Looking Hard at the RTS...!

[Bolas]

Currently riding a GL1800 that is very dependable on LD rides. I need to know two things before making the decision to move to a Spyder though...
Would this machine handle 4-6,000 mile rides that I do now on the 'wing and 2) what are maintenance issues, if any, concerning the auto transmission?

Bolas

Hoping to change my avatar soon...

 

[BikerDoc]

Easiest way to get a practical answer will be to monitor the Spyder Triangle thread on this site (see Florida forum).. Three Spyders are headed out Tuesday night from Florida going to Spyder in the Adirondacks, the onto Spyder in the Redwoods (CA) and back to Florida 7600 miles in 5 days of travel, 1520 per day.. two of the bikes are semi automatic and one manual..

 

[Dragonrider]

Yazz just rode from Texas to Alaska and back…

Hondas have problems, BMWs have problems, Hardleys have problems, and so do Spyders. You have a good Honda, hopefully, you'll have a good Spyder - I do.

The SE transmission has a seperate oil filter that needs to be changed every other oil change. I do it every change… it's not really a big deal.

There are huge riding issues with the change you are considering - pro and con.

The Spyder doesn't have a side or center stand, and doesn't need one. The Spyder is more comfortable for larger/taller riders than the GW.

The GW leans in corners, the Spyder does not. The Spyder has more storage on board. The power on a GW is smoother, and seems faster - but the SE will out-shift a GW any day of the week.

After one long ride, your SO will never get on another two wheel bike….

It will take you 200 to 300 miles to adjust to riding a Spyder.

Finally, if I were looking for a new Spyder, I'd chose the A/C SE5.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:

No bias here, of course--:roflblack::roflblack:

Dragonrider said it pretty good.

I recommend doing a test drive to help figure out what you like best. It does take about 200-500 miles to unlearn the 2-wheel riding techniques--but once past that--you will like the :spyder2:

I have had 3 :spyder2:'s, and over 50,000 miles between them--no transmission problems or breakdowns on the road for me.

If you like the wing--you will also like the RTS.

 

[Leslee]

Will you have a passenger? If not, ignore next comments. The passenger hand grips are nicer than the wing but the ride may not be as comfortable. I've ridden 66K miles on the back of a GW 1993 SE. It's not the same ride, but at 65, I feel safer on our RT-S SE. I love driving the automatic myself!

 

[SpongeBob]

Go for it, Bolas.

I just came off an '02 GL1800. It was great, but got heavier each year!

The new ride is an RT-S SE5 and I'm still in the adjustment period as Dragonrider points out.

No regrets so far. :thumbup:

 

[Bolas]

No known issues with the Automatic transmission?...

Bolas

 

[NancysToy]

.....The SE transmission has a seperate oil filter that needs to be changed every other oil change. I do it every change… it's not really a big deal......

The revised spec from BRP is to change both filters at every oil change!

 

[Mr. White]

I owned a '95 Gold Wing, traded for a '02 and rode it four years. Bad knee got worse so I triked it in '05. Never had a problem with my Wing and it is comfortable for me. I bought a 2011 RT-S SE5 and now have 2,900 miles on it. It took me 1,000 miles before I liked the Spyder. Now, I really like it. I like the paddle shift...

After setting the shocks and tire pressures to my liking, it handles very well, and I really like the ride. I am keeping my Motor Trike as I love it too, but I am riding BR1 more than my Wing.

Granted, some have problems, most don't. Much of your enjoyment will depend on your dealer and their service. I passed two dealers and bought from the third because of their service dept. They were not the best price either, but they are a no BS operation and have trained techs.

Buy, ride and enjoy. Lots of good info on this site as you already know, and the folks here are friendly and helpful. Welcome.

:spyder2:

 

[Bob Denman]

As you already know; the 'Wings are great horizon chasers! . They might even be the best on the planet...:shocked:
The Spyders ride and handle differently.
The power delivery is completely different than the opposed 6 that you're straddling right now. They have enough power for any conditions, but maybe not the glorious excess... :thumbup:
SE 5 transmission; not an issue! :2thumbs:

 

[ulflyer]

After 50+ years of 2 wheeling I recently got an RT with paddle shift. Its taken me 2K miles to get really comfortable. It was the curves that I had to get my head around, but now It seems each ride it just gets better. I ride solo only. No issues but its only got 2400 miles on it. It ain't an easy machine to do maintenance on if you are a do-it-yourselfer, and if not, its a costly one. After the first oil/filters there are things you can do to make future changes easier. These are covered elsewhere.

 

[Dudley]

No known issues with the Automatic transmission?...

