wyliec
New member
:thumbup:Good place to start.
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Long time rider looking for information
- Thread starter Motorcycledave
- Start date
:thumbup:Good place to start.
Sny
New member
There are a ton of options for bars and windshields.
Kewlmetal makes a replacement center console that allows you to use just about any 7/8" bar. They provide 3 of them at 5" 7" and 9" (the 9" also requires extended cables which doubles the cost and time to install.) They have the most bike-like look to them and a lot of flexibility in the future if you decide you need more (or less). Kewlmetal also sells the dogbone style risers (chop the end off and relocate it 3-4" up/back) and an adjustable setup which is useful, tho a bit mechanical looking.
For the windshield, Madstad makes the one size fits all. If you want a smaller windshield that is adjustable to give you that smooth flow without looking like a barn door, this is your choice. If you still want a barndoor, get the BRP ultra touring windshield and put it on the Madstad brackets. My wife has this setup and loves it. I use the small 20" shield and it works perfect for me. There's probably another dozen windshields out there, CalSci is a popular one...
You will want some kind of highway pegs and/or floorboards. Kewlmetal has the sturdy highway peg brackets but they're a bit higher up than most people over 6' like. For a further forward and lower down peg, Custom Dynamics has your brackets. I have no experience with floorboards, but a lot of folks love their Sealboards (don't need highway pegs with these.)
I can't say enough good things about the Kontour seat coverings.
My wife and I ride our GS's fairly long distances (about 500 miles a day) but I'm certain that the RT's are more comfortable on the long trips.
The power and handling of the GS/RS is very noticeably different from the RT. Tho with enough money you can make an RT dance too.
On the subject of money. By the time you get an RS, exhaust, seat, windshield and bracket, highway pegs and brackets, center console and handlebars, and new grips... and then add in hard bags and a top box with back rest... you're probably close to the cost of a base model RT. If you go high end with these things (corbin seat, corbin luggage etc) you're definitely into the cost of an RT and some upgrades.
We couldn't give up the nimbleness of the GS/RS, so this made sense to us. But we also have quite a bit left before retirement if that makes any sense.
Good luck. You came to the right place. Take your time and use the search tools to find what you're looking for, it's all been asked before. But feel free to ask away, you'll get a lot of responses.
- Sny
Kewlmetal makes a replacement center console that allows you to use just about any 7/8" bar. They provide 3 of them at 5" 7" and 9" (the 9" also requires extended cables which doubles the cost and time to install.) They have the most bike-like look to them and a lot of flexibility in the future if you decide you need more (or less). Kewlmetal also sells the dogbone style risers (chop the end off and relocate it 3-4" up/back) and an adjustable setup which is useful, tho a bit mechanical looking.
For the windshield, Madstad makes the one size fits all. If you want a smaller windshield that is adjustable to give you that smooth flow without looking like a barn door, this is your choice. If you still want a barndoor, get the BRP ultra touring windshield and put it on the Madstad brackets. My wife has this setup and loves it. I use the small 20" shield and it works perfect for me. There's probably another dozen windshields out there, CalSci is a popular one...
You will want some kind of highway pegs and/or floorboards. Kewlmetal has the sturdy highway peg brackets but they're a bit higher up than most people over 6' like. For a further forward and lower down peg, Custom Dynamics has your brackets. I have no experience with floorboards, but a lot of folks love their Sealboards (don't need highway pegs with these.)
I can't say enough good things about the Kontour seat coverings.
My wife and I ride our GS's fairly long distances (about 500 miles a day) but I'm certain that the RT's are more comfortable on the long trips.
The power and handling of the GS/RS is very noticeably different from the RT. Tho with enough money you can make an RT dance too.
On the subject of money. By the time you get an RS, exhaust, seat, windshield and bracket, highway pegs and brackets, center console and handlebars, and new grips... and then add in hard bags and a top box with back rest... you're probably close to the cost of a base model RT. If you go high end with these things (corbin seat, corbin luggage etc) you're definitely into the cost of an RT and some upgrades.
