RS vs RT

[zrc]

Just go here and read my opinion:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...r-looking-for-information&p=486777#post486777



Just rode up to NYC and back this weekend, a.k.a. "touring." Comfy as can be, but fast and sleek when I needed it :thumbup:

I agree Dave. I got an RS moded out and has close to everything I need for "touring" and checked in at less than 15k. Granted it was used, but there seem to be these out there, and as people trade up the mods and bikes become more available.

 

[Bob Denman]

Trying to dress up an RS to make it as comfortable as an RT??
You can put lipstick on a pig too.. You'll never turn it into a swan, but you might have a very pretty pig! :shocked: :roflblack:

NOT saying that the RS is a pig!

 

[Lamonster]

My RS is going up for sale as soon as I get back from Sturgis. I've done 1100 mile days on this RS. For an RS it is very comfortable and runs like a top. It has 50,000 miles on it now and I'll be asking 12K for it. :doorag:

 

[zrc]

Its all about looks Bob, I am not a fan of the way the RT looks, however, I am not really a fan of how a stock RS looks. I am very pleased with how my RS looks, but it has custom vinyls and additional hardware! Just like I dont like big windshields either, I have one but like a smaller one. So everyone has their own needs and creature comforts. What you need to "tour" is very dependant on where you want to go, what you want to do, and how much you have to carry.

We will all always have our opinions, my thoughts are just that you can and should do whatever you like. I am more than comfy on my bike, and I have actually had an RT for 1/2 a day while I was getting serviced in GA. The most impressive thing to me on it was the radio, and while Sonja said it was more comfortable we both want to keep and ride the RS.

Now all that being said, I do plan on getting an RT, but mainly for those times that I go from TN to CA, and push 1000 miles in a day, but given that, I will wait, watch and get what I think is a good deal regardless and then modify it to my version of pretty and acceptable.

So it's all relative!

You should part out some of it to me Lamont

 

[Bob Denman]

For only $12,000; you can have the BIGGEST part... :thumbup:

 

[daveinva]

Well, your list really doesn't bring an RS that close to an RT - you're not comparing apples to oranges:

1. Easy Risers: $130
2. RIVCO floorboards: $350
3. Madstad bracket and 24" winshield: $290
4. Ultimate Seat: $905 ($480 for the seat plus I bought two $200 backrests)
5. Nelson-Rigg CL-950 saddlebags: $100

To do an RS up right to be close to an RT-----you'll need:

1. Risers: ($130 for basic, $450 for top of the line).
2. Madstad and windshield: $300 minimum.
3. HARD Sidecases: $800
4. Hard Topcase: $300
5. Rack for topcase mounting: $300
6. Heated grips: $125
7. Heated rear grips: NA
8. Stereo system: $1,000
9. Adjustable rider floorboards: $200
10. LED tail lights: $130.00
11. Glovebox: $80 for soft - $1,200 for hard.
12. Cruise Control: MC Cruise $550.

Plenty more I'm sure I'm overlooking.

Realize all the above prices don't include installation costs. Sure you can do it yourself as I did.. but the RT comes already done. To be fair, the labor has to be counted in.

If you really want to bring the RS as close to the RT.. it's gonna cost you a good $5,000 give or take.... so well up to the cost of an RT if not more.

I just went thru this very decision... and for my riding miles and trips I take, the RT made much more sense.

I'd love to have one of each.. maybe someday.. but I can tell you which I'd be taking on longer trips... the RT.

Hey, I'm not saying the RT isn't a wonderful touring machine right out of the box. But your list reflects EVERYTHING to match an RT. Perhaps that's the more appropriate comparison, but the beauty of the RS is that you can customize it to *fit you*-- I didn't need to add in all those other things to make it a perfect touring machine for me.

YMMV, but in 2012, with the robust selections out there, you can make the RS plenty comfortable for touring and still have a nice chunk of money left over for gas. :doorag:

(Note: I still want an RT... in addition to my RS :thumbup

 

[MRH]

I agree and I don't think it's that people started out with the intention of making their RS into an RT, but if you look at the majority of RS's that show up to events---- most have added such modifications. When the GS first came out there was no RT... So we didn't even know what we were doing other than making the spyder better for touring. BRP paid attention and then released the RT.

I understand that, but I'm responding to a question that was posted now, when the RT is out there. I'm not criticizing anybody who has modified their RS or GS; I'm simply speaking in general terms about my experience trying to change one thing into another - I almost always do better just to purchase what I wanted in the first place and skip the cost and time of making the modifications.

If what the OP really likes is a modified RS, then get that, but I wouldn't get an RS with the intent of making it as much of an RT as possible; just get what you want and save yourself the potential time and grief.

I'm not looking to strike a nerve here.

 

[Kratos]

My RS is going up for sale as soon as I get back from Sturgis. I've done 1100 mile days on this RS. For an RS it is very comfortable and runs like a top. It has 50,000 miles on it now and I'll be asking 12K for it. :doorag:

That spyder is decked out. You can't even tell it's a three wheel from the back. Lol

 

[Firefly]

Oh-- I have NOTHING against decking out an RS at all... been there-- done that.. worked really well.... but I think people need to take an honest look at what kind of riding they'll do and make an educated decision when they're starting from scratch. Certainly an RS can do a fine job of touring... mine had 56,000 miles on it... and those miles didn't get there by just riding around town.

Lamont... that is a DEAL on your Spyder........ makes me think I should have bought that instead of my RT.... oh well.... the thought just didn't occur to me at that time... brain was still fried from the heat I guess.

I'm sure you'll have no trouble moving it!

 

[daveinva]

Oh-- I have NOTHING against decking out an RS at all... been there-- done that.. worked really well.... but I think people need to take an honest look at what kind of riding they'll do and make an educated decision when they're starting from scratch. Certainly an RS can do a fine job of touring... mine had 56,000 miles on it... and those miles didn't get there by just riding around town.

:agree: It's all good...

If I were a retiree with all the time in the world, I'd buy an RT.

If I had, like, ten times the annual leave I get and could spend weeks at a time on the open road, I'd buy an RT.

Instead, I live in the city, I drive around the city, and I go bombing out to the twisties on the weekends for 200+ miles at a stretch. I get to ride on longer trips maybe three or four times a year. A modded RS is perfectly acceptable for that amount of touring IMO.

But yeah, still want an RT. You know, for touring.

 

[Firefly]

:agree: It's all good...

If I were a retiree with all the time in the world, I'd buy an RT.

If I had, like, ten times the annual leave I get and could spend weeks at a time on the open road, I'd buy an RT.

Instead, I live in the city, I drive around the city, and I go bombing out to the twisties on the weekends for 200+ miles at a stretch. I get to ride on longer trips maybe three or four times a year. A modded RS is perfectly acceptable for that amount of touring IMO.

But yeah, still want an RT. You know, for touring.

Yup-- depends on your riding situation. When I got my GS I never really thought much about what KIND of riding I'd be doing... it never even entered my mind. The idea of long trips and 800 mile days wasn't even considered. But then these events start to pop up and low and behold.... BOOM....I'm riding all over the country.

I'll often do a 100 or 200 mile ride after work on the weeknights... and 500 miles or more on the normal weekends... good thing my lawn hasn't needed mowing in 6 weeks!