How different are the various V-twin powered 2013-2016 ST & RT models?

[Columbia]

I ride a 2015 ST Ltd. It was a short production run Spyder. So it's a challenge to find specifications, information, how-tos etc. specific to that Spyder. (I deeply value the two separate sections for the ST here on SpyderLovers and reference it frequently. But...)

I've read many reports on suspension tweaks and upgrades. Most for an RT or an F3. I've learned a lot reading those threads.

So when member X says the front springs are too soft and decides to upgrade, X figures his/her weight, riding style and lands on a spring with the appropriate load rating. I read it and wonder "Is that the same for an ST? Are the shocks more alike than different? Are spring rates on my ST as close to other Spyders of its vintage so as to make no difference?" Etc.

If different, how do I take the spring rate (as an example) from an RT and translate it to an ST? And so on.

How much can I shift over, one-to-one, from, say, a 2015 RT to my 2015 ST? (Perhaps by 2015 the RT is running a 1330 engine, which I suspect changes everything. But you take my point, I hope.)

Since there's a dearth of data on the ST, especially 2014-16, (as far as I have been able to locate) how much can I rely--make decisions based upon--other Spyder models' specifications?

BRP isn't exactly generous in providing specifications for these vehicles. Where might I go to find, for example, shock length or spring weight on a particular model?

Your advice and ideas are appreciated.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Your ST and all the 2013-2016 RS/RSS/ST models are really the same bikes, ie. they're virtually identical under the skin, and the same as the 2013 RT's, all of which had the V-twin motor.

The 2013's RT's were originally intended to get a bunch of suspension and brake upgrades as well as the new 1330 ACE 3 Cylinder motor, but then the motor wasn't ready in time, so BRP basically kept all the suspension, brake, and running gear updates, but stuffed the in-line long and narrow V-twin motor back into the frame that'd been prepared for the short but wide transverse 3 cylinder motors. They kept all the suspension enhancements, the Brembo brakes, the 15" front wheels & running gear updates, and other mods; in fact, even the driveline too; and BRP based ALL the models of that vintage on the same platform. So basically, and this goes for ALL the 2013 V-twin powered RT's and ALL the 2013 to 2016 ST's & RS models of that vintage, they are essentially the same Spyders - it's really just the tupperware that's different.

Admittedly, stuffing that long V-twin motor into a hole that'd been re-designed to take a shorter and wider motor, then cladding it in the earlier style tupperware, meant that the 2013 RT's especially & all the 2013-2016 RS & ST models to some extent had some heat dissipation issues, which BRP tried to ignore until some of the RT's (in particular) started burning to the ground, but then they were forced to do a 'proper' heat recall retro-fit which effectively resolved those issues. The RT's got big air scoops and lost a lot of underbody 'acoustic panels', while the ST's & RS's got lesser panel/scoop redesigns, all serving to improve air flow, which worked admirably!

So arguably, given that these 2013-2016 V-twin engined models have all the handling upgrades etc intended for the 1330 motors, AND they also the revvier, peppier, and far more exciting V-twin motors, then once the heat recall work has been done otbehem, they are the pinnacle of the V-twin powered Spyders and in my opinion (and that of many others too! ) they're the pick of the bunch when it comes to Spyders!!

 

[Bfromla]

2013 STL V-twin has no air scoop panels - they did, however, have additional air flow from fog light panels (without the fog lights). My only heat issue was a failure to flush/refresh the coolant in the proper time frame (2y). This resulted in a thermostat failure followed by water pump failure. **Sorry failed to answer OP question: oem shocks/springs relaxed casual ryding style, 6’3 250# & CRAPPY Louisiana roads. Have bottomed out, & even hit one patch launched airborne & damaged rear bearings. Oem is fine unfortunately just finding them is problematic. **

 

[Columbia]

Sooo... Any mods done, say shocks, to a 2013-16 V-Twin Spyder are, in essence, interchangeable? One size fits all?

 

[Peter Aawen]

Sooo... Any mods done, say shocks, to any 2013-16 V-Twin Spyder are, in essence, interchangeable? One size fits all?

Fixed it for you. ^

Others might chime in with a few more 'exceptions to prove the rule', but effectively, if it's not tupperware; the final muffler (they all have the same Cat Converter/eliminator, but the RT's might have different length 'slip-ons' to suit/clear their panniers, but I'm not sure that the ST's don't share that too - maybe it's just the RSS's that're different there ); the windshields; maybe the coils on the shocks (but I'm pretty sure the shocks themselves are the same - all the 'take-offs' I've got here have the same part#'s, and I know of many RSS's & ST's that're running a/mkt RT shocks AND coils, front and rear); or the binnacle itself (but not the dash unit, cos they ARE interchangeable) then you are correct - pretty much everything on the 2013-2016 V-twin engined Spyders is interchangeable.

 

[Columbia]

I always welcome an editor's pen!
This is very good news, simplifying some research I'm doing and narrowing down options.
Much appreciated.