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  1. #1
    Active Member Buckeye Chuck 54's Avatar
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    Default 160,000 mile report

    Every 20,000 miles or so I write about servicing or any problems
    with my 2014 RT-S. This has been a very bad year for my ryding.
    I started out strong with 10,000 miles before May. But after an
    accident on May 30th, I have only 6,000 miles since.
    At first it was me. It took 43 days to get back on the seat. But when
    I did, it's been nothing but trouble since.
    Some of you may recall about my drive belt wandering all over. Now
    I'm not made of money so I had to save up for parts. I spent $309
    for a new belt. At the dealer they found the rear sprocket was also toast.
    Another $324. Plus $400 labor.
    So now I'm ready to get out, pile on more miles.

    Now it started cooling issues. All the miles so far, the temp gauge never
    moved, just below the half way mark. But now the gauge is all over the
    dial. Fans running constantly. I changed the oil last Friday. When done I
    started it and let it run for 15 minutes or so. Happy with that chore done
    I take it out for a short ryde. I get home and park it in the garage. Then I
    see a puddle of anti freeze under where I changed oil. Monday I have it
    towed to the dealer. I get a call later and was told I need 2 new radiators.
    $300.99 apiece. $400 labor.
    Is BRP antifreeze supposed to be brown? Maybe the radiators are toast too.
    I'm taking them with me when I get my reborn RT back. I'll have them tested at
    Don's radiator service here in town. There's been a lot of coolant cycled through
    the pair in 4 years.
    I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever reach my goal of 200,000 miles on this
    machine. What could be next?
    Very few of you will ever see 100,000 miles on your Spyders, but these are
    a few issues you may see if you do.
    I'll write again when I reach 175,000.

    Buckeye Chuck

  2. #2
    Very Active Member SNOOPY's Avatar
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    Default

    Dang, I have a 2013 ST with under 14,000. Ride it almost every weekend too.

    .

  3. #3
    Very Active Member pegasus1300's Avatar
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    Default

    I'm trying to make that magic mark. I have managed to put 43000+ on mine since June 2015. I did start with 8500 miles on it when I got it. Thank you for the report.It is good to know that these machines can make it mechanically that far. But I have never worried about the mechanics,it is the electronics that worry me.

    Happy TRAils/NSD
    Paul

    2012 RT L
    AMA 25 years Life Member
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  4. #4
    Active Member ARNIE R's Avatar
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    Default

    My 2014 STS has orange coolant, but by the time it runs down the side of the engine and picks up dirt and grime, it might appear on the brownish side......
    2014 ST-S Cognac
    2014 ST-S , OEM Yes Cognac

  5. #5
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    Default

    Thank you for the update.


    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  6. #6
    Very Active Member
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    Default Get well, stay well

    You and your machine.

  7. #7
    SpyderLovers Sponsor
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    Default

    I had to have the radiators replaced at 110,000 miles. Only cost me $50 as it was (and still is) under extended warranty.

    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

  8. #8
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Wow...!!

    looking forward to the next report....Will that be next week...
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

    ​2012 RS sm5
    2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black

  9. #9
    SpyderLovers Ambassador Little Blue's Avatar
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    Default Miles

    Good Luck with your Adventures on your Spyder.
    ENJOY YOUR LIFE WITH A SPYDER
    Ryde with a Friend and be Safe

    My Spyder .....'Little Blue-Boy'
    2016 RT Limited , Orbital Blue

  10. #10
    Active Member Buckeye Chuck 54's Avatar
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    Default Under warranty??

    Thank you Ann!! I did buy the extended warranty through BRP. Good through 10-19-2019
    In the morning I'm calling the dealer and have a talk.
    You may have saved me a Benjaman!
    I love those Benjamins, but as soon as I see one, they're gone.
    Chuck


    Quote Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01 View Post
    I had to have the radiators replaced at 110,000 miles. Only cost me $50 as it was (and still is) under extended warranty.

  11. #11
    Very Active Member JerryB's Avatar
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    Hi pegasus1300,

    Re: But I have never worried about the mechanics,it is the electronics that worry me.

    ^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    IMO my 998 engine, with minimum maintenance, is virtually bullet-proof. However, in four yrs of ownership, it is the electronics that have cost me the most money.



    Jerry Baumchen
    'I'll never forget what's her name.'

