Can-Am Spyder RT Service & Repair

Four eras of RT history, three major mechanical/body generations, and one enduring idea: a Spyder designed around the experience of traveling.

The Can-Am Spyder RT arrived for the 2010 model year with a clear identity. Where the original Spyder had established BRP's three-wheel roadster platform, the RT expanded it into a full touring configuration. Bodywork and weather protection, passenger accommodations, luggage, and controls intended for longer journeys were not afterthoughts. They were part of the machine's purpose from the beginning.

The RT name has now covered several genuinely different machines. The original 998cc V-twin RT does not have the same engine, gearbox, or service requirements as the RT that followed in 2014. The redesign introduced for 2020 brought another major change in bodywork and touring equipment. And in 2024, the new 10.25-inch touchscreen began a distinct chapter in the way the RT handles information and connectivity.

That is why we organize the RT by generation here at Mighty Ride Moto. The name on the bodywork is a starting point. The model year, trim, transmission, and equipment tell the rest of the story.

What makes an RT an RT?

Across its generations, the RT has remained Spyder's touring-focused family. The familiar two-front-wheel, one-rear-wheel arrangement belongs to the broader Spyder design, while the RT adds its own emphasis on substantial bodywork, wind protection, passenger space, and luggage. Individual equipment packages have changed repeatedly, and components fitted to one generation should never be assumed to fit another.

A useful way to understand the RT is to watch three things as it develops: the powertrain, the body-and-luggage arrangement, and the rider interface. They do not all change at the same time. The 2013 machine, for example, lists 15-inch front wheels and Brembo brakes while keeping the 998cc V-twin. In 2014 the major change was under the bodywork. In 2020, the most obvious changes became visible again.

Explore the RT generations

Generation 1: 2010–2013 — The original touring RT

The first RT family used the Rotax 998cc V-twin and five-speed SM5 or SE5 transmission configurations, depending on model year and package. Early models established the familiar touring silhouette and a range of equipment packages. The 2013 models deserve particular attention: their specifications list 15-inch front wheels and Brembo brakes with the V-twin powertrain retained.

Explore RT Generation 1: 2010–2013. See the early RT, Audio & Convenience, RT-S, and Limited packages; the year-by-year changes; and the maintenance and recall references that matter for these machines.

Generation 2: 2014–2019 — The 1330 arrives

For 2014, the RT adopted the Rotax 1330 ACE inline-three engine and six-speed SM6/SE6 transmission family. BRP also revised the cooling arrangement. Later in this generation, RT equipment developed in its own directions, including Special Series finishes and packages and the connected instrument display introduced for 2018.

Explore RT Generation 2: 2014–2019. Follow the powertrain change, trim evolution, manual and semi-automatic transmission listings, and the arrival of BRP Connect-era instrumentation.

Generation 3A: 2020–2023 — The redesigned RT

The 2020 RT introduced a new body and cockpit, longer floorboards, LED headlights, a windshield with a memory feature, and a reworked luggage arrangement with a removable LinQ rear top case on applicable configurations. The 1330 ACE engine remained, but the machine around it changed substantially. Sea-to-Sky joined the published RT lineup for 2021.

Explore RT Generation 3A: 2020–2023. Learn the redesigned RT's equipment layout, the RT/Limited/Sea-to-Sky trims, and the practical model-year distinctions.

Generation 3B: 2024–2026 — The touchscreen era

The shape introduced in 2020 remained, but the instrument system changed significantly for 2024: a 10.25-inch touchscreen replaced the 7.8-inch LCD listed for 2023. Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth support became important software questions, not just features on a specification sheet. Subsequent years brought documented camera, tire, and trim-equipment changes. Because the basic 2020 platform carried over, 3B is our editorial subdivision of Generation 3, not an official BRP generation label.

Explore RT Generation 3B: 2024–2026. Follow the touchscreen transition, factory updates, documented connectivity and camera distinctions, and the relevant safety notice.

The model year matters. So does the specific machine.

An RT's trim badge does not identify everything installed on it. Accessories can be added, removed, or replaced. A model-year change may alter the transmission offerings or a maintenance requirement even when the outward appearance looks familiar. The right reference is always the original material for the exact year and configuration. Our generation pages separate confirmed factory equipment from items that must be checked on an individual machine.

The same principle applies to recalls. A published safety campaign describes a population of vehicles and a prescribed action. It does not tell us whether a particular RT is included or whether the work was completed. For that, the VIN and the manufacturer's current recall records matter. Our technical articles explain the documented issues without turning historical records into assumptions about any individual Spyder.

Continue exploring

• 2010–2013 RT: original 998cc touring generation
• 2014–2019 RT: the 1330 powertrain generation
• 2020–2023 RT: redesigned body and touring equipment
• 2024–2026 RT: touchscreen, connectivity, and later updates

Mighty Ride Moto reference note: This series uses model-year-specific manufacturer documents, original recall materials, and documented history. If a specification or campaign depends on a trim, serial number, market, or software version, we keep that condition attached to the fact. For maintenance and safety work, always consult the exact factory guide and verify VIN-specific recall status.

Owner resources

• BRP operator's guide library
• NHTSA recall lookup by VIN