Spyder Blowed Up

[Hoog]

Spyder developed the death knock about 100 miles east of Rapid City and we're stuck.

Long story short...oil light flickered and apparently the bike went into limp home. Pulled over to check the oil level and it was good, so we tried it again....ran fine, no light, no limp home. Just as we're getting off at the next exit the oil light comes on again and this time she's obviously got serious issues so we had it flat-bedded into town. Dealer was already closed, so I had it dropped in the Ramkota parking lot. Fired it up this morning...clattered for about five seconds (no oil light) and quieted right down as soon as the pressure came up. Get it to the dealer...dealer finds good oil pressure....calls BRP....BRP says put in a new oil pressure switch.

Whaaaat? Did they just gloss over the part about the rattling inside the engine? I had the dealer go ahead and dump the oil and guess what? Metal shavings in the oil filter....not good. The local guy says the bearings are on back order so there's no way it's getting rebuilt before we need to leave Saturday.

$1100 to ship it back to Orlando, plus air fare for the wife...$1100 dollars to rent a truck to drive back with it, plus ~$500 in gas.

BRP isn't currently offering any assistance other than warrantying whatever broke....more on that later.



So, I'm wide open to suggestions folks. Let's hear some ideas.

 

[Bersquack]

Oh man, that sucks big time. I hope (but doubt) that BRP will help you out more than just fixing your spyder.

 

[fastfraser]

Oh man, that sucks big time. I hope (but doubt) that BRP will help you out more than just fixing your spyder.

:agree::gaah::gaah::gaah::gaah:

 

[Kjen]

OUCH, my sympathies :yikes:. On our long trip I just kind of took it for granted things would just all function properly. Not sure what we would have done if something close to this had happened. Doubt you get any financial help either-guess that part is the chance we take driving away from home. But to not have the part in goodness knows how long is so very frustrating. We are impatient just waiting on an oil filter for the automatic and it's taking a ridiculous amount of time for that simple thing.
That didn't help you any. Good luck withit all.

 

[Tom in NM]

bad news . . . .

. . . . 1st, what state are you in?

Do you have a extended warranty / insurance? Did you call them.

If there is nobody there to help you, and you are not covered for trip loss, and if the parts cannot be expedited and/or you don't want it fixed there, I guess I would truck it back. Depending on your insurance/warranty that may be eligible for coverage. You may also be reimbursed for a portion of lodging. You really have to talk to your insurance and warranty company.

Maybe another dealership has the parts - have the dealer "look" around. You may have to truck it there.

The costs you mention for trucking sound high - the Spyder will fit in a Uhaul or other truck. The dealer should help you load it - in my opinion.

Just some ideas off the top of my head.

I would also go back and edit the title of this thread and add " Help - Spyder Blowed Up - Help" and if it fits, put in "Rapid City, ????"

Wish I were closer. I would dearly love to give you a hand.

Tom

 

[Tom in NM]

any news?

Hoog, how are things going?
Trying to keep you at the top of the thread list.

Tom

 

[Some Guy]

Yeah...BRP service and reliability sucks. Once Honda comes out with a similar product, BRP will be back to producing only sub-standard watercraft and overpriced quads (again)...and still unduly pressuring their dealerships to carry more Can Am quads than they can possibly sell so they can still sell Spyders.

I love my Spyder, but if it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have learned enough to keep it running without having to rely on substandard support from BRP. They really don't get it.

 

[BumbleBee]

Sorry to hear about your spyder :gaah:

 

[Hoog]

Hoog, how are things going?
Trying to keep you at the top of the thread list.

Tom

Thanks Tom. We're doing all the things we set out to do here in Rapid City, South Dakota. pps: Except we're doing them two up on my Triumph rather than the wife riding her own.

The Spyder is still under warranty, so no worries about that costing us anything, but the trip is on us. Allstate RV RoadHelp only covers trip interuption by an accident more than 100 miles from home....not breakdown.

I'm back on the phone with BRP tomorrow, negotiating. I don't hold out too much hope, but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Local dealer does have a new blue Spyder on the property...

 

[Roaddog2]

Tough luck........Good luck trying to get help from BRP this week, they're having the big 2010 show off party.......Think I'd pitch a little fit though, and demand some kind of traveling compensation, before my attorney formally demands it...........I'd try contacting that Carlo character.........

:agree:

 

[Tom in NM]

Maybe you can work a swap?

I'm back on the phone with BRP tomorrow, negotiating. I don't hold out too much hope, but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Local dealer does have a new blue Spyder on the property...

You are welcome Hoog. Wish I could do more. I have been there and know how difficult it can be.

In case you don't have it or cannot find it, here is a link to Lamont's post on the Carlo email address. You do need to put your VIN on it.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=87296&postcount=1

Keep working it as much as you can, but also enjoy your vacation. The breakdown will work out. This vacation only will happen once, don't miss it.

Tom

 

[NancysToy]

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. Major failure is the worry of all long-distance motorcycle riders. I think your expectations may be a bit high, however. What you are experiencing is normal for most brands, including BMW. BMW dealers are reknowned for getting touring riders back on the road, but if major disaster strikes, you are still left to make your way back on your own, with or without your bike. Some seasoned riders carry extra insurance to cover this possibility.

I wish you the best in getting things resolved. It is a hard knock.

 

[bjt]

I am sorry to hear of your misfortune. Major failure is the worry of all long-distance motorcycle riders. I think your expectations may be a bit high, however. What you are experiencing is normal for most brands, including BMW. BMW dealers are reknowned for getting touring riders back on the road, but if major disaster strikes, you are still left to make your way back on your own, with or without your bike. Some seasoned riders carry extra insurance to cover this possibility.

I wish you the best in getting things resolved. It is a hard knock.

:agree:

 

[Hoog]

Well....

Someone was kind enough to total out a demo bike (the demo truck is in the local dealer's parking lot this week ) and I'm getting the motor out of that bike, to get home. The word is the guy was fine, but the Spyder is a write off. This isn't the perfect scenario by any means, but at least the wife is going to get to do some riding while we're here and I don't have to come out of pocket to get her bike back to Florida....so far.

Big thanks to Lynn in customer service at BRP for all her help, and to Al at Rice here in Rapid City for working this end.

 

[NancysToy]

Well....

Someone was kind enough to total out a demo bike (the demo truck is in the local dealer's parking lot this week ) and I'm getting the motor out of that bike, to get home. The word is the guy was fine, but the Spyder is a right off. This isn't the perfect scenario by any means, but at least the wife is going to get to do some riding while we're here and I don't have to come out of pocket to get her bike back to Florida....so far.

Big thanks to Lynn in customer service at BRP for all her help, and to Al at Rice here in Rapid City for working this end.

:thumbup:

 

[FANG]

Man Hoog;

I am sure glad things are working out for you -- Good Luck on the rest of your trip.

 

[kytten]

Glad you're getting your engine replaced. I guess luck was on your side. It's really interesting... Last weekend the demo truck was at my dealer here in MN and one of the riders had an accident in one of the demos when they were out on a test ride. With the one near you now, that makes me really interested to learn how often that happens.

 

[Tom in NM]

Hoog, you are welcome . . . . .

Well....

Someone was kind enough to total out a demo bike (the demo truck is in the local dealer's parking lot this week ) and I'm getting the motor out of that bike, to get home. The word is the guy was fine, but the Spyder is a write off. This isn't the perfect scenario by any means, but at least the wife is going to get to do some riding while we're here and I don't have to come out of pocket to get her bike back to Florida....so far.

Big thanks to Lynn in customer service at BRP for all her help, and to Al at Rice here in Rapid City for working this end.

. . . . . that was me on the demo. It was the only way I could think of expediting the parts to you. So, I drove up to Rapid City (SD) and . . . . . .
. . . . . no, no, no, no, no, no, no - really, NO, I didn't!

Luckily, I didn't think of it either. You would be getting on your way, I would be in jail.

Glad everything is working out and it goes to show you were right about "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

You have been on the road, but lately, there have been some real incredible good things happen when people have posted their problems or wishes on SpyderLovers.com. One guy got a Spyder Crate wrapper for his birthday. He posted about it - of course we all got behind him and wished him the best. A couple days later - he got a Spyder! - I don't think it was the birthday candles.

I love good news and acts of competence and kindness. My hat is off to Lynn and Al!

Tom

 

[Duc_B]

Man Im sorry to hear about your issue.. BRP states the Spyder was 10yrs in development? I guess 10 yrs is not enough time to create a reliable product.

Is this common among 2008 Spyders? I ask this because I just purchased a used 08 spyder w/ 1300mi. Which will be delivered next week.

 

[Tom in NM]

No . . . . .

Man Im sorry to hear about your issue.. BRP states the Spyder was 10yrs in development? I guess 10 yrs is not enough time to create a reliable product.

Is this common among 2008 Spyders? I ask this because I just purchased a used 08 spyder w/ 1300mi. Which will be delivered next week.

. . . . it is not common.
10 years? - it might take you or me longer, but they seem to have done just fine.

Enjoy your Spyder.

Tom