The End

It had to happen…

But… it wasn’t due to a breakdown, a puncture, or any annoyance or problem.

After almost eight years (2018 to 2026) and just over 31,069mi50,000km, the moment finally arrived for The Thing to head back to the dealership in search of another happy owner.

It was a fantastic machine, but it was time to stop here.

During this time, it behaved impeccably. It never left us stranded or refused to work when called upon, and apart from two issues — serious, annoying, but promptly resolved — it delivered exemplary performance!

But let’s look at the numbers…

Over this period, the total running cost amounted to around €9,000:

€5,381.13 in fuel
€1,280.00 in insurance
€875.71 in oil and filter changes
€492.87 in other maintenance parts
€698.80 in tyres
€207.98 in repairs
Total: €8,936.49

Naturally, the biggest slice went to fuel (average of 34.6mpg(US)6.8l/100km) and insurance (nearly 75% of total).

In terms of maintenance, most of the cost came from oil and filter changes, averaging €125 per service.

These maintenance costs make sense because, from the second year onward, all servicing was done at home. So there were practically no labour costs — the total went entirely into parts.

As for parts, it required:

2 sets of rear brake pads (about 12,427mi20,000km each)
4 sets of front brake pads (about 13,670mi22,000km each)
3 spark plugs (24,855mi40,000km each)
3 air filters (one per year or every 9,321mi15,000km) and 1 reusable
7 oil filters (one per year or every 9,321mi15,000km)
1 transmission filter (24,855mi40,000km each)
1 evaporation filter (24,855mi40,000km each)
1 fuel filter (24,855mi40,000km each)

Tyres used (besides the original ones):

1 set of front tyres (27,962mi45,000km each)
2 rear tyres (12,427mi20,000km each)

It also had one repair at my expense (€207.98) — replacement of the front pulley (see here).

Outside of running costs, there was also some investment in accessories (€1,501.08):

1 set (2) of heated grips
1 rear shock
1 set (2) of LED lights for the front fenders
1 set (2) of LED lights for low/high beams
1 front skid plate (protection)
1 belt tensioner (which I eventually removed)
2 bottles of anti‑puncture sealant

All in all, a running cost of about €1,200 per year, an average of 4,101mi6,600km mi/year, which comes to roughly €0.3 per mile.

Looking at the maintenance intervals, it’s clear that the Rotax 1330 ACE engine is indeed inexpensive to maintain.

We had two atypical years (lockdown), so the real costs might have been slightly higher, but not by much.

I have no idea whether this is cheap or expensive, but it doesn’t seem excessive. Of course, on top of all this comes the purchase price, which is astronomical and distorts any attempt at rationality.

These vehicles are not cheap — that’s well known… But even today, they remain very exclusive, unique machines, and that comes at a price.

So, on 18/03/2026, the Spyder was loaded up and sent to Benimoto in search of a new owner.

Looking back, the balance could only be extremely positive. Revisiting the photos of our trips makes us realise that every kilometre was worth it. Travelling by road — whether short or long distances — is something that gives us immense pleasure… This incredible machine is, for us, the right vehicle to head out with the wind in our faces.

Anyone who rides a motorcycle already knows this freedom, the adventure, the feeling of experiencing the environment you pass through — the Spyder lets us enjoy that same delicious feeling that makes us feel alive.
The riding experience isn’t the same, that’s true. But as I’ve said before, it’s not even slightly less fun, nor less physical — it’s just different. And it leaves us with the same smile on our faces when we head up (or down) the mountain roads.

A true therapy of mind and wind.

For all these reasons, going back to two wheels is out of the question… We love motorcycles, but at this stage, travelling two‑up with the comfort and safety the Spyder gives us simply doesn’t compare. It takes us practically everywhere we would go on a motorcycle, but in a safer, more stable and more comfortable way.

So… :)