[roscoau]

I've been reading here and there, trying to find out if a Spyder is for me. Sadly, I don't think it's going to be... why?

So many stories of limp mode
Services that cost $800 - for a twin cylinder engine with fuel injection? Where does that money go?
$800+ for tyres after only 20,000km? With reasonable use I thought it would be easy on tyres. This is more expensive than a bike.
Other reliability issues.

Ok, $32k to buy one says this is not for everyone. I can probably do it, but sheesh, keeping the thing on the road is going to be a killer unless it's only a sunny Sunday machine.

What am I missing here?

[Donzo]

You will find that on forums problems are discussed while a trouble free machine gets little or no "press". I have about 5,000 on my Spyder and have had no problems, the tires look brand new as does the whole bike. There are many that are getting far more milage on the tires - alot of stop and go with this torqy motor will eat a rear tire faster than highway - front tires are lasting 20,000+ miles.
It's a blast to ride - way safer with cutting edge looks and function. Don't let a few problem bkes that get discussed alot steer you away from this thing -- riding it is the closest you will ever be to a rock star!

[roscoau]

Donzo, on Mar 28 2009, 02:21 AM, said:

You will find that on forums problems are discussed while a trouble free machine gets little or no "press".

You're probably right, but what I'm reading is sending up red flags all over the place... if I get one it will have to be a long term thing.

Wearing car tyres the cost shouldn't be an issue I had thought, but it seems it will be. Odd sizes is one flag, 20k km from a set is another. I'm used to 70k from a set on my car.

$800 for a service? Ludicrous. I'll check, but I'm sure the Aprillias that use the same engine would cost less than half that.

The Spyder looks like a lot of fun, but there's something - not the machine itself - that doesn't sit right for me... I'll keep watching and see where it leads me...

[dicko]

First service (1000 km) cost $260.
Second (8300 km after 7300 km trip) was $330.
Third service I did myself (14,800 km) cost $77 for parts (oil etc.)
Fourth service (19,500 km) cost $700.

The above intervals were not as per book but I was doing a lot of long trips and was unable to do as per book.

The service book suggests that for the 5000 km interval services, you do yourself. I'll be doing the 25,000 km service in about 2 weeks.

I'm not finding the Spyder running costs that much more expensive to run that my Suzuki GSXR750 or Yamaha XV1600. Both bikes need a more comprehensive service at 6000 km intervals. Yamaha does 12,000 -16,000 kms on rear (costs about $260 if I take the wheel in) and 1/2 as much distance again on front (~$220 if I take wheel in). Suzuki tyres are cheaper (very standard size in many brands) but only last 8000-12000 km on rear and marginally longer on front.

BMW riders always complain about their service costs but they are at 10,000 km intervals. The "lifetime" costs actually work out cheaper.

[dicko]

dicko, on Mar 28 2009, 11:21 AM, said:

First service (1000 km) cost $260.
Second (8300 km after 7300 km trip) was $330.
Third service I did myself (14,800 km) cost $77 for parts (oil etc.)
Fourth service (19,500 km) cost $700.

The above intervals were not as per book but I was doing a lot of long trips and was unable to do as per book.

The service book suggests that for the 5000 km interval services, you do yourself. I'll be doing the 25,000 km service in about 2 weeks.

I'm not finding the Spyder running costs that much more expensive to run that my Suzuki GSXR750 or Yamaha XV1600. Both bikes need a more comprehensive service at 6000 km intervals. Yamaha does 12,000 -16,000 kms on rear (costs about $260 if I take the wheel in) and 1/2 as much distance again on front (~$220 if I take wheel in). Suzuki tyres are cheaper (very standard size in many brands) but only last 8000-12000 km on rear and marginally longer on front.

BMW riders always complain about their service costs but they are at 10,000 km intervals. The "lifetime" costs actually work out cheaper.

Just wondering what the service costs / intervals are on the Rotax-engined Buell 1125? I believe it's a bored out Spyder / Aprillia engine including same oil filter. Not sure if it's based on the 106 hp as per Spyder/Falco or the 132 hp superbike version of the Aprillia.

[roscoau]

dicko, on Mar 28 2009, 08:46 PM, said:

Just wondering what the service costs / intervals are on the Rotax-engined Buell 1125? I believe it's a bored out Spyder / Aprillia engine including same oil filter. Not sure if it's based on the 106 hp as per Spyder/Falco or the 132 hp superbike version of the Aprillia.

There's no relation between the Aprillia and the Buell (well, apart from them both being from Rotax). The Buell is a 72Deg V engine, while the Aprillia/Spyder is a 60Deg engine.

The Spider's engine is detuned from the 143HP of the RSV Aprillia to 106HP.

RSV major services:
Service intervals (valve adj): 15000km
Major service cost (incl parts): $au330 approx
http://www.bikepoint.com.au/portal/tabID__...topDefault.aspx

This post has been edited by roscoau: 28 March 2009 - 08:00 PM

[Gary]

Roscoau, Like they said don't back off just because of a few . Most are running very well.. The tire thing is'nt a big thing if you canstay out of the gas when takeing off . and the tires are not real costly compared to most high speed soft compounds.. If you get a manual with your spyder you can do most this stuff yourself.