Talk to me about reliability

[Swordsman]

I know vehicle forums tend to give false impressions of product unreliability, simply because many more people log in to ask questions about issues than shouting praise... the "no news is good news" syndrome that often leaves forums a bit one-sided.

With that in mind, what would you tell a prospective Spyder owner? Overall, how reliable are these machines?

~SM

 

[lamarguy]

2009 GS with 560 miles (purchased it a month ago with 80 miles from first owner).

Problems so far:

1. Broken/stuck shock adjuster. Dealer replaced under warranty.
2. First check engine light - odd partial throttle engine stuttering. Need to troubleshoot.

Wish I had known the magic combination of button presses to read the code:

Pull over, keep the bike on, and turn the engine off - key left on - and check the codes - use MODE to scroll through the cluster items til you get to HOURS, then hold the MODE button on the left handle bar, with right hand hold down the HEADLIGHT button on the right handle bar, and with your left thumb hit the hi-beam FLASHER button 5 times quickly in less then 2 seconds.

 

[pjp623]

:2thumbs: 2009 RS 4000+ nothing major mostly so minor self inflicted stuff. Overall very happy with it.

 

[NancysToy]

I will not say that either of our Spyders were without warranty issues, especially my RTS...but neither ever let us down. I guess it depends on how you define "reliability". For an old Brit bike owner, if it gets you home, it is reliable.

 

[Eraser]

... For an old Brit bike owner, if it gets you home, it is reliable.

:roflblack: :agreePlease pardon the edit Scotty!) Ours have been good to us!:2thumbs:

 

[BajaRon]

The truth is the Spyder, being a new, one of a kind animal, had issues that can be expected with this type of venture.

Some were easily and inexpensively fixed, some weren't.

BRP has been addressing and resolving these and 1 by 1 they have been dissappearing from the scene.

The DPS has probably been the biggest and most expensive issue and it didn't die easily. Though the great majority of Spyders never suffered from DPS Syndrome, way too many did.

And BRP seems to have killed this dragon with the new version.

So, innitally I would personally give the Spyder, oveall, a 7 in reliability. And this comparing it to most other machines that have been in production for many years.

It is too early to tell about the 2010's and soon to be 2011's. But the trend is definitely positive from what I believe to be a very good start for a new product of this complexity.

I would give my 2008 SM5 with 20k+ miles a reliability of 9+. I've riddent it hard in all kinds of weather, long distance, etc. I've had some issues but it's never left me hanging.

My guess is the 2010's and 2011's will be 9+ for reliability. But this machine is just too much fun to wait until we know for sure.

 

[boborgera]

I had to trailer it to the dealer twice, And if i didn't have the ability
to work on it myself i probably would have had to trailer it a few more times.
My feelings are just because they fix it under warranty doesn't
make it less of a problem child.
Believe me if you bought a car and had to wait days/weeks for parts
time and again you'll never buy a car from that manufacturer again.
The concept of the Spyder [reverse trike] is fantastik but BRP support stinks.
I don't fall in love with a bike just because its the only game in town.

 

[sandrunr1]

Reliability?? Let me tell you. I get so POed at my wife/ She says lets go for a ride. Doesnt matter if it 25 degrees outside. The thing never fails to start. But then I havent stuck a stick in my electronics yet. We bought hers in March of this year for 15K, 0 miles out the door. We bought mine in August for 20K, 423 miles on it it. I would not sell these or ride anything else. We ride with VW trikers, Tri-glides and Goldwings. We are the only two :spyder2:s in the group of about 20. If we decide to let them ride with us, we have to slow it down. Nothing and I mean nothing beats a :spyder2:. :clap:. We love them.

 

[memphisdan]

I have about 7k on my RT ac; the only real repair has been the DPS. That was done a few weeks after the recall was announced and only was in the shop for a few hours. I think the quality of the dealer is the most important part of the ownership experience. Thus far I have had good service from Spyder and very good service from my dealer Yamaha of Millington.
:2thumbs:

 

[Boriken]

I have 4,350 miles on my '09 :spyder2: SM5 GS Phantom I can attest that it has been a very nice running machine except for some code issues caused by me riding five miles with an inproperly attached seat (my fault). Problem fixed by a half an hour visit to the dealer for a re-set of the system.

 

[dancogan]

Just under 5,000 miles on our RT. It was in for the DPS recall and, as the dealer discovered, replacement of the rear shock. It was in for 2 weeks. Never had any other problem with it, no codes, no limp modes, just pure fun. And it's even more fun with the new DPS unit!

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

'09 GS 4000 since June not a minute of lost riding time. In for DPS next Tuesday, first time back to dealer. :yes:

 

[retread]

'08 GS, coming up on 20K, software updates, instrument cluster, coolant catch tank, waiting on the DPS work. If all my rides had been this good, I'd still have them.

john

 

[Bob Denman]

3500 miles on my RT A&C and it's all been great! hyea::yes:

 

[Saluda]

2008, no issues. Always been there for us and have had a great time.

 

[Lamonster]

I would jump on either one of my Spyders today and ride coast to coast and not think twice about it. Have done it a few times now. nojoke

 

[effgjamis]

My ole RS always got me home, and only one time in limp mode.
Too early to say about the RT as I still miss the RS (approx 39,000 miles), but I now have over 2500 miles in 3 weeks on the RT I am betting to like it and the RS is getting less in my mind.

I guess the best I can say is. If I did not think the spyder was the way to go, I would not have gone from RS to RT.

 

[docdoru]

I would jump on either one of my Spyders today and ride coast to coast and not think twice about it. Have done it a few times now. nojoke

Can one read "another RS" on the Guts and Glory Ride? opcorn:

 

[murphybrown]

No Regrets

Purchased my 2010 RTSE5/AC end of May. Had absolutely NO motorcycle experience. Have absolutely NO mechnical skills.
A few "dangs" but nothing that prevented me from ryding when and where I wanted.
1st Dang: Digital module "died". Ah analog still worked...so traveled close to 2k miles thru Canadian Rockies and Glacier area..biggest miss while digital down: My XM tunes and news.
2nd Dang: On this one didn't even know there was an issue...DPS...just cause BRP said get it fixed I said OK put on list to do...said mine works find. HA..LOL...with the new one it is like WOW in comparison.

Yep my RT has spend a total of about 10 hrs having shop work done...(It is a 3.5 hr ryde - one way - to my servicing dealer). But that has been me adding mods: many ESI lite mods, heated gear harness, KN filter..oil change..that kind of thing and then while having that done dealer does the fixes that BRP sends notices for...

3rd BIG DANG: Temps have dropped in my area to winter wonderland with -5, blue skies and twinkling snow on ground. BUT because of that I choose to tether Ms. Spyder in her stall until spring...yesterday I learned about using StaBil (after I poured most of it on the garage floor-thank gosh for Simple Green to clean up)...hooking up battery tender...patting her on her fuzzy butt pad and headed for that breve latte with 4 shots to mourn my end of ryding season. But already have maps out and planning my trip to Spyderfest.

It is absolutely gorgeous here this a.m....colder than a well diggers instep but I have a few outside Christmas lites up (before I froze out)..covered with snow...packing my stuff and dog in truck headed to my daughter and family for Thanksgiving...

Everyone Have An Incredible Thanksgiving...we all have so much to be thankful for..not the least is my RT and finding all you wonderful folks here at Spyderlovers.com. You have truly made my ownership of Ms Spyder delightful..as a novice I had so many ? and every one was answered and every "fix" worked..batting 1000% ain't bad. So thanks for helping this great grannie enjoy her ryde.:2thumbs:

 

[JOESPY]

Have no problems with it, the more i ride the more i enjoy it.hyea: