Can-Am Spyder ST (2013–2016): The Sport-Touring Spyder
Four model years, several distinct equipment packages, and a unique place in Can-Am Spyder history.
The Spyder ST arrived for the 2013 model year as the sport-touring middle ground between the compact RS and the full-touring RT. Its more upright riding position, manually adjustable windshield and wind deflectors provided additional touring accommodation without the RT's more extensive bodywork. A two-person seat, passenger grab handles and adjustable passenger footboards made passenger comfort part of the original ST formula.
The U.S. ST family spans four model years, 2013–2016. Its equipment packages changed during that run, but its powertrain identity did not: every ST retained the 998 cc V-twin and five-speed platform. Unlike the RT, the ST never moved to the 1330 cc three-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission.
What makes an ST an ST?
The ST combines an upright rider position and useful wind protection with compact sport-touring bodywork. The windshield and wind deflectors are central to that character, but they do not establish the exact trim: screens, seats, luggage and other accessories can be changed after purchase.
Across all four model years, the foundation is a liquid-cooled Rotax 998 cc, 60-degree V-twin with double overhead camshafts and eight valves. A belt drives the rear wheel. Dynamic Power Steering assists steering effort, while anti-lock braking, traction control and stability control form part of the vehicle's safety systems. The parking brake is electrically operated.
The front suspension uses double A-arms and an anti-roll bar; the rear uses a swingarm and a single shock absorber. Model year and trim determine the finer equipment details, including the available transmission, front shocks, rider footboards, convenience features and luggage.
The ST models and trims
The ST name covers several distinct factory packages. For a used machine, establish its model year, original trim and transmission before treating the installed accessories as evidence of factory specification.
ST base, 2013–2015
The base ST was offered with either the SM5 manual or SE5 electronically shifted transmission. Standard equipment included the manually adjustable windshield, rider footpegs, sport-touring seat, adjustable passenger footboards and front storage compartment.
Cruise control and side luggage should not be described as standard base-ST features. Their presence on a particular machine may reflect accessories or later changes rather than its original equipment package.
ST-S, 2013–2015
The ST-S added cruise control and a more distinctive factory appearance, including premium or dark-finish wheels and trim, premium fenders with LED lighting, and painted A-arms and spoiler treatment. Both SM5 and SE5 versions were offered.
The transmission matters when comparing rider accommodation: ST-S rider footboards were fitted to the SE5 version; the SM5 version used rider pegs. Passenger footboards are a separate feature and should not be confused with the rider's foot position.
ST Limited, 2013–2015
The ST Limited was the most extensively equipped touring package in the family and was offered with SE5 only. It added removable, color-matched side luggage advertised at 68 liters of combined capacity, heated rider grips, AM/FM/iPod audio, a front-compartment liner and 12-volt outlet, a signature seat and chrome 12-spoke wheels.
Factory GPS equipment changed within the Limited's run: the Garmin zumo 660 was listed for 2013–2014, followed by the zumo 590 for 2015. On a used machine, confirm that the unit, mounting hardware and wiring remain present and functional.
Side cases alone do not prove that an ST is a Limited. An ST-S can receive luggage and other touring accessories; original model documentation and the complete equipment package provide a more reliable identification.
2015 ST-S Special Series
The 2015 ST-S Special Series was a distinct factory SE5 package, not simply a paint option. Its equipment and appearance included red machined six-high-blade wheels, Special Series graphics and a three-tone suede signature seat.
The listed color combinations were California Green Pearl/Pearl White and Can-Am Red/Pearl White. These details are useful when checking an original package, but color or a replacement seat by itself is not sufficient to authenticate a Special Series machine.
2016 U.S. ST-S
For 2016, the U.S. ST lineup narrowed to ST-S with SE5 only. The package included Black Chrome six-blade wheels, Carbon Black trim, a suede seat with black/red stitching, FOX front shocks and standard heated rider grips.
