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Do the 08s and 09s have fewer issues?
- Thread starter bhfromme
- Start date
Chupaca
New member
They do..!!
but remember the 08/09's were GS's and later became RS/RSS's and have much less that can go wrong with them. When the RT's came out they added a lot of thing to these machines. Now if we are only referring to the basic parts, not so much. You also have the difference with the manual and the semiautomatic...but all in all they do not have many problems at all. If you are on sites like this one you may think there are but thats cause this is where you can get answers to the problems you may have. Those with no problems are not posting here. The uints out there without problems out weighs those with them in great numbers. You can buy any model with confidence it's no different than buying a car you never bought befor...:thumbup:
but remember the 08/09's were GS's and later became RS/RSS's and have much less that can go wrong with them. When the RT's came out they added a lot of thing to these machines. Now if we are only referring to the basic parts, not so much. You also have the difference with the manual and the semiautomatic...but all in all they do not have many problems at all. If you are on sites like this one you may think there are but thats cause this is where you can get answers to the problems you may have. Those with no problems are not posting here. The uints out there without problems out weighs those with them in great numbers. You can buy any model with confidence it's no different than buying a car you never bought befor...:thumbup:
billybovine
Active member
The passage of time has faded memories. If you go back and read some of the old threads, you will find lots of problems being brought up. Of course there is always the 1 and 2 off problems. Then there is the wide spread problem of oil in the air box. The big one was the erratic behavior of the DPS units which was truly dangerous and resulted in a recall and replacement of all DPS units.
CentralCoastCA
New member
08 GS
I purchased an '08 GS SM5 two years ago with 3,500 miles on it. Hubby did 95% of the routine maintenance and service intervals. Whatever he couldn't do (like the valve check), he took the Spyder to our trusted motorcycle mechanic and provided him a shop manual on a CD. I drove that Spyder 17,000 trouble free miles and it never left me stranded. Hubby always checked and maintained the oil level properly since the 998 engine eat oil. There were things that had to be replaced along the way, like an upper ball joint and tie rod from being out of alignment, spark plugs, wires, y gaskets (a must for heat issues) etc, but that's normal wear and tear.
I sold the GS in May but would still have it if BRP had not updated the the RT engine and solved the heat issues. I got the new RT for longer touring in more comfort. JMHO
I purchased an '08 GS SM5 two years ago with 3,500 miles on it. Hubby did 95% of the routine maintenance and service intervals. Whatever he couldn't do (like the valve check), he took the Spyder to our trusted motorcycle mechanic and provided him a shop manual on a CD. I drove that Spyder 17,000 trouble free miles and it never left me stranded. Hubby always checked and maintained the oil level properly since the 998 engine eat oil. There were things that had to be replaced along the way, like an upper ball joint and tie rod from being out of alignment, spark plugs, wires, y gaskets (a must for heat issues) etc, but that's normal wear and tear.
I sold the GS in May but would still have it if BRP had not updated the the RT engine and solved the heat issues. I got the new RT for longer touring in more comfort. JMHO
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
I was one of the early on :spyder2: buffs and got the second one to arrive in Alaska. The next year, I got one of the first 2009 SE5's for the spouse.
Compared to the RT's 2010, 2011, 2014, I have had no more or no less issues with any of the :ani29:'s I have owned. My dealer has had mostly good mechanics over the years, and has mostly been helpful with any minor issues that cropped up.
Never had a breakdown on the road with any of the machines. The 2010 RTS had a few minor mechanical issues but nothing causing me to rant on or leave the brand.
I am talking 50,000 miles on 2008 and 2009 combined and over 50,000 miles on my RT's.
Compared to the RT's 2010, 2011, 2014, I have had no more or no less issues with any of the :ani29:'s I have owned. My dealer has had mostly good mechanics over the years, and has mostly been helpful with any minor issues that cropped up.
Never had a breakdown on the road with any of the machines. The 2010 RTS had a few minor mechanical issues but nothing causing me to rant on or leave the brand.
I am talking 50,000 miles on 2008 and 2009 combined and over 50,000 miles on my RT's.
Bob Denman
New member
:agree: With Billy; time has allowed memories to fade a little bit...
Yes; they were simpler... But no more so, than a 2010, 2011, or 2012 RS... :2thumbs:
Yes; they were simpler... But no more so, than a 2010, 2011, or 2012 RS... :2thumbs:
BajaRon
Well-known member
The truth is that the great majority of Spyders produced have had very few if any issues. Any forum will magnify problems because that is the nature of the beast. We deal with issues here so this is where people come.
If you spent your life in the emergency room you'd think everyone has major physical issues and that the entire human race is on the brink of extension! Hhhmmmmm, maybe not the best analogy, but I digress.
The 08's had plenty of problems. But BRP eventually, and relatively quickly, resolved them. The 09's had less problems because BRP ironed out most of them from their 08 experience and the 09 was not all that much different.
2010 started the entire issue process all over again with the introduction of the RT. But again most, if not all, of these were ironed out by BRP.
Then came another major re-make with the 2013's. Old issues fixed, for the most part, new issues introduced. Still, the majority of 2013's were problem free or minor problems easily corrected. This is not to say that some did not have huge issues with their 2013 Spyder. Just trying to put things in perspective considering the 10's of thousands of Spyders sold.
Sometimes a bad dealership will turn minor issues into major ones, and more serious issues into tragidies. This is not necessarily the fault of the Spyder or BRP. So your dealership can be a very important cog in the mechanism of resolution.
2014 has been a much improved model year which means BRP is headed in the right direction.
Bottom line is that the Spyder is overall a very reliable machine. I personally have been from East Tennessee to California twice, Florida several times and Canada twice. Not to mention many other trips over 1,000 miles with no real issues. Though I did have some major DPS problems early on with my 08 GS.
