What changes between a New 2026 RT vs a 2021 RT might make worthwhile considering?

[vito1943]

I've been happy with my 2021 RT, and have about 25,000 miles on it so far. I wondering what folks here might have to say about what changes have been made that might make it worthwhile for me to be looking at a 2026. I'm almost 83 but don't plan on quitting, ever.

 

[Snoking1127]

I've been happy with my 2021 RT, and have about 25,000 miles on it so far. I wondering what folks here might have to say about what changes have been made that might make it worthwhile for me to be looking at a 2026. I'm almost 83 but don't plan on quitting, ever.

Display is better/different? How you get in reverse gear is improved? And 25K is just broken in! Seems like new models have the same teething issues as other year models.

 

[old Timer]

Gear box shifting is quiter and smoother.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Display is better/different? How you get in reverse gear is improved? And 25K is just broken in! Seems like new models have the same teething issues as other year models.

Looking at the digital dash overkill and the longer term reliability and durability of these later Spyders, I hafta ask 'Why on earth would you even consider it?'

Do you NEED all those extra digital bells and whistles, 10" or more of dash and displays that don't seem to ever do quite what you wanted or what the maker tells you they will in the sales blurb!?!

Orright, regulations around the World demand we have ABS & VSS & all that other 'safety' stuff to protect us from ourselves, but why all the digital dash crap?? Whatever happened to riding a bike with nothing but a Speedo, possibly a Tacho, and if you're really into tech, maybe an odometer, a trip meter, and giggle lights for oil pressure and Neutral!!

At least to me, I feel that it's no wonder that sooo many younger people today aren't buying &/or riding bikes any more, it's all the fripperies that come with them and the loss of the Freedom that used to be such a big part of biking!!

Back in the day, many of us bought bikes to get out in the wind WITHOUT all the extra stuff that driving a car brought along with it; a bike meant just you and the machine; and riding/operating it was a finely tuned skill developed over the years of just getting out there and enjoying the wide open spaces, the freedom of not being caged or constrained by anything except how much gas you had and how long your body could do it - and I reckon our minds and bodies benefitted, too!

So IMHO, I reckon that riding a bike shouldn't be something guided by a digital dash that tells you what gear you're in, when to change gears, where you're going, what your phone is doing, and all that other guff - heck, the Child Bride's car even tells me when I need to take a break! Like many others I talk to about this, I DON'T WANT a Spyder with a digital dash with connectivity to my phone or a big display! I'll put up with the VSS & ABS, EFI, EBD, and whatever other bleedin' features with acronyms I have to if I must; but PLEASE, just give me a Spyder that only has a Speedo (a DIAL with a needle/pointer); a Tacho (again, a DIAL with a needle/pointer); and maybe, cos they are truly handy, an odometer; a trip meter; and giggle lights for the Park brake, oil pressure, coolant overheat, and Neutral!! Everything else on the dash is just fripperies that make it all waaayy too much of a chore! If I really want to know where I'm going &/or am right now, or want to see at a glance what the curves ahead are doing, I'll install my own GPS unit on the handlebars AND I'LL TURN THE NOISE OFF! I ride to RIDE, not to play with technology &/or listen to anything but the bewdiful music of the engine, the wheels on the road, and the wind in my face - and I don't like the lesser robustness &/or reliability of the post 2018 Spyders either!

OK, stepping down off my soap box now, rant over (for now, anyway!) and I'll let you all get back to your regular programming! I'm going riding on my 2013 RT that DOESN'T have all the digital dash crap, and that still allows me at least the impression that I'm the master of my machine!

 

[jdgretz]

My first question would be - do you use the aux audio input jack that is in the glove compartment? If you do, know that the last year it is included is 2023. Next is - do you want the factory backup camera? If yes, get a 2025 as the 2024 supports the factory camera, but the rear fender does not have a place for the camera itself (who thought that was a brilliant idea?). How do you feel about having to use either a dedicated GPS device or using your phone for GPS and streaming audio? Hate the idea? Well, that's what you have with the newer models. Oh, and Apple CarPlay is the only fully supported cell phone to display option. Android user like me? Nope. Then again, no one really has Android Auto working well on a motorcycle. BRP Connect went away with the 2024 (there is a lot of discussion about it, or something similar coming back "real soon now"). The switches have been moved around and I prefer the newer layout for the most part. To me, some of the reordering makes more sense than what you have, but you're used to what you have and the new stuff will probably seem a bit weird. Oh, and Sport Mode went away in 2024. Other than that and the obvious larger display, there is not much difference between the 2020 and 2026.

My purchase of a 2024 was more based on the availability of a bike with the factory warranty still in effect as I wanted to add on the B.E.S.T. extended warranty.

Probably the only reason I'd change up from a 2021 to a 2026 is to get a new warranty, or maybe a different color.

YMMV

jdg <-- Retired US Army Helicopter Pilot

p.s. - Thanks for your service Brother

 

[vito1943]

I appreciate the comments. I have no real plans on trading in my 2021 but just wondered what I would get if I bought a new one. The new display that shows both the RPM and the mileage since the last fill up is nice, whereas I have to choose which one I want to see on my display. My display has the gear shown in a very small digit, and I understand it is more prominently displayed on the new models, which would be nice.

I never use the audio at all, partly because I don't want distractions when riding and partly because I have significant hearing loss and can't enjoy the music whether through the speakers or through helmet speakers. The one feature, which for me is a deal breaker, is cruise control. With my arthritic hands, cruise control is more than a luxury on long rides. I would not have bought the Spyder had it not had this feature (my second choice at the time was a new Harley Triglide, which I liked, but not as much as I liked the ride of the Spyder).

 

[MikeT]

I've been happy with my 2021 RT, and have about 25,000 miles on it so far. I wondering what folks here might have to say about what changes have been made that might make it worthwhile for me to be looking at a 2026. I'm almost 83 but don't plan on quitting, ever.

I have a very low mileage 2021. FWIW, I've decided to keep it because there's nothing truly significant in a newer models, unlike the change from the Gen 1 RT Limiteds (I had a 2015) to the Gen 2s in 2020. I'm waiting; but not holding my breath, for a bigger motor (non-turbo) which the Sea-Doos have, and a 6-7 speed transmission.

 

[baxter]

For me the new dash layout from 2024 on is much much better. The info is better displayed. Much more information available. Much easier to see the information on the fly, especially when in traffic, when only a glance is what you have. At night, the readings are easier to see. Reverse, as mentioned, is easier to engage. I went from a 2022 F3L Limited to a 2024 model and I am very satisfied.