New to Can-Am Seeking Advice.

James -- too bad you had to sell the CTX 1300. It was another unique winner from Honda.

Assuming you decide on a 3-wheeler, you want the Spyder which has been designed from the beginning for that purpose, especially with regard to ease of use, safety and comfort.

Of the two motors, I recommend the 1330cc DOHC with balance shaft 2014 and later. And the SE6 paddle-shift 6-speed transmission. Motor by Rotax and electronics by Bosch. It's a sweet combination, albeit without Honda's magic touch. For the most part trouble-free but make sure you buy an extended warranty because glitches happen.

I looked at pictures of the 2019 F3L and it appears to map well to your CTX 1300 regarding windscreen, luggage, etc. I believe 2019 was the last year of the 2014-2019 model years with significant bodywork changes beginning to 2020 but I'm not an expert in this regard.

BRP designed the 1330cc Spyder to have fairly long service intervals. Most of the maintenance actions are not difficult, just tedious as beaucoup bodywork must be removed for access.

We're awaiting details.

Gidday James.

I cant agree more with Burts comments.

I have been riding bikes for 50 years and doing all my own maintenance. Burts comments on the maintenance are true. I thought my GL1800 was frustrating, like the air filter, but these Spyders are on another level. I just suck it up and get it done. But sometimes something called BUDS is required. Its a computer thing and cost a few $.

I picked up a 2017 F3 SE6 after selling my Wing. Love the SE6 quick shifter setup.


Im getting on now I guess after getting my licenses in the early 70's. , with a beat up body and had an pulmonary embolism back a bit so understand where you may be.

I still have some Dual sports and a few Bonneville's but my Spyder is my big ride machine.

I found the screen on the F3 a joke after the Wing standing 6-2" in my socks .
So I picked up the biggest F4 screen and winglets. Now its great.

I also dumped a good hardly worn set of tyres for some local Khumo TA-31's.
Much better handling. Woo hoo.

Just back from a 3 day ride, some in rain ( 3 hrs or so ) and my shirt collar was dry when I got to the motel. Everything else was a bit damp but soon dried out. I was impressed as thats the first rain I had ridden in.

IMO. These Spyders do require more physical rider input with cornering by pushing on the outside bar than 2 wheels. Just done a 3 day all corners all day ride so thats fresh in my mind.

But I do like the F3. Im still out there.







Day 2 about to head off.




Hope this helps and all the best.

I found brisk walking and some light hand weights at home while watching TV made a huge difference.

Thank you to Bert and Gerald.
I have been giving some thought to the maintenance and I need to see what I will be able to do and what I will need to go to my local repair shot for. I am assuming I can do oil changes and the basics like that but I have not gotten the needed details to confirm that. I still have some energy and did a lot of work on my CTX 1300, not to mention all the upgrades I installed myself. I have been looking at what accessories I may want to add but will need to wait until I actually get a Can-Am and see what it already has and what I feel will be best for my riding style. I am excited that my wife wants to ride on a Can-Am with me and she could not on my motorcycle as I could not stabilize with her on. I already ordered her a new helmet and she has been looking at accessories and add-ons as well.
I am going to try and go have a look at a bit older Can-Am Spyder later today but tomorrow I go see the one I am planning on buying. My only concerns for the one I am looking at tomorrow (a 2019 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited) are how few miles it has on it. It appears to have sat for a while and that can cause issues with fluids and tire rot. I will be sure to make certain the tires are useable and the fluids are not cloudy or contaminated. I am assuming I will need a full oil change/service and new tires.
I think the 2019 is a good fit but I would love to know what other Can-Am Spyder users think is a good price for a 2019 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited with very low miles. It appears to be in fantastic condition and of course I will verify the VIN numbers match the title and there are no obvious issues. Oh that is a good questions, what issues should I look for when checking out a used Can-AM Spyder?

And Gerald, beautiful looking Can-AM in your posted photo's.

Thank you,
James Lasby

Cheers James.

Yep I agree on the fluids. Swap em out. Two filters for the oil, the HCM and oil filter.

The oil changes are simple enough.
There are 2 plugs. You may wish to pick up a Krikit belt tensioner gauge if you get one.
Again simple enough if you can turn a nut.

There is stuff on the u-tube, but you have to sort the wheat from the chaff with quite a few of them.

I went through my fluids and other consumable stuff and set a new datum for maintenance on my new to me 2017 F3. But then I enjoy bikes, and wrenching and keep them all up to tickityboo status.

I cant overstate how much I like the F4, worth considering despite the cost. Night and day. No 1/2 way - oh that will do. Visor up riding all day, no worries.

Hope it works out for ya.

Well now I've done it! I am officially one of you Can-Am owner/riders. We drove the hour and half to go see this 2019 Can-AM Spyder F3 Limited and the people selling it had told me it was in prefect condition, and of course it was not in prefect condition, but it is in really good condition. The only flaws I can see or a couple minor paint chips, but they live off a gravel road so I would expect that. The only other noticeable flaw in in the rear case cover, it is just a bit wonky when closing it but if you pay attention you can easily close it. Not sure of that is a common flaw or not but it's not too bad. Now for my biggest concern, it only had 700 miles on it. A 2019 with 700 miles, that mean that it sat for a long time, so I need to get in for an oil change and service ASAP. The tires look new but they are not so I will replace them as well I think. When I bought my 2014 Honda CTX 1300 Deluxe in 2020 it only had 1200 miles on it. I guess some people buy these machines and don't uses them. I gave it a vert through going over and took it for a good test ride first and could not find and issues beyond those already mentioned. The guy had built a little garage shed just for the Can-Am and I could tell they took good care of it. It has 3 keys, the original manual, a new battery, oh and it has a battery tender connection, is that standard or did he add that, I forgot to ask them. After checking as well as I was able I made him and offer, he countered and I accepted. I can tell you I got it for well under the KBB or NADA values and fell like I could sell it tomorrow and make $3K to $4K off it. After we made the deal and counted out more cash than I am comfortable having on me we shook hands and I was off on my hour and a half ride home. I told me wife I would need to stop at some point because I had not ridden in a long time and assumes I would need a break. I had only test ridden one Can-AM before, and it was an old less powerful model. This 2019 Can-AM Spyder F3 Limited was so much nicer. It was smooth and very powerful but felt stable. The first couple highway ramp turn at high speed let me know just how not like a motorcycle these are. I will need some time to adjust to the turns. I felt like one of my front tires was gonna come off the ground on the first one but I don't thing I was anywhere close to that actually happening. I made the full hour and a half ride home and it was such fun and I didn't need a break at all. I could have gone another couple hours I think. I will be having a more in depth look at things today now that I have it in my garage and I will report if I find any other issues. I only took a couple pics when I got home and wedged it in the garage, I post more later.

Woooo hoooo hoooo - hoooo hoooo.

Looks fantastic.

And it a Ltd like mine. So Cool.

Welcome to Spyder Ownership.


BTW. Those lids. Mine was wobbly after a Wing lid.
The blokes at F4 make some stick on guides that make the lid closing much better.

Cornering is something else.

I have just finished a 3 day ride that was all corners.
I will post some photos later today hopefully.

I find pushing the bar with the outside hand and down on the leg and allowing my body to lean just a little inside the corner works for me. Sort of Yin - Yan I guess.

I dont mind admitting it took me ages to get comfortable with that.

Sometimes if you put some spaces in the posts its makes it easier to read.

JamesLaz said:

Gerald, I was not sure what you meant by F4 but I do now and have already ordered the guides to help align my rear lid.

Thank you all for your help and input. I do greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
James

Click to expand...

It wasn't that long ago I knew what a Spyder was but apart from that I knew nothing else about them.
It has been a learning curve for sure.

I dont claim to know everything about these rides but have been turning nuts and maintaining all my bikes and stuff since the early 70's.

The one thing I was told when I was 15 and being shown how to resurrect and go on to ride and maintain a barn find BSA Bantam was that there are no dumb questions. Except the ones you think about and dont ask. So dont be shy. I and other members benefit from the sharing of thoughts, questions and ideas.

There have been some recalls with the Spyders. You can check here if you haven't already.
Safety Recalls - Can-Am On-Road

For bits and pieces there are the local dealers or these guys.
They have some how to videos.


Gerald.

Late edit.

You may wish to obtain one of these to ensure your belt tension is correct.

I am hopping some of you kind, more experienced Can-Am Spyder riders may be able to answer a few basic questions. Any help is appreciated.

1. when I got my new Spyder is came with a better tender. I assume this was added, or do they come with one?

2. This is a two parter. First off can someone give me a rough estimate for what an oil change cost at a shop? I know it will very a lot but just a rough range.

Secondly, I am probably going to do my own oil changes. I have seen the kits for sale and have watched a few videos. My question is how difficult is it actually. I should note I have been doing my own maintenance on my motorcycles and do most mechanical work around the house. I’m told I have more tools than brains, and that’s probably correct.

3. Does anyone know of a place that sell touch up paints? I have a 2019 F3 Limited in the bright orange and there are a couple minor nicks I would like to touch up.

Thank you in advance for your help.

James

1. when I got my new Spyder is came with a better tender. I assume this was added, or do they come with one?

I dont think they do but they are a very good idea for these power hungry Spyders.

2
a This is a two parter. First off can someone give me a rough estimate for what an oil change cost at a shop? I know it will very a lot but just a rough range.

....... More than I guess I would like to pay as its not that a difficult job.
Hardest part for me is getting down there.
A picked a bit of carpet and lie on that.

b Secondly, I am probably going to do my own oil changes. I have seen the kits for sale and have watched a few videos. My question is how difficult is it actually. I should note I have been doing my own maintenance on my motorcycles and do most mechanical work around the house. I’m told I have more tools than brains, and that’s probably correct.

There are a couple of links I put up in post #16. Lamonster and Spyderpops for stuff - or your local dealer I guess.

I have done a change including that HCM filter. Easy enough if you can turn a nut.

Plenty on the U tube about this.
2 plugs to remove.
I bought the magnetic plugs set and added them to my order.

3. Does anyone know of a place that sell touch up paints? I have a 2019 F3 Limited in the bright orange and there are a couple minor nicks I would like to touch up.

Somewhere there should be a paint code for that KTM Special.

1. when I got my new Spyder is came with a better tender. I assume this was added, or do they come with one?

What brand and model of charger is it ? NO they don't normally come with one.
Good to connect when it just sits unused for a week or more at a time.

2. This is a two parter. First off can someone give me a rough estimate for what an oil change cost at a shop? I know it will very a lot but just a rough range.

Shop labor at my nearest shop is not $180 per hour........so the total cost at that shop
will be well over $200.

3. Does anyone know of a place that sell touch up paints?

I have NEVER seen a touch up job that looks better than the ding.
If it REALLY bothers you, have it professionally painted.