Love my 08 RS but Should I RT???

[rworell]

My biggest reason is comfort for both myself and my passenger. I love the sportyness of my RS but will I be that unbelievably pleased with the upgrade Mainlyl I'm looking for you all to chime in and tell my the biggest differences between the two and if any switched or upgraded like I'm about to do from the RS to the touring RT.

Thanks so much everyone!!!!
Rich (Mainer)

 

[rnet]

My biggest reason is comfort for both myself and my passenger. I love the sportyness of my RS but will I be that unbelievably pleased with the upgrade Mainlyl I'm looking for you all to chime in and tell my the biggest differences between the two and if any switched or upgraded like I'm about to do from the RS to the touring RT.

Thanks so much everyone!!!!
Rich (Mainer)

I have an 09 and the reason I have not switched over, is cause the motors were configured differently in 2010 when the RT came out to give it more torque and they have been a dog ever since. In 2013 they started putting this motor in the RS. The new motor according to my sources inside BRP say they still will not have the performance of the original motor. I have made mods on mine to address the comfort issues.

 

[rworell]

Thats good informantion, I appreciate that ... I also thought of spending some money for some good side bags and a better seat with backrests as well... just not sure yet
Rich

 

[oldgoat]

I have an '08 GS with, I presume, the same engine & power characteristics as yours. I also have luggage & comfort envy of the RT models. Done my best with the BRP backrest & Comfort seat, floorboards, large windshield, Givi topbox, bar risers etc, to make it a more comfortable ride for my old body.

Bought the GS because it was what I could afford (well, not afford so much, as was allowed to spend) & most of the "improvements" were bought used.

I love it now but still have a hankering for some Givi hard side luggage to finish it off. I find the engine a dream.

When I bought it last year with only 100 miles on it, the salesman said it was far less complicated than the RT ones with far less of their problems. Having been on this forum for a while I can now appreciate the wisdom of his words.

 

[WhiteFang]

RS or RT

Have had 08 RS and have a 12 RT-- IMO the Rt is better fitted for the long haul -- seating position is better -- , wife likes the RT for touring -- RS is nice around town but the RT cant be beat for the longer run -- power it fine in the RT -- thats not an issue-- for me it was comfort -- RT wins hands down for that

 

[Oldmanzues]

One word:Comfort. Lots of space in compartments, leg room, lack of wind blast. Went from 08 GS to 2010RT. No real problems( leaving money out) with either. I tried adding some stuff on the GS, but it did not all go togeather. I do not use all the power there is in either. So that does not concern me. Depending if I rode solo or double, I might consider a ST, but they were not available when I bougt the RT
Oldmanzues

 

[bobnaquin]

I have had two 08 RS's . I tired to fall in love with the RT but the handling just did not suit me. I am sure it could be fixed but there is something about spending $30K on a machine and then having to 'fix' it that just does not set well for me.

It comes down to whether you are riding two up or not. If you ride two up a lot you should probably get an RT. Otherwise, my opinion is that you will be happier with an RS. It is quite easy to outfit an RS for long range cruising. But by the number of RT's being sold versus RS's I would have to say I am wrong on this as I am on so many things.

 

[MidTNDawg]

My opinion is much like

those already posted. My idea of a ride is to go more than 100 miles. The RT suits me much better. Without explanation, I am blessed to be able to ride about any thing I want to ride at pretty much any time. My choice? The RT.

 

[Sarge707]

I have both.
Since I got the ultimate seat with the handle bar risers I ride the GS MORE than the RT, Especially in the summer!
The RT is a Great choice also for touring (Which I don,t really do) and More comfortable if the Sport position is Tooo hard on your legs!

You can,t beat the acceleration of the 09 Type GS SE5 IMHO as it flys to top end.

I do like the RT better for the twisties because I can burn very curvy backs roads in 2nd gear at between 4500 and 6000 rpms and muscle the thing around corners.

If I had to give one up - It would be the RT.

 

[Chupaca]

Sounds personal..!!

you need to test ryde the RT and ryde it your way to see the differences. Comfort can be added and adjusted as needed. There are many that have made that change and a few have just added to the flotilla. Sporty for the wild rydes and comfy for the touring. If it is only one you should also check out the ST... :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

I made the switch in 2010 when the RT came out. I traded the 08 off at 23,500 miles and have not looked back. I was one who was trying to invent the RT before it came out. Seat mods, handlebar risers, windshield--then fairing, bags, trunk, lights, etc, etc. The difference between the two was like night and day. More cushy ride for the long haul, different riding characteristics, etc. The 08 was more sporty and stiff in overall ryde.

 

[CentralCoastCA]

I have an '08 GS SM5 that I bought used 18 months ago, for my first bike. I have put over 12k miles on it. My husband has modified it enough that it is really more like the ST ( risers, ST seat, Givi top & side cases, Madstaad windshield, highway pegs, everything Spyderpops and a BajaRon sway bar). I love the sportiness through the curves and it's quick, but for touring I would like the driver comfort of the RT. I did ride the new 2014 RT at the Long Beach Show and love the semi auto transmission - as long as there are no big issues with the 14's (like there were with the ST's), my next Spyder will be a RTS.

 

[spydaman60]

the misses and I have a 2012rss and have no problem going 300 or more miles a day! brp backrest and an ultimate seat make the bike a great ride for her and i! we'll never get rid of the rss and we're 62 years old!!:thumbup:​

 

[NetJunkie]

I think everyone has hit on it. It all comes down to what you want the Spyder for. For me, I have little interest in an RT. My parents have a RT Limited and it's nice...but I just bought a RS-S because I wanted a lighter, quicker, more nimble Spyder. Mine is for stress reduction on country roads...not for touring.

 

[Bob Denman]

If you like your GS; it's probably cheaper to tinker with the amenities, than it is to buy an RT... :thumbup:

 

[Don in E Texas]

08 to 10 Spyder

I was ready to sell my 08 -- just did not ride it that much. Could have spent a LOT of $$ to make changes - but decided to trade it for a 2010 RT-S. NOW we're cooking! Wife would not ride on the back of the '08 - loves the '10. Tall windshield on the '08 still did not help keep the wind off the passenger - the 2010 is no problem. I could make more comparisons, but the main one is wife is happy now with the change to the RT. My daughter, Laura, had my '08 for a couple of months -- decided it was not for her. She is now the proud owner of a White, 2011 RT Limited, and LOVES it - has had it one week.

YMMV

Don

 

[rworell]

Thanks so much for the replys everyone... I have some test riding to do....
Rich

 

[GloryRyders]

I had an '09 GS/RS first but made the switch to an '11 RT Ltd. and it opened up more possibilities for travel around the United States. We have never regretted the upgrade!:2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks so much for the replys everyone... I have some test riding to do....
Rich

Happy Hunting! :2thumbs:

 

[Jharpo]

No RT foe Me

My first Spyder was a 2009 GS with all the mods for comfort. Corbin seats, CalSci windshield, 4" risers, mirror extenders, hard side bags, and floor boards. I got the opportunity to ryde a new (at that time) 2012 RT Limited for about 200 miles. I rode it home from the dealer for a friend. As nice and cushy as it was, I spent the entire time wishing I was on my old GS. It just wasn't as much fun. I lost the excitement in the ryde. I did trade my GS with no warranty in on a new Spyder. I now ryde a ST Limited and after a few suspension and windshield change, I love it. I have put almost 10,000 happy miles on it in 7 months. As my RT friend likes to say, she has the Cadillac and I have the Corvette. Both fine rydes, but two different rydes.