Spyder enjoyment vs. experience of ownership

[PeterKelly]

I have been lucky so far with my dealer experiences in both California and BC. I admit my expectations aren’t sky high but Malcolm Smith in Riverside CA (service and warranty issues) and Greater Vancouver Powersports (sprocket recall) have been excellent so far.

Recently bought a 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 - awful service from both the Dealer an Kawasaki - I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my positive experience with BRP Dealers continues.

 

[ARtraveler]

I have been lucky so far with my dealer experiences in both California and BC. I admit my expectations aren’t sky high but Malcolm Smith in Riverside CA (service and warranty issues) and Greater Vancouver Powersports (sprocket recall) have been excellent so far.

Recently bought a 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 - awful service from both the Dealer an Kawasaki - I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my positive experience with BRP Dealers continues.

Once you get the Vulcan 900 running to your specs you should be good to go. I have owned two different Vulcan 900's and both were trouble free through their whole lives with me. Oil canges, filters, and tires were the only requirements over the years I owned them. :bowdown:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I have been lucky so far with my dealer experiences in both California and BC. I admit my expectations aren’t sky high but Malcolm Smith in Riverside CA (service and warranty issues) and Greater Vancouver Powersports (sprocket recall) have been excellent so far.

I purchased me 2014 RTS from the Chilliwack location of Greater Vancouver Powersports back in 2015 and have always had great service from them. Number 1 in my book.

 

[chill]

Service in Ontario

Thanks for the posts. I too am hoping no major failures. I don't see myself on a HD trike. I think my next step would be a small co MX5.

Just in the market to get my first spyder. It is definitely a concern as I put a deposit on one recently and it has been almost three weeks and it still isn't ready for pickup. Doesn't instill much confidence in their ability to do quick repairs. I do think servicing your own bike is best, if at all possible, that is what I've usually done for basic stuff.

A roadster is a great alternative for sure. I've had an MX-5 and now have a Z3. Both have been a fun alternative and keep you dry on rainy day drives, not to mention A/C on the really hot days.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Just in the market to get my first spyder. It is definitely a concern as I put a deposit on one recently and it has been almost three weeks and it still isn't ready for pickup. Doesn't instill much confidence in their ability to do quick repairs. I do think servicing your own bike is best, if at all possible, that is what I've usually done for basic stuff.

And what, may I be so bold as to ask, are you waiting for? What is the year and unit?

 

[baxter]

As you mentioned, you do not ride that much so you should not need any service that often. Oil change for you would be once a year the most, so service visits should not be a problem. These bikes are tuff, change oil is about all you need once in a while and ride...

 

[Mikey]

I have found the hardest part of doing my own service work is just getting the balls to try diving in, the waters fine in the end and a few of the things were a lot easier than expected! I've been wrenching most of my life!

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

Look for an independant shop to do your oil changes. This year for my yearly oil change I did! I made the trip to see BajaRon and attended his first ever rally. It was well worth the trip. I saved approx. $130 and got full synthetic and a K+N oil filter. hyea: On top of that they let me watch them do it. And answered questions I had along the way. It was a pleasure to have them service my bike. On top of all this they were very happy about doing their work. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

I started looking at one independent shop I like most (Me!) when I called the dealer to make my appointment for my 3000 mile (or 600 if you went by the dealers recommendation) oil change and they told me it would be eight weeks before I could get it changed there.

I wish I was close enough by to be able to take my Spyder to Ron or Lamont to be able to go to them when I had issues because if you need to wait on a dealership to be able to take the time to get to you around here, good luck. I'll see you next riding season.

I have been lucky enough to find a dealership I can trust after passing 3 others on the way I had given a chance to in the past that seems to actually pay attention to customer care and have the knowledge to support the product that they are selling to people.

 

[ibuycars]

I've had 9 Spyders over the years. I have oil changed the oil every 3000 miles. I only use dealers.

I have 2 Spyders now, one on Long Island, I will not ever go to a dealer there. When I need service, I go to Arctic Adventures in Roesendale NY. I drop it off on my way up to my house in Northern NY where I have my second bike. I have a dealer 12 miles from my house there, but I go 130 miles to Malone NY & Roberts Can Am. He's been a Spyder dealer from day one. In Hudson Falls NY there is another very good dealer, Progressive Motorsports. Over the years going to Spyder Quest, I've had them service my Spyders.

In all the years I've owned Spyders, I've had very few problems. The '14 and '16 front tires were changed to car tires, no more problems. Now when I get a new Spyder, the first thing I do is to put car tires on, I will not ride with that OEM junk.

The '18 developed a coolant leak at Spyder Odyssey in Kingston Ontario, so I went to a dealer in Kingston. A new dealer, only a few weeks in. They put a new coolant cap on. On the next Sunday it started leaking again. Went in Monday morning, they took me in first thing, took the coolant tank out of a crated bike to get me going.

I have found from Virginia to NY there are some good dealers. Motor Members in Virginia, PA Smith Marine in NY, Roberts in Malone is only a BRP-Can Am dealer, and Arctic Adventures in Roesendale NY. I've owned motorcycles for 52 years, Harley's, BMW's, and all the Jap bikes. BMW had the best service, if you can afford the price. Still, with all the bike's I've owned, I would never service them on Long Island. I've found good dealers & I would travel for service just make a ride out of it.

 

[Tango]

I started looking at one independent shop I like most (Me!) when I called the dealer to make my appointment for my 3000 mile (or 600 if you went by the dealers recommendation) oil change and they told me it would be eight weeks before I could get it changed there.

I wish I was close enough by to be able to take my Spyder to Ron or Lamont to be able to go to them when I had issues because if you need to wait on a dealership to be able to take the time to get to you around here, good luck. I'll see you next riding season.

I have been lucky enough to find a dealership I can trust after passing 3 others on the way I had given a chance to in the past that seems to actually pay attention to customer care and have the knowledge to support the product that they are selling to people.

Motorsports Cycle Shop in Hanover PA.. (717) 632-7093 Is not far from you. Great sales and service. Honest all around dealer. Tammy is an awesome hands on owner. :thumbup: Tom :spyder: