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Do I Have A Lemon?
My wife transitioned from motorcycle to F3S in January 2020.
Off & ON we've had intermittent parking brake issues.
June 2022, when putting into first gear, the thing would buck hard and lurch forward. Dealer service claimed that we need an entire new clutch assembly. Took about 6 - 8 weeks.
June 2023, it would not go into first gear or reverse. She could downshift while riding, but could not get to neutral or reverse when stopped. Shutting the engine down would put it back into neutral. The dealer replaced the entire left handle bar switch assembly.
I'm still riding a motorcycle. These kinds of reliability issues make me reluctant to switch if I can't ride anymore.
These are complicated machines, lots of stuff to go wrong. Are we just unlucky or is this common?
- Scott
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Very Active Member
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Very Active Member
You didn't indicate if the most recent repair cured the problem. From your description it sounds like two separate issues. Most lemon laws allow for repairs of a problem by the dealer. Then if the dealer/factory is unable to fix the problem, lemon laws kick in after the 3rd try. Having 2 different problems in 2 years is not unheard of. I had 3 warranty claims for 3 different problems in a 3 year period. I wasn't happy but at least the problems were fixed. And, the bike found a new owner as soon as the warranty expired. Good luck..... Jim
2005 Windveil Blue Premium Mustang Convertible
2008 Honda GL1800/California Sidecar Trike, SOLD
2014 Platinum Silver Satin Spyder RTL, SOLD
Semper Fi
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Very Active Member
Sounds like you were just unlucky and got a bad one but not technically a 'lemon'. I have 40k miles on my '20 with only 1 failed brake switch that I replaced myself - even tho I have BEST. I rarely ever see my dealer after purchase because what they call 'technicians' I call 'part swappers'. It seems like dropping a bike off at the dealer always takes weeks to get back on the road. Cuts into the miles of smiles.
Consider trading or selling to avoid future bugs.
'20 Spyder RT: Bajaron swaybar. Vredestein tires, Pedal Commander, Elka front shocks, GPS/USB/12V handlebar mount, Heli-Bars, Radar Detector, KOTT grills & vents, Shad top case, chin & DRL LEDs.
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Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
2013 RT Ltd Pearl White
Ryde More, Worry Less!
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Yes, the latest fix seems to have taken care of the shifting issue and so far, no parking brake issues.
No, I’m not worried about lemon laws, just wondering if these types of issues are going to continue.
These two repairs together totaled in the $2500 - $3000 range.
- Scott
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Very Active Member
Reliability is not the best feature of the Can-Am Spyder. Many folks buy them for the reasons you say that you may buy one and your wife probably did. It fills a niche market and a lot of folks buy (and some repeat and repeat) because the Spyder meets their desire to keep riding.
Do more research.
Last edited by Freddy; 10-06-2023 at 04:57 PM.
The best substitute for brains & knowledge is....................silence.
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Very Active Member
Those two issues have been bounced around the floor here on this site! And your fixes USUALLY fix them! The sad thing is that your bike was made by a human and not all new parts are good right out of the box. Good thing is I hope they were on warranty or recall? If not, well I am sorry to hear that. I would hang in there and see how it all shakes down, but if you're going to bail, trade the old girl in for a newer one while it's still got a little of the new smell on it, more trade in!!!
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 10-06-2023 at 08:19 PM.
Reason: USSALY ... ;-)
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Originally Posted by Freddy
Reliability is not the best feature of the Can-Am Spyder. Many folks buy them for the reasons you say that you may buy one and your wife probably did. It fills a niche market and a lot of folks buy (and some repeat and repeat) because the Spyder meets their desire to keep riding.
Do more research.
Really, what does the research say about alternatives to a Can-Am Spyder?
In each motorcycle segment I’ve owned, I’ve had a handful or more alternatives. Competition works to improve all.
- Scott
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Onetrack97
Yes, the latest fix seems to have taken care of the shifting issue and so far, no parking brake issues.
No, I’m not worried about lemon laws, just wondering if these types of issues are going to continue.
These two repairs together totaled in the $2500 - $3000 range.
Personally, that seems way too high of price for both, even at a dealer. The parts for both are under $800 total and that’s even high. Yes, left control is expensive and a lot of work but that’s still pretty high, maybe 3 maybe 4-hour job at dealer at tops I’d think. I’d check around at another dealer next time. Parking brake is a very simple job, hour at tops. So for both jobs, maybe $750 at tops on labor.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 10-08-2023 at 06:07 PM.
Reason: Caps & ' 's ;-)
“Born to Ride......Ride to Live....MOATER ON !
“Current ride: 2017 RT Limited”
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Originally Posted by Wmoater
Personally that seems way to high of price for both even at a dealer. The parts for both are under $800 total and that’s even high. Yes left control is expensive and a lot of work but that’s still pretty high maybe 3 maybe 4 hour job at dealer at tops I’d think. I’d check around at another dealer next time. Parking brake is a very simple job, hour at tops. So for both jobs maybe $750 at tops on labor.
Another dealer would be good. There are lots of them here in the DFW area but as far as I can tell, they are all owned by the same company.
- Scott
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Very Active Member
RE: Reliability. I have owned seven Spyders since they came out in 2008. Two early GS/RS models, Two of the twin cylinder RT's, One three cylinder RT, and Two F3's (1330's). We have driven almost 200,000 miles total on our Spyders. Never had any major problems, never broke down on the road, never had a fear of being stranded in the middle of nowhere. PS...I lived in Alaska for almost 20 years, that is where I started with Spyder in 2008. Moved to Arkansas in 2019. Finally, due to health reasons I have now sold our last two Spyders. The new owners got the best deals of their lives. Perfect bikes right out the door. One with 20K miles and another with only 9K miles.
I would do it all over again if I had the years and the health.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Originally Posted by ARtraveler
RE: Reliability. I have owned seven Spyders since they came out in 2008. Two early GS/RS models, Two of the twin cylinder RT's, One three cylinder RT, and Two F3's (1330's). We have driven almost 200,000 miles total on our Spyders. Never had any major problems, never broke down on the road, never had a fear of being stranded in the middle of nowhere. PS...I lived in Alaska for almost 20 years, that is where I started with Spyder in 2008. Moved to Arkansas in 2019. Finally, due to health reasons I have now sold our last two Spyders. The new owners got the best deals of their lives. Perfect bikes right out the door. One with 20K miles and another with only 9K miles.
I would do it all over again if I had the years and the health.
That’s good to hear, thanks for the feedback.
- Scott
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I have a 2021 RTL with almost 49000 miles on it. I've taken two 30-day trips; one two-week; and one one-week; plus day rides. This year alone totaling over 25000 miles. So I think they're pretty reliable machines.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 10-12-2023 at 07:53 PM.
Reason: Caps; .'s; & ' 's ;-)
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Very Active Member
Do you have a lemon.....? No!
2022 Petrol Metallic RT Limited / 'PYDER'
Peter Pan has struck again!
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