160,000 mile report

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

Every 20,000 miles or so I write about servicing or any problems
with my 2014 RT-S. This has been a very bad year for my ryding.
I started out strong with 10,000 miles before May. But after an
accident on May 30th, I have only 6,000 miles since.
At first it was me. It took 43 days to get back on the seat. But when
I did, it's been nothing but trouble since.
Some of you may recall about my drive belt wandering all over. Now
I'm not made of money so I had to save up for parts. I spent $309
for a new belt. At the dealer they found the rear sprocket was also toast.
Another $324. Plus $400 labor.
So now I'm ready to get out, pile on more miles.

Now it started cooling issues. All the miles so far, the temp gauge never
moved, just below the half way mark. But now the gauge is all over the
dial. Fans running constantly. I changed the oil last Friday. When done I
started it and let it run for 15 minutes or so. Happy with that chore done
I take it out for a short ryde. I get home and park it in the garage. Then I
see a puddle of anti freeze under where I changed oil. Monday I have it
towed to the dealer. I get a call later and was told I need 2 new radiators.
$300.99 apiece. $400 labor.
Is BRP antifreeze supposed to be brown? Maybe the radiators are toast too.
I'm taking them with me when I get my reborn RT back. I'll have them tested at
Don's radiator service here in town. There's been a lot of coolant cycled through
the pair in 4 years.
I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever reach my goal of 200,000 miles on this
machine. What could be next?
Very few of you will ever see 100,000 miles on your Spyders, but these are
a few issues you may see if you do.
I'll write again when I reach 175,000.

Buckeye Chuck

[SNOOPY]

Dang, I have a 2013 ST with under 14,000. Ride it almost every weekend too.

.

[pegasus1300]

I'm trying to make that magic mark. I have managed to put 43000+ on mine since June 2015. I did start with 8500 miles on it when I got it. Thank you for the report.It is good to know that these machines can make it mechanically that far. But I have never worried about the mechanics,it is the electronics that worry me.

[ARNIE R]

My 2014 STS has orange coolant, but by the time it runs down the side of the engine and picks up dirt and grime, it might appear on the brownish side......

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for the update.

[Saluda]

You and your machine.

[JerryB]

Hi pegasus1300,

Re: But I have never worried about the mechanics,it is the electronics that worry me.

^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMO my 998 engine, with minimum maintenance, is virtually bullet-proof. However, in four yrs of ownership, it is the electronics that have cost me the most money.



Jerry Baumchen

[pegasus1300]

Hi pegasus1300,

Re: But I have never worried about the mechanics,it is the electronics that worry me.

^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMO my 998 engine, with minimum maintenance, is virtually bullet-proof. However, in four yrs of ownership, it is the electronics that have cost me the most money.



Jerry Baumchen

And that is my greatest fear Jerry.I have not had anything electronic go wrong so far and I hope it continues that way.