Nervous about High Mileage

[ARtraveler]

Lots of pros and cons. Post #16 is right on.

Bikes driven by "normal" riders with high mileage should not be a problem. A few have taken them over 55 and 65 thousand miles. When the Spyder has been serviced regularly and treated right--they are not problem machines.

The $16K range for a 2011 is pretty good. I know of two 2010 RTS premier editions for sale up here at the dealer. Both have 30 - 35K miles and are in very good condition. One is my trade in on the 2014. The price is similar for the 2010's that has been quoted for the one you are looking for.

You can PM me for details if interested in doing a "fly and ryde." Either machine would be a good consideration.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Have you checked cycletraders.com? I am not suggesting that cycletraders is the best place to get a used Spyder, but price comparison is relatively easy using that web site.

edit: oops. It is cycletrader.com. There is no S in it.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Even looking at ebay I have seen a few dealers with 2012 RTs that are leftovers. The 2012 year seems to be the best sorted of the RTs.

 

[donec]

It's probably just me but if you have never had a motorcycle/spyder before then spending a lot of money for a top of the line seems odd. If you decide that you don't ride enough there is little you can do. If you find the ride is not to your liking for somereason again there is little you can do. If you decide to buy a lower end model to see if you will ride it enough and to see if you like it you will have less money tied up in it if things don't go well. While if they go well but not quite right then there are things you can do to mod your ride making it work for you better. Then when you know whether you like spydering or not you can upgrade with more knowledge. Just my thoughts.

 

[ulflyer]

I know there are a lot of folks with the 13's who have not had issues, but there sure has been quite a few who have posted up horror stories of heat issues. I'd be extra careful and take that 13 for a long test drive on a hot day if it is one to be considered.

Just a word of caution.

And +1 on talking with the tech who did the work on the bike. Not every dealer is the same in regards to quality of work performed. You'll get an idea right away I think upon talking with the tech on what kind of service was done.

Good luck and hope to see you on the highway soon with one.

Excellent advice. Do not buy a 13 unless you do a long ride to see whether its one that puts out a lot of heat.

I traded my '11 RT SE5 with 32K on it and would have recommended it to anyone. It sold in two days back in Feb and the dealer has had on come backs on it. If the dealer does not have good maint records (a lot could have been done by previous owner) ask to speak to previous owner.

 

[oldgoat]

It's probably just me but if you have never had a motorcycle/spyder before then spending a lot of money for a top of the line seems odd. If you decide that you don't ride enough there is little you can do. If you find the ride is not to your liking for somereason again there is little you can do. If you decide to buy a lower end model to see if you will ride it enough and to see if you like it you will have less money tied up in it if things don't go well. While if they go well but not quite right then there are things you can do to mod your ride making it work for you better. Then when you know whether you like spydering or not you can upgrade with more knowledge. Just my thoughts.

This approach makes a lot of sense to me.

When I bought mine I had been riding 2 wheels for over 55 years & the time had come for the physical support of 3 wheels or give up riding, which I did not want to do.

The cost of a new Spyder in 2012, to me, was very high. They are many thousands more expensive in the province where they are made! Twice as high as I had ever spent on a motorcycle or Maxi scooter. I agonized over it for ages & finally bought a used GS/RS one with no doodads on it. Mine was a very, very low mileage one and I have not regretted its purchase.

8000 mile on and I love it. I do all the service/repairs/mods myself but it still costs a "fortune" for the add-ons I keep buying. The wife is not at all happy.

If you are prepared to travel to buy one I'm sure you can get a great deal. As to whether you should buy a bare bones one or an RT LTD, that is up to you & your wallet.

However, you really should have a good long ride on one before you lay out your hard earned $

Try a rental for a day - if you have the correct kind of licence.

 

[kawakii]

If it was me is be taking a look at the for sale section on this website. There are a few RT with a lot lower miles for about what your going to pay or less. Some even with some great upgrades.

If it's far away from you consider having it shipped or try to work something out with the seller to have them deliver.

 

[bmccaffrey]

Keep shopping. You will find alot for under 20000.00
Be patient everthing comes to those who wait!!!:clap:

 

[bluestratos]

Lol.. poor guy must be really confused now, lol...

 

[kawakii]

Check out this RT in the for sale section : http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?66958-FS-2011-RT-SM5-amp-Matching-RT-622-Trailer

 

[Saskwatch]

Great thorough response, thanks for looking at it from both angles for me.

Pros and cons in my book:

Pros:
-- At 32K, this bike's been ridden. Which means it most likely *works*. When I see used Spyders with no miles on them, I wonder why they weren't ridden. Was the owner not a fan? Or did the owner have so many mechanical problems that they just gave up on the thing, and are now finally getting around to selling it?
-- Related to the above, the bike's likely been serviced pretty regularly. Someone who puts 32K on a bike is generally someone who takes care of their vehicles (again, contrast with the owner selling a 2009 RS with 3K miles on it... how did *they* treat their bike over the years?)

Cons:
-- 32K since 2011 *is* a lot of miles for a bike. Sure, Spyders theoretically last up to (and beyond) 100K miles, but the long-term reliability of these bikes is still very much an open question. And if *your* ride it a lot, you're going to be left with a Spyder that might be even harder to sell in a few years.
-- That price is good, but for just a bit more, you could probably get a lower-mileage bike with similar (or better) options. Likewise, you could save up your pennies for a season and perhaps buy a new bike *next* year, with no compromises.

BTW, sorta related: I'm a big fan of buying prior-year "new" model bikes left on the dealer's lot-- BIG savings that way when they clear out for the new model years-- but the downside now is that 2014 RT's have reportedly sold so strongly there might not be a huge inventory left on dealer lots when the 2015s come out. The good news is, the *2013* RTs will be REALLLLY cheap by then in comparison.

Good luck in your decision...

 

[Saskwatch]

I had shopped around a little bit, I'll try looking more thoroughly again.

From what I'm seeing in book values on a machine configured this way, the retail is as high as $22K, and I've got the dealership talked down to $15.4K right now... Still not committed, but they seem willing to move a little. I'm hoping to meet with their shop manager.

By the way, for those asking - this is Ray's Sport and Cycle in Grand Rapids, MN - I have to drive 1.5 hours minimum to any dealership, and the MPLS/ST Paul used inventory shown online is pretty poor.

Have you checked cycletraders.com? I am not suggesting that cycletraders is the best place to get a used Spyder, but price comparison is relatively easy using that web site.

edit: oops. It is cycletrader.com. There is no S in it.

 

[DrewNJ]

Those miles are nothing on these machines. Sounds like a bike that was ridden and traded in for a newer upgrade. Nothing wrong with that. I to worry about very low mileage machines and why they were traded in.
If the bike fits your taste and budget then you should be good to go. Don't sweat the 32k miles....also, Figure at 15k you don't have a ton invested, so if for some reason you find it isn't for you your not in all that deep.
Ask some of the owners on here how much they have lost by buying and then trading for something newer, especially the ones on here advising you to spend more money....hahaha...

Oh, and sorry to say but IMHO avoid a 2013 like the plague.......

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Saskwatch]

True But you guys and gals are very helpful. I've come to the right place! Now my impulse buy is turning in to a multi-day homework project. Good times!

Lol.. poor guy must be really confused now, lol...

 

[Bob Denman]

More than half of the fun, is in the shoppng anyway! :thumbup:

 

[JustDennis]

Take your time and do your homework. That is what I did once we decided to look for one. The good news is that we found a good low mileage 2012 RT on Craigslist and it ended up being from a forum member about 2 hours away. Just couldn't get to the numbers with the dealer. A lot of good advice here.

 

[Tideman]

Hello All!

I'm new, and I'll apologize if this topic has been addressed on another post.

I've never owned or even driven a motorcycle, but I recently saw a Spyder, and I can't get it out of my head. I am getting close to buying, but I don't have the money for a new one.

I'm interested in a RT/Limited, SE5/6. I found one at an authorized dealership, but it's got higher mileage so I'm nervous about the $16,500 price they're asking. It's a 2011 RT Ltd with about 32,000 miles on it. They claim it's a one owner dealer serviced machine. What are your thoughts on a machine with that many miles? Should I keep searching in this price range? I can't see myself spending more than $20k on one, and that's really stretching it.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

The Can Am is car like, oil changes are high unless you can do it. Built to last a long time,
replace tires with car tires when time comes, otherwise just tires brakes and battery. Did replace air bag. I have 51,000 and am planning a trip in June. I have a Corvette wilh similar mileage cost to operate is the same except for Can Am’s good mileage. They use Rotax engines in light aircraft it’s a great motor.

 

[Knizar]

Tideman,, ldpost:ldpost:ldpost:ldpost:

 

[tntnj]

If I were you I would look for a newer year RT with a 1330 motor (2014 to present). You should be able to find one for 17K to 19k. I have seen 2021 RT's for around 21K Happy Hunting

 

[Peteoz]

If I were you I would look for a newer year RT with a 1330 motor (2014 to present). You should be able to find one for 17K to 19k. I have seen 2021 RT's for around 21K Happy Hunting

Hahaha…..if Saskwatch is still looking, 9 years after asking the question, he/she must be a REAL ditherer, tntnj :2thumbs:.

Pete