Now that others have given their reviews, so here is mine. I finished my first week at 527 miles. All comparisons are between my 2012 RT-s SE5 and the 2014 RT-s SE6
Motor sound and radio:
The first thing I noticed is the difference in the sound of the motor. Kind of has a diesel sound to it, and even my riding buddies said the same thing. At first I did not know if it was the lower sound of the motor, or better speakers, as I could hear the radio much better. The next day I parked next to a 2013 and put both bikes on the same station, same settings, and all three of us agreed that the 2014 had better sound to it. The change was big, as I have poor hearing.
Seat:
I took the bike home with my daughter on the back, and when I got off the first thing I noticed is it seemed like the seat is lower, but I guess I swung my leg higher. When I mentioned this to my daughter she said that she agrees the seat is different, as with my 2012 her head in lower than mine (she is 5'5"), but now her head is even with my helmet. She also told me that she can reach the passenger grips so much better too. I measured both seats, and they are the same height, but the 2014 is much softer, and I like that.
Handling:
As for how the bike handles it is sooo much smoother. Still has a small amount of vibration in the foot-boards at 75 MPH, but no where near that of my 2012. I am still trying to determine if it is the freeway or the bike, as I don't notice it all the time. I am riding in different lanes to test this out. Yesterday and today it was very windy, and I did notice it handled the wind better too. The bike handles so good that I notice that I am taking turns faster than I normally do in my 2012, and have already upset Mrs Nanny twice. Something I have never done with my 2012:yes: I do have to admit that the second time I did turn around to take the same turn again to see what would happen, and you guessed it, Mrs. Nanny still did not like it.
Mileage:
I have gone thru three tanks of gas so far. The first one was the tank from when I got the bike, so I did not keep track of it. The second tank was me shifting at 4000 RPM, and no ECO mode. It was 5.107 gallons for 153.1 miles. The second tank I used the ECO mode, and topped off the tank more than the first. It was 5.734 gallons for 181.4 miles. The low fuel light came on between 170 to 172 miles. While I am not an aggressive rider, I do like to accelerate fast, so the ECO up arrow does not work when accelerating fast. I think from now on I will just shift at around 3000 to 3200 without the ECO mode.
Heat:
I have noticed some heat while riding around 78 degrees, but no where near by 2012. I have experience the heat issue with my 2010 RS running hotter than my 2012 RT, and the little heat from the 2014 is easily fixed by moving my foot. The heat is so low that you know it is there, but does not hurt your foot. I also parked the bike with the motor running, ran my hands around the area where the legs go, and could not feel anything. This was at night, sitting still, so that could have effected this test. The radiator fans did come on, and as promised, ran backwards. So far with about half of my 525+ miles being at temps above 75 I would say the heat issue is under control.
Brakes:
Brakes work really good, but have not had to do an emergency stop yet. I will try that later to see how they feel.
Likes/dislikes:
I like the floor boards, but had to get used to them. I was used to just having to slide my foot over to brake, but now have to lift my foot up and over to get my foot on the brake. When you shift out from reverse the transmission goes to neutral to first. I prefer to change to neutral then first when backing up. Also you can not go from neutral to first without your foot on the brake.
My thoughts:
I really think BRP got it right this time, and my only regret is that I did not wait to get a 2014 when I bought my 2012. I really do enjoy the ride of the 2014 over my 2012. I wonder if BRP would notice if I gave back the 2012 instead?
Motor sound and radio:
The first thing I noticed is the difference in the sound of the motor. Kind of has a diesel sound to it, and even my riding buddies said the same thing. At first I did not know if it was the lower sound of the motor, or better speakers, as I could hear the radio much better. The next day I parked next to a 2013 and put both bikes on the same station, same settings, and all three of us agreed that the 2014 had better sound to it. The change was big, as I have poor hearing.
Seat:
I took the bike home with my daughter on the back, and when I got off the first thing I noticed is it seemed like the seat is lower, but I guess I swung my leg higher. When I mentioned this to my daughter she said that she agrees the seat is different, as with my 2012 her head in lower than mine (she is 5'5"), but now her head is even with my helmet. She also told me that she can reach the passenger grips so much better too. I measured both seats, and they are the same height, but the 2014 is much softer, and I like that.
Handling:
As for how the bike handles it is sooo much smoother. Still has a small amount of vibration in the foot-boards at 75 MPH, but no where near that of my 2012. I am still trying to determine if it is the freeway or the bike, as I don't notice it all the time. I am riding in different lanes to test this out. Yesterday and today it was very windy, and I did notice it handled the wind better too. The bike handles so good that I notice that I am taking turns faster than I normally do in my 2012, and have already upset Mrs Nanny twice. Something I have never done with my 2012:yes: I do have to admit that the second time I did turn around to take the same turn again to see what would happen, and you guessed it, Mrs. Nanny still did not like it.
Mileage:
I have gone thru three tanks of gas so far. The first one was the tank from when I got the bike, so I did not keep track of it. The second tank was me shifting at 4000 RPM, and no ECO mode. It was 5.107 gallons for 153.1 miles. The second tank I used the ECO mode, and topped off the tank more than the first. It was 5.734 gallons for 181.4 miles. The low fuel light came on between 170 to 172 miles. While I am not an aggressive rider, I do like to accelerate fast, so the ECO up arrow does not work when accelerating fast. I think from now on I will just shift at around 3000 to 3200 without the ECO mode.
Heat:
I have noticed some heat while riding around 78 degrees, but no where near by 2012. I have experience the heat issue with my 2010 RS running hotter than my 2012 RT, and the little heat from the 2014 is easily fixed by moving my foot. The heat is so low that you know it is there, but does not hurt your foot. I also parked the bike with the motor running, ran my hands around the area where the legs go, and could not feel anything. This was at night, sitting still, so that could have effected this test. The radiator fans did come on, and as promised, ran backwards. So far with about half of my 525+ miles being at temps above 75 I would say the heat issue is under control.
Brakes:
Brakes work really good, but have not had to do an emergency stop yet. I will try that later to see how they feel.
Likes/dislikes:
I like the floor boards, but had to get used to them. I was used to just having to slide my foot over to brake, but now have to lift my foot up and over to get my foot on the brake. When you shift out from reverse the transmission goes to neutral to first. I prefer to change to neutral then first when backing up. Also you can not go from neutral to first without your foot on the brake.
My thoughts:
I really think BRP got it right this time, and my only regret is that I did not wait to get a 2014 when I bought my 2012. I really do enjoy the ride of the 2014 over my 2012. I wonder if BRP would notice if I gave back the 2012 instead?
hyea:
