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CONSUMER REPORT
CONSUMER REPORT, May 2015 issue has rated 10 motorcycles: BMW, CAN AM, DUCATI, HARLEY, HONDA, KAWASAKI, SUZUKI, TRIUMPH, VICTORY & YAMAHA...
YAMAHA came in 1st for "how ofter they go to the repair shop" yet it was 6th on "would owners buy it again"... our SPYD3R came in dead last on "repair shop" yet it came in 5th on "would you buy again".... pretty good article... Victory won the top spot on "buy again"... HD came in 2nd place... what really surprised me was that BMW came in 9th place, 1 ahead of CAN AM, on "repair shop" visits.... and here i always thought that BMW was the primo bike on the road... Honda came in 3rd on both counts...
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R F3-S
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Online copy isn't posted yet.
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
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QUOTE
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
What conclusions did they draw from their research?
Thanks!
Quote: "We realize that buying a motorcycle is often more about passion than practicality; even so, out findings can help you make an informed purchase decision."
datz what dey said Bobby...
dp
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Thanks for the info. Deanna
Current Spyder - 2023 F3 LTD Special Mineral Blue
Red LED NANO Saddlebag Marker Lights with Full Illumination
Sequential Fender LED'S (Amber/Red) with Safety Reflector
Dual Power Plate (12 V & USB ports)
Gremlin Bell
Rear Trunk Organizer (4 holders, 2 Elastic Holders)
Lamonster "Top Cuff" with adjustable drink Holder
SpyderPops Missing Guard Belt
Console Accent Trim (Carbon Fiber Domed Black)
Ultimate F3 Floorboards
Front Fairing Service Access Door Covers (Carbon Fiber Doomed Black)
Sway Bar with Links
Rolo Laser Alignment
Half Cover
A-Arm Daytime Dual Color LED Running Lights with Blinker Module
Hi-Viz DRL and Sequential Mirrors lights
Marinco 12Volt Power Receptacle with polarized leads & slide lock
Show chrome Trunk Shock
Former Spyder - 2014 RTS SE6 Cognac SOLD
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That's nice...
always take it with a grain of salt. Depends on where they collect the data from. But you need a starting point. Thanks for info..
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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The BMW's do not suprise me at all. German made cars (although they may be some of the most luxurious and best handling and a really good ride) They are not anything close to reliable. Dont go too far from the repair shop. So why would there bikes be any different. American made cars as well as Japanese and Korean made vehicles are far more reliable than anything from Germany.
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Originally Posted by 900Dave
The BMW's do not suprise me at all. German made cars (although they may be some of the most luxurious and best handling and a really good ride) They are not anything close to reliable. Dont go too far from the repair shop. So why would there bikes be any different. American made cars as well as Japanese and Korean made vehicles are far more reliable than anything from Germany.
I had a BMW 1999 R1100RT when I sold it with 98,000 miles I hated to see it go. I would get on that bike today if I still had it and ride it any where anytime. I'm sure the maintenance schedule on my BMW was a lot less money than my Spyder. The kicker though I'd trust my BMW mechanic over any Spyder mechanic I've ever meet!
Just sayin.
Don't remember BMW bikes catching on Fire! Yikes.
There last recall they were willing to replace the Bike.
Guess I was so stupid for riding such an inferior product.
Like every thing else there are Good and Bad.
Again Just sayin
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I think that the BMW issue is that they don't have a lot of dealers so you may get stuck if you are on the road. They don't stock parts and their repairs can be expensive, kind of sounds like our Spyders.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
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SPYDER REPORT
Just my .02 on this one. I really trust Consumer Reports , they don't take Ads so they don't have any Ass*s to kiss......But on the Repair / Service thing....well the Spyder demographics lean toward affluent , older, non-mechanically inclined, lets pay someone else - even if it's a total rip-off sort of group....( no offense intended )........plus I'd venture that most of their numbers were derived from the 998 engine / trans /clutch spyders ......I think this will change dramatically with 1330 Ace engine numbers.................................JMHO...... .Mike
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Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911
Just my .02 on this one. I really trust Consumer Reports , they don't take Ads so they don't have any Ass*s to kiss......But on the Repair / Service thing....well the Spyder demographics lean toward affluent , older, non-mechanically inclined, lets pay someone else - even if it's a total rip-off sort of group....( no offense intended )........plus I'd venture that most of their numbers were derived from the 998 engine / trans /clutch spyders ......I think this will change dramatically with 1330 Ace engine numbers.................................JMHO...... .Mike
To be technical about it, the 998 is a *rock*, as dead-reliable a bike engine that's ever been manufactured-- it's the other quirks with first-gen Spyders that come into play.
