Can AM's vs Goldwings and others

[n1njazx7]

If you buy a Spyder new you can get a prepaid maintenance plan as I did. This means for 3 years all you have to do is drop it off and pick it up. I got a smoking deal on my maintenance plan as they (salesman) messed up the numbers when he made me an offer. The owner stood by that deal as this was the third new bike I had gotten there. I only paid $1200 for my plan (3 years). I have yet to use my dealer service but I can tell you that they charge $125 an hour! No way would I pay that price. So far my wife and I just love our new Spyder but time will tell.

[Razor]

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&lt;div class=&quot;message&quot;&gt;I am thinking of getting a trike and considering Can Am, Goldwing. What are the pros and cons?&lt;br /&gt;<br />
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&lt;/div&gt;I had a 2012 Spyder RT SEM5. After a year and 4900 miles of trying to like it I had enough. It was not big enough for me and my wife to ride. Her jacket zipper was wearing the center of my jacket in the back. Both of us and our gear weight probably 450 pounds. It was one scary ride in the mountains. No matter what curve we went around I had to reduce speed to below the posted limit on the yellow signs. I sold it and had my 2012 1800 triked with a Motor Trike Razor kit. It has plenty of room for my wife and a back rest for me.<br />
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It also rides better and get better gas mileage and handles like a sports car.

There is nothing about the Spyder I could say that is good. It spent five weeks in the shop getting the clutch pack replaced. It would shut down at stop signs, the seat was coming apart and it got terrible gas mileage. And you will love it when a rock breaks the drive belt.

[Pegasus1300]

Do any of you Spyder riders have the new 3 cyl 6 speed 1300 cc trike yet.Has anybody seen or ridden it that was familiar with the old set up?

[KeithsBMW]

Bought 2012 Can Am Spyder RT, put 5500 miles on it before selling it for half of what it cost me in 2013. All the safety features were a plus, but could not get the dealer I bought it from to repair manufacturing defects in the trike under warranty. Seems BRP labor for one defect would pay 48 minutes labor for replacing rear suspension air bag. Had to replace air bag myself, costing $200 and about 7 hrs. of labor. Filed complaint with BBB which went unanswered by dealer, and BRP was no help at all. As for the Spyder, Loved the electric paddle shifter, Handled well in the twisties, but the power steering is non existent after leaving the parking lot. Definitely lacking torque, requiring high rpms and a lot of shifting. Decent Gas mileage 32mpg but gas gauge failed after 2500 miles. Very poor braking.<br />
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and storage a problem due to compartment shapes.

The 2014 model has addressed many of the shortcomings of previous models and is a much better trike. Improved braking, more power, runs at lower RPMs (now 6 speed, 3 cylinder) better gas mileage also. In comparison my BMW K1600 seems better in many ways. Much more HP and torque, better gas mileage, bigger tank, better storage, more comfortable, no manufacturing defects, But doesn't have electronic tilt prevention, and really miss that paddle shifter! Final advice, If touring is your thing, would definitely go with Gold Wing or BMW.

[Bill Reber]

Don't know about the new 3 cylinder motor on the spyder but the V Twin WILL NOT beat the 1800 wing 0 to 60 or on a roll on , been there done that !

[Razor]

I have heard good things about the 2014 but it is still in the Honeymoon phase. I would recommend carrying a spare drive belt in the frunk. It will take several years before I consider buying a Can Am product again. I don't like being a member of their R&amp;amp;D department and using my check book to finance it. I could not believe 28 MPG on the interstate riding two up was as good as it gets. We have a modified 2012 Mustang with 440 HP that gets 27-29 highway. They say there will always be prayer in school as long as there are test. Well I prayed every time we were passed my a semi truck. After putting some miles on the GW trike I could never go back to a Spyder. The Spyder scared the ever liven daylights out of me when we were riding two up. Even if all had been good I still felt like I was riding a four wheeler.<br />
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I hope for the sake of people that truly like the Spyder design that Can Am gets it right with the 2014 and starts treating their customers like humans.

I'm not talking about the dealers. I'm talking about the way Can Am treats their dealers and customers. Waiting weeks for warranty parts and paying their dealers almost nothing to do the work and even more important not responding to calls. Here's a test. How many Spyders out there are running the original engine with 100k mile. I would be willing to bet ZERO. How many 1800 with over 300k and still running strong, a bunch... I know you guys are worried about me but I will be OK. I just hate it when a company treats its customers and dealers the way Can Am does. Anyway, that's my humble opinion and that's what it appears like to me.<br />
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Experience is learning from your own stupidity. Wisdom is learning from others experience.

The choice is yours. Its a shame Honda has not made a reverse trike.

[DJFaninTN]

i have a 2013 RT Limited and so far it is great. yes it is totally different than a two wheel or regular trike. IMO that is the reason some coming from either two or a trike seem to struggle. it is like driving a four wheeler. if you ever consider getting one the first thing you need to do is replace the sway bar and get a real laser alignment done as well. it will make all the difference in the world on how that bike handles. &lt;br /&gt;<br />
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you have to keep the rpm's up on the earlier models. another thing that can be an issue if you are not used to doing that. on the new 14's they do shift at a lower rpm and they do have a 6 speed transmission. i haven't had the opportunity to drive one of those yet but cannot wait until I do.<br />
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i think finding a dealer who knows what they are doing is key.

it's a shame that BRP does have some bad dealers out there who really are not up to speed on some of their issues.

[bikerbillone]

That's a lot of doing to make the CanAm the way ya want it. Just sayin'.

[RTwing]

I think reverse trikes are the wave of the future. I am sure there will be many more to follow Can-Am or even take the lead in years to come.
It's a terrific design concept as the steering is designed for the purpose and stability under braking is superior. It's a sound concept that just hasn't quite come to light - yet.

[Hdsteal]

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&lt;div class=&quot;message&quot;&gt;i have a 2013 RT Limited and so far it is great. yes it is totally different than a two wheel or regular trike. IMO that is the reason some coming from either two or a trike seem to struggle. it is like driving a four wheeler. if you ever consider getting one the first thing you need to do is replace the sway bar and get a real laser alignment done as well. it will make all the difference in the world on how that bike handles. &lt;br /&gt;<br />
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you have to keep the rpm's up on the earlier models. another thing that can be an issue if you are not used to doing that. on the new 14's they do shift at a lower rpm and they do have a 6 speed transmission. i haven't had the opportunity to drive one of those yet but cannot wait until I do.<br />
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i think finding a dealer who knows what they are doing is key.

it's a shame that BRP does have some bad dealers out there who really are not up to speed on some of their issues.&lt;/div&gt;<br />
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&lt;/div&gt;Have test rode Can-Ams in the past, but not the newest. Sure the increased hp will be a plus. But for touring/2-up it can't stand up to the bigger motors. Eventually there will be more/better &amp;quot;front wheel&amp;quot; trikes, best is yet to come. Think what says it all is taken from the above:&lt;br /&gt;<br />
&amp;quot;2013 RT Limited..... if you ever consider getting one the first thing you need to do is replace the sway bar and get a real laser alignment done as well&amp;quot;. If I buy a brand new item and I have to modify to that extent, somethings just not right with that. No matter if it is minimal cost.&lt;br /&gt;<br />
Drove the Piaggio MP3 500 as well, but sold due to Piaggio &amp;amp; dealer network/parts-it's a big consideration.

[FRR]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Tango</strong>
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<div class="message">Owning a GW trike means 2 maintenance isssues(bike+trike) to take care of. A typical dealer visit to do my trike was $300. That was every 8,000 miles. What are the Spyder's charged for a visit? <img src="images/smilies/lurking smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="lurker" class="inlineimg" /> Tom <img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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</div>Why would you ever have a dealer do a 8,000 mile service on a Wing. Everything on that list can be done in anyone's garage

[sassoman]

