Trading RT's

[BHawksworth]

I'm trading both my RT's that I bought in April today. One for a Yamaha FJR1300A for me, and a Spyder RS for my dad. My RT has spent most of the last 3 months in the shop, and my dad's is now having the same trouble with module communications. Third time mine has been in the shop with the same issue with module communications. I just can't deal with the unreliability any more. I've had problem bikes before - but when my dad's started having the same problem that was too much. I couldn't persuade myself any more that it was just me getting a lemon.

Anyway, I hope that other RT owners are more fortunate than me. If they had been more reliable they would be truly great bikes. I'm taking a loss on the trade, when I suppose I could have waited and used the lemon law, but I want to ride now. Best of luck to all!

P.S., Carlo was very helpful throughout, but of course, he can't fix the product. Hope we all remember that when we're frustrated and tempted to lash out. I wouldn't want his job.

 

[fastfraser]

Man that bites the big one. Hope you have better luck with the RS.

 

[bodymanpainter]

I'm trading both my RT's that I bought in April today. One for a Yamaha FJR1300A for me, and a Spyder RS for my dad. My RT has spent most of the last 3 months in the shop, and my dad's is now having the same trouble with module communications. Third time mine has been in the shop with the same issue with module communications. I just can't deal with the unreliability any more. I've had problem bikes before - but when my dad's started having the same problem that was too much. I couldn't persuade myself any more that it was just me getting a lemon.

Anyway, I hope that other RT owners are more fortunate than me. If they had been more reliable they would be truly great bikes. I'm taking a loss on the trade, when I suppose I could have waited and used the lemon law, but I want to ride now. Best of luck to all!

P.S., Carlo was very helpful throughout, but of course, he can't fix the product. Hope we all remember that when we're frustrated and tempted to lash out. I wouldn't want his job.

My wife and I both traded our Spyders in for two cruisers because of the issues we were having and all the down time. Still love the RTS but they have to be more reliable like a Honda or any of the Japanese bikes. Maybe sometime in the future we will return to the RTS when BRP can prove themselves in the market of reliability.

 

[namknight]

Ok! Once again reading these posts make me ask myself if I have made a big mistake! Even though my RT so far has been a joy.
Going on a 500 mile rally in 2 weeks, will be in the middle of nowhere most of the time.
Have I purchased another Harley? Been there done that.

 

[fastfraser]

Growing pains ! Just like when the :spyder2: first came on the scene. Stay the course.:thumbup:

 

[SilverSurfer]

This is not a universal problem

Whenever I see one of these threads, I can't help but chime in. Please Read the posts from the majority of owners who have had no problems at all. There are a few who have problems ... AND I SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM!! I know how emotionally stessful it is to make a big investment and have problems. However, there is no such thing as a bullet proof cruiser, trike or scooter either. Some have problems. Some Toyotas and Hondas ... the two best-built cars in the world have problems as well. Some of the pre-prod Spyders definitely had issues. A percentage of pretty much anything is imperfect; however, the statistics still show in favor of the Spyder RT as a reliable machine. It is only through loyalty and reasoned reporting on owner experiences that we will enjoy a continuing and improving experience with our Spyders. 2610 miles and still spinning silk!

Paul

:2thumbs:

 

[MouthPiece]

I too am sorry that you have had this experience. I do wish you the best in your new endeavor. I hope you get many miles of great ryding.

On the other side of the coin (knock on wood) I just had my 6,000 mile service. This not only includes the normal oil change, but also a fairly thorough run through on how my RTS is doing. The diagnostics were all nominal and everything appears to be in tip top shape.

I had no fault codes, and everything down the maintenance schedule was listed as good. About the only thing that they did besides changing the oil was replacing two spark plugs and topping off the brake fluid. Oh, they did adjust the drive belt and torqued the rear wheel nut.

I'm not writing this post to in any way challenge or question the difficulties that you have had. I do recall though back last November and December reading all the posts about steering issues and other issues with their spyders. I couldn't help but get a questionable feeling of whether I had done the right thing or not. Instead, I am writing this post and mentioning my experience so that others out there in cyber land can see that there are good experiences that are occurring with the RTS. I am one of them.

Again, I hope that the direction you take finds you nothing but happiness and pleasure in your riding experience. I guess that's what it is about.

Thanks for letting me add my thoughts.

CHRIS PE # 0004
Very Happy RTS owner

 

[IWN2RYD]

Good positive posts all!hyea:hyea:nojoke

Even in our situation, we have no intention of not being Spyder owners. This packaging of ideas that BRP put together fits to much of our needs to give up on it.

