2008 RS SM5

[DWHOG]

Hello forum members. I just purchased a 2008 Spyder and as a first time owner I know very littla about them. The bike has only 1100 km and was only driven a handful of time since 2008. I've had the bike a week or so and cannot get it to run properly. The spyder has no top end speed at all in 5th gear and it surges and backfires and runs real rough. I drained the fuel and put 91 octane premium fuel in it this morning and still no better. An example of the surge was today in second gear i was going about 50 km/hour then without warning the back tire broke loose and burned rubber for about 20 feet and it instantly accelerated. The bike is almost unsafe to drive. I have had a Harley for many years and I ride high performance snowmobiles so I am fairly confident and knowledgeable about these types of things but this has me stumped. Can anyone shed some light on where to start first. It is all original with the exception of a Hindle exhaust. Thanks Doug

[ARtraveler]

Hello forum members. I just purchased a 2008 Spyder and as a first time owner I know very littla about them. The bike has only 1100 km and was only driven a handful of time since 2008. I've had the bike a week or so and cannot get it to run properly. The spyder has no top end speed at all in 5th gear and it surges and backfires and runs real rough. I drained the fuel and put 91 octane premium fuel in it this morning and still no better. An example of the surge was today in second gear i was going about 50 km/hour then without warning the back tire broke loose and burned rubber for about 20 feet and it instantly accelerated. The bike is almost unsafe to drive. I have had a Harley for many years and I ride high performance snowmobiles so I am fairly confident and knowledgeable about these types of things but this has me stumped. Can anyone shed some light on where to start first. It is all original with the exception of a Hindle exhaust. Thanks Doug

I would suspect the Hindle. There were many issues with them back in the day. Have you been to a dealer or had them check the VIN and service history? With only 1100 km in nine years, you should have all the fluids changed and have it gone over mechanically. You also need new ties. They may look good, but are probably close to rotten by now. You also need a battery if not already done. Bad battery causes multi electrical issues.

Let us know how it goes.

[GOZFST]

If it "suddenly" accelerated and spun the rear tire I'd guess it was only running on 1 cylinder and the other cut in. I'd check the plugs and wires.

[Bob Denman]

If the bike has sat idle for as long as you claim: new plugs and wires should be considered mandatory...
Good luck with resurrecting the bike; let us know how things progress!

[Vader]

A once over by a service person is, in my opinion, warrented. As suggested, have them run the vin, see what recalls have been done, and have the fluids check, tires, belt, plug wires etc.

[DWHOG]

I took the air box apart and the air intakes were full of acorn shells and a huge mice nest. I then took it for a drive and ran way better but still no acceleration. Discovered the exhaust pipe was cold after the test ride. Switched plugs and the other pipe was cold on the next test ride. I did a spark test and realized that the plug was arching on the porcelain portion of the plug not on the gap end. So in short mice and a faulty plug thus far. I will let you all know when she is running perfect. Thanks for the support guys
Doug

[Easy Rider]

Looks like you are well on the way now.

An extra healthy dose of injector cleaner probably would be good too.

[Chupaca]

While your at it...change the vacuum hoses to the throttle body and ad some injector cleaner to your fuel.

[Ex-Rocket]

While your at it...change the vacuum hoses to the throttle body and ad some injector cleaner to your fuel.

I would suspect the vacuum hoses are dry rotted and cracked. Replace with Silicon hoses as they will last longer than OEM

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that you're making good progress!

[JAS POWER]

Since you said you had a mouse nest in the air box. I would also suggest looking at ALL the wiring, and vacuum hoses anything in general that is rubber.

Those little creatures will chew on anything, and everything! I have seen them chew right through spark plug wires not just the insulation but straight through the wire itself.

Good luck.