Dealer Excellence defined.

[jaapkroes]

At the end of April my son, his wife and I made our nearly annual trip to Northwest Arkansas lodging in Eureka Springs. My son, Jason and his wife Angie ride a 2014 Harley Davidson Ultra Glide while I (Jacob) ride a 2010 CanAm Spyder RTS - SM5. I've been on my 2010 Spyder since June of 2017 coming off a 2009 HD Ultra Glide which I rode for a little less then a year. Previous to that I rode for many years on Honda Gold Wings. Last summer the Spyder started to throw a code causing the Check Engine Light to come on. But there was no effect on how the engine started, ran or the fuel mileage. It was nearly time to put the bike into hibernation for the winter so I put it away until this spring. The code was P0107 which is "Manifold Air Pressure sensor voltage too low." The bike wasn't out of storage too long before we were scheduled to go to Arkansas so I had the oil changed and I wasn't able to tend to the fault. The bike behaved well with no other symptoms other then the CE light during the 450 mile ride to Eureka Springs.

The following day we decided to go to Rogers, AR. via Highway 62 which is a very curvy road for about 10 to 15 miles west of Eureka Springs. As luck would have it a little way out of Eureka Springs the Spyder starting running like it was in Limp Mode. Not a good things in the Ozark hills and windy roads. Pulled off the road stopped the engine. And checked for additional codes. Got a P1614 which is "Throttle idle position failure on throttle release.". After a short time I restarted the engine and that code resolved itself and rode with no further symptoms other than the CE light. In Rogers we did a Google search for CanAm dealers and found Bradford Marine and ATV in Springdale, AR. Very close to Rogers. Rode the bike over and was told that the tech could look at the bike at 2:00 in the afternoon. Their customary charge is $65 for most diagnosis if it can be performed in about 1/2 hour. If the repair is made by Bradford Marine that $65 will be applied to the total repair bill.

The diagnosis showed that the sensor was indeed bad and needed replacing. Problem was that no sensor was in their parts inventory. The tech asked for a little more time to try to come up with a solution. Which of course, I okay'd. About and hour later he came out of the shop and said that it was fixed. He said that he found a used sensor which he installed and it works. He said the he couldn't guarantee his work because of the used sensor. Therefore he wasn't going to charge for the sensor and I only owed the $65 for the original diagnosis fee plus tax. I was elated. Not every dealer will make that big an effort and not charge much for a stranger from out of town.

A month later now and the Spyder has not thrown any codes so the fix is good. Thank you Bradford Marine and ATV for your excellent service and your above board honesty.

[robhowen]

Good for you and I love hearing about a dealer that "get's it"!
Rob

[Saluda]

Seemed to work out well.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Good for you and I love hearing about a dealer that "get's it"!
Rob

........... however I wish this was the NORM & not the exception ............ Mike

[Chupaca]

thanks for the review. Always nice to hear and know about good dealers as they are few and far between....

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that they gave you their very best efforts!

[Dmetcalf]

Great folks and I also had a very good experience with them when I purchased mine last year. Good to hear ..!
thanks.

[ARtraveler]

They will be very close to me. Worth checking on them when the time comes.

[GoldenSpyder]

Had new Continental tires put on the front of my Spyder to replace the worn out Kendas but wasn't satisfied with the balancing job that was done at the time. Took the wheels off ourselves and CALLED Twin County Motorsports & Marine in Rocky Mount, N.C. before going over there and asked if they could balance them for me. Was told "Sure, bring them on and we'll fix you right up!" So, took wheels to them and the service guy took one of them on back into the service area and came back out in a few minutes telling us they couldn't balance them! They didn't have the correct attachment for their balancing machine to fit the Spyder's front rims! Now...GET THIS...they ARE a Can Am dealer and sell Spyders at their dealership! Does this tell you anything???!!! I'll NEVER be taking my Spyder to them for ANYTHING! So, buyers/shoppers beware! Just wanted to let ya'll know about this! Be sure to check out the service dept. of your dealer BEFORE buying from them! (I had bought my Spyder used and not from this dealer.)