Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
For a first year production unit I think BRP did a pretty good job with the Touring version of the RT. It has a few bugs to workout like any other product but all in all they did good.
I'm sure that a lot of information was gleaned from this site as far as what we were doing to the GS/RS Spyder. If you look at other BRP products like the watercraft you can get the idea that they are always looking for the next best thing to make a product even better.
Chances are we're not going to see any major changes for a few years but now that a lot of us have put some real miles on the RT, what improvements would you like to see in the future?
I'll start.
I'm sure that a lot of information was gleaned from this site as far as what we were doing to the GS/RS Spyder. If you look at other BRP products like the watercraft you can get the idea that they are always looking for the next best thing to make a product even better.
Chances are we're not going to see any major changes for a few years but now that a lot of us have put some real miles on the RT, what improvements would you like to see in the future?
I'll start.
- Longer range before fuel stops.
Even though the RT is right in line with other trikes as far as range and fuel economy I would like to see at least a 200 mile range. That may take a bigger tank, bigger motor or change in gearing but if you're going tour you need more range. - Better suspension.
I'm pretty happy with the stock rear suspension but the front is really lacking and that should be an easy thing to fix. I know the Elka's made a huge difference in the ride for me and there's no reason the RT can't come stock with good shocks. I know most companies cut corners in this area but BRP doesn't need to. UPDATE- Fixed in 2011 - Better seat with fuel door.
After spending some serious miles on my Corbin I can tell you there is a lot of room for improvement on the seat. Having the seat cup you in and having a backrest is something that all touring machines should have. The gas door is one of the greatest things ever. Not having to lift your seat to fill your tank is a big plus. - More power for more lights and gizmos.
If you look at the Goldwings or even the Harley Touring bikes they all have extra lights and gizmos on them. Not only that but when you start adding stuff like heated seats, GPS, radar, neon's or LEDs, cell phone chargers and who knows what else it really starts adding up. Along those lines I think the next RT should come stock with HID lights. That really makes a difference on those dark country roads. It's a safety thing too as people can see you better. - More windshield options.
I would like to see taller and shorter versions of the stock windshield. Right now I wish mine was about 3" shorter and I'm sure there are those who would like a taller windshield. UPDATE- Fixed in 2011.
And a windshield wiper like these guys sell. http://www.peerclear.com - Wind deflectors.
There are a few areas on the current RT that I would like to block the wind and there are times I would like to route the wind to me. All the Goldwing guys use Baker Airwings and they do a good job at doing this very thing. At least make that a factory option. - Adjustable floorboards and more forward foot position.
This is one thing that Harley has nailed. Having your feet in front of you makes for a much better day in the saddle. A heal/toe shifter option would be good too. This is something the Goldwing is limited on because it's a flat 6 but I think it's doable on the RT. On the Boss Hoss it is adjustable so that the controls slide on a rail to where you need them. While you're at it make the read board adjust without any tools like it looks like it does in the BRP video. That would be handy when you go from one of your kids on the back to your wife. - Passenger armrest.
Once again this should be standard on all touring machines. And while you're there how about a passenger cup holder and maybe a flip up grove box that's built into the armrest, ladies love that kind of stuff. - Top loading bags with removable trunk.
I absolutely hate side loading bags. I never use the ones I have now because they are too much trouble. A top loading bag works so much better and I would use those if I had them. There are more than a few of us that ride solo most of the time so I really don't need a rear trunk most of the time. Make it so that is removable and maybe give us a fender rack to throw on top if we like. Once again Harley nailed it on this one. - Handbrake?
I'm sure there is a good reason for not having it on any of the current Spyders but I sure can't think of one. Motorcycle guys tend to grab for that brake in a panic stop. Roll you bike out of a trailer and tell me what you grab for when it starts getting away from you. I know you can get use to not having one but dog gone it I spent all these years training myself to grab the front brake first and then the rear and I want to keep that training when I jump back on my bike. - Adjustable handlebars.
We come in all shapes and sizes and it would be nice if the bars could adjust forward and backward and maybe up and down. I think they do this on their watercraft already. - More power on take off.
This thing is a dog on take off, you give it throttle and nothing happens till the computer is happy. They really need to at least give us the same throttle response as the RS - Bluetooth interface.
Everything is wireless now days so why have a cord to tether us to the RT? At least make Bluetooth a option. Driver to passenger communication should be standard and the wiring should be in place for all the options so all you have to do is buy the component and plug it in. Don't make the dealers have to figure out after they order the CB that they need a separate wiring harness to make it work. - Audio upgrade option. It would be nice to have a better option than stock. A lot of guys are now changing out the speakers for better ones and I'm sure if BRP offer a Premium Audio package it would sell.
- Move the GPS. I would like to see the GPS up on the top of the dash so you don't have to take your eyes off the road to look at the map. While you're at it give us weather and traffic like on the Garmin 665.
- Match the the rear with the front. I'm not sure why you can't get the rear wheel to match the fronts. If you're going to have "Metallic Silver" front rims then give a rear wheel and sprocket to match.
- Tapped hole on the bars? It sure would be nice if they gave a 1/4" 20 tapped hole on the left bar somewhere so a guy can easily mount a RAM ball. That could be used for all sort of things like cell phones, GPS, cup holders and all the other goodies folks load a touring bike up with.
- Shorty antennas. I've replaced my antennas with shorties and they work just fine for what I need them to do. I can't tell you how many post I've read here about the antennas either falling off or breaking off. Give us a shorty stock.
- Gauge options. A lot of us have pulled the analog gauges out and replaced them with volt and oil pressure gauges. I would love to see that as a factory option.
- Miles per gal/tank reading? I know just about every car I've owned in the last 10 years will tell me how many mile to the gallon I'm getting real time and on average. They will also give you how many miles left in the tank. We all know these are not numbers to live by but I sure would like to know if I can adjust my speed and maybe get a few more miles out of my tank if need be.
- Off Road pipe option. I'm sure if there was a Hindle option for the RT it would sell for those of us that like a little attitude in the sound department.
- Graphics option. I would love to see some graphic options for all the Spyders. I've seen some pretty cool stuff out there from the aftermarket guys and if I could get something like that from the factory I would be all over it.
That's all that comes to mind right now but maybe you can add to this list. As far as I know the Spyder is the first road machine that BRP has made and maybe they could use a little input from us as to what would make a great product just about perfect. :doorag:
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