Let me just say I'm not happy either

[SpyderByter]

Lamont,

Sorry you have been put in a bad place. I value this site very much. I was here reading about the Spyder before I bought. Even then in 2008, there were complaints about the Spyder. Issues like brake squeal, radiator heat, etc. But I bought anyway. Knowing there were knowledgeable people on this site including you and some of the other senior members willing to help gave me the confidence that I could not only get past those issues, but try different fixes and repairs. This site has helped me a lot. My Spyder has slowly been evolving into a machine I enjoy riding and fits me well thanks to tricks and tips I learned here, and mods from your sponsors like NMN.

That being said, please keep Spyderlovers running! ray:

 

[Peoriafirefighter]

I feel as though I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I've spent the last two years building this site and a relationship with you guys and BRP. Right now I feel like I should be taking sides if I'm going to keep any credibility I may have with you all.

First off I want to say I don't take a nickle from BRP and I'm not a controlled mouth piece for them. I have made some good friends within the company and my loyalty is to them and not the company.

I've also made some great friends here too and I hate to see anyone have the problems they are having and I've made every effort to be a mediator between them and BRP to help solve these problems. Judging by the PM's and emails I've gotten that has worked out pretty good. I have a "sticky" post at the top of this board to try and help those with on going problems and those who have taken the time to send me the info have had good reports back. That's more credit to BRP for doing what they told me they would do for those who have slipped through the cracks.

I have yet to have anyone fillout this info and send it to me on the steering issue. I don't know why but this should be reported and why not use all the tools available to you.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14122

Here's my real problem. I've been swamped with emails, PM's and phone calls about this issue and I really don't know what to tell you other than my experience with my Spyder. I can't tell you if it's safe or not to drive your Spyder after the second software update because there are enough members on this board that have had a steering problem at speed and I wouldn't want to be the one to say it will be fine and then someone gets hurt or worst. I don't feel mine is unsafe because I just don't have any power steering and there are plenty of folks that have driven thousands of miles in this same condition without any issues.

So I'm pretty bummed out for my friends here and my friends at BRP. I see some good members that are now giving up on the Spyder and moving on to something else and I see potential Spyder owners thinking that the Spyder is too problematic to own and by reading the post on this board the last few days I don't blame them at all.

Part of me wants to just shut down this site and turn it back on when everything is fixed because I don't know if we are helping or hurting the situation here. BRP is well aware of the problem and nobody wants to see a resolve to this more than they do. Problem is will the love for the Spyder be crushed because of this board before they have a chance to really fix the problem?

As for me I'm going to wait it out and see what happens. I have faith that they will get it fixed and the Spyder has just been too fun for me to give up on it now. Now if BRP says it can't be fixed then I'll move on but until they do I'll be waiting for the answers and I will share them here as soon as I know what they are.

I value your judgement and I have faith in BRP. They didn't spend 10 years in R&D before bringing the Spyder to market to let it fail. As we all know, when you make a software adjustment it can throw a glitch somewhere else. I truly believe they will get it worked out. I also have a very good dealer who has done an excellent job taking care of my issues. Lamont, keep up the good work and your advice is appreciated!:firstplace:

 

[Degaman]

Lamont: No doubt your site has the most traffic of them all. This could be attributable to the wealth of knowledge provided by your subscribers, both positive and negative. Of course, most posts will be of the negative kind because problems require solutions, whereas satisfied customers are content watching 'House' or 'Grey's Anatomy' on their big screens.

Forums are by their nature designed to be an open and free exchange of ideas and opinions. Disagreements and malcontent are an inherent nature of the beast. Where else can one gleam pertinent information to better prepare ones perspective?

If it becomes cumbersome to the point that cons outweigh pros, then by all means put this site to rest. The masses will survive, albeit less conveniently. Just be sure to continue your barbecue, as the sandwiches were far superior to those served at the awards ceremony.

 

[Roger]

Lamonster

I have learned alot from YOUR site met some very nice people on here.
With that said people on here will not discourage me from buying a spyder if their is a problem with the bikes i know BRP is working on a solution the best they can. If this site is physically hurting you or even mentally then turn it off their is nothing more important than your health. I will remember what i have learned here. Goodluck on your decision.
Your Friend
Roger

 

[NewRider]

FYI...I would also regret it, should SpyderLovers be shut down, even though temporarily. IMHO, the negatives erupted because BRP was perceived as dragging their heels, helping solve these problems. Whether that perception was true or false, or in between...is personal perception or experience.

Keeping the lines of communication open at this critical time...is utterly important. So, we need to ALL think our way through this crisis.:ani29:

 

[krb1945]

I get the impression that many have forgotten any new type of machine has to be debugged. If the past teaches us anything we know that in the later part of the third year the bugs usually disappear. Remember the Vega with the aluminum engine. Their engineers forgot that steel rings in an aluminum cylinder don't play well together. This particular problem was resolved when they started installing the pontiac "iron duke" 4 cyl. The Spyder is not an exception to this rule.

With input from all of us Spyder riders, want to be Spyder riders, and dealers the manufacturer will make this motorcycle a fine piece of machinery. Remember other motorcycles did not start out perfect, they evolved. Every new product takes time to work out imperfections. Patience and perseverance are the keys to correcting the imperfections on the Spyder.

Lamont, I have noticed you keep a balanced approach to all the posts. I believe that is the proper way to handle these issues. You, like the rest of us, point out possible solutions to problems, pass information from and to the factory and I personally have not seen you side with the factory or a member unless they are in the right. As stated above "a fair and balanced" approach.

You have no credibility issue with me or my SO. Thanks for the opportunity to vent. And I, for one, appreciate your efforts. /Ken

 

[jimmykjimmy]

Can Am Called me after an Email I sent

When I first got on this board I noticed a lot of postings about gasoline smell and even the fire issue with "some" spyders. I haven't been a biker for years nor do I have a lot of mechanical skills. Well I became concerned about the gasoline smell issue and sent an email to Can Am telling them hey this appears to be a problem and I'm putting a fire extinguisher in my trunk just in case.
This was not done to solve a problem, but just to say I was a concerned owner and let's hope this is not a problem. I forgot about the email until about three weeks later I get a call from a concerned Can Am guy out of Quebec. At first I couldn't believe it then we went over the email and he said they were watching the issues with the smell and if it continues be sure to bring it to the dealer.

My conclusion is that this is a company that cares about their reputation. They didn't have to call me but they did. So I'm sure they are working on any problems. I was in manufacturing for 40 years and have seen many customer complaints some right and many wrong. But what I know is that it takes time to sort out the the legit from the bogus.

I don't post here much but needed to say something. Poor Lamont doesn't need to get beat up over these issues, this is not his company he's only doing us a great service by having this board. State your problem here, but expect BRP to fix it or your dealer.

 

[vt228]

When I first got on this board I noticed a lot of postings about gasoline smell and even the fire issue with "some" spyders. I haven't been a biker for years nor do I have a lot of mechanical skills. Well I became concerned about the gasoline smell issue and sent an email to Can Am telling them hey this appears to be a problem and I'm putting a fire extinguisher in my trunk just in case.
This was not done to solve a problem, but just to say I was a concerned owner and let's hope this is not a problem. I forgot about the email until about three weeks later I get a call from a concerned Can Am guy out of Quebec. At first I couldn't believe it then we went over the email and he said they were watching the issues with the smell and if it continues be sure to bring it to the dealer.

My conclusion is that this is a company that cares about their reputation. They didn't have to call me but they did. So I'm sure they are working on any problems. I was in manufacturing for 40 years and have seen many customer complaints some right and many wrong. But what I know is that it takes time to sort out the the legit from the bogus.

I don't post here much but needed to say something. Poor Lamont doesn't need to get beat up over these issues, this is not his company he's only doing us a great service by having this board. State your problem here, but expect BRP to fix it or your dealer.

they call you no one has called me yet wish they would . I am going to leav it at dealers till it is like the day I got her ....or they give me a rt and take her back...

 

[BajaRon]

Wow Lamont! This is pretty heavy stuff. Not sure what to say or if I should say anything at all.

The Bible recommends we count our blessings in times like these. I've always liked lists so I guess this is my take...

1-The great majority of Spyder Owners LOVE their ride. Even if it has a wart or two. (Count me in this crowd) hyea:

2-Because of this meeting place, many of us have had some incredible times together, rides, BBQ's, etc., that we will never forget. :thumbup:

3-Where else would we go if you folded this up? :dontknow:

4-You've put too much work into this board (and we've gotten too much good out of it) to think about carving out a headstone for it.

5-BRP built an incredible machine and we are making it go because we have a place to put our heads together (here).

6-All of us have teamed up together to create something that really doesn't exist anywhere else. You just can't go out and buy what we have here.

Every family has bumps in the road. Some bumps are bigger than others, but we're still family here. The object is to put the bumps behind us and ride on.

Hey! If the Spyder were perfect....what would we have to talk about!?

 

[Putt-Putt]

:agree: :chat: :spyder:

 

[Rando]

Along with what Mo Lee posted, I would like to ride a Spyder that is having the steering issue that everyone is concerned about to see how it compared to mine.

Mine is available!