6,000 mile valve check or Trailor Hitch?

[SpyderRider2492]

I am getting near to my 6,000 mile mark, and according to the service charts this service includes a Valve Check which is kinda expensive, I am told about $500 for this part of the service.

Unfortunatley this year have been sidelined with a medical problem and along with that comes huge bills, some still outstanding, and cash flow is a real issue. So my question is basically is the valve check an issue at this early stage as the bike is running really well and I have changed the oil and had the updates done as needed, however I have a bushtec trailor in my gararge awaiting for me to purchase a hitch which will be about the same price. ( I kept the trailor when I sold my Ultra as I needed the cash flow).

I do not want to void the warranty, but only have the money for one item and am torn between getting the valves checked or purchasing the hitch, but I do not want to have an issue 'cause I did not get it done if needed, and therefore ask for any imput on if this check is essential at this early stage or was it that BRP were just being careful as it was new to the market. I know that it states that after the 6,000 check it has to be done every 12,000 thereafter and that sounds better. Any input from the more mechanical minded Spyder owners about this engine would be helpful as if I really need this done so be it. If I have to delay putting the hitch on in the future I can deal with that. I can always amuse myself and keep it spic and span in the garage for a bit longer. Thanks.:helpsmilie:

 

[dabreitbach]

I think there was a notice sent out that revises the first valve check is now at 12,000 miles. pps:

 

[Some Guy]

I think there was a notice sent out that revises the first valve check is now at 12,000 miles. pps:

That was in a thread yesterday, but someone posted the actual bulletin statement later in the thread that states 6,000 for the first check.

 

[BRPjunkie]

That was in a thread yesterday, but someone posted the actual bulletin statement later in the thread that states 6,000 for the first check.

Operator's Guide and service bulletin 2008-3 say first valve check at 6,000 miles. If you skip it and have it inspected at 12,000 and all is well and it fails after that, BRP might have a hard time claiming the missed 6,000 mile inspection was the cause, but that is the risk you have to take.

 

[BajaRon]

Get the hitch. I've got almost 14K on my Spyder with no valve check. I think Lamont went 25K or something before he started talking about a valve check. I'm not even sure he's had his valves checked yet.

 

[Firefly]

I got mine checked @ 6,000 and wish I would have waited until 12,000.

I'm looking at my 6,000 mile service bill right now:

2 Spark Plugs $ 8.50
Oil Filter $17.99
O ring $ 5.50
Gasket $ 2.50
5W40 BRP oil $ 65.00

6000 mile Service Labor 2.50 hours = $ 222.50
Inspect Valves 2.5 hours = $ 222.50

Total = $ 563.47

If your dealer is charging you $500 extra for the valve inspection - they are ripping you off.

 

[sabunim5]

My dealer's service manager told me the following at 6K miles.
I will take your money and do a valve check if you want, but we have been selling this motor in other motorcycles for years and here is my advice. If it is not starting hard, idling poorly, or exhibiting any of the other symptoms of valves out of adjustment don't do it yet. Of course the recall software patch is causing those problems for some so how can you know. I did not have my valves checked and have had the software update with no problems. I am coming up on 12k and will have my valves checked then. I'd buy the trailer and wait. Of course my service manager also told me they would not void my warranty for following his advice.

 

[nater1]

I called BRP the person told me at 12,000 not 6,000

I called BRP, and the rep told me it was 12,000 miles which the dealers were informed of.

Unless in Canada they speak a different form of English than in Wisconsin 6,000 miles means at 6,000 miles also 12,000 miles meaning 12,000 miles on the engine total as the odometer reading.

 

[BajaRon]

I got mine checked @ 6,000 and wish I would have waited until 12,000.

I'm looking at my 6,000 mile service bill right now:

2 Spark Plugs $ 8.50
Oil Filter $17.99
O ring $ 5.50
Gasket $ 2.50
5W40 BRP oil $ 65.00

6000 mile Service Labor 2.50 hours = $ 222.50
Inspect Valves 2.5 hours = $ 222.50

Total = $ 563.47

If your dealer is charging you $500 extra for the valve inspection - they are ripping you off.

Wow! That is EXPENSIVE! You can get AmsOil for less than that. Didn't know the OEM oil filter was that much money either!

Guess I've lived a sheltered life!

 

[jabba11]

i just took delivery of mine and live in an area where there is not a dealer within 100 miles so getting mine there is a probelm. I just about flipped when they told me the 600 mile service was 300.00. That is robbery if you ask me and I intend to write a letter to BRP. I rode harleys for 12 years and the first service on all three I owned was FREE. I mean I spent 15000.00 on your product an din two weeks you want me to come back and give you 300 more for an oil change and VISUAL INSPECTION for gods sake. I mean if you find something wrong and it needs work okay I can deal with that but please 300 bucks! Ridicoulous. I am seriously considering taking my chances although I believe I will famr out the 600 mile to the best deal I can find but from there on out it may be me and a manaual.

 

[Firefly]

i just took delivery of mine and live in an area where there is not a dealer within 100 miles so getting mine there is a probelm. I just about flipped when they told me the 600 mile service was 300.00. That is robbery if you ask me and I intend to write a letter to BRP. I rode harleys for 12 years and the first service on all three I owned was FREE. I mean I spent 15000.00 on your product an din two weeks you want me to come back and give you 300 more for an oil change and VISUAL INSPECTION for gods sake. I mean if you find something wrong and it needs work okay I can deal with that but please 300 bucks! Ridicoulous. I am seriously considering taking my chances although I believe I will famr out the 600 mile to the best deal I can find but from there on out it may be me and a manaual.

