My Spyder F3 broke down on the road today

[deer30084]

2015 Spyder F3 SE6 with 18,700 miles. Was doing 45-50 MPH in 6th gear. Seemed to slip out of gear, pulled over, tried reverse it tried to go, check engine light came on. Sounded like gears grinding. Engine starts. "E" on display. Won't shift gears. Had tow truck take it to dealer. Dealer "backed up" and won't get to it for about a week. Will keep you posted.

[AZCanAm]

Well that really sucks. Best of luck. Hopefully it does not set you back too much.

[RICZ]

If the front belt pulley has been ignored, you mileage is at that point where many have had the splines in the pulley fail. If I'm right, make certain a white pulley is installed. That's the newly revised one. Do not allow them to install one that is not white.
Changing the pulley is not brain surgery. If you know which end of the screwdriver is the handle, you can do it - or maybe a friend would do it for you? I know I'd do it.

[deer30084]

If the front belt pulley has been ignored, you mileage is at that point where many have had the splines in the pulley fail. If I'm right, make certain a white pulley is installed. That's the newly revised one. Do not allow them to install one that is not white.
Changing the pulley is not brain surgery. If you know which end of the screwdriver is the handle, you can do it - or maybe a friend would do it for you? I know I'd do it.

Well I kinda hope you are right. That doesn't sound too costly. Hopefully it's not the entire transmission. Thanks!

[Peter Aawen]

It's not likely to be 'the entire transmission' from what you describe - and given the problems others have had & reported here, I'd guess that it's more likely to be that front pulley RICZ mentioned; possibly a stripped/dislodged Selector Sector Arm; or maybe just a dodgy Gear Position Sensor.... all of which many with little 'motorcycle mechanical aptitude &/or experience' have been successfully able to 'repair' themselves once their particular problem was identified. Again as RICZ suggested, if you know which end of a screwdriver is the handle, if you're physically able to get close enough to do things, you should be able to sort any of those yourself fairly readily!

Have you checked it out from underneath or taken any of the tupperware off to have a look??


Ps: that 'Check Engine Light' might have a few important & specific reasons for coming on, but it doesn't sound like any of those, so it's probably on because of its 'other' function.... which is illuminating when/if the computers detect that the vehicle isn't working or moving as it should but there's no data from any of the sensors to tell them why!? In other words, if something feels wrong & the computers don't know WTF it might be, they'll turn on the 'Check Engine Light'!! Apart from it's specific functions, it's just a 'catch all fob off'....

[deer30084]

It's not likely to be 'the entire transmission' from what you describe - and given the problems others have had & reported here, I'd guess that it's more likely to be that front pulley RICZ mentioned; possibly a stripped/dislodged Selector Sector Arm; or maybe just a dodgy Gear Position Sensor.... all of which many with little 'motorcycle mechanical aptitude &/or experience' have been successfully able to 'repair' themselves once their particular problem was identified. Again as RICZ suggested, if you know which end of a screwdriver is the handle, if you're physically able to get close enough to do things, you should be able to sort any of those yourself fairly readily!

Have you checked it out from underneath or taken any of the tupperware off to have a look??


Ps: that 'Check Engine Light' might have a few important & specific reasons for coming on, but it doesn't sound like any of those, so it's probably on because of its 'other' function.... which is illuminating when/if the computers detect that the vehicle isn't working or moving as it should but there's no data from any of the sensors to tell them why!? In other words, if something feels wrong & the computers don't know WTF it might be, they'll turn on the 'Check Engine Light'!! Apart from it's specific functions, it's just a 'catch all fob off'....

Well, being the dummy that I am, I didn't even think of the front pulley or to take a look myself. I immediately thought "internal engine/transmission problem." I do my own oil changes, but didn't know to look at the pulley today. So off to the dealer it went. Thanks for responding though. It kinda eases my mind that this might not break the bank after all. I will post on here what the dealer did and how much it cost me. Thanks Peter!

[Dennis in Lodi]

Well, being the dummy that I am, I didn't even think of the front pulley or to take a look myself. I immediately thought "internal engine/transmission problem." I do my own oil changes, but didn't know to look at the pulley today. So off to the dealer it went. Thanks for responding though. It kinda eases my mind that this might not break the bank after all. I will post on here what the dealer did and how much it cost me. Thanks Peter!

BRP refused my pulley under warranty. Called it wear and tear item. I'd budget about $250.

[Freddy]

BRP refused my pulley under warranty. Called it wear and tear item. I'd budget about $250.

Another customer that didn't get what he paid for.

[RICZ]

BRP refused my pulley under warranty. Called it wear and tear item. I'd budget about $250.

$250?!? That must be if a shop does it. DIY might be about $115 for the pulley and bolt.

[Plarimer]

Rather interesting. My experience has always been that if you’re broken down on the road, i.e. vacation, you went to the front of the line. I always tell the dealer that if somebody comes in off the road to bump me and fix them. Times have changed.

[deer30084]

Rather interesting. My experience has always been that if you’re broken down on the road, i.e. vacation, you went to the front of the line. I always tell the dealer that if somebody comes in off the road to bump me and fix them. Times have changed.

