Newbie here and was wondering

[joe schmoe]

I am a newbie to the Spyder RT world...I ride a Victory Vision, but my wife who is a cancer survivor :clap: ( Lymphoma AND lung cancer) is interested in the Spyder RT in Viper Red...

She does not have much upper body strength so she has ruled out a TRIKE, but she was able to handle the RT quite well doing a donut in the dealerships parking lot...She stands 5 foot nothing if height is a issue ridng a Spyder.

What are the Pros and Cons of owning a RT???

If I can swing it I will get her one but want to be informed before jumping in for $27 LARGE!!

 

[Weave2u]

I am a newbie to the Spyder RT world...I ride a Victory Vision, but my wife who is a cancer survivor :clap: ( Lymphoma AND lung cancer) is interested in the Spyder RT in Viper Red...

She does not have much upper body strength so she has ruled out a TRIKE, but she was able to handle the RT quite well doing a donut in the dealerships parking lot...She stands 5 foot nothing if height is a issue ridng a Spyder.

What are the Pros and Cons of owning a RT???

If I can swing it I will get her one but want to be informed before jumping in for $27 LARGE!!

Hi Joe, So glad your wife is a survivor, I lost my wife of 30 years, Carol, to lung cancer just 2 years ago (seems like yesterday on most days). So praise God for your wife's remission!

That said, as far as I know, and I'm not up on M/C's that much, but it's the only one with power steering. Not to mention all the other VSS components, it strikes me as ideal for the purpose you're after.

Hey... my friend, enjoy your family NOW! Tomorrow has no guarantees at all!! So, it may be expensive, and you should ask a lot of questions, but frankly, I'd love to be able to drop 30g's on my wife today. Hope that helps.

 

[Oldmanzues]

:welcome: Only she can say, if the Spyder fits. A longer ride in a bigger parking lot might be a idea.
I love my RT.:spyder2: Liked my RS,:spyder2: but foot position was off for me.
If money is a concern, why go for the fancy version ? I have a "bare bones" RT version, which except for a CB is everything I want.
Good luck in what you all decide.
Oldmanzues

 

[SpyderAnn01]

:welcome: you might want to have your wife test drive the RS also. It weighs less than the RT which might make it even easier for her to handle. Good luck with your decision.

 

[bullant12]

:welcome: Glad to hear the wife is a SURVIVOR!! Let hope and pray for others with this dreadfull issue become survivors as well!!ray:

On the RT part, she has done the first thing and demo it on the dealer... BUT there is more to it than doing doughnuts in the parking lot. I agree with Oldmanzues and go from the bottom up. The RT barebones rYdes the same as an RT-S, and cost much less because of the optional radio, speakers, fog lights and pump for the airbag suspension. Those things can be added as you go along (I started with an A&C package and only 3 parts away from being an RT-S). As for the experience, I just say to keep looking at other's experiences (many motorcycle veterans around here) and relate to their experiences. Myself a first timer, I would not change it unless for a nice upgrade (and better deal ).

Good luck!!!

 

[BikerDoc]

I saw a post on Can Am Facebook this past week from a fellow who has had Muscular Dystrophy all his life.. He says he had always wanted a motorcycle but thought it was impossible for him until he test drove the Spyder.. Now he is working on the financing and asking BRP why they don't market more aggressively to folks who have "special needs".. The Spyder seems to be growing rapidly in popularity among folks who need assistance to be "enabled"..
If she loves it, get it and savor her joy and company all you can for as long as you can.....

 

[Dragonrider]

Joe,

I'm happy that you still get to share with your wife.

The RT is very unique, and more like riding an ATV or snowmobile than a bike. It has all the safety features of an Accord, and real road stability. The power steering helps make handling easier for those with upper body issues.

I would recommend the SE transmission, and adding an ISCI handbrake - the footbrake can take a bit of effort, for some.

The RT comes in three flavors, and, IMHO the best buy is the A/C version, which you should be able to find for $5 to 7 K less than you mentioned. I thing the LTD is a waste of money for most, and the "S" only plays out, if you ride two up a lot. But that's your call - some are willing to pay for farkles.

Maintenance is expensive - akin to a BMW touring bike, so, if you're handy with tools, there are plenty here to help keep those costs down.

Most of us have had thousands of trouble free miles on our Spyders, but you'll see all the worst here on the forum.

 

[gsfspyder]

Good choice on the RT-S in Viper Red. If you've spent any time on this forum, you'll already have read all the "pros" of owning one. The cons for me were that a stroke had limited my right side strength. So, I had to add floorboards and a hand brake through ISCI to make it really work right for me. But the biggest con I can think of is that the Spyder is such a new product that many dealers are just learning the basics of it. My dealer told me that it didn't come with a toolkit - and I had to show him where to find it. I also learned about "limp home mode" and how to respond to it from this forum. Most of his customers were returning the bikes to the dealer when they encountered the condition. I discovered that the assistant service manager wasn't even aware of the mode because they were unable to recreate the condition on the bikes that were being returned. Hopefully, you'll have more knowledgeable dealer personnel.

 

[MouthPiece]

I am a newbie to the Spyder RT world...I ride a Victory Vision, but my wife who is a cancer survivor :clap: ( Lymphoma AND lung cancer) is interested in the Spyder RT in Viper Red...

She does not have much upper body strength so she has ruled out a TRIKE, but she was able to handle the RT quite well doing a donut in the dealerships parking lot...She stands 5 foot nothing if height is a issue ridng a Spyder.

What are the Pros and Cons of owning a RT???

If I can swing it I will get her one but want to be informed before jumping in for $27 LARGE!!

Go ahead an pull the trigger. We only have a lease on life.

Chris PE.....0004

 

[joe schmoe]

Thanks for the info...:2thumbs:

We had just sold her 2007 HD Nightster and she was wondering if she would like the RT-S...We pulled into the dealer and right in front of us was a Viper Red one and she fell in love!!

The sales guy was kind of a jerk, probably won't buy from them , but there are other dealers close...We will use the local dealer to do a REAL test ride and let her get a feel for it better...But from everything I'm reading I'm sold that this is the ride for her!!

Now just to buy one!!

OK, help me understand something...There are three levels to the RT-S???

Do they all have power assist steering? How is the heat on these? I had read where some people were adding a fan can to reduce heat...

Can I add CB unit without much grief?? I have one on my Vision and we like to be able to talk to figure out our ride and stuff while rolling instead of stopping and discuss it...We like the wind in our hair instead of sitting in a parking lot talking...

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks for the info...:2thumbs:

We had just sold her 2007 HD Nightster and she was wondering if she would like the RT-S...We pulled into the dealer and right in front of us was a Viper Red one and she fell in love!!

The sales guy was kind of a jerk, probably won't buy from them , but there are other dealers close...We will use the local dealer to do a REAL test ride and let her get a feel for it better...But from everything I'm reading I'm sold that this is the ride for her!!

Now just to buy one!!

OK, help me understand something...There are three levels to the RT-S???

Do they all have power assist steering? How is the heat on these? I had read where some people were adding a fan can to reduce heat...

Can I add CB unit without much grief?? I have one on my Vision and we like to be able to talk to figure out our ride and stuff while rolling instead of stopping and discuss it...We like the wind in our hair instead of sitting in a parking lot talking...

There are currently four levels to the RT. The RT-S is one of these. In order, they are the RT (bare bones), RT Audio & Convenience, RT-S, and RT-S Limited. The RT_S version is well equipped. BRP has a CB/Comm System as an available accessory. You will also need their Entertainment Harness and an appropriate helmet/headset and adapter cord...either theirs or compatible aftermarket. I know oof no aftermarket CB that fits the RT series.

 

[joe schmoe]

There are currently four levels to the RT. The RT-S is one of these. In order, they are the RT (bare bones), RT Audio & Convenience, RT-S, and RT-S Limited. The RT_S version is well equipped. BRP has a CB/Comm System as an available accessory. You will also need their Entertainment Harness and an appropriate helmet/headset and adapter cord...either theirs or compatible aftermarket. I know oof no aftermarket CB that fits the RT series.

We got the J&M headset and stuff already I had out fitted her HD Nightster with an AutoComm system with Kenwood radios when she had it...Then she got sick...Never really got it tuned in....We use her helmet and headset when she rides with me and the J&M works flawlessly...Just needed to know if Spyder had a CB unit that could be installed...J&M is the best I have found so far in regards to headsets...

Thanks for helping me understand the the 4 levels I will have to read more about what comes on which level...Dealer showed us a LOADED one apparently, it had everything but the kitchen sink!

 

[NancysToy]

We got the J&M headset and stuff already I had out fitted her HD Nightster with an AutoComm system with Kenwood radios when she had it...Then she got sick...Never really got it tuned in....We use her helmet and headset when she rides with me and the J&M works flawlessly...Just needed to know if Spyder had a CB unit that could be installed...J&M is the best I have found so far in regards to headsets...

Thanks for helping me understand the the 4 levels I will have to read more about what comes on which level...Dealer showed us a LOADED one apparently, it had everything but the kitchen sink!

If the Autocom will work with the Kenwoods, I would try that. I use a Starcom1 system on my RTS, but we haven't tried portable CB with it. We had some problems when we tried FRS/GMRS, due to the radios we selected. I also tied in a Hi-Lo converter so I could pipe my Spyder audio to my helmet speakers.

The RTS was originally top of the line, but the ne Limited adds even more stuff. Viper Red is only available in the RTS version.

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi Joe!
Since your Wife is "5-foot-nothing", I would suggest; as Anne did, to have her sit on an RS. The seating position might bring the controls just a bit closer to her. They've also got a Red/Black RS-S for 2012 that looks fantastic!
Granted; it wouldn't have some of the RT's touring goodies, but it still might be worth a peek...
...And I'm glad to hear that she's feeling well-enough to be considering all of this! I wish you both continued good luck and success with this battle! :thumbup:

 

[Leslee]

We just had the Can Am CB Communication System and wiring harness installed on our new 2011 viper red RTS. Works great once we read instructions for VOX controls. Our J&M headsets work too but we had to get a 9 pin lower cord because we use them on our Gold Wing too.

Perhaps you can get the dealer to throw in the $799 system and harness installed to make the sale. We did.

 

[joe schmoe]

We just had the Can Am CB Communication System and wiring harness installed on our new 2011 viper red RTS. Works great once we read instructions for VOX controls. Our J&M headsets work too but we had to get a 9 pin lower cord because we use them on our Gold Wing too.

Perhaps you can get the dealer to throw in the $799 system and harness installed to make the sale. We did.

Thanks that's a GREAT idea...We are going to buy a RT-S once we figure out what the insurance company is going to do for a claim from the April 27th Hail storm...When will the 2012 models be hitting the show room floors???

 

[Marker]

When my wife and were looking to buy our :f_spider:. we both sat on an RS model and found the seats uncomfortable and also I found the drivers position to bent over like a sport bike riding position. Since I have neck problems nerve problems in hands and feet the RTS was the way to go for us. Our dealer is great and he has great tech staff that can fix any issues the first time, also his staff are up on all the latest recalls and updates. Our dealer has made :f_spider: ownership a pleasure. :congrats: & :welcome: X2 . I am happy for you that your wife is a cancer survivor:2thumbs: and is feeling great to :f_spider: ryde !

 

[SpyderRyder2B]

Since you have more than one dealer near you, I suggest you check out their service departments, those are the people you will be seeing more often than the sales department. Even if you do most of your own work, it is still important to have a good service department, just in case.

So glad to hear your wife is a survivor:clap:, enjoy the ryde, it is awesome and worth every penny!