Contemplating buying a Spyder - any reliability, power, and buyer's remorse issues?

[grampi]

Are you SURE it requires premium fuel??

There are quite a few people here who have successfully been running regular fuel for many years/hundreds of thousands of miles if not millions collectively when their mileage is all added together - in fact, I'd say it's likely that a significant percentage, if not a majority of Spyders run on regular fuel most if not all of the time AND many return about 40-45 mpg doing it, some a bit less, some even better!! :lecturef_smilie:

Just type 'fuel' in the Search field; tick the 'Search Titles Only' box in the drop-down list that'll appear below it; submit the search; then use the thread titles to pick & choose which thread you want to read first!! There's quite a few threads addressing just this point. :thumbup:

Interesting. I would've thought that with a compression ratio of 12:1 + the engine would ping a hellen with regular unleaded. This is good to know!

 

[Peter Aawen]

Interesting. I would've thought that with a compression ratio of 12:1 + the engine would ping a hellen with regular unleaded. This is good to know!

The sensor's & computer's that do all the engine management on these hi-tech motors these days are smarter & more capable than that ^^, altho it's still quite likely that there's some minor loss of outright power - only unless you're on a track & using some pretty sensitive timing gear to measure the minor changes that power loss makes; or running it on a dyno that's capable of detecting equally minor changes, then most riders simply won't (and DON'T! :lecturef_smilie: ) ever notice it! hyea:

Do that search and spend some time reading, I'm pretty sure it'll be worth your while!

Mind you, if you run your Spyder to the red line & maybe beyond ALL the time; or if you get an ECU Upgrade to unleash some of the extra power that's available from these engines when used in other platforms, only BRP/Can Am has unilaterally decided that you & every other Spyder Ryder can't handle that much power, then you might want to restrict your use of standard fuel if at all possible; don't flog it all the time to WOT if you do use regular gas; and maybe carry some octane booster for the times you might get caught out! :yes:

But seriously, for most owners/riders who haven't had an ECU Upgrade done; who don't regularly red line it; and/or who don't frequently run their Spyders on a track, regular gas seems to be fine & for many, marginally more fuel efficient too! Plus it costs less!! :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

Another thing that is a concern of mine is the fact that the Spyder requires premium fuel, and it gets terrible mileage compared to my GW. The Wing typically gets 40-45 MPG, and only requires regular unleaded. Premium is $1 a gallon more than regular. Add that up over a year's time, coupled with the difference in MPGs, and the Spyder costs considerably more than the GW to operate. I know, it's a toy, and I shouldn't complain about it's cost, but if the Spyder ran on regular unleaded, the difference in MPGs wouldn't make that much of a difference in operating cost...it's that stinkin' requirement to use premium that makes such a big difference...

The Spyder does not require premium fuel. It just runs best on premium fuel. As mentioned already. There will be a difference. But most don't notice the difference.

 

[fatboy]

Not sure where in Ohio you live, but if you're close to Indy, we have two RTL and an F3 you can try.

 

[KX5062]

Another thing you may or may not have read. Coming from 2 wheels, when riding the Spyder most people tend to over ride the Spyder. The Spyder requires little rider input and most people tend to over steer and give the bike more input than is necessary. This causes the bike to feel strange and jittery, which can be quite unnerving. So, take that into consideration when taking any test ride.

 

[grampi]

The sensor's & computer's that do all the engine management on these hi-tech motors these days are smarter & more capable than that ^^, altho it's still quite likely that there's some minor loss of outright power - only unless you're on a track & using some pretty sensitive timing gear to measure the minor changes that power loss makes; or running it on a dyno that's capable of detecting equally minor changes, then most riders simply won't (and DON'T! :lecturef_smilie: ) ever notice it! hyea:

Do that search and spend some time reading, I'm pretty sure it'll be worth your while!

Mind you, if you run your Spyder to the red line & maybe beyond ALL the time; or if you get an ECU Upgrade to unleash some of the extra power that's available from these engines when used in other platforms, only BRP/Can Am has unilaterally decided that you & every other Spyder Ryder can't handle that much power, then you might want to restrict your use of standard fuel if at all possible; don't flog it all the time to WOT if you do use regular gas; and maybe carry some octane booster for the times you might get caught out! :yes:

But seriously, for most owners/riders who haven't had an ECU Upgrade done; who don't regularly red line it; and/or who don't frequently run their Spyders on a track, regular gas seems to be fine & for many, marginally more fuel efficient too! Plus it costs less!! :thumbup:

Good post! BTW, what is redline for the 1330?

Not sure where in Ohio you live, but if you're close to Indy, we have two RTL and an F3 you can try.

I'm in Dayton. Indy's a 2 hour drive. Hmmm, could be a road trip on the Wing...

 

[crossbowme]

I bought my Spyder because of my age and my physical condition. I regret having to do that but the Spyder is a good compromise. I don't regret it and hopefully I can ride for some more years.

 

[ARtraveler]

Another thing that is a concern of mine is the fact that the Spyder requires premium fuel, and it gets terrible mileage compared to my GW. The Wing typically gets 40-45 MPG, and only requires regular unleaded. Premium is $1 a gallon more than regular. Add that up over a year's time, coupled with the difference in MPGs, and the Spyder costs considerably more than the GW to operate. I know, it's a toy, and I shouldn't complain about it's cost, but if the Spyder ran on regular unleaded, the difference in MPGs wouldn't make that much of a difference in operating cost...it's that stinkin' requirement to use premium that makes such a big difference...

The "premium" fuel requirement has been a subject of contention on this site. I am one who changed from premium to regular about 5 Spyders ago. I am talking about 150,000 miles driven with "regular" (87 octane--no ethanol from Alaska and then 87 octane with 10% ethanol since 2019). I noticed no change in operation. The computer adjusts your mechanical operation and makes what you put in it right for the time. My mileage with the 1330's was always high 30's to low 40's depending on condition. It will NOT void your warranty and it will NOT cause your Spyder to break down prematurely.

Read the threads, enjoy the interplay between the groups. I would NOT get too caught up on "premium only."

My asbestos suit is always on. :roflblack:

 

[ARtraveler]

Good post! BTW, what is redline for the 1330?

I believe it is around 7500. I have NEVER gone that high. 55 in sixth will put you at around 3500. That gives you another 4000 to play with. :bowdown:

 

[YIRYDE]

Do a search for Spyder pros and cons. I’m in Yellowstone now. When I get to my computer I’ll try to remember to PM you my list.

Leroy,

I wanted to see the list also, I found your list and will post the link to it for you.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?160845-DID-Make-My-Mind-up!-Big-D-s-Mighty-Red-Baron-has-Arrived!&p=1714918#post1714918

Enjoy Yellowstone, I'm hoping to get there on my Spyder soon.

 

[djh3]

I have run mine mostly on Regular fuel. I have checked mileage of and on and on my commute I dont honestly notice a difference in mileage. I have gone by the "dollar" store or Ollie's and picked up whatever octane booster they have and mix it in. As mentioned, modern ECU will adjust the ignition etc to work fine. To make EPA requirements, many manufacturers will say higher octane fuel to get a "hotter" burn rate, and the CAT works a bit better for emissions.

 

[troop]

I believe it is around 7500. I have NEVER gone that high. 55 in sixth will put you at around 3500. That gives you another 4000 to play with. :bowdown:

55 mph in 6th gear with a 79t rear pulley will put you at upper 3k rpms. 5500 rpm in 6th will put you in the 90's . Redline is around 8100 rpm

 

[BajaRon]

To make EPA requirements, many manufacturers will say higher octane fuel to get a "hotter" burn rate, and the CAT works a bit better for emissions.

Don't know about the EPA requirement issue as engines have to meet emissions regardless of the octane recommended. Higher octane does not create a 'Hotter Burn Rate'. Increasing the octane level slows and cools the burn rate, slowing or delaying combustion to counteract the increase in heat caused by higher compression engines such as our Spyder have. That's the whole idea of increased octane and why the ECU retards or delays the ignition pulse when lower octane is used.

 

[grampi]

I believe it is around 7500. I have NEVER gone that high. 55 in sixth will put you at around 3500. That gives you another 4000 to play with. :bowdown:

5500 at 55 in 6th gear sounds awfully high. One of the review videos I was watching last evening said 3600 at 70 in 6th, which sounds more realistic...

 

[ARtraveler]

55 mph in 6th gear with a 79t rear pulley will put you at upper 3k rpms. 5500 rpm in 6th will put you in the 90's . Redline is around 8100 rpm

5500 was a typo. Thanks for catching it. It should have said 3500. I have corrected my original post. :bowdown:

 

[ARtraveler]

5500 at 55 in 6th gear sounds awfully high. One of the review videos I was watching last evening said 3600 at 70 in 6th, which sounds more realistic...

5500 was a typo. Thanks for catching it. It should have said 3500. I have corrected my original post. :bowdown:

 

[grampi]

5500 was a typo. Thanks for catching it. It should have said 3500. I have corrected my original post. :bowdown:

Even 3500 sounds high for 55 in in 6th. 3500 seems more like 70 mph in 6th...

 

[AndysF3S]

When you do your test ride keep an eye on the RPM vs speed and gear your in. This engine revs easily and smoothly and it is not a GoldWing or a Harley its made by Rotax.

 

[carbonation]

Another thing that is a concern of mine is the fact that the Spyder requires premium fuel, and it gets terrible mileage compared to my GW. The Wing typically gets 40-45 MPG, and only requires regular unleaded. Premium is $1 a gallon more than regular. Add that up over a year's time, coupled with the difference in MPGs, and the Spyder costs considerably more than the GW to operate. I know, it's a toy, and I shouldn't complain about it's cost, but if the Spyder ran on regular unleaded, the difference in MPGs wouldn't make that much of a difference in operating cost...it's that stinkin' requirement to use premium that makes such a big difference...

Adding 2 cents, worth a whole penny...

You will not like the Spyder on a test drive. More than once on my test ride, muscle memory kicked in and I was zigging when a zag was
appropriate. That said, I was gifted one by my spouse back in '13, and I learned to ride it. I'm now on my 3rd one, (a 2022 RT-L) and love the flippin' thing. My spouse and I returned recently from a week away on it, about 2k miles, to VA, Blue Ridge Parkway (N to S) and Maggie Valley.

As far as premium fuel... do not concern yourself. It is NOT a requirement, but a recommendation (there is a whole section on the BRP site about it) and I can tell you, after my BRP trip, I ran as much regular as I did premium, just to test, and found zero performance issues or difference (beyond noise in calculations) between grades of fuel. I can't say the same for brands, and I will hesitate buying Speedway fuel ever again in Kentucky...

Good luck in your search, but as others have said, the RT-L or Sea to Sky sound like your match.

 

[troop]

Even 3500 sounds high for 55 in in 6th. 3500 seems more like 70 mph in 6th...

3500 rpm is loafing. Remember, this thing redlines at over 8K rpm, plus it's an in-line triple.