What is a reasonable time to wait for a dealer to service your Spyder?

[Captain Kidd]

My Spyder threw an error code and went to limp mode last week, so I got it to my local CanAm dealer last Saturday. When I called today, I was told they would not get to looking at the bike for at least two weeks. I do understand that it is summer and the wait for repairs is much longer than mid-winter, but is 2-3 weeks normal to wait just for a place to pull the code? Not to mention that if it needs parts, they need to be ordered, and the last time it needed parts it was another week waiting on those to come in. If it's three weeks to look at it, one week to order parts and another week to install them, I won't be riding until the end of July.

Is this normal at this time of year?

[SpyderAnn01]

Can you beg them to at least hook it up to BUDS now? Did you happen to pull the code when it went into limp mode?

I know it must be frustrating to wait but when its boating season and off road season the wait can be long.

[canamjhb]

Lack of good dealer service seems to be the Achilles Heal of Spyder ownership. BRP has created a system whereby nobody but their dealers are willing or capable of working on the machines. Contrast that to my Gold Wing. Yesterday I took it to my independent shop for service and had oil, filter, and full inspection done as a walk-in customer. Total time in the shop was a little less than an hour and cost was $82 bucks. A lot of owners are doing and/or learning to do a lot of our own servicing because of problems just like you describe. It's the price we pay for owning a machine that is not common enough to have a competitive independent marketplace.

[JayBros]

...It's the price we pay for owning a machine that is not common enough to have a competitive independent marketplace.

You bulls-eyed the situation. Spyders are a very small niche in the motorcycle injury. The next time you visit your independent GW servicing shop ask them how much they'd be willing to shell out not only once for specialized tools but annually for a B.U.D.S. software license renewal, not to mention getting on tech notice distribution lists, etc., to service ? how many Spyders, probably at max single digit numbers per month, if that many.

[Saluda]

Is that the dealer you purchased from ?

[gerald37]

This has got to hurt Spyder sales. I purchased mind without checking anything about their problems and dealer service. I am sure glad I did not check because I feel fortune that the 2015 I purchased has had some problems but none that I could not take care of. I really love the machine and really enjoy riding it. If I had been on this website before I purchased it and read articles like this thread I know I would have never purchased one. I am going to continue keeping it and riding my 2015 RT. I have a little over 21,000 miles on it and I have put over 11,000 miles on it myself without any major problems. Only problems I have had is handling which car tires, tire balancing, laser alignment, sway bar and belt tension er took care of that. Then I did keep getting DESS Key and I replaced the DESS modular and that took care of it. I will ride it this year up to around 50,000 miles and have no serious problems I will consider trading for a new one. I do realize that there a lot of people on this website that has put a lot trouble free miles on their Spyders. If I don't have to go to any dealers and can do all my own work I have no problem. I just wish their dealer's would be more like other motorcycle dealers. I wish they would let other motorcycle dealers take on Spyders and not have to carry their full line. I know one dealer that would like to have Spyder but would not give up their off road vehicles, water crafts or snow mobiles.

[Highwayman2013]

My Spyder threw an error code and went to limp mode last week, so I got it to my local CanAm dealer last Saturday. When I called today, I was told they would not get to looking at the bike for at least two weeks. I do understand that it is summer and the wait for repairs is much longer than mid-winter, but is 2-3 weeks normal to wait just for a place to pull the code? Not to mention that if it needs parts, they need to be ordered, and the last time it needed parts it was another week waiting on those to come in. If it's three weeks to look at it, one week to order parts and another week to install them, I won't be riding until the end of July.

Is this normal at this time of year?

You might want to learn how to pull the codes on your own.

[ARtraveler]

Consumer Advocate here: Not right--actually wrong, wrong, wrong.

Unfortunately we some times have to kiss their rears to get our Spyders serviced. There is no competition out there.

One possibility, if there is more than one dealer in your area--give them a call.

This bring it in, wait for parts for at least a week or two, take another week to get to it, and then usually screw something up is really not right.

I have been waiting two months for my dealer to get brake pads for my 2011. They also were supposed to order the transmission oil filter for my 2014--guess what--it was not part of the oil change kit. I told them that before I brought it in for service and they blew me off. I know they forgot to order the brake pads for the 2011. I am getting ready to go in and have a sit down with the boss. He has sold me all five spyders. I am giving the new service manager plenty of rope.

At least I will have five choices for service in about a year.

Rant over.

