#ding # 100k miles

[nickcaro]

Well, maybe someone out there will come across this post and get some good info out of it.
If you are shopping for a Spyder and are wondering about long term abuse, I'm here to tell you that this thing is a tank.

If you don't know; the odometer on the 2008 Spyder flips at 62,137 miles (100k kilometers)

So I did not get the joy of watching the odo flip as I hit 100k…. but, whatever. I know where I'm at and its been a long strange trip.

I have never owned a vehicle longer than 20k miles and I thought that was a lot. I get bored or lust for something new and shiny. My Spyder looks like its been through a war and shows no signs of slowing down and things are going so well that I'm just not in a rush to replace it. My warranty lapsed two months ago, so we'll see how true this is as soon as something horrible happens.

I'll do my best here to answer some of the common questions. All failures were covered under warranty.

When I hit 100k today, my odometer actually hit 25k and this is how we got there.

- Odometer flipped at 62,137
- Odometer hit 3,xxx miles and dealer flashed my ECU bringing me back to 60k*** (65+k
- 2,137 miles later I flipped again. (67.1+)
- 8,4xx miles dash was replaced to address the dead trip clock and again brought me back to zero
- At this time we could only estimate that I had at least 75,000 so thats what the dealer stamped on the back of my dash.
So, long story short, I hit 100k at some point earlier this week, but according to official records at the dealer, it actually happened today when I hit 25k.

***I was the first person on record to experience this so everyone was a bit taken back and did not understand what was going on.

Engine:
The current engine is not the original. I was replaced at about 49k. My clutch blew and there was some concern about chunks flying around the rest of the engine.

Oil:
first 20k I used the Shell Rotella and the BRP oil. When the Rotella formula was modified I went to Amsoil and have been on it ever since.
I change the oil myself at about 5-6k miles.

Maintenance:
(1) valve check done on first engine at 20k, (1) valve check on second engine after 10k both times no need for adjustment.

Other Failures:
Final Drive popped at about 60k miles
front fender brackets both snapped from fatigue
rear fender bracket snapped
(3) DPS units
(1) stock muffler
(1) handle pipe that just fell apart like a piece of bread in water
(2) radiator coolant bottles
Clock in dash stopped and replacing the console did not fix it.

Year round riding?
Yes, I ride year round and get tons of exposure to salt on the roads. The unit is stored outside and exposed to all extremeness. To this day I still have not experienced any issues with my electrical system and there is no clear sign of rust on the frame.
I once pushed myself in to a flooded road, the water was so high that my muffler was gurgling. At one point a large pick up truck passed me on the left and the wake was enough to actually float my spyder of the ground. When it was over water came up above my fog lights and to this day one of them still has moisture in the lens... Hottest temps about 100-103 in NYC traffic
Coldest temps -17F with sustained windchill of over 70MPH

Accidents:
- I got hit from behind at a red light. Rode home with a sore back and my rear tire left a massive dent in the other car's front fender.
- I slammed in to the back of taxi in traffic because I was not paying attention. Only about 10mph but almost enough to send me flying. Cracked some plastic and rode away.
- during random episodes of road rage I have purposely pushed my front wheels in to the bumpers of other cars in traffic. It really freaks people out and they cant seem to understand what just happened.
- I once flew over a curb that was too high,hit the frame and had to get off to drag it back cause I could not move.

Why some many miles?
I'm not an exotic tourer. I've met folks that have crossed the country… not me. I'm just a commuter. I work in NYC and live 71 miles north of it. Just going to work gives me 142+ miles a day. Add in a few detours to see friends, a few weekend trips and here we are.

I used to think I was nuts for having so many miles, but I'm not the only one… we have may folks on here with very high mileage.

I used to think I was nuts for riding in the snow.. then I saw the video of a guy riding in the snow–with his wheelchair strapped on the back.

After 100k miles I still get a giggle from roasting the rear tire and people still want to stop me and talk about it. To all you owners out there, happy trails to you!


this was an exciting milestone for me, so I stopped to take some pics.

[hevnbound]

One of the best posts I've read - ever. THANKS !!

[Firefly]

Way to go Nick !!!!!

[Some Guy]

[babyanlee]

Congrats What a great milestone and what a nice report about your 100K miles

[Big Arm]

Thanks for posting Nick !!!!!!! and
(Don't stay away so long)

[pierrelogic]

Been waiting on a post just like this for months. Now I have less stress about my Spyder being my primary vehicle and the miles just piling on day after day. Especially after doing some quick calculations from the maintenance schedule...BRP thinks people are going to average 6,000 a year?!? That's a joke.

Great post and Ryde on until the next odometer flip! Nice to see someone else has some real world experiences stretching the oil changes when using Amsoil.

[YPILOT]

Way to go! First class report on your Spyder saga. Congratulations.

[SpyderGirl]

WOW!!

[New Sharon Spyder]

It is great to see these things do more than just sit in dealer service departments. You do use it and I think it still looks fine. Thanks for the details.

[Rando]

WOW! Great post Nick. Mine is over 2 years old and still under 12,000 miles! Of course my commute to work is only 4.5 miles each way. Congrats!

[CyncySpyder]

While I was reading this, I was screaming inside, YEALLING ..... NO NO NO, you don't do that!!! The rage, the water, abuse ......... my my my.

But I actually had goose bumps when i finished reading your post. Your raw honesty will in fact benefit many of us out here. Your not alone brother & thank you for sharing

[wyliec]

Congrats on the saga to 100k miles and don't be MIA for so long.

[Lamonster]

And this is not the end of the story, just a milestone.

[LDFIREWORKS]

DARN COOOOOOOL [ BUT THAT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE A COOL DUDE FROM N.Y.

[WaltH]

Excellent report! Thanks Nick.

[pierrelogic]

I'll do my best here to answer some of the common questions. All failures were covered under warranty.

Engine:
The current engine is not the original. I was replaced at about 49k. My clutch blew and there was some concern about chunks flying around the rest of the engine.

This is the best part of the post. Engine - covered under warranty.

[nickcaro]

Not sure how this will work for non FB users... but here are a few links to some cool Spyder stuff on my FB page.

Videos
Cruising NH
Slow Motion bridge cruise
Escape from NYC
Untitled

Photos
Morning Commute
Morning Commute02
morning commute03

[musicarcade]

On your mileage!
Great to hear you are still rydin. Hadn't seen you here for a while and thought you might have bailed. Alway enjoy reading your posts.
Keep on keepin on!

[Roaddog2]

Congrats Nick

[Remmos]

Congrats!!!

[SpyderWolf]

Glad to see you posting again Nick! Was hoping nothing seriously bad happened to you. on yet another milestone, and thanks a bunch for the report of troubles you have had so far as well.

[Rockytime]

Congrats on the 100k. I'm surprised you lived long enough to accumulate the 100k, splittin' lanes and all. Thanks for the video and photos.

[JimAlpha]

Good post! Thanks for the details.

[katnapper]

WOW! Great post/report! TY