Newbie here looking at a 2020 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited

[Dahai]

Hello everyone,

Newbie here hoping to buy a 2020 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited in the near future. Looking forward to posting on here and getting to know some of you folks. Live full-time in a motorhome. Currently spending the winter in Las Vegas, NV. Travel for 6 months from Spring to Fall. Hoping to tow the Spyder on a trailer behind the motorhome and leave the Jeep Grand Cherokee in storage.

Spent some time on Can-Am's website on the "build-your-own" feature. May I ask about some of the optional features and accessories that Can-Am offers? Considering adding the Garmin Zumo 590, long reach handlebars-position C, Akrapovic sport touring 3C silencer and the heated comfort seat. Will be riding solo without a passenger.

Read on these forums that the comfort seat will move me 2 inches back from the handlebars. That's what I want, in addition to the more comfortable seat, of course, if it's really more comfortable than stock. When I rode a Spyder RT in Can-Am's riding course here in Las Vegas in December, I was too close to the handlebars. Thinking maybe the long reach handlebars would be helpful. Are the stock handlebars adjustable? What is position C?

Does the Akrapovic silencer add a much louder rumble? Not sure I'd like that. I'm more about comfort and quiet.

I'd appreciate any feedback you can give me about the items I mentioned. Thanks in advance.

[rhino 2]

Steve.........Welcome to Trike-Talk...............

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard Steve. I hope our Spyder people will jump in

[trikermutha]

I beleive the new 2020 RTL will have heated seat. Dont believe it will have a comfort seat. Since its a whole new seat compared to prior models.

Unless you want to add GPS it will have that option on your dash that can be used thru your phone.

Did you test a 2020 or prior model year Spyder??

I would leave the exhaust alone. If you want quiet.

Key Features

• Rotax 1330 ACE in-line 3-cylinder engine
  
  
  
• Semi-Automatic 6-speed transmission with reverse function
  
  
  
• Vehicle Stability System
  
  
  
• Large 7.8” wide LCD color display with BRP Connect™, allowing the integration of vehicle-optimized smartphone apps
  
  
  
• Driving Mode: Eco Mode
  
  
  
• BRP Audio Premium 6-speaker sound system
  
  
  
• Cruise Control
  
  
  
• Calibrated for towing a Can-Am trailer
  
  
  
• Integrated hard side luggage
  
  
  
• LinQ compatible top case with passenger backrest for a total of 47 gallons (177 L) of vehicle cargo capacity
  
  
  
• Audio control keypad
  
  
  
• Adjustable electronic windshield
  
  
  
• Glove box with USB port
  
  
  
• Automatic self-levelling rear air suspension
  
  
  
• Driver and passenger heated grips
  
  
  
• Rider touring floorboards
  
  
  
• Adjustable passenger footboards
  
  
  
• Driver and passenger heated seats
  
  
  
• Ultra comfortable seat with lumbar support
  
  
  
• Premium LED headlights
  
  
  
• Signature LED lights
  

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Steve,to Trike Talk

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

[Dahai]

I beleive the new 2020 RTL will have heated seat. Dont believe it will have a comfort seat. Since its a whole new seat compared to prior models.

Unless you want to add GPS it will have that option on your dash that can be used thru your phone.

Did you test a 2020 or prior model year Spyder??

I would leave the exhaust alone. If you want quiet.

• 
  

Thanks for the reply.

Comfort seat with or without heat is listed as optional on the website.

I'd be satisfied using the phone for GPS, but wondered if the Garmin was so much better that it'd be worth the extra cost.

I rode a prior model RT, as well as a Ryker and an F3, at the riding course in December. Planning to take a test ride this week of a 2020 if the local dealer has it. Don't know if they're in the showrooms yet.

[trikermutha]

Thanks for the reply.

Comfort seat with or without heat is listed as optional on the website.

I'd be satisfied using the phone for GPS, but wondered if the Garmin was so much better that it'd be worth the extra cost.

If you want the garmin I am sure it could be installed.

