• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Positive comments about Spyders

If you don't like the Spyder or Spyderfolk then, in my humble opinion, you don't know Spyders.

The demographic, that sadly BRP seems to want to run away from. is pretty homogeneous.
We are a group of folks that like it or not are linked by our common history.

And we linked by a common desire to wrench out the most of what life has to offer.
We are a motorsports generation.

Hot Rods, DIY, and active enough to want to enjoy the sheer joy of a solid twist on the throttle.

Yep, Spyders have brought us to together and it's our common heritage that keeps us together,

Oh, and BTW I wouldn't give a second thought to the reliability or dependability of my Spyder to hop on and travel for a good meal or a good time anywhere.
 
Well I have NEVER been towed, have NEVER been stranded, and LOVE the dependability of my 2015 RTL in 35000 miles.
Does that mean I have never had a problem, NO. I had to have an air compressor replaced, but I had it done under warranty in the off season. I unplugged the dump valve, aired up the rear bag, and rode for a few weeks with a manual air ride.
I had a leak in the frunk and had to have the seal replaced under warranty also.

So, has my Spyder been trouble free? the answer would be NO, but neither has any other motorized vehicle or any other product I have owned.
Has it been dependable? Absolutely, I am not afraid to jump on it and ride it anywhere. In fact will be doing that this coming riding season to remote places in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Does that mean that other Spyders might not have or be problems? NO, sometimes things are built that just do not work, but that doesn't mean that all the others do or will have problems just because one does.

I had a Ford Ranger that was in the shop more than it was out, but yet the ranger was said to be one of the most dependable small trucks on the road. I disagreed because mine was a lemon, but that doesn't mean all of them were. I did not try to discourage others from buying one because of my experience, I knew that the normal was not what I had occur.

The problem that I see is that if all we do is tell everyone about the negative experiences that we have, and never let anyone tell of the positive experiences they have had without the negative comments being added back in, we are spoiling future buyers, limiting sales, thus lessening the companies chances of survival.
I agree with everything you have quoted. I also have a 2015 RT which I purchased with 10,000 miles with no warranty. I now have about 30,000 miles on it. Again I have had minor problems which I have taken care of myself. I would not be afraid to take off with it for anywhere. It runs great never has ever let me down. I plan to ride it another year and will probably have 50,000 miles on it and will trade it for a new one and someone will get a good Spyder for many more miles.
 
Over 200 K on 4 Spyders

My wifes 2011 RT SM5 got us started and logged 76000 miles before we became a 2 spyder family with her 15 RTS and shortly thereafter my 15 base RT both SE6s. She now has her 16 FE3T with 39000 mi and my base RT has 50000 mi. My RT has been towed to the shop twice and although the wiring harness was replaced last November and the DESS module replaced this September we just finished our Trip to Tucson and back without trepidation.



Driving over from Albuquerque we did however log the last 20 miles in slushy snow getting into Show Low AZ and didnt freeze to death. The next day I blew a tire when I hit a 6" rock that washed down to the road in a driving cloudburst south of Show Low. The RT was stable on the blown tire and I was able to roll on the flat for another couple of miles until I found a wide spot to pull over safely. I appreciate that the RT kept us safe and that although it took another day back in Show Low to get new tires for the front, we were able to complete our trip to Tucson and back.

Never an engine or driveline problem, just happy for the days in the wind.
 
Last edited:
I'm happy that everyone loves their mechanical failures.
I also have that warm fuzzy feeling knowing that Can-Am is dead last in reliability as per both MCM & CR.
I'm ecstatic that people think mechanical failure and reliability are the same thing. :roflblack:
To think the "demographic" (code for elderly) is being "threatened" ……..by the 60+ crowd.....is wonderful.:banghead:
The last thing the dinosaurs need are a younger generation enjoying themselves as well. :yikes:

Well I have NEVER been towed, have NEVER been stranded, and LOVE the dependability of my 2015 RTL in 35000 miles.
Does that mean I have never had a problem, NO. I had to have an air compressor replaced, but I had it done under warranty in the off season. I unplugged the dump valve, aired up the rear bag, and rode for a few weeks with a manual air ride.
I had a leak in the frunk and had to have the seal replaced under warranty also.

So, has my Spyder been trouble free? the answer would be NO, but neither has any other motorized vehicle or any other product I have owned.
Has it been dependable? Absolutely, I am not afraid to jump on it and ride it anywhere. In fact will be doing that this coming riding season to remote places in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Does that mean that other Spyders might not have or be problems? NO, sometimes things are built that just do not work, but that doesn't mean that all the others do or will have problems just because one does.

I had a Ford Ranger that was in the shop more than it was out, but yet the ranger was said to be one of the most dependable small trucks on the road. I disagreed because mine was a lemon, but that doesn't mean all of them were. I did not try to discourage others from buying one because of my experience, I knew that the normal was not what I had occur.

The problem that I see is that if all we do is tell everyone about the negative experiences that we have, and never let anyone tell of the positive experiences they have had without the negative comments being added back in, we are spoiling future buyers, limiting sales, thus lessening the companies chances of survival.

If you don't like the Spyder or Spyderfolk then, in my humble opinion, you don't know Spyders.

The demographic, that sadly BRP seems to want to run away from. is pretty homogeneous.
We are a group of folks that like it or not are linked by our common history.

And we linked by a common desire to wrench out the most of what life has to offer.
We are a motorsports generation.

Hot Rods, DIY, and active enough to want to enjoy the sheer joy of a solid twist on the throttle.

Yep, Spyders have brought us to together and it's our common heritage that keeps us together,

Oh, and BTW I wouldn't give a second thought to the reliability or dependability of my Spyder to hop on and travel for a good meal or a good time anywhere.

My wifes 2011 RT SM5 got us started and logged 76000 miles before we became a 2 spyder family with her 15 RTS and shortly thereafter my 15 base RT both SE6s. She now has her 16 FE3T with 39000 mi and my base RT has 50000 mi. My RT has been towed to the shop twice and although the wiring harness was replaced last November and the DESS module replaced this September we just finished our Trip to Tucson and back without trepidation.



Driving over from Albuquerque we did however log the last 20 miles in slushy snow getting into Show Low AZ and didnt freeze to death. The next day I blew a tire when I hit a 6" rock that washed down to the road in a driving cloudburst south of Show Low. The RT was stable on the blown tire and I was able to roll on the flat for another couple of miles until I found a wide spot to pull over safely. I appreciate that the RT kept us safe and that although it took another day back in Show Low to get new tires for the front, we were able to complete our trip to Tucson and back.

Never an engine or driveline problem, just happy for the days in the wind.
 
I noticed this also and it kept me from pulling the trigger for awhile. I finally did buy my RTL and have put a lot of trouble free miles on it so far. I should have purchased it a long time ago when I first started looking at them, instead I waited almost 2 years. Spyders aren't perfect but it is far better then the bike I was riding. I love it, my wife loves it so there's nothing else to say at this point. Chris
 
I agree.
I waited almost 6 months after my test ride.
Can-Am was as new as seeing the F3s for the first time.
I do not regret buying my F3s as this bike has caused me to ride a lot more.
I'm getting my bike back either today or Monday and plan on riding through the winter till snow/ice says no.
I'm still going to beat up Can-Am till they correct the flaws though.
My thoughts.
I noticed this also and it kept me from pulling the trigger for awhile. I finally did buy my RTL and have put a lot of trouble free miles on it so far. I should have purchased it a long time ago when I first started looking at them, instead I waited almost 2 years. Spyders aren't perfect but it is far better then the bike I was riding. I love it, my wife loves it so there's nothing else to say at this point. Chris
 
Nice try on being positive.

Guys,
We need some good positives Threads about Spyders put on this site sometimes! Each time I get on it, everyone has problems, and bashing occurs about their Spyder or BRP. Some of you Guys with high mileage on them and with few problems, please let us know! New people reading our site will not want to buy a Spyder after seeing all the bad problems we are writing about on here! Hopefully we can have a blend of some good and some of the bad! I am not bashing anyone, because I have ask for help several times and all of you came to my rescue! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me and others!

I appreciate your attempt to elicit positive comments about our Spyders over concern about what new or potential owners may think after reading many of the postings on this site. Perhaps they will learn as much about Spyder owners from this thread, and other threads, as they will learn about Spyders themselves. Clearly, there are those for whom the "glass is full" (i.e., they never had a problem with their Spyder and they love it). It appears some owners are "the glass is half full" types, willing to overlook a few mechanical issue and enjoy their machines in spite of a few flaws. Still others appear to be "the glass is half empty" types, perhaps seeking support in their grievance(s) from others with similar problems (i.e., "misery loves company"); not to imply their grievances are in any way unjustified, it's just their way of dealing with their frustrations. And, I suspect a very few may be "the glass is completely empty" types who have allowed one or more serious problems with their Spyder to negatively color their opinion of Spyders in general, or perhaps of the manufacturer. In a few instances, I have read these folks sell their Spyder and move on.

I don't know if the glass is half full or half empty. I just want to know whether or not the "glass" is, in reality, a specimen cup (i.e., did I really get what I thought I was getting). To that end, positive and negative postings both serve their purposes helping all of us sort it out. We will just have to trust the new owners or prospective owners to have the intelligence to figure it out for themselves.

You might consider reposting this thread as a request for only positive comments and see if that works out any better. I hope you do.
 
Spyder X3

I am on the third RTL, 2012 &2-15s. Had 37000 on the 12 and really wanted the triple. That and the color made the deal. Nary an issue with #1😇. #2, well some over zealous cager took care of the Special Series. #3 is also a 15. 24000 mi and again only a minor issue, the air pump died. 😤. They all have been great and should something happen to #3 or I get the itch to buy there will be #4!!!! Great ride to say the least 😄🏕I am!!!
 
I noticed this also and it kept me from pulling the trigger for awhile. I finally did buy my RTL and have put a lot of trouble free miles on it so far. I should have purchased it a long time ago when I first started looking at them, instead I waited almost 2 years. Spyders aren't perfect but it is far better then the bike I was riding. I love it, my wife loves it so there's nothing else to say at this point. Chris

And the bike you were riding?
 
I'm happy that everyone loves their mechanical failures.
I also have that warm fuzzy feeling knowing that Can-Am is dead last in reliability as per both MCM & CR.
I'm ecstatic that people think mechanical failure and reliability are the same thing. :roflblack:
To think the "demographic" (code for elderly) is being "threatened" ……..by the 60+ crowd.....is wonderful.:banghead:
The last thing the dinosaurs need are a younger generation enjoying themselves as well. :yikes:

Ya know Road Kill I don't think it is a matter of anyone enjoying their break downs on a Spyder and I certainly can't speak to it as I don't own a Spyder. In fact today I stopped at the nearest Spyder dealer and looked at the left over RT's they have on sale. I like the grey dark version, but something in the back of my mind just won't let me pull the trigger and buy one while they are on sale. It could be your comments, which are quite vocal, or other issues I have read about. I am a confirmed BMW owner who came from Harley. I have had 5 BMW's and over 12 new Harleys before the Beemers. Almost every one of my bikes has at some point required going back to the shop for something, but only one broke down on me and left me stranded. That was a 2002 Road Glide that made it about 14 miles from the dealership before it broke down due to a bad stator. That Road Glide, although it was the nicest Harley I ever owned was also the last I would ever own. It listed for about 15K and after I got done putting another 5K into it to turn it into a Road Glide Ultra, which they didn't make back then, I tried to trade it in a year and a half later and could only get 14.5K on trade. Bye-Bye Harley along with their crap about 10 cents on every dollar back on accessories at trade-in time.

Went over to the Dark Side and bought a BMW 1200LT and switched to the K1600 series and they have made great strides in refining that bike since my first one in 2012. Unfortunately for me K1600's don't bring back a lot of trade-in value in my area, so switching to a Spyder RT is going to be a costly affair. The saving grace is that the sale price now offered on Spyder's makes up for some of the monetary shock. Even with the savings I am having a hard time convincing myself that a Spyder is a worthwhile purchase. I have read about the dreaded DESS issues and a few other glitches and actually making the switch is difficult for me. Reliability aside on a Spyder, the lack of horsepower concerns me as my K1600 pushes out quite a bit more, but I almost never use it which is rather sad. In retrospect though I have to ask myself if I really need that much horsepower at 67 years old? Part of me says yes and part says no, not anymore. But will I miss it on a Spyder? I don't know....decisions, decisions. Your posts certainly don't make my decisions any easier. So in some respects you have accomplished one of your underlying goals of keeping potential customers away from buying a Spyder.

I have a few more days to think this through and hopefully I will make the right call for me. From a personal standpoint though if I suffered two similar breakdowns on my K1600 I would certainly find a common thread as to what is taking place. If a drive belt pulley or bolts are breaking there has to be a reason and just replacing the parts and waiting for it to break again isn't repairing the underlying problem. So all I can say is good luck finding the real cause of your pulley problem and quite possibly you saved me from making a decision I may regret later on.

Rick H.
 
I have had bad belt vibration since day one .I think i have it fixed now ,with the help of fellow spyder lovers .THANKS
I got the handling better by adjusting the toe in .
Can not use the the BRP connect ,as i refuse to buy an expensive phone to make things work that should have come standard.
The radio is a big fail ,very poor reception ,and can not hear it at speeds.

Now to the good things.
The wife is more comfy on as a passenger than any bike i have owned ( and i have owned tons of bikes ).
I have never dropped it ,thats a big plus.
Never had a break down .
10000 km of close to trouble free miles .

At my age this bike will be my last ,hope to not have to much problems on the way .


2018 rtl dark
 
Last edited:
I like to keep things real.
Every bike I have owned in the last 30+ years has had issues with my Harley Ultra being by far the worst.
My Spyder F3s is coming in as 2nd place winner in lack of reliability.
I'm not a salesman nor do I wish to be.
If you buy a Spyder (or any bike) you should know EXACTLY what you are walking into.
I knew I was walking away from a trust brand (Honda) and into unknown territory so I'm not mad.
The fix is easy....sell my Spyder and go running back to Honda.
I'm not giving up on my F3s just yet because I haven't had my 3rd failure....(3 and your out!)…..yet.
Ya know Road Kill I don't think it is a matter of anyone enjoying their break downs on a Spyder and I certainly can't speak to it as I don't own a Spyder. In fact today I stopped at the nearest Spyder dealer and looked at the left over RT's they have on sale. I like the grey dark version, but something in the back of my mind just won't let me pull the trigger and buy one while they are on sale. It could be your comments, which are quite vocal, or other issues I have read about. I am a confirmed BMW owner who came from Harley. I have had 5 BMW's and over 12 new Harleys before the Beemers. Almost every one of my bikes has at some point required going back to the shop for something, but only one broke down on me and left me stranded. That was a 2002 Road Glide that made it about 14 miles from the dealership before it broke down due to a bad stator. That Road Glide, although it was the nicest Harley I ever owned was also the last I would ever own. It listed for about 15K and after I got done putting another 5K into it to turn it into a Road Glide Ultra, which they didn't make back then, I tried to trade it in a year and a half later and could only get 14.5K on trade. Bye-Bye Harley along with their crap about 10 cents on every dollar back on accessories at trade-in time.

Went over to the Dark Side and bought a BMW 1200LT and switched to the K1600 series and they have made great strides in refining that bike since my first one in 2012. Unfortunately for me K1600's don't bring back a lot of trade-in value in my area, so switching to a Spyder RT is going to be a costly affair. The saving grace is that the sale price now offered on Spyder's makes up for some of the monetary shock. Even with the savings I am having a hard time convincing myself that a Spyder is a worthwhile purchase. I have read about the dreaded DESS issues and a few other glitches and actually making the switch is difficult for me. Reliability aside on a Spyder, the lack of horsepower concerns me as my K1600 pushes out quite a bit more, but I almost never use it which is rather sad. In retrospect though I have to ask myself if I really need that much horsepower at 67 years old? Part of me says yes and part says no, not anymore. But will I miss it on a Spyder? I don't know....decisions, decisions. Your posts certainly don't make my decisions any easier. So in some respects you have accomplished one of your underlying goals of keeping potential customers away from buying a Spyder.

I have a few more days to think this through and hopefully I will make the right call for me. From a personal standpoint though if I suffered two similar breakdowns on my K1600 I would certainly find a common thread as to what is taking place. If a drive belt pulley or bolts are breaking there has to be a reason and just replacing the parts and waiting for it to break again isn't repairing the underlying problem. So all I can say is good luck finding the real cause of your pulley problem and quite possibly you saved me from making a decision I may regret later on.

Rick H.
 
Love our Spyders have two, 2018 F3 limited, and 2018 RT. Traded in two for these, 2015 RT and 2016 RTS. Love em. Live in South Dakota, just waiting for BRP to install heaters so we can ride year round. LOL:roflblack::roflblack:
 
Positive Coments

Love our Spyders have two, 2018 F3 limited, and 2018 RT. Traded in two for these, 2015 RT and 2016 RTS. Love em. Live in South Dakota, just waiting for BRP to install heaters so we can ride year round. LOL:roflblack::roflblack:

They did kind of install Heaters on the 2013's , my wife and I had two of them :roflblack: and we still were happy spyder owners, we switched to the 1340's be cause we wanted the better mileage and less maintenance. Like i said before, our riding has not been 100% trouble free but we have no fear of climbing on our RTLs and setting off on a 1 or 2 week trip.
Glacier Park Ride 096.jpg
 
Once I ignore the lack of a decent sized trunk, crummy cruiser riding position, 200+ HP, chain drive, 17" wheels with REAL independent braking systems, and dual mini guns it's really a pretty fun ride! :joke:

I have to admit the F3S is a better all around machine than my old 2012 RSS [excepting the trunk and riding position :(], and have enjoyed many hassle free miles on it this season.
 
I agree with your point of view. I am fascinated with the spyder. I do agree that more often people will post negative comments then positive. But on the other side of the coin is if I have a question Like I would like to know if there are any major problems with the 2015 F3S as I am looking to purchase one and not dump a lot of cash on a problem child. A little concerned about the automatic transmission as I am not very familiar with them. I would like positive, neutral and negative comments so that I can make an educated decision. Taking into consideration that there are thousands of these out there. Thank you for your input
 
Back
Top