Thinking of buying a Spyder can-am, help please...

[Questions]

Hello everyone, I am thinking of buying a Spyder I am very concerned about the bike and any trouble it might have for each year it was produce. For example does the 2009 have completely different problems than the 2011? Or is there a year it was made that most of the kinks or problems were resolved? By no means do I have a lot of money to spend on a bike that has lots of problems for a certain year, so does anybody have any advice for me as to what year is the best year that most of the problems were worked out?

The most commen problem I have read about is the gas tank catching on fire while someone is riding their Spyder. I hope to be a Spyder rider real soon and join the local Spyder club here in Denver. :doorag:

 

[cyclelover63]

I wouldn't worry about any of the problems you have heard about..Name any machine ever made and you can find someone who has had troubles with it..Believe it...I have worked at a car dealership with app 10 different makes for over 20 years...Just find the model that fits your needs,your riding style and budget and find one that has been maintained with records....If you are worried about every little expense,I wouldn't buy a motorcycle period..The Spyder is a unique machine that is a blast to own and ride..Good Luck!!

I have owned a 2009 GS and now a 2012 RTL and love them both..

 

[SteveMac]

Welcome to the board.

Actually a Spyder catching fire is probably the least common problem. Yes, it has happened, but to call it "common" would not be accurate. Complaints of engine heat is very common, and more so for the 2013s it seems.

In my personal opinion, the 2012 is probably the best model to date, and especially so for the RSS.

You didn't mention which model you were looking for, but good luck.

I am sure others will also pop in soon to share their experiences. :doorag:

 

[murphybrown]

Fire=s a rare occurrence BUT if your Spyder NOT NICE

Hello everyone, I am thinking of buying a Spyder I am very concerned about the bike and any trouble it might have for each year it was produce. For example does the 2009 have completely different problems than the 2011? Or is there a year it was made that most of the kinks or problems were resolved? By no means do I have a lot of money to spend on a bike that has lots of problems for a certain year, so does anybody have any advice for me as to what year is the best year that most of the problems were worked out?

The most commen problem I have read about is the gas tank catching on fire while someone is riding their Spyder. I hope to be a Spyder rider real soon and join the local Spyder club here in Denver. :doorag:

If there would be someway to get stats...pretty sure you would find a small, very small majority in any given year have a problem...now if it is your Spyder than that makes it a major issue...I get that. You can find info on the 2010 RT SE5 (my ryde) which would sound like they were a disaster. I'm about ready to roll over 70k...no big issues and I ryde hard... I talked to one very successful dealer and asked about the 2013...he said that he had sold well over 55 - 2013's and only had 2 with recurring issues....53 satisfied owners and 2 not so...:dontknow:
Really don't know how you can find the answer you appear to be looking for...there are no guarantees in life on anything....BUT I can say along with many other Spyder ryders/lovers....they are an awesome ryde...good luck on your research. :yes:

 

[spyder-dude]

I have owned many motorcycles in the past 25 years. I am on my third spyder and must say they are the best motorcycles that I have ever owned. Started with a 2008 Spyder GS (#37 off the manufacturing line) then upgraded to the 2011 RSS and currently have the 2013 STS. Have ridden over 50,000 miles on spyers and every year they are getting better with more improvements. I am now waiting for my 4th one....2014 RTS which will be a big change going from the sport models to the touring models but I do a lot of long distance rides so looking forward to a bit more comfort.


I do the same thing with cars upgrading every couple of years to brand new models to make sure it has manufacturer warranty on it and all the new features.

Pick one that is to your liking and price range and go with it. Worst case scenario get with with BRP warranty.

 

[Chupaca]

choices, choices..!!

Don't judge from what you read. Most of your earlier model that may have had problems have had them addressed and you need not worry. New or used just make sure they run the vin# and make all the updates. As for fires, few maybe three but mentioned so many times in so many places it seens like hundreds. Heat issues there have been and some have been adressed mostly on the 2013's...again not all of them so still a great buy. In the end your choice... Not a moped so don't expect 100 mpg and very techy so not cheap but worth every penny in all it can do for improving you life...the fun side..!! :2thumbs:

 

[Bob Ledford]

Obviously you are thinking on a used machine. My recommendation to you as a new to Spyderville rider would be to get one that fits you first and your riding style second. Followed up with what you, your riding partner and your bank account can support. It is definitely a toy.

i love my Spyder!!!!!

 

[wftb]

stay away from the 2013 model year .the problems are real , thats why they have all been recalled .my model year is 2009 , i have done 920.00 worth of repairs so i cant recommend that year either .the most trouble free year seems to be 2012 .but these machines are not at the quality level of japanese bikes .you are going to have annoying problems .hopefully they will improve the quality control because i really enjoy my spyder .i just would like to be able to trust it more .

 

[joet82]

stay away from the 2013 model year .the problems are real , thats why they have all been recalled .my model year is 2009 , i have done 920.00 worth of repairs so i cant recommend that year either .the most trouble free year seems to be 2012 .but these machines are not at the quality level of japanese bikes .you are going to have annoying problems .hopefully they will improve the quality control because i really enjoy my spyder .i just would like to be able to trust it more .

In contrast to this guy, I have an 09 RS and have had no problems other than a gas leak from ethanol dissolving a gasket on my return fuel line. nothing that forced me to break down.

as for the fires - it wasn't the gas tank that caused the problem. it was the hydraulic reservoir being right behind one of the exhausts and being made of plastic that caused the 2, yes, just 2, spyders to go up. the issue has been addressed, other than that, I can't help you in what year for you to get. get what's comfortable to you and what's in your budget. Then go out and have fun.