We couldn't give up the nimbleness of the GS/RS, so this made sense to us. But we also have quite a bit left before retirement if that makes any sense.
Good luck. You came to the right place. Take your time and use the search tools to find what you're looking for, it's all been asked before. But feel free to ask away, you'll get a lot of responses.
- Sny
daveinva
New member
Okay, can we PLEASE dispense with the old and inaccurate meme: it does NOT cost "as much as an RT" to make the RS a touring machine. :banghead:
Here's the price breakdown of what I added to make my RS a touring machine equivalent to the RT:
1. Easy Risers: $130
2. RIVCO floorboards: $350
3. Madstad bracket and 24" winshield: $290
4. Ultimate Seat: $905 ($480 for the seat plus I bought two $200 backrests)
5. Nelson-Rigg CL-950 saddlebags: $100
Total spent: $1775
I purchased my new 2010 Spyder RS SE5 at the end of the model year for $16,000. You can't find a new RT SE5 for $17,775 (I've seen an SM5 for close to that price-- bare bones stock).
Granted, I don't have the nice integrated luggage capacity that comes with the RT, and the passenger seat isn't as comfy as the RT. Those are unavoidable compromises.
But the RT comes with one windshield, you're stuck with the stock handlebars, you still have to add floorboards if you want them, and many RT owners either upgrade their BRP seat or add an aftermarket like the Corbin/Ultimate/etc. For a lot less money, I made my RS fit my frame as if it were custom tailored for me.
Bottom line: if you want an RT, get an RT. I especially recommend one if you're going to ride with a passenger cross-country, there's no way yet to make the RS as comfortable for a pillion as the RT, and the lack of integrated luggage makes packing for two on the RS an exercise in futility.
But don't be afraid of buying an RS and tweaking it into a touring machine. I've spent FAR more than that $1775 upgrading other stuff on my RS (shocks, exhaust, lighting, etc). The "touring" stuff was the easy part.
Here's the price breakdown of what I added to make my RS a touring machine equivalent to the RT:
1. Easy Risers: $130
2. RIVCO floorboards: $350
3. Madstad bracket and 24" winshield: $290
4. Ultimate Seat: $905 ($480 for the seat plus I bought two $200 backrests)
5. Nelson-Rigg CL-950 saddlebags: $100
Total spent: $1775
I purchased my new 2010 Spyder RS SE5 at the end of the model year for $16,000. You can't find a new RT SE5 for $17,775 (I've seen an SM5 for close to that price-- bare bones stock).
Granted, I don't have the nice integrated luggage capacity that comes with the RT, and the passenger seat isn't as comfy as the RT. Those are unavoidable compromises.
But the RT comes with one windshield, you're stuck with the stock handlebars, you still have to add floorboards if you want them, and many RT owners either upgrade their BRP seat or add an aftermarket like the Corbin/Ultimate/etc. For a lot less money, I made my RS fit my frame as if it were custom tailored for me.
Bottom line: if you want an RT, get an RT. I especially recommend one if you're going to ride with a passenger cross-country, there's no way yet to make the RS as comfortable for a pillion as the RT, and the lack of integrated luggage makes packing for two on the RS an exercise in futility.
But don't be afraid of buying an RS and tweaking it into a touring machine. I've spent FAR more than that $1775 upgrading other stuff on my RS (shocks, exhaust, lighting, etc). The "touring" stuff was the easy part.
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DocRags
New member
Most of our group have done the mods to raise the handlebars on their GS/RS Spyders...much more comfortable riding position for longer rides. I'd have to say I was a bit anxious when it came to cutting the handlebars. (Ed later was wishing he hadn't so we'd have more places to mount things...communication system, cup holder, etc). We put on the center riser as well as the adjustable Kewl Metal risers...they can be adjusted forward/back/etc. We also put floorboards on, and THAT made a world of difference. The RS is about 200 lbs lighter so it is more fun in the twists, etc. When Ed was coming home from the hospital in Cheyenne we had a fellow Spyderlover drive our bike back to our RV...it was the first time he'd been on an RS and he commented on how much more power our bike had than his RT. Good luck with whatever decision you come up...we bought our Spyder just over 2 years ago and love it!Wow this is what I call great input.....
I have been looking and riding both units but I tend to lean to the RS (sportier mod) because of the cost
the dealers want 30+ K here in California for the RT and I have not seen any used RT's I do find used RS mods
so that is why I am looking at the sport mod. also it is lighter and I would think more agile in the twists
I will not part with my ST because I like the performance and handling of a sport bike.
If I want to ride around on a motorized couch I hop on the Gold Wing.
But I still want to know if I can get the bars on one of the CanAM hot rods up and back.... any input
will be great.
Dave
kman
New member
I have an RS with the 3 inch riser block for the handlebars,Rivco floorboards,Corbin seat and bags,JB pro,Passenger foot extensions and wouldn't trade it for an RT.I love the fact I can ride it as a sport model or touring and still have way less than 20,00 dollars into it.(Well a little less):roflblack:
Motorcycledave
Active member
Hi again everyone
Well this weekend I spent most of my time doing much reading about and riding the Spyder's out there
I went to the dealer in a near by town and spent lots of time riding the RT and the RS models...
here is my take on the two.
1- I don't think I am old enough to ride an RT hahahahah after riding the RS model, The RT was like driving a bus
2- I ride an ST1100 and an ST 1300 now, with the knees I have (new ) that is... I am fine the only thing I don't like
is the foot position being back as far as it is, that is the same trouble with the RS models but that is an easy fix on my ST's
I put road pegs up front.
3- The seats on the RT and the RS suck... that to is an easy fix as are the bars. Heli bars or risers will do the trick.
there are many seats out there including my own brand ..... ah yes I am a custom seat builder and have been for 30 years
so the seat is the least of my concerns.
SOOOoooooo all in all I think for me the RS sport model is for me I also was informed there is a new one on the way,
being a member of SEMA I go to the SEMA show every year in Las Vegas and all the new models are there to see and some to drive including motorcycles and yes the CanAm and other 3 wheeled stuff from the neighbors to the North.
So unless I get the most unbelievable deal on an RS now I will see what next year has to offer.
I will say the Spyder is not a motorcycle nor does it handle or ride like one and that is why I want one.... they are just plain
FUN...
Thank you everyone for your input I do enjoy reading and learning
see who says I'm to old to learn new stuff....
Dave
[email protected]
Well this weekend I spent most of my time doing much reading about and riding the Spyder's out there
I went to the dealer in a near by town and spent lots of time riding the RT and the RS models...
here is my take on the two.
1- I don't think I am old enough to ride an RT hahahahah after riding the RS model, The RT was like driving a bus
2- I ride an ST1100 and an ST 1300 now, with the knees I have (new ) that is... I am fine the only thing I don't like
is the foot position being back as far as it is, that is the same trouble with the RS models but that is an easy fix on my ST's
I put road pegs up front.
3- The seats on the RT and the RS suck... that to is an easy fix as are the bars. Heli bars or risers will do the trick.
there are many seats out there including my own brand ..... ah yes I am a custom seat builder and have been for 30 years
so the seat is the least of my concerns.
SOOOoooooo all in all I think for me the RS sport model is for me I also was informed there is a new one on the way,
being a member of SEMA I go to the SEMA show every year in Las Vegas and all the new models are there to see and some to drive including motorcycles and yes the CanAm and other 3 wheeled stuff from the neighbors to the North.
So unless I get the most unbelievable deal on an RS now I will see what next year has to offer.
I will say the Spyder is not a motorcycle nor does it handle or ride like one and that is why I want one.... they are just plain
FUN...
Thank you everyone for your input I do enjoy reading and learning
see who says I'm to old to learn new stuff....
Dave
[email protected]
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