Touring Comfort Inquiry

[ThreeWheels]

I've owned several touring bikes, I had a Yamaha Venture XVZ1200, the last was a Honda ST1100.
I bought a 2010 Spyder and got my Iron Butt Certificate within the first couple of months.
I had many comfort upgrades, primarily to the suspension that I felt were essential.
I bought a 2014, and made one upgrade to the suspension that made the bike more better.
I'm buying the 2020, and just adding an OEM light a rear rack for storage, and the drivers backrest for comfort.
I don't anticipate anything else at this time.

 

[h0gr1der]

It is my understanding that the 2020 RT will have the F3L handlebars. I could be wrong. I could be right.

The pictures I looked of at the 2020 RT had round bars like a normal motorcycle and the F3. Should make getting the right fit way cheaper and easier to achieve.

 

[RICZ]

I bought a 2014, and made one upgrade to the suspension that made the bike more better.

Do you care to share with us what that upgrade was? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[ThreeWheels]

The 2010 got the RonBar and upgraded shocks, and the best mechanical alignment at the time. Totally un-ridable without these changes.
The 2014 was much better out of the crate. Still as I began riding 2 up, the RonBar and laser alignment made a measurable but less essential difference.

 

[pegasus1300]

Spent 43 years on Yamaha Ventures, the last 4 years on Royal Stars So very comfortable I never had to change seats. I rode a Goldwing Trike for 4 years never changed the seat. Rode my Spyder for 1 Year then bought a gel pad from motorcycledave.com (a site sponsor) and the Spyder became an all day bike, very comfortable. I don't have to stop except to eat, restroom, or fuel. Very comfortable. I think it will replace your BMW very well. I still love and miss my Ventures, but I love the ride of my RTL. I bought it in 2015 with 8500 miles, it now has 53000+ and I love to travel on it. BTW mine is a 2012. Oh and BTW:welcome::welcome: and :nopic: post early and often and post pictures.

 

[Curlytops]

Ive come from a Gl1800 wing due to health issues.. my Rt is as comfy as my wing was, and riding for long periods of time is the same. I do however miss 2 wheels and the filtering capabilities of a bike and would go back to 2 wheels tomorrow if I could. But the RT gives me everything I need other than having to wait behind cars for a safer place to pass... plus its slowed me down a bit

 

[ARtraveler]

Intriguing information about different bars to re-place the TriAxis. Adjustment of driver position without having to spend $1000.00 will certainly be a plus.

As mentioned above, the salesman information which we have been going on, is not the best. :roflblack: Can anyone with better information about the product clarify? Does anyone have a print out of the 2020 RT manual yet?

That would be some very good information. :bowdown:

 

[Northofthesix]

It is my understanding that the 2020 RT will have the F3L handlebars. I could be wrong. I could be right.

I sat on the 2020 Saturday; they look like the F3 bars

 

[CopperSpyder]

I don't believe the RT has a U-fit system. I know the F3 does. Can someone clarify? :yes:

Been driving RT's since they came out in 2010. A perfect touring platform. Just bought a 2019 F3L. That also works for me. I can see all day rides on that. I did replace the seat at 700 miles with a Cannonball CrossCountry though.

The 2020 RT will use the Same handle bars Ufit system as the F3. You have two options one long reach or a short reach bar. Part # for the 2020 RT handle bars are 219400909 and 219400910 same as for the F3.

 

[bikerbillone]

Intriguing information about different bars to re-place the TriAxis. Adjustment of driver position without having to spend $1000.00 will certainly be a plus.

As mentioned above, the salesman information which we have been going on, is not the best. :roflblack: Can anyone with better information about the product clarify? Does anyone have a print out of the 2020 RT manual yet?

That would be some very good information. :bowdown:

I've checked out every You Tube available on the 2020 RT, Googled it as well. I am impressed with everything I see, I think the tour pack comes with the RTL, an option with the RT, hope I'm right bout that. Anyway, I'm biting the silver bullet and wait until I read about it here of actual experience of those 2020 riders. Should be a lot to read and I look forward to it.

 

[h0gr1der]

The 2020 RT will use the Same handle bars Ufit system as the F3. You have two options one long reach or a short reach bar. Part # for the 2020 RT handle bars are 219400909 and 219400910 same as for the F3.

To me the question is did BRP make the bars proprietary, or will normal motorcycle bars fit? That would open up the options immensely! Ape hangers on a Spyder-Go imagine... How about it F3 owners, tell us about your bars.

 

[RICZ]

How about it F3 owners, tell us about your bars.

Not liking the height of my bars, too high, I removed the top of the clamp. I expected to see a hole and pin, but I was only half right. There is a pin in the lower part of the clamp, but there is a longish slot in the bar, allowing for movement. So I now have the bar in a better angle for me. Nice.

 

[Fat Baxter]

I rode BMWs for 32 years before moving to an RT-S in 2014. My last Beemer was an R1100RT, which at time of trade-in was 15 years old and had 73,000 miles. Not only was I starting to have knee problems, but the only BMW dealer in my state went out of business, which meant a *very* long ride (or tow) to the next nearest dealer for work.

Although the Spyder is comfortable, compared to the Beemer it will feel ponderous. Not nearly as nimble as a Beemer. This impression will be reinforced by the view from the saddle, with much more machine in your visual field. But you get used to it with time.

Replacing the crappy OEM tires will go a long way to improving the ride.

As for the stock Spyder saddle, well, after riding stock BMW saddles for three decades, I have no feeling left in my butt.

 

[pegasus1300]

Fat Baxter "As for the stock Spyder saddle, well, after riding stock BMW saddles for three decades, I have no feeling left in my butt. " :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: My Last BMW was a 1972 R75/5. It was like riding on a 2 x 4. My Norton Commando had a better seat. I was so disappointed. I went to a 350 Bridgestone GTR and it had a better seat.

 

[Peteoz]

Having watched several of the 2020 RT walkthroughs by 3 different CanAm presenters, I can confirm the it will have half the U-Fit system. The boards are around 22” long and are not adjustable, but give you far more legroom than the previous RTs. The bars are U-fit (standard, short and long), and designed specifically for the 2020, but..... your bars from your F3 will fit, but are not quite as ergonomically designed as the ones made for the 2020.
There is more storage than the previous RT Limited, and they claim that despite its F3 looks, wind protection is enhanced over the previous RTs. The seats are longer by 2” driver and 1” passenger (might have that the wrong way round), they are wider, and they have a gel filler. They have a stiffer swaybar than previous, to reduce body roll, and you can get an even heavier duty one if you wish to reduce roll further. The Sachs shocks are heavier duty than previous. There is a long, and poorly recorded video of a walk around with Can Am staff that is very informative. I’ll see if I can find it.....
Pete

 

[Peteoz]

Here it is....

https://youtu.be/3tFlooffi4k

 

[Northeh]

I went from a 1800 Goldwing to a touring spyder. Wing trips were two up and full luggage, rides of 10-12 hours. The spyder comfort met and surpassed the Wing in all areas except power. The top end and acceleration in the Wing is really hard to beat. The Spyder is more than adequate in the area. I love the third wheel in slow heavy traffic, parking lots, and gravel roads.
Cheers,

 

[japgen]

Having watched several of the 2020 RT walkthroughs by 3 different CanAm presenters, I can confirm the it will have half the U-Fit system. The boards are around 22” long and are not adjustable, but give you far more legroom than the previous RTs. The bars are U-fit (standard, short and long), and designed specifically for the 2030, but..... your bars from your F3 will fit, but are not quite as ergonomically designed as the ones made for the 2020.
There is more storage than the previous RT Limited, and they claim that despite its F3 looks, wind protection is enhanced over the previous RTs. The seats are longer by 2” driver and 1” passenger (might have that the wrong way round), they are wider, amd they have a del filler. They have a stiffer swaybar than previous, to reduce body roll, and you can get an even heavier duty one if you wish to reduce roll further. The Sachs shocks are heavier duty than previous. There is a long, and poorly recorded video of a walk around with Can Am staff that is very informative. I’ll see if I can find it.....
Pete

I have watched the video you are referring to, and the discussion about swaybar is very confusing. I reached out to BRP to clarify exactly what swaybar will come standard with the 2020 RT Limited, and they referred me to my dealer who "is more than just a sales office". Of course said dealer is clueless. So.......does anyone know if BRP will be offering a more "heavy duty" swaybar upgrade option for the 2020's? I am leaning toward just riding whatever comes stock, see how it feels and react from there. I am just trying to understand options before I place my order. I owned many Ski Doo (BRP) snowmobiles in my life, and the dealers usually had a much better handle on the machine specs than they seem to have with the Spyders. I guess you have to give some slack since this is a new model year.

 

[RICZ]

I finally had a ride in the rain. Just got a few drops on the toes of my boots and some on my face shield because my windshield is about chin high. On the freeway, I feel no wind, so I guess my F3L does a good job at weather protection and if BRP did the same for the 2020 RT, folks are going to like it.

 

[CopperSpyder]

I have watched the video you are referring to, and the discussion about swaybar is very confusing. I reached out to BRP to clarify exactly what swaybar will come standard with the 2020 RT Limited, and they referred me to my dealer who "is more than just a sales office". Of course said dealer is clueless. So.......does anyone know if BRP will be offering a more "heavy duty" swaybar upgrade option for the 2020's? I am leaning toward just riding whatever comes stock, see how it feels and react from there. I am just trying to understand options before I place my order. I owned many Ski Doo (BRP) snowmobiles in my life, and the dealers usually had a much better handle on the machine specs than they seem to have with the Spyders. I guess you have to give some slack since this is a new model year.

My understanding is the swaybay on the 2020 RT will be a little better than before but still have the fiber links. So you are doing the right thing by just riding with what you get and go from there. If you think you need to up grade later you can.