Making the RS-S more Long Distance Friendly

[Clinty76]

I just bought a 2011 RS-S about 3 weeks ago and I'm already in love with it. When I bought it I thought I would only be riding it around town, but I've already been invited on 2 long distance rides.

What can I do to the RS-S to make it more long ride friendly?

Comfort, cruise control, etc....

I know I can put Corbin storage on it.

 

[FANG]

Comfort is very personal -- for instance are you talking about the seat - lighting for safety; bags for storage. I have a 08 GS that has a Corbin seat and handlebar risers; I also added some highway pegs to allow me to change my foot position.

The longest I have ridden in one day was about 650 miles - in about 10 hours. At the time my :spyder2: was totally stock. I loved it - the only thing I really felt I needed was the highway pegs.

Went for the Corbin seat because when I added the risers the stock seat was not as comfortable any more - now that I have a few thousand miles on the Corbin I really love it.

I have plans to outfit mine with additional lighting for safety and bags to enable trips longer than just overnight. But it is really up to you and what you want to do. Just have fun and make it yours.

 

[Dragonrider]

I tried everything I could to make the ryde more comfortable - Corbin seat, 26" Madstad system, 4" risers, Tunes, pegs, throttle lock, tour pegs, and on and on…. Finally, I found the true fix, I bought a RT S…. Some folks like crotch rockets, and some don't - I've found that I'm the latter….. Good luck in your quest.

 

[Texmac1011]

CHAD windshield, BRP comfort seat, 3" riser block, highway brackets & pegs and footpeg extensions for my passenger did the trick for us.

 

[NancysToy]

Throttlemeister, or equivalent...unless you want true cruise control.

 

[Clinty76]

I'm thinking about talking to the dealer and see how much of a hit I would take to trade in my newly purchased RS-S for a RS-T.

Depending on how bad of a deal they give me for a 2 week old RS-S, I may end up switching.

 

[Dudley]

We spent $2000 on a 2008 SE5 to make it more "tour worthy". Ended up a lot more comfortable, but can't come close to an RT. Ended up getting a 2010 RT BareBone in October. Hope you can get a deal worth taking.

 

[SpyderWolf]

I'm thinking about talking to the dealer and see how much of a hit I would take to trade in my newly purchased RS-S for a RS-T.

Depending on how bad of a deal they give me for a 2 week old RS-S, I may end up switching.

Best of luck working out a deal you can live with.

 

[Clinty76]

I never thought that I would want to ride long distances. I figured i would just ride around town, but it turned out to be so much fun.

I want to ride a lot more and I think a RT would be much more comfortable and fun in the long run!!

I guess it's just one of those live and learn moments.

 

[ArmyJoe]

I'm going to put 500 miles on my RS tomorrow. For me it's the perfect sport-tourer. You couldn't pay me to take an RT.

 

[pierrelogic]

:agree:

 

[fastfraser]

I spent about 12 grand over the price of the 2009 SE5 that I have trying to make it more comfortable for the long hall and I succeeded some what BUT it will never come close to the creature comforts of the RT. So I say to you save yourself some money in the long run and buy an RT ! Mind you the SE5 has a lot going for it also. Either way the both of them are flat out fun,whether a short drive to town or a long hall down to Tennessee to see the site master . (Lamont's BBQ)

 

[ARtraveler]

Same story for me--similar to those above. I spent big bucks (about $5000 extra on each) on the 2008 and 2009 GS/RS for touring type gear. This of course was pre-RTS. For me--IMO--I prefer the RTS for long distance touring. We have over 55,000 miles on Spyders now--and there is a difference between the models.

This has been posted many times--but worth repeating. It is best to test drive the models and see which one you prefer.

 

[dltang]

I have a PE GS and I love it. Have been all over the country on it. I have handlbar risers from ESI, a Madstad Windshield, Russell Day-Long seat, highway brackets for extending my legs, a bikersfriend backseat bag that doubles as a back rest and a Throttlemeister. I also have a number of additional lights from ESI. I have made this very much "MY" bike. I find it very comfortable to ride and still sporty. I did not keep track of the costs. It is all about being my bike. The RT is very nice and very comfortable but I love my GS and plan on keeping it. I tour on it with not real issues other than I need better bags and rain gear for all this wet weather.

 

[Clinty76]

I talked to the dealer and I feel all dirty now. I would lose a lot of money if I took the deal they gave me!

They offered me $15,000 for a 2 week old RSS. I knew it wasn't going to be full price, but I really wasn't expecting it to be that low!

I'm still going to test drive the RT-S and see how much I like it. If I decide that I really like it then I'll probably sell the RSS myself!

I really appreciate all the responses. They've really helped, especially those who have a RSS and have listed what they did to make it more comfortable.

Keep them coming!

 

[SpyderWolf]

Oh I forgot for a windshield I've got the BRP 14" sport touring. It's still too soon on that. I'll know better after Spyderfest.

If you find you are playing bobblehead on the freeway with that windshield, the GIVI like I have might be a good replacement for you. It still looks sporty and stopped my neck from hurting after a long ryde.

 

[Minister]

Big Improvement

If you find you are playing bobblehead on the freeway with that windshield, the GIVI like I have might be a good replacement for you. It still looks sporty and stopped my neck from hurting after a long ryde.

I installed the Madstad system with the 22" widshield before I left for Cuba. I
tried sveral settings and thought I had it right, but after the ride to Cuba in rain
most all the way, I decided to tweek it some more. Now I've owned several bikes (all with windshields) and I never found one that would stop the head buffeting until now!
The Madstad truly works once you get it dialed in, I am impressed with it. If you want good wind protection, try it.:lecturef_smilie: