possible.

As you all know, these Spyders have major sticker shock, and the bare bones RS at $15K is already way beyond what I wish I was spending and I don't care too much about the looks, I think the all black looks great, so that's why I like the RS, which I understand is basically the '13 technology.

However, I am considering the forking up an extra $3K for the '14 RS-S which has the new sportier-tuned computer. Still, to this day, I can't find any info or reviews on this new tuning, all the '14 Spyder talk is diluted with the new RT engine, no one cares about the RS-S upgrades. I'm coming from Sportbikes, and although I want the stability of 3 wheels, I still like spirited driving.

I do want to do some daily driving in it, so that's why the ST is still on my list, but it's still going to have pegs with the SM5 and I don't think it excites me enough to drop the $19K (you can get TWO Nissan Versa sedans for that. TWO cars!)

I guess I'm really curious whether the new enhance VSS for the '14 RS-S is worth it or the RS is peppy enough.

BTW, does the SM5 have the same stupid 6-step starting procedure which includes pulling the instruction card out and back in?

BonesDT,
I'm just ahead of you in the transition process from two wheels, we just bought a 2014 ST-S SE5 for my wife which I've now had a chance to ride a bit, and I'm considering swapping my R1200RT for an RS-S for me as well. I also took a quick spin on an 2014 RS-S as I was most curious about both the riding ergos as well as the newly calibrated VSS.

First off, regardless of the model you'll need to get both a ROLO laser alignment and a stiffer front anti-sway bar (BajaRon seems to be the product of choice).

I have struggled to get comfortable on the Spyder, mostly because I've spent my entire life loving going around corners on both motorcycles and cars, and trying to do it well. I always concentrate on my line and just love the kinetic sensation of a well-carved corner, whether on two wheels or four. The Spyder is a different animal and after around 500 miles on it, and with it now aligned and with the sway bar just installed, it is now better than it was, but it still doesn't carve a line with the precision of either a good motorcycle or car. If the pavement has any undulations at all it exacerbates the darting and perceived instability.

Then there's the "nanny". I just got back from a brisk ride after installing the BajaRon bar. No question it's better, probably 50% of the body roll eliminated, but it is still a Spyder. When you want to go fast into a corner, brake somewhat late and aggressively, turn in to "set" the suspension, downshift a couple of gears, transition back to the gas before the apex and get a good drive out of the corner onto the straight, the nanny will ruin your day. If you step just a bit over the line it will make gentle intrusions, if you step way out of its boundaries it will make a much more dramatic intrusion. If you're used to "working" the car/bike at the limits of adhesion then you will not like the Spyder.

Regarding transmissions, I'm a manual guy too. That said I really have warmed up to the SE transmission. Also, I felt a Spyder clutch in a showroom and it was quite stiff, really Harleyesque, not at all light like my BMW. In all I could go either way with the transmission, and you'll have a tough time finding a manual.

All told, I'm right at the tipping point on trading my RT for an RS-S, not sure if I will or not. I'd be happy to answer other questions, or speak with you about what I've learned so far.

 

[RandyL]

Oh, BTW, when I did the short (7 mile) test ride on the '14 RS-S I snuck off onto some closed pavement to see if I could tell a difference in the VSS. Compared to the wife's ST it didn't seem much different at all, though of course I wouldn't call my brief exposure a definitive test. I'd say it might be 5-10% different at most. If, like I am, you're expecting the ability to how hang the tail out a bit, or do at least a bit of drifting, don't, BRP is not gonna let that happen!

I really think they are being too cautious here. Look at BMW's new vehicle dynamics system, it gives the rider 5 choices of settings from mild to wild, IMHO that's what we need on the Spyder.

 

[DrewNJ]

You should see a Can Am w an 11 foot tall rider on it! roflmao






:roflblack:

Go to 18' and the head of the rider fell off on my screen!.....

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[Bob Denman]

 

[SNOOPY]

Go to 18' and the head of the rider fell off on my screen!.....

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I went to 19' and it said I could no longer reach the handlebars. LOL

.

 

[BonesDT]

Being new to the Spyder myself,former sport bike rider. The price difference between the RS and RS S is well worth it. Why you ask? The cruise control. It's not just a throttle lock, it adapts to road elevation changes. I'm sure the S version will hold it's resale value better. Which model is right for you? Test ride.

This was very helpful. This is not a well advertised feature of the RS-S, I wouldn't of thought of it if you didn't mention it. So I've been thinking about the cruise control since and now I think I definitely want it.

To update you guys, I tried to schedule a test drive and they said their only "demo" Spyder (at least non-RT) is an ST SE5, and he's even going to call me back to check if that's even available. This is a "Platinum" level certified BRP dealer, so I don't think I'm going to have better luck at even smaller dealers much much further away.

So as I said, I'm interested in an RS SM5, so I'm concerned about buying a $15K+ bike having only experience on an ST SE5. Is this acceptable?

 

[SNOOPY]

With my little experience in Spyder world... I would say ... Ride the ST demo, but keep in mind... The manual will be a little more peppier, the ride stance will be similar, but from what I understand you may be leaning forward a little more on the RS. Suspension and engine should be very similar.

Love my ST, being able to sit up straighter helps my back. It has really good speed and pick up for what it is, w potential to do more in the future.

At my age the auto is nice, takes some stress off the ride, but doesn't kill the performance IMO

Riding the ST at least gives you an idea. If you're set on an RS or RSS, just think its a little more performance wise.

Have a blast!
.

 

[Bob Denman]

To update you guys, I tried to schedule a test drive and they said their only "demo" Spyder (at least non-RT) is an ST SE5, and he's even going to call me back to check if that's even available. This is a "Platinum" level certified BRP dealer, so I don't think I'm going to have better luck at even smaller dealers much much further away.

So as I said, I'm interested in an RS SM5, so I'm concerned about buying a $15K+ bike having only experience on an ST SE5. Is this acceptable?

:congrats:
on your choice to schedule a "test-piloting" session! :thumbup: At this point; the transmission on the bike is not the most important feature to be considering... it would be the overall feel and ergonomics that are your primary soncern.
Let us know how it goes, and Good Luck! :clap:



...And stick with the dealer that can give you the best service AFTER the sale! nojoke

 

[BonesDT]

So, the dealer says the Demo ST won't be "ready" until the 1st weekend of April. I guess these things aren't like cars where you roll out of bed into a dealership and they are happy to give you the keys to the exact model you're considering. I was hoping to be buying by the 1st weekend of April but a test drive is mandatory. This is a huge investment and a little seat time is required to confirm the fun factor I'm hoping I'll have.


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[SNOOPY]

Really?

2 weeks to prep a bike as a demo?