RT Limited...

[First Timer]

Just test rode my first Can Am. Rode a RT Limited on Saturday with the wife. We are thinking about switching from our HD Freewheeler to a Can Am. I've been a die hard HD guy for years, but now not sure if I want to trade for a new Tri or a Can Am. I will say that the Can Am seems to handle a lot better than the Tri and the ride is smoother also. The wife just loved the ride of the RT over the Tri.

Any input from anyone who has ever made the switch, such as pro's or con's on the switch.
Thanks for any comments....

 

[trikermutha]

I went from a TRIGLIDE to a Can Am RT limited and am happy with the switch.

FOr me the TRIGLIDE drove like a truck and was beat up after a hour ride. The dam thing was hot too and unbearable at times.
The parts were getting worse and thats when I decided to test ride the SPYDER..

Spyder is one well made machine but I did wait for the 2014 model to change.

Go test ride some more and maybe other brands and make your decision.

I really like the semi Auto trans and power steering..Takes some getting use to no hand brake or clutch..

The wife stopped complaining about every bump we hit and she can ride longer with no complaining compared to the TRIGLIDE>

Looks like your in the Chicago area which Dealer did you test ride at??

 

[G.W. Viper]

I went from a TRIGLIDE to a Can Am RT limited and am happy with the switch.

FOr me the TRIGLIDE drove like a truck and was beat up after a hour ride. The dam thing was hot too and unbearable at times.
The parts were getting worse and thats when I decided to test ride the SPYDER..

Spyder is one well made machine but I did wait for the 2014 model to change.

Go test ride some more and maybe other brands and make your decision.

I really like the semi Auto trans and power steering..Takes some getting use to no hand brake or clutch..

The wife stopped complaining about every bump we hit and she can ride longer with no complaining compared to the TRIGLIDE>

Looks like your in the Chicago area which Dealer did you test ride at??

What year was your tri glide, if I may ask ?

 

[First Timer]

I test rode the Can Am here in Peoria, Il. It was a RT Limited.

I currently own a HD Freewheeler, not a Tri-Glide

We have started getting back into longer rides as we did when a I a Ultra Classic. This is the reason for thinking about going into a Tri or the Can Am.

I did notice on the test ride that the Can Am didn't seem to put off much heat like our Free does. The ride was for 20 miles, on back roads, expressways and some twist and turns in the country.

I have rode some Tri's and they don't handle as nice as the Can Am.

As I stated, the wife really likes the ride of the Can Am, and I have to agree much better. I have a bad back (comes with old age I guess) and the ride of the Can Am didn't cause any problems during the test ride. I know that after about a hour on my Freewheeler that I have to stop and rest the back.

Thanks to everyone for your input so far....

 

[hogcowboy]

Takes some getting use to no hand brake or clutch..

I actually put an after market hand brake on our 2012 RT Limited. It isn't the best in the world but worked for me switching from 2 to 3 wheels and back. But my wife who only rides the Spyder finally weaned herself away from the hand brake. The later models are much much better than our 12. We went ahead and had the heat recall issued for the 13's done on ours. Made a huge difference my wife says. She's thinking she might like a 2016 now but going to wait until after this riding season to take a test ride. She knows she would get hooked and want one now and the funds just aren't there right now.

 

[rhino 2]

I went from the Spyder to a Tri-Glide in 2011... I only ride Solo so it was my decision 100% to switch to the Tri-Glide.. And that was because of reliability issues and lack of factory support with the many problems i had with the Spyder...;;;;

Devils Advocate' Here, Mine was an 08....Maybe they have gotten better by now... :Shrug: :Shrug:

 

[hogcowboy]

I went from the Spyder to a Tri-Glide in 2011... I only ride Solo so it was my decision 100% to switch to the Tri-Glide.. And that was because of reliability issues and lack of factory support with the many problems i had with the Spyder...;;;;

Devils Advocate' Here, Mine was an 08....Maybe they have gotten better by now... :Shrug: :Shrug:

They started getting pretty good in 2010 but still had problems. 2012 was their best. 2013 was a desaster. I'm not sure even with the recalls on them done if I would buy one. Well strike that, I know I wouldn't. 2014 they got it finally right again but 2015 was the best just like the 2012. Whether the 2016 are as good I don't know. Then the F3 is yet another. It is supposed to be great. Have yet to test ride one but plan to this fall.

 

[First Timer]

I've been told already NOT to buy any pre 2014 Can Am's because of different issues. Seems that after 2014 they are getting positive reviews.
Got a friend that had a 08 and 09 Can Am's, had a number of issues with his and that has kept me from checking them out in the past. He now has a 14 RT Limited and just bought a new F3. Loves them both and so far has not had any issues with either trikes as he did in the past. Says he thinks that Can Am has finally got it right. I guess only time will tell and of course makes a big difference on your dealer and their service.

 

[hogcowboy]

Yes, the dealer makes a huge difference. I happen to be lucky and have a good one. He's chomping at the bit for us to trade. He actually has a buyer for our 12. He shouldn't have let that out.

 

[Pegasus1300]

So I have to disagree on the pre 2014 advice. Yes there are many many improvements from 2014 on that make a really wonderful ride fantastic. But if you don't have the 2014 and up funds don't bypass a good 2010-2013. The V twin is fast and smooth. My RT will cruise with my friends GL1800s and Harley Ultras all day long. There are 2 drawbacks to pre 2014s gas mileage and short service intervals. The post 2014s address these problems very well.

As to making the switch, The Spyder RT has so many features for less money. 3 wheel independent suspension, power steering, stability control, traction control,auto leveling suspension, heated hand grips rider and passenger. Adjust on the fly windshield. If you make the switch I think you will love it.

 

[2006gold]

Wife wasn't happy with the Can Am until I installed passenger armrests and locked them down tight so she felt more secure. Personally, I enjoy riding the thing. Had some initial issues with the unit, but those have been solved. For long distances we prefer the Stallion.

 

[First Timer]

I had to install arm rest and a different seat to my FreeWheeler before the wife even came close to liking it also. There's always something to change no matter what brand or type of ride you purchase.

 

[trikermutha]

I had to install arm rest and a different seat to my FreeWheeler before the wife even came close to liking it also. There's always something to change no matter what brand or type of ride you purchase.

You got that right the personal touch to make it your own bike..

I like comfort and other bright things..

 

[hogcowboy]

So I have to disagree on the pre 2014 advice. Yes there are many many improvements from 2014 on that make a really wonderful ride fantastic. But if you don't have the 2014 and up funds don't bypass a good 2010-2013. The V twin is fast and smooth. My RT will cruise with my friends GL1800s and Harley Ultras all day long. There are 2 drawbacks to pre 2014s gas mileage and short service intervals. The post 2014s address these problems very well.

As to making the switch, The Spyder RT has so many features for less money. 3 wheel independent suspension, power steering, stability control, traction control,auto leveling suspension, heated hand grips rider and passenger. Adjust on the fly windshield. If you make the switch I think you will love it.

I disagree with the 2013. 2010 to 2012 yes.

The 2013 was poorly thrown together. It was supposed to have the engine that finally went in the 2014's. Even with the recall to reduce the heat problem(catching on fire), it just isn't a well design and produced machine. Dealers are still having trouble "dumping" them so you might get a very good price for one but just realize it was a transition machine that should have had a new engine installed instead of the small changes the recall had. It was just designed for that 14 engine that wasn't quite ready in 13 when it was supposed to be added. Personally I think the recall just barely fixed the issue. Now if they had put the 14 engine in there with the recall then it would have been a good machine. Just my personal opinion.

 

[bikerbillone]

Not sure why, I enjoy reading every thread about the Spyder, especially the RT.

 

[First Timer]

Well, I guess I'm changing to a Spyder. Just sold my Free this weekend and have located a 2016 RT Limited demo with 700 miles in Red and the dealer is discounting $4800 off his price of the Spyder. Going to pick it up on either Wed or Thur this week.

Thanks for everyone's input.
Emil.

 

[bikerbillone]

Congrats and enjoy. Sounds like ya got a deal. Send a pic if ya can.

 

[trikermutha]

which dealer did are you buying your spyder from?

 

[First Timer]

I purchased my Can Am from Metro Harley / Can Am out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Originally I had a trade set with them on the Spyder, but it sold over this weekend, then we worked out a cash sale deal. They were able to discount because of some incentives from BRP coming in Aug that they were able to do on this deal.

I'm picking the RT Limited in Red up tomorrow. I will try and post a picture when I get it home.

Thanks again to everyone with their help and suggestions on the Spyders.

Emil.

 

[DJFaninTN]

welcome to the dark side.




and just for the record .... Intense Red Pearl is the fastest color ThumbUp