Biker looking to switch to a Spyder

[Plazmon]

Can someone help out with general info

What are the service intervals for a Spyder?.................

What are the average service costs?..........................

Premium fuel recomended?........................................

With ethanol ok?

Pros?..............................

Cons?...............................

Decent technical deaelrs in AL,TN or Ga?:doorag:

 

[BamaSpyder]

Bought :spyder2:at Big # 1 in Birmingham. Service is at 600 miles and then every 3000 miles. They seem to know what they are doing and had no problems with them. Bought a service contract that covers all services for three years about 60% off what they normally charge. 600 mile service about $400.00:yikes:if you do not have the contract.

 

[Nate01]

Well, the 600 Mile service price varies on locale and dealer. I just got mine done, out the door was only $225 no BEST Plus. They said 2 hours, but they had it done in a little over 1.5 hours so labor was a little cheaper. I was the first appointment of the day on Saturday, so I was the first in second out, had an inspection of a goldwing came in right after me.

 

[Hawk Eye]

Don't worry about it, you will love the ride.

Hawk Eye :yes::yes:

 

[Plazmon]

Spyder info

Not worried about ,just trying to get some general info

Do they run on Premium fuel?

Have you had any problems with yours?

Decent dealers are few and far between

Anything you can give me a heads up with is appreciated,I have been riding since i was 11 but have never rode or owned a three wheeler

I can trike my Beemer ,but wanted to be convinced that Spyder RT is the way to go,

 

[Plazmon]

Spyder V Trike a Beemer

looking for any information to convince me that the Spyder is reliable,and they have some decent dealers with trained technicians.

I still havent been told do they have to be run on Premium fuel

what does a 3,000 service cost?

6,000,

9,000

12,000

Just doing a little homework

 

[stevedfive]

The 6000 and the 12000 are usually about double the cost.

 

[Plazmon]

Spyder info

Bought :spyder2:at Big # 1 in Birmingham. Service is at 600 miles and then every 3000 miles. They seem to know what they are doing and had no problems with them. Bought a service contract that covers all services for three years about 60% off what they normally charge. 600 mile service about $400.00:yikes:if you do not have the contract.

Much appreciated,

Do they run on Premium fuel?

What does a 3,000 service run?

I live within an hour of Birmingham so i will check them out

How reliable are they?I ride a Bemer so they have a big act to follow,i know the engine has been around for awhile,but i am seeing electronic problems, fuel lines,oil leaks etc not very convincing so far

The other dealers in the area are White in Chattanooga and Sports of Cullman,but havent heard anything about them as of yet

 

[cyclelover63]

I have a 2009 SE5 and the book says to run 87 octane..thats what I use. I also run a fuel injector cleaner. I was told the 6,000 mile service runs app $500.00..includes tune,lof,replacing exhaust gaskets,valve adjustment,air filter and all of the checks...I love mine. My wife and I have opened up a whole new world since we bought it. She would not get on a 2 wheel bike,so I got rid of it and the test drive she went on convinced her it was safer.I'm from southern Illinois,so couldn't tell you about any other dealers

 

[Plazmon]

Double the cost?

Bought :spyder2:at Big # 1 in Birmingham. Service is at 600 miles and then every 3000 miles. They seem to know what they are doing and had no problems with them. Bought a service contract that covers all services for three years about 60% off what they normally charge. 600 mile service about $400.00:yikes:if you do not have the contract.

The 6000 and the 12000 are usually about double the cost.

Can you quote some approximate costs?

$ 500?

$1000

Any other information either Pros or cons?

Appreciate it

 

[Plazmon]

Great reply

I have a 2009 SE5 and the book says to run 87 octane..thats what I use. I also run a fuel injector cleaner. I was told the 6,000 mile service runs app $500.00..includes tune,lof,replacing exhaust gaskets,valve adjustment,air filter and all of the checks...I love mine. My wife and I have opened up a whole new world since we bought it. She would not get on a 2 wheel bike,so I got rid of it and the test drive she went on convinced her it was safer.I'm from southern Illinois,so couldn't tell you about any other dealers

Thanks a bunch,

Any info is greatly appreciated,I have a beemer and can trike it but love the look and the front 2 wheels,i know the Rotax is a great engine but i am seeing lots of niggling problems on the forum, electronic,oil leaks etc
need a little convincing so your reply was great thanks

Any other tips,things to avoid?

 

[BikerDoc]

Thanks a bunch,

Any info is greatly appreciated,I have a beemer and can trike it but love the look and the front 2 wheels,i know the Rotax is a great engine but i am seeing lots of niggling problems on the forum, electronic,oil leaks etc
need a little convincing so your reply was great thanks

Any other tips,things to avoid?

Like with everything else in life, the problems get most of the attention and when people have problems they complain (can't blame them) however most of us get so busy riding that we forget to shower the praises of the good times. If you figure there are as many as 20000 spyders on the road (and you will quickly learn you will be hard pressed to get a spyder away from its owner), then I think the statistics are pretty darn good.. Sure there is some new technology and oftentimes we as owner riders discover that we were at least partly responsible for the problems when they do occur (learning curve for everyone) I have 18000 miles on mine in the last 15 months and would never go back to a two wheeler again (rode my first two wheeler 43 years ago...)

 

[NancysToy]

BRP recommends that the RT use 91 octane (premium) fuel. It will run on regular, but not as well. It will tolerate up to 10% ethanol, but it gets worse mileage and isn't really as happy. I consider it reliable, but more fragile than my BMW RT. There are more dealers here in Michigan, and probably in several states, than there are BMW dealers, and they are quite reliable, but that extra mile for the touring rider, and the support structure for parts to help in those situations, really isn't up to BMW standards yet. Despite this, I am considering selling my BMW. I love my Spyder!

 

[Riot]

Have an 08 GS never used anything but 87 octane, runs fine on that. ethanol sucks..find a station that doesnt add that crap, i do notice a difference on 10% added, hesitates, pops and farts, in general gets cranky on me, add good gas and likes life again.

 

[WackyDan]

Can someone help out with general info YES

What are the service intervals for a Spyder?..........600 ( first oil change and adjustments for wear in), then every 3k... With some odds and ends every 6000 miles. Major service at 12k miles for valve adjustment and fluid changes.

What are the average service costs?.............Oil change at dealer = $150...Oil change yourself = $75-80. 12k service can be from $550 to $1100 depending on dealer and if you do any of the items yourself.

Premium fuel recomended?...........Yeah and no. I've run 87 to 93 octane with not a lot of difference if any in how she runs. The newer models call for higher octane though.

With ethanol ok? That is subject to opinion here... but yes, the spyder can run ethanol blends.

Pros?.............. Too many... The short list.. The community built up around these Spyders is awesome. They are great fun and ride awesome in the rain... They don't tip over and go boom.

Cons?....... Mileage. If you are used to two wheels, you will not like the mileage the spyder gets... 32/33 average on a GS/RS with top being 38. Many RT owners only get 27/28 average with some popping up to 33 or so. You have to remember that you are dragging a 3rd wheel, you lose 6th gear for reverse and the spyder, due to it's frontal area pushes a lot of wind... Once you understand those things, the sooner you'll be ok with the mileage.

Decent technical deaelrs in AL,TN or Ga?:doorag: .... In GA, look for Extreme Propulsion - Cartersville, GA. Several here have been very happy with them including myself. Small shop, but customer service was excellent.

Hope that helps. If you want, PM me here on spyderlovers and we'll get together and talk on the phone about spyders.

 

[gcain747]

Spyder dealers

I bought mine a Big #1 in Birmingham. So far I am very happy with them. I run 93 oct. in mine but I do that in my car also. I did try a tank of mid grade and didn't really see a big difference. I had read a lot on this site and other sites so I was pretty prepaired for the difference in the spyder and my old regular bike. I put over 1000 miles on mine the first 4 days I owned it and enjoyed every mile. There are a few things that I have already learned that I can pass on to you.
When you decide which model you are going to buy go to www.spyderpops.com and order the catalytic converter shields. They really stop the heat from the cat.
When you get it make sure the dealer sets the air pressure at 18 front and 30 rear. After you have driven it a short time play with the air pressure and only use the gauge that came with the bike or buy a good pressure gauge and use it. Find the sweet spot for air pressure that you fell good with and always check the air using the same gauge.
When we bought ours we rode it about 100 miles and then rode from Birmingham to Baton Rouge, LA. We rode in very hot weather until we hit rain on the way back home. I slowed down to 55 for a few miles and then eased up to 60 then 65, 70 and then 75. We rode from Meridian to B'Ham at 75 and never had a problem. The bike was very stable at that speed in a steady rain.
The one thing I have found about the steering is you only need a very light touch on the bars. I set the cruse control and ride with one hand and a very relaxed grip. When turning I either push with one hand or a very light pull with one hand. I don't push and pull.
I plan to take a lot of long trips the same as we have done with our old 2 wheeler. My wife loves to ride. We are planning a ride July 17th to Cheaha State Park. If you don't have a spyder by then but you have a bike you are welcome to join us to see how you like what you see.
Greg Cain
Helena AL

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: to the forum.
I recommend you go and test drive the :spyder2: of your choice--that will help you to decide if a spyder is in your future.

Premium gas for me--mine don't like regular. Spyders are not known for great gas mileage--but 30 seems to be the average.

Service prices will vary from dealer to dealer--check with the dealer you plan on purchasing from. Servicing the Spyder will cost you more than a regular motorcycle.

Lots of pros and cons--more pros though.

I have had three Spyders and total mileage over 50,000 miles. I still like em!

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

I have had both BMW and Harley Davidson MC's for over the last 30 years and now only the Spyder RS. I would not go back! They are great and the community is very close and extremely helpful. As I am sure you know by now there are two models of Spyder, the RS Roadster and the RT Touring model. Both are great but have a very different ride. You really need to test ride each if you can. I love the sportiness, more forward seating position and the simple set up of my RS but on the other hand the RT's seating position is much more upright and better suited for two up on a regular basis. As far as touring with either it is not a problem as you can get aftermarket hard bags form either Corbin or GIVI for the RS model as well as a backrest and an aftermarket GPS etc. The RT is pretty much ready to go.

I use regular gas in my RS but it hates Ethanol (farts a lot ie backfires at higher altitudes). :welcome:

 

[spydrluvr]

looking for any information to convince me that the Spyder is reliable,and they have some decent dealers with trained technicians.

I still havent been told do they have to be run on Premium fuel

what does a 3,000 service cost?

6,000,

9,000

12,000

Just doing a little homework

i have a 2009 gs sm5 3000 miles regular gas....not a single...no not one.. problem with the spyder

had my oil changed today 90.00...but i thing you can learn to do that yourself:welcome:

 

[bikeguy]

Much appreciated,

Do they run on Premium fuel?

BRP recommends 91 Octane and I try to use it but sometimes I can't get it. It seems to run fine on 87. I have noticed no loss of performance or mileage on 87 but I still prefer 91 if it's available.

What does a 3,000 service run?

Both my 600 mile and 3,000 mile services were $286.00. 6,000 mile service was $382.00 and 12,000 mile service was $509.00.

How reliable are they?I ride a Bemer so they have a big act to follow,i know the engine has been around for awhile,but i am seeing electronic problems, fuel lines,oil leaks etc not very convincing so far

I also rode Beemers and still own a 1975 R90/6. I find the maintenance requirements for the Spyder to be very similar to BMW's with more maintenance being recommended for both than for Japanese bikes. I have almost 17,000 miles on my 2010 Spyder RT and have had no serious problems at all. Both middle side panels blew off within the first 2,000 miles but both were replaced at no cost to me and I think the problem has been solved since I've had no further problems. It has occasionally (3 times) gone into limp mode for no apparent reason but removing the key and starting over clears the problem. I guess I just look at it the same as having to re-boot Windows once in a while. No other problems.

The other dealers in the area are White in Chattanooga and Sports of Cullman,but havent heard anything about them as of yet

Cotton