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The new 2021 limited edition "Sea to Sky" - any suggestions on accessories?

BillyBrad

New member
Well I pulled the TRIGGER on a new "Sea To Sky". Just a bit... PRICEY .It arrives at dealership in Feb. I'm taking a 2 day riders training course in KY mid March and will get a 3 Wheel certification in Ohio for it. Just picked up a used Bushtec Trailer pull behind. I haven't purchased a new Vehicle since 1972. Most all have been good to me. At 71 I thought I owed to myself to splurge a little. Probably the last Newbie I'll ever own. Its a Big Beautiful Country out there and I'm going to travel it. Does anybody have any suggestions on must have accessories to add on, based on your experience on Spyder RT's? I would be happy to.... Listen and Learn!!!!
 
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:welcome: and :congrats: You are going to love the S2S version. And...you deserve to treat yourself. :bowdown: :firstplace:
 
Welcome and don't rush it. Keep it stock and as you climb the learning curve, you will become aware of what to add to your bike as time and miles pass. Keep an eye on this forum and learn - there are a lot of very experienced teachers on here. Ask questions - no one will put you down for not knowing something, but there is a lot to know to keep your Spyder running and safe. I speak from experience, I learned enough here to do my own maintenance.
BTW, I was 10 years older than you when I bought mine two years ago. You will never really know your last bike until it outlives you.
 
Hi BillyBrad. Is this your 1st Spyder? Is this your 1st motorcycle? Congratulations on an awesome decision. It is always fun to make a new ride your own,but if I may suggest ride it for a while,spend some time here on the board. See what others have done to their Spyders. Farkels will begin to suggest themselves as you become more familier with your Spyder, what it needs and the type of rider that you want to become. Ride every chance you get every place you can. I know it's getting cold where you live but it will break. Welcome to the group can't wait to see your Spyder. Post early, post often and post pictures.20200515_181450.jpg
 
Buy lots of gas and ride lots of miles. Enjoy and add things as YOU feel the need. The #1 best upgrade I have done in 35,000 miles is switching to car tires.
 
As a new rider, welcome to the Spyder community.
I bought the 2020 RTL. The Sea to Sky has a few more features.
This is my third Spyder RT, first the initial model 2010, then the 2014 with the upgraded 1330 engine.
First, get a laser alignment. BRP is much better now, but previous models came out of the factory unaligned. Properly aligned, the Spyder will track like it's on rails. An unaligned Spyder will make you think you are riding a bucking bronco.
After that, I suggest you ride it stock for a while and see what doesn't fit.
Get a bluetooth headset for your helmet(s). There's nothing like having the sound right in your ears. AND, you won't be deafening people around you at stop lights. This makes you a better ambassador for the Spyder community.
Get to know your Spyder. As I said, like it or not you will be an ambassador for all Spyder riders. You can't be shy. Everytime you stop at a gas station or park at a restaurant, people will come up and ask you questions. Some of the questions may even seem stupid to you. Please don't be one of the Asshats that answer the stupid questions with sarcasatic mean answers. There have even been a few threads on this site where asshat riders proudly posted their sarcastic mean spirited answers to people who asked innocent, but perhaps nonsensical questions like "Is that electric" or "Does it lean in the turns".
In my opinion, there is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers.
As you begin riding more, you may find accessories that customize the fit to be more important to you.
For 2021, BRP has handlebars that are adjustable, but only the height can be changed. If you feel the need to change the handlebars, I think you'll be better served by getting the HeliBar HSX bars. They're more expensive but infinitely adjustable in all three dimensions, so you can modify the height, but also the wrist angle in all three dimensions.
You should also consider a drivers backrest for lumbar support when riding over the long haul.

Other accessories that you might consider are the SpyderPops vision kit. These are additional sidelights for added visibility, but the Sea to Sky model already comes with some additional LED lights on the side. In fact, I may add these S2S floorboard lights to my Spyder.
Many people buy an upgraded sway bar, but in my opinion, BRP finally, at long, long last has caught up to a lot of the suspension upgrades. So, again in my opinion, the 2021 Spyder handles far better than all the previous models. A sway bar upgrade makes the Spyder handle "a little more" far better.

The radio, speakers and bluetooth options have all been upgraded and included in the new model. The electronics are pretty good, but many, including myself don't like using a smartphone connected to the dashboard for navigation.
I have a Zumo XT GPS and heartily recommend one. Since I'm not using the smartphone navigation, I use an old Galxy S7 as a music source, connected via bluetooth to the audio system.

Some people "hot rod" the engine getting reprogrammed ECMs and removing the catalytic converters. Some have even gone so far as adding turbochargers to boost performance. While this greatly adds to the "WOW" factor, my riding style is more sedate. For myself, I find these modifications at best unnecessary, and at worst costly and illegal.

