considering purchasing a GS. What issues / concerns should I be aware of?

[mauricedonini]

Hi Gang,

Newbie here.

Looking at purchasing 2008 or 2009 GS.

What issues/concerns should I be aware of?

Also, what questions (specific to Can-Am's) should I ask?

Thank you,

Maurice

[PrairieSpyder]

I've never had that model, so I'll let more experienced members give specifics. So I can only say

[Motorcycledave]

I have one and have NEVER had any problems with it.

Hi Gang,

Newbie here.

Looking at purchasing 2008 or 2009 GS.

What issues/concerns should I be aware of?

Also, what questions (specific to Can-Am's) should I ask?

Thank you,

Maurice

[Chupaca]

Though mileage will not be a big factor the lower the better. Check with the vin# that all service bullitens, recalls etc have been performed and if they have a service record it's a plus. You can also have a dealer check it out and put it on buds to see if it has had any code issues. They are solid units with little problems so I see not many problems. Happy hunting/shopping...

[GS1]

I have had I caused, got my 09 in 2014 with 2300 miles on it and now 23,000 and it has been a dream, good hunting

[SPYD3R]

my 1st was a 2009 RS.... i put 50,000 miles of smiles on it and had NO real issues... 3 rear and 1 set of front tires... had all the maintenance performed per schedule... sold it to buy my current F3-S...
good luck and enjoy... keep us posted, we care...
Dan P
SPYD3R

[ARtraveler]

I had the first 2008 GS-SM5 sold to a customer in AK. Next year, I added a 2009 RS-SE5 to the stable for the wife.

The years above were amongst the first offerings of BRP for the Spyder line up.

They both came with the 990 Rotax twin engine, which is now discontinued. Most have very good track records as long as they were not abused and were serviced properly.

You should do due diligence and have a dealer search the VIN# to make sure you are getting a good one and not a repair nightmare. The bad ones are few and far between--but they can be out there.

Expect to pay between $6,500 and $8,000. At this point, any farkles are not worth a thing--except to the current owner. I would only pay about $7K for a really really good one.

Below are mine--decked out to the nines. Both long gone but still being ridden as far as I know.

[mauricedonini]

Heat

Hi Hillrad,

Looking at the description in your signature, you've done a good amount of modifications.

Any other solutions to the heat issue?

Thank you

Maurice

[wyliec]

Hi Hillrad,

Looking at the description in your signature, you've done a good amount of modifications.

Any other solutions to the heat issue?

Thank you

Maurice

I have a 2008 and never had a heat problem, except for having to replace one of the Y gaskets.

[JerryB]

Hi Maurice,

Re: Any other solutions to the heat issue?

I added this to my '08. It did not get rid of 100% of the heat but it definitely made a substantial difference.

http://spyderpops.com/gs-rs-rss/new-category-8/

I would not pass up buying an older machine due to the 'heat' issues.

Jerry Baumchen

PS) One thing to give consideration to: The mods for the older machines will soon be disappearing from the marketplace due to lack of demand.

This has already happened with risers for the handlebars.

[mauricedonini]

Hi Maurice,

Re: Any other solutions to the heat issue?

I added this to my '08. It did not get rid of 100% of the heat but it definitely made a substantial difference.

http://spyderpops.com/gs-rs-rss/new-category-8/

I would not pass up buying an older machine due to the 'heat' issues.

Jerry Baumchen

PS) One thing to give consideration to: The mods for the older machines will soon be disappearing from the marketplace due to lack of demand.

This has already happened with risers for the handlebars.

Good info.

Thank you.

[ARtraveler]

Addendum: I experienced no heat issues with either the 2008 or 2009's.

[r1100rider]

I've also removed the splash panels. Only thing I haven't tried is wrapping the pipes. Right inner calf fries without long pants and/or high boots.

Don't waste the time ,effort,money wrapping pipes I have 2 identical 09 Rs 's and I always do something to one and then compare against the other and wrapping pipes made almost no measure able difference even reading with a laser heat gun old fashioned double wall baffle in the open area buy the leg made the most change and was easy

[DrewNJ]

Add either the Spyder pops heat management piece that extends the deflector or update the piece to an OEM 13'+ deflector and remove the splash pans.
I ride in shorts in the summer and even my wife, who is now primarily riding the Spyder, doesn't have any complaints with heat.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[asp125]

Only issues with ours have been regular maintenance. Did the Spyderpops heat management kit and belt guard and replaced the Y gasket and had to replace a drive belt that got a rock through it. The early ones are pretty bulletproof without all the electronic and alignment gremlins that plague later more complicated models. Ones with a good service history and all recalls done are quite reliable.

[oldgoat]

When I bought my manual 2008 in 2012 the salesman said it was the least "complicated" of the Spyders & less prone to problems.

I have been happy with mine for 5 summers.

[SPYDERGUY1]

Bought mine new, 08 gs sm5. A few glitches, some recalls, regular maintenance, replaced rear rubber, my fault, had to check it out and see what it is capable of. Still have it and still love it, only drawback is living in Igloo country, riding time is short. Good luck too you.

[ussoldier]

Hi Maurice,

Re: Any other solutions to the heat issue?

I added this to my '08. It did not get rid of 100% of the heat but it definitely made a substantial difference.

http://spyderpops.com/gs-rs-rss/new-category-8/

I would not pass up buying an older machine due to the 'heat' issues.

Jerry Baumchen

PS) One thing to give consideration to: The mods for the older machines will soon be disappearing from the marketplace due to lack of demand.

This has already happened with risers for the handlebars.

That is actually so true. Do they also have a heat deflector for the F3-S model? Don't get me wrong the 1330 Rotax Engine is awesome; since, it came out in 2015. Hopefully, sometime in the future there will be a better engine especially with that new Daytona 500 turbocharge that could be sold to the Can Am Spyder riders

[Bob Denman]

Don't Buy.jpg

[Bob Denman]

My mod list indicates... tried everything available and suggested but scorches the right lower leg.

What are you wearing for riding boots?

[ARtraveler]

Wears asbestos trousers

My mod list indicates... tried everything available and suggested but scorches the right lower leg.

Really, truly, I experienced no heat issues on either the 2008 or 2009 GS/RS. I always wear engineer style riding boots and most of the time, Kevlar jeans.

[SPYDERGUY1]

Only heat issue with mine is a scorching hot summer day sitting in traffic, then you can feel it on the right hand side, not unbearable, but noticeable. Other wise never had an issue.

[Jdr00ejr]

We love our 2009 GS SE5 - but have a terrible heat problem on the left knee to thigh area. That tupperware gets very hot there. I"m considering wrapping the exhaust. I've read people say it helps and read other people say don't bother. The right foot heat was reduced (not gone) but a lot of Spyder Pop's mods - but the wife - through jeans - has burnt her left leg while she was riding. No good.

[Msmoto]

With my 2008 as I remember, the heat was horrible, nearly cooking my feet. This with high quality riding boots about ten inches high.

The solution, as best I can recall, was to fabricate a shield, I think it was out of Lexan, which dumped the heat to the outside, passing along more in the wind stream in the foot area, relieving me of cooked feet. I have noted on my F3 this problem does not exist.

[robertl]

Removing the plastic splash panels underneath seems to have helped some with the heat.
Still feel it but more spread out and not targeted to my ankles.