New member---farkled Spyder

3470 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by zeebill, Jun 9, 2009

ediehl

Discussion Starter · May 23, 2009

I just bought a Spyder with 2,000+ miles and several extra goodies like a Hindle pipe, Corbin seat with backrest, touring windshield, hand grips and various lighting upgrades.

It's really fun, but I wonder if I'll ever feels as comfortable on it as on a bike? I'm a life-long motorcyclist, and corners that seem effortless on my bikes are still a bit of a challenge for me on the Spyder. Do most people lean much into the turns? I am, so far.

Not yet sure about the Corbin seat. The pilot seat is good, but the missus complains about sliding forward on the rear pad, and I do see that the stock seat has a higher ridge between front and rear. Hmmm

I have noticed that the parking brake doesn't always completely release, unless I get down and push the lever on the rear hub with my fingers. Is that common? I haven't tried to fix it yet, maybe just a little oil or WD-40 will do.

I was intending to set all three shocks springs to their stiffest position, for two-up riding, but as I was using the provided spanner wrench on one of the front shocks the curved metal ramp (that the adjustment knobs ride on) busted partially off! That's a heck of a note. It's OK for now because I got it back in a middle setting where the ramp is still intact, and I took it in to the local shop. He took pics and said he'd contact Can-Am about warranty work. The Spyder is not yet officially in my name, but I have to believe the warranty will cover it.

Speaking of warranties, this one has a BRP Extended Service Terms plan Has anyone had any problems transferring the extended warranty?

Thanks,
Eric

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Spyderman

· #2 · May 24, 2009

Welcome! It sounds like you got a nicely outfitted bike at likely a fair price!

The funny thing is that leaning into corners is required..... to make the driver feel comfortable, but not necessarily for performance reasons. Sure, transferring weight "May" help keep the stability control system (with its yaw sensor) from acting, but it will act if it needs to, so leaning really is more to keep rider and driver happy/comfortable

I have not heard a single complaint about the extended warranty, it is good that you have it as even though thoroughly tested before release by BRP, it is still a relatively new product.

Enjoy your new Spyder!!!

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ediehl

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 24, 2009

Thanks! I just fiddled with the parking brake some and, though I'm not sure why, it's working OK again (for now). I'm getting ready to head out to the garage to drill out and replace the loose rivets that are causing a rattling racket with my Hindle exhaust heat shield.

I've seen mention on a few Spyder forums of recall notices---is there someplace I can look to find any and all recalls for the Spyder?

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Spyderman

· #4 · May 26, 2009

ediehl said:
I've seen mention on a few Spyder forums of recall notices---is there someplace I can look to find any and all recalls for the Spyder?

Best thing to do is contact your local dealer. If you PM me your email, I can send you something I ran across listing many of them. It's a big file, so I hope you have DSL and a generous email allotment

Jay

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zeebill

· #5 · Jun 9, 2009

I still lean into the corners and no it sure doesn't feel like a 2 wheel bike at all. It is more like a 4 wheeler and wonder of wonders this company makes them! I have found that if you lean into a corner and slightly accelerate into the corner the bike or 3 wheeled 4 wheeler is much more stable and will take turns in excess of 80+ mile an hour. It does not like downhill turns I have found and does much better climbing and turning. Steering effort seems very high for the weight and I suspect that is because the front suspension is set almost straight up with no negative camber and I suspect a high caster angle. This results in the high steering effort due to and ackerman effect wanting to fight you through the corners and not turn. If they would take this suspension setting they have and put about a degree or less negative camber into the front suspension and take the toe setting to about a 1/16 or so, then take the caster angle down to where the wheels just barely wanted to continue to go straight when turning they would have a great handling bike I feel. This of course might be more than the onboard computer could handle but I would say leave the yaw to them to play with and I am sure they would be able to come up with a useable set up.
The hand brake ah yes another big problem they need to address! Recall on certain VIN numbers? I haven't talked to anyone who hasn't had a problem of some sort getting it to release so why just certain ones?
How about the rear side mirrors which give a perfect view of one's shoulder if you are any size? Kewl makes kits at $131+ to extend them but why isn't our glorious government after the manufacturer to make a safety recall? Seems that should be more in order than us having to spend money to fix a glaring safety problem! Did they have midgets for test drivers as this seems so obvious in the first minutes on the bike they should have caught it?
Then we get down to the great gas mileage in a world of ever increasing cost for fuel and people looking to save some bucks. My 150,000 mile Toyota pickup truck gets around 25 mpg at around 70 mph. This much swoopier looking 3 wheeler gives me around 30 much less weight and 997 cc's versus the weight and size of the Toyota. Hopped up Harleys get better mileage!
The final word is I am very disappointed and expected far better in many area's after almost 3 years on the market. What really turns me off is they are not what I would call super worried from what I get in feed back from people who own Spyders. With the world of expedable cash fast shrinking they had better dang sure get their heads out of the sand and start showing some changes and improvements resulting from the complaints out there. Bill

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