Valkrocket
Member
The first thing that hits you like a ton of bricks is the brake pedal position. It is forward and to an angle. This is a huge adjustment for anyone who rode the prior years rts. I found out the hard way when I almost lost her after a car decided he was changing lanes w/out a turn signal and in a hurry. Went to hit my brake and NO PEDAL! Brain kicked in and remembered it was forward, so years of conditioning takes time to change your reaction time. the new brake pedal is huge, can't miss it once you remember where it is.
The new floorboards are huge and highway pegs or boards are no longer required. Their rubber inserts are cushioned for a smoother ride.
Lighting system is way better than the 18. Road is illuminated without using my high beams at night. That was a problem for me on the 18. There are no fog lights on the 21, but an optional LED flood light is available from BRP for $254. Or you can order a $18 DIY one from Ebay like I just did.
The horn seems louder than the clown horn on the 18, but I still think I'm going to add the WOLO Big Boy. Safety 1st.
Under USELESS CONTROLS DEPT: there are 3 different buttons to raise the audio volume. One is a button that replaced the old windshield height button, the second is the joystick on the left handlebar controls and the last is an audio cluster of buttons on the tank. They should eliminate at least one if not both extras. All you really need is the left joystick control. Also, there is a blank switch cover above the tank in a switch cluster which used to be for the front auxiliary light. That light is now hot wired and always on. I'm planning on adding a GDO rocker switch there in the future. There is a slot in bottom front of the 21. Perfect spot to add that LED flood light for better illumination and daytime visibility.
New glove box location.....Love it! It is now located above your instrument panel. It has a wires for auxiliary sound (I thinks it's a 9mm pin) and UBC connector to hook up directly to BRP Connect. I still use my Bluetooth to connect to BRP Connect. The glove box is deep. It will fit my huge Iphone, sunglasses, tire gauge, GDO and room for more. As a bonus, they found a great place to hide that annoying "safety card". It is now located on the side of the glove box which pulls straight up in case you want to read it. Don't bother. There is a molded plastic piece above the dash and below the windshield that is just begging for a storage pouch. And I just found out there is an after market piece that fits perfectly on top of it. (bling down the road)
The mirrors still suck. You can't see anything directly behind you and my left mirror got the shakes about 5 minutes out of the dealers lot. I have since ordered the Lamonster fix for both mirrors. I also plan on ordering the wide mirrors, but even they widen the view, they still don't give me the visibility I'd like. The mirror housing is now a color match to the spyder instead of chrome.
The audio seems stronger. I don't have to raise the audio as far to get the same volume level as before. The seat is now split, with only the drivers side raising up. The passenger can remain seated while gassing up. Both seats are heated with individual controls.
The windshield will adjust without starting engine now. The support for the windshield appears to be thicker and stronger that its predecessor and the chrome trim on the front of the windshield has been replaced with black ABS plastic.
The rear end is better illuminated with a third running/brake light above the new trunk. License plate light is larger. The rear mud flap is shaped to the rear wheel and extends to about 6" above the ground. No more muddy wet backs for passenger and trunk. Maybe my imagination, but it sure seems to have a tighter front end. It holds the turns better and smoother.
The frunk looks smaller. The trunk is shallower, but removable along with the passenger backrest for a sportier F2 look that I love. As a result of the removable trunk, the latches for both side saddlebags are located on the front of the bags which also makes for easier access. The trunk can be replaced with a color matching rear cover from BRP for $239 Already ordered one! The passenger floor boards height is adjustable.
The dash display looks narrower than the 2018 dash, but appears to be brighter. Still too small for these old eyes, gotta wear bifocals when riding.
I sure hope there is no parking brake cable issues with the 20 because that area sure looks tighter to work a wrench in. 2012 still has Kenda tires, but the rubber feels like a more pliable consistency(probably cause it's newer rubber). Maybe just wishful thinking here. I really like the look of the 2021 wheels. Should also be easier to clean. The license plate needs to be screwed into the back instead of bolted onto the back like the 18.
The handlebars look like motorcycle handlebars, black not chrome(yes) and feel closer to me when riding. I understand they now make an adjustable handlebar for the 20/21's. Only time will tell if I need to go that way.
Well if you've read this far and haven't fallen asleep, let me know if you have any other questions. Sorry for any/all the misspellings. If I find any more more differences in the upcoming days I'll be brief about it.
Glide-on>>>>>>>>>>>>
The new floorboards are huge and highway pegs or boards are no longer required. Their rubber inserts are cushioned for a smoother ride.
Lighting system is way better than the 18. Road is illuminated without using my high beams at night. That was a problem for me on the 18. There are no fog lights on the 21, but an optional LED flood light is available from BRP for $254. Or you can order a $18 DIY one from Ebay like I just did.
The horn seems louder than the clown horn on the 18, but I still think I'm going to add the WOLO Big Boy. Safety 1st.
Under USELESS CONTROLS DEPT: there are 3 different buttons to raise the audio volume. One is a button that replaced the old windshield height button, the second is the joystick on the left handlebar controls and the last is an audio cluster of buttons on the tank. They should eliminate at least one if not both extras. All you really need is the left joystick control. Also, there is a blank switch cover above the tank in a switch cluster which used to be for the front auxiliary light. That light is now hot wired and always on. I'm planning on adding a GDO rocker switch there in the future. There is a slot in bottom front of the 21. Perfect spot to add that LED flood light for better illumination and daytime visibility.
New glove box location.....Love it! It is now located above your instrument panel. It has a wires for auxiliary sound (I thinks it's a 9mm pin) and UBC connector to hook up directly to BRP Connect. I still use my Bluetooth to connect to BRP Connect. The glove box is deep. It will fit my huge Iphone, sunglasses, tire gauge, GDO and room for more. As a bonus, they found a great place to hide that annoying "safety card". It is now located on the side of the glove box which pulls straight up in case you want to read it. Don't bother. There is a molded plastic piece above the dash and below the windshield that is just begging for a storage pouch. And I just found out there is an after market piece that fits perfectly on top of it. (bling down the road)
The mirrors still suck. You can't see anything directly behind you and my left mirror got the shakes about 5 minutes out of the dealers lot. I have since ordered the Lamonster fix for both mirrors. I also plan on ordering the wide mirrors, but even they widen the view, they still don't give me the visibility I'd like. The mirror housing is now a color match to the spyder instead of chrome.
The audio seems stronger. I don't have to raise the audio as far to get the same volume level as before. The seat is now split, with only the drivers side raising up. The passenger can remain seated while gassing up. Both seats are heated with individual controls.
The windshield will adjust without starting engine now. The support for the windshield appears to be thicker and stronger that its predecessor and the chrome trim on the front of the windshield has been replaced with black ABS plastic.
The rear end is better illuminated with a third running/brake light above the new trunk. License plate light is larger. The rear mud flap is shaped to the rear wheel and extends to about 6" above the ground. No more muddy wet backs for passenger and trunk. Maybe my imagination, but it sure seems to have a tighter front end. It holds the turns better and smoother.
The frunk looks smaller. The trunk is shallower, but removable along with the passenger backrest for a sportier F2 look that I love. As a result of the removable trunk, the latches for both side saddlebags are located on the front of the bags which also makes for easier access. The trunk can be replaced with a color matching rear cover from BRP for $239 Already ordered one! The passenger floor boards height is adjustable.
The dash display looks narrower than the 2018 dash, but appears to be brighter. Still too small for these old eyes, gotta wear bifocals when riding.
I sure hope there is no parking brake cable issues with the 20 because that area sure looks tighter to work a wrench in. 2012 still has Kenda tires, but the rubber feels like a more pliable consistency(probably cause it's newer rubber). Maybe just wishful thinking here. I really like the look of the 2021 wheels. Should also be easier to clean. The license plate needs to be screwed into the back instead of bolted onto the back like the 18.
The handlebars look like motorcycle handlebars, black not chrome(yes) and feel closer to me when riding. I understand they now make an adjustable handlebar for the 20/21's. Only time will tell if I need to go that way.
Well if you've read this far and haven't fallen asleep, let me know if you have any other questions. Sorry for any/all the misspellings. If I find any more more differences in the upcoming days I'll be brief about it.
Glide-on>>>>>>>>>>>>
