Apologies up front for the long winded post however I am hoping I am close to a decision. I can then start asking questions on the forum about what I own rather than what I might own and hopefully provide some advice to others when I can.
I have been admiring Spyders for some time now and getting closer to the magic that is owning one.
Initially (years ago) I thought the RT was the one to go for, comfortable, semi auto (didn't even consider a manual), cruise control, tons of storage etc. however the new price was scary.
Along came the Ryker at a much lower price and in a config that was far simpler electronically and tupperware wise.
While waiting for the Ryker release I found myself at a Spyder dealer and the F3 S Daytona special edition really took my eye. Still too expensive though.
Finally the Rykers arrive and I take one for a test ryde which I have spoken about previosuly on this forum, rode a F3L on the same day, like going from a sports car to a limo. No RT available to test ride however I thought then I would be happy with either a Ryker Rally or F3.
As I get closer to retirement available funds are less than they were so I started looking at RSS's (keen to have cruise control) as they were starting to slot into my price range.
More are becoming available and I recall riding a 2010 RS after the Ryker & F3L and thought this is nice although a different riding position.
Most of my previous bikes were sports-tourers or trail bikes so the seating position was pretty upright.
A 2013 RT SM5 manual with 2,500 miles just came up at a local non can-am dealer so I thought what the heck I should take it for a run especially as everyone on here repeatedly says try them all (great advice by the way). I expected it to feel large and cumbersome. Couldn't get much of a story out of the sales guy (not unusual) except that it was traded on a Harley.
The bike felt really good and I liked the manual transmission, apart from the embarassing moment I pulled up at the traffic lights and stalled it.
Gearbox and clutch action felt smooth, could definitely do with a BajaRon sway bar. Before turning it off when I got back to the dealership I checked for codes and simply got a blank screen. Brakes felt really good. Slight vibration at certain speeds (maybe the belt?) but nothing that concerned me, alignment felt ok, had my daughter on the back and she loved it, the nanny really kicks in when you have a passenger on board especially in corners (not that I was pushing it).
I let it idle for some time back at the dealership and could feel the very hot air pumping out at right angles to the machine however when riding I didn't notice any heat on my feet/legs even though I intentionally wore sneekers rather than boots for the test ride. Does this mean it has the air redirection enhancements I have read about or is it only an issue if you have highway pegs? If not how can I tell when a machine has had the air flow improvements?
As mentioned I checked for codes mode,set and push in the indicator cancel and just got a blank screen, I gather as it was blank there were no codes.
Does the nanny really curb the performance that much when you have a passenger? Initially I thought it might have been a fuelling issue as a RSS I rode basically cut out when going quickly through corners however this time it was too consistent and didn't cut out it just reduced power/throttle response. Does it reduce throttle response in a straight line too?
It is a stock standard RT and apart from a couple of spider stick ons and a damaged aftermarket frunk seal has no other farkles that I noticed. Are there many differences between the standard (poverty pack) RT and the S/Ltd? I know about the lack of passenger heated grips, GPS and switch to adjust the rear airbag. Does it have a rear airbag, kind of hard to tell with all the tupperware?
Out here I believe checking the vin with BRP only gives you info about what recalls have been done.
Given its age it is out of warranty so what should I be looking for?
I hope to be riding a couple of 2014/2015 RSSs this week, 1 with 11,000 miles and some nice additions such as exhaust, back rest and arm rests and the other almost unbelieveably with 800 miles.
Thanks and appreciate your feedback.
I have been admiring Spyders for some time now and getting closer to the magic that is owning one.
Initially (years ago) I thought the RT was the one to go for, comfortable, semi auto (didn't even consider a manual), cruise control, tons of storage etc. however the new price was scary.
Along came the Ryker at a much lower price and in a config that was far simpler electronically and tupperware wise.
While waiting for the Ryker release I found myself at a Spyder dealer and the F3 S Daytona special edition really took my eye. Still too expensive though.
Finally the Rykers arrive and I take one for a test ryde which I have spoken about previosuly on this forum, rode a F3L on the same day, like going from a sports car to a limo. No RT available to test ride however I thought then I would be happy with either a Ryker Rally or F3.
As I get closer to retirement available funds are less than they were so I started looking at RSS's (keen to have cruise control) as they were starting to slot into my price range.
More are becoming available and I recall riding a 2010 RS after the Ryker & F3L and thought this is nice although a different riding position.
Most of my previous bikes were sports-tourers or trail bikes so the seating position was pretty upright.
A 2013 RT SM5 manual with 2,500 miles just came up at a local non can-am dealer so I thought what the heck I should take it for a run especially as everyone on here repeatedly says try them all (great advice by the way). I expected it to feel large and cumbersome. Couldn't get much of a story out of the sales guy (not unusual) except that it was traded on a Harley.
The bike felt really good and I liked the manual transmission, apart from the embarassing moment I pulled up at the traffic lights and stalled it.
Gearbox and clutch action felt smooth, could definitely do with a BajaRon sway bar. Before turning it off when I got back to the dealership I checked for codes and simply got a blank screen. Brakes felt really good. Slight vibration at certain speeds (maybe the belt?) but nothing that concerned me, alignment felt ok, had my daughter on the back and she loved it, the nanny really kicks in when you have a passenger on board especially in corners (not that I was pushing it).
I let it idle for some time back at the dealership and could feel the very hot air pumping out at right angles to the machine however when riding I didn't notice any heat on my feet/legs even though I intentionally wore sneekers rather than boots for the test ride. Does this mean it has the air redirection enhancements I have read about or is it only an issue if you have highway pegs? If not how can I tell when a machine has had the air flow improvements?
As mentioned I checked for codes mode,set and push in the indicator cancel and just got a blank screen, I gather as it was blank there were no codes.
Does the nanny really curb the performance that much when you have a passenger? Initially I thought it might have been a fuelling issue as a RSS I rode basically cut out when going quickly through corners however this time it was too consistent and didn't cut out it just reduced power/throttle response. Does it reduce throttle response in a straight line too?
It is a stock standard RT and apart from a couple of spider stick ons and a damaged aftermarket frunk seal has no other farkles that I noticed. Are there many differences between the standard (poverty pack) RT and the S/Ltd? I know about the lack of passenger heated grips, GPS and switch to adjust the rear airbag. Does it have a rear airbag, kind of hard to tell with all the tupperware?
Out here I believe checking the vin with BRP only gives you info about what recalls have been done.
Given its age it is out of warranty so what should I be looking for?
I hope to be riding a couple of 2014/2015 RSSs this week, 1 with 11,000 miles and some nice additions such as exhaust, back rest and arm rests and the other almost unbelieveably with 800 miles.
Thanks and appreciate your feedback.