I have been riding two wheelers for almost fifty years. Decided to go to a trike,rode several and almost converted my 2012 Victory Cross Country.Compared the pricing and could buy a 2014 Can-Am RT-S for a little more than the conversion would cost after painting and adding reverse. So far my wife and I really like our choice,plenty of power.Good gas mileage. Very smooth. Yes,I am making a few changes,but I have done that with every motorcycle I have ever ridden. My Victory had to get different floor boards,highway bars,driver seat back rest,different windshield,stage 1 performance kit.Those items were not free. Not to mention with two up replacing the back tire every 6,000 miles. I purchased the Gas-N-Go so I have no maint.cost for three years and 3 more years of extended warr after that. My dealer also sells Victory and Honda,used trikes were at least 10K more than the Can-Am,and they gave me top dollar for my Victory. Ride the 2014 with the 3 cylinder and automatic before you count them out.I rode the 2013 and the 2014 back to back and was amazed at the improvements.<br />
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I can be in 6th gear at45 mph and just accelerate without down shifting,I could not do that on my Victory.

Gas mileage is high 30's and the trike is not broke in yet.I can see low 40's after we get some more miles.

[Razor]

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&lt;div class=&quot;message&quot;&gt;I have been riding two wheelers for almost fifty years. Decided to go to a trike,rode several and almost converted my 2012 Victory Cross Country.Compared the pricing and could buy a 2014 Can-Am RT-S for a little more than the conversion would cost after painting and adding reverse. So far my wife and I really like our choice,plenty of power.Good gas mileage. Very smooth. Yes,I am making a few changes,but I have done that with every motorcycle I have ever ridden. My Victory had to get different floor boards,highway bars,driver seat back rest,different windshield,stage 1 performance kit.Those items were not free. Not to mention with two up replacing the back tire every 6,000 miles. I purchased the Gas-N-Go so I have no maint.cost for three years and 3 more years of extended warr after that. My dealer also sells Victory and Honda,used trikes were at least 10K more than the Can-Am,and they gave me top dollar for my Victory. Ride the 2014 with the 3 cylinder and automatic before you count them out.I rode the 2013 and the 2014 back to back and was amazed at the improvements.<br />
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I can be in 6th gear at45 mph and just accelerate without down shifting,I could not do that on my Victory.

Gas mileage is high 30's and the trike is not broke in yet.I can see low 40's after we get some more miles.&lt;/div&gt;<br />
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&lt;/div&gt;If at all possible go to Spyder Fest this year. We went to the one in Maggie Valley last summer. The food and entertainment was amazing. We even got a $30 gift card for gas. &lt;br /&gt;<br />
The 2014 RT has had a few teething problems but it sounds like BRP has learned their lesson when it comes to being responsive to customer complaints. The new engine and trans in the 2014 RT sounds like a good combination. Hopefully the new Rotax 1330 with give the Honda 1832 a run for its money and last many thousands of mile. &lt;br /&gt;<br />
My 2120 RT SEM5 let me down for the last time coming home after Sypder Fest. I had my 2012 Gold Wing triked with a Motor Trike Razor kit. The Spyder will probably be in its third generation before the GW wears out.<br />
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I'll take another look at the Spyder at that point. By then it should be getting 100mpg and have an ice maker.

Congratulations on your new ride. Buy plenty of tooth picks to get the bugs off your teeth. Have fun and be safe.

[rhinozxq]

I've had a DFT GoldWing trike since 2005. My wife bought a 2011 Can Am RT Limited in 2011 after trying the goldwing and realizing it was more than she could handle at 5'. She found the Spyder to be just the thing for her. After I rode both for a year I went and bought a 2012 Can Am RT Limited in August of 2012 and the goldwing has only been ridden 3 times since then. It is at the point now that I put the GoldWing trike up for sale because I just enjoy the Spyder so much more. We live in NH and last year went to Greenville, SC for the WingDing rally in July. It was my wife's first long trip with her Spyder and we did 740 miles the first day and she was still ready to go more when we stopped. I'll tell you what I tell everyone that asks me what is better. Ride as many different trike brands as you can and find what works for you and your passenger. If we all like the same thing there would be a lot less choices to make.<br />
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Rick

[RTwing]

If you happen to be in MPLS next weekend (May 2nd and 3rd) Check out the 2014 Invention Expo - two of the new Endeavor RT conversions will be on display. One is a Valkyrie and the other is the GL1800.

