Fatcycledaddy
Active member
No, I know the spyder will run on it, and I get the no Ethyl in all octane, if it is available. Just in the higher altitude, towing the trailer up steep grades, I like to run the higherr octanes.
-
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.
Reliability of the Spyder
- Thread starter vito1943
- Start date
Baron14y
New member
I guess I'm lucky (maybe I shouldn't say anything. The Gods that control these things might get mad.) I bought a used 2015 RTL a few years ago and the only problem I've had is a leaking seal. What I don't understand is why, when a Spyder is not under warranty, that you drive many miles to go to a dealer if there is a local shop that knows Spyders. In my case, there are at least two motorcycle shops that know Spyders and work on them. At least as well as a dealer (in most cases better) and far less expensive. Replacing the seal took about 2 1/2 hrs labor and with parts, fees, and tax, the total was $197.95. $70.00/hr labor v. $120.00.:clap:
You are very fortunate to have those options.
I do remember that 2015 CR motorcycle reliability report. It was a huge thing at the time among the motorcycle enthusiast world. A lot of people were talking about it. CR rated Yamaha as the most reliable motorcycle brand in the market, and that really didn't surprise me at all, given the fact that my wife and I had spent many trouble free years riding a Yamaha touring bike while experiencing 38 states of our beautiful nation. There are a number of people on the Venturerider forum that have eclipsed 200K miles on one single Yamaha Venture bike. 100K miles on that machine is very common. Honda was rated #2 on that list, and I believe it was followed by Suzuki, and Kawasaki. I certainly remember Can Am being rated at the bottom of the list, but was I was kind of confused by that ranking, because I think I remember BMW being right above them. And, that didn't make too much sense to me because I know a number of folks that own BMW's, and they ride the heck out of those bikes, all over the nation, and abroad.
I tell you one thing that kind of told me a lot of what Americans think of quality: Harley Davidson was ranked smack dab in the middle of the ranking, or they might've even been a tad lower than halfway, I can't quite remember. But, they were rated #1 in overall customer satisfaction. I was dumbfounded at that. Here is a brand that was obviously not rated very good in quality, but had the highest ranking in customer satisfaction. I have my own opinions about what that says, but, I wonder what you folks think that says about us Americans, and our buying tendencies.
So, here I am 6 years after that initial CR ranking. In 2015 I was in the middle of enjoying the many years of Yamaha bliss, and now I have left that brand for what that ranking says is the worst quality brand. Well, I don't think I believe that ranking. Or, maybe Can Am was just getting it's quality legs under itself back then, but I certainly think the 2020 RTL I bought last October is a solid quality built machine. Now, Is it as good as a Yamaha, my gut tells me it's probably not, but, is it way better now than back then? I'd say you betchya. Or, at least I'm hoping like heck it is.
I know we're enjoying the heck out of our Spyder!
Big Lenny
I tell you one thing that kind of told me a lot of what Americans think of quality: Harley Davidson was ranked smack dab in the middle of the ranking, or they might've even been a tad lower than halfway, I can't quite remember. But, they were rated #1 in overall customer satisfaction. I was dumbfounded at that. Here is a brand that was obviously not rated very good in quality, but had the highest ranking in customer satisfaction. I have my own opinions about what that says, but, I wonder what you folks think that says about us Americans, and our buying tendencies.
So, here I am 6 years after that initial CR ranking. In 2015 I was in the middle of enjoying the many years of Yamaha bliss, and now I have left that brand for what that ranking says is the worst quality brand. Well, I don't think I believe that ranking. Or, maybe Can Am was just getting it's quality legs under itself back then, but I certainly think the 2020 RTL I bought last October is a solid quality built machine. Now, Is it as good as a Yamaha, my gut tells me it's probably not, but, is it way better now than back then? I'd say you betchya. Or, at least I'm hoping like heck it is.
I know we're enjoying the heck out of our Spyder!
Big Lenny
Why ask the question when you have already bought one. Don't second guess yourself. Get out there and ride it and let us know if Consumer Reports got it right.. Better yet just ride it.
BTW did you look at the Tilting Motor Works conversion? I'd love one but my Goldwing is too old.
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
I have been running 87 octane in my vehicles since around 2015. I notice no issues or problems. Since moving to AR in 2019, I also use 10% ethanol mix that comes with the 87.
Baron14y
New member
I just filled up with 87 octane for the first time. Can't feel any difference except in my wallet. Thanks Mike.:2thumbs:
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
The 2014 report, which is the last one they've done, has CanAm in the middle, below Victory, HD, and Honda but above the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki, and Triumph. CR is no longer doing reliability reports of motorcycles so the 2014 report is the last one.
I agree with AR about seeing fewer trouble reports here on the forum the last few years.
My wife and I inherited a 2011rts when her dad passed away and it has been nothing but trouble. Granted it's older and I have replaced many of the components that I've researched on this forum and others that should be replaced on machines as they age. I'm at my wits end with it. Based on this experience and the lack of dealership support I would never personally buy one of these machines.
Sorry to hear about your lack of abilities to diagnose the problems but sometime a trip to a dealer is required if you don't have a buds or buds 2 diaicnostics tool. Stop beating your self up and find someone with a BUDS system or a dealer that can sort it out for you. I'm sure you and your wife would love the Spyder if you could get it running right. Good luck with the project, you can always start a new thread and try and describe what problems you are having to see if someone here might have the answer, it can be slow tho.
Madison Sully
Member
Interesting assumption about a new member with a grand total of two posts.
As far as anyone here would know, the person you are describing is a Ford Master Tech.
You must work for a news company, if you read the whole thing you see what I was saying or trying to say is you need a special tool sometime no matter who you are (don't knock your self out). So don't take part of something I said and try and make something its not.
I do have the buds software and and so far been able to fix every single issue that has come up. My point was that it has been one issue after another since we've had it. I fix one thing and something else pops up 2 or 3 months later.
My post was more of a rant than anything else. I appreciate the replies.
My post was more of a rant than anything else. I appreciate the replies.
Madison Sully
Member
Nope, I don't work for a news company. I did read the whole thing. You may as well go ahead and do the same (knock yourself out).
Now that I can understand, frustration; that can happen. The Spyder RT 2011 was only the second year in production and still had a few bugs as you I'm sure you know. But still not normal to have a lot of issues all the time. You know the history of the bike so I hope it just needs time to get better.
tntnj
Member
I ran my F3 LTD 12 hours straight for 650 miles in 95-102 temperatures from North Carolina to New Jersey with no problems. I was doing about 75 to 80 MPH. I had my F3 for 2 years and it went to the shop once for an adjustment on a switch. Sadly, I just sold it for Harley Freewheeler. I will see if the Harley can do the same.
Scotts8826
Member
For me, my previous 2013 RT-S was perfect. Never an issue. So far my 2020 RTL has been great, too. One thing I noticed that does not get brought up very often is how much maintenance may be required on two wheel motorcycles while on long trips. It seems that chains or links, cables, tires, oil changes, etc. regularly need attention but are not typically reported as reliability issues. With my Spyders I get a good once over by the dealer before a trip and that's it. Only checked my oil every couple days on my 2013.
WisconsinDavid
Member
I have been fortunate to never have a major issue with a motorcycle I have owned... from a Cibi mini bike of youth, through Hondas in college, into Harleys and now onto the 3 wheels of CanAms. I still ride a 2010 RS and will update at some point (I'm 63). The RS has worked flawlessly so far, with only faithful and regular maintenance -- as I do with any vehicle or bike. I am enjoying my time now on 3 tires. If they are becoming better with each generation, as would be expected, awesome!
Similar threads
