Bummed out waiting for a part

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:

Hello - not sure if I have the privilege to reply here, but I have been thinking about buying a new 2024 or 2025 RT. I'm a lifetime Honda guy who went to KTM in 2018. Bought a new KTM adventure bike. Mechanically, the engine was great. I did have the notorious 1st-to-2nd gear miss issue in the transmission but I wanted to love the KTM so bad that I was willing to accept the fact that I need to be extra careful upshifting 1st to 2nd. Then suddenly, the electronic dash failed. The bike would start and run but the dash no longer worked. I took to the KTM dealer (which was excellent) and he said the electronic dash failed. It also lost my odometer reading. The dealer, while good, told me KTM was not willing to cover the dash under warranty because the bike was a 15 months old. Needless to say, the bike was at the dealer for 2 months getting a new dash, certifying the odometer and paying the $2000 bill. I essentially left the bike at the deanship (I did physically bring it home) but asked the dealer if he would sell on consignment (at a loss). I eventually came back to Honda which I have today.

So, I'm really afraid to buy a Can-Am Spyder when I hear stories about parts availability and dealers refusing to work on machines. I have no problem doing my own maintenance but I depend on the dealer for warranty issues and complex problems. These machines are complex and troubleshooting can be very difficult. I really want to buy the RT and I have been mentally planning trips that would be fun to do.

Let me know your thoughts. Are these machines a fun novelty, but not dependable transportation? Or do they will have a reasonable statistical probability of issues, but not unlike any other motorcycle?

CH

I am a long time Spyder owner and am one of the few that have owned 7 different Spyders, over15 years. This covers over 200,000 Spyder miles. Prior to 2008 and a little beyond I have owned every flavor of rice burner and a myriad of sizes. From 80cc to 2000cc and many in-between. At 79, I sold my last two Spyders and no longer ride motorcycles. Age and health finally got to me. In other words, I think I am qualified to say, I like motorcycles. I started riding in 1966.

My experience with the CanAm Spyder brand has been good. I NEVER have had a major breakdown, NEVER been stranded, and have NOT had issues with parts or service. I have been posting here since 2010 and have had many stories to tell. I lived in Alaska from 2001 until 2019 and then moved to Arkansas in 2019. Buying a Spyder today is like a crap-shoot. You can either have good luck or bad. I do not recall hearing any bad stuff about Ohio dealers, so that is in your favor. You are also 2 states away from iMoto, a place that delivers and has reasonable prices. I bought 2 Spyders from them. I have voiced comments over the years about poor dealer service, (as noted on the site) and the latest trend of "we don't work on machines that are 10 years or older." Another caveat, on any internet site, you are going to hear more about the "bad" stuff and "complaints." People like to use public forums when they have an axe to grind or a major complaint against a specific dealer. As a moderator, we look at these very carefully and try to keep the situations a bit more balanced. The blatant trouble makers do not have a chance here. :bowdown:

Parts and authorized service are a BRP (CanAM) thing. The complexity of the machines CAN be an issue, depending on the dealer. Parts are a BRP thing. It appears, that the parts problem have got a bit worse over the last few years. But, we also hear that about every other brand also. :bowdown: I was one of the first owners of a Spyder in Alaska. And I had four new ones in a row (2008, 2009, and 2010, and 2011). Then, I mellowed out a bit.

I am still on the SL site even though the Spyders have been gone since 2023.

A new Spyder is a decision you have to make. Best wishes in your choice. I vote go for it. :bowdown:

 

[DickB]

Hello - not sure if I have the privilege to reply here, but I have been thinking about buying a new 2024 or 2025 RT. I'm a lifetime Honda guy who went to KTM in 2018. Bought a new KTM adventure bike. Mechanically, the engine was great. I did have the notorious 1st-to-2nd gear miss issue in the transmission, but I wanted to love the KTM so bad that I was willing to accept the fact that I need to be extra careful upshifting 1st to 2nd. Then suddenly, the electronic dash failed. The bike would start and run but the dash no longer worked. I took to the KTM dealer (who was excellent) and he said the electronic dash failed and also lost my odometer reading. The dealer, while good, told me KTM was not willing to cover the dash under warranty because the bike was 15 months old. Needless to say, the bike was at the dealer for 2 months getting a new dash, certifying the odometer, and paying the $2000 bill. I essentially left the bike at the dealership, altho I did physically bring it home but asked the dealer if he would sell it on consignment (at a loss). I eventually came back to Honda, one of which I have today.

So, I'm really afraid to buy a Can-Am Spyder when I hear stories about parts availability and dealers refusing to work on machines. I have no problem doing my own maintenance, but I depend on the dealer for warranty issues and complex problems. These machines are complex, and troubleshooting can be very difficult. I really want to buy the RT, and I have been mentally planning trips that would be fun to do.

Let me know your thoughts. Are these machines a fun novelty, but not dependable transportation? Or do they have a reasonable statistical probability of issues, but not unlike any other motorcycle?

CH

This is my 2014 RSS project, before and after. It ran and drove, but as you can see the whole front end was missing. I purchased and installed more than 20 parts, some used, some new, to make it whole. A few of the new parts took two weeks to arrive, but I was able to source everything.

It's helpful to get a service manual - pdf versions are about $25 - and BUDS diagnostic system if doing your own maintenance and repairs. I did have a faulty yaw rate sensor, which I replaced with a used part to save $$ and needed BUDS to calibrate it. You can do a lot without BUDS, but for some repairs such as to replace sensors and properly bleed brakes it is necessary. (BTW, BUDS can set the odometer.) BUDS is not cheap, but the closest dealers are two hours away for me, necessitating two round trips and trailer rental for repairs, so for me, BUDS was worth the expense. I have used it to repair my Ryker, Spyder, and reset the service message on my Sea Doo.

I've had no issues since the rebuild, but I have added only 3500 miles since I got it in April.

As far as complexity, Spyders have stability control which motorcycles don't. This does add electronics and sensors such as a yaw rate sensor, steering angle sensor, pillion rider switch, etc. They also have electrically assisted steering, with a torque sensor, electric motor, and electronics. Other systems such as electronic gauges and ABS will be similar to many two-wheel motorcycles, but yes, Spyders are more complex.

 

[2dogs]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's my impression that BRP (Buying Readymade Parts) is for the most, just an assembly plant. :dontknow:

 

[vito1943]

At this point, while still waiting for the dealer to get the needed part and effect the repair, it doesn't much matter whether it happens in the next few days or the next few months since I won't be riding anyway. But in the three years I have had my Spyder I have been so pleased with it that a "next bike" has not even crossed my mind. At 81 I sort of assumed that this would be my "final" motorcycle. If come March I still don't have the RT, I will have to start thinking about what is next. I know that I do not want a traditional trike, and I also would not be happy with just a lightweight motorcycle. Maybe a new bike with a side car. Maybe a mega scooter if there still are such things, or maybe a mid-sized bike with the extras that I now feel are essential such as cruise control and ABS, even if that means my wife will no longer ride with me. But I am hopeful that this won't be necessary and that by the start of the next riding season I will be back on my Spyder and hoping for at least a few years of trouble free riding.

 

[2dogs]

Currently, I own and ride a 14 RT SE6 because I've developed a certain physical limitation that prevents me from safely riding a 2-wheel scooter. My Spyder has been at the dealership in their repair shop waiting for parts longer than I care to mention. Simple inexpensive parts no less, but exclusive to the Spyder. The dealer's answer to my, "Why don't you have these simple parts on hand," was, "We can't afford to have every nut and bolt for every spyder on hand all the time."

If it weren't for my limitation, I wouldn't even park my Harley within 100 yards of a Spyder. However, I have to say that my Spyder has safely kept my face in the wind for much longer than I expected, and hope to continue. My wife tells me when I die, she's going to bury that Spyder right along with me, so she never has to see that thing again! LOL

 

[PDXRTL]

I'll add my story. Self inflicted problem back on June 6 when I managed to blow the 80 amp fuse between the alternator and battery. Dealer didn't have one in stock so they ordered one. ETA was three weeks. I found an acceptable substitute at AutoZone and have been riding with that one. Checked back with the dealer every now and then, wanting to have the official fuse which will fit correctly in its place. The dealer has had some turnover in the parts dept. Checked in a couple weeks ago and it appears they finally have someone who cares and follows up on backorders. Finally got the call that my fuse is waiting for me to pick up. Only took 6 months. Sure glad I was able to find an alternative. Without that I would have followed BajaRon's lead and asked them to take one out of the bikes they had in stock.

 

[AstroTom]

This story reminds me of experiences I frequently had in the 1970s with both Honda and Kawasaki bikes. About 90% of the time when visiting the parts department for anything other than filters, I'd be told the part was on backorder.

I don't think the problem is unique to BRP, as I'm a member of several vehicle forums and I see this complaint repeated with all of them. Knowing it is a common issue doesn't make the problem any easier to take.

 

[Cobranut]

I found this online at https://www.canampartsking.com/. I looked at the Mechanics front brake part# 710006981 and Mechanics rear brake part# 710006982. Seems they have it in stock. Good luck.
View attachment 210676

There are several online vendors using this same catalog format.
It's very handy for finding a part number quickly.
Most of them seem to be dealers that also do online sales.
Here are a couple I found.

https://www.canamoemparts.com/

https://www.canampartshouse.com/

 

[Cobranut]

They've probably got one sitting right there on the showroom floor. My dealer gave me the same run-a-round for a failed DPS. Told me they couldn't get one for at least 2 months. I said, 'You've already got one!'. And pointed to a Spyder sitting in the showroom. They said, 'You expect us to take one off a new Spyder?' I said 'Sure!, why not? You expect me to wait 2 months and let the Spyder I already paid for sit during riding season?'.

They took the DPS of their Spyder and I was down the road the next day.

My Dad sold power equipment, appliances and the like. I worked for him after school.
Numerous times we'd rob a part off a showroom model to get a customer going, and replace it when the part came in.
That's just good customer service, something that's, unfortunately, rare these days.

 

[vito1943]

Good news, finally. After almost exactly 3 months, the sensor came in and the dealer called me to say the bike was ready to be brought to my home. In better weather I would have gone over immediately to get the RT and ride it the 12 miles to my garage, but with salt on the roads and temps hovering around freezing I will take the dealer's offer to trailer my bike to me. I won't likely be riding for anytime soon, but I will be sooooo glad to have it back in my garage with its little brother waiting for Spring to come.

 

[AmigoJack]

A month ago today I dropped off my Spyder at the local CanAm dealer (where I have had no complaints whatsoever about their service in the 3 years that I have owned my 2021 RT). My Spyder had gone into "Limp Home mode" and it turned out it was due to a faulty speed sensor. Now, a month later, they are still awaiting the replacement sensor needed, and are trying to find one at other dealers since CanAm says it is on backorder. Maybe foolishly I thought that I would be without my Spyder for a few days at most, but now as I see the riding season rapidly slipping away I guess I have to be prepared to just look forward to riding again next Spring. I have another bike, a little Royal Enfield Hunter 350, but it is the Spyder that I wish I was riding. In my 40 years plus of riding motorcycles, mostly Hondas and Triumphs, I have never before found myself having to wait a month for a needed part. This has all made me wonder if maybe I should have considered that Harley Triglide instead, despite how much I enjoy my Spyder.

It is not just Canam, I have heavy trucks, a Kenworth, Volvo, A link Belt excavator, 3 Kubota pieces of equipment, 2 Dodge 1 ton trucks, an international 5 ton truck, and I wait for parts for all of them. It took 6 months for an engine in 1 of the dodge trucks to get rebuilt waiting on parts. The Kenworth and Volvo heavy trucks took more than a month for engine parts for rebuilds. It is the way it is now.
My Can Am dealership has had real problems with staff, trouble is that all us old school guys are retiring and the younger generation I have found to be next to useless, the incompetence is astounding. I had a 33 and a 44 year old work for me for a very short time, both completely clueless, on the phone with the girlfriend rather than working, come to work and leave without saying anything, just leave and not answer their phone. Never will I hire anyone under 50 again, completely useless and clueless. That is likely why you are waiting on parts.

 

[old Timer]

Totally agree Jack. A good work ethic is a lost art.