    'Things are more like they are now than they ever have been before.' Dwight Eisenhower

    2008 GS SE-5

  12. #12
    Very Active Member IGETAROUND's Avatar
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    Default 160,000 mile report

    Quote Originally Posted by Buckeye Chuck 54 View Post
    Thank you Ann!! I did buy the extended warranty through BRP. Good through 10-19-2019
    In the morning I'm calling the dealer and have a talk.
    You may have saved me a Benjaman!
    I love those Benjamins, but as soon as I see one, they're gone.
    Chuck
    Yeh what the hell is with the dealers for these bikes. Had the sprague clutch replaced on my 2014, they had it for ~ 4 weeks and if I hadn't called and asked if this wasn't covered under warrenty they would have gladly charged me $1500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTH

    You don't have to ask when you have something done on your car if it's covered by warrenty, they automatically look it up.

    Al in Kazoo
    Now on a 2000 Gold Wing
    All the great movements in the world began with a cup of coffee!

    2018 F3-T


    My mods: Can am Trailer hitch, USB and 12 volt power outlets, Gustason windshield, Bead rider seat cushion, battery harness for electric gear and battery tender, Time out trailer.
    2018 F3-T , Pearl White

  13. #13
    Active Member Buckeye Chuck 54's Avatar
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    Default Not so!

    My service manager opened a case with BRP asking if my BEST warranty
    would cover the radiator swap. NO was the answer. So I opened a case with BRP.
    We'll see how that turns out. I get a call today, (Tuesday) from the dealer. The
    new parts came in and were installed on my '14 RTS. It still overheated.
    Doesn't seem it was a radiator issue after all. Now they think it's the water pump and
    thermostat. Now I get to wait another week for yet more parts to come. At least
    this time my warranty will cover. Go figure.
    Chuck



    Quote Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01 View Post
    I had to have the radiators replaced at 110,000 miles. Only cost me $50 as it was (and still is) under extended warranty.

  14. #14
    Very Active Member canamjhb's Avatar
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    Too many instances of dealers and their mechanics throwing parts (at our expense) at problems they know nothing about to try to solve what they don't know.....
    2005 Windveil Blue Premium Mustang Convertible
    2008 Honda GL1800/California Sidecar Trike, SOLD
    2014 Platinum Silver Satin Spyder RTL, SOLD
    Semper Fi


  15. #15
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    Default

    I bought my F3s new last year and just went over 31,000 miles but NOT trouble free.
    Two front sprockets and one tow later my F3s still sits in the shop.
    I just spoke to my mechanic and it looks like another week till its back in my garage.
    Other then the two front sprocket failures my F3s is flawless.
    Unfortunately, I have a strict three strikes and your out policy so with one more problem its going to be sold.

  16. #16
    Very Active Member KX5062's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by canamjhb View Post
    Too many instances of dealers and their mechanics throwing parts (at our expense) at problems they know nothing about to try to solve what they don't know.....
    That's what it sounds like to me also. Unless the radiator is compromised, they just shouldn't fail. I know they do sometimes, but it should be a very rare occurrence. If your antifreeze really was brown, that's normally an indication of rust, and these engines as far as I know are aluminum blocks, so there shouldn't be rust. It should be pink, so it sounds like something else could be going on. I'd be curious to see what the inside passages look like inside the radiator.
    2020 RTL SE6

    Previously 2008 GS SM5 and 2014 RT SE6






  17. #17
    Very Active Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buckeye Chuck 54 View Post
    The new parts came in and were installed on my '14 RTS. It still overheated.
    Doesn't seem it was a radiator issue after all. Now they think it's the water pump and
    thermostat. Now I get to wait another week for yet more parts to come. At least
    this time my warranty will cover. Go figure.
    Chuck
    Since their initial(easy/quick) diagnosis of an issue with your radiators was WRONG, you should not have to pay for their mistake. I'd be calling BRP about that issue. You should not have to pay for the service department's education.
    Mike
    2021 Marsala Red Metallic RT Limited

  18. #18
    Very Active Member pegasus1300's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JerryB View Post
    Hi pegasus1300,

    Re: But I have never worried about the mechanics,it is the electronics that worry me.

    ^^^^^^ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    IMO my 998 engine, with minimum maintenance, is virtually bullet-proof. However, in four yrs of ownership, it is the electronics that have cost me the most money.



    Jerry Baumchen
    And that is my greatest fear Jerry.I have not had anything electronic go wrong so far and I hope it continues that way.

    Happy TRAils/NSD
    Paul

    2012 RT L
    AMA 25 years Life Member
    TRA
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    Rhino Riders Plate #83
    Venturers #78
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    2012 Spyder RT L , Baja Ron Plugs and wires Lava Bronze

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