Can an RS be made a comfortable cruiser for 2

[laserracer]

Here's what I did, but it still hurt my knees after a more than 45 min ride, so I got the RT. :chat:

Liking that back rest and arm rests

Dave

 

[Bob Denman]

Probably looking at about $10,000..$15,000 difference between a used early RS and a RT....Difference between new RS and new RT about $20,000..

:shocked::hun:
The RS series starts at 15K
The RT series starts at 24K (approximately)

The used bikes grow much closer in price.
But... if you take an RS, and try to bring it up to RT comfort levels:
Saddlebags: $900
Backrest & Rear Trunk: $1200
Seat: $600
Floorboards: $500
Taller windshield: $200
Handlebar risers: $300
Passenger footpeg extenders: $200
Heated Grips $100
Cruise control: :dontknow:
This isn't counting the riding time that's lost during the process...

Do what you want; just watch out for the size of the money pile being spent.

 

[PistonBlown]

Spyders in NZ generally cost much more than in the US and the gap between RS and RT is greater. In addition, we don't have the same level of depreciation as you get in the US and Europe. Depreciation here is far more about condition and mileage than it is about age. So the gap between the models remains in the second hand market.

So 'touring up' an RS tends to be the way a lot of NZ riders go. It also appeals to the Kiwi love of tinkering

Of the 20 odd riders around here for example, there are only two RTs and one ST. The rest are RS's, though there's probably not one standard one. I think ST's and RT's are more common in the North Island, but the majority are still RS's.

Finally, I believe finance here has a far higher rate of interest than in the US, which would also explain the attraction of the cheaper models.

 

[BikerDoc]

It really depends on the wife. I have seen some wives happy to tour on the RS with a simple backrest, and meanwhile know one guy that spent $10000 trying to get his wife happy with an RS and then finally had to trade it on an RT.. I believe they rent them in NZ. Maybe you could pre test before committing fully

 

[laserracer]

:shocked::hun:
The RS series starts at 15K
The RT series starts at 24K (approximately)

The used bikes grow much closer in price.
But... if you take an RS, and try to bring it up to RT comfort levels:
Seat: $600
Floorboards: $500
Taller windshield: $200
Handlebar risers: $300
Passenger footpeg extenders: $200
Heated Grips $100
Cruise control: :dontknow:
This isn't counting the riding time that's lost during the process...

Do what you want; just watch out for the size of the money pile being spent.

Cheapest RS ive seen sold recently here in NewZealand was $10,000 nz dollars and the cheapest RT i can see at the moment is about $21,000 NZD and trying to buy without finance so im looking more at the lower end of the market and plan on doing my own maintenance as im an ex mechanic..but sure i can see how the extra parts can add up.. but you can add them over time so it doesnt hurt so much $$$$ wise

 

[laserracer]

It really depends on the wife. I have seen some wives happy to tour on the RS with a simple backrest, and meanwhile know one guy that spent $10000 trying to get his wife happy with an RS and then finally had to trade it on an RT.. I believe they rent them in NZ. Maybe you could pre test before committing fully

Cheers mate yep will certainly try before buying

 

[DrewNJ]

And a lot of touring add ons are personal preference. Doesnt matter what platform you ride.
My wife and I have toured the crap out of our RS with really nothing more than a 47l top box added on the OEM sport rack that also acts as a backrest, and some highway pegs. Not everyone desires big windshields, expensive hard bags, floorboards, cup holders, etc etc.
As for seats it seems like everyone has their own personal flavor, doesn't matter what platform. We've been pretty happy with the stock ST seat.

 

[laserracer]

Spyders in NZ generally cost much more than in the US and the gap between RS and RT is greater. In addition, we don't have the same level of depreciation as you get in the US and Europe. Depreciation here is far more about condition and mileage than it is about age. So the gap between the models remains in the second hand market.

So 'touring up' an RS tends to be the way a lot of NZ riders go. It also appeals to the Kiwi love of tinkering

Of the 20 odd riders around here for example, there are only two RTs and one ST. The rest are RS's, though there's probably not one standard one. I think ST's and RT's are more common in the North Island, but the majority are still RS's.

Finally, I believe finance here has a far higher rate of interest than in the US, which would also explain the attraction of the cheaper models.

Thanks mate, that's exactly what I was trying to say!

 

[PistonBlown]

:shocked::hun:
The RS series starts at 15K
The RT series starts at 24K (approximately)

This will scare you Bob... and remember at the moment the NZ dollar is doing well against the US dollar.

New Zealand prices on unregistered 2014 models from the dealers, there's virtually no 2015's listed.

• RSS 2014 - NZ$28,490 (US$21,580)
• STS 2014 - NZ$31,990 (US$24,231)
• RTS 2014 - NZ$45,990 (US$34,835)
• RTL 2014 - NZ$48,500 (US$36,804)

There is one 2015 model available at the moment:

• RSS 2015 - NZ$29,190 (US$22,110)

So the price for a RSS here is not far off your starting price of an RT over there.

Add to that interest rates on vehicle loans are between 16% and 19% per annum.

You'll never moan about a dealer ripping you off again

 

[MercerLake]

Back Rest/ Arm Rest Solution

Here's what I did, but it still hurt my knees after a more than 45 min ride, so I got the RT. :chat:

Did you make the backrest/armrest or buy it and if so where? The "my poor knees" were my wife's first comment other than it looks very nice. :yes:
Thanks for the picture and any information by PM, MercerLake

 

[latony007]

It may be too late to chime in on this, but if you can afford the RT, then get it. I have the RS and first thing you need are bar risers - it's way too much of a sport bike a riding position when you start, unless maybe you're like 7 foot tall. A backrest is also a must, see the link below (forget the Can Am one for $500+). The seat is an issue I have not resolved yet, the comfort seat is about $500 too, so I'm thinking of sending mine to the guy who re-did my FZ6R seat and made it 10x more comfy. My wife complains about the position of the foot pegs on the back, so it needs floor boards or re-positioning the pegs. I would not mind some floor boards up front either, but again, it's a money issue. I also put the 12v plug in the frunk, that's easy and cost maybe $20. Don't let anyone tell you that you need to remove the frunk to do it either. That's about all I can think of. Good luck.

http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=6701

 

[jwood4242]

Price of the RS

Cheapest RS ive seen sold recently here in NewZealand was $10,000 nz dollars and the cheapest RT i can see at the moment is about $21,000 NZD and trying to buy without finance so im looking more at the lower end of the market and plan on doing my own maintenance as im an ex mechanic..but sure i can see how the extra parts can add up.. but you can add them over time so it doesnt hurt so much $$$$ wise

In the US, I was able to buy my new 2014 Spyder RS sm5 for $12,599 with a 3 year warranty. I absolutely love my bike and find it very comfortable after adding risers and a tall windshield. I added a backrest for my wife also.

Backrest was nearly $600 but can be purchased much cheaper on line.
Windshield $285
Risers $175

I am considering a new seat but not for comfort, for appearance. I find the stock seat very comfortable, but I will confess my longest one day ride was only 270 miles so I don't have a lot of touring experience on this bike.

 

[ARCTIC]

My first Spyder was an RS that was mostly converted to a touring bike. The things you "need" are a backrest, risers, a taller windshield, footboards, and some relocation brackets for the rear pegs. We took that bike on several weekend trips, I would still be riding it if I hadn't found a smoking deal on an ST. Now that I've had some seat time on the ST, I don't know if I can give up my cruise control and the radio. The only time I've used saddlebags is for our week long trip through Yellowstone and the Tetons.

 

[isthatahemi]

Some just want an RS

I got an RS because I do not care for the look or stance of the other models, and touring will be a secondary function, as in maybe 2 weeks out of every year, as I don't count a 2 day ride as touring. I will add the BRP backrest (let's be honest, money aside, it is the one to have!) and a comfort seat. Windshield and bar risers might happen too, but the bar height is from a different era IMO. I see no need for floorboards, and for me and my wife, this is a toy, and an adventure machine, comfort is important, but we both did not want a "couch". Maybe in time, but not till I'm 40!
Not sure why all the knocking of wanting a sporty machine that can tour! Not everybody wants a Cadillac!

 

[ARtraveler]

I got an RS because I do not care for the look or stance of the other models, and touring will be a secondary function, as in maybe 2 weeks out of every year, as I don't count a 2 day ride as touring. I will add the BRP backrest (let's be honest, money aside, it is the one to have!) and a comfort seat. Windshield and bar risers might happen too, but the bar height is from a different era IMO. I see no need for floorboards, and for me and my wife, this is a toy, and an adventure machine, comfort is important, but we both did not want a "couch". Maybe in time, but not till I'm 40!
Not sure why all the knocking of wanting a sporty machine that can tour! Not everybody wants a Cadillac!

The OP addressed the question as, could the RS be made into a comfortable cruiser for two? I guess that is why many chimed in with suggestions about mods to "make it so."

For me, in its OEM configuration (2008), I found the GS to be somewhat of a torture machine due to my back issues. Hip issues came later. All my mods were added to make it ride more comfortable for "me." Put 23,500 miles on before trading.

When the RT configuration came out in 2010, I was very fast to jump over to the more comfortable configuration for "me." Put 36,500 miles on that one.

Some have also considered the farkle way because the entry price for an RS is about $10K less. However, adding farkles to make it a tourer does run the cost up fast.

Clearly, you have a different viewpoint and most of us are going to accept that for sure. Nice thing about the RS, you can have it "your way."

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: It only costs money... :thumbup:

 

[jtpollock]

It may be too late to chime in on this, but if you can afford the RT, then get it. I have the RS and first thing you need are bar risers - it's way too much of a sport bike a riding position when you start, unless maybe you're like 7 foot tall. A backrest is also a must, see the link below (forget the Can Am one for $500+). The seat is an issue I have not resolved yet, the comfort seat is about $500 too, so I'm thinking of sending mine to the guy who re-did my FZ6R seat and made it 10x more comfy. My wife complains about the position of the foot pegs on the back, so it needs floor boards or re-positioning the pegs. I would not mind some floor boards up front either, but again, it's a money issue. I also put the 12v plug in the frunk, that's easy and cost maybe $20. Don't let anyone tell you that you need to remove the frunk to do it either. That's about all I can think of. Good luck.

http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=6701

:agree: I got my saddle bags from this place and got the back peg extensions from amazon. I had the rear seat modified for my wife and raised the handle bars 4.5 inches. We have put 45000 miles on it and have enjoyed every mile. We pull a Harbor Freight trailer no problems. :yes: :yes: Enjoy the ride... jtpollock

 

[laserracer]

Thanks guys for the Great replies, sorry I didn't answer sooner, I have been away with the wife :yikes: I'm 58, so I think the bar risers will probably be a good idea; passenger back rest, a necessity; and running boards would complete the comfort package, as well as a sway bar upgrade. I'm waayyy past the sport bike riding position. I've still gotta get my bum in gear and take a test ride on one yet, that may well make up my mind as to buying either an RS or waiting longer, saving hard, and buying an RT... but as they say, time waits for no man, so I'm still think'n RS!

 

[Craniac]

If the bike has throttle by wire, cruise is a simple addition. You can modify the existing switch for free.


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[Kcled01]

If the bike has throttle by wire, cruise is a simple addition. You can modify the existing switch for free.


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I know it's been a decade since you posted this but I wanted to ask if you recall how to add the cruise control? I just purchased my first Spyder (2014 RS SM5). Haven't even picked it up yet, dealer is installing new tires. Do I just need to find a right hand control module that has the cruise control on it and install it?