My thoughts on the 2014 RT

[SpyderAnn01]

Just got home from the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, CA and it was a great time! I'm afraid that I can't give any good feedback on the Spyder since it was raining and cold and I was in unfamiliar territory. They said I could take the RT out on my own since I was an owner but since I didn't know where I was I said I'd go with the group. While I was waiting for the group to go through the introduction to Spyder riding TicketBait showed up and he and I went out for a spin. I was on an RTS SM6 and it shifted very smoothly and was pretty quick. The grip heaters didn't work and I didn't have gloves on so I was freezing! It handles differently than the previous models and will take a bit of time to get used to it. The brakes were really good compared to the 2011 that I'm riding now.

No more button to open the front trunk - you do have to use the key. And speaking of keys, the deal was that you needed to give the demo guys your Spyder key to prove that you actually owned one then they would let you ride on your own. Well TicketBait and I gave them our keys (his was for his trailer - he caged it to the show) and they didn't know which key was which. So we had to take a second ride to go to my hotel to make sure I had the right key. That ride I took a Limited with the backrest and I really liked it I thought it was very comfortable and was all ready to put one on my must have farkle list. But today I had on all of my cold weather gear and I felt too crowded with the backrest. I think that it would be great with the comfort seat and that is what I will probably do

Inside at the show they had an RTS in white one in Cognac, a Limited in Cognac and a base RT in black and an RTS or Ltd in the flat silver. I'm sorry but I may make some of you mad but I really don't like the Cognac. I was surprised that I liked the flat silver and was also surprised that I wasn't wild about the white.

I loved the blacked out look on the RTS for 2013 but for 2014 they changed some things that I don't like. On the oil panel that piece that was chrome with Can-Am in black is now a sort of brushed chrome and there is no black lettering. This is the same on the back trunk lid the BRP logo is in the brushed chrome also as are the front of the mirrors. Another thing that I didn't like was on the front of all of the models they put a shiny black piece that looks tacky. The two toned seat on the RTS looks really nice and all of you Limited people will be jealous of it!

This morning my husband and I each took one out and here is a picture of me at the Queen Mary.

 

[Chupaca]

Good to know..!!

your thoughts so far. I'm sure all of us following your ordeal will be glad to hear your reviews. Sorry about the weather..!! :thumbup:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

your thoughts so far. I'm sure all of us following your ordeal will be glad to hear your reviews. Sorry about the weather..!! :thumbup:

What's up with the weather? I thought it never rained in California!

 

[Magdave]

What do you mean about the handling can you elaborate a little. I know it was raining. Shame about the heaters but typical lack of detail in QA mine came with non functional cruise control. You would think they would do a complete check out of models that they are letting people drive. Sounds like they cheaped out the RTS a little and I would not like a flat silver. I like my Magnesium and the lack of color on the plain RT (black is all colors mixed together, white is no color at all to me) will probably make me stick with my 13 for a long time. I just cant justify the added expense for the RTS add on's. I could be a one and done if BRP doesn't change the base colors for 15. I like my Utopia BR rest because it is adjustable the BRP one is not correct? At least you got to ride one are they that much better than the 13 (excluding the fire risk).

 

[SpyderAnn01]

What do you mean about the handling can you elaborate a little. I know it was raining. Shame about the heaters but typical lack of detail in QA mine came with non functional cruise control. You would think they would do a complete check out of models that they are letting people drive. Sounds like they cheaped out the RTS a little and I would not like a flat silver. I like my Magnesium and the lack of color on the plain RT (black is all colors mixed together, white is no color at all to me) will probably make me stick with my 13 for a long time. I just cant justify the added expense for the RTS add on's. I could be a one and done if BRP doesn't change the base colors for 15. I like my Utopia BR rest because it is adjustable the BRP one is not correct? At least you got to ride one are they that much better than the 13 (excluding the fire risk).

I can't really elaborate on the handing because of the rain - I didn't want to push it. I just know that it feels different than the older models.

The demo bikes are the pre-production units that were used at the Club BRP event so they've been around the block a few times.

I had a Utopia backrest and I didn't like it much. Even though it was adjustable I just couldn't find the right position for me. The BRP one is not adjustable but it is more substantial than the Utopia and is entirely padded.

I wouldn't say that they "cheaped" out the RTS but they did try to make the differences in the RTS and the RT Limited more distinct. Or to put it another way, it would cost Bob Denman a whole lot more money to make a 2014 RT or RTS look like the RT Limited than it did for him to make his 2010 A&C into an RTS.

I think I will keep my order in for the white RTS and maybe I will make some of those brushed chrome things black.

I would say that they definitely are that much better than the 2013. The added power and the longer range are huge!

 

[Magdave]

So it may just be the added weight and stiffer shocks in front? I know it would be tuff to tell in bad weather. $500 for a non adjustable BR is a tough pill to swallow but what farkle is cheap for these bikes :dontknow:. I guess Bob won't be limiting his out with his "no unnecessary farkling " ban in effect :roflblack: Thanks for the reply and enjoy the ride :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

I can't really elaborate on the handing because of the rain - I didn't want to push it. I just know that it feels different than the older models.

The demo bikes are the pre-production units that were used at the Club BRP event so they've been around the block a few times.

I had a Utopia backrest and I didn't like it much. Even though it was adjustable I just couldn't find the right position for me. The BRP one is not adjustable but it is more substantial than the Utopia and is entirely padded.

I wouldn't say that they "cheaped" out the RTS but they did try to make the differences in the RTS and the RT Limited more distinct. Or to put it another way, it would cost Bob Denman a whole lot more money to make a 2014 RT or RTS look like the RT Limited than it did for him to make his 2010 A&C into an RTS.

I think I will keep my order in for the white RTS and maybe I will make some of those brushed chrome things black.

I would say that they definitely are that much better than the 2013. The added power and the longer range are huge!

Hello Ann: Have been waiting to read your report. Sorry that the weather was not good enough to permit a more detailed test. I am going to miss the push button for the trunk--but will eventually learn to live with using the key. Not sure about the back rest for $449 if it is not adjustable. My back is particular and I hope that I can get that issue worked out.

Your report is much appreciated and at least we know that you know what you are talking about when it comes to all things :spyder2:. Be safe rydeing back to Vegas. :2thumbs:

 

[cuznjohn]

on the web site

Hello Ann: Have been waiting to read your report. Sorry that the weather was not good enough to permit a more detailed test. I am going to miss the push button for the trunk--but will eventually learn to live with using the key. Not sure about the back rest for $449 if it is not adjustable. My back is particular and I hope that I can get that issue worked out.

Your report is much appreciated and at least we know that you know what you are talking about when it comes to all things :spyder2:. Be safe rydeing back to Vegas. :2thumbs:

this is what it says
[h=3]Push-Button Front Cargo Release[/h] [h=5]SPEED UP YOUR NEXT STOP[/h] Convenient push-button electronic cargo release lets you access gear quickly and then get right back on the road.

 

[MouthPiece]

2013 RT-S handles much different (better) than the 2010 - 2012's. (IMO) I'm not surprised the "14" does as well.

Chris

 

[Lamonster]

Just got home from the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, CA and it was a great time! I'm afraid that I can't give any good feedback on the Spyder since it was raining and cold and I was in unfamiliar territory. They said I could take the RT out on my own since I was an owner but since I didn't know where I was I said I'd go with the group. While I was waiting for the group to go through the introduction to Spyder riding TicketBait showed up and he and I went out for a spin. I was on an RTS SM6 and it shifted very smoothly and was pretty quick. The grip heaters didn't work and I didn't have gloves on so I was freezing! It handles differently than the previous models and will take a bit of time to get used to it. The brakes were really good compared to the 2011 that I'm riding now.

No more button to open the front trunk - you do have to use the key. And speaking of keys, the deal was that you needed to give the demo guys your Spyder key to prove that you actually owned one then they would let you ride on your own. Well TicketBait and I gave them our keys (his was for his trailer - he caged it to the show) and they didn't know which key was which. So we had to take a second ride to go to my hotel to make sure I had the right key. That ride I took a Limited with the backrest and I really liked it I thought it was very comfortable and was all ready to put one on my must have farkle list. But today I had on all of my cold weather gear and I felt too crowded with the backrest. I think that it would be great with the comfort seat and that is what I will probably do

Inside at the show they had an RTS in white one in Cognac, a Limited in Cognac and a base RT in black and an RTS or Ltd in the flat silver. I'm sorry but I may make some of you mad but I really don't like the Cognac. I was surprised that I liked the flat silver and was also surprised that I wasn't wild about the white.

I loved the blacked out look on the RTS for 2013 but for 2014 they changed some things that I don't like. On the oil panel that piece that was chrome with Can-Am in black is now a sort of brushed chrome and there is no black lettering. This is the same on the back trunk lid the BRP logo is in the brushed chrome also as are the front of the mirrors. Another thing that I didn't like was on the front of all of the models they put a shiny black piece that looks tacky. The two toned seat on the RTS looks really nice and all of you Limited people will be jealous of it!

This morning my husband and I each took one out and here is a picture of me at the Queen Mary. View attachment 80449

Thanks for your review. I looked on the website and they list the electronic trunk release. Maybe that was missed when they hand built these units. :dontknow:
http://can-am.brp.com/spyder/spyder/spyder-rt/spyder-rt-s/features.html#feature-538093295
http://can-am.brp.com/spyder/spyder/spyder-rt/spyder-rt-s/features.html

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks Ann! :2thumbs:
There's no doubt that the weather put a kink in what you could wring out of them...
Did the bike's bottom-end power feel as strong as what we've been told so far?

 

[NorthStar]

Low End Power

Thanks Ann! :2thumbs:
There's no doubt that the weather put a kink in what you could wring out of them...
Did the bike's bottom-end power feel as strong as what we've been told so far?

I had the opportunity to drive the 2014 RTS Limited in dry conditions in mid November and immediately noticed that the torque of the new engine is noticeably stronger at the lower end than previous models. The engine pulls extremely hard through all gears and from a dead stop I was able to go from 0-87 mph by the time I hit 6th gear. Handling through curves was just a bit tighter than my 2010 RTS with Elka Stage 1 shocks. The engine revs for me were about 1000 rpms lower than the 2010 at similar highway speeds.
For those of you looking for an overall performance improvement over previous years models........you will not be disappointed. Can you sense the jealousy?

 

[CentralCoastCA]

Thanks Ann for your impressions on the new 2014's. Yesterday I rode a RT-L for the first time and I did notice that cornering was a lot different compared to my GS with a BajaRon sway bar. In fact the RT-L kinda wallowed IMHO, but the suspension was set more towards a hard ride so not sure if that was part of the issue. I did notice that I got a fair amount of helmet buffeting with the windshield all the way down - when I raised it to the all the way to the top the buffeting stopped but the rim was slightly in my line of sight. I loved the triple motor, smooth semi automatic shifting (first time on an SE for me) and there was plenty of power. Overall, I was impressed with what BRP did and have decided that I will get a 2014 RT or RTS - not the limited because we do not go 2 up very often. However, I will wait before purchasing to make sure there's no issues like the 2013's had.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

2013 RT-S handles much different (better) than the 2010 - 2012's. (IMO) I'm not surprised the "14" does as well.

Chris

I agree

Thanks for your review. I looked on the website and they list the electronic trunk release. Maybe that was missed when they hand built these units. :dontknow:
http://can-am.brp.com/spyder/spyder/spyder-rt/spyder-rt-s/features.html#feature-538093295
http://can-am.brp.com/spyder/spyder/spyder-rt/spyder-rt-s/features.html

There was talk about them taking the button off after someone accidentally pushed the parking brake release and talk that BRP had issued a memo removing them. The models on the floor inside the show had them but the demo bikes did not.

Thanks Ann! :2thumbs:
There's no doubt that the weather put a kink in what you could wring out of them...
Did the bike's bottom-end power feel as strong as what we've been told so far?

Yes, the low end power is impressive. Even my husband was impressed when he rode one.

For those of you looking for an overall performance improvement over previous years models........you will not be disappointed. Can you sense the jealousy?

I agree

Thanks Ann for your impressions on the new 2014's. Yesterday I rode a RT-L for the first time and I did notice that cornering was a lot different compared to my GS with a BajaRon sway bar. In fact the RT-L kinda wallowed IMHO, but the suspension was set more towards a hard ride so not sure if that was part of the issue. I did notice that I got a fair amount of helmet buffeting with the windshield all the way down - when I raised it to the all the way to the top the buffeting stopped but the rim was slightly in my line of sight. I loved the triple motor, smooth semi automatic shifting (first time on an SE for me) and there was plenty of power. Overall, I was impressed with what BRP did and have decided that I will get a 2014 RT or RTS - not the limited because we do not go 2 up very often. However, I will wait before purchasing to make sure there's no issues like the 2013's had.

I checked the rear shock setting on the one I rode yesterday and it was at 4. I didn't check the two on Saturday due to the rain. Are the front shocks adjustable? I didn't feel the buffeting and it is probably just something that you will need to find the sweet spot for.

 

[Bob Denman]

If the shocks are similar to the 2013s; they won't have any adjustments on them...

 

[finless]

Ann, I had a feeling you would not like the Cognac. I bet you would like your yellow back?

Bob

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Ann, I had a feeling you would not like the Cognac. I bet you would like your yellow back?

Bob

I sure wish they had a yellow one at the show. I don't like the brushed chrome accents and I bet that I really wouldn't like them on the yellow. To me gray and yellow don't go together. I hate chrome but it looked better than the brushed stuff.

I also thought that the white was different from the older RT LTDs but Chaz said that it was the same. I think it was the lighting inside the arena that made the white look a little off.

Another thing I forgot to mention was that I think I experienced the reverse fan on the radiators. I had to go to the parking garage at my hotel because of the key ordeal and I left the RT running while I checked the keys and got some gear on. When I got back on the 14 the fan was on and I felt air on my feet.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Ann

Thanks for the info, i, along with others appreciate any info we can get.

Cruzr Joe

 

[maliamd]

Thanks Ann. Very good info.

 

[Magdave]

If the shocks are similar to the 2013s; they won't have any adjustments on them...

The shocks are different than the 13 but still not adjustable. They are stiffer and bigger an upgrade that I want to do on my 13. Cost ~400 installed shocks and springs come as a set and are available now. Front will sit 3/4 inch higher so springs are stiffer too probably for the added engine weight.