Old vs. New

[Casher50]

I've been thinking of trading my 2011 RT for a new RT or RTS. My question is, has technology been marching along with the new spyders having better steering, better brakes, fewer problems etc.. Or is a new spyder just like an old spyder, but with a bigger and more powerful engine? A test drive only lasts a short time and doesn't tell all. Owning a new spyder lasts much longer. How is the experience of owning a new spyder vs. an old spyder different, and is the difference worth and additional $15,000+?

 

[Bob Denman]

Get the new bike: you'll love it! nojoke
The 1330/SE-6 combination is really sweet!
And it gets about 20% better fuel mileage.
The 1200 watt alternator is far superior to the older 650 watt magneto
No hot air from the radiators ever gets near the operator, and the dual radiators are far less fussy about how hot it is outside.
The new clutch engagement system doesn't require you to keep things spinning above a certain rpm level, and you don't even need the old "Towing Mode" anymore!

 

[ARtraveler]

We have been discussing this off and on since 2014. I traded the 2010 RTS Premier in on a 2014 RT-S.

The benefits mentioned are right on. A few: more lower end torque, quieter operation, more smooth driving (to me and Linda), higher gas mileage (we get 40 or so consistently), and much better maintenance schedule. After the initial 3,000 mile (break-in) service, its once a year or 9,500 miles. No valve checks needed either. Still have mine and have had no major mechanical issues since owning it (Apr 2014).

I still have a 2011 RT which I purchased new in 2012 for Linda. Hers has also been trouble free. It seems "different" when I go back and do the weekly check out ride.

Both have 25K miles or so on them.

Are the current versions better than the 2014? If you like different paint color options, then yes. I am thinking any 2014 + 1330 is pretty good. By a left over and save a bunch of bucks.

There have been no major upgrades since intro in 2014. :thumbup:

 

[4 MARIE]

I never had an "older" spyder, but In 20k miles or so, my 1330 has been absolutely oil tight.
It stops on a dime, IT's been smooth, quiet, and powerful.
I am a very large man. It will pull 6th gear from 3k/60mph, up a very steep climb. Accelerate if you want. no downshift necessary.
I am sooo.. glad I got in the game with the later model.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

It is definitely worth the money.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

V-TWIN SPYDER VS. 1330 SPYDER

Friend it's like night & day ( day being the 1330 ) ...... and I've seen nicely modded2014 's for as low as 17,000 with not much mileage .............:thumbup:

 

[Coreythebody]

I just did this

I picked up my 2016 RT-S SS Triple Black yesterday, upgraded from a 2011 RT-S, and the ryde home yesterday was awesome, got rained on a little, but my smile grew the whole time.

I noticed a big difference from the 998 to the 1330, and the 6 speed transmission has been easy to get used too. I plan on going out for a ryde today to further the experience.

Cheers, Corey

 

[Jetfixer]

Just do it! And not only will you thoroughly enjoy the new ride, but you'll also get to enjoy trying out all the new farkles you'll need for it!

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I've been thinking of trading my 2011 RT for a new RT or RTS. My question is, has technology been marching along with the new spyders having better steering, better brakes, fewer problems etc.. Or is a new spyder just like an old spyder, but with a bigger and more powerful engine? A test drive only lasts a short time and doesn't tell all. Owning a new spyder lasts much longer. How is the experience of owning a new spyder vs. an old spyder different, and is the difference worth and additional $15,000+?

I never had any problems with the steering or brakes, or any other problems on my '11 RTS. So I don't know what improvements you'd want. But the bigger and more powerful engine in nothing to sniff at! :lecturef_smilie: Only you can decide if the newer machine is worth the cost. Go for a test ryde . . . and then buy the damn bike! :thumbup:

 

[Easy Rider]

How is the experience of owning a new spyder vs. an old spyder different, and is the difference worth and additional $15,000+?

I certainly don't think so. That's why I got a 2011 model with low mileage as my first Spyder.......and am not regretting it one bit.

If you take some time and read through posts here, you will find some changes in addition to the engine but I think they are minor.
And the "old" engine runs good enough to get you a ticket on ANY road in the US. :shocked:

OTOH, if you have $15,000 to just throw around............

 

[Bob Denman]