Purchasing a new RTS

[Florida girl]

Hello all. I just saw the Spyder for the first time about a week ago and fell in love. (Well almost) I took the RTS for a mini test drive at a dealership in Florida a few days ago. I was a bit dismayed when testing out this bike. After reading some posts here I am thinking this may be the norm but don't want to believe it?! This is how my test went. First of all the front end steering seemed to sway back and forth and gave the feeling of being unstable making me feel as if it would flip over. Second, we had a hard time finding neutral. Every time you thought you found it . . . it flipped into 2nd. Third, in the middle of the test drive the dash kept reading E and it would not go into gear. The salesman finally took it away to be repaired and never came back! Never even gave us his card! Obviously they don't work on commission there! LOL I am reading here about a lot of problems and am becoming wary of purchasing the RTS. I am a small framed middle aged female who no longer feels comfortable on 2 wheels and am looking to keep up with my friends and husband who all ride Harley's. I thought the RTS would be the perfect solution for me. I did sit on the RS but it did not feel comfortable. Windshield too low, seat and foot pegs not comfortable, felt as if leaning to far forward. When I sat on the RTS it felt like a Cadillac! Has anyone heard if some of these problems listed from other owners such as gas oder, stabilization issues, etc. will be taken care of in the 2011 models? Does anyone have any suggestions? I had heard a suggestion from another female rider that I should possibly check out the RS models to get more stabilization and then change seat, windshield, handlebars and pegs to fit my frame. Do they have the same issues? What do you RTS owners think?

 

[Rando]

Hey Scotty, the steering sounds like the same issue you reported!

 

[SpyderRyder]

Hello all. I just saw the Spyder for the first time about a week ago and fell in love. (Well almost) I took the RTS for a mini test drive at a dealership in Florida a few days ago. I was a bit dismayed when testing out this bike. After reading some posts here I am thinking this may be the norm but don't want to believe it?! This is how my test went. First of all the front end steering seemed to sway back and forth and gave the feeling of being unstable making me feel as if it would flip over. Second, we had a hard time finding neutral. Every time you thought you found it . . . it flipped into 2nd. Third, in the middle of the test drive the dash kept reading E and it would not go into gear. The salesman finally took it away to be repaired and never came back! Never even gave us his card! Obviously they don't work on commission there! LOL I am reading here about a lot of problems and am becoming wary of purchasing the RTS. I am a small framed middle aged female who no longer feels comfortable on 2 wheels and am looking to keep up with my friends and husband who all ride Harley's. I thought the RTS would be the perfect solution for me. I did sit on the RS but it did not feel comfortable. Windshield too low, seat and foot pegs not comfortable, felt as if leaning to far forward. When I sat on the RTS it felt like a Cadillac! Has anyone heard if some of these problems listed from other owners such as gas oder, stabilization issues, etc. will be taken care of in the 2011 models? Does anyone have any suggestions? I had heard a suggestion from another female rider that I should possibly check out the RS models to get more stabilization and then change seat, windshield, handlebars and pegs to fit my frame. Do they have the same issues? What do you RTS owners think?

First of all, welcome. There is so much information available for Spyder owners here, that sometimes I find myself reading too much and riding too little. Like you, I checked out the RS and found the posture not to my liking. The salesperson I spoke with said I could modify an RS to make it more like a touring bike, but you still have an RS. He then told me if I was interested in a touring bike to wait until BRP introduced the RT. That was almost a year and a half ago. I waited and when I finally saw it, I knew that was what I was interested in. I ordered one, got to ride a demo at the dealership once he received one, and was even more convinced after riding the demo. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the dealership you dealt with. Consider it a warning of how they will treat you after you become a customer. I would find another dealer. I have had no serious issues with my bike whatsoever. I am currently adding some things that I can't live without (yea...right), but you are right; it's like a Cadillac. Everyone who has ridden with me says the same thing. I believe what you have to realize is that most everyone on this site loves their Spyder and because of that they share with other owners any issues they might encounter... good or bad. You need to find another dealership that is interested in you and take another ride on a bike that was put together properly. I am sure you will come away with a huge smile on your face and maybe a lighter wallet. LOL Good luck.

 

[FANG]

welcome Don't judge the Spyder by just what you read on this forum. The forum tends to exagerate problems because when people have a problem they tend to voice it. The majority of owners have not experienced any problems or very minor.

When a person first gets on the Spyder the steering seems to be very "twitchy" - it comes from holding on too tight - as you ryde it you learn to relax your grip and the the spyder steering assist (DPS) work for you.

Sorry about the dealer not being more personable - check for another dealer.

As for the other things you have listed only a few have experienced that.

The spyder is a feat of engineering. It is a great ryde - fun to drive and I for one find it very reliable.

 

[fastfraser]

welcome You got a bad :spyder2: and a really bad dealer. I would give the:spyder2: another go ! I would also go to another dealer who knows the :spyder2: and there techs know how to set up and fix the :spyder2:.

 

[retired1]

:agree:

 

[bikeguy]

I have a base RT, not an RT-S, and I'm completely happy with it. I'm 5' 3" and was having a hard time maneuvering two wheelers at slow speeds and holding them up when stopping and starting while two up. The spyder RT was the answer to my problems.

The RT or RT-S does have some body roll when cornering, especially with the front suspension set to a soft pre-load position as it comes from the factory. Setting the front shocks to the stiffest pre-load position makes a world of difference. It still has more body roll than the RS but it's much better and after learning to ride with a loose grip on the bars, it's acceptable to me. I'll probably replace the front sway bar to get a little flatter cornering when one becomes available.

It's not the easiest thing to find neutral but it's not the hardest thing I've ridden either. I've ridden a lot of dirt bikes that were worse, especially when hot. Still, I often have to kick it back down from 2nd rather than coming up from 1st to get into neutral. Mine's not bad enough to consider it a problem.

I considered buying a used RS and fitting it out for touring with windshield, seat, bar risers, bags, back rest, etc. but when we rode the RT-S demo, my wife absolutely loved the RT-S and I knew I could never make the RS as comfortable for her as the RT was. I decided on the RT and, after 2000 miles, we are both very happy with it.

Sorry, you had trouble with the dealer. It might be time to look for another.

Cotton

 

[Wheeler~]

First of all, welcome. There is so much information available for Spyder owners here, that sometimes I find myself reading too much and riding too little. Like you, I checked out the RS and found the posture not to my liking. The salesperson I spoke with said I could modify an RS to make it more like a touring bike, but you still have an RS. He then told me if I was interested in a touring bike to wait until BRP introduced the RT. That was almost a year and a half ago. I waited and when I finally saw it, I knew that was what I was interested in. I ordered one, got to ride a demo at the dealership once he received one, and was even more convinced after riding the demo. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the dealership you dealt with. Consider it a warning of how they will treat you after you become a customer. I would find another dealer. I have had no serious issues with my bike whatsoever. I am currently adding some things that I can't live without (yea...right), but you are right; it's like a Cadillac. Everyone who has ridden with me says the same thing. I believe what you have to realize is that most everyone on this site loves their Spyder and because of that they share with other owners any issues they might encounter... good or bad. You need to find another dealership that is interested in you and take another ride on a bike that was put together properly. I am sure you will come away with a huge smile on your face and maybe a lighter wallet. LOL Good luck.

:agree: There's no such thing as the perfect machine. It takes service to keep it close. Every motorcycle manufacturer, and every model, in my mind, have their unique problems. I have owned several makes and models of bikes and had to accept the fact, I would have issues with each. There IS such a thing as a lemon but fortunately they are few and far between! That's why there's a lemon law.
I have even experienced some minor situations with my new RT-S, a couple that at the time worried me, but all have been resolved and I have no regrets. In fact, I love my Spyder.
I would suggest that you research dealerships and find one with a reputation of being owner friendly and a problem solver. What is very disheartening is having an issue and a dealership with that, " Just get 'em in and get 'em out attitude". Unfortunately the female motorcycle and Spyder owner is sometime viewed as a target because they are typically at the mercy of the dealerships.
Don't give up on the RT-S, because personally, I think you would be making a serious mistake. Instead find the dealership with that, "We want a happy owner, no matter what it takes" attitude. Good luck!

