• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Any Modification recommendations from those who tour on their Spyders?

H

herring

Member
First, I want to thank everyone for the assistance during my first year of ownership. My wife and I purchased a 2025 Spyder RT LTD in June 2025. To date, we have 5,500 miles and counting. I am asking for advice on modifications before heading on an extended trip. So far, we have done the following:
  • Passenger armrest
  • Driver back rest
  • Backup camera
  • LidLox helmet locks
  • Baja Ron sway bar
  • Can Am frunk and side luggage
  • Driver water bottle holder (I have a passenger bottle holder installed, but will replace it as it does not function well)
  • Purchased a Battery Tender charging/Jump start as well as a portable air compressor
  • Cardo communication system
Items that I'm considering:

  • Apple CarPlay - Still inconsistent. I can get it to work most of the time, thinking about adding a GPS
  • Radiator - I've heard of users reporting damage when traveling. Thinking about grills
  • Shocks - The initial cost + an estimated 500.00 installation cost. Are they worth the investment?
  • Additional lighting for safety
Any input from those who redid for an extended period of time would be appreciated.
 
Suspension for sure if riding 2 up and it's so easy to install on the front, while not hard on the rear, altho on the RT, you will need a few pieces of plastic removed for access.... it's still only a bolt off, bolt on thing... quite a few YouTube vids showing how it's done.

I have a GPS for that exact reason... and sometimes Cell towers are not closed enough - CarPlay needs them unless you get the offline map before hand...

Radiator grills are great as well, good at keeping bugs out for the most part.

I'm also a huge fan of more lights to be seen... they still don't always see us, but I'm sure it helps...
 
herring said:
  • Apple CarPlay - Still inconsistent. I can get it to work most of the time, thinking about adding a GPS
Click to expand...
Apple CarPlay was a bit flaky when CAN-AM first got it working on my 2024 Spyder RT S2S, but the only time I've really had a problem with it was in a narrow canyon with limited cell phone signal. That's expected, of course, since it's based on your phone's ability to connect.

I bought my 2024 Spyder before CarPlay was working, so I also bought a Garmin Zumo XT GPS. The Garmin Zumo line was designed for motorcycle use and is weather resistant. The power connection port has a rubbery cover that snaps into place so you can use it even in the rain, but it is "open" when the power cable is connected.

It looks like the latest version is the Garmin Zumo XT3.

www.garmin.com

zūmo® XT3

4.7\" Motorcycle Navigator
www.garmin.com www.garmin.com
 
herring said:
First, I want to thank everyone for the assistance during my first year of ownership. My wife and I purchased a 2025 Spyder RT LTD in June 2025. To date, we have 5,500 miles and counting. I am asking for advice on modifications before heading on an extended trip. So far, we have done the following:
  • Passenger armrest
  • Driver back rest
  • Backup camera
  • LidLox helmet locks
  • Baja Ron sway bar
  • Can Am frunk and side luggage
  • Driver water bottle holder (I have a passenger bottle holder installed, but will replace it as it does not function well)
  • Purchased a Battery Tender charging/Jump start as well as a portable air compressor
  • Cardo communication system
Items that I'm considering:

  • Apple CarPlay - Still inconsistent. I can get it to work most of the time, thinking about adding a GPS
  • Radiator - I've heard of users reporting damage when traveling. Thinking about grills
  • Shocks - The initial cost + an estimated 500.00 installation cost. Are they worth the investment?
  • Additional lighting for safety
Any input from those who redid for an extended period of time would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Go play in rush hour traffic to get comfortable with that, as on an extended trip you will be in heavy traffic once in a while, which requires a heighten level of attention for sometimes an extended period.

I have both an Android Auto screen and a Garmin XT GPS. Dash Cam, phone mount, and cup holder.

PXL_20251204_172525309 (2).jpg
 
Knizar said:
If your rear tire is the Kenda that came on it new, you probably only have about 4K miles left B4 its bald!
Click to expand...
General has a good solution to that. I have installed three of those now and will do a forth on my Northern Spyder this summer. One was for my in-laws 2014. Bit of a job, but at 81, I can still get it done. I bought the all tools needed except the jack, which I borrow from friends. I strap the front tires down to my ramped 2x6 boards used for oil changes. I dump the front Kenda's also.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6JR9C75?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
 
If you're two up on an extended trip not pulling a trailer, then I would seriously consider the Show Chrome luggage rack: https://www.slingmods.com/can-am-spyder-f3t-f3-limited-touring-trunk-rack-show-chrome?vehicle=1
along with a suitable weatherproof bag to strap to it. It will make a difference to your luggage carrying capacity.

You'll need to upgrade your trunk gas spring as well. I used this one:
https://www.slingmods.com/canam-spyder-f3-rt-rear-trunk-lift-support-kit-se-performance?vehicle=1
and it's excellent. You'll appreciate it even without anything on your trunk lid.

As far as a passenger cup holder, check out Butler Cups. They do not make a bolt on kit for the 2020+ RT but I bought a three piece passenger bracket:
https://www.glassact.com/shop/butler-3-piece-passenger-bracket/
and mated it to Ram components to create my own. Don't forget to get the cup and the circular holder that mates to the bracket. See pictures.

Make sure you have a method to recharge your Cardo units on the bike. I've found on long days it pays to recharge the units while at lunch to avoid the batteries going dead toward the end of the day.

Lastly I've found this dash bag:
https://www.slingmods.com/canam-spyder-rt-dashboard-storage-pouch-evolutionr?vehicle=1
really useful for keeping all kinds of things handy. It's waterproof, so no need to worry about things getting wet.