Bolas

We had one of the first production 2008 GS SE5. In 2009 we took a trip around the US, went to Nova Scotia and Ontario. In 7.5 weeks we rode 13,624 miles. We were not trying to see how fast we could ride...just rode to smell the roses and stop and go as we pleased. After 23 months and 43,000 miles, we traded the SE5 for a BareBone 2010 RT. Never had any transmission issues, or any disabling issues. When the tech checked the Spyder for resale, he said the springs in the transmission were just worn out, so he changed them. The valves were all in spec...never having been checked. I attribute that to the oil I use and BRP quality of production.

 

[draboo]

We (wife,dog and I) completed a 5500 mile trip to MI and back to WA this June. We also were towing a (overloaded with gear) Aspen Sentry popup camper. The Spyder RT performed beyond expectations. We had zero issues and lots of fun. Cruised at 75mph on the slabs with no problems.

Fuel mileage varied from 22 mpg (headwinds and high speed) to 26.

Ours is the SE model, with the automatic clutch.

 

[go2lkg]

Just picked up my new RTS SM5 on Thursday after owning a 2008 RS SM5 and love it! My first spider was a great bike but needed a bit more comfort for touring and got a great deal on the trade-in...once you have one you won't go backhyea:! Good luck! go2lkg

 

[MouthPiece]

Currently riding a GL1800 that is very dependable on LD rides. I need to know two things before making the decision to move to a Spyder though...
Would this machine handle 4-6,000 mile rides that I do now on the 'wing and 2) what are maintenance issues, if any, concerning the auto transmission?

Bolas

Hoping to change my avatar soon...

Before I can answer, I'd like to know why you are asking the question? Has something occurred that you are not completely comfortable with your wing?

Chris

 

[Bolas]

Before I can answer, I'd like to know why you are asking the question? Has something occurred that you are not completely comfortable with your wing?

Chris

Actually, I'm not getting rid of my GL. But I'd like to go to the RT-S Limited for its comfort and added space. After hitting a deer in Montana on the 'wing a couple years ago, I think I'd feel a bit more secure with the three wheels.
It will be my last motorcycle purchase...

Bolas

 

[MouthPiece]

Actually, I'm not getting rid of my GL. But I'd like to go to the RT-S Limited for its comfort and added space. After hitting a deer in Montana on the 'wing a couple years ago, I think I'd feel a bit more secure with the three wheels.
It will be my last motorcycle purchase...

Bolas

Okeedokee. Well that's certainly a good reason although I'm not sure hitting a deer with anything, including a cage, will completely eliminate that feeling.

I guess the main reason why I started looking at 3 wheels was that I got to a point in life where I felt it might be in my passenger's and my best interest to go to 3. I'm still strong as all get out, but it just made sense to me to have one more wheel on the ground. When I saw the spyder about 3 years ago, I knew right then that it was the ticket.

I opted for the spyder because two wheels in the front just made more sense to me. Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[MangoMike]

With my Wing I loved cruising the Interstate highway system for many miles at a brisk pace, but I wasn't very comfortable around town. To me, the Wing was meant to travel far and fast. Things are just the opposite with my Spyder. Back roads are a joy, around town, no problem, and my wife is so much more comfortable on the Spyder. Highway speeds on the Spyder are okay, but not nearly as much fun as the slower roads. It is certainly capable of doing Interstate speeds all day, but it's not a Wing.

At 68, and owning a HD Ultra Classic, I got damn tired of fighting a very top heavy bike (unlike the Wing) and decided it was time to put the fun back in riding. The Spyder has done that, in spades.

Oh, and we've not had any problems in over 12K miles.

Mike

 

[NancysToy]

With my Wing I loved cruising the Interstate highway system for many miles at a brisk pace, but I wasn't very comfortable around town. To me, the Wing was meant to travel far and fast. Things are just the opposite with my Spyder. Back roads are a joy, around town, no problem, and my wife is so much more comfortable on the Spyder. Highway speeds on the Spyder are okay, but not nearly as much fun as the slower roads. It is certainly capable of doing Interstate speeds all day, but it's not a Wing.

At 68, and owning a HD Ultra Classic, I got damn tired of fighting a very top heavy bike (unlike the Wing) and decided it was time to put the fun back in riding. The Spyder has done that, in spades.

Oh, and we've not had any problems in over 12K miles.

Mike

:agree: I always talk about the Spyder being superior for two-up, bad weather, or towing a trailer, but it is also much more comforting at low speeds. It is somewhat more physically tiring, but far less mentally tiring, to my way of thinking. My BMW is becoming quite neglected these days.

 

[Bolas]

Anyone seen the price increases for 2012??
Not pretty...

Bolas