Time to pull the plug.

[Illinois Boy]

When we're talking bad dealers, I would believe this is not unique to Spyder. We see it with all brands of snowmobiles and dirt bikes, and in my experience I have seen it with most car and truck brands as well. I am not as familiar with motorcycle dealers so I can't speak with knowledge on that one, but each and every dealer network I work with has similar problems. As for cross-country reliability, I believe if we were to survey 1000 spyder owners randomly, not only those here on SL, we would discover well over 90% experiencing satisfactory reliability, good enough to travel cross country. A forum like this does tend to collect those looking for answers. Many riders with no issues do not visit this site often, if at all. Statistically speaking. At least this has been my experience with other motorsports forums. All dealer networks have room for improvement, IMO. If I were to single out one brand that does better than others it would be Yamaha, again, in my experience. Or Honda.

Assuming your 18 posts encompasses your entire experience here on SL... you might not have seen the number of negative/problem posts that are on here in comparison to posts about other more positive aspects of the machine (BS posts regarding personal info and such do not count).

Certainly, sites like this are for solving problems, and there could easily be a situation where the site is littered with "problem posts"... but the number of posts with problems is high in comparison to other product sites (from my years of experience). And these posts are not problems caused by the owners... but rather a product suffering from poor engineering, production, and dealership support.

Stick around... and you will see...

 

[sledmaster]

It is not a matter of sticking around. I have been here since September of 2007. Very few have been here longer. Very few have an earlier unit than I do. Not many have more miles. I just don't seem to have the issues that so many others do. Not sure why. Wish I could do more to help those who do have problems. For this kind of money the units should work. A machine is only as good as the support network. Clearly there is room for improvement. An old saying says, "If what you're doing isn't working then change what you're doing." Applied here, if the dealer you're working with isn't solving your problems, get a new dealer. If that fails after a few attempts, then we can't fault one for moving on.

 

[ValCruzSpyder]

Would love to help

BlueLine,
I'm up here in Va Beach. You are about 60 miles from the Dealership that we bought our Spyder from. All Out Cycles in Chesapeake has been great and outstanding for us. I would recommend them to anyone. I would be willing to give them a call for you. PM me with all of your concerns. By the way, I also have a closed trailer if you want to bring it to "All Out Cycles". I feel your pain...we have all gone through some sort of discomfort at least once or twice in our life. Just think of all the good times you had when you were negotiating the "twisties" when the Spyder was up and running. Hang on to those!! If I can be of any help, just let me know. John and Velma

 

[Illinois Boy]

It is not a matter of sticking around. I have been here since September of 2007. Very few have been here longer. Very few have an earlier unit than I do. Not many have more miles. I just don't seem to have the issues that so many others do. Not sure why. Wish I could do more to help those who do have problems. For this kind of money the units should work. A machine is only as good as the support network. Clearly there is room for improvement. An old saying says, "If what you're doing isn't working then change what you're doing." Applied here, if the dealer you're working with isn't solving your problems, get a new dealer. If that fails after a few attempts, then we can't fault one for moving on.

I also wish there were not as many problems. I have had a few, and have a few more to deal with; however my experience has been more good than bad.

Just wish that was the case for more people...

EDIT: Corrected my statement.

 

[BlueLine]

Willing to give it a last ditch effort

I really like the Spyder but this dealership experience really took its toll, BUT ValCruzSpyder has maybe given me a toe hold for hanging on. Gonna Call AllOut Cycles this morning.
Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[spyder3]

Hey, lets hope this works out for you. good luck! 60 miles is nothing, just more time to ride, assuming you can ride it there-):thumbup:

 

[Mexican]

Don't kmow who is worse, my Spyder dealer or my Triumph dealer:yikes:

 

[bigflax925]

Been there...

I totally understand your frustration.

I haven't found it with my Spyder yet (knock wood), but had the same trouble with our motorhome here. The big chains, and the smaller independents service was awful - had huge waits and when all was said and done incompetent. I got lots of "bring it to Red Bay" (if you have an RV you'll know) or "bring it to my dealer here - they have great service." But I'm not retired and I work and have a family with children, so I don't have the liberty of taking two or three days to drive across several states for service. I ended up selling it. It was all I could do. I enjoyed the uptime, but when there was downtime, there was a lot of it.

I hope the dealer you were recommended works out for you. It's heartbreaking to be passionate about a product, but not have the service or support you need.

 

[Bob Denman]

Good Luck!!

 

[Dan_Ashley]

I totally understand your frustration.

I haven't found it with my Spyder yet (knock wood), but had the same trouble with our motorhome here. The big chains, and the smaller independents service was awful - had huge waits and when all was said and done incompetent. I got lots of "bring it to Red Bay" (if you have an RV you'll know) or "bring it to my dealer here - they have great service." But I'm not retired and I work and have a family with children, so I don't have the liberty of taking two or three days to drive across several states for service. I ended up selling it. It was all I could do. I enjoyed the uptime, but when there was downtime, there was a lot of it.

I hope the dealer you were recommended works out for you. It's heartbreaking to be passionate about a product, but not have the service or support you need.

me too. Exactly. To the word.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I understand exactly how you feel. i have had 2 syders. the first one a 2010 audio and convenience that stayed in the shop till i just could not take it anymore and traded it and got the 2013 rts and picked it up in april. that too was going to shop a lot because of the check engine light and overheating light that constantly came on, but i managed to get 7500 miles on it till i crashed it. Now I will give BRP one more chance to get it right and am waiting for the 2014's to come out. I am going to get a 2014 rts and if this does not work out for me and i can drive it and have it in the shop less i will keep buying spyders. I too dont have the best dealers and am on my second one for the second bike. I may keep the second one for the third bike. they are better than the first dealer. If not, i will be going to third dealer which is 80 miles away. All I can say to you is just wait and see the reviews for the 2014 as i am going to wait also. We both may be surprised with what BRP comes up with. Keep hope alive my fellow spyder brother. I too wish that i lived close to misssouri. I am giving BRP one last chance with the 2014 and if they dissappoint me yet again i will look at the honda goldwing trike.opcorn:

I hadn't heard about your crash, I hope you are okay. I totally get where you are coming from I had a 2010 that was virtually problem free but I had more problems on the 2013 than I care to think about. Mine went up in flames and I will most likely purchase a 2014 but if they haven't got the problems worked out on them that will be it for me too.

 

[Bob Denman]

I hadn't heard about your crash, I hope you are okay. I totally get where you are coming from I had a 2010 that was virtually problem free but I had more problems on the 2013 than I care to think about. Mine went up in flames and I will most likely purchase a 2014 but if they haven't got the problems worked out on them that will be it for me too.

In that case ;:shocked: I'm DOUBLY hoping that they've got things worked out! :2thumbs:

My 2010 A&C has had a couple of issues; but it's been a GEAT ride! :thumbup:

 

[PW2013STL]

It is sad to hear of the weak dealer support some of you have experienced. A good dealer can really make the difference between a happy ownership and a dismal one. I know here in Minnesota we have riders coming from all over the state to my local dealer just because of their quality service and certified technicians. Things get taken care of properly. Funny thing, those riders then start buying accessories and new spyders, so in the long run does it really matter where the spyder was originally purchased? A good dealer will take care of you, regardless. In areas that do not have strong ski-doo or can-am atv dealers long established it will be tough to get a good spyder dealer in place. Not impossible, but more difficult. The spyder is like a computer, it works better and better with each new update to the software. To not visit a dealer for a long period of time is not the best strategy, as you miss out on the software updates and error code downloads that can indicate issues you might not even know about.

Please name your dealership so I can be another one of their happy customers! From a not so happy with my current dealership customer

 

[sledmaster]

Please name your dealership so I can be another one of their happy customers! From a not so happy with my current dealership customer

That would be Ollie’s Service In Alexandria. They are pulling in riders from all over the state, the word is getting out.

 

[PW2013STL]

That would be Ollie’s Service In Alexandria. They are pulling in riders from all over the state, the word is getting out.

Thanks I will check them out:2thumbs::yes::yes::clap:

 

[Edsts]

Could it be education / training .

I believe BRP has to have some sort of training where dealers can send the techs to get properly educated . The most amazing thing bout dealers is that a new Spyder can easily be the most costly bike they sell , compare to all the other brands that been around for years .


I feel yur pain I am already there with ya , had my sts since April and I think the dealer has had the bike in for service more than i have ridding it .

Selling my bike as well to my buddy ready to take over my headache , I just want the dealer to fix as much as they can with the recall now so when I sell it with every thing working .

I will stay with my Gixxa with no problems . Back to knee dragging at the twisties .

 

[NancysToy]

I believe BRP has to have some sort of training where dealers can send the techs to get properly educated . The most amazing thing bout dealers is that a new Spyder can easily be the most costly bike they sell , compare to all the other brands that been around for years .


I feel yur pain I am already there with ya , had my sts since April and I think the dealer has had the bike in for service more than i have ridding it .

Selling my bike as well to my buddy ready to take over my headache , I just want the dealer to fix as much as they can with the recall now so when I sell it with every thing working .

I will stay with my Gixxa with no problems . Back to knee dragging at the twisties .

BRP has tech training centers and has just opened two more. If the dealers don't send the techs, they can't be trained. Some dealers don't even bother to have them complete the video tech course. This is not a BRP problem...it is a dealer issue. JMHO

 

[Farmbanker]

BRP has tech training centers and has just opened two more. If the dealers don't send the techs, they can't be trained. Some dealers don't even bother to have them complete the video tech course. This is not a BRP problem...it is a dealer issue. JMHO

:agree:
I learned about the training aspect when my RTS blew up shortly after purchase. Metro Motorsports in Cedar Rapids bent over backwards to keep me ryding with a loaner while their certified tech attended training. When he returned he completely rebuilt the bike and it has been running great. Point is this: anyone obtaining the right to sell Spyders should be required to have trained people on staff that continue to attend the training. It makes a difference. Also, keeping tabs on customer service ratings would benefit BRP as well. I am sure great service Ratings and maintaining training levels could be rewarded.......

I truly hope you find a satisfactory solution to your problems. I am sure I would feel the same as you do if I didnt have a great dealer.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: But how do we know who completed the BRP training, and exacly WHAT training did they complete? :dontknow:

 

[Dan_Ashley]

:agree: But how do we know who completed the BRP training, and exacly WHAT training did they complete? :dontknow:

...and how do you know about their honesty? The dealer I purchased from did not change the oil on the 600 mile service--but said he did. I no longer go there--even to buy equipment. But how is one to know? You can't post their names because then you'll get sued for defamation. So the only way to know is by having face-to-face conversations with your friends...

Someday maybe dealers will have an accreditation program that requires ongoing performance improvement, but I think it will be a cold day in h€££ before that happens.