The included bags with the Sea to Sky are, in my opinon, a silly gimmick. The bag components take up a lot of room leaving less capacity for actual storage. You'll be better served with soft sided bags, even a laundry bag, but you're getting a trailer, so storage may not be an issue for you. Same goes for the luggage rack on the trunk. Your trailer makes the rack superfluous. "Superfluous" ? How's that for a $3.00 word ??? (what happened to the site spell checker?)

After about 6 or 8 thousand miles, you may find that the rear tire is wearing out. That might be a point to upgrade to better tires. There's lots of threads on tires for advice.
You'll also find advice on oil as well. :yikes:

I hope this helps. I don't want to sound like a Know-It-All, but you asked.
Keep us posted so we know how you make out.

As always, my free advice cones with a double your money back guarantee.
 
I suggest you ride it stock for a while and see what doesn't fit.

I concur except for more lights. Nobody seems to be able to see a bike (2 wheeled or 3). The more lights you have, the better off you are. I prefer a tasteful lighting upgrade but I've seen some National Lampoons Christmas lights, too. I think those look funny but at least they'll be seen.

Get a bluetooth headset for your helmet(s). There's nothing like having the sound right in your ears. AND, you won't be deafening people around you at stop lights. This makes you a better ambassador for the Spyder community.

I fully agree on this one. I happen to have multiple bluetooth headsets for multiple lids (although I tend to use just 1 of each) but even if I like your taste in music, I don't want to hear it. Could very well be nobody else wants to hear it, either. I had some pizza delivery guy pull up in my driveway yesterday with his music LOUD. I told him to turn it down or leave. He left, I was hungry.

For 2021, BRP has handlebars that are adjustable, but only the height can be changed.

This is an added cost option. It's an adjustable height riser.

ANY F3 handlebars will fit the 2020+ RT (regardless of trim level). The F3 "short reach" bars will bring the bars closer to you. As Three Wheels said, Helibars allow you to adjust the bars in multiple areas but they're about $600. (I got 'em and love 'em.)


You should also consider a drivers backrest for lumbar support when riding over the long haul.

I suggest Utopia but there are other, less expensive, options.

Many people buy an upgraded sway bar, but in my opinion, BRP finally, at long, long last has caught up to a lot of the suspension upgrades. So, again in my opinion, the 2021 Spyder handles far better than all the previous models. A sway bar upgrade makes the Spyder handle "a little more" far better.

I added a BajaRon sway bar (nothing better and he's a site sponsor). In my humble opinion, it's well worth the money but doesn't improve the 2020+ RT as much as the previous generation RT. Still glad I installed it.

The radio, speakers and bluetooth options have all been upgraded and included in the new model. The electronics are pretty good, but many, including myself don't like using a smartphone connected to the dashboard for navigation.

The radio, speakers, BT, etc have been the same since '18. The phone/dash thing is called BuRP Connect and it's NOT ready for prime time. Quite honestly, it sucks. As others have done, I use my phone directly BT'ed to the bike for music only and have a dedicated GPS for navigation.

After about 6 or 8 thousand miles, you may find that the rear tire is wearing out. That might be a point to upgrade to better tires. There's lots of threads on tires for advice.

Car tires, car tires, car tires. The current favorite is the Q'stein F5 (V5? C5? someone will correct me). When my current Kendas wear out, that's what I'll put on all 3 postions.

Congrats on your (almost) new purchase. If you're coming off 2 wheels, you won't "get in the groove" for 1000 miles or more. Don't worry about it. Read this https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners before you ride the 1st time. If you've never ridden 2 wheels, this should be fairly easy to get used to. I bought my 1st Spyder about a year ago ('18 RTL) and just bought my 2nd/current ('21 RT base...I don't need all the extra stuff that comes with the premium pricetag for the Limited trim level) about 2 months ago. I enjoy every ride more and more.

HAGO!
 
Thanks Peter for making the necessary repairs to my script. As I read down on my reply's I am amazed at the great and genuine responses I've received. Very Grateful to you all.
 
With reference to MONK's reply Re: tires - for over there yep Vredestein QUATRAC 5 appear to be one of the favorites, not available in our neck of the woods so I have Hankooks.

Plenty of info on here re: tires

Can't agree more with the comments to ride for a while before deciding on what farkles to add.

Congrats on the new ride and definitely post photos when you get it and of your journeys.
 
I have only had our 2018 new to us RTL and the statement about people coming up to you to ask questions is very true. So after a few nick names ours became the hook, as in it hooks people everywhere we go.
 

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