[Tarantula]

HELLO EVERYBODY! I THOUGHT I'D POST THIS BECAUSE IM NOT SURE IF ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DONE THEIR 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. I DECIDED TO DO IT MYSELF AND SAVE ON TWO HOURS OF LABOR AT 85.00/HOUR TOTALING 170 BUCKS!

I BOUGHT 5 QUARTS OF THE BRP SYNTHETIC OIL, AN OIL FILTER, TWO COPPER DRAIN PLUG WASHERS AND AN "O" RING FOR THE OIL FILTER. TOTALING ABOUT 70 DOLLARS.

IT TOOK ME ABOUT 2 HOURS TO DO THE WHOLE THING. NEXT TIME IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ONLY 1 HOUR SINCE I WAS EXTREMELY CAREFUL AND PARANOID OF SCRATCHING THE PANELS WHEN I TOOK THEM OFF. I ALSO TOOK TIME TO WIPE CLEAN ALOT OF ENGINE COMPONENTS, FRAMEWORK AND MISC. I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS NOT THAT DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE. THE TOOL KIT THE SPYDER COMES WITH HAS PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE EXCEPT FOR THE OIL PAN AND RAGS.

I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HOW BIG THE ROTAX V-TWIN ACTUALLY IS, AS WELL AS ALL THE ENGINEERING AND THOUGHT THAT WAS PUT INTO THE SPYDER. THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE MADE ME THINK, GEEZ WHY COULDN'T THEY HAVE MADE THE SPYDER'S GUTS A LITTLE MORE AESTHETIC. IT IS ONE UGLY BEAST WHEN YOU GET ALL THE PANELS OFF. ALL AND ALL IT WAS FUN AND TOTALLY WORTH IT, SINCE NOW I AM ALOT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE GUTS OF THE BEAST.

AT THE DEALERS, I WAS TOLD THE NEXT SERVICE AT 6000 MILES HAD 8 HOURS OF LABOR TIME. AT 85 BUCKS/HOUR....THAT TOTALS TO 680 DOLLARS JUST IN LABOR, NOT INCLUDING OIL AND PARTS. I'M THINKING WOW! WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO? THE FOLLOWING MAJOR SERVICE AT 15,000 MILES WILL INVOLVE 10 HOURS OR 850 DOLLARS JUST FOR LABOR! RIDICULOUS!

SO THIS WAS MY SATURDAY EVENING! TOMORROW I CAN GO RIDING! TEMP IN THE 80'S HERE IN LONG BEACH, CA.

HAPPY MOTORING TO EVERYONE!
FRANK AKA TARANTULA

[Tonga]

Tarantula, on May 4 2008, 12:19 AM, said:

HELLO EVERYBODY! I THOUGHT I'D POST THIS BECAUSE IM NOT SURE IF ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DONE THEIR 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. I DECIDED TO DO IT MYSELF AND SAVE ON TWO HOURS OF LABOR AT 85.00/HOUR TOTALING 170 BUCKS!

I BOUGHT 5 QUARTS OF THE BRP SYNTHETIC OIL, AN OIL FILTER, TWO COPPER DRAIN PLUG WASHERS AND AN "O" RING FOR THE OIL FILTER. TOTALING ABOUT 70 DOLLARS.

IT TOOK ME ABOUT 2 HOURS TO DO THE WHOLE THING. NEXT TIME IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ONLY 1 HOUR SINCE I WAS EXTREMELY CAREFUL AND PARANOID OF SCRATCHING THE PANELS WHEN I TOOK THEM OFF. I ALSO TOOK TIME TO WIPE CLEAN ALOT OF ENGINE COMPONENTS, FRAMEWORK AND MISC. I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS NOT THAT DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE. THE TOOL KIT THE SPYDER COMES WITH HAS PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE EXCEPT FOR THE OIL PAN AND RAGS.

I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HOW BIG THE ROTAX V-TWIN ACTUALLY IS, AS WELL AS ALL THE ENGINEERING AND THOUGHT THAT WAS PUT INTO THE SPYDER. THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE MADE ME THINK, GEEZ WHY COULDN'T THEY HAVE MADE THE SPYDER'S GUTS A LITTLE MORE AESTHETIC. IT IS ONE UGLY BEAST WHEN YOU GET ALL THE PANELS OFF. ALL AND ALL IT WAS FUN AND TOTALLY WORTH IT, SINCE NOW I AM ALOT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE GUTS OF THE BEAST.

AT THE DEALERS, I WAS TOLD THE NEXT SERVICE AT 6000 MILES HAD 8 HOURS OF LABOR TIME. AT 85 BUCKS/HOUR....THAT TOTALS TO 680 DOLLARS JUST IN LABOR, NOT INCLUDING OIL AND PARTS. I'M THINKING WOW! WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO? THE FOLLOWING MAJOR SERVICE AT 15,000 MILES WILL INVOLVE 10 HOURS OR 850 DOLLARS JUST FOR LABOR! RIDICULOUS!

