We are picking up an used 2018 RTL Monday. Anyone found a good third party motorcycle shop to do Oil, Filter and tranny service in Apache Junction/Mesa Az area. Or have recommendation of best dealer to use. There are several Ride Now's and Nash in the area.
Thanks Chris
From a dealer list been attempting :thumbup:RideNow in Chandler, AZ
Someone that had previous bad experience with sales dept had a great report for the service dept
:barf: We ride power spots ,Mesa AZ: after making customer wait,
Actually told customer they could save $$ & time by sucking the oil out of dipstick ¬ changing filter rather, than a proper oil change⚠️ & made it sound like a standard practice
I would not trust an MC shop to do an oil change as there are things to know that differ from changing oil on motorcycles. I'd go where they are familiar with the quirks of Spyders.
I do my own oil changes, it's not difficult. The manual and videos are helpful. If you are going to do it, check the rotation of the ratchet before attempting to remove the 2 drain plugs. Lefty loosey. Also, unseal the dipstick so air can flow in as the oil drains.
Just curious what is different on the Spyder when it comes to an oil change? It's basically an internal combustion engine, drop the drain plug/s,Quote:
Originally Posted by RICZ
change the filter/s, put the drain plug/s back in, add oil. That's why you can do it yourself. Shop techs aren't usually geniuses, but this ain't
rocket science. :)
Unless you're talking about doing a full service check.
You might want to look up a YouTube video on changing oil in an RT. In addition to removing Tupperware, it's good to know in advance how to do it and how to access and remove the oil filter. It also takes an odd aomunt of oil - 5.25 quarts, or so.
Did watch the videos. The RV park says not work allowed on vehicles. However I have been changing the oil in our RAM diesel truck all but one winter of 13 years here. I may just buy some ramps and have at it.
Most motorcycles require some removal of bodywork anymore. If you can find a video of how to do it, I'm sure a shop won't have an issueQuote:
Originally Posted by RICZ
figuring it out. As far as the odd amount of oil, that 5.25 quarts probably equates to 5 liters. Yep, 5 liters equals 5.283 quarts. And also,
that's why they have dipsticks, or sight glasses on the more modern motorcycles. :)
You are almost sure to do a better job changing the oil than a shop will do. If only because you can run the bike before the oil change and have the particles suspended when you pull the plugs. If the shop runs the bike at all before changing the oil, they will have some flunky ride it around the parking lot 2 times and then park it in the shop, where the mechanic will start on the oil change after he comes back from lunch. Just to take mine to a shop that will do it would take all day, and I can change it myself in an hour or two, including checking tire pressures, coolant, fastener tightness, belt, and other standard checks, which they may or may not do at a shop.
Watch the video at this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPeb...ature=youtu.be, and you can see it being done on the ground. Put the Tupperware you remove in your truck and no one will be the wiser. Ramps would make it easier on your bones.
I will not step foot in a Ride Now store, either sales or service. I can go on and on about their arrogant attitude and inept service. Nash is a bit better but like most, overcharges for just oil and filter change (2 hour labor charge). If you ride like most, your service only will need doing once a year. I would take the time, make an appointment, and enjoy a ride down to Sierra Vista and have Sierra Cycles do the service. They are probably the best and most knowledgeable dealer in Arizona.
It was Nash that did a suck job on my Spyder (just sucked the old oil out the dip stick tube). After I got home and started thinking about it, I went back and talked to the Service Manager. They did do a full oil/filter change on their dime and for some reason, the Service Writer who sold me the suck job was no longer there.
During my 3 year Spyder ownership I was unable to find any shop willing to look at a Spyder other than Spyder dealerships. And, trust me, after the horrible experiences with dealers in Mesa, I looked. Best advice......bottom line...... DIY or use Sierra Cycles..... Jim
The Ride Now shop in Concord, NC left me cold on two counts: wouldn't install a cage tire on my rear wheel and the parts department didn't have squat for very simple parts, like the O-rings and gaskets for a shop technician to do an oil change or antifreeze for a technician to do a coolant service.
Be sure to read in the manual, the procedure for checking oil level. It's unlike any bike I ever owned. If the procedure is not followed, you will get a low reading and add oil, as some here have. The results of that are not good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Possible
You can't beat Sierra Vista Cycles. Terrific operation to do business with.
I'll agree with that. It's definitely a bit of an oddball checking ritual. Seems overly complicated for a simple dry sump engine, it doesQuote:
Originally Posted by RICZ
make a person wonder why.
Congrats on the new Spyder RTL! Especially since it's a new to you ride, I would HIGHLY recommend bringing it in to your dealer of choice and let them do a full inspection, hook up to BUDS, etc.. just to make sure everything is ready for many years of trouble free riding. If we can help in any way, we'd love and be honored to be your dealer. We were just awarded BRP Spyder/Ryker dealer of the district and dealer of the region (one of the top 4 in the US). We have a Spyder Master Mechanic and are more than qualified to get you squared away.
Well with a 172 mile 3 hour ride the oil would be warmed up. We were down that way a couple years ago and thought Sierra Vista looked like a nice community. Had a guy tell me that Sierra Vista has the second highest per capita income in the state!Quote:
Originally Posted by SierraCycles
Our local Spyder dealer and service center has a shop that looks like a grenade exploded in it. I found a place not too far away it looks like they have a well run shop. My local Harley dealer has a shop that looks like an operating room and when the bike is done give it a full detail. Yep it’s expensive, but I can’t climb underneath them anymore.
To update this old thread, I have been doing my own oil changes, and will replace the brake pads on the Champagne one this week. Removing tupperware has become a way on life. I have installed 4 or 5 Bajaron sway bars now, wired GPS and USB outlets, remove the rear wheel for a tire upgrade and re-installed it, installed a belt roller, Bajaron front shock preload adjusters, LED lighting and top case and seat struts. On and on. I enjoy working on them about a much as riding them.
That's 100% correct. If you accept the Spyder design is what it needs to be rather than what you want it to be they are a well-engineered machine that might be a bit time-consuming to work on but for the most part are not difficult to work on. I too enjoy working on my Spyder. Granted I purchased and read and understood the Service Manual and purchased the appropriate Spyder-specific tools and parts from BajaRon (highly recommended) and other vendors but the machine is pleasant to work on (no greasy parts, no fragile electrical connections, etc).Quote:
I enjoy working on them about a much as riding them.
Although I must make a confession: I replaced all the Torx machine screws (and most pop rivets) with stainless steel flanged button-head machine screws. Easy to see in the dim lighting conditions and easy to torque off-axis with ball-end T-handle wrench. This ain't the first time I've done this...
Regarding dealer service, I had a Moto Guzzi V7 III. After the 600mi service, I asked the writer the cost for the next service (lubricants only) where I brought the lubricants and where no bodywork had to be removed: $300. The MG was gone the same month.
And I'm enjoying riding too.:D