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Spyder shopping - 998 vs 1330, is the 1330 that much better?

Slickster

New member
Spyder shopping, seems like the 998 is a good motor, bikes are way cheaper, is the 1330 that much better? What year did they change to 1330? Thanks!
 
The 998 is a two-cylinder motor, and the 1330 is a three-cylinder motor. The 1330 is way more powerful and much more fuel efficient. They brought out the 1330 in 2014, and it is possibly one of the least problematic models of the 1330 lineup. However, knowing this forum, my last sentence will be hotly debated for many, many posts. Being partial to my ride, I just had to slip that comment in. LOL
 
As 2dogs says, you'll get a lot of opinions. There are, of course, a good number of advantages and disadvantages to each option. The 998 is a great motor, and if ridden as designed, will keep up with the 1330 no problem.

Without going into a great deal of tedious text. My simple advice is, if you are sure you are going to like the Spyder and keep it for a good length of time, and you can afford it, then look for a later model.

If, however, you are not 100% sold on the concept and you're testing the waters to see if a Spyder is right for you, then the 998 models become much more inviting, because these are great machines in their own right. I'm still riding my 2008 GS and loving it.

With an older 998 model, you can get into the platform for well less than 1/2 the money. If you change your mind or decide to move up to a later model, you can usually get your money back out of the original purchase.

The 2 that I would avoid would be the 2010 and 2013 RT as BRP cut corners on these 2 models. Though with some upgrades, these can be just as good as any others.

Good luck in your quest!
 
Personally I like the full digital dash introduced in the 2018 models, to the point that I have two of them. The 2019 RT chrome wheels are in my option the best looking wheel Can Am had. Because the OEM wheel is so expensive I have PPA Orb wheels on bolt of mine. The same wheel is on some F3 and some 2020+ RT's.
 
As 2dogs says, you'll get a lot of opinions. There are, of course, a good number of advantages and disadvantages to each option. The 998 is a great motor, and if ridden as designed, will keep up with the 1330 no problem.

Without going into a great deal of tedious text. My simple advise is, if you are sure you are going to like the Spyder and keep it for a good length of time, and you can afford it. Look for a later model.

If, however, you are not 100% sold on the concept and you're testing the waters to see if a Spyder is right for you, then the 998 models become much more inviting. Because these are great machines in their own right. I'm still riding my 2008 GS and loving it.

With an older 998 model, you can get into the platform for well less than 1/2 the money. If you change your mind or decide to move up to a later model, you can usually get your money back out of the original purchase.

The 2 that I would avoid would be the 2010 and 2013 RT as BRP cut corners on these 2 models. Though with some upgrades, these can be just as good as any others.

Good luck in your quest!
Agree & unfortunately, the 998 is discontinued as well, so limited in many parts, and sadly, many dealers have stopped working on anything 10+ yrs old. Additionally, the 1330's have 6 gears vs 5 for the 998. Highly recommended taking a 3-wheel training course that offers Spyders. Previous motorcycle training means you will have to unlearn some things.
 
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I have about 300,000mi on two wheels, back issues have me on three wheels right now, riding a Ryker and enjoying it, wife and I toured the US and Canada a fair bit... thinking Spyder might be the ticket for us, will probably seek a 1330, thanks for the replies.
 
I have the V-twin. I wish I had the three cylinder.
Main reason isn't so much the actual engine, although that's part of it (fuel economy is a major benefit in my book.) It's access.
Neither bike is set up to do maintenance. The plastic panels on any Spyder are a pain. But spark plugs and wires, from what I can tell, are a bit easier to get to on the 1330 vs the 998.
When I get a new (used) vehicle, I like to replace wires and plugs along with an oil change, so I know what's in there. I studied all that I would need to remove to replace plugs and wires and said "Screw that!" Others here said the bike will do fine with its original set. I'm not comfortable with that, but I'm less comfortable with the task of removing all the bloody Tupperware.
YMMV, of course!
 
I have the V-twin. I wish I had the three cylinder.
Main reason isn't so much the actual engine, although that's part of it (fuel economy is a major benefit in my book.) It's access.
Neither bike is set up to do maintenance. The plastic panels on any Spyder are a pain. But spark plugs and wires, from what I can tell, are a bit easier to get to on the 1330 vs the 998.
When I get a new (used) vehicle, I like to replace wires and plugs along with an oil change, so I know what's in there. I studied all that I would need to remove to replace plugs and wires and said "Screw that!" Others here said the bike will do fine with its original set. I'm not comfortable with that, but I'm less comfortable with the task of removing all the bloody Tupperware.
YMMV, of course!
Once you remove the Tupperware, it's very easy, and fast! I recommend the Magic mirrors, makes it much easier!
 
Getting to the plugs on a 1330 is no picnic either. But you're going to have a very hard time replacing the wires for that motor.

Putting a JT1 air cleaner on the 998 changes everything.
 
Without getting into opinions of which is better, the twins are no longer in production. They will run into parts availability problems and dealers no longer wanting to work on them, long before the 1330s. All the twins are older and most have far more miles on them. Looking for something that will be around longer and uses parts you can still buy without going to junked out wrecks to cannibalise, the 1330 would be the right choice. All of the models have certain quirks and problems, but the latest models will be around longer.
 
I agree with nearly all of the above opinions on the 998 vs 1330. I know around here it is very hard to find someone to work on the 998 versions of the spyders. But as stated above it is easy to get into a 998 for cheap right now, although you can find an early model 1330 for around $10k if you are patient. I will admit that the exhaust note of the 998 is way better than the 1330 no matter what exhaust you put on it.
 
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