SO THIS WAS MY SATURDAY EVENING! TOMORROW I CAN GO RIDING! TEMP IN THE 80'S HERE IN LONG BEACH, CA.

HAPPY MOTORING TO EVERYONE!
FRANK AKA TARANTULA

The Valve adjustment is a big one. If you can remember what you saw, just imagine taking the top part of the engine apart to get at those Valve covers to do a Valve clearance check. Then imagine taking the Cams off to get at the shims that sit under buckets to replace tight or lose ones. I would think about 5 hours unless you are the first in the shop as the mechanics were taught to do it with engines on a bench. Most of the guys aren't use to working on engines like this so yes be prepared for a big bill. The only good thing about it all is that the valves once set will last a long time inbetween adjustments. Everything about the Spyder is big money, I just got my backrest if you know what I mean oh and you mentioned an oil change so you know what they charge for a filter that cost less then a dollar to produce!!

[WOLFBYTE]

Yo All,

I would look at Tijuana, Mexico or one of the border towns for a cheaper maintance hourly shop rate. I know Ford pays it TJ, Mexico workers 8.00 a day ( with overtime ) to put Ford's together !!! ...everything is cheaper in Mexico.

Wolfbyte

[Venym]

the other big thing is the belt tension. The dealers have a tool that they had to buy to check the tension and calibrate it. you can't just move it up and down anymore with your hand to check the tension. like an ATV or Sled. It has specific ratings and specs.

[majinbusa]

I took the Spyder yesterday for the 6250 Miles Service and The Bill was around 270.00, I did Purchase a service agreement when i got the Spyder and its good for 6 Services for 3 years and i'm planning on using it just for the big service maintenance.

[Wolfpup]

Majinbusa;

What did you have to pay for that service contract. I know it's probably the BEST contract that includes service. Was wondering what people are paying for it? I have ask my dealer since I'm suppose to get my bike in about 2 weeks, but they have never gave me any quotes on the BEST

[Danimal]

Quote

you know what they charge for a filter that cost less then a dollar to produce!!

I bet that filter costs more than that to produce. Have you looked at one?

Quote

I would look at Tijuana, Mexico or one of the border towns for a cheaper maintance hourly shop rate.

Since they charge by the hour - why not show up with all the covers removed for them? I find that can be pretty time consuming.

As with anything else in life --- you get what you pay for. That type of thinking (getting cheap things done in Mexico) is what is ruining our country.

Help keep an American worker employed - have your work done in the US.

[majinbusa]

Wolfpup, on May 4 2008, 08:23 AM, said:

Majinbusa;

What did you have to pay for that service contract. I know it's probably the BEST contract that includes service. Was wondering what people are paying for it? I have ask my dealer since I'm suppose to get my bike in about 2 weeks, but they have never gave me any quotes on the BEST

I think i paid 1,100 for it Thru RPM1 and it covers everything..

[Tonga]

majinbusa, on May 4 2008, 01:07 PM, said:

I think i paid 1,100 for it Thru RPM1 and it covers everything..

Filters are $17.00 in the US and $19.00 in Canada. The O-ring also costs a few bucks plus the 2 crush washers. I'd say you can through at least $25.00 plus tax at the deale and then there is "Oil" Oh well, we are having fun and before you know it Winter will be back,

[Wolfpup]

Majinbusa;

What's RPM1?

[Spyder1026]

Venym, on May 4 2008, 09:10 AM, said:

the other big thing is the belt tension. The dealers have a tool that they had to buy to check the tension and calibrate it. you can't just move it up and down anymore with your hand to check the tension. like an ATV or Sled. It has specific ratings and specs.

They should be using the Gates sonic tension meter 507C which has a MSRP of about $800. I got one for 30% off.

[Lucky513]

Tarantula, on May 3 2008, 09:19 PM, said:

I BOUGHT 5 QUARTS OF THE BRP SYNTHETIC OIL, AN OIL FILTER, TWO COPPER DRAIN PLUG WASHERS AND AN "O" RING FOR THE OIL FILTER. TOTALING ABOUT 70 DOLLARS.

I need and want to the same for my 3000 miles? Looked in Can-Am book that came with Spyder but doesn not have part number for the oil filter, O-ring, and drain plug washers. Can you tell me what those part numbers are please? Thanks in advance

[TharkunRT]

Lucky513, on May 5 2008, 09:07 AM, said:

I need and want to the same for my 3000 miles? Looked in Can-Am book that came with Spyder but doesn not have part number for the oil filter, O-ring, and drain plug washers. Can you tell me what those part numbers are please? Thanks in advance

Oil Filter 420956745

O Ring 420650500

Washer 420250640

[majinbusa]

Wolfpup, on May 4 2008, 04:28 PM, said:

Majinbusa;

What's RPM1?

Its just another company like Best from Brp.