I'm curious about the survey dates; knowing the likely lag time, I wonder if CR caught a whole slew of seriously peeved 2013 owners up in their reliability survey.
BTW, RE: BMW bikes... they're like BMW (and other German) cars: outstanding mechanical marvels that are the equal of or superior to anything else on the road... when they work. Thing is, the Germans love to build to tolerances and precision that no other manufacturers seem to do, which makes for a fine product, but expensive routine service and even more expensive, sometimes nightmarish, repairs. I *still* have nightmares knowing I needed special tools to swap out Volkswagen batteries and headlight bulbs.
Still, I'd buy a BMW bike tomorrow, no anxiety whatsoever. Heck, I bought a Can-Am Spyder, what could I possibly be worried about?
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I was lucky to have what I think was one of the best BMW dealers in the country.
Cost well they charged $90.00 a hour.
If bike went in for repair they gave you a loaner. Yes a loaner.
If knees weren't a problem I'd still be riding my BMW.
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I have ridden BMW's since 1974 and still have one to go with my 2010 RT. If you do all the recommended maintenance on BMW's, I think they are as rock solid and reliable as anything on the road. But, like Can-Am, BMW recommends a lot of maintenance and some of it requires considerable mechanical ability to perform. For example, on the boxer twins with a dry clutch, the clutch splines must be lubricated at regular intervals and it is a major job, requiring the transmission to be removed or at least backed away from the engine. Most owners, even those with pretty good mechanical skills, will take it to a shop for that maintenance. Also, where a Spyder only requires changing engine/transmission oil, a BMW boxer twin requires changing engine oil, transmission fluid, drive shaft fluid, and rear gear fluid. So, it's easy to see that owners, unless they are very skilled mechanically, will go to the dealer a lot for maintenance. Personally, I never had one of my BMW's in the shop for either repairs or maintenance but they were all bought used, out of warranty, so I felt safe enough in doing my own maintenance and repair. As far as repairs, the alternator rotor went open on my 1973 R75/5 and I was able to fix it myself. It would probably have stranded me on a cold morning south of Marathon, Texas when it wouldn't start with either the electric start or the kick starter ( it had both ) if I hadn't been on top of the highest point in the country and was able to bump start it after coasting up to about 30 MPH. None of my other BMW's ever had any issues. The only other motorcycle I'd put in the same category with BMW's for reliability would be Honda Goldwings. They are bullet proof.
Personally, I don't care much for Consumer Reports, although I believe you can get some good information from their reports at times. It just seems to me that their criteria for cars and motorcycles are very different from mine.
Cotton
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They must be factoring in the 2013 Spyders. (I really feel bad for everybody who has had problems. I almost bought one myself.)
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Originally Posted by ABQSpyder
I had a BMW 1999 R1100RT when I sold it with 98,000 miles I hated to see it go. I would get on that bike today if I still had it and ride it any where anytime. I'm sure the maintenance schedule on my BMW was a lot less money than my Spyder. The kicker though I'd trust my BMW mechanic over any Spyder mechanic I've ever meet!
Just sayin.
Don't remember BMW bikes catching on Fire! Yikes.
There last recall they were willing to replace the Bike.
Guess I was so stupid for riding such an inferior product.
Like every thing else there are Good and Bad.
Again Just sayin
I am not insinuating that your BMW bike or anyone elses has been unreliable. Sorry if it came out that way.
In my opinion German vehicles are very well engineered but may not in fact be the most dependable. Therefore I choose not to buy them. This is only my opinion.