[Tango]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>FRR</strong>
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<div class="message">Why would you ever have a dealer do a 8,000 mile service on a Wing. Everything on that list can be done in anyone's garage</div>

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</div>SO, are you offering? <img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" /> Both rear wheels must be removed after it is jacked up and supported to get to the rear end. My wing tech has 25 years at the same dealer. He rides and knows the wing inside and out. And he is the guy that does all the trike conversions. But if you have the equipment, and the know how. And you travel, come on over. <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" /> Tom <img src="images/smilies/doorag smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Doorag1" class="inlineimg" />

[FRR]

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&lt;img src=&quot;images/misc/quote_icon.png&quot; alt=&quot;Quote&quot; /&gt; Originally Posted by &lt;strong&gt;Tango&lt;/strong&gt;<br />
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&lt;div class=&quot;message&quot;&gt;SO, are you offering? &lt;img src=&quot;images/smilies/wink.gif&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; title=&quot;Wink&quot; class=&quot;inlineimg&quot; /&gt; Both rear wheels must be removed after it is jacked up and supported to get to the rear end. My wing tech has 25 years at the same dealer. He rides and knows the wing inside and out. And he is the guy that does all the trike conversions. But if you have the equipment, and the know how. And you travel, come on over. &lt;img src=&quot;images/smilies/thumbup.gif&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; title=&quot;<img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" />&quot; class=&quot;inlineimg&quot; /&gt; Tom &lt;img src=&quot;images/smilies/doorag smilie.gif&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; title=&quot;Doorag1&quot; class=&quot;inlineimg&quot; /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br />
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&lt;/div&gt;LOL....No..can't travel that far......I take the back wheels off my Hannigian all the time to clean the inside and it isn't difficult at all. As far as the motorcycle, the Wing at 8000 doesn't need much. Oil, filter, check a couple of items and that is it.<br />
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Several items to &amp;quot;inspect&amp;quot;, but unless the owner is Stevie Wonder most folks can probably do that.

My tech who has worked on Wings and everything else for the past 30 yrs said I was crazy if I bothered to change the plugs before 20,000. The guy that did my conversions, (actually the last 2) said he didn't expect to need to see me again, at least not until I roll up a lot of miles.

[Tango]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>FRR</strong>
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<div class="message">LOL....No..can't travel that far......I take the back wheels off my Hannigian all the time to clean the inside and it isn't difficult at all. As far as the motorcycle, the Wing at 8000 doesn't need much. Oil, filter, check a couple of items and that is it. Several items to &quot;inspect&quot;, but unless the owner is Stevie Wonder most folks can probably do that. My tech who has worked on Wings and everything else for the past 30 yrs said I was crazy if I bothered to change the plugs before 20,000. The guy that did my conversions, (actually the last 2) said he didn't expect to need to see me again, at least not until I roll up a lot of miles.</div>

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</div>I don't have the jack stands to support the trike. Before the shafts were welded they had to be pulled to check the splines. And, my belly gets in the way when this old guy tries to get under anything. For peace of mind I was letting them do it. <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" class="inlineimg" /> Tom <img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" />

[RTwing]

I test rode the Can-am and loved everything about it while I was in the saddle.

Back in the showroom after I heard a service was almost $1,000 and I started thinking about all the built in stuff that could go wrong with new products and how expensive it was going to be to have it worked on at the dealership I left it alone. Also it sat too much like a sports bike and not a road cruiser even though I drove the RT model.

I then bought the Harley Tri-glide and disliked the heat issue so I sold it.

Now we have a Honda Gold Wing and love evrything about it but a rattle in the dash.

Test them all and buy the one you like the best.

If you are here there is plenty of good information about the heat issue with the Harley and if you are willing to add another $2k to fix it then that is OK.

The rattle is due to the windscreen adjusters rattling against the screen and mounts - I never adjust mine and keep it in the full down position so the fix was to remove the front garnish then place rubber O rings under all the windscreen mounting screws. Rattle is gone for good.

I can say the spyder is a great concept and product but the VSS and other overkill electronics are a real problem especially when it comes to forced maintenance and the all to common limp mode.
Picture riding down a 4 lane at 70 then suddenly going into limp mode and 30mph. Seems pretty dangerous to me.
GL converted to a RT is the best of all worlds and you can do your own maintenance.