Well I finally gave up!

[rus44756]

I have been reading this forum for over a year now ,and really really wanted to get into the spyder lifestyle. AFter 2 spyders and about $40000 I finally have to admit BRP has whipped me, and I sold my last spyder. I am so happy for all the good people on this website and their help to anyone with questions or problems, but I guess some of these come from the factory and just do not work. My first was a 2010 RT that was a true lemon. I only managed 2400miles in its first year and most of that was driving it up on a trailer to take to the dealer. Over 100 days in the shop and never got fixed. I hauled it to spyderfest but just had to watch everyone else have fun while mine stayed in its eternal limp mode. I finally decided it was no good and traded for a 2012 RSS. Of course my dealer ripped me good, because they didn't want a trade in that they could not keep running long enough to sell. The RSS worked better but still had error codes to the point that I just didn't trust it to go very far. My wife refused to get more than 5 miles from home. I am happy for you guys whose machine works but take it easy on the poor unlucky victims like me who spend large sums of money for just frustration. In my 60 years I have owned over 50 different motorcycles, cars, boats, personal watercraft, and trucks and these 2 machines were more trouble than all the other vehicles combined. I know how to ride a motorcycle and in owning 26 of them I was able to operate them without problems of any significance until I got the spyders. I understand all machines can break, but the spyders are the only machines I have encountered that do not seem fixable. Plus BRP seems to care nothing about their customers and even seem sorta belligerent when dealing with you. I was never anything but helpful and cordial with their customer service but they do not seem interested in helping anyone with a severe issue. To all prospective buyers I wish you luck and hope you happen to get a working machine, but if you are unlucky as I was get ready for the most expensive headache you have ever had.

[Buttsy]

So whatch buyin next................

[spydaman60]

it's been said before, but i'll say it again, the machine is as good as your dealer is. if you happened to be one of the unfortunate individuals in getting a spyder (let alone two) that weren't up to par, I've got to believe the dealer had a lot to do with your unhappiness! sorry it happened to ya! good luck with the next machines.

[my3gs]

Just wondering if its the dealer just north east of OKC????? Just sayn I wouldn't let them work on my bicycle.Just my opinion.

[Bob Denman]

X2... The dealership will make or break the whole deal. I can understand your frustration, and wish you the best of luck with whatever you get next!

[SPYD3R]

really REALLY SORRY you've had all these issues..... so sad

i can't say i've had ANY ISSUES that weren't rectified IMMEDIATELY by my dealer; POWERSPORTS of GREENVILLE (SC)....

which ever way you decide to go, please understand that we here at SPYDERLOVERS are still wishing you well..... best of luck my friend....
Dan P
Easley, SC
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[SilverSurfer]

2010 Spyder RT-S LE #391. No problems. Spyder even plays when hurt (e.g. bad ASC service from Pete's Cycle in Baltimore); adjusted valves at 12K and didn't replace valve cover gasket. Got Spyder home and leaking oil. Had them put an Elka on the rear, and asked them to re-calibrate ASC. They couldn't get it right on BUDS and had three guys on the bike to compress. They didn't know to let all the air off the bag. Got Spyder back with 38 ... !!38!! pounds of pressure in the rear tire (ASC is supposed to be done at 28 psi). I now ride her 42 miles north up to Motosports Inc. of Hanover, PA.

Motosports Inc. is Class A shop, AND supporting this is that Ryan, the service manager, has 126 certification hours on BRP/Rotax. This was a note to self: Ask any service tech how many certification hours he/she has on Can Am/BRP/Rotax, and specifically, Spyders. If they tell you something like, "40," I'd start checking more references. Another indicator -- What else do they sell? For example, All Motosports Inc sells are Can Am/BRP, Polaris and a small Honda watercraft line. No other motorcycle line. I've never had a mid-road breakdown, knock on wood. After Motosports Inc. service, the Spyder is performing better than the day I first took ownership. One of the things they found was that the bottom retaining pin of the Elka was folded like a 'V'. Gee ... after the Pete's service, I'm not surprised.

I agree with the comments about your bike (whatever it is) being a slave to the quality of the dealer/service tech. If your dealer is a "w**rehouse and sells everything under the metric moon ... oh and by the way ... some Spyders, then don't count on much. They can make more money on the main fare of Yamahas, Suzuki, Honda and whatever else. They don't even want your service business. This is why Pete's raised their hourly rate on Spyders from $80/hr to $120/hr. Motosports provides exquisite service and takes the time to know you, AS WELL as the idiosyncrasies of your Spyder ... at $80.00 per hour. I'm not saying everyone should go to Hanover, PA for service; I am saying that Motosports Inc. is an exemplar of the type of dealer and service we all seek.

I regret Rus's experience because BRP/Rotax and Spyders are absolutely reliable when sold and serviced correctly, and as long as owner mods are installed correctly and don't interfere with Can Bus (big source of error codes nad limps).

Paul

[SPYDERGUY1]

I, also am really sorry for your troubles. Not that it matters now, but did you consider a different dealer for the problems ? I have also had a few glitches with mine , however they were fixed A.S.A.P., NOT 100 DAYS, I would have COME UNGLUED. Other than that I am very happy with my ride 2008 GS SM5. Good luck.

[Chupaca]

Truly unfortunate. Wish you would have consulted this site a bit more, could have possibly steered you in the right direction. Not knowing all the problems hard to say. Haven't seen the roadster that could not be fixed outside of totaled...remember which ever way you go there are good folks here that can help...good luck in your next venture..!!

[SpyderWolf]

Always sad to see someone leave the group, but wish you well with whatever else you decide to ride in the future.

[motoford]

One lesson to learn from this is never buy a 2nd bike from a dealer than can't keep the 1st one running.

[BajaRon]

One lesson to learn from this is never buy a 2nd bike from a dealer than can't keep the 1st one running.

Exactly what I was thinking... Still, a very sad story...

[Dochands]

WE NEED TO RATE DEALERS

[CSW61]

You know sometimes the cheapest price isn’t always the best. It cost money to train the techs and buy the proper tools to maintain these Spyders. No shade tree mechanic can work on these bikes like some of the others. I have learned this by making the same mistakes.

[bobnaquin]

I can understand your frustration completely because I reached that point myself a couple of years ago at which point I sold everything I had with a BRP label on it. The dealers don't just ruin Spyders by the way. They are equally adept with watercraft and ATV. A watercraft or ATV usually is an intermittent use item though. A Spyder is an over the road vehicle and BRP has not figured out just how to deal with that yet. After trying other forms of fun transportation I am back on a Spyder. I bought a used one without a warranty just so I could avoid the dealers. And yes I do take it to a dealer on occasion-you pretty much have to at some point. But they are the weakest link in an otherwise well designed machine. IMHO there just isn't anything as much fun to drive as a Spyder. But there is nothing sadder than a broken toy.

[ARtraveler]

with several of the above posters.

A bad dealer can make the experience go south quickly. The odds of getting two lemons in a row are possible, but IMO--extremely remote. The fact that the dealer selling the RT gave you the shaft on the trade in for the RSS, speaks volumes to me.

As posted by two other people--there seems to be a pattern of problems with dealer(s) X in OK.

Sorry you made the decision you did. I cannot fault you, because a that will not run properly, is no joy to own.

Don't know if you had options to try other dealers--but that would have been my recommendation.

Wishing you the best.

[jerpinoy]

Sorry to your bad situations. Seems like you are nice person. Please stay with our forum if you don't mine. We love to have nice people here. .

[BeachSpyder]

Like the others said, the dealer isn't part of the solution, they are really the only solution, and a bad dealer can ruin a good bike. You must be a much nicer person than I am, because after day 5 of not having my bike I would have been down their throats! I am a lawyer, I tend to be rather outspoken, and I write a mean complaint letter, usually complete with threats of litigation and government intervention, where necessary. Not very often mind you, and never have had to do that with my Spyder dealer. I had three bmw's and on the third one, lemon. I bought it used from my cousin or I would have received a refund, but as it was, threat of a class action for a known defect was very persuasive argument for out of warranty repairs. I fixed it, sold it, and swore off the brand for practicality sake. I could have gone to the next closest dealer, 150 miles in each direction. No thanks! But sometimes that is what you have to do! Good luck on your next bike. Try a Victory!


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