In the five years that I have owned my 2021 Spyder RT I have needed virtually no maintenance services. I've had a few oil changes and a rear tire replacement at the dealership where I bought the bike, but nothing outrageous in cost. Yesterday I dropped off the Spyder for an oil change and I suspected that I needed new brake pads. The dealership called me and said that I did need the brakes done, as well as needing a new rear tire (I sort of expected that as well) and a new drive belt which showed damage for a rock caught in the belt. When all was said and done, the bill was $1,900. I was stunned. With my own medical limitations there is no way that I can do the work myself, but the cost at the dealer seems crazy.
-
There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
I need to find an alternative to the dealership for routine maintenance
- Thread starter vito1943
- Start date
Little Blue
SpyderLovers Ambassador
Yes, it is the price of doing business anymore. I too, am having some health issues that keep me from dealing with
Spyder maintenance. I don't know what is in store but for now I pay the price.
Good Luck on Your Mission.
Spyder maintenance. I don't know what is in store but for now I pay the price.
Good Luck on Your Mission.
pegasus1300
Well-known member
Many of us ,for one reason or another, find ourselves aging out of the DIY Spyder maintenence business. Unfortuneately we will be facing the choice of paying the price or hanging up the helmet. If possible maybe you can spread the work out and do one job at a time. Or maybe teach an interested young person what to do. None of the items you mentioned are hard and with your supervision your apprentice could do them.
mecsw500
Active member
$1900? How are those gold plated calipers and disks working out for you?
ChatGTP figures between $1500 and $2400 dollars. It states $1200 to $1400 in parts. This is assuming they replaced rotors as well as pads. Obviously the labor is a little cheaper changing the belt at the same time as the rear tire as the wheel as to come out anyway. Oil changes are not cheap as it take 5 quarts of premium synthetic oil and changing it is a procedure being a dry sump machine. I'd want to see the damage on the belt for myself, but after two rear tire changes then the belt was probably due anyway.
Assuming the $1400 in parts, then $500 in labor is about right. If you subtract the tax from the $1900 then I would assume the dealer is charging about 3 hours of labor, which would be pretty quick work. So $1900 isn't that far out unfortunately.
Tango
Well-known member
Not knowing where you live. We have three independant shops on this site that post here often. They are all excellent, and don't over charge you! Lamonster in MO.; BAJARON in TN; and SPYDERPOPS in AR.. I have made the trip to all three for spyder work. YOU WON'T FIND BETTER CARE FOR YOUR SPYDER! They will go out of their way for you.
BryanSD
Member
I'm in agreement with @Tango, I just made a trip to Lamonster Garage and the labor costs were much more reasonable than most dealers. However, I can't say there was much savings due to the travel costs to get there, stay there, and the return trip. I went there for their expertise in the products they sell and install more than routine maintenance. Besides Elka shocks and a sway bar, I did get an oil change and new front tires when I was there. It was a once in a life-time visit for me unless my wife wants the same treatment for her Spyder.
If the mechanics and service is good at your local dealer I would stick with them despite the costs. Good mechanics at Can-Am dealers are unfortunately difficult to find (mine was horrible when I first bought the Spyder but has improved greatly these past few years). I assume the higher costs is so they keep those better mechanics around longer. If you're not happy with your current dealer's service, then it may be time to visit another dealer or find a trusted independent shop near you. If it's a mechanics that doesn't have much experience with Spyder's you might consider doing a hybrid DIY approach. You buy all the necessary parts and tools so the mechanic doesn't have to look up parts numbers but have the mechanic do the actual work.
If the mechanics and service is good at your local dealer I would stick with them despite the costs. Good mechanics at Can-Am dealers are unfortunately difficult to find (mine was horrible when I first bought the Spyder but has improved greatly these past few years). I assume the higher costs is so they keep those better mechanics around longer. If you're not happy with your current dealer's service, then it may be time to visit another dealer or find a trusted independent shop near you. If it's a mechanics that doesn't have much experience with Spyder's you might consider doing a hybrid DIY approach. You buy all the necessary parts and tools so the mechanic doesn't have to look up parts numbers but have the mechanic do the actual work.
EdMat
Well-known member
And don't forget Thornoli's in Houston, TX
Tango
Well-known member
Thanks for adding him. One I have yet to meet.
Similar threads
