Spyder shopping - 998 vs 1330, is the 1330 that much better?

[Slickster]

Spyder shopping, seems like the 998 is a good motor, bikes are way cheaper, is the 1330 that much better? What year did they change to 1330? Thanks!

 

[2dogs]

The 998 is a two-cylinder motor, and the 1330 is a three-cylinder motor. The 1330 is way more powerful and much more fuel efficient. They brought out the 1330 in 2014, and it is possibly one of the least problematic models of the 1330 lineup. However, knowing this forum, my last sentence will be hotly debated for many, many posts. Being partial to my ride, I just had to slip that comment in. LOL

 

[BajaRon]

As 2dogs says, you'll get a lot of opinions. There are, of course, a good number of advantages and disadvantages to each option. The 998 is a great motor, and if ridden as designed, will keep up with the 1330 no problem.

Without going into a great deal of tedious text. My simple advice is, if you are sure you are going to like the Spyder and keep it for a good length of time, and you can afford it, then look for a later model.

If, however, you are not 100% sold on the concept and you're testing the waters to see if a Spyder is right for you, then the 998 models become much more inviting, because these are great machines in their own right. I'm still riding my 2008 GS and loving it.

With an older 998 model, you can get into the platform for well less than 1/2 the money. If you change your mind or decide to move up to a later model, you can usually get your money back out of the original purchase.

The 2 that I would avoid would be the 2010 and 2013 RT as BRP cut corners on these 2 models. Though with some upgrades, these can be just as good as any others.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[Bangorbob]

I've had both. I think the 998 is a real hot rod. My current 1330 is tamed and refined. Have to agree with MPG.

 

[Snoking1127]

Personally I like the full digital dash introduced in the 2018 models, to the point that I have two of them. The 2019 RT chrome wheels are in my option the best looking wheel Can Am had. Because the OEM wheel is so expensive I have PPA Orb wheels on bolt of mine. The same wheel is on some F3 and some 2020+ RT's.

 

[Fogboundturtle]

1330c is a better engine. If you add a PedalBox or PedalCommander, you will wake it up from it slumber and really makes it the BEST choice.

 

[Bfromla]

As 2dogs says, you'll get a lot of opinions. There are, of course, a good number of advantages and disadvantages to each option. The 998 is a great motor, and if ridden as designed, will keep up with the 1330 no problem.

Without going into a great deal of tedious text. My simple advise is, if you are sure you are going to like the Spyder and keep it for a good length of time, and you can afford it. Look for a later model.

If, however, you are not 100% sold on the concept and you're testing the waters to see if a Spyder is right for you, then the 998 models become much more inviting. Because these are great machines in their own right. I'm still riding my 2008 GS and loving it.

With an older 998 model, you can get into the platform for well less than 1/2 the money. If you change your mind or decide to move up to a later model, you can usually get your money back out of the original purchase.

The 2 that I would avoid would be the 2010 and 2013 RT as BRP cut corners on these 2 models. Though with some upgrades, these can be just as good as any others.

Good luck in your quest!

Agree & unfortunately, the 998 is discontinued as well, so limited in many parts, and sadly, many dealers have stopped working on anything 10+ yrs old. Additionally, the 1330's have 6 gears vs 5 for the 998. Highly recommended taking a 3-wheel training course that offers Spyders. Previous motorcycle training means you will have to unlearn some things.

 

[Slickster]

I have about 300,000mi on two wheels, back issues have me on three wheels right now, riding a Ryker and enjoying it, wife and I toured the US and Canada a fair bit... thinking Spyder might be the ticket for us, will probably seek a 1330, thanks for the replies.

 

[Columbia]

I have the V-twin. I wish I had the three cylinder.
Main reason isn't so much the actual engine, although that's part of it (fuel economy is a major benefit in my book.) It's access.
Neither bike is set up to do maintenance. The plastic panels on any Spyder are a pain. But spark plugs and wires, from what I can tell, are a bit easier to get to on the 1330 vs the 998.
When I get a new (used) vehicle, I like to replace wires and plugs along with an oil change, so I know what's in there. I studied all that I would need to remove to replace plugs and wires and said "Screw that!" Others here said the bike will do fine with its original set. I'm not comfortable with that, but I'm less comfortable with the task of removing all the bloody Tupperware.
YMMV, of course!

 

[Jackhartjr]

I have the V-twin. I wish I had the three cylinder.
Main reason isn't so much the actual engine, although that's part of it (fuel economy is a major benefit in my book.) It's access.
Neither bike is set up to do maintenance. The plastic panels on any Spyder are a pain. But spark plugs and wires, from what I can tell, are a bit easier to get to on the 1330 vs the 998.
When I get a new (used) vehicle, I like to replace wires and plugs along with an oil change, so I know what's in there. I studied all that I would need to remove to replace plugs and wires and said "Screw that!" Others here said the bike will do fine with its original set. I'm not comfortable with that, but I'm less comfortable with the task of removing all the bloody Tupperware.
YMMV, of course!

Once you remove the Tupperware, it's very easy, and fast! I recommend the Magic mirrors, makes it much easier!

 

[BajaRon]

Getting to the plugs on a 1330 is no picnic either. But you're going to have a very hard time replacing the wires for that motor.

Putting a JT1 air cleaner on the 998 changes everything.

 

[Gwolf]

Without getting into opinions of which is better, the twins are no longer in production. They will run into parts availability problems and dealers no longer wanting to work on them, long before the 1330s. All the twins are older and most have far more miles on them. Looking for something that will be around longer and uses parts you can still buy without going to junked out wrecks to cannibalise, the 1330 would be the right choice. All of the models have certain quirks and problems, but the latest models will be around longer.

 

[blacklightning]

I agree with nearly all of the above opinions on the 998 vs 1330. I know around here it is very hard to find someone to work on the 998 versions of the spyders. But as stated above it is easy to get into a 998 for cheap right now, although you can find an early model 1330 for around $10k if you are patient. I will admit that the exhaust note of the 998 is way better than the 1330 no matter what exhaust you put on it.

 

[Slickster]

Health issues have kept me couch bound... which is about to change. I'm still shopping, will probably go with 1330 motor, lots have really low mileage - some 10 year old bikes have less than 10,000 miles! I looked at a 2018 recently, pretty ride, that had 57,000 miles. Is that too many? Should I keep looking? My budget is about $12,000... Thanks.

 

[Gwolf]

Health issues have kept me couch bound....about to change....still shopping, probably go with 1330 motor, lots have really low mileage btw.....some 10 year old bikes have less than 10,000 miles, looked at a 2018 recently, pretty ride....57,000 miles....too many? Keep looking?.....budget about $12,000.....thanks....

Miles on any vehicle are not as critical as regular maintenance while the miles are being put on it. Also give consideration to the type of miles it's done. If it is a one owner vehicle, you may be able able to collect some information through just normal conversation. If it was used mostly on touring, then higher miles would not be as bad as if it was mainly used in city areas with short trips and lots of stops and idling at lights. The Spyder is a water cooled engine and maintains a fairly constant temperature during operation. This makes the miles less critical than on an air cooled engine, where engine temperatures can vary widely in city traffic. The variation in temperatures causes a lot more wear.

Your comment about the really pretty ride with 57,000 miles may give some idea how well maintained (as far as washed, cleaned, not scratched) but you cannot tell anything about engine wear or other periodic maintenance by how pretty the outside is. You should ask if it was maintained by a dealership and if the records are available. If it is owner maintained, the records may be available for that also. Ask about changing the brake fluid, oil, and filters. Of course, you are the one making the decision and doing the buying, but low miles on the vehicle should count for more than how pretty the vehicle is. Cleaning and detailing can usually make just about any vehicle look pretty. Low miles and maintenance records should count for more than pretty and shiny.

If the Spyder you are looking at has been ridden on roads that were salted very much, that will have an effect on condition too. If it is from the North and was properly stored during the winter months, the road salt would not be an issue; but if it was stored outdoors (covers or not) that is not good. You can't tell everything just from the miles. You are in Florida and the local Spyders for sale would probably not be subject to salty roads, but if the Spyder was brought down to Florida from up North, it might be worth asking some questions.

This was a long answer that did not clarify how many miles is too many, but there is no clear answer to that. What kind of miles, city conditions or open road conditions, and the regular maintainance, as well as what part of the country the vehicle came from, will give a better idea of which is the better deal. If there is no real rush, then search the local dealerships, as well as other brand dealerships where one may have been traded in or left on consignment for sale. The Internet can provide some possible deals also. Cycle Trader has some 1330 Ace Spyders currently for sale between $10 and $15 thousand. There are also some Polaris Dealers in Florida that currently have Spyders for sale in the same price range. I hope some of this helps! Good luck with the search!

 

[Peter Aawen]

Health issues have kept me couch bound... which is about to change. I'm still shopping, will probably go with 1330 motor, lots have really low mileage - some 10 year old bikes have less than 10,000 miles! I looked at a 2018 recently, pretty ride, that had 57,000 miles. Is that too many? Should I keep looking? My budget is about $12,000... Thanks.

It doesn't really matter if it's a 998 V-Twin or a 1330 ACE Triple - 57,000 miles is probably ALMOST run in miles wise, and both the Spyder & motor should be starting to free up and hit their straps by now! Look at it this way, covering ONLY 57,000 miles in 7 years or so works out to be an average of just over 8,000 miles a year, which is not really a heap of riding, so check its maintenance records. Any really looong periods between services should be looked into, to make sure it wasn't sitting in a workshop somewhere while they tried to work out what some esoteric or inexplicable problem was; but if I'm buying second hand, I'll much rather buy a machine that's been used a bit and well maintained over one that's barely been used, or maybe has been a dud and spent most of it's life sitting in a shop waiting for parts!

I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, but I reckon that buying a 2nd hand Spyder that's been sitting around degrading for a few years or more; maybe only been serviced a couple of times in its life if it's lucky; and/or has done anything much less than an average of about 4-5000 miles a year is potentially more of a risk than a Spyder that's been lovingly used and well maintained and done 20,000+ miles a year!!

Just Sayin'

 

[jdgretz]

If you are not adverse to doing a fly and ride, or having the bike shipped to you, there are a number of 2023 Spyder RT's/RT Limited's in your price range (just looking at Cycletrader.com). Coming from a Goldwing, where 100,000 is just broken in, finding a Spyder with under 30,000 miles should not be too difficult.

This one looks interesting - other than one crappy looking wheel (new wheels from Slingmods and others are around $400), this could be a reasonable deal for the two of you to tour on:

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2021-Can-Am-Spyder+F3+Limited+Dark-5037409647#sid=448889

or this RT Limited from the company I got my 2024 from here in California:

https://www.tri-countypowersports.com/--xInventoryDetail?id=16705673

I know this last one has been sitting on their lot for a couple of months. IIRC, a husband and wife both traded in their bikes for newer Spyders.

Good luck with your search.