Looking to buy - some advice please . . . .

[jthspace]

Hi, having finally given up on two wheels (after 47 years of riding, to give you some idea), I am looking for a fun machine and want something a bit "unusual". O.K., I admit straight from the "get-go" (it is a predominantly U.S. site, afterall) I was looking at the Morgan Three Wheeler but having read up on the issues that machine is having, I am looking at the Spyder instead. Now, politically (home politics, that is), a "bike" is going to be a much harder sell than the Morgan, but, worth a try

ray:

The problem . . . . I have seen the machine below, but there is a BIG concern. Look at the year, the mileage and the number of owners. I have emailed the dealer (some hundreds of miles away in another Country [Scotland]) asking for an explanation, but have not heard anything back from him.

Date Registered : July 2011 / Mileage 860 / Previous Owners 4

Also, WHY would someone swap out the exhaust at such a milage?

I would welcome some thoughts / ideas / comments. My immediate thought = "walk away", but if it is "right" . . . . it could be a nice machine. Looking at the wear on the rear tyre area / suspension, it doesn't look like it is weathered, but looks can be deceiving.

Thanks for looking,

Jeff

 

[Bob Denman]

I suppose that the lack of mileage would concern me, more than the number of owners.
It's possible that it has been bought and traded-off; only because it wasn't the ride that the buyer thought it would be...
Or it might be due to lots of problems, that have been waiting for the proper repairs to come along. :shocked:

I would proceed with EXTREME caution... but Happy Hunting! :thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Try this..

Have them send along the vin # and run a check and see if it has had all updates done. It looks to be in excellent shape and changing the pipe at the start is not unusual. I do first thing...Don't know it all works over there but a good test ryde would clear up some of your doubts. The four previous owners is puzzeling maybe it's a right handed spyder...:roflblack:

 

[jthspace]

Thanks, Bob. I thought at that mileage, it may have had it's first service, but probably nothing since. If you trade into a dealer, that is not recorded as a change of owner here in the UK (unless he puts it on the road). So, someone has filled in all the paperwork and registered it and got the paperwork from the Govt and then sold it (repeat as necessary to get to 4). I thought, maybe, that the ECM had been changed and the mileage would have reset to "0"?. Also, in the UK, there has to be a mandatory vehicle test each year once the vehicle is three years old. The test certificate will show the date of testing and the mileage at the time. I have asked for copies of the test certificates (July 2014 / July 2015) that should be in existence.

Yes, I would proceed with caution, it is not priced particularly cheaply at GBP 11,500 or USD 16,300 and higher mileage machines are available at a lower price. These machines are a lot more expensive here than you would pay - a new RT LTD SE6 is GBP 26,600 or USD 38,000 for example.

Another Spyder 2009 R with 1800 miles and two owners is £10,000 / $14,250

If the dealer gets back to me I will ask for the last registered owners name and address and will try and make contact; if the dealer does not give me the info, I will walk away. I fancied it because it is a "blank canvas" and the mods could start from day one . . . .

Thanks, again

Jeff

 

[jthspace]

Have them send along the vin # and run a check and see if it has had all updates done. It looks to be in excellent shape and changing the pipe at the start is not unusual. I do first thing...Don't know it all works over there but a good test ryde would clear up some of your doubts. The four previous owners is puzzeling maybe it's a right handed spyder...:roflblack:

Good thought, Chupaca, I will ask for the VIN.

BTW, All U.K. Spyders are right hand drive - exactly the same as U.S. Stage Coaches . . .

http://www.doblu.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/stagecoach11234.jpg


So, when, exactly, did you start going "wrong" . . . . . . ? ? ? ? ? ? :riding:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Is it a Spyder dealer? Have them give you a BUDS report. If not a Spyder dealer, get the VIN and look it up. Good luck.

 

[jthspace]

Thanks, PS; Not a CanAm dealer - will any CanAm dealer look the VIN up for me do you know?

Jeff

 

[jaherbst]

Oh shoot, I thought you were going to buy some of my advice there but see I was wrong. I could have been a rich man, my advice never ends. Right or Wrong! :joke:

​Jack

 

[brakelight]

Four owners within 800 miles would deter me from buying it. Some people buy these and then realize they don't like it, but that would explain only one owner. :dontknow:

Just my two pence.

 

[loisk]

Hi. Re vin lookup, here in oz we can't look up our vin for recalls etc, that system only works for USA spyders.

i suggest you contact your nearest can am dealer with the vin number. I know you don't have many dealers... Chat to the dealer as, if they are helpful, you will use them for servicing etc (you may do some yourself of course but keep this quiet)

when you get the vin checked, you are looking for -
service history
problem history
any warranty work
hours of use - important because the odo resets to zero if for any reason the gauge cluster has been replaced

i love Scotland, but just maybe the weather did not encourage many miles?

Wheel and deal, if the vin checks out, and you could have a bonza bike.

there were lots of very low mileage spyders for sale in oz, but less so now that everybody knows that a laser alignment turns it from a skittish beast to an excellent ride - big tip for you there, laser alignment should be the first thing you do. If uneven wear on the front tyres, alignment is sus.

Hope this helps, cheers from downunder

ps definitely talk to previous owner, who may be able to give info re previous owners. as well as all the usual stolen/finance checks

 

[Bfromla]

Thanks, PS; Not a CanAm dealer - will any CanAm dealer look the VIN up for me do you know?

Jeff

You dont need a dealer to check the vin you can do that on the BRP site :thumbup: I would be conserved with how the low miles were made on or off road. I have come across 1 bike some fool burnt clutch up while driving on deer lease like a 3wheeler but faster kind of thing. A test ride is in order as well as a visit to regular dealer so the can educate you more, help you verify right vs wrong operation & sound of the bike. Get the info as to how that dealer acquired the bike ( trade or commission .....) some one could have failed on another bill & that was only way to pay?:lecturef_smilie::dontknow: That model may simply need more routine maintenance than could be supported in the area. Lot of variables, hope this gets you started

 

[SteveP]

Info would be good

If you could determine that it's legit , it would be a nice machine . From the pics (to me) it seems like the tires have more than 800 on them :dontknowr maybe just driven a bit hard .

 

[loisk]

You dont need a dealer to check the vin you can do that on the BRP site :thumbup: I would be conserved with how the low miles were made on or off road. I have come across 1 bike some fool burnt clutch up while driving on deer lease like a 3wheeler but faster kind of thing. A test ride is in order as well as a visit to regular dealer so the can educate you more, help you verify right vs wrong operation & sound of the bike. Get the info as to how that dealer acquired the bike ( trade or commission .....) some one could have failed on another bill & that was only way to pay?:lecturef_smilie::dontknow: That model may simply need more routine maintenance than could be supported in the area. Lot of variables, hope this gets you started

No no you cannot check vin on brp site outside of the USA
it just says no-go, this vehicle was sold outside USA, go see your dealer
i know, I've tried on 3 spyders we own or have owned

 

[SteveP]

Question for Spyder Veterans

I noticed the Spyder has black rims on the front and silver on the back ..... I haven't seen this before . Is this something .... Normal?

 

[loisk]

Well spotted re the wheels! Maybe it's a Repaired bike? Alarm bells...

 

[jthspace]

A BIG THAK YOU

Thanks for all the advice and comments - it is extremely kind of you all to give your thoughts. Having reconsidered, I believe this is one to avoid, which is a shame. I have seen another with twice the mileage (1800) two owners, full service history etc at a cheaper price. Only thought is that it is Canary Yellow - great for a safety point of view, but . . . . Mind you, I had a Piaggio MP3 500 three wheeler, not considered a trike, (single pot, lovely sound) and that was the same colour. People called it the Banana Bike.

Again, appreciate the (free) advice which has been invaluable. Jack, I may call on your (paid) advice in the future!!!!

Ride safely,

Jeff

 

[Bfromla]

Thanks for all the advice and comments - it is extremely kind of you all to give your thoughts. Having reconsidered, I believe this is one to avoid, which is a shame. I have seen another with twice the mileage (1800) two owners, full service history etc at a cheaper price. Only thought is that it is Canary Yellow - great for a safety point of view, but . . . . Mind you, I had a Piaggio MP3 500 three wheeler, not considered a trike, (single pot, lovely sound) and that was the same colour. People called it the Banana Bike.

Again, appreciate the (free) advice which has been invaluable. Jack, I may call on your (paid) advice in the future!!!!

Ride safely,

Jeff

Anytime:clap: We are good for trying anyway There are a few members also over in UK that may bee more help to you they might not have seen you thread & had time to chime in. Keep an eye out they may contact (pm) you:dontknow::dontknow:

 

[loisk]

Hey, mine is half yellow! Lol

more helpfully, spyderwrap and others make brilliant wraps, so you could have a different kind of banana ...

good luck with it all

 

[PistonBlown]

Your probably right to avoid this one just because if your uncertain about it's history it's going to worry you.

The front wheels are the right type for the year (later models have more spokes) but SteveP is right they didn't do them in black. There was a local rider here who had theirs repainted black because they didn't like the silver. Black certainly works better with that bodywork.

General condition would tie in with mileage. E.g. footpegs don't look worn, rear tire wear is consistent with fronts for that mileage, etc.

Screen has been changed and new exhaust, but a lot of people make those changes early on so that's not particularly unusual either. Wouldn't be surprised if original screen and exhaust are included with the bike - if they where that would be a good sign.

The thought that came to mind was oil rig worker - Scotland, low mileage, money spent on it.

But the question is the number of owners - and that would worry me to. Are dealers included in the count or is that real owners?

 

[WellsboroSpyder]

curious?

when the spyder reach 100,000 does it convert back to zero like cars used to do?
Which would make 100,800. Whith 4 owners just wondering.