 

[bodymanpainter]

I have the RTS and the RS and it takes a little time to get use to handleing the RTS. If you change the setting on the front shocks it will make a big difference and as far as problems I have had very few with ether one of my Spyders. If you are close to North Florida we have a great dealer here, North Jax Powersports.:spyder:

 

[Brevet05]

welcome Don't judge the Spyder by just what you read on this forum. The forum tends to exagerate problems because when people have a problem they tend to voice it. The majority of owners have not experienced any problems or very minor.

When a person first gets on the Spyder the steering seems to be very "twitchy" - it comes from holding on too tight - as you ryde it you learn to relax your grip and the the spyder steering assist (DPS) work for you.

Sorry about the dealer not being more personable - check for another dealer.

As for the other things you have listed only a few have experienced that.

The spyder is a feat of engineering. It is a great ryde - fun to drive and I for one find it very reliable.

I have found this to be very true. This forum is full of caring, connected, and competent riders who share their experiences openly. There are also a lot of first time riders (like me) who don't know what to expect. I usually follow the lead of several folks who've made the most sense in their previous posts, and have had great experiences with my Spyders. When there has been a question, my dealer's been on top of it with a straight answer or a solution ready.

The Spyder suffers, I think, mostly as a result of the dealership experience. I've had an RS and now the RT-S, and my dealer was very good about the Pre-Delivery Inspection on both (even though the RS was from another dealer, they even corrected mistakes they found when I first took it to them for service). Having a knowledgeable dealer/maintenance shop is about a 90% solution. I'd see about another shop if that's possible.

 

[kytten]

I had heard a suggestion from another female rider that I should possibly check out the RS models to get more stabilization and then change seat, windshield, handlebars and pegs to fit my frame. Do they have the same issues?

I have the RS. I've never had any steering problems with mine.

First thing I did, only a week or 2 after driving it off the lot was raise the handle bars. I have a new, taller, adjustable windshield on order. These two things cost a significant chunk of money, but the raised handlebars were so worth it. I have no doubt that the larger windshield will be as well.

I have no problem with the placement of the pegs, but I have short legs. From what I've read on the boards here replacing the pegs are not a big deal. My dealer also told me -- and I don't know if it's true, it's just what he said -- that the pegs that are on it can be turned in such a way as to set them forward further if needed/desired.

I can't speak to the 2010s as mine is a 2009, but I seriously LOVE my Spyder. I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's the most fun I've had on wheels.

I agree with others that you should try another Spyder and another dealer and I hope to 'see' you here again announcing your new purchase!

 

[MarkLawson]

You steering issues should go away once you realize it does NOT steer like a two-wheeler.

On a bike, you initiate a turn by counter-steering. In other words, to turn right, you actually nudge the handlebars slightly to the left. This cause the bike to lean to the right side, which then causes the bike to turn right. On the Spyder, if you counter-steer you'll have the Spyder going in the opposite direction than intended. Unlike a bike, it actually goes in the direction you steer. This, combined with having your body always being tossed to the outside of the turn, something else you're not likely used to, can give you a very unstable feeling.

I had to think about how to turn rather than just going by 20+ years of "muscle memory" I had developed on two wheels. Once you think it through & understand why it's responding to your inputs the way it is, you'll make the needed correction and it'll settle down.

Now, I have also noticed the RT-S is much more sensitive to steering inputs than my wife's '08 GS (now call 'RS'). I prefer hers steering to mine.

 

[NancysToy]

:agree: There's no such thing as the perfect machine. It takes service to keep it close. Every motorcycle manufacturer, and every model, in my mind, have their unique problems. I have owned several makes and models of bikes and had to accept the fact, I would have issues with each. There IS such a thing as a lemon but fortunately they are few and far between! That's why there's a lemon law.
I have even experienced some minor situations with my new RT-S, a couple that at the time worried me, but all have been resolved and I have no regrets. In fact, I love my Spyder.
I would suggest that you research dealerships and find one with a reputation of being owner friendly and a problem solver. What is very disheartening is having an issue and a dealership with that, " Just get 'em in and get 'em out attitude". Unfortunately the female motorcycle and Spyder owner is sometime viewed as a target because they are typically at the mercy of the dealerships.
Don't give up on the RT-S, because personally, I think you would be making a serious mistake. Instead find the dealership with that, "We want a happy owner, no matter what it takes" attitude. Good luck!

Note: Lemon laws do not apply to motorcycles in over half the states.

 

[krb1945]

Olivia and I have three spyders, 2 08 SM5s and 1 09 SE5. All are good machines and have not had any problems. I would suggest trying another dealer that did a thorough pre-delivery setup and inspection with updates. /Ken krb1945

 

[MouthPiece]

I have been nothing but happy with my RTS and the relationship that I have with my dealer. (Seminole Power Sports) in Sanford, Flarda. I would echo the responses earlier listed and suggest that you look for another dealer. Mine was and is great.

Chris PE # 0004

 

[SpyderGirl]

welcome Is this Debbie who I spoke with through Facebook? If so, I'm glad to see you over here getting some answers. Hope to see you on a Spyder soon. :doorag:

 

[murphybrown]

Olivia and I have three spyders, 2 08 SM5s and 1 09 SE5. All are good machines and have not had any problems. I would suggest trying another dealer that did a thorough pre-delivery setup and inspection with updates. /Ken krb1945

As a new Spyder owner is there somewhere to "search/google" for the lastest updates, campaigns, recalls or whatever the appropriate term is. I live 150 miles (1 way) from my servicing dealer and would like to know about same before scheduling appts. Thanks.

 

[ThreeWheels]

My RT wandered over the road when I forst got it. Thanks to persistenace on my part and a great dealer (Gargano's in East Haven) my RT now tracks like it's on rails.

There seems to be a batch of badly aligned RT's. Why, I don't know. It's a factory alignment, not part of dealer prep.

The point is, don't listen to anyone who tells you to "get used to" the ride. The RT is different for sure, but it's not THAT different. If it wanders around to the point where you don't trust it, don't get used to the ride, get it fixed.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Hello all. I just saw the Spyder for the first time about a week ago and fell in love. (Well almost) I took the RTS for a mini test drive at a dealership in Florida a few days ago. I was a bit dismayed when testing out this bike. After reading some posts here I am thinking this may be the norm but don't want to believe it?! This is how my test went. First of all the front end steering seemed to sway back and forth and gave the feeling of being unstable making me feel as if it would flip over. Second, we had a hard time finding neutral. Every time you thought you found it . . . it flipped into 2nd. Third, in the middle of the test drive the dash kept reading E and it would not go into gear. The salesman finally took it away to be repaired and never came back! Never even gave us his card! Obviously they don't work on commission there! LOL I am reading here about a lot of problems and am becoming wary of purchasing the RTS. I am a small framed middle aged female who no longer feels comfortable on 2 wheels and am looking to keep up with my friends and husband who all ride Harley's. I thought the RTS would be the perfect solution for me. I did sit on the RS but it did not feel comfortable. Windshield too low, seat and foot pegs not comfortable, felt as if leaning to far forward. When I sat on the RTS it felt like a Cadillac! Has anyone heard if some of these problems listed from other owners such as gas oder, stabilization issues, etc. will be taken care of in the 2011 models? Does anyone have any suggestions? I had heard a suggestion from another female rider that I should possibly check out the RS models to get more stabilization and then change seat, windshield, handlebars and pegs to fit my frame. Do they have the same issues? What do you RTS owners think?

 

[InspectorGadget]

I have the RTS and the RS and it takes a little time to get use to handleing the RTS. If you change the setting on the front shocks it will make a big difference and as far as problems I have had very few with ether one of my Spyders. If you are close to North Florida we have a great dealer here, North Jax Powersports.:spyder:

:agree:North Jax treated me right when I bought my RT. I would recommend them highly. I live 5 hours away from Jax and I will go back and do business with them when I am ready for a hitch and trailer.
Good luck C-YA RL

 

[Gordy]

I have a new rts and the only thing i have noticed is the fuel guage moves around a bit but still seems to give an acurate reading steering is very good.Still seems a little hard on fuel but only have 2200 kms on it yet and it seems about same mileage as gold wing trike. went through 3 rain showers the other day and only got rain on face shield.Get your new spyder you will love it. GL