2008 GS Thinking of purchase

[Possible]

Nope, some 2014 Spyders have the twin, and I think they didn't discontinue the twin until 2018? Not sure exactly what year.

The F3's are all 1330 cc.

 

[RideOn]

The last year for the V-Twin was 2016. Same year was the end of the line for the ST model, which never got the 1330.

 

[Charon]

The 1330 may be a better engine than the 998, but it's my understanding that the 1330 engine requires premium gas. I long since decided I don't want to buy any vehicle requiring premium gas, not just because of the extra fuel cost but because many gas stations don't even sell it. As an example, the only gas station in my town sells only E-10 and diesel. I did an impromptu check in the larger town nearest here, and of eleven stations I checked only five had premium gas.

 

[Peter Aawen]

The 1330 may be a better engine than the 998, but it's my understanding that the 1330 engine requires premium gas. I long since decided I don't want to buy any vehicle requiring premium gas, not just because of the extra fuel cost but because many gas stations don't even sell it. As an example, the only gas station in my town sells only E-10 and diesel. I did an impromptu check in the larger town nearest here, and of eleven stations I checked only five had premium gas.

I thought it was the other way round?!? :dontknow:

Certainly the 998 V-Twin motors are the higher revving, more 'exciting' to ryde motors (albeit nothing much 'til about 3500 rpm, but then HANG ON & WHOOPEE all the way out to well over 8,000 rpm) especially in the GS/RS/ST versions; while the 1330 Triples in all the F3's & 2014-on RT's are the lower revving & 'lazier' engines that will admittedly pull like a train just off idle but don't ever really startle you or snap your neck, cos they do produce close to max torque right off from about 1000 rpm then hold it pretty much all the way right out to their red line... except that's not much over 5000 rpm.....

And if you get the ECU Upgraded on either, even just if only to take advantage of a bit more of the power & torque BRP took from both powerplants when they de-tuned them significantly for our Spyders, then you will likely see a marked improvement from running higher octane fuel in either motor..... but I didn't think the 1330's really cared all that much in their stock & strangled, de-tuned factory set condition! :shocked:

 

[AVBIZ]

I never thought about that. Do all the 2014 Spyders have the 1330 engine? I did find this 2016 RS SM5 for under $10K, which I thought wasn't a bad price. 10K miles.

Looks like a solid price. As a recent purchaser of GS I have been pleasantly surprised in the ride, power, fit & finish seems to be very high and the v-twin exhaust note is sweet. I personally don’t like the looks of the 2014-2019 RT. I like the F3 but in the end the ability to pick up a V-Twin at half the price of an F3 was too good to pass up.

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

On my third Spyder and do not run high test gas! I have always run the cheapest gas in mine with no problems ( 10 percent ethanol). I don't use high test gas because so few cars use it today that your chance of getting some with water in it is a highly good chance! I tied to buy it for my Harley's, but on the road I alway had problems getting good fuel, so I decided to use regular! I don't think 15 percent ethanol would work, but the normal regular works with no problems!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The 1330 may be a better engine than the 998, but it's my understanding that the 1330 engine requires premium gas. I long since decided I don't want to buy any vehicle requiring premium gas, not just because of the extra fuel cost but because many gas stations don't even sell it. As an example, the only gas station in my town sells only E-10 and diesel. I did an impromptu check in the larger town nearest here, and of eleven stations I checked only five had premium gas.

I've owned three Spyders since 09 ... Always used reg. , mostly with ethyl .... my 14 RT with 1330 has 56,000 happy miles using reg also.... if you check your owners manual it does NOT SAY " requires premium " .... premium is Only recommended .... big difference in the meaning ..... good luck ... Mike :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

The 1330 may be a better engine than the 998, but it's my understanding that the 1330 engine requires premium gas. I long since decided I don't want to buy any vehicle requiring premium gas, not just because of the extra fuel cost but because many gas stations don't even sell it. As an example, the only gas station in my town sells only E-10 and diesel. I did an impromptu check in the larger town nearest here, and of eleven stations I checked only five had premium gas.

My experience concerning gas/octane, etc. I have now had six different Spyders. Four 998 twins, and two 1330 triples. IMO, both are great platforms but each has their quirks.

From 2008 through 2017 or so, I faithfully used the highest test gas I could find. That was 91 Octane, if memory serves me right. Alaska gas with no ethanol added. Around 2017 or so, I started listening to some others on the site: BlueKnight was one. I tried the 87 octane/ no ethanol available in AK and actually liked it. I did not notice any performance issues, or mileage issues. I always got 31 mpg give or take a small % on the 998's and get 40 mpg on the 1330's. The F3 does a tad better, but is is no more than 1 mpg over the 2014 RT.

Fast forward to 2019 and the move to Arkansas. We use 87 octane and 10% ethanol blend. 24K miles later, and the results are the same. No effect in performance or mileage.

There are many who will disagree, but that is okay. It works for us and we are happy with the results.

 

[draboo]

We are still looking. Found a 2012 GS asking $8K with 6K miles at a car dealer. 8 hour drive. All the ones that are in nicer shape are 4 to 8 hours away. Anyone here near Coeburn,VA?