Your opinion please

[Bob Denman]

Try to put aside the "What if this thing blows up in my face?" mindset... That just ain't gonna happen! The Spyders are pretty new so there's no doubt that some teething problems have existed. BUT... They've been working on that issue and things just keep getting better and better! :2thumbs:
So get out on it and log some miles and smiles!

 

[CJ/johnnyg]

Ok I'm a new owner with My RS with only 1900 Miles on it, but We have had our RT for over a year. We haven't had any major problems with ours. At least nothing that our dealer hasn't taken care of. Just like any new vehicle you might have to get a few bugs worked out. I feel for those thathave had lot of issues. But I think its all in your attidude with the dealers as how they treat you. Don't go jump on there case right off the bat its not their falt, give them a chance to fix it. If I was having trouble all the time I would think it would be time to trade it in and get a new one. There is always one rotten apple or Lemon in the barrel. Just ride yours have fun and worry about the other if it happens. I know you will love the ride. Happy riding. CJ

 

[Questions]

Reliability

I am a happy :spyder2: owner. I have had my 2009 GSM for 18 months. Just turned over 10,000 miles and that is with it sitting in dry dock last year for two months while I mended a broken foot. I am looking to buy a new RT.

I can't speak to BRP response as I have had only 1 minor issue when I first got it. Fixed immediately and other than scheduled maintenane has never seen the dealer since.

My last bike was a 2004 Harley Ulra which I traded with 100,000 miles. Only 1 time in the shop, again with exception of scheduled maintenance.
I attribute the success with my bikes to my respect to them. I never "ride them like I stole them" (OK, maybe with the exception of a bad a**** Mustang or Hemi etc thinking they are faster than me). Do your
maintenance, treat it with respect and look forward to many trouble free miles

Jim

 

[BajaRon]

I am a member of a Kawasaki C14 and Triumph 1050Tiger forum and own a Spyder. The levels of dissatisfaction on those forums is significantly less.

How many of these are 1st time, never owned a motorcycle before owners? I'd bet a very small percentage. And I think this is one of the big hurdles for the Spyder.

Not sure what the 1st time MC ownership percentage is for the Spyder but I'll bet it's way beyond any other machine out there. I've noticed that at least some complaints are the result of not having any similar machine to compare it to. 1st time owners tend to compare the Spyder to what they know, a car.

Granted, this does not explain away real issues, but the Spyder is a completely new and different animal from the ground up. The lions share of issues were generated by the 1st and 2nd year production models. And things are definitely looking better all the time.

I think it is difficult to get an 'Apples to Apples' assessment sometimes when you're talking about the Spyder.

 

[arntufun]

I love my Spyder and I have a blast ryding it even if I'm just going to the store for milk or bread. No two wheels I have ever owned is this much fun. Thats is no lie.

BUT......

I will be the first one to tell you "IF" you have issues or problems with your machine, lock your guns up because you will not be a happy camper. Your Spyder will be in the shop for weeks if not more.

You want honesty, there you go.

 

[Trickie Dick]

I am a member of a Kawasaki C14 and Triumph 1050Tiger forum and own a Spyder. The levels of dissatisfaction on those forums is significantly less.

The concours was introduced in 1986 and the tiger in 1981. Ya think they might be a little further along in refinement:lecturef_smilie:

 

[Spydeb]

Remember this is a forum and used as a tool for helping with problems, and can track trends also, the result is you see problems posted here. .



Jim:thumbup:

I am a happy :spyder2: owner. I have had my 2009 GSM for 18 months. Just turned over 10,000 miles and that is with it sitting in dry dock last year for two months while I mended a broken foot. I am looking to buy a new RT.

I can't speak to BRP response as I have had only 1 minor issue when I first got it. Fixed immediately and other than scheduled maintenane has never seen the dealer since.

My last bike was a 2004 Harley Ulra which I traded with 100,000 miles. Only 1 time in the shop, again with exception of scheduled maintenance.
I attribute the success with my bikes to my respect to them. I never "ride them like I stole them" (OK, maybe with the exception of a bad a**** Mustang or Hemi etc thinking they are faster than me). Do your
maintenance, treat it with respect and look forward to many trouble free miles

Jim

My story is pretty much like Jim's except my :spyder2: hit 10,000 in twelve months. I didn't wait out a broken foot. This is a GREAT forum with a lot of happy riders too. Like BajaRon said " you don't see the positive stories on the evening news" :congrats: on your purchase and I hope you enjoy yours as I have mine!

