Mikey
Well-known member
:agree:X2
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Any reason NOT to buy a 2012 RT Limited?
- Thread starter KC61
- Start date
:agree:X2
I am new to the community and an ex-Rocket touring owner (50,000+ miles) not one single problem! Best ride I've ever owned, but just purchased a 2011 RT SE5 to see if a Can Am Spyder might be a fitting ride for an older fella & his partner to head on off into the sunset on. Kinda bummed about the service issue as I'm non-familiar with Can Am's requirements for maintenance. Here we go!
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The main ones refusing to service them I believe are the Corporate Dealerships. Find a locally owned dealer or a local independent shop and you should be fine.
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ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Unfortunately, these are few and far between. Spyders are a special animal, and knowledge, special tools, and skills are hard to find--even at the Corporate dealerships. :bowdown:
Deanna777
Well-known member
My first Spyder was a 2012 RTS-SE5, Quatumaum Metallic Blue. I had warranty work done on it (the right front headlight unit was not working properly due to the HI/LO beam, which was not working; plus, the cruise control was not working right from the get go; & the right-side saddlebag door did not close properly) .
When the 2014 RTS SE6 Spyder model came out, it had the new 1330 Ace engine, and they did all of the major upgrades on it. I traded in my 2012 RTS-SE5 for a 2014 RTS-SE6. My current bike is a 2023 F3LTD Special Series.
I would go with the 2014 Spyder model and up if you can.
The 2012 Spyder model is a good machine, but parts and the 998 engine and etc. would be hard to find. Also, would any dealership work on that old of a Spyder model?
Deanna
When the 2014 RTS SE6 Spyder model came out, it had the new 1330 Ace engine, and they did all of the major upgrades on it. I traded in my 2012 RTS-SE5 for a 2014 RTS-SE6. My current bike is a 2023 F3LTD Special Series.
I would go with the 2014 Spyder model and up if you can.
The 2012 Spyder model is a good machine, but parts and the 998 engine and etc. would be hard to find. Also, would any dealership work on that old of a Spyder model?
Deanna
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Gburgspyder
New member
I've read all of this thread. I have a chance to buy a 2012 (thus my curiosity). I've already found the closest dealer to me can change tires, do an annual service, but that might be it. I've called others just a little farther away, but so far I can't get them to answer their phone. This is a sweet pearl white trike that I think I could be comfortable on, but I don't want a money pit at my age. The seller says it's ran fine for them for years. I don't know whether to just trust that.
There are newer ones in my area, but out of my price range.
Glenn
There are newer ones in my area, but out of my price range.
Glenn
Gburgspyder
New member
I called a dealership in Greenville today. I called the Sevierville, TN dealership and they didn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. They said the Greenville shop had a laser alignment machine. The only "worry" I still have that the Greenville shop told me was that BRP (as well as any manufacturer) don't have to keep making parts for anything over 10 years old. He did say since Can Am still makes the Spyder RT, I should be ok. I believe I'm going to go ahead and buy this one.
pegasus1300
Well-known member
I have been running a 2012 since 2015 and it now has 79,000+ and doing well. At 77 I can still do my own oil changes, tires and a few other things. If you are that close to BajaRon you can trust them for anything you need.
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ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Can Am still does make a "version" of the RT. The engine from 2014 on has been changed to a 1330/three cylinder. The engine in the 2012 is a 998/two cylinder.
This is where you may run into problems. The 998 is now 11 years old and we are hearing parts to be an issue. Also, many dealers of Spyder say they will not work on Spyders that are 10 plus years old. Good luck with your purchase. :bowdown:
Little Blue
SpyderLovers Ambassador
I wish you well. But if you are not able to make minor repairs this May NOT be the real deal.
As already mentioned in several other posts. After 10 years parts can be very hard to find.
My Tip: Purchase a Spyder 'Less Than' 10 years old.
Your Money is Yours. SO do what makes you Happy. Just Saying. ....:thumbup:
Mikey
Well-known member
If Ron's telling you that parts are getting hard to get than that should tell you what direction you should turn in. They are straight shooters and will not lead you down the wrong path! Keep looking for something a little newer, you wouldn't be disappointed when you find the right one. Mine is about what you're looking at right now, and I know sooner or later I will have to part it out and look for newer iron.
Gburgspyder
New member
I've had a PM going with BajaRon. He hasn't said that exactly. The dealership that's just a block or so from him told me that. I see people with very old Goldwings, other older Hondas, forget the Harley crowd. I know its a different animal, but if the parts are indeed getting hard to find, it could be a business opportunity for the right person. Now the electronics are another animal.
Elwood58
New member
I loved my 2012 RT-S, which I bought new. It eventually became an issue for services and parts. Many of our local dealerships will not take in service request for Spyders more than ten years old. Parts have been sold off to a third party, but are still fairly available. For how long is anybody’s guess. 2012s in dealer used inventory are running closer to $8500.
Low mileage is a big red flag for a Spyder that old.
Low mileage is a big red flag for a Spyder that old.
Trikemybike
New member
Thinking about buying a 2012 Spyder RT Ltd. The seller tells me the DPS needs to be replaced - $2400 for the repair. The machine has 5800 miles on the clock. I only have two dealers within in 100 miles from me. Any thoughts are welcome...
Thanks.
Thanks.
Welcome to Forum & posting Trike, and notwithstanding my earlier post in this 12 month old thread, seriously, see Elwoods post, immediately above yours...
As partial as I am to the V-twins over the 1330's, I'm not sure that a low milage 2012 that needs work before you can even ride it is such a great deal at any price?!
For starters, most dealers won't touch it now, so you're basically on your own when it comes to any work you want done. Parts are still 'sorta' available, IF your lucky; but a new DPS will need more than just parts; IIRC, it needs BUDS to set up/calibrate /dial in the new DPS unit for it to work properly with your machine.. Do you have BUDS? Or are you prepared to get it? That's another cost, and a learning curve; and all before you've even got the Spyder home!! How cheap is this thing?? Are you prepared to do all your own spanner spinning, diagnosis, and hunt for spares for everything/anything?? 
And all that is before we get to the low milage - which IS a concern!! That Spyder hasn't been used much at all, and if you're lucky, it was a garage queen; but either that bike has done no more than 500 miles each year (so, not enough to warrant an oil change or any dealer type service/maintenance, did it ever get any??) OR, it's spent YEARS sitting around doing nothing but deteriorating, possibly even not in the greatest of storage conditions?! Did the oil get changed & Stabil or similar added to the gas before it got laid up?? Did that EVER happen?? Maybe not... maybe whoever owned it just stopped riding it one day, and then just left it in the driveway for the next 12 or so winters & summers, or possibly in a 'not climate controlled' shed/garage??
Still, either way, it hasn't done a heap of anything, so all the seals & bushes are likely dodgy if not dead; the battery isn't likely to be in too good of a condition; at you'll likely need new tires before you even think about moving it, let alone riding it; and if there's still oil in it, it's probably so old, contaminated, and been collecting condensation to add to the gathered combustion contaminants, and then brewing all that in there for so long that it's probably not just 'corrosive' now, it's more likely 'toxic and corrosive', and has probably pitted if not actually eaten away chunks of some of the critical components!! All of which adds to your likely cost very soon after buying, IF you can either do the work yourself or you're lucky enough to find someone who'll do it for you without charging dealer prices!!
All if which adds up to 'This low milage 2012 Spyder hasta be AWFULLY CHEAP to make taking on such a likely expensive & time consuming project worthwhile, especially since it's unlikely any dealer will help you with anything!!' Are you up for such a challenge, or were you looking for a cheap way in to Spyder Riding??
If the latter, then maybe you should look elsewhere, saaaayyy, something like a 2017 or newer RT with the 1330 motor so that you get at least a couple of years where the dealers won't laugh at you if you take it in, and where there are some parts readily available that you don't hafta pay 'rare spares' prices for?! 
Just Sayin'
BajaRon
Well-known member
There was a factory recall on early DPS units. I think it depended on when in 2012 and which DPS it had. I don't know if that recall is still effective. But it would certainly be worth a try.
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