Frankly no product is void from failures... Well, accept us humans :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: Just a few of us got a bit more "Challenges" than than others...:doorag::2thumbs:

Regardless of how we get there... We know in our hearts that we will finally get to the point of turn the key and go anywhere, whenever we want ryding... Here's to that future, regardless of the make or model :cheers:

 

[BHawksworth]

To those who have had no problems with their Spyder RT's - I think that's great, and I hope and trust they will remain trouble-free. I agree that all new models have some issue or other, but when you're the one that does (especially two machines!) it tends to color the experience and the viewpoint. But of course, the fact that I had problems does not mean that everyone will. Hope to see you all on the road!

Ben

 

[Recon]

Everything in life is a hit or miss gamble...that's why the insurance industry is so large as a profit machine.
I also had 2 problem bykes, first RT-S I bought blew trans 1 mile from dealer because it had been used as a demo, 2nd was a loaner, brand new, while they got me a new RT-S and it had the stall at the stoplight recall problem.
BUT...when my new one arrived it had no big problems and now has over 2000 happy miles
We love it and if we can someday get along with our local dealer, all will be joyful again in Spyderland !!
We have owned several 1st production cars as well and most have had problems for a few years before they got ironed out.

So dont give up, they will get it right and you'll have the enjoyable time you thought you would get when you first bought your Spyder:chill:

 

[Rockytime]

Good to hear

I too am sorry that you have had this experience. I do wish you the best in your new endeavor. I hope you get many miles of great ryding.

On the other side of the coin (knock on wood) I just had my 6,000 mile service. This not only includes the normal oil change, but also a fairly thorough run through on how my RTS is doing. The diagnostics were all nominal and everything appears to be in tip top shape.

I had no fault codes, and everything down the maintenance schedule was listed as good. About the only thing that they did besides changing the oil was replacing two spark plugs and topping off the brake fluid. Oh, they did adjust the drive belt and torqued the rear wheel nut.

I'm not writing this post to in any way challenge or question the difficulties that you have had. I do recall though back last November and December reading all the posts about steering issues and other issues with their spyders. I couldn't help but get a questionable feeling of whether I had done the right thing or not. Instead, I am writing this post and mentioning my experience so that others out there in cyber land can see that there are good experiences that are occurring with the RTS. I am one of them.

Again, I hope that the direction you take finds you nothing but happiness and pleasure in your riding experience. I guess that's what it is about.

Thanks for letting me add my thoughts.

CHRIS PE # 0004
Very Happy RTS owner

This is the kind of post I like to read. Gives me some confidence. I am a new owner of an RT-S having had it for only two weeks. Been riding two wheels but health reasons keep me off two wheels. The Spyder appears to be a great substitute.

 

[Wheeler~]

I too am sorry that you have had this experience. I do wish you the best in your new endeavor. I hope you get many miles of great ryding.

On the other side of the coin (knock on wood) I just had my 6,000 mile service. This not only includes the normal oil change, but also a fairly thorough run through on how my RTS is doing. The diagnostics were all nominal and everything appears to be in tip top shape.

I had no fault codes, and everything down the maintenance schedule was listed as good. About the only thing that they did besides changing the oil was replacing two spark plugs and topping off the brake fluid. Oh, they did adjust the drive belt and torqued the rear wheel nut.

I'm not writing this post to in any way challenge or question the difficulties that you have had. I do recall though back last November and December reading all the posts about steering issues and other issues with their spyders. I couldn't help but get a questionable feeling of whether I had done the right thing or not. Instead, I am writing this post and mentioning my experience so that others out there in cyber land can see that there are good experiences that are occurring with the RTS. I am one of them.

Again, I hope that the direction you take finds you nothing but happiness and pleasure in your riding experience. I guess that's what it is about.

Thanks for letting me add my thoughts.

CHRIS PE # 0004
Very Happy RTS owner

:agree:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree:with mouthpiece

 

[Lamonster]

Sounds like your dealer needed to take a look at this.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/spyderbulletins/rbs2010-009 en.pdf

 

[BHawksworth]

Not sure... Those don't seem like the issues I was having. My bike locked up the left wheel momentarily on a curve, then flashed DPS, VSS, engine light, and went into limp mode. That was once. The other times it simply flashed the lights and went into limp mode. Same with my Dad's bike. Doesn't sound like what's listed here.

The dealer was in touch with BRP, who recommended resetting various modules in different ways. Made no difference. I can put up with design issues that happen on a first year model, or minor things that don't work (gas gauge, etc) but reliability is non-negotiable. I have to be able to rely on the bike to get me places and get me back - especially a touring machine. I gave it a couple of months, but that's as far as I go.

