Tom in NM
New member
My 2008 SE5 Spyder went into a local dealership for its 600 Mile Service and overall, I was disappointed and will not use them again unless I have to. I did not like how they operated, but a lot of service departments operate the same way – smiles, polite to the max, but the only information you get is what you see on the bill and the Service Rep’s explanation, not the person who worked on the bike or car. But, this is how it works, it is their shop, employees and business – I just don’t like it.
Going in, with a little over 20 hours and 612 miles (and no error codes), I had 3 observations:
1) The gas gauge and Fuel Empty Indicator light comes on, but when I fill it up, it just takes 3 gallons of gas.
2) When I am driving around the city and sometimes after rides over 20 miles or more, when I come to a stop, there is a smell of gas. About half the time, it is EXTREME, dizziness/headache inducing extreme. People in other cars stopped next to me at stoplights ( asking about the Spyder ) have noticed it.
3) After I hit 400 miles, the Spyder started creeping. RPM is stable at 15k, but it can get up to about 8 mph on a flat surface. Light brake holds it though, no surging or pull.
I waited while the work was performed. 2.7 hours ( at $67.00 per hour ), $117.25 in Parts and a “other” $14.69, I got the Spyder back.
The invoice showed:
They REPLACED the oil, oil filters, O rings and the drain crush washers.
They INSPECTED the hydraulic control filer, engine coolant level, fault codes, fuel filter, spark plugs, drive belt wear, drive belt alignment, drive belt tension, front wheel nuts torque, rear wheel nuts torque, suspension arms, brake fluid level, brake pads, brake rotors, parking break operation.
They CLEANED the oil tank strainer.
They LUBRICATED the suspension arms.
They ADJUSTED the drive belt and parking break.
They also noted that the oil should be inspected every 300 miles.
As far as my observations, the invoice says;
“The gasoline smell is due to a automotive style emissions carbon canister designed to capture fumes and excess gasoline from the fuel tank. The smell is noted when the solenoid opens to allow fumes to enter the air box and be burned when the engine reaches operating temperature.” The service rep told me this is natural and “ just how it works, you will get used to it.”
For the Fuel gauge; “The reserve has a very large ‘AVERAGE’ of 1.5 to 2.5 gallons – this is normal for this machine.” The service rep commented that; “ the Spyder has a 5 gallon tank and all motorcycle gas gauges are not that accurate – it is just how they work.”
For the ‘creeping’; “the creeping is caused by the transmission and belt “break-in” The unit will do this until approximately 2000 miles according to the manufacturer”
None of this matches my understanding.
1) Automotive emission canisters do not emit extreme fuel fumes unless they are defective.
2) The Spyder has (according to the info BRP publishes) has a 6.6 gallon fuel tank. A 50+% error ratio is worse than any of the 12 motorcycles I have ever owned. Actually, it seems to consistently and very accurately indicate when I have used 3 gallons of fuel.
3) I am OK with this explanation – it is not exactly accurate, but the issue is minor to me and I can wait through 2000 miles for it to work itself out. I will watch it, but as I said, OK. Given the rate I ride, I will be well over 2000 before this time next month.
As far as the gas gauge goes, next week I will take the Spyder panels off and check the wiring ( as the Maintenance Manual suggests ) and see if the wires are OK. This is an irritation, but since I do a lot of riding where gas stations can be few and far-between, it could cause a real problem on some of the Winter and 110 degree Summer rides I take.
I am most concerned about the fuel fumes. They are exceptional – I never smell that much fuel even when at a gas station. I seem to be getting around 35 mpg and I do not overfill the gas tank. My brother, father, and grandfather are all Bodyshop owners. I have worked in all their shops – so I think I know what is ‘normal’ or not. I have never smelt anything run this rich.
Any of your suggestions or observations would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom
Going in, with a little over 20 hours and 612 miles (and no error codes), I had 3 observations:
1) The gas gauge and Fuel Empty Indicator light comes on, but when I fill it up, it just takes 3 gallons of gas.
2) When I am driving around the city and sometimes after rides over 20 miles or more, when I come to a stop, there is a smell of gas. About half the time, it is EXTREME, dizziness/headache inducing extreme. People in other cars stopped next to me at stoplights ( asking about the Spyder ) have noticed it.
3) After I hit 400 miles, the Spyder started creeping. RPM is stable at 15k, but it can get up to about 8 mph on a flat surface. Light brake holds it though, no surging or pull.
I waited while the work was performed. 2.7 hours ( at $67.00 per hour ), $117.25 in Parts and a “other” $14.69, I got the Spyder back.
The invoice showed:
They REPLACED the oil, oil filters, O rings and the drain crush washers.
They INSPECTED the hydraulic control filer, engine coolant level, fault codes, fuel filter, spark plugs, drive belt wear, drive belt alignment, drive belt tension, front wheel nuts torque, rear wheel nuts torque, suspension arms, brake fluid level, brake pads, brake rotors, parking break operation.
They CLEANED the oil tank strainer.
They LUBRICATED the suspension arms.
They ADJUSTED the drive belt and parking break.
They also noted that the oil should be inspected every 300 miles.
As far as my observations, the invoice says;
“The gasoline smell is due to a automotive style emissions carbon canister designed to capture fumes and excess gasoline from the fuel tank. The smell is noted when the solenoid opens to allow fumes to enter the air box and be burned when the engine reaches operating temperature.” The service rep told me this is natural and “ just how it works, you will get used to it.”
For the Fuel gauge; “The reserve has a very large ‘AVERAGE’ of 1.5 to 2.5 gallons – this is normal for this machine.” The service rep commented that; “ the Spyder has a 5 gallon tank and all motorcycle gas gauges are not that accurate – it is just how they work.”
For the ‘creeping’; “the creeping is caused by the transmission and belt “break-in” The unit will do this until approximately 2000 miles according to the manufacturer”
None of this matches my understanding.
1) Automotive emission canisters do not emit extreme fuel fumes unless they are defective.
2) The Spyder has (according to the info BRP publishes) has a 6.6 gallon fuel tank. A 50+% error ratio is worse than any of the 12 motorcycles I have ever owned. Actually, it seems to consistently and very accurately indicate when I have used 3 gallons of fuel.
3) I am OK with this explanation – it is not exactly accurate, but the issue is minor to me and I can wait through 2000 miles for it to work itself out. I will watch it, but as I said, OK. Given the rate I ride, I will be well over 2000 before this time next month.
As far as the gas gauge goes, next week I will take the Spyder panels off and check the wiring ( as the Maintenance Manual suggests ) and see if the wires are OK. This is an irritation, but since I do a lot of riding where gas stations can be few and far-between, it could cause a real problem on some of the Winter and 110 degree Summer rides I take.
I am most concerned about the fuel fumes. They are exceptional – I never smell that much fuel even when at a gas station. I seem to be getting around 35 mpg and I do not overfill the gas tank. My brother, father, and grandfather are all Bodyshop owners. I have worked in all their shops – so I think I know what is ‘normal’ or not. I have never smelt anything run this rich.
Any of your suggestions or observations would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom
