Maintenance costs?

[MidLifeCrisis]

Hi all,

just did several seaches to determine if the expected service costs on the spyder is higher than other bikes, but didn't really come up with anything but prices for the most part. Having no recent experience with motorcycles, I can't determine, if the costs are fairly standard across bike platfems, or if the Spyder is higher. Can those of you wih years of two wheel experience tell me what I could expect in that regard with Spyder ownership?

 

[Saluda]

I've been lucky as far as problems. That said I believe the Spyder is more expensive to maintain than the 2 wheels I've owned in the past. (The Spyder is a more complicated vehicle)

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

I've been lucky as far as problems. That said I believe the Spyder is more expensive to maintain than the 2 wheels I've owned in the past. (The Spyder is a more complicated vehicle)

+1:agree: very hi tech not cheap to work on.

 

[cal45]

also, what kind of Maintenance interval is recommended by BRP?

 

[docdoru]

also, what kind of Maintenance interval is recommended by BRP?

BRP should revealed the COM (cost of maintenace) for both RS and RT's.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

also, what kind of Maintenance interval is recommended by BRP?

It is listed in your manual. every 3000 miles, which I think is extreme. 4 or 5 would be more reasonable.

 

[R.T. Smith]

I bought my 2012 RT-S in March and found out the labor cost are extremely high. I am going to try and learn how to change the oil myself and save the labor cost. It might take me all day the first time to change the oil but at least I will not have to pay the $110 per hour shop rate.:shocked:

 

[TuckMiddle]

Ownership costs

The Spyder RTSM5 is a combination of a lot of great features and I really enjoy and appreciate the ride it provides.

MX intervals are absud. The man hours and expense at $100 per hour really add up. I'm an older guy who has had back and arthritis problems and I'm unable to do a lot of the maintenance items that I have always done on motorcycles. That said, I bought a 3 year MX plan from the dealer and it appears to be the way to go - at least for me. Having 13,000 miles since last August, it's been in the shop for both scheduled and unscheduled items. 90 mile round trip, not a bad ride BTY, is required for each visit. The shop itself is great. no questions about their work and knowledge. The Spyder parts availability is a joke. Two weeks tomorrow, since the BRP rep promised to send a canister, 2nd one, to the dealer. Almost 2 weeks to get the parts to repair the water pump oil seal in January. They wouldn't replace the pump, understandable I guess, but took 13 days to send all 12 parts to overhaul it, if needed. It was the oil seal and the dealer naturally didn't have that at the start of the problem. I also bought the extended warranty, but labor, of course, is on the owner.

Bottom line here is that it's an expensive ride. Much more than a Harley or GoldWing, due to the MX intervals and the man-hours involved for many checks. Can't believe I had to put rear brakes on it yesterday. That was actually pretty reasonable because they were swapping the rear tire out at 13,000 miles. I don't ride with my foot on the brake pedal and have always gotten great mileage out of disks and rotors. Such is life. This summary sounds a little negative, but the overall satisfaction level is pretty high. I knew many of the complications going in and have no one to blame but myself!! I'm a very happy camper. :firstplace:

Now, if I could get my wife back to work to buy gas for the cars and bikes, I'd be all set. My 1986 Honda Helix still gets 60 mpg most of the time, but needs tires every 4-6,000 miles!! Nothing's perfect.

Tuck

 

[ulflyer]

The Can Am's are definitely harder for the average do-it-yourselfer to maintain and probably more expensive in the long run.

If you're young enough to spend a couple hours getting up and down every 3000-4000 miles doing the oil and filters (2 on the RT SE) then you are way ahead of the cost curve. Or, if you have deep pockets and can have everything done by the dealer theres no problem.

I don't have deep pockets, didn't really do any research, assuming I could do all the ordinary maintenance like I've done on previous bikes, but am finding it to be quite a chore, mainly due to ageing knees and back.

You've also got a front end with 8 grease fittings that some say should be done every time you change oil. I do mine every other time. And theres the belt to keep an eye on if you don't have regular service done. Not especially onerous things to do, depending on your physical and mechanical ability.

Then theres the ongoing issue with the throttle body; theres been lots and lots of replacements and several computer updates that require it to be in the shop. For me, being retired, and having a dealer 30 miles away, thats not been a big problem, but for some it may be. I would advise anyone who plans to travel to have some sort of towing insurance, just in case. I took out the 3 year Best extended warranty, which includes towing.

In short, if you have deep pockets, or like to do your own routine maintenance, and are capable of doing it, go for it as they are surely fun machines to own. The Can Am, maintenance wise, was not a good choice for me, but I am enjoying it nonetheless.

 

[NancysToy]

In general, I think you will find the Spyder to be toward the upper end of maintenance costs for various motorcycles. There are a variety of reasons for this. First is the fully enclosed body. Other faired bikes share the added costs of removing the bodywork before doing anything. It adds a half hour or more labor cost to the cost of maintaining a naked bike. Second is the high tech nature of the beast. Just like having to pay $80 diagnostic charge when you take your Ford to the shop, hooking up to BUDS has a cost, directly or indirectly. Third is the complexity of the machine. The more computers, emissions equipment, conveniences, luggage, etc. you hang on a machine, the more there is to maintain and the more technical the maintenance needs. That adds time and labor costs...plus you can't just use some minimum wage grease monkey to do the work. Fourth is the maintenance schedule itself. Like BMW, the Spyder's schedule is pretty rigorous. Some say it is excessive, but BRP feels it is appropriate for maximum reliability and longevity, just like BMW. The interval is half that of BMW, however, so that adds to the maintenance costs considerably. Finally there is the cost of parts. Like any low production machine, component parts tend to cost more than average. Compared to some other brands, I do not think they are unreasonable, but they are not the cheapest, either. There are some good aftermarket alternatives, like the Hi-Flo oil filters, although they may not meet with your dealer's approval.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's all worth it when you're out there on the perfect road on a sunny day... and no traffic in sight! :thumbup:

 

[docdoru]

Some say it is excessive, but BRP feels it is appropriate for maximum reliability and longevity, just like BMW. The interval is half that of BMW, however, so that adds to the maintenance costs considerably.

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. A little is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous. "The Hunger Games” (2012)

 

[Bob Denman]

Well then I hope that you show no fear... :thumbup:

 

[cal45]

It is listed in your manual. every 3000 miles, which I think is extreme. 4 or 5 would be more reasonable.

Yes, I figured it would be listed there but I do not own a Spyder.........yet.

 

[dave01]

Had I known the routine maint. costs of this vehicle, I would have never purchased one. 240.00 for an oil change....absurd. and every 3k miles, crazy. 12k mile valve adjustment ( avg cost 1200.00) in the manual is asinine. This was supposed to be changed as per BRP officials at the Chicago event but has not been done. Does this mean if we have an engine failure, and did not do the adjustment/check, the warranty is void?

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

Well then I hope that you show no fear... :thumbup:

I've always wondered why people liked Harleys so much when they spent more time working on them, than driving them! I guess I'm about to find out.

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

Had I known the routine maint. costs of this vehicle, I would have never purchased one. 240.00 for an oil change....absurd. and every 3k miles, crazy. 12k mile valve adjustment ( avg cost 1200.00) in the manual is asinine.

Those prices do sound pretty rediculous. Is that BRP in general, or just the fact that the Spyder is so new and complicated?

 

[dave01]

Those prices do sound pretty rediculous. Is that BRP in general, or just the fact that the Spyder is so new and complicated?

Its not new, has been out since 2008. BRP does not set the costs for the dealerships, only the intervals for the maint. items. I have been hearing for over 3 years that the taking off of body panels is what makes the cost go up. I call BS, since I can take them all off in under 15 minutes, and I am not a BRP certified tech. I, personally, have paid from 178.00 in Georgia, to 240.00 in North Carolina for a basic oil change. Nothing special, a couple of filters and o-rings plus oil.

 

[Desert Spyder]

Short people

I've been emailing a lady lately, whom I 've never met, that may be interested in ryding with my chapter (Spyder Ryder of America Inland Empire Chapter). She owns one of the PE's with her husband. She has little experience on the bike because of her stature, which is 4'11". Frankly, I don't know the dynamics of short people ryding. I'm 6'1, 61, and in the fat, middle aged, bald guy category, and we have our own challenges. I suggested she get those adjustable grips on the end of the handle bars. Any other suggestions from those in the same boat. She did say she and her hubby want to get a RT as soon as the pay off the RS. I assume that might open another can, don't know.

PS...This was supposed to be a separate thread but I couldn't delete it for some strange reason.

 

[boborgera]

Those prices do sound pretty rediculous. Is that BRP in general, or just the fact that the Spyder is so new and complicated?

They are kind of high, But then if you compare them to Ducati, Moto Guzzi etc, There Right in the ballpark!
I have a Tri Glide and so far the maintenance cost is Zero, 66 hundred miles so far. My 6n about 30 dollars, But that only has about 25 hundred miles on it.
I think some of the high cost has to do with a Complicated machine and few and far in between dealers, Who have other bikes to work on, I know my dealer [ex] likes to sell Spyders but working on them takes too much time away from their other work.