I would probably feel differently if I had the sense that either the dealer or BRP knew what the issue was and could replace a part here, a part there. But my feeling was and is that for some of the stuff happening with the Spyders, they don't know. The Spyder RT's are a great idea, but I think at this point the electronics are just one step too complex. I really hope they figure it out though - would be fantastic machines if they were reliable.

Sounds like your dealer needed to take a look at this.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/spyderbulletins/rbs2010-009 en.pdf

 

[effgjamis]

Well ... I cannot speak of the RT, but I have a RS and have traveled almost 30,000 miles to date and it has served me well and never left me on the side of the road, at least not yet.
If you find the right dealer I am sure your issues would be resolved.
I travel about 90 miles one way to have my RS serviced, only because I have a great deal of faith in the technician who services my RS.
I will add, that I have had issues, DPS replacement, 1st update engine ran like crap, 2nd update resolved that issue. I think the tire wear could be alot better, ( rear replaced 3 times ), front once. No I don't do burn outs, well maybe just a little by accident or in a hurry.

 

[BHawksworth]

I do think the RT and RS are different in terms of the issues they experience - after all, I traded one of the RT's for an RS. The RS has had issues, but they seem mostly to be ironed out at this point. Like I said - BRP was advising the dealer on my RT's and could not fix the problems - so I don't think it is a dealer issue, or not a dealer issue alone.

Go to any motorcycle forum and even long-established motorcycles have issues. The difference is that the cause of the issues is generally known.

There are obviously many RT's out there that are not having problems, or not significant problems - so hopefully BRP will figure out what is causing these issues in the minority and address them.

Well ... I cannot speak of the RT, but I have a RS and have traveled almost 30,000 miles to date and it has served me well and never left me on the side of the road, at least not yet.
If you find the right dealer I am sure your issues would be resolved.
I travel about 90 miles one way to have my RS serviced, only because I have a great deal of faith in the technician who services my RS.
I will add, that I have had issues, DPS replacement, 1st update engine ran like crap, 2nd update resolved that issue. I think the tire wear could be alot better, ( rear replaced 3 times ), front once. No I don't do burn outs, well maybe just a little by accident or in a hurry.

 

[BHawksworth]

So, to continue this story... My new RS has a bit more than 100 miles on the ODO, and it threw a VSS fault yesterday and went into limp mode on the highway.

That means three out of four Spyders I've owned have had electronics problems within the first few hundred miles. I find it hard to believe I am just unlucky; I think it is more likely that these vehicles have significant electronic issues.

There are obviously lots of people ready to stand by these vehicles and defend them despite the sheer number of problems with them, but I refuse to work with a vehicle that is not ready for prime time, so I'm going to sell the RS back to the dealer and wash my hands of the Spyder for good. I hate to think what kind of money I'd be putting out when the warranty on these things gives out.

I do think the RT and RS are different in terms of the issues they experience - after all, I traded one of the RT's for an RS. The RS has had issues, but they seem mostly to be ironed out at this point. Like I said - BRP was advising the dealer on my RT's and could not fix the problems - so I don't think it is a dealer issue, or not a dealer issue alone.

Go to any motorcycle forum and even long-established motorcycles have issues. The difference is that the cause of the issues is generally known.

There are obviously many RT's out there that are not having problems, or not significant problems - so hopefully BRP will figure out what is causing these issues in the minority and address them.

 

[Littlebadwolf]

I've got around 2500 miles on my rs...sm5 and have had zero problems other than not having enough time to ride it more. Had to add my commet as a very happy owner.

 

[canam9]

I'm trading both my RT's that I bought in April today. One for a Yamaha FJR1300A for me, and a Spyder RS for my dad. My RT has spent most of the last 3 months in the shop, and my dad's is now having the same trouble with module communications. Third time mine has been in the shop with the same issue with module communications. I just can't deal with the unreliability any more. I've had problem bikes before - but when my dad's started having the same problem that was too much. I couldn't persuade myself any more that it was just me getting a lemon.

Anyway, I hope that other RT owners are more fortunate than me. If they had been more reliable they would be truly great bikes. I'm taking a loss on the trade, when I suppose I could have waited and used the lemon law, but I want to ride now. Best of luck to all!

P.S., Carlo was very helpful throughout, but of course, he can't fix the product. Hope we all remember that when we're frustrated and tempted to lash out. I wouldn't want his job.

Sorry Bro, that eats s#I(. Best of luck to you and yours.:ani29: