To the Question
Probably been done before, but we were having a discussion on another thread about a potential new RT owner and whether there are actually more problems with the RT or if it is a perception based on the percentage of owners here who own RT verus RS. Of course there are some who own both.
I don't think I've seen an answer to the original question yet. SteveMac didn't ask which model we prefer. He asked if we percieve more problems with the RT vs. the RS, or is perception because of percentage of owners (reading btwn lines: because the RS was out two years before the RT).
I have been an RT owner for over two years and have read all of the significant threads regarding things going wrong with either model. I will discount the wild-swinging reports about self-emolating Spyders and the ones that were just toodling along and suddenly swerved in one direction or the other. These reports were never bottomed out beyond mystery. I have followed the reports on SE5s where suddenly the machine goes into limp mode ... only to learn the the probable cause was unintentionally riding the brake.
Essentially, the RT and RS are the same machines mechanically. Power train - same ... Electronics ... nearly the same. Both machines are substantially reliable. The engine is tried and true in multiple platforms. The can bus and electronics can be found in BMWs. There is a 227 pound dry weight difference between the RT and RS. Now that said, I noted what another contributor here said about the RS/GS ... that you can mod them all day long. It's true and I "sometimes" wish the RT series was as adaptable to modifications. However, I will also say that in my 2+ years owning a Spyder and riding with Spyders, reading a lot in the forums about problems and so on, and what I've personally witnessed, I sense there are a higher frequency of problems with modified Spyders than those that have been left at factory specifications with factory equipment. Since the most modified model is the RS, one would expect to see more so-called problems with that model. But again, it isn't because of the basic machine. It is because of either what some do to them, or because a recall bulletin wasn't applied. On one occasion, my Spyder developed a leak from a water pump seal - fixed under warranty. Otherwise, the vast majority of owners of both models, including myself, put 10s of thousands of miles on these little guys without a hitch. So in that regard, I don't see a greater rate of problems with either machine as they come from the factory, and in no case have I ever known of a problem (not covered by recall) that I would classify a recurring 'demon' indemic to the vehicle.
No mechanical device, car, plane, boat or Spyder are completely bullet proof. However, I find the majority of bugs ... and there have been relatively few over four years ... are resolved by a service bulletin, proper maintenance, and care when applying modifications.
My three wheels worth ...
~ Surfer