Was I penny wise foolish?

[vito1943]

I'm a new RT owner, and loving it so far. My former ride, a Goldwing, was getting to be just too much weight for my old body to safely handle. My being "penny wise" and possibly "pound foolish" has to do with getting the RT and not the RT Limited. The dealer told me that the difference between the two was the trunk, and heated seats. Not planning on two up touring I didn't think I needed the trunk, and I don't like the sensation of heated seats in any vehicle. It seemed that $4,000 for these two items was too steep to justify. I added a passenger backrest instead, which was about $500, but even the net difference of $3,500 seemed not to be worth it. Did I miss something here? Wondering if down the road sometime I will regret not going for the Limited which seems to be a much more popular choice than the base RT.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

I have always said, buy what you like and not what everybody else likes.

 

[UtahPete]

I'm a new RT owner, and loving it so far. My former ride, a Goldwing, was getting to be just too much weight for my old body to safely handle. My being "penny wise" and possibly "pound foolish" has to do with getting the RT and not the RT Limited. The dealer told me that the difference between the two was the trunk, and heated seats. Not planning on two up touring I didn't think I needed the trunk, and I don't like the sensation of heated seats in any vehicle. It seemed that $4,000 for these two items was too steep to justify. I added a passenger backrest instead, which was about $500, but even the net difference of $3,500 seemed not to be worth it. Did I miss something here? Wondering if down the road sometime I will regret not going for the Limited which seems to be a much more popular choice than the base RT.

You don't second guess decisions involving firearms or motorcycling, do you? Don't second guess this decision. Just ride the hell out of it.

 

[K80Shooter]

The bottom line is that you purchased what you wanted. Enjoy it and add anything else that you want/need as you see fit.

 

[EdMat]

Only you can preven................wait a minute, wrong.

Only you can answer that question. Several have bought the RT to save a few bucks and only upgraded what they wanted. Several have bought the RLT as they wanted it all.

Me, if my 2019 was a few years older, it would be the S2S.

 

[ulflyer]

I would have done the same as you. I had a couple of RT's in the past, then as I grew older, and riding less, figured I didn't need as much space. Bought an F3T....bags only, with backrest, and find it suits perfectly. If I need to haul more "stuff", I can bungee a bag onto the pass seat.

 

[Plarimer]

Especially fire arms!

 

[ARtraveler]

I like the look of the RT and the F3...without the trunk. I ended up with F3L's because I got a great deal on year old ones...otherwise, I would be trunkless.

 

[milryder]

Unless you’re going to have a regular passenger you don’t need the L. Just finished a 2300 mi trip with my RT and love it. Plenty of luggage space. Like the looks better also. I think you made the right choice. Happy Happy

 

[VStarRider]

Just my opinion, but if you know you don't like heated seats and don't need the trunk, sounds good to me. You can always add the many different accessories that BRP offers that fit on the back, and still save some $$$.

Motomember (dealer in VA) offers RT packages, set up with pre-selected accessories at prices less than an RT Limited.

 

[RayBJ]

I am also a 99% solo rider coming from a a sport tourer. I chose the RT Base because there's more than enough storage, it weighs less, costs less, and IMHO looks better than the Limited. I 'invested' the saving in proper suspension & a few more horses. Now I can keep up with (or embarrass) my 2-wheeled gang.
The Limited is an excellent choice for 2-up or maybe campers but overkill for a 1-up.
So don't 2nd guess yourself. Sounds like you got what you need.

 

[blacklightning]

I would have done the same as you. I had a couple of RT's in the past, then as I grew older, and riding less, figured I didn't need as much space. Bought an F3T....bags only, with backrest, and find it suits perfectly. If I need to haul more "stuff", I can bungee a bag onto the pass seat.

Seems like we run in the same circles, heck even in the same state. I picked up the 2014 RT because I wanted the 1330 engine, and also with hopes of riding 2 up with the wife. After that didn't happen too often, I decided to go with the 2016 F3T and do the same as you for traveling. When the wife does come on a trip (only one is spyder adventures in October), we use a Doc Humphries rack on the trailer hitch, and we are good. I even looked at the Slingshots, but decided that I was too big and already have one 3 wheeled open air ride. So I picked up a 2017 C/S mustang convertible. I found a pretty decent deal on the trunk for my spyder and was about to make the move. But I think I will get something more general that way I can used it on the spyder or add it to my BMW 1800B when needed.

 

[Quickdraw]

I bought the 2021 RT base model last August. I had the same thoughts as you. I didn't need to spend the extra $4K on the top case and heated seats. The top case cost me more than $500 but I still saved a lot. Don't really need the heated seats. For my top case, I contacted wrapmyspyder and they made me the decal (see image). First of its kind as they didn't even have a listing for it on their site.

I've made a few modifications but am glad I didn't pay the extra money for what I was getting.

 

[Schreckftw]

I agree with everyone saying what you like is what you like. I happen to have the RTL and to be honest locally I run without the top case and use the cover plate I have. On longer runs I put on the top case or if I know I will be in a lot of traffic. I like the higher extra break light on it for that.

I am even thinking about getting the LinQ Rack and the LinQ Semi-Rigid Bag so I can just pop off and take into the hotel with me on trips. There are so many options other then the top case.

Being in N.E. Ohio I do use the heated seat and grips. The auto adjusting airbag is OK but annoying IMO.

 

[Motogordo]

July 8, 2021
When I went looking for a new Spyder a couple of months ago, I wasn't sure which model I wanted. I definitely want the touring type , even though I don't tour. I think the farthest I ever went was about 60 miles to Long Beach Island, NJ. The RT or RT Limited would have been fine. However, since I am retired and spending my kids inheritance, I decided to go for the Sea to Sky. I have about 1500 miles on it now and love riding.
I need the lower back support and a comfortable seat. Motogordo