Spyder RT with a Goldwing Engine (Not AI)

[McClendons]

For anyone interested in more info of this Goldwing powered RT, the builder has started a Youtube page. It can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRSk3hLXmUBnlCbmiHMmXqg and his Youtube name is @FrankieSpyderWing

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

This is what BRP should be doing with the RT, larger engine, shaft drive and dual exhaust. This guy went through a lot of effort to get this to work, very impressive.

This is probably the most exciting Spyder video I have seen since BRP released the 2014 RT with the 1330 engine.

Go to the 13:00 minute mark in the video where it begins.

Thank you very much YIRYDE! We had a lot of fun seeing Shawn's reaction to be bike. That video was shot on the very first road test ride. It went well so we went ahead and made a surprise visit to the shop he works at and let him take it for a spin.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

I was surprised in his reaction towards the bike, as hard of a BRP purest he is, it's got to be BRP all the way!!! Good video, and what a novel idea, shaft drive!!! That would be the cherry on top!!

It was pretty cool to see his reaction. I came by the store to introduce myself to him a month or so before revealing the bike. I showed him a picture of it on my phone and I thought his jaw was going to hit the counter when he saw it. I could tell he was really excited to learn more about it. The visit you see on the video was completely unplanned and a surprise.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

I wonder what it weighs in at? Without traction and stability control working, it might be a little hard to handle.
Lets look at the Honda stats:
AI Overview

The 2025-2026 Honda Gold Wing (GL1800) produces approximately 125 horsepower (124.7 hp - 125 hp) at 5,500 rpm. This power is generated by a 1,833cc liquid-cooled, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, which also delivers around 125 lb-ft of torque (170 Nm) at 4,500 rpm.

1,330 cc Rotax ACE in-line 3-cylinder engine, producing 115 horsepower (85.8 kW) at 7,250 RPM and 96 lb-ft. (130.1 Nm) of torque at 5,000 RPM.

Surprisingly, less than 40 lbs more than the stock 2024 RT-L. We ran it and the stock 2024 across certified scales on the way out on that ride and I was pretty shocked the two were that close in weight.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

I'm curious what he started with, there was no indication that I heard in the video. Did he use a wrecked Spyder (seems to be a fairly recent model) or did he tear a perfectly good Spyder apart to do the transformation?
Either way, I'm impressed.

The bike started out as a stock 2024 RT-L that we picked up for a pretty good deal. It was a year old floor model they were trying to move to make room for the 2025's. I went ahead and added a backup camera at same time I did the swap.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

Just watched this last night and was completely fascinated. Engineering capabilities to fit that engine in and make it work is excellent. I am sure there are bugs to be worked out but really cool.

Thank you very much JoeAbell! It was a huge challenge and there are a few VSS issues to work out. Half of them should be resolved this weekend. The bike is a ton of fun to ride!

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

I can just image how long that'll mean an OEM Kenda 'Spyder tire' will last on that, let alone how bad the traction and handling in anything but a straight line will be, even if they can get the VSS functioning!

I'd guess you'd also wanta seriously hope that it's a whole lot easier to get the hybrid Honda/Spyder rear wheel off... but I wouldn't bet on it!

Mind you, I hafta add that a good ECU Upgrade should be able to (well... actually does! ) produce somewhat better power stats from the original engine, and an ECU Upgrade is a whole lot easier/costs a whole lot less $$ at that! (An ECU Upgrade isn't going to make the gearshifts any more 'auto' than they are already, tho! )

However, there is that shaft drive to consider, and there's no denying that overall, it is a damn good looking job! Kudos well deserved!

It actually handles a whole lot better than our stock 2024 Spyder RT-L. The shocks and swaybar are upgraded and with the lower center of gravity, it does really good. I can get that back tire off in less than 15 minutes and that includes jacking it up. No problem keeping traction either. It still has ABS so no issues here.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

Seems he is in our cabbage patch. Hunt him down and get more info on the project.

Just got up and running on YouTube @FrankieSpyderWing Would love to have you all subscribe and reach out if you would like. My wife and I would love to join a local riding club. Thanks guys!

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

I don't know anything more than the video, but it seems to me the easier way would have been to graft the Spyder front end onto the Goldwing back end and just graft the pitch and yaw sensors onto the Honda.

I looked at that option but the body panel grafting would have been extremely difficult and would not have looked as good. The back end of the Spyder is a lot better design for 2 up loads than the shorter swingarm GW. I was glad I went this route.

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

Beautiful job on the transplant for sure, it must be heavier because it's 1800cc horizontally opposed, and it must be an absolute heat monster to ride anywhere that gets warm in the summer, with no heat shields, etc.

About 38 lbs more than our stock Spyder RT-L. Heat is not too bad either but we will see how it feels this summer

 

[FrankieSpyderWing]

Hey everyone. Thank you so much for all the awesome feedback on my build. Feel free to check out my Youtube channel @FrankieSpyderWing as I will be posting more information and answers to a lot of questions I have been getting since Shawn posted the video of the ride on Frankie. I look forward to being part of your community and starting our second conversion here soon!