I rode a prior model RT, as well as a Ryker and an F3, at the riding course in December. Planning to take a test ride this week of a 2020 if the local dealer has it. Don't know if they're in the showrooms yet.

The 2020 Limited have the heated seat now. Dont need to buy one. They are more similar to the F3 model you test drove now..

Not sure if the 2020 hit the showrooms just yet but should be soon.

[JohnK]

Hi Steve, welcome to the Forum

I'm also a newbie here but wanted to comment about the Spyder. I was very interested in them for about the last year or so. I visited 5 or 6 dealerships to look them over in person and was on quite a few Spyder web sites. I had a high mileage TriGlide and no one had any interest taking it on trade. Things actually worked out well as I feel I got an excellent deal from my local dealer on a new TriGlide.

[Pegasus1300]

The Blue 2020s are starting to hit the showrooms now. Other colors will be a little later. As far as the Akrapovic exhaust you will gett very little boost and lots of noise. If you are going to ride for a long time the noise is very tiring. Stick with the stock exhaust. Maybe get a stage 1 ECU flash if you need a little more power without the noise. Tho my RTL is old now it is still very comfortable. I did rebuild the seat with a gel pad and memory foam from motorcycledave.com. It was an easy job and he walked me thru the hard parts. You might consider that. Also Check iMotorsports.com. They will deliver free to wherever in the cont.US. Come us in this crazy 3 wheel world with your Spyder.

[Pegasus1300]

Someone asked if the sway bar had been upgraded but it hasn't. However the chassis has been changed and it does handle better. As to the laser alignment from the factory,no one knows for sure yet. My guess,probably not. I got the information from Squared Away owner who is currently demonstrating the new Spyder RT for BRP in Texas

[ol' school]

Welcome to Trike Talk Steve!

[paws]

W

Someone asked if the sway bar had been upgraded but it hasn't. However the chassis has been changed and it does handle better. As to the laser alignment from the factory,no one knows for sure yet. My guess,probably not. I got the information from Squared Away owner who is currently demonstrating the new Spyder RT for BRP in Texas

Who is this “Squared Away owner currently demonstrating the new Spyder RT for BRP in Texas” and how can I get hold of him?

The tech I spoke with last week told me the 2020 has been laser-aligned at the factory - so no more waiting on the laser team traveling the country to get to a location near you.

I forgot to ask about the sway bar but will when I go back for a look-see when the 2020’s arrive...they are not at this store yet.

He did give some technical talk about the better handling...I don’t need to hear technical talk...I like to hear plain words like “they changed the _____ and it now handles much better”.

[bikerbillone]

Subscribed, glad to see some comments here on TT on the Spyder RTL. As Pegasus mentioned, there are some independent BRP contractors prowling the country promoting the Spyder machines, I saw one of those fancy trailers in Florida. Rumor has it that there several out there to promote and demonstrate the Spyder, create interest for those that ride 'other brands' to switch to the RTL/RT for those long rides and touring. A commendable effort, now for BRP to get to those dealers to improve service that are not doing so well.

[rhino 2]

Subscribed, glad to see some comments here on TT on the Spyder RTL. As Pegasus mentioned, there are some independent BRP contractors prowling the country promoting the Spyder machines, I saw one of those fancy trailers in Florida. Rumor has it that there several out there to promote and demonstrate the Spyder, create interest for those that ride 'other brands' to switch to the RTL/RT for those long rides and touring. A commendable effort, now for BRP to get to those dealers to improve service that are not doing so well.

The only way dealers of any brand, Be it Trikes' Bikes or Cars can improve service is to be stand alone dealerships....IE, Dedicated to one make/model...Car companies figured that out....Indian also.....You can't have a mechanic work on a ATV and then go over to a trike the next minute.....

[bikerbillone]

Rhino, you sure got that right, go into any Spyder dealer and the floor is cluttered with everything, but I guess it's about the money, and that's OK...... But getting qualified techs to work on all that has got to be a huge problem, and the wait experience for customers......

[Pegasus1300]

W

Who is this “Squared Away owner currently demonstrating the new Spyder RT for BRP in Texas” and how can I get hold of him?

The tech I spoke with last week told me the 2020 has been laser-aligned at the factory - so no more waiting on the laser team traveling the country to get to a location near you.

I forgot to ask about the sway bar but will when I go back for a look-see when the 2020’s arrive...they are not at this store yet.

He did give some technical talk about the better handling...I don’t need to hear technical talk...I like to hear plain words like “they changed the _____ and it now handles much better”.

His name is Joe Meyer and he and his wife Ann travel all over the country doing laser alignments on Spyders and other maintenance as requested. They have been doing this for several years and are very experienced. He is the one who told me about the sway bar but has no information yet as to factory laser alignments. His company is Squared Away and can be contacted at joe_meyer@cox.net but he is not doing that for awhile while he works for BRP. He will be at the Red Rock Spyder Ride In in September.

BTW that was Joe's answer to my sway bar question ," no they didn't but they changed the chassis and it handles better"

[bikerbillone]

Paws, you can also go to Spyder Lovers, his user is captjam with an Airborne logo. He has a thread there and responds often with his comments.

[Dahai]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm based in Las Vegas for the winter. Met Joe & Ann Meyer here in December at Can-Am's riding course. They were the instructors. Fine people. Joe said very few of Can-Am's previous years models were aligned properly at the factory. I don't know about the alignment of the 2020 models, but I test rode a new RT Limited last Saturday at Pro Shop Motorsports, and it seemed to be aligned well.

I had briefly ridden a 2019 RT at the riding course. As soon as I sat on the new one, I noticed a big difference in how it fit me. I'm 5'11". On the 2019 I felt way too close to the handlebars and didn't have enough room to stretch my legs. The leg room on the 2020 is greatly increased with the large floorboards and the seat being slightly farther back. Way more comfortable. The handlebars were at a comfortable distance. Probably wouldn't need the optional long reach handlebars, but can add them later if necessary. The Tri Axis handlebars from previous models are not on the 2020. Standard handlebars are not adjustable. If you want a longer or shorter reach, you swap out the bars. Seat was a bit lower and very comfortable. Would probably want the back rest for long rides.

I have no experience on motorcycles, so I'm starting fresh and not bringing muscle memory to the Can-Am. And I can't compare the 2020 to previous models. All I know is that everything seemed so easy the first time riding in traffic. Riding slowly around a track in a parking lot is plenty easy, but I wondered about the reality of being in traffic at higher speeds. Except for the paddle upshifting and handlebars, it felt kinda like driving a car. My 64-year-old legs could hold up a bike now, but I ain't gettin' no younger, so I liked the simple concept of pulling up to a red light and just stopping and sitting there.

Ride lasted about 35 minutes. Was surprised at how smooth it rode at highway speed. Highway was straight, and the side roads were mostly residential, so I was not able to take it fast through curves. Don't know how top heavy it would feel with speed. Steering was effortless at all speeds. Had heard the steering could be a bit touchy in some previous models at highway speeds, but I didn't sense it in the 2020. With a full-face helmet and the visor down, I preferred the windshield to be in its lowest position for a view of 2 to 3 inches over the top. At its highest position, I was looking through the windshield about 3 inches below the top. The vents let in a lot of air, but the right amount for my liking. Not a lot of wind noise. Mirrors were steady. The automatic downshifting from gear to gear was noticeable, and the slight revving of the engine with each downshift caught me off guard at first. I thought maybe I was still on the throttle by mistake and had to double check myself. I think I'd get used to it pretty quickly, though. LED dashboard was nice and bright in sunshine. Didn't play around with the Bluetooth system or stereo.

The dealer had one blue RT in stock, the one I rode. They're getting two other colors in the next couple weeks, but five white ones are delayed until the end of February.

[paws]

Steve!!!

This was an EXCELLENT and well written review!

Exactly what I wanted to know about the 2020 Spyder - from a first-hand experience...not from a salesman! You covered all my top questions.

Thank you!

It looks like your big decision now is going to be color. Please stay in touch with us about your ongoing adventure into the Spyder world....and pictures—-we like pictures!