What are your thoughts on any potential reliability/issues of this 16 year old Spyder?

[Snoop4]

I have had Harley trikes in the past (never again) and am approaching 75. I currently have a Meteor 350, but I'm thinking of getting back to three wheels as I get older (have been riding since age 14). I am in Canada and have found a 2009 Spyder GS with 43,000 kms for $5000 CDN (about $3650 US). I know this year was the second year of production and that as a general rule the post-2014 models with the larger engines have fewer problems.

The back story on this Spyder is that the owner bought it from a 91 year old friend who hadn't ridden it for a a couple of years and had let it sit with very little fuel. It wouldn't start so it went to the dealer where the gas tank, fuel pump, and some sensors were replaced ($4600).

The Spyder is in a remote location on the Sunshine Coast of BC and will involve a 4-5 hour trip each way with 2 ferries (the remote location may explain why it has been up for sale for over 3 months). The seller will take my 350 in on trade, so I would ride there on a Meteor and back on a Spyder, but I have yet to ride one.

I think the price is very good and while I haven't seen great photos, the seller said he will set up a time when we can do a video call and he can go around and I can see everything in detail.

Before pulling the trigger on this Spyder, essentially sight unseen, can this community share their thoughts on reliability/issues of this 16-year-old Spyder? Is there something likely to bite me in the butt?

 

[vito1943]

I am very leery about that old a Spyder. And many dealers will not even try to service or repair one that is over 10 years old. If you possibly can I suggest looking for a 2015 or newer, or consider a new Ryker for about the price of a decent used Spyder.

As to riding it for the first time, the key thing is to DRIVE it like a car rather than RIDE it like a motorcycle. You steer around curves with no leaning of the bike involved. Mentally prepare yourself for using the single right foot brake pedal rather than a brake lever on the handlebar. And consciously keep yourself in the middle of the lane, rather than the leftmost third as most motorcyclists learn to do. New riders with motorcycle experience have a tendency to ride at least a bit to the left, risking having your left front tire crossing into the oncoming traffic lane.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[RayBJ]

That's a very risky purchase.
- Ancient technology vs. newer years
- Sitting unused for long time isn't good for seals, etc.
- No dealer support after 10 years.
- Sight unseen 'pig in a poke'.
- Long distance to travel if you decide it's not for you.

Your call, GOOD LUCK!

 

[Snoop4]

Thanks for the input. The nearest Can-Am dealer/shop is 90 miutes away and they wont work on anything more than 15 years old. The other dealer on the Island is over 3 hours away so a hefty towing bill if there is a starting issue or breakdown. I wouldn't have thought to ask that question until reading your replies so thanks guys! Hard pass on the 2009!

 

[racoon]

The more than 10 years old would stop me, since you can't get parts from CAN-AM anymore.

 

[baxter]

Not something I would do.

 

[Gwolf]

You need 2 of them. Are you familiar with the term "Parts Bike"?

 

[CrazyCooter]

I'd pass on that one! Too many signs it was neglected. Original brake fluid and coolant still in it?

The 10 year old thing doesn't freak me out because we should have parts for at least 10 years after the generation of bikes change according to US laws? The generation ending in 2019 should be mostly good into 2029 even if some dealers don't want to service? Plenty of independent shops to handle it?

You should be able to find something closer to ya?

 

[racoon]

I'd pass on that one! Too many signs it was neglected. Original brake fluid and coolant still in it?

The 10 year old thing doesn't freak me out because we should have parts for at least 10 years after the generation of bikes change according to US laws? The generation ending in 2019 should be mostly good into 2029 even if some dealers don't want to service? Plenty of independent shops to handle it?

Google doesn't seem to agree with you, and I don't remember anything in any of the business classes I took that mentioned a law requiring parts availability for a specific period of time. I have a BS in Business and an MBA.

There is some liability if the manufacturer is unable to provide parts during the warranty period. But even with the longest BEST add on warranty that's only 5 years (60 months) for a Spyder.

Edit: there are some laws dealing with warranties, specifically the US 1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. But what it requires is that if a warranty is offered it has to be in writing, and must specify the terms and conditions, including the length of the warranty. Basically everything has to be in writing, and nothing that the seller tells you is binding, unless it's also presented to you in writing.

Edit 2: and as for those comments and descriptions that salespeople use to describe the nearly magical qualities of their products? There's actually a word for that.

Puffery - noun, exaggerated commendation especially for promotional purposes; see also, hype.

 

[stikflote]

I DON'T have a Spyder, I have a Ryker Sport.
I've had bikes from when I was 16 and legally allowed to ride here in the UK. I bought my Ryker at the age of 82.

I have no problems driving it, apart from my first day on the road when I went looking for a front brake. A lot people say they don't handle well,
but how would I know, it's my first three wheeler and it is different from riding a motorbike and you can't split lanes.

I traded a Triumph RS 765 in for it. Yes, I do miss the Triumph, but riding the Ryker is so easy and I can't fall off it.

Out of two or three wheels, three is the best!

 

[2dogs]

By all means, trailer it home. Don't risk riding home. Find a non BRP shop or tech to help you with issues because you will have some. If you are mechanically inclined and enjoy working and riding older bikes/trikes you should have fun with this one, if the price is right. Let us know how it goes. You may have found a jewel in the rough. BajaRon may be a good resource for info on earlier spyders.

 

[DickB]

The more than 10 years old would stop me, since you can't get parts from CAN-AM anymore.

Simply not true. I got many new parts to rebuild my 2014 RSS.

 

[jcthorne]

The more than 10 years old would stop me, since you can't get parts from CAN-AM anymore.

Its not 10 yrs for parts. Its the older 998 engine bikes that do not have parts available. Parts for a 2014 RT are just as available as for a 2019 as they are the same bike. Same holds true for a 2015 F3.

 

[DickB]

Its not 10 yrs for parts. Its the older 998 engine bikes that do not have parts available. Parts for a 2014 RT are just as available as for a 2019 as they are the same bike. Same holds true for a 2015 F3.

I have a 2014 RSS with the 998 engine. Parts are available.

 

[jcthorne]

I have a 2014 RSS with the 998 engine. Parts are available.

Some. Hope you do not need an instrument cluster or a throttle body. For brakes and suspension, you are lucky as you have the newer systems that the RT got the same year. The older RSS bikes are not so lucky and parts are no longer available.

 

[DickB]

Some. Hope you do not need an instrument cluster or a throttle body. For brakes and suspension, you are lucky as you have the newer systems that the RT got the same year. The older RSS bikes are not so lucky and parts are no longer available.

Most. For the few that are not, used parts can be found. I had a bad SAS, and even though new are available I got a used one that was fine, much cheaper. I'm just saying, in my view this business of parts unavailability is overstressed; in my case it was a non-issue.

So, if you should not buy a Spyder more than 10 years old, then logically if you buy one 10 years old you should sell it in a year and get a newer one. Except many will not want it. I suppose the optimum for a used Spyder buyer looking to spend the least is to buy newer than 5 years old and sell a few years before it ages to 10 years old.