2021 Can-Am Ryker Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Can-Am Ryker, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering1321.0%
- Brakes1016.1%
- Electrical1016.1%
- Suspension812.9%
- Driver assistance69.7%
- Fuel system58.1%
- Other / unspecified46.5%
- Engine46.5%
- Exterior lighting23.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
When making left turns, the Ryker suddenly would ‘skip’ on the right hand side, as though it was lagging behind any time above about 35mph. This caused a safety concern because to keep with the speed of the road, the Ryker would begin to slip out of a turn and be unstable. No warning lights, brought to mechanic and they stated this was a common problem, enough that BRP has issued a service bulletin and they saw five with this problem in two weeks.
ALL recalls and updates (including the NHTSA steering rebuild kit, and the fender kit) have been performed on this vehicle, yet it has a persistent issue. The vehicle stability system engages with zero warning and at any speed and road condition. This immediately restricts the RPM to 5200 maximum, or approximately 57mph on a flat, 54 on an incline, 60 on a downhill. I have nearly lost my life due to it kicking in: -on the onramp to the highway with 80mph traffic behind me and having to immediately dodge and weave to the shoulder -in a sloping turn and the sudden change in vehicle performance nearly threw me off the bike at 50mph This condition cannot be reset without specialized software and hardware that is cost prohibitive to purchase as a consumer. It has also kicked in -just driving home on a straightaway, at 45mph -after making a legal, slow u turn -in my neighborhood access road at 30mph There are no lemon laws for motorcycles in Florida. The dealership has changed every component of the electrical system possible and has performed extensive service. It has sat for nearly half a year collectively at the shop waiting on parts or for service to be performed, and this is the largest powersports dealer in my area. They are out of solutions, and I'm stuck with an unsafe, unpredictable machine that I refuse to curse someone else with. Attached is most recent service bill with detailed work.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving the brake pedal stays stuck causing the brake lights to be illuminated while driving, and causing the motorcycle to activate the ABS
Brake light stays due to brake pedal stays stuck.. on while driving causing the motorcycle to be activate the ABS Also handlebar tends to become loose
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving the brake pedal stays stuck causing the brake lights to be illuminated while driving, and causing the motorcycle to activate the ABS
Brake light stays due to brake pedal stays stuck.. on while driving causing the motorcycle to be activate the ABS Also handlebar tends to become loose
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
When making left turns, the Ryker suddenly would ‘skip’ on the right hand side, as though it was lagging behind any time above about 35mph. This caused a safety concern because to keep with the speed of the road, the Ryker would begin to slip out of a turn and be unstable. No warning lights, brought to mechanic and they stated this was a common problem, enough that BRP has issued a service bulletin and they saw five with this problem in two weeks.
Front end wobble at 45+ miles an hour. The front end is not stable. The bike pulls left and right.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL recalls and updates (including the NHTSA steering rebuild kit, and the fender kit) have been performed on this vehicle, yet it has a persistent issue. The vehicle stability system engages with zero warning and at any speed and road condition. This immediately restricts the RPM to 5200 maximum, or approximately 57mph on a flat, 54 on an incline, 60 on a downhill. I have nearly lost my life due to it kicking in: -on the onramp to the highway with 80mph traffic behind me and having to immediately dodge and weave to the shoulder -in a sloping turn and the sudden change in vehicle performance nearly threw me off the bike at 50mph This condition cannot be reset without specialized software and hardware that is cost prohibitive to purchase as a consumer. It has also kicked in -just driving home on a straightaway, at 45mph -after making a legal, slow u turn -in my neighborhood access road at 30mph There are no lemon laws for motorcycles in Florida. The dealership has changed every component of the electrical system possible and has performed extensive service. It has sat for nearly half a year collectively at the shop waiting on parts or for service to be performed, and this is the largest powersports dealer in my area. They are out of solutions, and I'm stuck with an unsafe, unpredictable machine that I refuse to curse someone else with. Attached is most recent service bill with detailed work.
Tire wobble and stutter on left hand turns. Throws VSS fault code C600c and C60063
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Can-Am Ryker. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V855000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while trying to start the motorcycle, the motorcycle failed to start. The motorcycle remained at the residence. The motorcycle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,300. Parts distribution disconnect.
See attached document for complaint, Dear Administrator: I am sending this letter in reference to my 2021 Ryker. I received the letter this week about the recall, and I've been trying all week to get it taken care of. I reached out to the deal Big Number 1 located at 505 Cobb St Birmingham AL 35209 about this recall. This is the second recall that I have had since I purchased my bike. The last recall was no problem. I called the dealer, they set up the tow, completed the recall and I drove it back home. This time, I was told that I would have to pay for a tow. I called BRP and was told that the dealer could invoice them for the tow but Jeff at the dealer called and they told him that they would not. My warranty just expired but I have insurance and roadside assistance. From my understanding and what is written in the letter I received; this recall should not be of any cost to me. Currently, I am being told that I will have to pay for my bike to be towed. I am sending this email to get assistance with this. Since I received the letter, I have not been able to ride my bike. Big Number 1 is the dealer I bought it from there's not many locations in Birmingham. I need some assistance in getting my bike to the dealer to have this recall done. Could someone please give me a call to discuss what can be done? Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Front end wobble at 45+ miles an hour. The front end is not stable. The bike pulls left and right.
Less than one month old, not even 200 miles,had a VSS fault. Took to dealer they said it was a steering issue and fixed, so they said. Less than a month again same issue VSS fault steering Yaw sensor. Rook to dealer again they had bike about a month to fix and replaced many parts and no issue since, however this issue happens when making hard/deep left turns, now I have learned that. So when I ride I take it easy on these turns and cornering.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Antifreeze ia leaking from the radiator reservoir tank (seam) ,and cap
I bought the bike new and it is all stock, no addtl electrical additions. I was riding the bike had gone approx 35 miles the 1st & 2nd time and l was on a highway all of a sudden my bike lost power. It dropped speed from 65mph to under 40mph & my dash started to read VSS FAULT LIMP HOME..... I was almost hit multiple times by traffic coming up on me at higher speeds & bcz the bike has no emergency flashers l was almost struck. There were no service roads on HWY 380 East from Decatur, TX back to Denton, TX. So l was forced to ride on a hwy at 35-40mph w no hazards. I took it in to the dealership in Denton,TX at Freedom Powersports 2 days later the tech tells me it was maybe a brake fuse code. The bike was less than a year & less than 1500 miles on it. The 1st time it threw a VSS FAULT CODE l was on l-35 S heading to Dallas ,TX. l was about 20 miles out when the bike did the same thing it lost power as l was going about 65-67 mph. The bike was less than 3mo under 500 miles. The bike again quickly lost power & dropped speed fast down to 35mph & l saw the VSS LIMP HOME code come on my dash screen. I had to quickly change lanes & exit the interstate without being hit from behind bcz again l had no emergency flashers. I was told this time by Freedom Powersports of Lewisville,TX that it must have been a loose battery cable bcz the computer couldn't find any specific reason. It puts my life in grave danger & makes the bike un-reliable.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving the brake pedal stays stuck causing the brake lights to be illuminated while driving, and causing the motorcycle to activate the ABS
Brake light stays due to brake pedal stays stuck.. on while driving causing the motorcycle to be activate the ABS Also handlebar tends to become loose
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .