newbie questions

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

:agree: I have a 2013 RTL with a 998 engine, and while I have no real desire to trade up to a 1330 I completely agree with your observations. I noticed the lack of oomph on the Interstates last year on my trek to SpyderQuest. But I so seldom go above 70, that I wouldn't trade mine in for that reason alone. And now, after all the heat issues have been resolved and after I've sunk so much money making the RTL mine (see mods link in signature below), I can't think of any reason to trade it in at all. But that's just me.

Fortunately I've sunk so little into farkles, other than the Tri-Axis handlebars and CB radio which I will move to the '14 RTS, that wasn't a huge deterrent for me. But the cost of moving up is what kept me from jumping until I came across the 2014 RT-S with 654 miles in Cognac, the only 2014 color I somewhat like, at $18,000. I figured how could I go wrong? :yes:

 

[Exditchdigger]

Boy are we having fun or what:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:
Ken

 

[Bob Denman]

But the cost of moving up is what kept me from jumping until I came across the 2014 RT-S with 654 miles in Cognac, the only 2014 color I somewhat like, at $18,000. I figured how could I go wrong? :yes:

You picked the PERFECT COLOR!! :clap:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

acountability

This is the only person arguing like a child in this thread, if i missed another person acting like a "Child" would you be so kind as to point him/her out. (see Below).

..WTF...this is the kind of crap that caused me to stay off the board the last time...Joe is a big boy and can stand up for Himself, I'm sure. So why don't you mind your own business, instead of trying to start trouble. Since this is a family oriented board I'll just leave it at :cus::cus::cus::cus::cus:......

Cruzr Joe

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:......................What's so funny is ......you don't know why I'm laughing :dontknow:.............

 

[wmh9680]

Hello, I;m amazed at the responses. Like I said before I was on a couple of Virago forums (anyone out there ever ridden a Yamaha Virago). The forums were great and this one does also. Now I can't wait to start seriously start shopping. Thanks, Mike

 

[Cruzr Joe]

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:......................What's so funny is ......you don't know why I'm laughing :dontknow:.............

And i don't care

Cruzr Joe

 

[DrewNJ]

 

[Pampurrs]

And i don't care

Cruzr Joe

Good for you Joe. That's one of the reasons I like you and heed your posts, while disregarding so many others.

Pam

 

[ARtraveler]

I will stay out of the fight. :yes:

My personal tally.

Five :ani29::ani29::ani29::ani29::ani29:'s. One the manual transmission and the other four were the semi automatics. Got the manual because that was all I could get in 2008. Performance wise and gas mileage--IMO--not much difference. I have grown accustomed to the semi auto and would not go back to the manual.

The spouse will most like to drive her own if she has the semi automatic.

Four with the 998 two cylinder and one with the 1330 three cylinder. IMO--the 1330 three is the better of the two. More lower end torque, quieter, longer service intervals (less money to spend on service). Gas mileage better by almost 10 mpg.

Some of us have opinions that seem to be set in cement. My advice is to always test drive the options and see what seems best for you. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Welcome back, D! :clap:
Did you add any cash to the "F-3" jar at the craps tables?

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Since the Snickers Bars don't seem to be working...
Who's ready for some ice cream??

 

[Devious56]

Oh man, do I LIKE ice cream!

David

 

[Ex Winger]

:shocked: How about if we get a round of Snickers Bars for everybody??

They look good but i like Mars bars much better.You have any?
Bill

 

[Bob Denman]

Only I already took a bit out of it... pps:

 

[latony007]

Well i agree with most everyone to make sure you get the 1330. The 2013 had all kinds of heat problems so id probably stay away from those and around here the price of used spyders is so close to new ones you might as well buy new and be able to finance easier Etc. The 1330 is a lot smoother, has less vibrations, than the 998 that is for sure. Also they moved the radiator so you dont have all the heat problems or earlier RTs. I almost burned my leg off riding a 2012 on a hot day.

As for the auto vs. manual if you have a problem with you wrist then its a no brainer but i did not get the manual for 3 reasons. 1 being i liked shifting, makes me feeling like im doing something and have more control over the bike (actual or imaginary didnt matter). 2 i found on my semi auto test ride when you pull up to a stop there is no "coasting" to a stop and you have play with the throttle the whole way since you can't just pull in the clutch for neutral. Im sure i could have gotten used to that but i didnt like it after having ridden 2 wheels. 3 was you have to start the bike to get it into neutral which makes it tougher to just move around the garage and it just seemed like another thing to go wrong/service.

I too am in my mid 40's and picked a spyder because my brother has one and i was able to ride it for an extended period of time. Bottom line for me was it was much safer than the cruiser i was taking my wife and kid on rides with and much less of a pain at slow speeds or parking, or more importantly trying to back out of parking lol. It was faster and handled better than a cruiser as well. Anyway i still have my sport bike for as long as i am able to ride it so its certainly nice to have both.

S vs. Base - The Rear suspension is adjustable on both models but the S has push button and the base you have to lift the seat and use an air compressor. Otherwise the differences are heated Passenger grips (they both have heated driver grips) different rims and fenders (i actually like the look of the base better) the S has foglight set up and some little LED and a two tone seat.

In summary get yourself a 2015 or 2016 RT!!

 

[NorCalBud]

:agree: I have a 2013 RTL with a 998 engine, and while I have no real desire to trade up to a 1330 I completely agree with your observations. I noticed the lack of oomph on the Interstates last year on my trek to SpyderQuest. But I so seldom go above 70, that I wouldn't trade mine in for that reason alone. And now, after all the heat issues have been resolved and after I've sunk so much money making the RTL mine (see mods link in signature below), I can't think of any reason to trade it in at all. But that's just me.

I'm an owner of a '12RTL and beg to differ with you on the powerband of the 998. Perhaps it's an individual tryke thing, but ours always has Plenty of juice left in 5th past 70mph. I don't even shift into 5th until about 72 then it's hit the throttle and GO! I've never tested the full limit of our ryde, 'cuz the road goes by quick at +90.
Just sayin....

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Perhaps it's an individual tryke thing, but ours always has Plenty of juice left in 5th past 70mph. I don't even shift into 5th until about 72 then it's hit the throttle and GO!

I think we differ on what we consider "plenty of juice!" I agree on not shifting into 5th until 70+, but when I want to kick it up to 90 to pass a semi doing 75, and there's a headwind or an uphill slope in the road, the reserve power I want to have is not there.

 

[ARtraveler]

I'm an owner of a '12RTL and beg to differ with you on the powerband of the 998. Perhaps it's an individual tryke thing, but ours always has Plenty of juice left in 5th past 70mph. I don't even shift into 5th until about 72 then it's hit the throttle and GO! I've never tested the full limit of our ryde, 'cuz the road goes by quick at +90.
Just sayin....

The power band on the 998 does not really kick in until you have it revved over 6000. You bet it has plenty of power. You just have to make it scream a bit.

The 1330 will pretty much get up and go at 3000 and above. Any gear, any time.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: But that 20% more torque is put in a place where it's pretty useable on the 1330s... :thumbup:

 

[Devious56]

:agree: But that 20% more torque is put in a place where it's pretty useable on the 1330s... :thumbup:

I have to agree with Bob on this, makes it very rideable ..................... not to mention quick.

David