The Spyder is certainly not a Honda - but the reliability sure would be nice! Still not switching tho!!

[vito1943]

I love riding my Spyder, and just came back from a two and a half hour 100 mile ride in perfect weather, and it doesn't get much better than it was today. I filled up the tank (actually was able to put 6.2 gallons in, the most I think I ever did at one time) and pulled into the garage. I went to get something out of the left side case, and I could not get it open. The key turned, the latch mostly lifted, but the door of the case did not budge. I crawled underneath the bike and tightened the cable and the case popped open. But now I cannot get it to latch. Two thick bungee cords are holding it closed and I am grateful that my local Can Am dealer will take a look at it first thing in the morning. I have a big group ride on Saturday, and I would hate to not be able to go and would hate also to take the trip with bungee cords holding my bike in one piece.

Earlier this Spring the latch broke on the other side case, costing me more than a bit to get it fixed, and I had to wait while the dealer waited for the new plastic latch that had broken when I tried to open the case. Last Fall, I missed months of riding while the dealer waited for a speed sensor that was keeping my bike in limp mode.

I think about all of the Hondas that I owned over the last 40 years of riding, and every one of them was almost bullet proof. My last Honda, a Goldwing that I traded in for the Spyder, went 5 years and 35,000 miles with absolutely nothing done other than oil changes. I had the same experience with my Honda Shadow back in the '80's that I bought new, kept for 7 years, and other than oil changes and replacing worn out tires, it just kept going like brand new. My Spyder has mostly given me trouble free service, but these little things shake my confidence. It may not seem a big deal to not be able to open (or close) a side case, but had I been caught far from home in a heavy rainstorm, not being able to access my rainsuit would be a pretty big deal. And today, fortunately, the flopping open of the case happened in my garage and not while I was away from home, since those bungee cords were not with my bike. I imagine riding 50 miles home with a wide open side case would not have been much fun.

Despite all of this, I have no intention of switching to another bike, but it sure would be nice if my Can Am could have the reliability of a Honda, or a Yamaha or Suzuki for that matter.

 

[Snoking1127]

@vito1943, wasn't there a recall on the side case latches?

 

[wolfeman]

If any of the Japanese manufacturers or our Bavarian friends would make a similar machine, most of us would probably switch over in a New York minute.

 

[Monk/Bob]

Earlier this Spring the latch broke on the other side case, costing me more than a bit to get it fixed, and I had to wait while the dealer waited for the new plastic latch that had broken when I tried to open the case. Last Fall, I missed months of riding while the dealer waited for a speed sensor that was keeping my bike in limp mode.

Just made the purchase of a new 2024 RT Limited! Should I be giving serious consideration to buying an extended warranty?

 

[RayBJ]

Just made the purchase of a new 2024 RT Limited! Should I be giving serious consideration to buying an extended warranty?

Like all other insurance decisions, it's up to your risk tolerance. I bought the BEST warranty and never needed it.
The CanAms are generally very reliable. This forum amplifies the problems and usually help resolve questions.
My '20 RT has been 'driven hard and put away wet' for 40,000+ never seen the dealer since purchase at end of '19.
It's done a 6000+ mile loop from NJ to Yellowstone with no maintenance pit stops needed and never faltered.

 

[bikerbillone]

Just made the purchase of a new 2024 RT Limited! Should I be giving serious consideration to buying an extended warranty?

It's been my experience that warranties are not worth the purchase. Trying to get them enforced....

 

[Bamajohn]

@vito1943, wasn't there a recall on the side case latches?

Not a recall for my 2020RT, but a service bulletin....AMHIK

 

[baxter]

Another reason i got rid of my 2020 RTL was the side latch design. The F3L design is much better

 

[blacklightning]

Just made the purchase of a new 2024 RT Limited! Should I be giving serious consideration to buying an extended warranty

I have a 2021 with the extended warranty. The extended BRP warranty does not cover the latch. I have had one handle break and they did cover that. The following year the cable itself needed to be replaced and they didn't cover it. I was told that the original warranty covers that, but not the BRP extended warranty, and that they had to eat the cost of the first repair. To me, that sucks. I know that with the extended warranty on my BMW motorcycle, it covers everything that the original covers.

 

[Mikey]

I love riding my Spyder, and just came back from a two and a half hour 100 mile ride in perfect weather, and it doesn't get much better than it was today. I filled up the tank (actually was able to put 6.2 gallons in, the most I think I ever did at one time) and pulled into the garage. I went to get something out of the left side case, and I could not get it open. The key turned, the latch mostly lifted, but the door of the case did not budge. I crawled underneath the bike and tightened the cable and the case popped open. But now I cannot get it to latch. Two thick bungee cords are holding it closed and I am grateful that my local Can Am dealer will take a look at it first thing in the morning. I have a big group ride on Saturday, and I would hate to not be able to go and would hate also to take the trip with bungee cords holding my bike in one piece.

Earlier this Spring the latch broke on the other side case, costing me more than a bit to get it fixed, and I had to wait while the dealer waited for the new plastic latch that had broken when I tried to open the case. Last Fall, I missed months of riding while the dealer waited for a speed sensor that was keeping my bike in limp mode.

I think about all of the Hondas that I owned over the last 40 years of riding, and every one of them was almost bullet proof. My last Honda, a Goldwing that I traded in for the Spyder, went 5 years and 35,000 miles with absolutely nothing done other than oil changes. I had the same experience with my Honda Shadow back in the '80's that I bought new, kept for 7 years, and other than oil changes and replacing worn out tires, it just kept going like brand new. My Spyder has mostly given me trouble free service, but these little things shake my confidence. It may not seem a big deal to not be able to open (or close) a side case, but had I been caught far from home in a heavy rainstorm, not being able to access my rainsuit would be a pretty big deal. And today, fortunately, the flopping open of the case happened in my garage and not while I was away from home, since those bungee cords were not with my bike. I imagine riding 50 miles home with a wide open side case would not have been much fun.

Despite all of this, I have no intention of switching to another bike, but it sure would be nice if my Can Am could have the reliability of a Honda, or a Yamaha or Suzuki for that matter.

It sounds to me you got the cable just a tad too tight, back it off, and a little dry lube will work wonders on the latches and cables on your ride, and watch out about over stuffing them with stuff, if it will not open when you LIGHTLY pull the lever, push in while pulling the lever, that solves the overstuffed box!

 

[pegasus1300]

Vito, try adding just a little slack back in until it locks in place.

 

[baxter]

Push in with your knee on the outer panel before lifting the latch. This takes some tension off the latch system and makes it easier to open.

 

[Snoking1127]

When I was buying my 4th Honda car in 2001 the dealer backroom paper work was trying to sell me a warranty. I said what does the big sign on your building say, he hemmed and hawed, I repeated what does the sign say, he finally said, LYNNWOOD HONDA. And I said "it's a HONDA I am buying. That ended the sales pitch.

 

[Flying V]

I’m on my 2nd Spyder RT. I’ve owned many motorcycles and scooters over the years. Now days I like the Spyder idea of big Goldwing features/comfort with 3-wheel stability. I’ve replaced compressors on both, compressor fitting on one, little hydraulic jacks for trunk, etc. Mine don’t have the reliability of Honda/Yamaha products I’ve owned. Imho they are not designed for ease of maintenance, battery changes, etc. and the few credible places that works on them stay booked up for weeks to months. Not many choices for factory trikes to buy so we suck it up, get happy, keep riding, or move to Harley trikes. If Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki ever makes a street trike that would probably end the Spyder.

 

[Snoking1127]

I’m on my 2nd Spyder RT. I’ve owned many motorcycles and scooters over the years. Now days I like the Spyder idea of big Goldwing features/comfort with 3-wheel stability. I’ve replaced compressors on both, compressor fitting on one, little hydraulic jacks for trunk, etc. Mine don’t have the reliability of Honda/Yamaha products I’ve owned. Imho they are not designed for ease of maintenance, battery changes, etc. and the few credible places that works on them stay booked up for weeks to months. Not many choices for factory trikes to buy so we suck it up, get happy, keep riding, or move to Harley trikes. If Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki ever makes a street trike that would probably end the Spyder.

I call HD trikes pickup trucks, as they ride like an old one.

 

[Flying V]

I rode a few HD trikes and Honda trike kit bikes in my search for the 3-wheel transition. I didnt think the HD was bad but chose the Spyder partly because I found a good deal on a used one and kinda liked being able to see the wider part of the machine as I ride. I didnt care for the Honda trike kit I rode and just don’t have confidence in a trike kit. I won’t hold my breath waiting on a Japanese trike as that probably will not ever happen again so I ride the old Spyder.

 

[Snoking1127]

I rode a few HD trikes and Honda trike kit bikes in my search for the 3-wheel transition. I didnt think the HD was bad but chose the Spyder partly because I found a good deal on a used one and kinda liked being able to see the wider part of the machine as I ride. I didnt care for the Honda trike kit I rode and just don’t have confidence in a trike kit. I won’t hold my breath waiting on a Japanese trike as that probably will not ever happen again so I ride the old Spyder.

And the Triglide stability systems has cause a few to run off the road.

 

[Flying V]

My search assistant provided this.

The Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide's traction control system has been associated with a malfunction that can lead to unintended activation of one of the rear brakes. This issue can cause unexpected changes in the vehicle's direction, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.

Safety Concerns​

• Unintended Brake Activation: The traction control system may incorrectly respond to faulty signals, activating one rear brake without rider input.
• Risk of Crashes: This malfunction can lead to loss of control, potentially causing riders to run off the road or experience other dangerous situations.

Impact on Riders​

Due to these safety concerns, riders have been advised to have their motorcycles serviced to update the traction control system software. This fix is provided free of charge by authorized Harley-Davidson dealers.

It is crucial for owners of affected models to address this issue promptly to ensure their safety while riding.