2012 RS-S SE-5

[MrOakleysGTI]

Looking into getting a 2012 RS-S SE-5 soon. If anyone has one or has had one fill me in on pros and cons and how is the availability of parts for this bike? Would also like to know maintenance cost and how hard it is to change oil and other minor things myself. Thanks in advance.

 

[PistonBlown]

The RS's are the simplest of the Spyders technically and so as a result are probably the easiest to maintain (and most reliable)

From 2008 (when they were called the GS) until 2012 there was only relatively minor changes each year. So niggles of the earlier years were sorted by then.

There was bigger redesign for 2013 onwards though outwardly they look almost identical (there's info about the differences here http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?98798-2009-vs-2014 )

General maintenance wise it's pretty straight forward, certainly oil changes are simple.

Hot right foot is a common issue people mention for all RS's. The hot air from the radiator is directed at your right foot. There's a kit from SpyderPops (site sponsor) that helps with that.

The strut's for the rear fender tended to crack on the older ones (on my 2011 they went in under 10,000km) - though I think they had this sorted by the 2012's with some extra triangular bracing.

A better swaybar (normally from Bajaron another site sponsor) is a very common upgrade which improves handing.

Because the swaybar and heat kits are common changes its possible these have already been done.