 

[flamingobabe]

I purchased my Spyder used about a year ago...2009 SE5 with 1700 miles....today I have over 23,000 miles....had to have a couple of re-calls but all is good...this is a new machine....there is going to be hiccups along the way...but for the most part we all LOVE our Spyders....you are going to have a permanent smile on your facehyea:hyea:hyea:

 

[retiredsquid]

We have had our 2011 RT-SE5 Limited since the end of April and have about 3,700 miles on it. We've done one 1,800 mile round trip and are on a 300 mile trip now. So far no problems with the Spyder. The modifications are Elka shocks (single best modification you can do for handling ) and Corbin saddle, back rest, and arm rests for comfort. Cruising pegs and floor boards are next for long ride comfort. I've rode bikes for well over 40 years and this machine is light years ahead of anything I have ridden.

I do highly recommend buying the best extended warranty that you can afford for the longest term possible.

 

[spydee owner]

opinion please

My 2011 rs se5 is being delivered tomorrow. Ive waited 2 weeks for the phantom rims and powder coating of back rim black. Will post picks tomorrow evening.

My concern is the amount of disatisfaction I am reading from owners on this site regarding issues and the inability to resolve them with dealers and/or brp.

I cant lie, this is a big purchase for me. This concerns me.

Is this a high quality product? Most reviews tend to be positive, but possibly bias.
I do plan to extend the warrenty for an additional 3 years. Im still concerned about the durability.
The spyder dealer said the heating issues have been resolved for 2011. Is this true?

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

After all is said and done, im still very excited.

Regards

You ask if this is a high quality product. I am assuming you are an intelligent
person. Don't buy if you have not done your homework regarding the purchase in question.
Talk to people, read up on the item, get a feel for the dealership for the purchase. People made purchases long before website forums existed. I sometimes think that forums create as many issues for people as they solve.
At some point one has to trust another. There are some on this site who personally know others on the site and there are some who know very few on the site. Theoretically, a person could be taking someones statement as factual when it could be total nonsense.
In theory, someone could become a member of this site and not own a BRP product, and start a string of negative comments about the spyder and its service. I am not saying this is or has happened, but in an era of corporate greed and everything being about market share, anything is possible.
Enjoy your ride.

 

[tanpiover2]

ive told every one i can that if you do these things you most likely wont have any problems ,make sure to keep the battery charged,i use a battery maintainer and it is on the batt,all the time im not riding,there about 35 dollars at wallmart.next check youe fusess and relays about every 500 miles they vibrate loose ive found them loose two times,so push them in ,there easy to get too.dont let your foot near the brake while your riding unless your stoping.it will put you in limp mode,the machine thanks there is something wrong with the brakes.the battery is real inportant and dose vibrate loose some times .uther than that i cant tell you any thing else.so ride and have fun.and for the heat you might want to look at are venders for help.so ride like the wind,have fun and lets us know how your doing.:2thumbs::chat:

I would agree with what others have said about this forum being a place for those with concerns to air them. Those whose spyders are running flawlessly aren't as likely to post about that.

I also agree with those saying this forum contributes to reliability. The post I've quoted above is an example directly related to my own experience:

I have about 2000 miles on my 2011 RSS SE5. Fourth of July weekend I was out on the road, and stopped for gas. When I started the spyder back up, I had the "CHECK DPS" error. I looked in the manual, which wasn't much help. I got out my phone, browsed to spyderlovers.com, and searched on "CHECK DPS". One of the posts said to turn off and restart the spyder. Another said to check that fuses and relays were properly seated. I opened the fuse box, made sure all the fuses were pushed in properly and voilà, I restarted, the error was cleared and it hasn't reappeared since.

Having this forum here saved me a tow and a trip to the dealer by giving me what was absolutely the proper advice.

Good luck, congratulations, and enjoy your ryde. It's a :yikes: of a lot of fun!

 

[tofriendscreek]

I'll add to the positive side Bought my 2009 SE5 used. Original owner had zero issues and rode it on long trips. I've owned it for about a year. It has over 21,000 miles.

I belong to a couple of John Deere tractor forums and an ATV forum. All of them contain one horror story after another on engine gailures, cracked transmissions, blown hydralics, $4,000 repair bills and every other problem imaginable.

As said before, the media prints and airs the bad and dramatic. Even conversations among people contain plenty of negativity. Seldom do the satisfied tell their story. When positive posts are put on a forum, it is some type of fantastic ryde, event or experience. We don't hear or read about the tens of thousands of miles or the hours spent mowing the yard, pulling brush, going to work or the grocery store without incident or any drama. That's because it's the ordinary, the norm if you will and as such hardly newsworthy. And the norm doesn't get posted to a forum .

Forums are places for folks to sound off. Like the media or simple conversations, the dark side seems inordinately represented. I feel for anyone having a problem, especially those with problems that aren't adequately being addressed. But,

I'm a very satisfied John Deere tractor owner; I love riding my John Deere Buck, which by the way was made by BRP; and I am constantly thrilled when ryding my :spyder2: Is that positive enough?

 

[bone crusher]

I am a member of a Kawasaki C14 and Triumph 1050Tiger forum and own a Spyder. The levels of dissatisfaction on those forums is significantly less.

that means nothing...maybe Spyder owners are just a little more neurotic about their bikes!

 

[CJ/johnnyg]

I'll add to the positive side Bought my 2009 SE5 used. Original owner had zero issues and rode it on long trips. I've owned it for about a year. It has over 21,000 miles.

I belong to a couple of John Deere tractor forums and an ATV forum. All of them contain one horror story after another on engine gailures, cracked transmissions, blown hydralics, $4,000 repair bills and every other problem imaginable.

As said before, the media prints and airs the bad and dramatic. Even conversations among people contain plenty of negativity. Seldom do the satisfied tell their story. When positive posts are put on a forum, it is some type of fantastic ryde, event or experience. We don't hear or read about the tens of thousands of miles or the hours spent mowing the yard, pulling brush, going to work or the grocery store without incident or any drama. That's because it's the ordinary, the norm if you will and as such hardly newsworthy. And the norm doesn't get posted to a forum .

Forums are places for folks to sound off. Like the media or simple conversations, the dark side seems inordinately represented. I feel for anyone having a problem, especially those with problems that aren't adequately being addressed. But,

I'm a very satisfied John Deere tractor owner; I love riding my John Deere Buck, which by the way was made by BRP; and I am constantly thrilled when ryding my :spyder2: Is that positive enough?

:2thumbs::clap:

 

[Florida girl]

I have had my :spyder2: for 3 months now. ( 2011 RT Limited). I have only had a minor problem of the small storage compartment in front of the seat not locking when I lock the bike. May be a broken or slipped cable. Need to get it to service to get it fixed. I LOVE my :spyder: and must say it is the BEST STRESS REDUCER EVER! Nothing like being out there riding it!!! :doorag: :yes: :yes: :yes:

 

[kinggeek]

I have had my :spyder2: for 3 months now. ( 2011 RT Limited). I have only had a minor problem of the small storage compartment in front of the seat not locking when I lock the bike. May be a broken or slipped cable. Need to get it to service to get it fixed. I LOVE my :spyder: and must say it is the BEST STRESS REDUCER EVER! Nothing like being out there riding it!!! :doorag: :yes: :yes: :yes:

I don't think it is supposed to lock unless that is a feature unique to the Limited but I could be wrong.

 

[NancysToy]

I don't think it is supposed to lock unless that is a feature unique to the Limited but I could be wrong.

The RT glovebox locks when the steering is turned to either side and the steering lock engaged. This feature is explained in your manual.

 

[gcain747]

Johnny Cash said

"Bad news travels like wild fire
Good news travels slow"

Remember one thing, people posting problems about their bikes are looking for help and venting their frustration. The other 98% are out riding and enjoying their bikes. This forum is just like a newspaper or the evening news. Bad news sells papers and advertising. Get your spyder and enjoy it.

:2thumbs::spyder2::doorag:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

I have ridden on motorcycles for over 30 years and seen many different models come and go. All had their issues one way or the other. What I found to be true when considering a purchase was the number of used models advertised for sale and the amount of discount for new models at the dealers was a very good indicator of customer satisfaction for a product. So when you look for used Spyders here on the forum or in the local paper it's usually one or two things. First a brand new Spyder that someone just does not like the way it rides versus a two wheeler or Second someone who just needs the money due to layoffs or other economic issues. Of course if someone is trying to dump a bad one they won't advertise the fact! The point is you just don't see lots of RS or RT models for sale as used. At the dealers both models don't hang around for very long either now a days and most dealers are not giving deep discounts. If the customer satisfaction Spyders was low you would expect to see folks selling their machines. This does not keen that the folks with problems are not having them but just to put things in perspective.nojoke

 

[boborgera]

that means nothing...maybe Spyder owners are just a little more neurotic about their bikes!

You ''Think''hyea: