2025 Spyder RT: Any Cautions to note before purchase?

[jgortner]

Hi all,

Long time motorcycle rider but never owned a Can Am/BRP vehicle. I have done a ton of research but wanted to ask y’all as this forum seems to have wonderful people and a great wealth of knowledge.

• Apple CarPlay: Did they fix the issues here? You don’t still need a headset connected like with the '24 do you? And have they solved the connection/disconnection issues? Basically, I just want to plug my phone in, and hear GPS and music through the speakers while getting navigation. I know getting rid of the BRP interim software was a good step.
• Reliability: I know some previous models from a few years back suffered from Limp Mode, Error Codes, cooling fans that won’t turn off, and similar. I really don’t want to drop 30k on a problem box. What do I need to know here, and what are the cautions for the '25 model? I’m not a handy person and am used to Honda type reliability.
• Top Case: Does this really still not have a way to prop it up? I rode a 2023 model and was baffled there was no hydronic strut or similar.
• Traction Control: I rented and really loved a 2023 model. Can I confirm they didn’t make the software more aggressive? I enjoyed going around turns and corners pretty sharply without it kicking in. But I did notice it seemed way more aggressive with a passenger.
• Any other cautions? I really welcome any and all feedback and notes (positives welcome too but just trying to know what I’m getting into).

Really appreciate this community. Thank you all!

 

[racoon]

I grabbed a Adobe Acrobat copy of the 2025 Spyder RT Operator's Guide from here:

3-Wheel Vehicles | BRP GUIDES

www.operatorsguides.brp.com

The Apple CarPlay information on Page 50 is the same as the 2024 Operator's Guide, although the page formatting is different:

To use the Apple CarPlay, you must

1. Connect a compatible smartphone to the display via USB cable.
2. Pair a helmet audio system to the display via Bluetooth.

On Page 49 you'll find the Preferences information, which does mention the Audio menu to:

• Configure the audio output (headset or speaker (if equipped)

But that is to control the radio output, if your bike has a radio, not to configure the Apple CarPlay output.
Apple CarPlay always goes to the headset that you have Bluetooth paired to your Spyder.
The Bluetooth pairing information starts on the bottom of Page 51 and continues on to Page 52.

You can pair your iPhone, a driver's headset, and a passenger headset.

 

[jgortner]

That’s really unfortunate and makes no sense for people that just want to use the bike’s speakers. In some ways, makes me not want to purchase the vehicle.

 

[racoon]

• Apple CarPlay: Did they fix the issues here?

So let's take a little side trip down my rabbit hole when it comes to Apple CarPlay.

I also drive a 2023 Honda Ridgeline, which does support CarPlay.
I currently own 7 different USB-to-Lightning cables. 4 genuine Apple cables, one Belkin cable, one no-name brand cable all of which are about a meter long, and one very short (about 6") noname cable.

ALL 7 of the cables work with Apple CarPlay in my Honda Ridgeline truck. The very short cable is the main cable I'm using in the Ridgeline now, as it allows me to connect my iPhone to the USB port on the dash and leave the iPhone in the little storage area at the base of the center console without having to deal with a longer cable.

I tested the 6 longer cables on my 2024 Spyder RT Sea2Sky. The Belkin and no-name cable didn't work.
Of the 4 genuine Apple cables, 2 did not work, and 2 sometimes work.

I say sometimes, as even when CarPlay is working while I'm riding, I've had it stop working in the middle of a ride.
And I don't mean I'm riding somewhere, then stop, and when I start again it won't work.
I mean riding down the freeway at 65 mph and it suddenly starts working, works for awhile, and then suddenly stops working.

I complained to CAN-AM, who referred me back to my dealer. As CAN-AM explained to me, they do provide end user support for BRP GO!, but they do not provide end user support for Apple CarPlay issues.

I did contact my dealer, and the service manager called me and told me that I would need to bring my Spyder in, and then stay and work with his senior tech to diagnose what's happening, as the dealer doesn't have an iPhone or headset available to test with my bike.
It's been raining here the last few days, but tomorrow will be dry, so I'll be heading to the dealer in the morning.

=============

As for the top case, I went out to check as I wasn't sure.
If you open the lid of the top case part way and release it then it does close.
If you open the lid of the top case all of the way then it stays up/open.

 

[racoon]

That’s really unfortunate and makes no sense for people that just want to use the bike’s speakers. In some ways, makes me not want to purchase the vehicle.

You aren't the first person to make that comment.

My only response is the amount of noise you experience while riding, even if you have a full coverage helmet, can drown out the speakers even at full volume.

 

[jgortner]

I feel like maybe I should just find a 2023 and use Bluetooth which I think is a much more reliable connection.

 

[racoon]

As I was getting ready for bed, I thought about something else.

Google found information that Harley-Davidson's implementation of Apple CarPlay also requires a headset.
As does CarPlay on Honda Goldwings.

 

[jgortner]

As I was getting ready for bed, I thought about something else.

Google found information that Harley-Davidson's implementation of Apple CarPlay also requires a headset.
As does CarPlay on Honda Goldwings.

It feels partially also like a connection stability issue too since there are so many notes about connection drop out even while riding. But I don’t read that for the 2023, ideas that just connect with Bluetooth.

 

[racoon]

I feel like maybe I should just find a 2023 and use Bluetooth which I think is a much more reliable connection.

Apple CarPlay was introduced with the 2024 Spyder along with the 10.25" display.

For the 2023 and earlier bikes, with the 7.8" display, you would use the BRP GO! app on your phone, which uses BRP Connect technology on the Spyder for communication.

Pair your vehicle with BRP GO! On the 7.8" display, you can access select compatible apps like REVER and Genius Maps thanks to BRP GO!

BRP Go!: A smartphone app for riders - Can-Am On-Road

The BRP GO! app, available on our electric motorcycles and 3-wheelers, allows you to use some of your favorite apps directly on your vehicle display.

can-am.brp.com

 

[McClendons]

A simple solution for the headset requirement if you want to use bike speakers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081GGB53R?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1.

Plug into trunk port, pair as headset 1, and set output of bike to speakers.

As to the rest of the CarPlay implementation, still a mess. Unreliable, hard to find cables that work etc. Of course, it is still better than the Android Auto implementation...

 

[LongIsland]

I have a 2022 RTL so I cannot respond to your Carplay question, nor can I answer your traction control question.

Reliability: I know some previous models from a few years back suffered from Limp Mode, Error Codes, cooling fans that won’t turn off, and similar. I really don’t want to drop 30k on a problem box. What do I need to know here, and what are the cautions for the '25 model? I’m not a handy person and am used to Honda type reliability.

Just like a car, nothing is perfect, and you may get one with an issue. Anyway, I have owned 3 RTL's: a 2012, 2014, and now a 2022 with a total of about 99K miles. I had the following failures: 2012 (~20K miles) air compressor; 2014 (~60K miles) ABS sensor; 2022 (~19K miles) Nothing to date.​

Top Case: Does this really still not have a way to prop it up? I rode a 2023 model and was baffled there was no hydronic strut or similar.

The top case looks the same as the 2022, which has a strut that can be replaced with a stronger one. The strut is located on the right side of the top case between the hinge and the passenger backrest. Several vendors sell these, as well as most auto parts stores. ​

 

[ned64]

Passenger on Spyder - there is a switch under back seat telling the Nanny a passenger is on the seat. Nanny cuts back on some settings when that's depressed, so that it is safer to help keep the Spyder under control in turns. Yes, it cuts back on power in sharp turns and taking off around a corner. That's how I understood it anyway. When wife's on the back with me, taking off from a stop around a sharp turn you can tell Nanny cuts the power so to help not throw the passenger off. Out on the highway, I have no idea what it does to help. Someone else can likely answer this question about the Nanny and a passenger better than I can.

 

[racoon]

Top Case: Does this really still not have a way to prop it up? I rode a 2023 model and was baffled there was no hydronic strut or similar.

The top case looks the same as the 2022, which has a strut that can be replaced with a stronger one. The strut is located on the right side of the top case between the hinge and the passenger backrest. Several vendors sell these, as well as most auto parts stores. ​

I tested my 2024 Spyder RT Sea2Sky.
If you open the top case part way and release it, then it does close.
If you open the top case all of the way, then it stays open.