A Question for Spyder Owners

[OldCowboy]

As you can tell by my post count, I'm brand new to the forum. Due to health concerns, I find myself in the market for a 3-wheeled machines. My last 2-wheeler was a Harley-Davidson touring model that gave me 27,000 trouble-free miles. I've been intrigued by the Spyder since they were first introduced.

Reading some of the posts on this forum, it seems the Spyder is prone to throwing codes and going into "limp home" mode. I'm especially concerned by the number of these incidents given the relatively small number of Spyders out there.

So here's my question: Have any of you ridden your Spyder for 25-30,000 miles without throwing a code, going into limp mode, or being left stranded on the side of the road?

Please understand, I'm not trying to bash the Spyder. My wife has said she'd ride with me if I got one. However, a couple of incidents where we have to be transported to a dealer hundreds of miles from home would eliminate her willingness to ride with me on a Spyder. So some honest answers would really be appreciated.

 

[bamaspyder1]

I too am in the process of buying a 2013 ST-S and have some of the same concerns as you do, will also be interested in some comments...

 

[MouthPiece]

As you can tell by my post count, I'm brand new to the forum. Due to health concerns, I find myself in the market for a 3-wheeled machines. My last 2-wheeler was a Harley-Davidson touring model that gave me 27,000 trouble-free miles. I've been intrigued by the Spyder since they were first introduced.

Reading some of the posts on this forum, it seems the Spyder is prone to throwing codes and going into "limp home" mode. I'm especially concerned by the number of these incidents given the relatively small number of Spyders out there.

So here's my question: Have any of you ridden your Spyder for 25-30,000 miles without throwing a code, going into limp mode, or being left stranded on the side of the road?

Please understand, I'm not trying to bash the Spyder. My wife has said she'd ride with me if I got one. However, a couple of incidents where we have to be transported to a dealer hundreds of miles from home would eliminate her willingness to ride with me on a Spyder. So some honest answers would really be appreciated.

On my 2010 RT-S with a little over 24,000 miles, I had one incident. On my present 2013 RT-S with over 9,000 miles I have had no codes. (we did have a ball joint issue which BRP circled the wagons and fixed right away).

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[missouriboy]

"miles" thread

Fellas, read this older topic about "How many miles?" on your spyder. Many posts tell # miles along with their experience of reliability. Click here.

People who have no problems don't generally start threads about it, so don't let the number of those who do have problems, mislead you into thinking the ratio is high. It's not.

 

[KCPete]

I've got just north of 16,000 miles on a 2011 RT without a hiccup. And I agree with missouriboy that the folks who DON'T have problems don't generally post a lot about it...they're out Ryding!

 

[jthornton]

Reading some of the posts on this forum, it seems the Spyder is prone to throwing codes and going into "limp home" mode. I'm especially concerned by the number of these incidents given the relatively small number of Spyders out there.

You wouldn't think that after you saw 1100 spyders at SpyderFest and this forum alone has 11,000 members. Granted not all still have spyders but 11,000 is a bunch.

I have to admit that my confidence level is higher for my Goldwing even though the GL1800 forum is as busy as here with sorting out problems.

JT

 

[joet82]

I have had 46K stranded free miles on my 09 RS. Have had an issue or 2, but nothing I couldn't drive it to the dealership for.

 

[joet82]

As you can tell by my post count, I'm brand new to the forum. Due to health concerns, I find myself in the market for a 3-wheeled machines. My last 2-wheeler was a Harley-Davidson touring model that gave me 27,000 trouble-free miles. I've been intrigued by the Spyder since they were first introduced.

Reading some of the posts on this forum, it seems the Spyder is prone to throwing codes and going into "limp home" mode. I'm especially concerned by the number of these incidents given the relatively small number of Spyders out there.

So here's my question: Have any of you ridden your Spyder for 25-30,000 miles without throwing a code, going into limp mode, or being left stranded on the side of the road?

Please understand, I'm not trying to bash the Spyder. My wife has said she'd ride with me if I got one. However, a couple of incidents where we have to be transported to a dealer hundreds of miles from home would eliminate her willingness to ride with me on a Spyder. So some honest answers would really be appreciated.

Also, if you are in Southwest Missouri, go talk to RickyLen, aka Pitbull on here, at PitBull Powersports in Springfield. They will answer all your concerns.

 

[SPYD1]

:congrats:I have a 09 RS with no issues.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

Well I only have 10,000 miles on mine and it is a little over a year old. No codes No problems so far.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:welcome:

Both my wife and I have 2009 GS SE5 Spyders. Mine has 25K and hers has 14K and neither one of us has ever been stranded anywhere. This was the first year for the SE5 and we have had some issues, but nothing that left us on the side of the road anywhere. I feel this is a pretty good track record for any driving machine. As others have stated, on a forum like this the threads looking for help in problem resolution usually out number those saying I had another great trouble free ryde today.

 

[ARtraveler]

I am guessing that most :spyder2: owners have experienced a code or a limp mode home or two.

These are not debilitating or stranding situations all of the time. Sometimes the computer cops an attitude and a re-boot (off/on) of the machine will solve the issue at hand.

Low fluid levels can cause codes. Riding the brake pedal can cause codes. Debris on the brake actuator can cause codes. Most of these situations can be alieviated by the owners regular maintainence checks.

That said. I have owned four :spyder2:'s and three of the four have/had over 25,000 miles on them. My current ryde (2010) just turned 30,000 miles. My 2011 just turned 5500 miles (bought in July 2012). I have never been stranded by my :spyder2:'s throwing codes or limp modes. You will note that I am in Alaska. No dealers beyond where I live, and lots of lonely roads to drive. I am talking 80,000 miles of combined :ani29: miles.

A good dealer is also important. Proper set up before delivery is imperitive. A lousy set up is the start of a bad experience. You can ask on the site and members will tell you good/bad when it comes to dealers and mechanical ability.

Other have also alluded to the fact that you hear more complaints than compliments. There are a lot of Spyderlovers that are pretty much in the same boat I am. I would not hesitate owning a :ani29:.

Let us know what you decide. :thumbup: :welcome:

 

[Bob Ledford]

RE: a question for Spyder owners

I feel your pain been there too!

My 2011 RTL SE-5 scared the living doo do out of me the first time I took it on a night run. I was sailing down the multi-lane roadway and the computer screen turned ORANGE and the engine slowed down AND MY BRAIN WENT INTO THE WHAT HAPPENED MODE! I headed for the side of the roadway. Shut the Spyder off and dug out the manual finding nothing in print and not being smart enough to think "codes" I tossed it inside my jacket. Restarted the Spyder and drove on to home. The next morning being a workday I was at the dealership before they opened. First in line. Twenty minutes later I had been diagnosed, lectured, and on my way to a long ride. Error free ride I might add. I was supposedly riding the brake pedal and the computer took exception to that.

Since then I have had one connector on the engine that disconnected its contact with its mate which lite up an icon and since I was within a block of the dealer and the engine sounded fine I proceeded to drive on slower then usual.

All the above took place in the first 600 miles.

At 4,600 miles I picked up a bad vibration at speed. Not being the least bit knowledgable about the weird things belts come with I took it to the dealer and the service manager drove it 10 miles, came back, fixed it and gave me my lecture about drive belts and said "get out of here, go for a ride, and have fun!"

If I were you I would get it, make an effort to ride the devil out of it before your first trip over 500 miles so you can get rid of the "newbie wobbles" which all of us get the first couple of time at speed. Get totally familiar with your new ride and get your bride settled in. Because she has about as much to UNLEARN and LEARN then you do.

Your bride has to unlearn everything she had to learn when she was learning to ride with you on the HD. If she does not want that feeling of shooting of the Spyder in a tight turn she has got to learn to LEAN INTO THE CURVE/CORNER. The exact opposite of what tried to make them do when we were trying to teach them when we spent all those times and explanations of counter steering and the importance of staying on the center line of the bikes balance line. My Anne still remains bolt up right with hand prints in the passenger hand holds. It has been a year plus and I still catch her not leaning in to the corners with me. I find myself wanting some sort of intercom so I can say "lean into the corner coming up."

Opps forgot one long term difficulty, turn signal switch went intermittent. It never failed to work but it failed to turn on properly. If you flicked it for a left turn ot right turn it may or may not have energized. When that happened I had to push the button in the left or right. That took 4 months plus to get but I was never without turn signals just properly functioning turn signals. BRPS manufacturer was not shipping do to a design flaw thereby putting the dealers in a stock out backorder situation.

 

[Blue Star]

I am guessing that most :spyder2: owners have experienced a code or a limp mode home or two.

:agree: I had 12,700 miles on my RS without ever a limp home mode, or any other issues. On my RT I had one limp home mode after first fuel fill up. I pulled over out of the way, turned off the bike, waited two minutes, and started up just fine. My mechanic said it might have gotten too hot, and when the fan came on took care of it. I now have 3500 miles with my RT, no more limp home modes, or other issues. Neither bike has left me stranded.

I have a friend that has a 2008 GS that left her stranded last year due to a radiator hose popping, and dealership was closed. That could happen to cars too though.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:
15,000 miles on my RT... :thumbup: The only time I was towed; it was due to a meeting with a Subaru that I'm ashamed to admit was my fault! pps:
A couple of issues along the way; but it's been a BLAST!! :2thumbs:

 

[kubie]

:agree: With those guys..... Buy one. You will love it. I am on #2 first had 8000 miles No and codes. the second has 1500 and no codes! oh and by the way.....:welcome:

 

[grich]

limp mode

i to am new to the 3 wheel craze i rode a goldwing for many years i recently in the middle of april traded goldwing for a new Rt limited its the best trade and purchase I've made since buying the goldwing no regrets as far as the limp mode hasn't happen learn the bike you'll due just fine and experience a tremendous enjoyment from the bike

 

[Pennyrick]

As you can tell by my post count, I'm brand new to the forum. Due to health concerns, I find myself in the market for a 3-wheeled machines. My last 2-wheeler was a Harley-Davidson touring model that gave me 27,000 trouble-free miles. I've been intrigued by the Spyder since they were first introduced.

Reading some of the posts on this forum, it seems the Spyder is prone to throwing codes and going into "limp home" mode. I'm especially concerned by the number of these incidents given the relatively small number of Spyders out there.

So here's my question: Have any of you ridden your Spyder for 25-30,000 miles without throwing a code, going into limp mode, or being left stranded on the side of the road?

Please understand, I'm not trying to bash the Spyder. My wife has said she'd ride with me if I got one. However, a couple of incidents where we have to be transported to a dealer hundreds of miles from home would eliminate her willingness to ride with me on a Spyder. So some honest answers would really be appreciated.

Just do it!

We are on our second set of Spyders. Our first two RT's were 10's and I did have one incident with limp mode but it turned out it was telling me about the bad throttle body that some 2010 models were equipped with. I turned it off for ten minutes, restarted and everything was good. Dealer did the throttle body fix and I put 16,000 miles on that Spyder before upgrading to a 2012 RT Limited. It just turned 14,000 miles with no mode messages in sight.

My wife put 18,000 on her 2010 before moving to a 2012 RT Limited and she now has 12,000 miles on it. She has never seen a limp mode message.

Remember, folks who have problems are going to post the bad news.... those who don't have bad news are out there riding the heck out of their Spyders. Trust me, there are a lot more of the latter.

 

[StanProff]

I had one limp mode in two years. early in the ownership, turned the switch off and back on two or three times to reset computer and never seen it again. that was 14,000 miles ago. Mine is a 2010 RT. love the ride and wouldn't hesitate to head across country (again). :thumbup:

 

[Cleg]

:2thumbs: I am on yr. 2 with my Limited. Ridden every way you can, fast, hard, long and 'putt-putt"... no issues:yes::yes:. Expect the next 11,000 to be as great as the first. Ryde on my friend, ryde on :clap::clap: