[craigri]

I have had my spyder for two weeks now and already have developed a list of things that are wrong, some of which I see referenced in posts...

1. gas fumes all the time
2. issue with vibration in gears 4 and 5 between 5 and 6 thousand Rpm, I think someone described it as marbles in the engine, related to belt harmonics..., also suggested a fix involving notching something for a bolt?
3. intermittent issue with rear shock adjust when driving, sometimes adjustable, other times I get a red indicator on cluster suggesting manual adjustment, feel like I'm getting bounced around more than the Y configuration would dictate
4. turn signal switch a bit flaky, especially when turning left of attempting to push in to cancel
5. only getting 25 mpg for first 500 miles but could be related to gas fumes issue

thats it so far but I have to say, coming from gold wings and Bmw's to this out of the box experience is a shock. any solutions to these issues would be helpful. I'm about to call dealer for first service to deal with this stuff and worried I will get the blank stare...

can anyone talk me down from the roof on this purchase, is this an indication of things to come or will life get better?

[jaxpalmtree]

craigri, on 17 October 2011 - 09:24 PM, said:

I have had my spyder for two weeks now and already have developed a list of things that are wrong, some of which I see referenced in posts...

1. gas fumes all the time
2. issue with vibration in gears 4 and 5 between 5 and 6 thousand Rpm, I think someone described it as marbles in the engine, related to belt harmonics..., also suggested a fix involving notching something for a bolt?
3. intermittent issue with rear shock adjust when driving, sometimes adjustable, other times I get a red indicator on cluster suggesting manual adjustment, feel like I'm getting bounced around more than the Y configuration would dictate
4. turn signal switch a bit flaky, especially when turning left of attempting to push in to cancel
5. only getting 25 mpg for first 500 miles but could be related to gas fumes issue

thats it so far but I have to say, coming from gold wings and Bmw's to this out of the box experience is a shock. any solutions to these issues would be helpful. I'm about to call dealer for first service to deal with this stuff and worried I will get the blank stare...

can anyone talk me down from the roof on this purchase, is this an indication of things to come or will life get better?

[jaxpalmtree]

I have had mine since June and I have had some issues. As of late, my check engine light comes on. I know there are about 3 recall items on the 2011 RT and I was scheduled to get these done before Biketoberfest, however the weather did not allow me to take it to the dealer. They said I would be ok to go to Biketoberfest, but my check engine light came off and on intermittently while there and the dealer in Daytona ran a diagnostic and ordered a part for Saturday delivery that never came in. At least I only had to drive it back to Jax and had no problem, but one fella there had the same issue and had to drive back to Ohio.

I'm not very impressed with the quality that BRP has put in to this awesome machine. Having gone from a 2009 Goldwing to this is very disappointing to me and I wish I would of triked out the GW, even if it would have cost me more.

[shrevespyder]

the gas milage is not going anywhere i have found out that nonethynol gas will make it better.ive had mine since march and the other issues should be able to be fixed by your dealer.good luck

[doctor]

craigri, on 17 October 2011 - 09:24 PM, said:

I have had my spyder for two weeks now and already have developed a list of things that are wrong, some of which I see referenced in posts...

1. gas fumes all the time
2. issue with vibration in gears 4 and 5 between 5 and 6 thousand Rpm, I think someone described it as marbles in the engine, related to belt harmonics..., also suggested a fix involving notching something for a bolt?
3. intermittent issue with rear shock adjust when driving, sometimes adjustable, other times I get a red indicator on cluster suggesting manual adjustment, feel like I'm getting bounced around more than the Y configuration would dictate
4. turn signal switch a bit flaky, especially when turning left of attempting to push in to cancel
5. only getting 25 mpg for first 500 miles but could be related to gas fumes issue

thats it so far but I have to say, coming from gold wings and Bmw's to this out of the box experience is a shock. any solutions to these issues would be helpful. I'm about to call dealer for first service to deal with this stuff and worried I will get the blank stare...

can anyone talk me down from the roof on this purchase, is this an indication of things to come or will life get better?

It may or may not get worse. A lot of people got rid of their sypders because of all the problems. If you had check this forum before buying, maybe you could have saved your self the hardships of owning one. Good luck.

This post has been edited by doctor: 18 October 2011 - 04:04 PM

[jaxpalmtree]

I picked my spyder up at the dealer Saturday after the recall work was completed. Seems to be running better now and no Check Engine light yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. I really do like riding this vehicle.

[JerseyGirl]

I've had my RT Limited since June and have had a few issues. Most of them were on the forum some of them weren't. For the most part all of them have been fixed. I find it is in the Dealer you choose as to weather you will be happy or not. My original dealer had no concept as to how to keep the customer happy and also had no knowledge of what they were talking about or doing repair wise. As for my second dealer who was referred to me from someone I met on the road who has a Spyder also I would refer to everyone. They have knowledge, good customer service relations, and also make me want to come back even though they are about an hour away. I hope all goes well for you. By the way if you are ever in the Bensalem area of PA check out East Coast. I've had awesome work and I'm very happy with everything they have done. Truly worth the ride.

[bigjohn]

If I'd have known about the different spyder forums and checked them out before buying my spyder I more than likely wouldn't have bought one. BUT...I have a spyder now and thoroughly enjoy it. Yep it's had a few minor problems but then so have a lot of other vehicles I've owned . The forums are an excellent place to go and see what other owners have experienced and how the problems were resolved. No matter how big or small the problem is it becomes major to the owner and that's how it shows up on the forums. Do I think it's right to spend a huge amount of money only to have some problems..No I don't, but if the dealer fixes them then they're no longer problems.Granted some people have bought spyders that deserve to be upset because they aren't getting repaired correctly or in a timely fashion. I've used the lemon law on pickup trucks and won't hesitate to do it on the spyder if needed but in my case I think that's ulikely....hope I don't jinx myself.

[Tuckmiddle]

Get it to the dealer. Yes, there are too many out of the box issues, but the dealer I use has been very responsive and just yesterday took care of a self-induced issue. Another dealer I happened to stop at just to see what it looked like, had one of his techs put on my Utopia seat back for no charge. Sure he wants my business, but it's a busy time for the dealers near a big lake - lots of jet skis to winterize and/or store.

I've had GoldWings and Harleys and never had the pain in the neck little stuff like The Spyder has had, but you'll have dealer choices in many cases and you're a pioneer now, of sorts, not buying a product and/or concept that's been around for 35 years or more.

Good luck with it and let us know how it works out. I'm normally on another board, but the issues are similar, believe me.
Tuck

[craigri]

Tuckmiddle, on 30 October 2011 - 07:50 AM, said:

Get it to the dealer. Yes, there are too many out of the box issues, but the dealer I use has been very responsive and just yesterday took care of a self-induced issue. Another dealer I happened to stop at just to see what it looked like, had one of his techs put on my Utopia seat back for no charge. Sure he wants my business, but it's a busy time for the dealers near a big lake - lots of jet skis to winterize and/or store.

I've had GoldWings and Harleys and never had the pain in the neck little stuff like The Spyder has had, but you'll have dealer choices in many cases and you're a pioneer now, of sorts, not buying a product and/or concept that's been around for 35 years or more.

Good luck with it and let us know how it works out. I'm normally on another board, but the issues are similar, believe me.
Tuck

Thanks to all who responded, hangimg in there, just back from dealer and they adressed a lot, only nagging issue for me is still the belt vibration, will look at the tensioner most likely. That seems like such an obvious performance issue, im surprised BRP has not addressed it yet...

Thanks again all...

[Saluda]

Stick with it, all in all I still feel the majority of owners are glad they bought. Good luck.

This post has been edited by Saluda: 04 November 2011 - 01:53 AM

[George Lewis]

As posted before on other sites, I have a Gold Wing Motor Trike and bought my 2011 RT-S in March. I only have 4,900 miles on Big Red 1 and had a magnet in the DPS go out and fixed in ten minutes at the dealer. Otherwise, no problems. BR1 had a vib and the dealer tightened the belt at the 600 checkup. Tech said it will strech some more and will adjust @ 6K checkup. I get 29-31 mpg consistantly. I set the air pressure and shocks to my liking and I really like BR1.

I have 61K on my Motor Trike with NO ISSUES of any kind. It runs like a hose! I will keep my Wing as a back up ride as I do not have total trust in my Spyder....I read of too many problems on these web sites. I would leave today to ride the four corners on my Wing, but not my Spyder.

A good dealer is very important as you all know. A poor dealer is just that. I pass a dealer to go to my present dealer (South Texas Suzuki, Lytle, TX) due to their attitude and service. Good luck to all.

[jaxpalmtree]

jaxpalmtree, on 24 October 2011 - 01:30 PM, said:

I picked my spyder up at the dealer Saturday after the recall work was completed. Seems to be running better now and no Check Engine light yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. I really do like riding this vehicle.

Well went to Daytona for the weekend and the Check Engine light problem started and the bike went in to Limp Mode and I got stranded a couple of times. Finally got her home and called the dealer, they are picking it up again for service in the morning.................hope they fix it this time.

[jaxpalmtree]

jaxpalmtree, on 07 November 2011 - 02:58 PM, said:

Well went to Daytona for the weekend and the Check Engine light problem started and the bike went in to Limp Mode and I got stranded a couple of times. Finally got her home and called the dealer, they are picking it up again for service in the morning.................hope they fix it this time.

They just called me from the dealer said it was the THROTTLE BODY and they have already replaced 3 of them for others, BRP has them in stock because of all the issues. LOOK OUT IF YOU OWN A 2011 RT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. Sporadic, but you will or may get stranded.

This post has been edited by jaxpalmtree: 10 November 2011 - 03:12 PM

[pushrod243]

The fuel smell is from topping the fuel off to much. The overflow gets in the charcoal canister and will smell until it evaporates. I just pull the pump out when it kicks off and mine does not do it anymore. The vibration is from the belt I think. Mine does it too my 08 did not but the belts are tightened to a different spec on the newer bikes to help eliminate a bearing failure issue they had. There is a belt tensioner in the aftermarket but its pricey. I think I am going to try to make my own. No shock issues before I swapped to Wilber shocks which dramatically improved the handling. My RSS gets 33.5mpg which is about 1mpg better than the 08 got.

[SpydherLuv]

My understanding of the fuel smell is due to not using the kill switch. I'm not a mechanic, or an expert on this so I have no technical input, but I have never had an issue with fuel smell and I fill up my tank a few clicks past the first one - basically, until I can see the gas. I always use the kill switch and have heard from others who don't use theirs that they smell gas fumes when turning off the motor. Hope this helps.