Yeah. When I told the dealer, owner and service manager, I broke down on the road, that didn't seem to matter. I wasn't on vacation and I was only a few miles from home. Maybe if I was from out of town, they may have given me preference. Owner of dealership asked me if I had an extended warranty. I don't. And here's another thing. I didn't have roadside service with my Progressive Insurance or AAA. I do now. Roadside with Progressive was much cheaper than AAA. Only adds $20 to the policy. The tow cost me $150. I'm putting this out there for anyone else that doesn't think they need roadside service, get it!

[AZCanAm]

Yeah. When I told the dealer, owner and service manager, I broke down on the road, that didn't seem to matter. I wasn't on vacation and I was only a few miles from home. Maybe if I was from out of town, they may have given me preference. Owner asked me if I had an extended warranty. I don't. And here's another thing. I didn't have roadside service with my Progressive Insurance or AAA. I do now. Roadside with Progressive was much cheaper than AAA. Only adds $20 to the policy. The tow cost me $150. I'm putting this out there for anyone else that doesn't think they need roadside service, get it!

In my opinion, the towing added to your insurance is a must. Money well spent.

[blacklightning]

And here's another thing. I didn't have roadside service with my Progressive Insurance or AAA. I do now. Roadside with Progressive was much cheaper than AAA. Only adds $20 to the policy. The tow cost me $150. I'm putting this out there for anyone else that doesn't think they need roadside service, get it!

I do have AAA, but I have heard that it doesn't work with motorcycles (or trikes). That is something that I need to check into with my policy. Thanks for the reminder. Have anyone here, with AAA been denied compensation because you ride a bike or trike?

[acdcking12]

I do have AAA, but I have heard that it doesn't work with motorcycles (or trikes). That is something that I need to check into with my policy. Thanks for the reminder. Have anyone here, with AAA been denied compensation because you ride a bike or trike?

I have AAA and added motorcycle coverage.

[honsfun]

AAA works also AMA works also "Good Neighbor Sam" will tow to the nearest servicing dealer regardless of distance

[Rattlebars]

Good to have towing on your insurance. It will pay for itself for years even if you only use it once.

Another insurance hint told to me by my lawyer. Buy as much underinsured/uninsured coverage you can buy. It's only about $40 a year for $250K! I had to sue my own insurance company to get the payout of 27K on my head-on with my gold Wing. Lawyer says "They would have just written a check for you if you had better coverage on that part." The very next day I called them and added a quarter million. Depends on your state though.

2013-08-26_16-08-49_715.jpg

[CopperSpyder]

I do have AAA, but I have heard that it doesn't work with motorcycles (or trikes). That is something that I need to check into with my policy. Thanks for the reminder. Have anyone here, with AAA been denied compensation because you ride a bike or trike?

AAA works if you add it; it comes with the RV coverage.

[JKMSPYDER]

AAA does offer motorcycle towing but only if you have the Premier/RV coverage.

[dvmdf]

AAA Plus Rv

[Rednaxs60]

Roadside assistance from a Canadian perspective, it's a must have; however, BCAA standard coverage includes motorcycle towing in British Columbia. 2018, riding to Los Angeles on my '85 Honda Goldwing Limited Edition with an external alt mod. Redding California, alternator failed. Towed to local dealer but had to pay for towing. Contacted the US equivalent, my BCAA standard coverage did not include towing in CA. Called BCAA and upgraded to the Premium package. BCAA reimbursed me for the tow costs.

If you are travelling out of your usual riding area, or internationally, recommend contacting your roadside assistance provider for information on where you are going. Good to have contact phone numbers for where you are going, and knowing your roadside assistance package is valid.

[McRuss]

I get roadside for ALL my vehicles through AMA. And as Life Member with auto renew, it is free. Have used it a number of times, most recently when I locked myself out of my truck at a motel in Lubbock at 4:00 am! The only caveat is that you can only use it once in a 30 day period.

[HayRog]

Any updates deer30084 ?

[Plarimer]

I was towed 200 miles back to Memphis on my AAA membership and I didn’t have to pay a dime.

[gkamer]

And here's another thing. I didn't have roadside service with my Progressive Insurance or AAA. I do now. Roadside with Progressive was much cheaper than AAA. Only adds $20 to the policy. The tow cost me $150.

I've had AAA Premier since 1986 and thought I was covered. Imagine my surprise to learn it covered everything except RV's, motorcycles and the Space Shuttle. Among other things it provides me with a free 200 mile tow should I need it. Anything in excess of that is on my dime.

[deer30084]

56 days later (today, July 2, 2021) I got my F3 back from the dealer. I had called over the past several weeks and was told they were waiting for the part. I was told early on that they had to drain the oil and get into the transmission because the transmission filter was never changed. I told them not to do that because I found out FROM THIS FORUM that the front pulley was known to go bad. Dealer called me back a couple hours later and said I was right. Since the bike was in the shop, I asked the dealer to change the anti-refreeze too. So here's the dollar amount: $109.99 for the "POULIE 28 DENTS*SPROCKET 28TH," $9.99 x 3 for Coolant extended life premixed QT, 3 hours labor for all at $90.00/hr. Tax $24.00. Total: $343.96. Thank you to RICZ, others and this forum for making the front pulley information available!