2012 can am rt purchase

[Dray]

I am considering buying a 2012 can am with the auto tranny and have a few questions about can ams.
1) has the problem with the gas in the tank being at hi temps been solved?
2) is the automatic transmission part of the the engine case or seperate?
3) does the engine and tranny use the same oil?
4) what is the normal engine temp at cruise?
5) what is considered normal mpg?
6) would you buy a auto tranny cam am again?
7) does a hi performance exhaust make enough differnce in performance/mpg
to warrant the expense?

Any and all opinions/experience is appreciated!!!

Dray

 

[Big Red]

I just get a harley and get it over and done

 

[spydercatjohn]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Dray</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=182839#post182839" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">I am considering buying a 2012 can am with the auto tranny and have a few questions about can ams. <br />
1) has the problem with the gas in the tank being at hi temps been solved?<br />
2) is the automatic transmission part of the the engine case or seperate?<br />
3) does the engine and tranny use the same oil?<br />
4) what is the normal engine temp at cruise?<br />
5) what is considered normal mpg?<br />
6) would you buy a auto tranny cam am again?<br />
7) does a hi performance exhaust make enough differnce in performance/mpg<br />
to warrant the expense?<br />
<br />
Any and all opinions/experience is appreciated!!!<br />
<br />
Dray</div>

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</div>
</div>I have a 2013 RT. I think all motorcycles have some heat issues because everything is compact. MPG is about 30. I have the SE5 automatic and would buy it again. At cruise engine temp is halfway up the gauge. Wife and I find the bike is comfortable and handles well. Stock performance is good if you stay in the powerband 5000 to 7000 rpm. No problem passing at freeway speeds.

 

[Livin2Ride]

To answer your questions:
1. No
2. One unit
3. Yes
4. About the same as your car, it's water cooled with a thermostat
5. 28 - 30
6. No, unless I was going to pull their trailer then yes, makes backing up much easier
7. No

Also I agree with Big Red

 

[FRR]

Of the folks that own Can Ams in my area that I have spoken with the maim concern is poor gas mileage and the cost and time or any repairs. With that said, several of the owners love them and wouldn't want anything else. The trouble with Harley is if you read the thread on this site there are literally dozen of complaints about heat, comfort and the big money the owners have to spend to get satisfaction with these issues, including poor power.<br />
Can Am operate on a totally different set of dynamics then regular Trikes. There are other options, which I am sure you are aware of, then these two. Pick what is best for you and enjoy the ride.

 

[oldbear]

Also be aware that the early RT's had a bunch of problems with the on board computer and power steering systems (check out the Spyderrider.com site). I don't know if these issues have been corrected on later models or not, but I would darn sure do some serious checking before I put down my $$. If the problems have been fixed, and if it suits your riding style, go for it!

 

[TUSK]

I had a 2010 RT with auto trans. Loved it. Most comfortable ride I ever had. However, in the 22 months I owned it, it was in the shop 89 days. Mostly electrical/computer problems. Had the throttle body replaced twice. The maintenance cost is about 3 times higher than the HD TriGlide I now ride.<br />
<br />
I have not had one problem with the HD.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Dray, just sold my 2012 Can Am RT-S SE5. It was my second Spyder. Rode them for 4 years.I now have a '13 Tri Glide and much happier<br />
See my comments below next to your questions<br />
<br />
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Dray</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=182839#post182839" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">I am considering buying a 2012 can am with the auto tranny and have a few questions about can ams.<br />
<br />
1) has the problem with the gas in the tank being at hi temps been solved?<br />
No<br />
2) is the automatic transmission part of the the engine case or seperate?<br />
Yes part of engine<br />
3) does the engine and tranny use the same oil?<br />
Yes<br />
4) what is the normal engine temp at cruise?<br />
Unknown but heat comes from catalytic Converter and headers trapped under lots of body plastic<br />
5) what is considered normal mpg?<br />
25-30 mpg depends on solo or two up<br />
6) would you buy a auto tranny cam am again?<br />
Yes they work great<br />
7) does a hi performance exhaust make enough differnce in performance/mpg<br />
to warrant the expense?<br />
Yes to better performance, No to better gas mpg<br />
<br />
Any and all opinions/experience is appreciated!!!<br />
<br />
They are great machines held back by few and poor dealerships. Good techs are even harder to find.<br />
<br />
Dray</div>

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[mhgoldwing]

Not a Can-am fan but have read and heard that major improvements from the frame up available on new models. Might want to check it out.

 

[rhino 2]

I had a spyder for 3 years [08 to 11] Many days in the shop, Over the 3 years at least 70/80 days in the shop, And thats not counting the down time when i had to repair it myslef. When ever i went out for a ride i would never know if i would get back with out breaking down, Had to call my Son a few times to come and get me with my trailer. Have the T/G almost two years now 20 thousand miles and no down time..

 

[TexasAl]

I have had a spyder for 4+ years. They are kinda neat however they are underpowered and rely on power steering and stability controls to function. This is what happens when you put wheels on a snowmobile without redesigning the suspension to function on the road.

 

[RoadBoss]

I had the use of my brother in law's Spyder for a month last summer. I absolutely loved it. I did not find it underpowered for what it was supposed to be. It is not a Hayabusa nor is it designed to be one. My understanding is that many of the problems that plagued the early Spyders have been solved.

 

[bongobobny]

The 2013's now have driver FLOORBOARDS instead of pegs! I still don't like the riding comfort but I'm sure the floorboards help...

 

[Buckin']

Congrats!

 

[Huelshorst]

Can Am 2014 Spyder has a inline 3 cylinder with a 6 speed transmission rated at 1330cc. Surprised it took them so long. Anyhow, I'd like to know why you would buy one over the other. My Harley motortrike Ultra Classic is fine, no problems but just for discussion, what would I gain or lose buying a Spyder. I did test ride one couple years ago and thought the 2 wheels up front had very sensitive steering plus it was underpowered.

 

[0pini0nated]

To be clear, only the Spyder <u><b><font color="Blue">RT</font></b></u> has the Rotax ACE engine + 6-speed trans. The (less expensive) RS and ST models still have 1-liter, 2-cylinder engines and 5-speed transmissions.<br />
<br />
Also, look at the BRP.com site ~ they've got some Fall discounts for new, unused models.<br />
.

 

[netminder]

As with any big purchase, research as much as you can. We also rented one for a day, just to be sure before we made the purchase. Some dealers will even pay the rental cost if you end up buying from them. Good luck!