20260312_114231.jpg - 20260312_114309.jpg
 
Lew L said:
I'm all about additional lighting. I have gone to LEDs front and rear, an extra bright, high mount brake light. Also, high mounted driving lights.
Safe travels...
Click to expand...
Thank you. Which brake light did you install? I was looking at this light for the top case from SlingMods

Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited & RT Limited Top Case Brake Light Flasher / Modulator

Enhance road safety with the Can-Am Spyder Top Case Brake Light Flasher. Quick installation and improved visibility for F3 and RT Limited models.
www.slingmods.com www.slingmods.com

Snoking1127 said:
Go play in rush hour traffic to get comfortable with that, as on an extended trip you will be in heavy traffic once in a while, which requires a heighten level of attention for sometimes an extended period.

I have both an Android Auto screen and a Garmin XT GPS. Dash Cam, phone mount and cup holder.

View attachment 254020
Click to expand...
Thank you. I have driven in rush hour traffic in a larger city without any issues. Due to the increased visibility I'm actually more comfortable on the Spyder than in my car.

Dansy said:
Suspension for sure if riding 2 up and it's so easy to install on the front, while not hard on the rear, altho on the RT, you will need a few pieces of plastic removed for access.... it's still only a bolt off, bolt on thing... quite a few YouTube vids showing how it's done.

I have a GPS for that exact reason... and sometimes Cell towers are not closed enough - CarPlay needs them unless you get the offline map before hand...

Radiator grills are great as well, good at keeping bugs out for the most part.

I'm also a huge fan of more lights to be seen... they still don't always see us, but I'm sure it helps...
Click to expand...
Thank you. I was surprised at the estimated cost for installation of shocks. Which brand did you install?

Knizar said:
If your rear tire is the Kenda that came on it new, you probably only have about 4K miles left B4 its bald!
Click to expand...
Good to know. Thanks!
 
Sagebrush said:
If you're two up on an extended trip not pulling a trailer, then I would seriously consider the Show Chrome luggage rack: https://www.slingmods.com/can-am-spyder-f3t-f3-limited-touring-trunk-rack-show-chrome?vehicle=1
along with a suitable weatherproof bag to strap to it. It will make a difference to your luggage carrying capacity.

You'll need to upgrade your trunk gas spring as well. I used this one:
https://www.slingmods.com/canam-spyder-f3-rt-rear-trunk-lift-support-kit-se-performance?vehicle=1
and it's excellent. You'll appreciate it even without anything on your trunk lid.

As far as a passenger cup holder, check out Butler Cups. They do not make a bolt on kit for the 2020+ RT but I bought a three piece passenger bracket:
https://www.glassact.com/shop/butler-3-piece-passenger-bracket/
and mated it to Ram components to create my own. Don't forget to get the cup and the circular holder that mates to the bracket. See pictures.

Make sure you have a method to recharge your Cardo units on the bike. I've found on long days it pays to recharge the units while at lunch to avoid the batteries going dead toward the end of the day.

Lastly I've found this dash bag:
https://www.slingmods.com/canam-spyder-rt-dashboard-storage-pouch-evolutionr?vehicle=1
really useful for keeping all kinds of things handy. It's waterproof, so no need to worry about things getting wet.

View attachment 254021 - View attachment 254022
Click to expand...
Thank you. I was thinking about the luggage rack for extra storage (as well as the installation of the heavier shock for the rear trunk).

I checked out the dash bag. Does this interfere with the raising and lowering of the fairing?
 
Solo ryder here. AAA is ok, but not as motorcycle friendly as AMA.

Also, it's good practice to get in habit of collecting dealership information along your routes beforehand. Additional stops if you like (you might even meet more Ryder’s & they're good source of local faves - food & roads).

A quick ez access bag with spare change of clothes - a lightweight long sleeve shirt can be better than sunblock- not as sticky for road grime. Truck stops are a great source of local oddities (you might not know like till you try!) Plan all you want, but enjoy the random unexpected finds in whatever interests you (friends & family interests too -something to share).
 
Bfromla said:
Solo ryder here. AAA is ok, but not as motorcycle friendly as AMA.

Also, it's good practice to get in habit of collecting dealership information along your routes beforehand. Additional stops if you like (you might even meet more Ryder’s & they're good source of local faves - food & roads).

A quick ez access bag with spare change of clothes - a lightweight long sleeve shirt can be better than sunblock- not as sticky for road grime. Truck stops are a great source of local oddities (you might not know like till you try!) Plan all you want, but enjoy the random unexpected finds in whatever interests you (friends & family interests too -something to share).
Click to expand...
Thank you. Great suggestions .I joined the AMA shortly after purchasing the Spyder.
 
Do not forget a good set of rain gear. Nothing like staying dry in those long rainy day rides. Once wet, not fun riding hours on end. Waterproof boots, gloves a must. Do not go skimpy on raingear for when a leaky seam shows up, ur not going to be happy.
 
baxter said:
Do not forget a good set of rain gear. Nothing like staying dry in those long rainy day rides. Once wet, not fun riding hours on end. Waterproof boots, gloves a must. Do not go skimpy on raingear for when a leaky seam shows up, ur not going to be happy.
Click to expand...
Over the years, I think I've ridden in rain more than sunshine! Normally I just wear the pants. The rain gear I have is bulky but works well (Tourmaster). What brand do you use? I've looked at Frogg Toggs as well as the CanAm rain gear. Thanks
 
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