There is no perfect machine. Honda, Toyota, etc., have all had their down sides.
If you want a Spyder, do your homework, check out the specific machine you want to buy thoroughly, and your chances of having a ton of trouble free fun are very high.
If you spent your life in the emergency room you'd think everyone has major physical issues and that the entire human race is on the brink of extension! Hhhmmmmm, maybe not the best analogy, but I digress.
The 08's had plenty of problems. But BRP eventually, and relatively quickly, resolved them. The 09's had less problems because BRP ironed out most of them from their 08 experience and the 09 was not all that much different.
2010 started the entire issue process all over again with the introduction of the RT. But again most, if not all, of these were ironed out by BRP.
Then came another major re-make with the 2013's. Old issues fixed, for the most part, new issues introduced. Still, the majority of 2013's were problem free or minor problems easily corrected. This is not to say that some did not have huge issues with their 2013 Spyder. Just trying to put things in perspective considering the 10's of thousands of Spyders sold.
Sometimes a bad dealership will turn minor issues into major ones, and more serious issues into tragidies. This is not necessarily the fault of the Spyder or BRP. So your dealership can be a very important cog in the mechanism of resolution.
2014 has been a much improved model year which means BRP is headed in the right direction.
Bottom line is that the Spyder is overall a very reliable machine. I personally have been from East Tennessee to California twice, Florida several times and Canada twice. Not to mention many other trips over 1,000 miles with no real issues. Though I did have some major DPS problems early on with my 08 GS.
There is no perfect machine. Honda, Toyota, etc., have all had their down sides.
If you want a Spyder, do your homework, check out the specific machine you want to buy thoroughly, and your chances of having a ton of trouble free fun are very high.
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown: You have the subject covered from A to Z. :yes:
Bob Denman
New member
With the V.I.V., the dealer can pull up the bike's history... :thumbup:
Any T.S.B.s that need to be addressed; will be!
(Unlike warranties; they don't expire... :shocked
Any T.S.B.s that need to be addressed; will be!
(Unlike warranties; they don't expire... :shocked
SpydermanCT
Member
With the V.I.V., the dealer can pull up the bike's history... :thumbup:
Any T.S.B.s that need to be addressed; will be!
(Unlike warranties; they don't expire... :shocked
Actually recalls do expire .......
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallprocess.cfm
Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?
Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks.
Also, if the manufacturer challenges the agency’s final decision of a safety defect, there is no obligation for the manufacturer to remedy the defect while the case is in court. If you decide to have your vehicle remedied at your own expense while the case is pending and the court upholds NHTSA’s final decision, you may be entitled to reimbursement. (Be sure to save all receipts and paperwork so that you can prove the repairs were made.) However, if the court ultimately rules the defect is not safety related, Federal law does not require that the manufacturer reimburse you for the repair work
Bob Denman
New member
...None of the Spyders have reached ten years of age so far...
Except for early test Mules and prototypes!
Except for early test Mules and prototypes!
Motorcycledave
Active member
I have a 2008 GS
about 2 years ago I bought my 2008 GS used with 6K on it it now has almost 20K
I was very uninformed when I bought mine I have been riding motorcycles for over
58 years and my wife said to get something that don't tip over so I did the Spyder thing
and not having my GoldWind made into a trike.
Since I got mine I have had NO TROUBLE with any heat issues, codes or anything else
however I have added a ton of mods to it to make it more useful to me and my wife
I do my own service on it change tires align the belt and anything else that comes up
but if a code pops up I will take it to the dealer. Asfor the RT's I am playing the waiting game
to see what goes on with the 2014's so far it looks like they have a winner.
I have no plans to sell my 08 I want to see it still going with 100K
Ride Safe
Dave
View attachment 92118View attachment 92119View attachment 92120View attachment 92121
about 2 years ago I bought my 2008 GS used with 6K on it it now has almost 20K
I was very uninformed when I bought mine I have been riding motorcycles for over
58 years and my wife said to get something that don't tip over so I did the Spyder thing
and not having my GoldWind made into a trike.
Since I got mine I have had NO TROUBLE with any heat issues, codes or anything else
however I have added a ton of mods to it to make it more useful to me and my wife
I do my own service on it change tires align the belt and anything else that comes up
but if a code pops up I will take it to the dealer. Asfor the RT's I am playing the waiting game
to see what goes on with the 2014's so far it looks like they have a winner.
I have no plans to sell my 08 I want to see it still going with 100K
Ride Safe
Dave
View attachment 92118View attachment 92119View attachment 92120View attachment 92121
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MikeinGA
New member
:agree: I have a 2011 RS-S SE5. The 2011 & 2012 RS's were the best years built. I had only 1 thing go wrong, that was a map sensor. All others things that went wrong were the caused by the dealer techs, I only found one dealer tech that was a real good mechanic. To make a better RS do this: 1. Get a K&N air filter 2. Get good spark plugs & wires 3. A filter for the oil line going from the rear head to the air box. 4. Heat tape the headers pipes from the engine to the "Y" pipe. 5. Use Amsoil 10W-30 motorcycle oil. 6. Keep your Spyder maintenance up to date.
Now you will have many happy, trouble free, miles and years of fun riding your Spyder. Some of the parts above BajaRon can help with. And don't forget a BajaRon Anti-Sway Bar. Makes the back roads more fun! That's IMHO.
Mike
rnet
New member
Mike I am interested in your fuel mileage.
MikeinGA
New member
Dave
I always wait for 12 to 18 months to buy any new model of anything. I let others do the test riding.
Mike
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MikeinGA
New member
I use 43 octane gas and I get 36 to 39 mpg on the back roads & 40 to 44.6 mpg on the highways.
Mike
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