[fatenhappy]

My Spyder threw an error code and went to limp mode last week, so I got it to my local CanAm dealer last Saturday. When I called today, I was told they would not get to looking at the bike for at least two weeks. I do understand that it is summer and the wait for repairs is much longer than mid-winter, but is 2-3 weeks normal to wait just for a place to pull the code? Not to mention that if it needs parts, they need to be ordered, and the last time it needed parts it was another week waiting on those to come in. If it's three weeks to look at it, one week to order parts and another week to install them, I won't be riding until the end of July.

Is this normal at this time of year?

When I first read the header I was thinking you were implying a 'normal' service situation on a Spyder not a break down situation …

I do now get what you are querying and your frustration …. Are there no other dealers within reasonable distance you can use as an alternate ? Even to pull down the codes … speaking of which, I am gathering you didn't note them either? Just trying to think 'outside the box' here for you …. Why don't you ask to go along and note down the codes yourself and do some research ...Or (with due respect) are you not mechanically inclined at all?

[Captain Kidd]

Thanks for all of your responses! I guess I need to clarify some things, I didn't want to make my post too long.

• I do have the codes and I did my due diligence to look them up (many thanks to this forum!) and the code indicates a sensor needs to be replaced, which is above my pay grade. However, the service department doesn't seem to care about what code or what I found and says they have to start by pulling the code themselves. In fact, when I called them on Wednesday they had zero notes on file on even what the problem was but it doesn't matter - the dealer said that they won't diagnose until they put it on the reader and putting the bike on the reader alone just to verify the code will take at least two weeks.
• I can't drive it because it keeps throwing the code and going into limp mode. The other closest dealer is ~50 miles away so I would have to trailer it there. However, my local dealership has an excellent Spyder mechanic (he's done work on it before) and I know he will do a great job once he gets to it. It's just giving up on prime riding season.
• And as far as me being mechanically inclined (fair question...but ouch!), I'm sure the jury is out on that and while I can throw a wrench a little, this bike is so computerized that I don't want to tinker with sensors. I did lots of work on my old Suzuki motorcycle but it was much simpler. I don't feel confident that I have the skills and experience to work on the Spyder myself for most issues because so many things can go wrong that I don't have tools (or brains or money) to fix.
• I initially went to this dealership to buy a Spyder but I had such a negative experience with their sales department that I bought from a dealership out of state that gave me great service. To sum it up - Maybe I'm old school but if I am wandering around your department looking at bikes, I don't think I need to go find you and ask for help. And when I do, you're texting on your phone, you act annoyed I bothered you and you don't even look up at me to answer my question... and keep on texting, I'm done. This dealership has many 5-star reviews, and I was in there more than once to try and work with them on slow business days and still bad or no service from sales, so I am going to go with there's something wrong with my face that makes them not want to work with me. The service department is another story - very good mechanics, hard working, honest, fair priced. Just horribly far behind. Obviously two different management styles in those two areas.
• gerald37, I also did not see this forum or read about this issue prior to buying it or I never would have bought it in the first place. Lots of great, honest info out there but it would have deterred me. I'm glad I got it, it's a great experience and so much fun to drive but like canamjhb said (and is spot on), service is the Achilles for this brand.

Thanks again for your input, I now know this is a common situation and if BRP wants to stay in business, they need to get more trained mechanics out in the industry to service their customers after the sale. Happy customers are repeat customers.

[Denno]

.... I also did not see this forum or read about this issue prior to buying it or I never would have bought it in the first place. Lots of great, honest info out there but it would have deterred me. I'm glad I got it, it's a great experience and so much fun to drive but like canamjhb said (and is spot on), service is the Achilles for this brand...

In the past I have belonged to various motorcycle forums pertaining to the bike I was riding at the time. My forum online activity started with the Valkyrie, then Goldwing 1800, then Harleys, then K1600 BMW, and now the Spyder. If I let the conversations on the specific forum influence me too much, I would not have bought any of those bikes. And then, once I had the bike, I was worried I would need to carry a set of spare parts based on all the breakdown comments.
Maybe I was extremely fortunate, but it turned out for me, all of those bikes were basically problem free and many had over 60K miles before I went to another. I remember when on trips with the Harley I talked to several folks and when I brought up a discussion mentioning something about the forum, they looked at me like I had 2 heads. I soon realized there are a huge multitude of folks out there that just ride and they skip the whole forum experience all together. They don't even think about potential issues with their bike, they just ride it.
I like this forum for all the great information and great folks on it, but just because you see some issues here that are discussed, don't let it get you down and don't assume these issues effect a huge percentage of the Spyders out there. Yes, I think the dealer situation sucks, both the few choices and the service from some of them, but so far my opinion of the Spyder is pretty high and I think its the only nice trike option out there. Just my opinion....

[gerald37]

In the past I have belonged to various motorcycle forums pertaining to the bike I was riding at the time. My forum online activity started with the Valkyrie, then Goldwing 1800, then Harleys, then K1600 BMW, and now the Spyder. If I let the conversations on the specific forum influence me too much, I would not have bought any of those bikes. And then, once I had the bike, I was worried I would need to carry a set of spare parts based on all the breakdown comments.
Maybe I was extremely fortunate, but it turned out for me, all of those bikes were basically problem free and many had over 60K miles before I went to another. I remember when on trips with the Harley I talked to several folks and when I brought up a discussion mentioning something about the forum, they looked at me like I had 2 heads. I soon realized there are a huge multitude of folks out there that just ride and they skip the whole forum experience all together. They don't even think about potential issues with their bike, they just ride it.
I like this forum for all the great information and great folks on it, but just because you see some issues here that are discussed, don't let it get you down and don't assume these issues effect a huge percentage of the Spyders out there. Yes, I think the dealer situation sucks, both the few choices and the service from some of them, but so far my opinion of the Spyder is pretty high and I think its the only nice trike option out there. Just my opinion....

This is a very good summary of the situation. I have owned many different bikes and also joined the forums of the bike I was riding. I had 2 BMW K1200LT's and the website on them had all kinds of problems listed. They had a lot of rear end drives go out and I did have one under warranty. The thing with them it was in the shop 3 days and back on the road. On every motorcycle forum when ever anyone has a problem they will report it. You never get all the trouble free mentioned. I am really beginning to feel that the Spyder does not have anymore or even less problems than some of the other bikes. I do agree the dealer situation sucks. This forum has really helped me to maintain and make changes on my Spyder.

[Captain Kidd]

This is a very good summary of the situation. I have owned many different bikes and also joined the forums of the bike I was riding. I had 2 BMW K1200LT's and the website on them had all kinds of problems listed. They had a lot of rear end drives go out and I did have one under warranty. The thing with them it was in the shop 3 days and back on the road. On every motorcycle forum when ever anyone has a problem they will report it. You never get all the trouble free mentioned. I am really beginning to feel that the Spyder does not have anymore or even less problems than some of the other bikes. I do agree the dealer situation sucks. This forum has really helped me to maintain and make changes on my Spyder.

The Spyder isn't my first bike, so I guess I got used to things being a certain way from other shops. That said, the Spyder is great and I'm happy I got it... and happy I didn't listen to the forums before I bought it! Can't beat this forum for information on everything about the Spyder. I just need to get more time in the shop to not be intimidated by it.

[fatenhappy]

Thanks for all of your responses! I guess I need to clarify some things, I didn't want to make my post too long.

• I do have the codes and I did my due diligence to look them up (many thanks to this forum!) and the code indicates a sensor needs to be replaced, which is above my pay grade. However, the service department doesn't seem to care about what code or what I found and says they have to start by pulling the code themselves. In fact, when I called them on Wednesday they had zero notes on file on even what the problem was but it doesn't matter - the dealer said that they won't diagnose until they put it on the reader and putting the bike on the reader alone just to verify the code will take at least two weeks.
• I can't drive it because it keeps throwing the code and going into limp mode. The other closest dealer is ~50 miles away so I would have to trailer it there. However, my local dealership has an excellent Spyder mechanic (he's done work on it before) and I know he will do a great job once he gets to it. It's just giving up on prime riding season.
• And as far as me being mechanically inclined (fair question...but ouch!), I'm sure the jury is out on that and while I can throw a wrench a little, this bike is so computerized that I don't want to tinker with sensors. I did lots of work on my old Suzuki motorcycle but it was much simpler. I don't feel confident that I have the skills and experience to work on the Spyder myself for most issues because so many things can go wrong that I don't have tools (or brains or money) to fix.
• I initially went to this dealership to buy a Spyder but I had such a negative experience with their sales department that I bought from a dealership out of state that gave me great service. To sum it up - Maybe I'm old school but if I am wandering around your department looking at bikes, I don't think I need to go find you and ask for help. And when I do, you're texting on your phone, you act annoyed I bothered you and you don't even look up at me to answer my question... and keep on texting, I'm done. This dealership has many 5-star reviews, and I was in there more than once to try and work with them on slow business days and still bad or no service from sales, so I am going to go with there's something wrong with my face that makes them not want to work with me. The service department is another story - very good mechanics, hard working, honest, fair priced. Just horribly far behind. Obviously two different management styles in those two areas.
• gerald37, I also did not see this forum or read about this issue prior to buying it or I never would have bought it in the first place. Lots of great, honest info out there but it would have deterred me. I'm glad I got it, it's a great experience and so much fun to drive but like canamjhb said (and is spot on), service is the Achilles for this brand.

Thanks again for your input, I now know this is a common situation and if BRP wants to stay in business, they need to get more trained mechanics out in the industry to service their customers after the sale. Happy customers are repeat customers.

Captain K … I have briefly been flicking through your history to find out without bothering you … Just how old is the bike? … It sounds fairly new so if so or at least purchased within recent times, isn't there a warranty period?

[Captain Kidd]

Captain K … I have briefly been flicking through your history to find out without bothering you … Just how old is the bike? … It sounds fairly new so if so or at least purchased within recent times, isn't there a warranty period?

It's a 2012 RT SE5 with 11,000 miles on it, so it's out of manufacturer warranty but when I bought it used it included an aftermarket warranty for 2 years. I don't know if the sensor is included (the warranty is very specific, I'll have to look) but they have paid on some parts I needed when I first got it. Unfortunately getting the warranty blessing added another week to it being in the shop. I'd pay to have it fixed with or without warranty at this point, I would just like to be able to ride it and have confidence it won't break down.

I am amazed at some of these stories about dealerships. I do understand the seasonal need and I'm willing to be patient but I also don't want to have my bike sitting there for an entire month during prime riding season either. I have had to miss rides I have been planning for because the bike is in the shop. However, a forum member recommended another place to me privately and I am going to call around to the big shop that's less than 100 miles from here and see about getting a trailer.

I appreciate everyone's input, it's good to hear experiences from all sides. (Although spydercamp13, your situation takes the cake on bad service. That's terrible.)

[SteveP]

Thanks for all of your responses! I guess I need to clarify some things, I didn't want to make my post too long.

• I do have the codes and I did my due diligence to look them up (many thanks to this forum!) and the code indicates a sensor needs to be replaced, which is above my pay grade. However, the service department doesn't seem to care about what code or what I found and says they have to start by pulling the code themselves. In fact, when I called them on Wednesday they had zero notes on file on even what the problem was but it doesn't matter - the dealer said that they won't diagnose until they put it on the reader and putting the bike on the reader alone just to verify the code will take at least two weeks.
• I can't drive it because it keeps throwing the code and going into limp mode. The other closest dealer is ~50 miles away so I would have to trailer it there. However, my local dealership has an excellent Spyder mechanic (he's done work on it before) and I know he will do a great job once he gets to it. It's just giving up on prime riding season.
• And as far as me being mechanically inclined (fair question...but ouch!), I'm sure the jury is out on that and while I can throw a wrench a little, this bike is so computerized that I don't want to tinker with sensors. I did lots of work on my old Suzuki motorcycle but it was much simpler. I don't feel confident that I have the skills and experience to work on the Spyder myself for most issues because so many things can go wrong that I don't have tools (or brains or money) to fix.
• I initially went to this dealership to buy a Spyder but I had such a negative experience with their sales department that I bought from a dealership out of state that gave me great service. To sum it up - Maybe I'm old school but if I am wandering around your department looking at bikes, I don't think I need to go find you and ask for help. And when I do, you're texting on your phone, you act annoyed I bothered you and you don't even look up at me to answer my question... and keep on texting, I'm done. This dealership has many 5-star reviews, and I was in there more than once to try and work with them on slow business days and still bad or no service from sales, so I am going to go with there's something wrong with my face that makes them not want to work with me. The service department is another story - very good mechanics, hard working, honest, fair priced. Just horribly far behind. Obviously two different management styles in those two areas.
• gerald37, I also did not see this forum or read about this issue prior to buying it or I never would have bought it in the first place. Lots of great, honest info out there but it would have deterred me. I'm glad I got it, it's a great experience and so much fun to drive but like canamjhb said (and is spot on), service is the Achilles for this brand.

Thanks again for your input, I now know this is a common situation and if BRP wants to stay in business, they need to get more trained mechanics out in the industry to service their customers after the sale. Happy customers are repeat customers.

I went to the closest dealership to me initially to check out Spyders ( 99% sure to buy one ) I stopped in on my way home from work after doing some carpentry and had dust on my clothes etc ... I walked around for 20 minutes while salespeople ignored me until I finally approached one guy and mentioned I was interested in a Spyder , he just pointed to the showroom and looked back down to his phone and walked away . I approach another salesman and ask if they had any preowned units ... he just said a quick “ nope “ and walked away , so I looked for another 10 minutes at a new RSS and finally walked out and went to a different dealer who were very accommodating... and sold me my Spyder that day . Sometimes my dealership is a couple weeks backlogged as well but I like the idea that they have a good business who do a lot of sales and service a lot of clients ... and try to make everyone somewhat happy

[Carold571]

Big #1 in Birmingham, Alabama
said the same thing to me. They said 2 weeks before that could get to it. Would not put in on buds and order parts while waiting to fix my bike. I waited the 2 weeks for them to look at it and that didn't happen, an finally after 7 WEEKS, it was ready for pick up. It probably would have been even longer had I not called the General Manager complained, and got him involved . He make sure my bike was done on their next work day.
My bike went into limp mode and check engine. All they did was recall on the throttle and disconnect my third brake light from Custom Dynamics, said third brake light caused the problem. I will never go back to that dealer.

[Bob Denman]

z9c83.jpg

[Devious56]

I would find another dealer, there is no reason you should have to wait that long for service. I now ride 160 miles to use a dealer that puts my needs first, and appreciated my business They are out there, you just have to find them. There is a group on Facebook that now has a service listing of many dealers and their customers opinions, put together by Doc Humphries and Spyder owners. You might look for it.

[fatboy]

do u think its just can am service thats backed up get agrip they are all about two weeks out do care what you ride we have four shops for can am in our area they are all two weeks out im tired of you people thinkin you should be able to ride or trailer in and get right out

[fatenhappy]

I would find another dealer, there is no reason you should have to wait that long for service. I now ride 160 miles to use a dealer that puts my needs first, and appreciated my business They are out there, you just have to find them. There is a group on Facebook that now has a service listing of many dealers and their customers opinions, put together by Doc Humphries and Spyder owners. You might look for it.

Got to agree whole heartedly … If I was continually being given the middle finger like it would appear Captain Kidd is I'd be doing his alternate plane of the hours drive with the trailer to his preferred people … (… might well pay to ring them up first to see if they were willing to help the situation before organising all that though ...)

[viperryder]

I have a friend that just bought a 2017 RTS and was ryding and had a code thrown. Went back to the purchased dealer and asked to put it on B.U.D.S. and they stated it would be at least two weeks to do this. He looked around and there were no customers in sight and there were no mechanics that he could see working. He asked again and got the same reply. This is the dealer he bought it from and has many dealerships in northeast Ohio. This has happened to three other members of our ryding group. Same sort of comments. Not to name him, but you can probably guess who.

[Captain Kidd]

after 7 WEEKS, it was ready for pick up. .

Oh my - 7 weeks! Egads

[UtahPete]

My Spyder threw an error code and went to limp mode last week, so I got it to my local CanAm dealer last Saturday. When I called today, I was told they would not get to looking at the bike for at least two weeks. I do understand that it is summer and the wait for repairs is much longer than mid-winter, but is 2-3 weeks normal to wait just for a place to pull the code? Not to mention that if it needs parts, they need to be ordered, and the last time it needed parts it was another week waiting on those to come in. If it's three weeks to look at it, one week to order parts and another week to install them, I won't be riding until the end of July. Is this normal at this time of year?

Depending on the dealer, there can be a 2-3 week wait for Spyder service at any time of year. Yes, this is normal.

In the future, you might want to hang onto your bike while waiting for your appointment to come up. There's always a chance you can clear the codes yourself with help from this community. And, as long as it's not a safety issue, keep riding while waiting.

You could also ask them to hook up their computer and do a diagnostic much sooner than 2 - 3 weeks. Most likely, they have you booked that far out only because they are expecting a 3-4 hour service. But, the computer diagnostic only takes a few minutes.

[Captain Kidd]

Depending on the dealer, there can be a 2-3 week wait for Spyder service at any time of year. Yes, this is normal.

In the future, you might want to hang onto your bike while waiting for your appointment to come up. There's always a chance you can clear the codes yourself with help from this community. And, as long as it's not a safety issue, keep riding while waiting.

You could also ask them to hook up their computer and do a diagnostic much sooner than 2 - 3 weeks. Most likely, they have you booked that far out only because they are expecting a 3-4 hour service. But, the computer diagnostic only takes a few minutes.

Thank you, I will give them a call and see what they say.