The Elephant in My Room

[oldgoat]

LifeLongRider

My sentiments exactly.

I find this forum a treasure trove of invaluable info on Spyders. However, it can be extremely off putting if you read all the problems people have.
I will only go on one nighters these days due to "breakdown paranoia". I did pull trailer and venture away for a week at a time once a year but the trailer got to be a repository for all my tools, parts & a jack or two!

Yes there are people who criss cross the continent and never have a problem (except maybe changing a worn out rear Kenda at a Spyder dealer on route) and have a great time.

My elephant has curbed my enthusiasm I'm afraid. Far too old to get stuck days from home. I'll keep my Spyder & enjoy my 200 mile rides but save the road trips for wifey and I in our car. Shame really as I have modified my '08 GS to fit me perfectly and l can ride it all day with no discomfort.

 

[UtahPete]

I think it's safe to say your confidence has very little to do with the Spyder. Something else is likely going on with you.

 

[Lew L]

I have plenty of confidence-----in my 2014 :spyder2: and most everything else. We have taken many trips three well over 2,000 miles and 0 problems.

Lew L

 

[pegasus1300]

I started riding on 3 wheels after a bad accident. I went to a Goldwing trike for 4 years. It was exactly what a Goldwing should be, except I never got excited about riding it. After 40,000 miles I got ride of it and bought a used Spyder RT (2012) in 2015.It had 8500 mi. on and now have 49049 miles on it. I also have AMA membership, and Allstate Auto club. At 73 I am also not afraid to dive into the Spyder if I have to. Coming home from D3WR my Spyder quit shifting, due to a faulty repair by a previous dealer. With the long distance help of a service writer at Ridgeline Motorsports in Vernal Ut. I was able to get back on the road. My point is that even if you have a problem, there are many way to get back on your way. Just go, enjoy yourself. Tell us about your trip. If you have to just go to the next town, buy a burger and come home. Go 200 miles, Buy a steak stay overnight, come home. Ride up to Barber Motorcycle Museum in Oct 4th, you'll enjoy the trip. Get out and ride. The more you ride the more you will want to ride your Spyder. You had enough faith in it to buy it, now have enough faith in it to ride it. Looking forward to your stories.

 

[askitee]

I’ve now been driving a Spyder since mid-January and can honestly say that I really enjoy it. The reasoning I used when I converted from two wheels to three is still valid and was a good decision. Can’t fall over, reverse gear, don’t have to muscle 950 pounds around anymore, etc. For a man my age (a very senior citizen) these are important considerations.

My last two-wheeler was a 2015 Goldwing that I bought new and put just shy of 50K miles on it. I literally traveled all over the lower 48 states with it and never once did I ever have a problem. I did all of my own maintenance (wouldn’t dare let a dealer touch it) and I had supreme confidence that it would never let me down – which it didn’t. I did however carry enough tools to perform just about any repair necessary while away from home, and I had the knowledge and expertise to go along with it.

And there lies the Elephant in My Room – confidence. I love my Spyder, a 2019 F3 Limited (which I have never had any problems with) but in the seven-plus months that I’ve had it I just haven’t gained enough confidence to do any traveling with it. I read about belt drive issues, tire issues, alignment issues, parking brakes locking up, excessive wait times at dealers to get repairs, the lack of competent dealers and you name it, there seems to be a smorgasbord of issues, that when combined, add up to a serious lack of confidence for me........

Hi LifeLongRider,

Well this is like reading in words what goes thru my mind after 19 months ownership of an new RTL. I had two Honda tourers with a combined 250,000 kms on the clock, and neither had an issue in the time of my ownership. Its only now I realise I was able to just pack the bike, check the tyres, fill the tank and head off.

Since having the spyder I've had :
- times where on the freeway the power steering kicked in nanny mode causing the bike to coast to a stop and I spent an hour on an offramp in the late of night trying to decide what to do,
- have problems with parking brake not coming off or on,
- wandering all over the lane I am trying to remain in,
- VSS straightening the handlebars spearing my wife and I into the oncoming traffic,
- brakes being applied by VSS for god knows what reason.
- Enduring tyres that are really atrocious
- Digital and Analogue style speedometer not reporting the same speed
- Other Spyder riders who I ride with having all sorts of issues with compressors, sensors,
the list goes on.

The cars my family own range from my Lexus to my wifes small compact, which bought new 3 years ago for less than one thirdthe price of the Spyder, had no issues, so the argument that "they dont make em like they used to" doesn't hold weight in my opinion.

This is my 1st Spyder, I still haven't decided if it will be the last or their'll be more. I do hope Can-Am spend time fixing the issues that seem to linger thru the brand since it first came to Australia in 2009 rather than load it with more gimmicks.

I was an IT Manager for a Gov Entity, and when I started our biggest software vendor wanted to know when we'd go for their latest version. My reply "Why would I purchase another product that's as bug ridden as the one we have to endure now? I'd be better looking for something else because we cant get any worse, so when you can show you are fixing the issues long term, come see me."

Too often it seems people are too complacent to accept near enough as good enough. It does not have to be that way and I hope BRP read these forums and see what we are saying. There are two growth areas for BRP in Australia, growth in new buyers and growth in those disenchanted and exiting the brand.

 

[Mikey]

One of my friends ones said to me, Don't sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff!!! I think it's amazing that after all those years on two wheels you would not even think twice about going cross country with your ride, roll up your sleeves and repair what ever broke and not look back!!:clap: Now you own a three wheeler, and really that too is nothing more than, nuts and bolts, the same as you had before, nothings changed but the outside! This site that we use is like a sounding board, where you came go and get some ideas on how to start a fix, get help or just blow off steam. Give it a 50% discount and don't think it's going to happen to you. On here you hear all the bad things, but not that much good!! Use it more as a shop manual, and ride your heart out! You have a great ride under your butt, do what you have always done with your other rides, you'll be fine!! And if you should break down, then remember this web page has a lot of people all over the world, that at any time would help in any way they could to help you threw a pinch! Good Luck in your adventures, ride it like you stolid it!!:yes:

 

[BajaRon]

A lot of positive encouragement here, with a little cold water thrown in just for good measure.

If you can't bring yourself to feel comfortable on the Spyder, then you're never going to enjoy it. An uplifting state of mind and the adventure of the trip is a good deal of the reason we ride in the first place. Though I think your concerns are unrealistic. Especially since you've actually experienced none of the issues you are worried about. You are currently living someone else's negative outcomes.

You need to find a vehicle that you are comfortable with. Until you do, you're not going to enjoy the ride. Regardless of how reliable it actually is. But no matter what you end up with, I would not look to hard at it. You'll find unhappy owners with bad experiences if you do.

Like the song says; 'There are dusty fields no matter where you go'. Me! I just ride right on by with a big smile. If something does go wrong, I deal with it. I find that it's all good as long as you have the right mindset.

 

[Gwolf]

U-Haul has trucks and trailers........... what is the problem?

 

[Dannoinmo]

Boy, does this post hit close to home . . !!! In about 5 weeks I'm leaving mid Missouri and will be riding my 2015 F3S out to central California, all by myself, and I'm 70 yrs old!! My Spyder has 14k miles and has never given me any grief. I just had it serviced at Pitbull Power Sports in Springfield, MO.
I feel very confident in the F3 , I have AAA, and naturally a cell phone .
Having said all that, there is a bit of a 'pucker factor' and a few what if's . . I'm going anyway! Life is too short to let the what if's slow you down, be prepared and follow the road.

 

[Fire34]

Exacty We purchased our spuder in 2016 and having no experience on 2 wheels, we said heck with and took a 600 mile trip on it. As you can see we have an older model but as others have said, you dont hear from those that have not had any problems because you dont want to ruing a good thing
Dave

 

[JayBros]

I retract my comment. I doubt my position will convince the OP.

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

Sweating the small stuff

One of my friends ones said to me, Don't sweat the small stuff, because it's all small stuff!!! I think it's amazing that after all those years on two wheels you would not even think twice about going cross country with your ride, roll up your sleeves and repair what ever broke and not look back!!:clap: Now you own a three wheeler, and really that too is nothing more than, nuts and bolts, the same as you had before, nothings changed but the outside! This site that we use is like a sounding board, where you came go and get some ideas on how to start a fix, get help or just blow off steam. Give it a 50% discount and don't think it's going to happen to you. On here you hear all the bad things, but not that much good!! Use it more as a shop manual, and ride your heart out! You have a great ride under your butt, do what you have always done with your other rides, you'll be fine!! And if you should break down, then remember this web page has a lot of people all over the world, that at any time would help in any way they could to help you threw a pinch! Good Luck in your adventures, ride it like you stolid it!!:yes:

Yes, to all of the above, but the author of the book "Don't sweat the small stuff, it's all small stuff, died in his early 40's as best I remember! I am a worrier also, so I sweat the small stuff, and I am on my third Spyder! I have had some small problems with all three of them, nothing major! I don't feel as confident on my Spyder as I did on my Honda's and my Harley's! Just my two senses, keep riding and enjoy your Spyder!

 

[spyder01]

I have no interest in anything other than long scenic trips.I carry a tire plug kit and a tiny compressor and a pair of wrenches in case I feel like adjusting the belt(I got nervous bc people on here talk so much about adjusting the belt).My last Goldwing needed a new set of tires after every trip bc they cupped and howled so much.Riding a Spyder is very confidence inspiring bc of the safety factor.

 

[h0gr1der]

LifeLongRider,

I'm one of the ones that sqawked about breakage on a brand new machine. I kind of feel your pain, but let me add this. I firmly believe that you can beat these things into submission. Mine had 2 failures in the first 3 months of being put on the road. The dealer fixed them, albeit in one months time. I just got back from a 857 mile round trip to SpyderPops shop in Pearcy Arkansas to get a Baja Ron sway bar and ROLO laser alignment.

My bike ran great. Nothing fell off or broke. I ran it hard outrunning the torrential rains that were in Arkansas at the time. This thing is smooth as glass with all the additions I put on it. This trip made me feel much better about the Spyder.

Once upon a time I was on a 77 Shovelhead I had ridden all the way from the deep south to Sturgis S.D. to see the spectacle. Of course it broke. It broke on Saturday night, I rode it out of the shop Sunday afternoon. My biggest question now is if I'm on the road, and something does pop up, and is a warranty repair, am I going to get back on the road before one month passes? The poor dealer representation is my main concern at this point. I was told if you're travelling that they will prioritize you to get you going, but is that really the case? Has anyone had to use an on the trip dealer repair, and how did it go?

 

[Jeriatric]

LifeLongRider,

I'm one of the ones that sqawked about breakage on a brand new machine. I kind of feel your pain, but let me add this. I firmly believe that you can beat these things into submission. Mine had 2 failures in the first 3 months of being put on the road. The dealer fixed them, albeit in one months time. I just got back from a 857 mile round trip to SpyderPops shop in Pearcy Arkansas to get a Baja Ron sway bar and ROLO laser alignment.

My bike ran great. Nothing fell off or broke. I ran it hard outrunning the torrential rains that were in Arkansas at the time. This thing is smooth as glass with all the additions I put on it. This trip made me feel much better about the Spyder.

Once upon a time I was on a 77 Shovelhead I had ridden all the way from the deep south to Sturgis S.D. to see the spectacle. Of course it broke. It broke on Saturday night, I rode it out of the shop Sunday afternoon. My biggest question now is if I'm on the road, and something does pop up, and is a warranty repair, am I going to get back on the road before one month passes? The poor dealer representation is my main concern at this point. I was told if you're travelling that they will prioritize you to get you going, but is that really the case? Has anyone had to use an on the trip dealer repair, and how did it go?

Pre 2014 there were several reports of on the road breakdowns. One in particular that flashes in my memory required the owner to rent a car, go home, and return at a later date to pick up his Spyder. Truth is, if a breakdown were to occur, that required a Spyder dealer, and parts, to facilitate the repair, you'll likely be a while.

Same could happen on most any bike. Difference is......most other bikes have a vast dealership network and parts supply chain.

Things have improved since 2013, as it relates to reliability and breakdowns per 1000 units. What hasn't improved is the dealer network, number of quality techs, and readily available parts network? imo

 

[ARtraveler]

Pre 2014 there were several reports of on the road breakdowns. One in particular that flashes in my memory required the owner to rent a car, go home, and return at a later date to pick up his Spyder. Truth is, if a breakdown were to occur, that required a Spyder dealer, and parts, to facilitate the repair, you'll likely be a while.

Same could happen on most any bike. Difference is......most other bikes have a vast dealership network and parts supply chain.

Things have improved since 2013, as it relates to reliability and breakdowns per 1000 units. What hasn't improved is the dealer network, number of quality techs, and readily available parts network? imo

:agree: x 2 You have hit the nail on the head. :bowdown:

 

[Joerolwing]

I just put 11,978 miles on my 2014 RT-S SE6 from Nashville to Alaska and back without a single problem. I had an oil change and other service at the dealer in Vancouver, BC with high satisfaction.

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

I just put 11,978 miles on my 2014 RT-S SE6 from Nashville to Alaska and back without a single problem. I had an oil change and other service at the dealer in Vancouver, BC with high satisfaction.

Count your blessings!!!!

 

[ChicagoSpyder]

I have put 270,000 miles on Spyders since 2010 and I would not hesitate to ride cross country alone on it.

I just put 11,978 miles on my 2014 RT-S SE6 from Nashville to Alaska and back without a single problem. I had an oil change and other service at the dealer in Vancouver, BC with high satisfaction.

If these two posts above don't alleviate your concerns nothing will.


And then there is this post below if all goes to hell in a hand basket.

U-Haul has trucks and trailers........... what is the problem?

 

[h0gr1der]

U-Haul has trucks and trailers........... what is the problem?

I did just buy AAA Premium for this bike. Never had it before, and I tell that my POS 1977 Harley FLH broke in every state I ever rode it in (very slight exaggeration). It did ride home in a truck more than once. BUT! I was a lot younger and healthier. It was also relatively easy to work on, kind of like the old Briggs lawn mower.

It comes down to a matter of logistics. If it breaks beyond your ability to get it back up, get it to the nearest well respected dealer (This is where the AAA comes in). If it's truly a horrible problem they can't solve in X number of days (X being the number of days you can afford to lay up in a hotel, usually very dependent on finances or a job), then the only other consideration I see is it cheaper to leave it and come back (round trip costs), or rent a truck, load it, and bring it home? I have used that route with the Harley, and it's not as expensive as you think. I looked at Budget rental, a 1500 mile one way trip is in the $1000 range.