 

[willey]

My last 3 bikes were jap bikes.The first one was towed 3 times in 60,000 miles.the second one was towed after 27,000 miles.Thanks AAA.11,000 miles on our13RT Spyder and haven't had it towed yet.I still have AAA.Have taken a 6,000 mile trip and a 800 mile ride.I would trust it to go any where.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome: Think of it this way; How many vehicles do Toyota, GM, Ford, Chrysler(fiat), Honda and Nissan recall every year? :shocked:
Does it keep you from driving?
Find the one that fits you and your uses. An accurate service history is pretty useful too!
HAPPY SHOPPING

 

[Highwayman2013]

:welcome:The 2012's seem to be the most sorted but I wouldn't be afraid of any year. 2012 RT Limited here got it for my wife but I like riding it too.

 

[spyder3]

My 2011 RT has been flawless. 15k) I would not shrug off everything you read here, but i wouldn't stop from buying one either. At least be aware of possible issues so your not surprised by anything that may pop up.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

stay away from the 2013 model year .the problems are real , thats why they have all been recalled .my model year is 2009 , i have done 920.00 worth of repairs so i cant recommend that year either .the most trouble free year seems to be 2012 .but these machines are not at the quality level of japanese bikes .you are going to have annoying problems .hopefully they will improve the quality control because i really enjoy my spyder .i just would like to be able to trust it more .

NOT THE QUALITY LEVEL OF JAPANESE BIKES?????????????? Where did that come from?????????????????

Cruzr Joe

 

[Oldmanzues]

Off thread a little. What are "Jap" bikes ???
I had a few Hondas made in Ohio. Couple others made in USA that had Japenese name plates. Put a couple hundred thosands miles on them. No real quaillty problems. Same with "American Cars". The top five brands with the most American content had Other countries name plates.
If you want a bike with real quality problems, get AMF era HD. Most HD will agree on this one.
Oldmanzues

 

[Pennyrick]

We have had four RT's in our stable. A 2010, 2011 and two 2012's.

The '10 was a solid machine once the Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) was upgraded. This wasn't a recall, but a factory upgrade done at no cost by BRP to almost all the machines that year.

The '11 also had the DPS upgrade but also needed a Throttle Body replacement. Again this was an upgrade done at no cost by BRP to a certain segment of the 2011 run. This was a firmware change to eliminate some problems caused by the factory going just a bit overboard to address some throttle body problems with the 2010 models. My 2011 went through two of these changes before it finally was straightened out.

By the time the 12's got here all of these problems were sorted out and it appears to be the best bet for a trouble free machine.

13's have their own set of problems most likely due to the chassis redesign getting ready for the larger engine for the 14's. A number of items were relocated in this change resulting in some critical items getting too close to heat sources. There were also some problems with the redesigned front end and the factory issued a recall and an upgrade to handle both problems.

It is very easy to verify if the upgrades for any model year have been done on a Spyder. Just take the VIN identification to any Spyder dealer and have them run the number through their system to find out what has been done to it.

Looking forward to seeing what Spyder you end up with.

 

[nonseven]

Hello everyone, I am thinking of buying a Spyder I am very concerned about the bike and any trouble it might have for each year it was produce. For example does the 2009 have completely different problems than the 2011? Or is there a year it was made that most of the kinks or problems were resolved? By no means do I have a lot of money to spend on a bike that has lots of problems for a certain year, so does anybody have any advice for me as to what year is the best year that most of the problems were worked out?

The most commen problem I have read about is the gas tank catching on fire while someone is riding their Spyder. I hope to be a Spyder rider real soon and join the local Spyder club here in Denver. :doorag:

I've got a 2013 ST-S with zero problems.

No heat problems, although I did have the warranty heat fix done just to be safe. The dealer you buy it from is more important than any difference in quality issues from one model or year to the other.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: Also sounds to me like your looking for used. Recommend test driving to see which model suits you best.

RS--if you like sporty and crotch rocket seating. RT--if you want a comfort/touring machine.
2013--brought the ST--which is a cross between both.

As you can see by my signature, I have owned four Spyders, two RS variety and two RT variety. A total of four different model years represented.

No major problems with any of my :spyder2:'s and that now covers over 90,000 miles with the brand. Advice about 2012's is also good. Not a lot of problems reported about them. Personally, I would recommend some good reasearch on 2013--but that is just my opinion.

The 2014 RT's sound promising--but that is only if you want the newest and best.

 

[Silvervette05]

Welcome to the world of Spyders I have a 08 RS with 11725 miles on it, the only thing I have had done with it was a new tire, oil and filter change, and putting high powered headlights on.
I do believe if you treat it right will take care of you. Follow the manual and you should be all right. Good riding

 

[TuckMiddle]

My 2011 RTSM5 just went over 38,000 and has only had a couple things act up of any importance. I have missed only 2 days in unscheduled Mx and I think that is pretty good. I am fortunate in the fact that my dealer is super in Mx support and very easy to work with. I did buy a 3 year Mx agreement as I want every little item done on every check as I am coming up on 76 and have no desire to do the Mx. Doing it this way has worked out perfectly and saved me a lot of money over regular shop rates and I plan to Buy another 3 years Mx plan next August. This, combined with my extended warranty will take me to six years or 110,000 miles of smiles, Lord willing. Buy what you like and ride it. Good luck with your Spyder, it should make you a happy person!! One more thing, keep using this Forum, there are some real savvy dudes and ladies here to share their knowledge with us, no matter what question you have.
Tuck