Squeezed the trigger, and have a question

[NoahMercy]

Well, the wife was looking at a Ryker, but we found an exceptional deal on a 2011 RT-S SE5, so we're getting that for her tomorrow. After looking into it, I suspect it is actually a much better choice for her than the Ryker anyway due to where we live (northern Wyoming). Highway speed limits are 70MPH, Interstate is 80, and there are some serious long and steep grades, so I'm feeling the lower RPMs this engine will turn due to actual gears should help it live a lot longer than the Ryker engine backed by a CVT, and the small amount of engine braking should beat NONE with the CVT as well, making it a little safer coming down the mountains. Frunk and bags will make it nice for road trips, too, without having to spend a small fortune on luggage. Since I do all my own maintenance and repairs, I will be needing an OEM service manual. I see downloads available from several sources. Any one of them more complete or easier to use than the others? Thanks, folks, and look forward to sharing knowledge, experience, and pics with y'all!

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and :congrats: I think you made the right choice. :yes:

 

[CopperSpyder]

:congrats: on the new to you 2011 Spyder RTS. Many Miles of Smiles for sure!!

 

[pegasus1300]

The 2011 is a great choice and a good traveler. I do think that with the VTwin you will find it will run much better at higher RPMs that what you may be thinking. Be sure to read the stick posts called Do's and Don'ts. I know I sure like my 2012 and it has been good to me for 56,000+ miles. Welcome to you both. If the Deadwood #Wheeler rally still happens in July I will be up in your country then. Post pictures and tell us how things are going on the new Spyder.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Well, the wife was looking at a Ryker, but we found an exceptional deal on a 2011 RT-S SE5, so we're getting that for her tomorrow. After looking into it, I suspect it is actually a much better choice for her than the Ryker anyway due to where we live (northern Wyoming). Highway speed limits are 70MPH, Interstate is 80, and there are some serious long and steep grades, so I'm feeling the lower RPMs this engine will turn due to actual gears should help it live a lot longer than the Ryker engine backed by a CVT, and the small amount of engine braking should beat NONE with the CVT as well, making it a little safer coming down the mountains. Frunk and bags will make it nice for road trips, too, without having to spend a small fortune on luggage. Since I do all my own maintenance and repairs, I will be needing an OEM service manual. I see downloads available from several sources. Any one of them more complete or easier to use than the others? Thanks, folks, and look forward to sharing knowledge, experience, and pics with y'all!

If you haven't ridden say a 2014 RT with the 1330 engine ( these are selling in the $11,000 range ) then I think down the road you will be dis-appointed. It pulls like a freight train compared to the V-twin ( ie. 2011 RT ) .... however if She likes a high revving bike ( and you will have to keep it about 5000 rpm ) then She will love it. .... PS do you know that BRP NO longer makes the V-twin as a Spyder motor ??? .... they stopped in 2016 ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[JP58]

Green Manuals are very good and easy to follow with pictures. It comes on a USB credit card size with a slide out stick. I asked for a USB thumb drive so they sent me that.

 

[NoahMercy]

She started on a Vulcan 900 Custom, which turns pretty high RPMs at highway speed, so she'll be fine with the "bark", and she's not NEARLY the speed demon I am, so doubt she'll be hankering for a lot more power. If she does, I'll get some used heads and cams, polish/port and have the cams reground, put on a free-flowing exhaust, whip up a cold air intake, and find someone to reprogram the ECU. I'm a mechanic by trade and a motorhead by the grace of God, so we'll make due for now until finances improve and we can get something "sportier". :thumbup:

 

[cptjam]

Hey, I didn’t know I had a brother in Wyoming! PM or call if I can help or answer your questions. That motor is a great motor. Has a slight oil consumption, but regular checking will solve that. We had a 2010, put a K&N air filter, Two Brothers exhaust, and Ann loved it! Is a 20 better? Sure. Is an 11 a great machine? You bet! I’m looking forward to the Deadwood rally, and hope you can attend. Have fun with it. When it is ready for front tires, get 15” wheels. The selection of tires is much better. Cheers!
Joe

 

[merlot]

hey Noah
congrats on your purchase...a great bike

the first thing i would buy is a brand new Yuasa
with a pre-loved bike,you dont know the history of the battery and the twin dosent like jump starting(mine wouldnt jump start even with heavy duty leads)
they dont give any warning either,they just quit
the bike dosent like low voltage either...strange things happen

enjoy the ride
russ

 

[Grandpot]

I have a 2011 RT-S. You will be running the engine between 5,000 and 6,500 RPM. That's normal for this engine. The peak torque is at 5,000. I never get into 5th until I am sustaining at least 65 MPH. You stated you do your own maintenance, so I suggest the first time you need to change the air filter or spark plugs, discard the entire air box assembly and install JT's air cleaner kit. You'll thank me later for that. The Green Manuals are very good.

 

[blacklightning]

Actually 2016 was the last year that BRP made the V-twin for the spyder. They had a 998 in the RS and ST models. They are still good engines, but a little outdated. But if you can find one at the right price point, it is still a great machine. Good luck and welcome.

 

[ricford]

I asked a pair of local dealers for Yuasa batteries (top end lawn mower shops) and was quoted over $200. I searched Amazon and got one for half that. Don't forget to get the Yuasa battery minder and after each ryde, connect it. Especially for those long cold Winters.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Actually 2016 was the last year that BRP made the V-twin for the spyder. They had a 998 in the RS and ST models. They are still good engines, but a little outdated. But if you can find one at the right price point, it is still a great machine. Good luck and welcome.

:clap::clap::clap: ........Thanks for catching my error ........ I immediately corrected my post to reflect the correct year ....... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Mazo EMS2]

We had a 2010 SM5 Rt to start our Spyder experience. Rode the heck out of it for a few years then upgraded to a 2016 with the 1330. It was hard to get used to the higher revving, but it did very well for us. I never used 5th gear unless I knew I would be maintaining 60mph or more. Those 998's loved the 5500rpm range. Good luck with the new wheels!!

 

[carbonation]

Well, the wife was looking at a Ryker, but we found an exceptional deal on a 2011 RT-S SE5, so we're getting that for her tomorrow. After looking into it, I suspect it is actually a much better choice for her than the Ryker anyway due to where we live (northern Wyoming). Highway speed limits are 70MPH, Interstate is 80, and there are some serious long and steep grades, so I'm feeling the lower RPMs this engine will turn due to actual gears should help it live a lot longer than the Ryker engine backed by a CVT, and the small amount of engine braking should beat NONE with the CVT as well, making it a little safer coming down the mountains.

I've not ridden a Ryker, can't say. I did spend 7 years with the VTwin in a 2012 though, and it is far from a low RPM engine. You'll be singing at 70 or 80. It's fine though, it will do that all day long. The V is a busy engine, you'll know it through the bars, the foot pegs, the seat. Those long and steep grades will probably have you hunting for a lower gear to feel any pull. It shears oil like a beast, and fuel mileage is pitiful,(good luck squeezing 130 miles out of a tank of fuel) especially when spinning 5k at highway speed. BUT, all that said, it's a blast to ride, and should serve you well. Just understand it is what it is, and everything that was a limiting factor on it was (mostly) fixed on the later 3 cylinder models.

 

[Elwood58]

Our 2012 RT-S SE5 runs about the same RPM as our 2020 Ryker Rally at 65 mph. The Ryker has a surprising level of compression braking when you let off the throttle. The RT is definitely better for longer range cruising. The Ryker is a lot of fun for local rips around the area. We added floorboards and the big brake pedal to the RT. Added an AirHawk seat pad and good to go.