What changes would you like to see?

[MidLifeCrisis]

I'm really curious about this sixth gear stuff.
Perhaps, as per usual, I'm missing something.

When I get to fifth, and keeping the revs above the magic 4K mark of for my SE then I'm flying down the road at about 60 mph.
So I guess my question is, and please make it simple so I can understand, how would adding another gear make things better?

It would only work if you could lug the engine and have the torque be useable at a lower range. At that point, you'd have to have a 6th gear, because you'd lose torque at the higher RPMs. It would just ride more like a Harley. lug, lug, lug, pop, lug, lug! :joke:

 

[asp125]

Not just simply adding a 6th gear. To keep the Spyder in the sweet spot of 4-5K rpm, would require shortening down the ratios so that each gear would be closer spaced. You do that to the current engine / trans and you risk lugging and damaging the pistons. The Rotax is not a Harley motor and doesn't like to be ridden as such.

 

[Bob Denman]

Plus... The ESSIE's clutches don't fully lock up until about 4000 rpm.
Let them slip, and you'll be buying a lot of clutch plates...

 

[scooterexpress]

An electrical outlet on the dash...aka a cigarette lighter

i got one put into my glovebox works great:yes:cost me 100.00 installed

 

[NancysToy]

Less heat please. Dont like the smell of raw gas. The new cap seems to make the smell worse.

Have your purge valve and emissions hoses tested.

 

[boborgera]

I'm really curious about this sixth gear stuff.
Perhaps, as per usual, I'm missing something.

When I get to fifth, and keeping the revs above the magic 4K mark of for my SE then I'm flying down the road at about 60 mph.
So I guess my question is, and please make it simple so I can understand, how would adding another gear make things better?

In my opinion it won't.
I have a two wheeler with a 6Th gear, Also my Tri-Glide has a 6Th gear, And i find that unless your going over 60 and on a ''flat'' road, You'll get tired real quick of down shifting back to 5Th all the time and never use it except on the high ways.

 

[mcaccamise]

Yup to all of the above and a sixth gear would be useless as is on my HD Road King.

 

[MouthPiece]

I can only speak to the RT. With that in mind, there has been a significant improvement in the handling of the RT. I also like the battery being located in the front trunk. I love the 15 inch tires. The floorboards slanted slightly downward and having a soft feel is really great.

Bottom line BRP has from the inception of the RT improved on this touring machine, and I have all the confidence in the world that they will continue.

Chris

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: x 2 :thumbup:

 

[DaDrkmysta]

Speakers

Speaker pods that I don't have to go t JL audio and spend $1500 for. RT and ST getting all the love.

 

[ThreeWheels]

I can only speak to my RT.
I'm CERTAIN nothing here is new

I'd like the option to hard plug my cell phone into the intercom system. Bluetooth is fine, but I've found that there can be generational incompatibilities. I had to upgrade my Zumo 600 to a Zumo 660 for just that reason.

Standard HID lights.

Larger electrical supply to support two up heated gear.

The VOX on the intercom system could use some improvement. I find it is difficult to set the sensitivity. If you make it sensitive enough to trigger in a normal tone of voice, sometimes the wind noise will start it and you lose the tunes for a few seconds. If you make it less sensitive so wind noise won't trigger it, you have to speak loudly when you want to communicate with your passenger.

Shaft drive.

More range, either bigger tank or better mileage. Or both

Factory option for a heated seat.

Factory option for the gas door in the seat.

Factory option for a high mount integrated GPS. All the reflection from the handle bars would make a cluster mounted GPS difficult to see.

Factory option for a handbrake. Do you know when I miss the handbrake the most ? When pushing the Spyder around the garage.

High Mount Brake Light from the factory.

A more secure way to keep the middle access panels (oil panel) in place.

I wouldn't mind a riding companion, but I'll have to find one of those on my own.

I think that's about it for now.

 

[scott16119]

Big enough fuel tank to run 200+ miles
Brighter indicator lights, maybe leds in the mirrors
Easier to service spin on oil filters
Top loading rear side storage, harley' type

 

[Spyderific]

Bigger engine with more torque and lower rpm. I believe it could improve mpg.

Signal light switch that will cancel properly.

Better seat!

 

[Bob Denman]

Let me play "Devil's Advocate" in here for just a little bit...

Shaft drive: It'll add width, weight, and cpmplexity
Bigger fuel tank: where will you put it? A longer and wider bike won't handle as well...
Bigger engine with different powerband characteristics: A lot of development time and money would have to be spent; will you pay the increase cost of an already expensive bike? If you like the low rpm rumble of a Harley...
Increased electrical capacity: face it; the more juice you've got, the more you'll add until you're STILL overtaxing it.
Are we still talking about a sixth gear for a bike that likes to rev???

Everything comes at a cost... :shocked:

 

[bscrive]

Goldwing engine with a six speed tranny, that would be smooooooth. :bowdown: (Possible project one day in the future)
Shaft drive
Another brake on the handle bar connected to all three wheels
Plastic gas tank. Not sure on the life of the metal one they put in.

 

[DragonLorD]

yep

In my opinion it won't.
I have a two wheeler with a 6Th gear, Also my Tri-Glide has a 6Th gear, And i find that unless your going over 60 and on a ''flat'' road, You'll get tired real quick of down shifting back to 5Th all the time and never use it except on the high ways.

that would be the prime and probably most justified purpose of 6th = highway
as it was with 3rd some decades back
and then 4th
and then 5th
now is time for 6th:2thumbs:

 

[DrewNJ]

Bigger Motor, Bigger Motor, Bigger Motor.....That is probably the only thing that would convince me to trade up.

All those little factory installed farkles I could care less about. Most times they are things we swap out or add aftermarket for personal preference anyway....


As for 6th gear....that would be nice but I don't see 5.5k @80 or so as being really that high....other than killing gas mileage when traveling long distances.

Anyone ever try adding a 6 forward gear set? At first glance it seems like it would be doable with off the shelf parts if you don't mind losing reverse.....Probably easier on an SM than a SE. Wonder how the electronics would react....oh wait... I know the answer to that!....LIMP MODE!:joke:

 

[asp125]

What about a fuel door or relocated gas cap so we don't have to flip up the seat? Say perhaps slightly forward on the plastic. For when you're touring and you've got a passenger or cargo on the back.

 

[Ronsam]

BRP

I think I'm right about this, the best selling most popular model of Ski-doo was the elan.
It was a short, light machine. So, yes BRP does go backwards.

The next Spyder will be a 650 . That will be a smaler and low cost Spyder , opcorn:

 

[Bob Denman]

They DO have the Ace 600 engine available.
(Inline twin...)
I think that's also going under the Tupperware of the hybrid... :thumbup: