Impromptu Unscientific Satisfaction Survey

[Windagetray]

Thank you Buckeye...

I have a 2013 RTL and love it, any Farkles that I did I did because I wanted to. Yes I added the heavy duty skid plate but more for the LED ring on the front than the protection, that was a bonus.
i added the Lamonster floor board highway pages, because I can really stretch out, not because I had to.
My rear tire lasted 11K miles, was disappointed but when I buy a new car those tires last about 30 to 40K miles and the aftermarket set last over twice as long, talk to a tire guy and they will tell you that that is the truth.

Also, I have like others posted a "I love my Spyder post" and soooooo very many others chime in. The nature of those kinds of pages is to read about problems and then you get overwhelmed, there are thousands of people looking for help, they come here.


Joe

Interesting....again...YOU have a 2013. I'm seeing a pattern here.....in 2014 the machine went to $#!T...

 

[Windagetray]

Thanks Bob....

Thanks for clarifying your goal... :thumbup:
I've added a bunch of stuff to my 2014 RT Limited...
None of it was necessary; just desired!
My 2010 (As a first year offering) did need some "tinkering" to work better...
But that is to be expected on a new design.

Now....the REST of the story....

So, you know these machines attract attention and spark conversations with strangers. Like most here, I get the inappropriate question of "how much was it?". Second is some version of "how do you like it?". My answer to that question has been evolving. I started out being very supportive of BRP's product. However, since I can't know the mechanical ability and financial situation said stranger is in, I'm finding that now, I feel obligated to let them know that MY machine is a lot of work, has had lots of issues, and costs a significant amount of money for NEEDED improvements, maintenance and repairs. I just want to be sure I am representing the product fairly. So far, I think I am. ...and I would be more likely to advise buying a 2013 model than a 2014 or later. OR, as I wish I had, done a LOT of research and see if perhaps the Honda or some other trike is more reliable and would have suited my handicaps.

 

[Windagetray]

From your "Farkle" list...

Visit a Harley forum then tell me about the bitching, upgrades, usability, etc.

Sounds like you've never owned a bike.

AJ

....I would say nothing there disqualifies you from submitting a "positive" review...AND I see it's a 2014. Of course folks don't list their necessary repairs so, I'll put you down as a maybe.

You are correct. I have never owned a bike. I don't think that should preclude me from having an opinion. Further, as I stated in another reply here, I'm really not asking for myself. I get asked a lot about my Spyder. I want to give an honest answer. While VERY fun to ride and VERY cool looking.... My bike sucks (in MY opinion). Right out of the showroom, it bottomed out constantly against the road. I'm a big guy but, even riding 2 up we are not over the bike's (weight) limit. Before making NECESSARY "mods", I was afraid I would destroy the bike riding 2 up. A few hundred dollars to BajaRon and the problem was fixed. Hundreds of dollars to Viair and Doc Humphrey will solve the leaking air bag/dead compressor issue. A Kuhmo rear tire will solve the crappy Kenda that barely made it past the first (3k mile) oil change. 11K miles on it now and I'll be on my 3rd drive belt. ...nothing $800 bucks won't fix. I tried the "missing" belt guard but still got this last stone...so, since no one makes the BEST belt guard, I'll spend my own time and money to make one. I can build a hell of a guard for $800!!! (not to mention the special wrenches and tension reading devices needed to do this yourself) So no....I have never owned a bike. It doesn't mean I have to be happy about the poor engineering, cheap Chinese tires, and inferior, over-priced parts on my machine.

 

[jcthorne]

Both of my Spyders have been hands down far better than any other brand of reverse trike available on the market. Not even close.......

 

[vinsanity666]

I bought a 2012 with 9,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer for service. 526 bucks for service and told 14,000 mile service was a grand. Seems outrageous.


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[Bob Denman]

I bought a 2012 with 9,000 miles on it. Took it to dealer for service. 526 bucks for service and told 14,000 mile service was a grand. Seems outrageous.

He was probably including the charge for checking valve tolerances...
The combined experiences of over 20,000 folks in here has led us to believe that it's not absolutely vital to check them this early... nojoke

 

[youngers]

i is in

I am in with the " in crowd " 2012 rt , only did the repair of clutch , as it had sat for a long period , not been ridden ... no problems under 10,ooo miles ... repaired myself ! will also speak of our cousin , who owns the r-t on the left , mine is on the right , in from of the 2 wheel cycle .... have a blast on the cycles ! knock on wood it keeps the good shape ... oh the cousins bike is in also ! only replaced the worn tire , and bad gas from a dealer gas station water in tanks ! ------ so 2 --- 2012 `s are good too go

 

[WilderThomas]

2012 Can Am Spyder RTS

I'm just curious to know....

So, I am interested to know how many folks out there who own any year of the Spyder RT model who have:
1.- NEVER installed any upgrade to their machine for the purpose of upgrading an engineering failure or inferior quality part.

NOR

2.- never felt that any “consumable” items such as tires, brakes, light bulbs, switches, windshield brackets, electronics, speakers, heaters, air bag, compressor, air hoses/connectors, etc. didn’t last as long as you realistically thought it should.

NOR

3. Never had to have their machine towed for reasons that were not your fault. (If you forgot to check your oil, and you had to be towed but you aren’t disqualified by other qualifiers in this post please let us know. Just don’t mention you ran it low on oil!!)

If you added the bump skid because your machine scraped ground in inordinate amount, you’re out. Don’t comment. If you added a (anti-) sway bar because the front end was too sloppy and the bike leaned too much, you’re out. If you added the front shock pre-tensioners, you’re out. If you added the airbag rock guard, you’re out…no commenting. Unless you were truly “tickled to death” that your rear tire lasted 6K or 7K miles before the center was wore to the wear bars, you are out. If you got a special “laser alignment” because the original BRP alignment guidelines used before vehicle delivery wasn’t correct, you’re out! You get the picture….
If you added a cup holder and/or after-market GPS, or GoPro camera, or painted/wrapped your bike but nothing used to make up for engineering deficiencies in the safe operation of your Spyder ….you’re IN!

I understand that many of my disqualifiers range in severity from annoyances to "your bike is in the shop and you aren't riding it for an extended period of time". I know that in general, the pleasure of getting to ride one of these cool (LOOKING) machines out-weighs some of the issues with which they arrive at your door. BUT, my bet is that there are not many folks who can truly and honestly fit the above parameters

I traded in my 2006 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic for a 2012 Can Am Spyder RTS. We love it. I've added some minor accessories, like a rider and passenger beverage holder, ram mount for a cell phone, fm radio transmitter, trunk vanity mirror. I've ordered LED bulbs to replace the head, and fog lights. The Spyder was purchased preowned, and no doubt the bulbs would have lasted for a few more years. I did run out of gas because the gas consumption was unfamiliar. After 130 miles, (indicated) the six gallon tank was empty, so the bike taken by a flatbed tow truck back to the dealership. Other than that, there has been no performance options or accessories added nor any other problems. The bike now has just 23,263 miles on the odometer.

 

[wd8ajj]

Like comments mad 100's of times on this board are the tires. rear mainly. I got 6600 and almost bald. Wonder on the newer RT's what there getting. that would be a better survey. See if the problems been addressed and fixed

 

[vinsanity666]

I'm having my first service at 9,000 miles on my 2012 RTL I just bought used from a private party in Texas. First off, I was blown away by the service cost of 526 and the printout I was given on scheduled maintenance showed the cost of the 14,000 mile service. Just over a thousand bucks. While I was trying to digest this news, the salesrep said I needed a back tire. I'm reading that the stock tire is cheap so I called dealer and asked about getting a longer lasting tire. He tells me 9,000 miles is good for a back tire. What say you riders who have faced same issue? Any recommendations for an alternative to the stock tire? Other than tire issue and ridiculous cost for servicing, I love the bike. I do wish they had addressed the belt vibration issue before it's release, dumb not to.


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[Bob Denman]

Tires? :shocked:
You just opened up Pandora's Box...

Everybody seems to have a favorite:
Here are several that can give you a good start on your search:
Kumho Ecsta
General Altimax
Yokohama S-Drive
Michelin has a few, but I'm not sure of the specific models

Of course this list leaves out a TON of the other options... pps:
One other point to consider:
The stock size is 225/50-15
Some folks like the 215/60-15 size better, since it makes the speedometer read a bit more accurately.
Others like the 205/60-15 since it is the same overall height at the OEM.

Happy Shopping!

 

[MRH]

I think I can make this easy:

Spyders have issues, can be improved with upgrades, and go down from time to time.

MY 2014 is a hell of a lot better built than my 2010. It isn't perfect, though.

The survey is passive-aggressive, with the emphasis on aggressive. Almost nobody who puts significant miles on their Spyder can answer this yes.

 

[marty1096]

spyder

I am out. umm I didn't like the way it sounded so I changed the muffler and put on a skid plate to keep the underneath in tact, rear brake lite,expandable luggage rack, a pet palace and hwy pegs. other than that, I ryde! My favorite patch:
It just doesn't matter.