I talked to my independent mechanic to get his perspective about the Spyder. He said the models with the 1330 engine are reliable (as many of you guys have said), but he said there's only certain maintenance tasks he can do on the machine because some tasks are coded, meaning that only a Can Am authorized service center can do them, and special tools have to be used to perform them. He said he doesn't have these tools. Do any of you know which tasks are coded? This proprietary crap is getting out of hand when a person can't even work on their own vehicle...
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What maintenance tasks are proprietary?
- Thread starter grampi
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Amen to that!
broderp
New member
I believe the owner's manual lists the items needed with the maintenance intervals. I don't believe it states whether or not the dealer must do it, so a little research may be involved.
My 2023 F3S, for example, it lists "Modules and application software updates"; this would likely require BUDS. I no can do. However, something like verifying mechanical parts can be subjective, based on what you feel capable of doing.
I didn't see a whole lot in the manual that screamed "dealer only". Some things such as brake fluid can be done by anyone, but you may never get all the fluid out of the ABS module without BUDS. It's your call if that is "good enough".
:cheers:
My 2023 F3S, for example, it lists "Modules and application software updates"; this would likely require BUDS. I no can do. However, something like verifying mechanical parts can be subjective, based on what you feel capable of doing.
I didn't see a whole lot in the manual that screamed "dealer only". Some things such as brake fluid can be done by anyone, but you may never get all the fluid out of the ABS module without BUDS. It's your call if that is "good enough".
:cheers:
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BUDS is a tool used on Spyders and other BRP Products. This tool will connect to the Spyders software for Diagnostics of the Spyder and for updates to software. You can see them on amazon or ebay.
Jetfixer
Well-known member
I have BUDS with the Mechantronic license. I'm also an independent Spyder mechanic. I'm not aware of any maintenance tasks that are "coded". As many have stated above, there are tasks that require BUDS to do correctly/thoroughly. There are numerous troubleshooting tasks that require special tools to do correctly. If you were to take Can Am seriously, there is a special tool to do the belt tension adjustment, even though there is an acceptable aftermarket tool available. Also, for many engine/transmission troubleshooting tasks there is a special tool that acts as a wiring "breakout" box to make reading electrical conditions a lot easier than trying to disconnect numerous connectors. As for software/firmware updates, yes, BUDS is required, but this is not what I would call "coded".
jcthorne
Well-known member
There are NO maintenance items that cannot be performed on your own or by an independent mechanic. There are some that require tools such as BUDS software to work on the bike but its not limited to the dealers. In fact BRP does not own BUDS and dealers have to buy it same as independent shops do. Perhaps your mechanic is trying to tell you in a nice way to take your bike elsewhere.
carbonation
New member
The Spyder isn't really much different than a modern car, or any other MC for that matter. All regular maintenance can be done without a computer, but same as a car, trouble codes can pop up that might require electronic intervention to troubleshoot or correct.Think of BUDS as your OBD II reader for a car that reads what the on board computer has stored, and is smart enough to determine firmware flashes needed. Firmware updates come along to "fix" or modify code to enable a feature or stop an annoying fault. And like a car (say if the O2 sensor gets lazy), you'll get a code helping you, replace the part, and for the most part, a drive cycle will self heal the code. I'm on my third Spyder (a 998 twin, and 2 1330 triples) and none of them have ever seen a dealer for BUDS unless they called me in for an update. I do my own maintenance including oil, filter, tires, and brakes.
grampi's Gold Wing probably has an on board brain that watches the sub-systems (ECM, ABS, ETC.), and Honda has a proprietary software suite they use to troubleshoot with.
grampi's Gold Wing probably has an on board brain that watches the sub-systems (ECM, ABS, ETC.), and Honda has a proprietary software suite they use to troubleshoot with.
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