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  1. #1
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    Default Lurking . .. but concerned

    I've been lurking around for a while and thinking of giving the Spyder a try. There's a shop close by that sells them and I thought I would see whether they would allow me to test ride it. However, there seems to be a lot a growing pain with the Spyder, even the 2009. Electrical and electronics seem to be a common problem area. Should I be concerned about first year reliability of these things or is it just the Internet emphasizing these problems. Is your perception that the Spyder's problems are no greater nor prevalent than any other bike. I've had to BMW's in the last three years and the've been reliable except for a couple of recalls. I haven't been stranded in 25K miles.

    Thanks

    JG

  2. #2
    Very Active Member Don in E Texas's Avatar
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    Remember that only a few 's have problems and those owners will post questions/comments about that. You will not see a post stating that "My Spyder does not have any problems"

    I'm off on a Benefit Ride today --- should add another 150 miles or so to my already trouble-free 1,000 (yes, still new 08 SE5).

    Don
    Did own: 2008, Red, SE5 - and 2010, Black, RT-S Premiere Edition Number 670
    Now Own: 2014 Black RT-S SE6

  3. #3
    Very Handy Member dltang's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jbim View Post
    I've been lurking around for a while and thinking of giving the Spyder a try. There's a shop close by that sells them and I thought I would see whether they would allow me to test ride it. However, there seems to be a lot a growing pain with the Spyder, even the 2009. Electrical and electronics seem to be a common problem area. Should I be concerned about first year reliability of these things or is it just the Internet emphasizing these problems. Is your perception that the Spyder's problems are no greater nor prevalent than any other bike. I've had to BMW's in the last three years and the've been reliable except for a couple of recalls. I haven't been stranded in 25K miles.

    Thanks

    JG
    It is true there are some growing pains but I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "or is it just the Internet emphasizing these problems" People have a tendency to voice their complaints very loud, often times louder than praise.
    With Christ all things are possible, so live life with no fears and no worries.
    Happy Ex Owner, Hopefully future Spyder owner again.
    Pastor Deb Tangen, Missions Director and short term missionary.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by jbim View Post
    I've been lurking around for a while and thinking of giving the Spyder a try. There's a shop close by that sells them and I thought I would see whether they would allow me to test ride it. However, there seems to be a lot a growing pain with the Spyder, even the 2009. Electrical and electronics seem to be a common problem area. Should I be concerned about first year reliability of these things or is it just the Internet emphasizing these problems. Is your perception that the Spyder's problems are no greater nor prevalent than any other bike. I've had to BMW's in the last three years and the've been reliable except for a couple of recalls. I haven't been stranded in 25K miles.

    Thanks

    JG

    Everything mechical can and will fail at some point. That being said I have a 2008 SE5 with just under 7000 trouble free miles. Most you will here online is the bad about things
    Happy SE5 Owner!!!


    Silver/Black SE5 - Trunk Liner, 1" riser, 12v, Kuryakyn ISO Grips, 5" Kewlmetal Pullback Bars, Kewlmetal Console, Zumo 450, Ipod, Kewlmetal Highway brackets with Wing pegs, Triple Play, Wizard Light LED's, Corbin front/rear saddle with Backrest, Nelson Rigg CL950 Saddlebags with CL800 Tote Bag, CalSci Medium Windshield.

  5. #5
    Registered Users Greg H.'s Avatar
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    SM5 with about 8,600 miles in just over 6 months.

    If you've been hanging around, and thinking about a Spyder; going to the dealer and riding one, would most likely push you over the edge towards that purchase.

    welcome
    - Greg

    2013 RT-S Circuit Yellow Metallic

    Previously owned...

    2008 Spyder GS (Full Moon) 32,800 miles
    2011 Spyder RS-S (Magnesium/Black) 31,230 miles

  6. #6
    Senile Member M2Wild's Avatar
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    There is no guarentee that you won't have a problem ... no one can do that for you. But to better your odds, stay away from the more problematic SE5s if you can and buy a B.E.S.T. to cover yourself. Then go out and have fun. You will not regret it.
    Silver SM5 PE# 1274, Hindle Exhaust, Touring Windshield, Caliper Trim, B.E.S.T. 3 Year Ext, Nuvi 255 GPS, Fog Lights, Sport Rack, Back Rest, 12V Outlet, Talon 3300p Alarm, NMN Mud Flap and TipZ LEDs, SpyderLovers Emblems, Kuryakyn Widow Pegs and Axel Trim, Luimoto seat skin, Evo Air Filter and O2 Mod, Cranker Tank Bag, Blue Sea fuse block, MAD/AMS/MBG, Oddyssey battery, IPS.

    Service Bulletin Applied: Gen II parking brake, 2nd SW patch, evap can/hose update, Gen II DPS

  7. #7
    Motorbike Professor NancysToy's Avatar
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    I have BMWs and my wife has a Spyder (that I steal regularly). I am not at all worried about the Spyder SM5, ours has been really good in a year of ownership. I do think it seems a bit more fragile than the Beemers, possibly due in part to the electronics, but we have experinced no real trouble ourselves. Some BMWs have had their share of bugs, too. I think CANBUS horror stories started with the Beemers. The dealer network is less experienced and not as robust for Spyder support. That seems to be the biggest difference to me. Most BMW dealers live for the opportunity to get a traveler back on the road again quickly. There are good Spyder dealers, too, but the parts seem less readily available sometimes, dealers are less likely to swipe parts off their floor models or personal rides, and most dealers are not focused on just the Spyder. If I had room in the garage, I would get a second Spyder for touring in a heartbeat, though. I guess that's the bottom line. It is the most comfortable, and most comforting, thing I have ever ridden! It's like asking which is better, Cadillac or Lexus. It's not like comparing a Yugo to a Ferrari.
    -Scotty

  8. #8
    Registered Users FANG's Avatar
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    I have had my SM5 since June of 08. I have 6000 miles and I currently have my spyder in the shop for one of those electronic concerns that you alluded to in your post.

    I will say this the is a great machine. I have not had aproblem with mine until last Sunday. Most of the frustration you here about is not about the itself but about the length of time that it seems to take to get the back on the road when something does go wrong.

    It is a process problem dealer diagnoses the problem - has to speak to BRP - BRP gives intructions on what to try to fix problem - parts are then ordered - wait on parts to arrive - try fix - if fix does not work then you back to step one.

    I just spoke with my dealer and they have spoken to BRP and they want to try something to fix my So I feel like I in that loop in the middle of the process.

    I will become vocal if I am not kept in that loop but the bottom line is I would not trade this ryde for any other. It is a great product.
    Bill
    Very Happy Spyder Owner

    Gulf Coast Spyder Ryders -- look for us in the Ryder Group/Club shortcut on the homepage.

    New Ryders always welcome!!!



  9. #9
    Very Active Member Dudley's Avatar
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    We bought our Spyder 11-18-2008 and turned 7000 miles yesterday. It is an SE5 that has had no disabling problems. We got the transmission "fix" and the parking brake "fix" done because it was free. I don't ride it hard, but I do add the miles. So far the Spyder has been flawless. After 40 years of riding 2 wheels, this has been sheer pleasure. The Spyder offers a lot of options that 2 wheels can't: the ability to pull off vertually anytime you want to if there is enough surface to park, no fear of your Spyder tipping over because the kick stand sank, being able to slowly drive over badly rutted trails to view a scene, to be able to ride 2 lane mountain roads as slow as you want to enjoy the scenery without fear of dropping it because you are in an inclined sharp curve that looks like a twisted pretzel, driving in the rain is safer because you now have 3 wheels holding you to the surface. I could go on, but you get the picture. This is an awesome machine. It's not perfect, because what man builds will always be flawed.
    2008 GS SE5 in 2008
    Traded at 43,000 miles for a left over
    2010 RT SM5 in 2011
    Traded at 57,000 for a left over
    2014 RTS SE6 in 2015, which has 35,000 miles
    Oct 19th, 2017, totaled 2014 RT while killing a Javaline
    Dec 12th, 2017 drove a 2017 F3L home. What an awesome machine!

    Never had any breakdown stranded issues.

  10. #10
    orangespydiegirl
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    Problem free!

  11. #11
    Alignment Specialist bone crusher's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by orangespydiegirl View Post
    Problem free!
    Neat color...metallic orange looks good...sharp and very visible...
    Bone Crusher
    If you work to make money, you'll never be happy, as there's never enough money...if you work to take good care of people, the money will always be there....Sean O'Connell, 1999

  12. #12
    SpyderLovers Sponsor capt.jim's Avatar
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    9000+miles, runs great, no problems other than the parking brake which quit after a week, didn't even bother to fix it, it's flat in S.Florida! And yes, i think the internet tends to magnify the problems.The steering sticking is a big concern for me, but i would buy it anyway and hope i get a good one. The steering may kill me IF it ever happens, but I'll be grinning till i go!

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