Spyder RT and Honda ST

[spyderlover2]

THANKS SCOTTY!!! :clap:

i forgot all about DRAG! you are right! :agree:
even if we compare the Goldwing and the RT-S...
they do get similar MPG's! they both get a little over 30mpg's! whereas the Goldwing Trike gets under 30mpg's from what i've heard! dont quote me on that, its just something i have heard from somewhere!
if what i said about those vehicles and their mpg's is true, then the RT-S and the RS's are right on the mark mileage wise, basically! :thumbup:
i guess what is needed is Fairing. but that still wont compensate for the wide stance! i guess spending a few more bucks at the pump is compensation enough for the safety and stability that's enjoyed, and a great looking ride! :2thumbs:

once again Scotty, your wisdom about these subjects is very helpful in understanding these things!
thank you sir! nojoke:2thumbs:

 

[BajaRon]

A lot of great comments and I'd say, pretty much on track. I don't mean to get on anyone as I certainly am just one voice in the crowd

I was (like many of you) dissappointed that the RT didn't have a bit more motor. I like more power as much as the next guy.

Still, the RT is looking at a certain market and it probably isn't heavily populated with people wanting to challange a V-Rod (if you get my meaning).

No ride does everything well.

When you squeeze a lot of power from a little engine you're going to have MPG issues. Still, the Goldwing doesn't do any better. I'm not sure what you'd get out of a Harley trike. Probably better than either of these would be my guess.

My initial tendency was to complain about the current power plant in the RT. But after riding with and talking to Lamont I realize that maybe I should hold off on my pontificating until I have a bit more info.

You have to remember, Lamont has owned a 355HP Boss Hoss (that he wanted to get more HP out of), a Super Charged / Nitrous injected Valkyrie (that he wanted to go faster) and a Suzuki M109R with pumped up HP and Nitrous (that was too slow).

I really think the RT (though it won't be everyone's ride) will surprise many as far as available power goes.

 

[NancysToy]

No ride does everything well.

I think I'll have that made into a sign to put on my garage wall......or maybe a t-shirt.

 

[BajaRon]

I think I'll have that made into a sign to put on my garage wall......or maybe a t-shirt.

From a guy that's "Always Late" to "The Professor" I'll take that as a great complement (though I stole that statement from someone else)!

 

[Oldmanzues]

The fuel milage thing is how honest everybody is and how do they ride. I rode with a guy on a Gold Wing. He claimed to get over fifty MPG. Funny thing is, Another guy on a Wing and me on my ST always took less fuel on the same rides. Does this mean, I get way over fifty on my ST (when I ride it) instead of high forties, I thought I got.

Old Man Zues

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Bashing ??

Have you ridden the RT?

How can people say it needs a bigger motor until they ride it?

I can understand that some may THINK it needs a bigger motor (as I did). But without riding it there is really no way to know.

I rode quite a few miles behind Lamont and his new RT the other day. After riding several thousand miles behind Lamont I have a pretty good feel for how fast he is on his SM5.

The RT has a re-configured Rotax and I'd say it's at least as fast in most situations as the SM5. Top end may suffer a bit but do you really need to do 120mph with your wife on the back?

Now I'm always for more power so don't get me wrong. On the other hand, let's ride the RT before we bash the engine. It's not the same power plant we have in the Spyder we're riding now.

I haven't read anything that was bashing the RT--I have read a lot of opinions both pro & con. However, I think the laws of physics are pretty well proven (at least that is what was taught when I went to college) and as for the RT; I for one really like it and would probably have already ordered one if I felt better about the engine thing. More weight, more drag, less HP (Doesn't matter how you shift it around it is less HP.) less performance than I am used to and happen to like. I don't see how any one would draw any other conclusion. I agree that some will for sure think it is enough power and some will not, but after you buy one it is to late then to change your mind. IMHO-nojoke--BTW my wife loves the thing and wouldn't care if it had a 40 hp Brigs & Stratton; So I'll probably be riding one too.

 

[NancysToy]

I haven't read anything that was bashing the RT--I have read a lot of opinions both pro & con. However, I think the laws of physics are pretty well proven (at least that is what was taught when I went to college) and as for the RT; I for one really like it and would probably have already ordered one if I felt better about the engine thing. More weight, more drag, less HP (Doesn't matter how you shift it around it is less HP.) less performance than I am used to and happen to like. I don't see how any one would draw any other conclusion. I agree that some will for sure think it is enough power and some will not, but after you buy one it is to late then to change your mind. IMHO-nojoke--BTW my wife loves the thing and wouldn't care if it had a 40 hp Brigs & Stratton; So I'll probably be riding one too.

How about a 3 1/2 horse Briggs & Stratton. :joke:

 

[spyderlover2]

check out this site

this site has a trike similar to the Spyder but it gets MAJOR mpg's because it runs on vapors instead of liquid fuel!

Reverse Trike Motorcycle Club

its not in production! but it sure is cool to look at and also defys some the ideas that more power means paying more at the pump!
its just something to check out! enjoy Spyderlovers!

 

[BajaRon]

The fuel milage thing is how honest everybody is and how do they ride. I rode with a guy on a Gold Wing. He claimed to get over fifty MPG. Funny thing is, Another guy on a Wing and me on my ST always took less fuel on the same rides. Does this mean, I get way over fifty on my ST (when I ride it) instead of high forties, I thought I got.

Old Man Zues

It is funny! I've ridden with the same kind of person. Here is what I think happens (at least with some).

The guy makes a good mileage run, doesn't fill the tank all the way and calculates 50 (or whatever) MPG using round numbers.

Then, forever after, they think they are getting 50mpg and they never check again.

Just trying to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Rode from San Luis Obispo to San Diego with my Brother-in-Law this summer. He just got a new Harley soft tail. He said he was getting 50 mpg. We rode pretty fast, 75~80 mph most of the way and he really did get 50 mpg. So it does happen.

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Trike

How about a 3 1/2 horse Briggs & Stratton. :joke:

Scotty, if you can put a Goldwing seat on that thing and maybe some make-up storage, I think my wife might be interested.

Michael:doorag:

 

[RoadRunner]

Yeap - the aero-drag is definitely contributing to the gas consumption. I wonder what the coefficient of drag is for the RT? By an unscientific test I ran on my ST1300, I found a reduction of 7 mpgs when I had my windshield all the way up (+7") as compared to all the way down, at 60 mph. I'd also like to see brake specific fuel consumption figures for the Rotax and other similar liter twins, or any liter configuration for that matter - and NOT because I think the Rotax is junk - I'm just curious as to how it stacks up to its peers. A good article on the subject of BSFC for those that are interested: http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_110216/article.html

BTW - thanks for not beating me up too badly for what some must have thought was bashing, since I'm a newbie here. Honestly, I'm very interested in this type of ride, especially the RT, (why else would I be here? - same reason as the rest of you). I only have one functioning balance nerve, and while I handle two wheels without issue, I suspect my wife would be much more comfortable on a Spyder, esp the RT. We'll see what kind of bonus God graces us with in November. It's times like this that I wish I lived in a warmer climate so I wouldn't have to wait til spring to demo the RT! I feel spring/RT fever comin' on already!

 

[NancysToy]

......It's times like this that I wish I lived in a warmer climate so I wouldn't have to wait til spring to demo the RT! I feel spring/RT fever comin' on already!

You can say that again. Make that times ten when you expect the RTS you ordered to come in the midst of a Michigan winter! By the warmth of April I'll be a basket case.

 

[Firefly]

You can say that again. Make that times ten when you expect the RTS you ordered to come in the midst of a Michigan winter! By the warmth of April I'll be a basket case.

I remember that they said my PE might arrive in November/December--- and while I was excited about it---- there wasn't a darn thing I could really do with it at that point. Got mine in late March and ended up trailering it hope---- as I'm not crazy like some folks who ride theirs home with snow still on the ground-----:joke:

Let me know if you need to borrow my trailer to go pick it up--- I've got a HUGE Big-Tex trailer --- could probably hold 2 RT's--- and can for sure hold 50 sheep (don't ask).

Hopefully you can get on a demo before winter ends---

 

[NancysToy]

I remember that they said my PE might arrive in November/December--- and while I was excited about it---- there wasn't a darn thing I could really do with it at that point. Got mine in late March and ended up trailering it hope---- as I'm not crazy like some folks who ride theirs home with snow still on the ground-----:joke:

Let me know if you need to borrow my trailer to go pick it up--- I've got a HUGE Big-Tex trailer --- could probably hold 2 RT's--- and can for sure hold 50 sheep (don't ask).

Hopefully you can get on a demo before winter ends---

......who shall remain nameless! First test of the VSS can't come too soon. LOL Thanks for the offer of the trailer. I am going to try to keep my trailer clear of snow and at the ready. If I have to pick it up in that, I will leave it in there until the thaw. With luck, these will actually start to arrive in December, as projected. I am an optimist. Looking forward to at least seeing one in the flesh before mine arrives. Mine is the first to be sold in this area.

 

[bjt]

You can say that again. Make that times ten when you expect the RTS you ordered to come in the midst of a Michigan winter! By the warmth of April I'll be a basket case.

I remember that they said my PE might arrive in November/December--- and while I was excited about it---- there wasn't a darn thing I could really do with it at that point. Got mine in late March and ended up trailering it hope---- as I'm not crazy like some folks who ride theirs home with snow still on the ground-----:joke:

Let me know if you need to borrow my trailer to go pick it up--- I've got a HUGE Big-Tex trailer --- could probably hold 2 RT's--- and can for sure hold 50 sheep (don't ask).

Hopefully you can get on a demo before winter ends---

Come on guys... Last winter we had decent riding weather every month except for January. Even then, we managed to find a day that was not too bad to squeeze in a few miles on a very cold but clear January day. :thumbup:

 

[bjt]

this site has a trike similar to the Spyder but it gets MAJOR mpg's because it runs on vapors instead of liquid fuel!

Reverse Trike Motorcycle Club

its not in production! but it sure is cool to look at and also defys some the ideas that more power means paying more at the pump!
its just something to check out! enjoy Spyderlovers!

I wonder what the cost of that would be. I'd get one but I would guess the pricetag would be too high for all but the affluent.

 

[NancysToy]

Come on guys... Last winter we had decent riding weather every month except for January. Even then, we managed to find a day that was not too bad to squeeze in a few miles on a very cold but clear January day. :thumbup:

I have ridden every month of the year a few times. Unfortunately, when my stone driveway freezes over, I'm usually iced in for the duration. From late December or early January until March or April, I'm out of luck most years.

 

[bjt]

Where there's a will, there's a way...