New Spyder? Still somewhat wary

[BHawksworth]

So I've had three Spyder's, one 2008 RS, and two 2010 RT's, one of which replaced the RS. The RS was never a problem. The two RT's were a disaster - constant engine lights and limping home. Related to steering, if I recall. Never worked right. So I sold them both. The RS and one of the RT's were my Dad's.

My Dad is interested in getting another Spyder RS, and I'm looking for feedback on whether the problems with the Spyder have been addressed in the last two years. I recognize this is a Spyder forum and so everyone loves their bikes, but I'm interested in some cold, calculated opinions on whether they've been fixed... or not.

Thanks much,
Ben

 

[daveinva]

So I've had three Spyder's, one 2008 RS, and two 2010 RT's, one of which replaced the RS. The RS was never a problem. The two RT's were a disaster - constant engine lights and limping home. Related to steering, if I recall. Never worked right. So I sold them both. The RS and one of the RT's were my Dad's.

My Dad is interested in getting another Spyder RS, and I'm looking for feedback on whether the problems with the Spyder have been addressed in the last two years. I recognize this is a Spyder forum and so everyone loves their bikes, but I'm interested in some cold, calculated opinions on whether they've been fixed... or not.

Thanks much,
Ben

My two cents, anecodtally based on this forum: The RS is pretty reliable, most of the quirks seem to have been ironed out. The RT, alas, still seems to be a bit of a crapshoot for no real reason.

I want an RT someday, but I don't know whether I'd buy one yet (and I say this *after* happily owning an RS for a year).

 

[zrc]

Based on what I read, I would do the following.

Determine if you are in it to win it or not. If you really want it. Then I would begin by looking for the dealer you want to purchase from and the dealer you want to get service from. I think these 2 parts of the process are HUGE for the spyder. The initial building and selling unit needs to be from a solid dealer that knows the roll, you can find out that info here. That being said if its a long haul to get it, you need to locate the local shop (local being relative to me, aka I would go up to 2 hrs to find a "good Dealer" because I think this machine is tempermental and needs to be babied some. Once you are done with these, I would pull the trigger.

 

[BHawksworth]

Well, I'm not sure I'm in it to win it or not. I'm mostly in it to have a reliable machine, for my Dad. I don't mind babying a bike, but when they have constant problems even before they hit their first service, and thereafter, it's not acceptable. A bike has to be reliable first. I'm not talking of course about the little things that can go wrong with a bike - I've been riding for 24 years, and I know that things happen with the best built bike. But those RTs were just crazy unreliable. So I'm hoping that the Spyder - or at least the RS - is better than it was.

 

[spyder3]

Well, I'm not sure I'm in it to win it or not. I'm mostly in it to have a reliable machine, for my Dad. I don't mind babying a bike, but when they have constant problems even before they hit their first service, and thereafter, it's not acceptable. A bike has to be reliable first. I'm not talking of course about the little things that can go wrong with a bike - I've been riding for 24 years, and I know that things happen with the best built bike. But those RTs were just crazy unreliable. So I'm hoping that the Spyder - or at least the RS - is better than it was.

Find a dealer who REALLY knows how to build them, and the RT is just fine. nojoke cowtown, MO comes to mind.

 

[CyncySpyder]

INITIAL DEALER SET-UP MAKES OR BREAKS THESE BYKES

Our 2010 RT-S was the problem child of which you speak. In the shop more than in my pocession, frustrated the living hell outta me. The dealer of that unit, rushed the initial set-up causing a cascading effect of problem after problem. After talking with other forum members, I decided to put my trust into one particular man, by the name of Len and drove 450 miles one way to trade in my problem child for a New 2011 RT-S SpyderFest Edition byke from Cowtown USA:firstplace: When a dealer knows what they are doing setting up these bykes, it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD :firstplace: Next week will be one year & 24,000 miles of SMILES for Teddy & I. Find a good dealer that you can trust and you should be as HAPPY as we are:yes::yes:

 

[Oldmanzues]

I had no real problems with 08 GS in about 9K. 14K on my RT with same results, that is If keep my big foot off the brake pedal.
I agree in saying the dealer is the big thing. Set up and service.
Oldmanzues

 

[BHawksworth]

I never had a problem with the set up. I had a problem with the electronics throwing constant codes. The steering units were well known for giving these kinds of problems. So while I understand that it's helpful to have a proper set up from the bike, my concern was and is the electronics and the power steering. If a bike needs an artist to set it up, and that artist might live hundreds or thousands of miles away, that bike is still not ready for primetime, IMO.

What I'm hoping to understand is - have the issues relating to the electronics and the power steering been addressed?

I appreciate all the responses.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[NancysToy]

I never had a problem with the set up. I had a problem with the electronics throwing constant codes. The steering units were well known for giving these kinds of problems. So while I understand that it's helpful to have a proper set up from the bike, my concern was and is the electronics and the power steering. If a bike needs an artist to set it up, and that artist might live hundreds or thousands of miles away, that bike is still not ready for primetime, IMO.

What I'm hoping to understand is - have the issues relating to the electronics and the power steering been addressed?

I appreciate all the responses.

Thanks,
Ben

The electronics report the codes, but few of the causes are actually strictly electronic in nature. Many steering issues that are reported are actually setup problems, too. Failure to correctly zero the sensors leads to difficulties and error codes. The DPS recall issues have been addressed and cured. A number of other things can cause DPS or VSS warnings, but they may not be directly caused by a steering fault, even though that's how it looks. Riding the brake can be one such problem. The Spyder reads that as a brake failure, which triggers a VSS fault, which can trigger faults in all related systems. Complex machines, which need highly knowledgeable techs to correctly diagnose and interpret the failure codes. Don't shoot the messenger!

 

[BHawksworth]

Thanks to all who responded - I've placed an order for a 2012 RS-S, SM5, red/black. Pick it up Thursday.

 

[ARtraveler]

What they say above. Congrats on you decision to make a purchase. The set up done correctly makes for a better running RTS. I have 21,000 miles on mine and have had no problems.

 

[SteveMac]

What they say above. Congrats on you decision to make a purchase. The set up done correctly makes for a better running RTS. I have 21,000 miles on mine and have had no problems.

:agree:

11,000 here on a 2010 RT. No Problems.