You can do the service work yourself--- as many of us have done. I basically do every other myself.

 

[Trickie Dick]

i just took delivery of mine and live in an area where there is not a dealer within 100 miles so getting mine there is a probelm. I just about flipped when they told me the 600 mile service was 300.00. That is robbery if you ask me and I intend to write a letter to BRP. I rode harleys for 12 years and the first service on all three I owned was FREE. I mean I spent 15000.00 on your product an din two weeks you want me to come back and give you 300 more for an oil change and VISUAL INSPECTION for gods sake. I mean if you find something wrong and it needs work okay I can deal with that but please 300 bucks! Ridicoulous. I am seriously considering taking my chances although I believe I will famr out the 600 mile to the best deal I can find but from there on out it may be me and a manaual.

Hey Jabbawelcome. You'll love this forum. Great group and nice to have you aboard.
Dick

 

[SpyderRider2492]

Get the hitch. I've got almost 14K on my Spyder with no valve check. I think Lamont went 25K or something before he started talking about a valve check. I'm not even sure he's had his valves checked yet.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and comments, I guess I will make a decision soon about which way to go. I am very disapointed about the performance of the Spyder since having the update/recall as it ran a lot better before I took it in and my steering was fine anyway, I wish I had been advised they were going to mess with the mapping at the same time then I would not have bothered. I am leaning towards the hitch as I do the regular maintainence, oil and plug change myself anyway and enjoy doing it but the Valve check was beyond my capabilities.. Thanks again for the comments.............:2thumbs:

 

[Donk45]

what did you do? I am about to drop mine off for the 6k service and they just mentioned about getting the valves checked.....oh no, decisions.

 

[Dudley]

I would say, save your money. I have 26K miles on the Spyder in 10 months. The last service was at 625 miles except for the updates and a rear tire replacement. I plugged the purge valve and all is well. Runs better than it did when new. Seems like paranoia runs in the Spyder ryder family about the warranty. By guesstimation, I have saved nearly $5,000 in unneeded "services". I know my warranty has gone south, but if I never have any issues, I will have saved almost enough in 2 years, which will be about 50,000 miles, to buy a new Spyder if this one blows up. I am not doing this to prove a point, or say "Look what I am doing!" I am not cheap, but why should I just give away money just to be safe about a warranty? How many times have we read about Spyders going in for service running perfectly and getting major issues afterwards. Sorry, folks, when the Spyder goes in, it will need it. That's just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[Dudley]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and comments, I guess I will make a decision soon about which way to go. I am very disapointed about the performance of the Spyder since having the update/recall as it ran a lot better before I took it in and my steering was fine anyway, I wish I had been advised they were going to mess with the mapping at the same time then I would not have bothered. I am leaning towards the hitch as I do the regular maintainence, oil and plug change myself anyway and enjoy doing it but the Valve check was beyond my capabilities.. Thanks again for the comments.............:2thumbs:

From what I have been told, the shim-bucket valve settings, if properly done at production, is good for 30-40 thousand miles. If that's the only thing one can't do to keep the Spyder running, worry not, save your money. That's what I am doing.

 

[smokster]

From what I have been told, the shim-bucket valve settings, if properly done at production, is good for 30-40 thousand miles. If that's the only thing one can't do to keep the Spyder running, worry not, save your money. That's what I am doing.

Mee too.
Have 24,000, had them checked and they are fine. Save your money.

 

[Donk45]

I would say, save your money. I have 26K miles on the Spyder in 10 months. The last service was at 625 miles except for the updates and a rear tire replacement. I plugged the purge valve and all is well. Runs better than it did when new. Seems like paranoia runs in the Spyder ryder family about the warranty. By guesstimation, I have saved nearly $5,000 in unneeded "services". I know my warranty has gone south, but if I never have any issues, I will have saved almost enough in 2 years, which will be about 50,000 miles, to buy a new Spyder if this one blows up. I am not doing this to prove a point, or say "Look what I am doing!" I am not cheap, but why should I just give away money just to be safe about a warranty? How many times have we read about Spyders going in for service running perfectly and getting major issues afterwards. Sorry, folks, when the Spyder goes in, it will need it. That's just my thoughts on the subject.

What does plugging the purge valve do?

 

[Dudley]

What does plugging the purge valve do?

Lamonster, being the tech head can explain that better than I can. I find it just makes the engine run a lot smoother, etc.

 

[SpyderRider2492]

what did you do? I am about to drop mine off for the 6k service and they just mentioned about getting the valves checked.....oh no, decisions.

Unforturtunaley I have been laid up, and have been unble to ride a lot of late, this latest batch of chemo really is the pits, so its still not done however I ordered the oil filter, oil, crush washers and am ready to complete the oil change, the oil change is simple and in the hour or so a day I feel good I am sure I can get it done. It makes me feel good to do as well. At this time the Bushtech hitch won the battle, I figure the bikes sounding great got power and since the last upgrade it has settle down now (took a couple of hundred miles though), so that where I'm at. If the engine was misfiring or not sounding good I might have changed my mnd but for now thats it.

Take care enjoy you ride