Last edited by 900Dave; 04-01-2015 at 08:34 AM.
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Very Active Member
So many rides---
So little time-'-'
I would love to love all of them
Have loved quite a few
Got the 14 rtse6 out there talking to me now
Oh yeah try to love em all in their own way
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by 900Dave
I am not insinuating that your BMW bike or anyone elses has been unreliable. Sorry if it came out that way. I read a lot of article on cars and there dependability ect. ect. The German vehicles are not near the top in those categories and could only assume the same for there bikes. That being said I never owned a German vehicle and never will. I work for a German owned company enough said!
AAW--he just doesn't like Sour Kraut. A broad statement for someone who never owned a German vehicle. I have had dozens of Porsches, BMW's, Mercedes, Volkswagens cars and never had problem number one. I have had a half dozen BMW motorcycles and still own a 650GS and a R1200RT never a problem. If your too cheap to keep up the maintenance schedule you probably should not own one. There is nothing like German engineering. We would still be walking around the planet and not on the Moon had it not been for German engineering. Alright, Alright I'll stop!
Jack
All my life I wanted to be somebody, now I realize I should have been more specific.
2019 Specialized E-Bike COMO 2.0
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
2018 Tiffin Phaeton 37BH Motorhome
2015 BMW R1200R LC
2014 RTL SE6 Pearl White
2012 RT-622 trailer viper red
2014 Look 7x12 motorcycle trailer silver and black
2011 Polaris Ranger green
2013 GMC Yukon Denali XL silver oak
2016 Can Am Maverick
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TO CLARIFY
Originally Posted by daveinva
To be technical about it, the 998 is a *rock*, as dead-reliable a bike engine that's ever been manufactured-- it's the other quirks with first-gen Spyders that come into play.
I'm curious about the survey dates; knowing the likely lag time, I wonder if CR caught a whole slew of seriously peeved 2013 owners up in their reliability survey.
BTW, RE: BMW bikes... they're like BMW (and other German) cars: outstanding mechanical marvels that are the equal of or superior to anything else on the road... when they work. Thing is, the Germans love to build to tolerances and precision that no other manufacturers seem to do, which makes for a fine product, but expensive routine service and even more expensive, sometimes nightmarish, repairs. I *still* have nightmares knowing I needed special tools to swap out Volkswagen batteries and headlight bulbs.
Still, I'd buy a BMW bike tomorrow, no anxiety whatsoever. Heck, I bought a Can-Am Spyder, what could I possibly be worried about?
....Dave the 998 may be a " ROCK ", but if you compare the 998 to 1330 maintenance / service schedule and associated dealer charges ( and I'm sure Consumer Reports DID ) ....the 1330 is a bargain..............just sayin........Mike
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Originally Posted by jaherbst
AAW--he just doesn't like Sour Kraut. A broad statement for someone who never owned a German vehicle. I have had dozens of Porsches, BMW's, Mercedes, Volkswagens cars and never had problem number one. I have had a half dozen BMW motorcycles and still own a 650GS and a R1200RT never a problem. If your too cheap to keep up the maintenance schedule you probably should not own one. There is nothing like German engineering. We would still be walking around the planet and not on the Moon had it not been for German engineering. Alright, Alright I'll stop!
Jack
I love Sour Kraut
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The Rotax motors are Austrian. That's pretty close to Germany.
Wayne
pauly1 - SpyderDeb's 'wrench'
2018 F3-T & 2015 F3-S Road Warrior Foundation Tribute customs
IBA #48220 SS1000 BB1500
2015 F3-S , OEM na Basic Black with Custom Wrap
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I have the report in PDF format but can't seem to be able to attach file here....any suggestions or can I e-mail it to someone to post?
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The only real world difference is the valve lash check / adjustment recommended for the 998 at 14k that is normally not even needed. They dropped the recommendation for the 1330. Otherwise, for 99.9% of owners, the maintenance schedule is still annual.
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My 2012 RT with 17,000 miles has been as reliable as any car I've owned.
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