The 2016 ST-S did not include factory-standard GPS, audio or side luggage. A machine equipped with those items should be assessed for the origin, condition and installation of its accessories rather than assumed to be a continued Limited package.
| U.S. model/package | Model years | Transmission | Key equipment distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST base | 2013–2015 | SM5 or SE5 | Adjustable windshield, rider pegs, sport-touring seat and passenger footboards; cruise and side luggage not standard |
| ST-S | 2013–2015 | SM5 or SE5 | Cruise and premium styling; rider footboards on SE5, rider pegs on SM5 |
| ST Limited | 2013–2015 | SE5 only | Removable side luggage, heated grips, audio, GPS and additional touring equipment |
| ST-S Special Series | 2015 | SE5 | Special graphics, red machined six-high-blade wheels and three-tone suede signature seat |
| ST-S | 2016 | SE5 only | Black Chrome wheels, Carbon Black trim, suede black/red-stitched seat, heated grips and FOX front shocks |
Four model years of development
| Model year | Development | What to check on a particular machine |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Introduction of ST, ST-S and ST Limited | Original trim, SM5/SE5 specification and VIN-specific recall or service history |
| 2014 | Revised airflow panels and advertised FOX PODIUM front shocks | Factory advertising and the operator's guide disagree about the shock model; confirm installed equipment rather than applying one description to every 2014 ST |
| 2015 | ST-S equipment/styling treatment and the distinct ST-S Special Series; Limited GPS changed to zumo 590 | Standard versus Special Series package, transmission and the actual Limited GPS installation |
| 2016 | U.S. offering reduced to ST-S SE5 with its final-year equipment package | Heated grips, FOX front shocks, original trim and any added touring accessories |
The ST was absent from the 2017 brochure. That establishes the end of this four-year U.S. model range, but it does not establish an exact factory shutdown date. Nor should the F3-T be presented as an officially declared direct replacement for the ST without a specific supporting manufacturer statement.
ST specifications and important qualifications
The figures below describe the ST family's factory-rated specification, with model-year differences and conflicting published capacities kept visible. Dry weight is not ready-to-ride or wet weight.
| Item | ST family specification | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 998 cc liquid-cooled Rotax 60-degree DOHC, eight-valve V-twin | Retained throughout 2013–2016 |
| Rated power | 100 hp at 7,500 rpm | Manufacturer-rated output, not an individual-machine test result |
| Rated torque | 80 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm | Manufacturer-rated output |
| SM5 transmission | Five forward gears plus reverse; manually actuated hydraulic clutch and foot shift | Availability depends on year and trim |
| SE5 transmission | Five forward gears plus reverse; automatic clutch and electronically selected shifts | Automatic downshifts, but no automatic upshifts |
| Final drive | Belt | Inspect condition, alignment and guarding on the actual machine |
| Front brakes | Dual 270 mm discs with Brembo four-piston calipers | ABS-equipped braking system |
| Rear brake | 270 mm disc with single-piston caliper | Electric parking brake |
| Front tires | 165/55R15 | Confirm tire condition, age and suitability |
| Rear tire | 225/50R15 | Confirm tire condition, age and suitability |
| Seat height | 737 mm / 29 in | Published factory figure |
| Ground clearance | 110 mm / 4.3 in | Published factory figure |
| Advertised dry weight, 2013–2015 | 392 kg / 864 lb | Dry, not wet; installed accessories change actual weight |
| Advertised dry weight, 2016 | 398 kg / 877 lb | Dry, not wet |
| Fuel capacity | Generally advertised as 25 L / 6.6 U.S. gal | The 2014 operator's guide gives 23.5 L while the specification sheet gives 25 L; the discrepancy remains unresolved |
| Front compartment | Advertised as 44 L | Operator-guide material lists 55 L; the discrepancy remains unresolved |
Factory figures for wheelbase and suspension travel also conflict between documents. A single unqualified number would imply a certainty those documents do not provide. Use the exact model-year documentation and the installed equipment when a dimension or suspension specification matters to service or fitment.
SM5 and SE5: two ways to ride the same platform
The SM5 is the manually shifted version. The rider operates a hydraulic clutch by hand and selects gears with the foot shifter. It has five forward ratios and reverse.
The SE5 uses an automatic clutch and electronically selected gear changes. The rider commands upshifts; the system does not automatically upshift through the gears. It can automatically downshift as road speed falls. This distinction matters both when learning the machine and when deciding whether a shifting complaint reflects normal operation or a problem.
SE5 also has an additional Hydraulic Control Module (HCM) filter in its maintenance requirements. An oil-service record should identify the transmission and the filters actually replaced, rather than simply record a generic oil change.
Neither ST transmission is the six-speed SM6 or SE6 used with the 1330 cc three-cylinder platform. Service procedures, filters and riding expectations should remain tied to the ST's five-speed V-twin equipment.
Maintenance: use the exact model-year guide
The ST's initial break-in service is at 600 miles. Beyond that point, both mileage and elapsed time matter: low annual mileage does not make scheduled fluid or other time-based work unnecessary.
| Maintenance item | Interval or model-year distinction | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Break-in service | 600 miles | Initial service, separate from the continuing schedule |
| Engine oil and engine oil filter | 7,500 km / 4,600 miles, with an annual minimum | Follow the exact-year guide's oil specification and procedure |
| SE5 HCM filter | 7,500 km / 4,600 miles, with an annual minimum | Additional transmission-related filter; not an SM5 item |
| Valve-clearance inspection | 22,500 km / 14,000 miles or two years | Follow the applicable guide's scheduled inspection requirements |
| Spark plugs | 22,500 km / 14,000 miles or two years | Use the exact-year specification |
| Brake fluid | 22,500 km / 14,000 miles or two years | Time matters even on a low-mileage machine |
| Air filter, 2013 | 7,500 km | Do not substitute the later model-year interval |
| Air filter, 2014–2016 | 22,500 km or two years | Model-year schedule differs from 2013 |
| Coolant, 2014–2016 | Conflicting time-based instructions | A two-year instruction in the annual-service footnote conflicts with the 45,000 km / five-year schedule entry; the conflict remains unresolved |
The coolant discrepancy should not be silently resolved by choosing the longer interval. Check the exact guide, the machine's documented coolant history and applicable service guidance before deciding what work is due.
Use the operator's guide for the precise model year and transmission when selecting fluids, capacities and tightening torques. A general ST summary is not a substitute for the service information needed to carry out a particular procedure.
Inspecting a used ST
A useful inspection connects the machine's identity and service records with its current condition. A low odometer reading is only one part of that picture.
Identity, records and safety history
Confirm the VIN, model year, original trim and transmission. Check VIN-specific recall status and obtain invoices for completed remedies, scheduled maintenance and significant repairs. Distinguish an installed accessory from original factory equipment, especially when evaluating luggage, GPS, audio or a claimed Limited or Special Series package.
Brakes, cooling and starting
Inspect the brake system for leaks, abnormal operation and a brake lamp that remains illuminated. Assess cooling-system condition and the machine's heat-management equipment. Compare cold and fully warmed starts, including reliable key recognition by the Digitally Encoded Security System (DESS).
Check fuse-box areas for moisture or signs of water-related electrical trouble. A symptom should be diagnosed on that machine, not treated as proof that every ST shares the same fault.
Transmission and running gear
On an SE5, evaluate shifting and reverse after the machine reaches operating temperature. Review the oil and HCM-filter service record alongside any shifting concern.
Inspect front suspension, steering, tires and alignment; check belt condition and its guard. Examine windshield adjuster rails, secure adjustment and the fit of any taller replacement screen. Tire age, fluid age and storage history remain important even when mileage is low.
Touring equipment and accessories
Check side-case mounts, latches and condition, and test installed audio and GPS equipment. Inspect accessory wiring for appropriate installation and condition rather than assuming a working device means the installation is sound.
This inspection list does not imply universal ST failure rates. Needed parts should be identified and availability checked for the specific repair; no assumption of guaranteed stock is appropriate for an older model.
Safety recalls and model-specific service concerns
NHTSA 13V386000: certain 2013 ST and RT vehicles
Safety recall 13V386000 applies only to certain 2013 ST and RT vehicles. The concern is overheating at the brake master-cylinder manifold inlet, which can lead to a brake-fluid leak and a fire risk. The remedy involves protective shields and a deflector.
This is not a fuel-line recall, and it should not be described as affecting every ST. Check the individual VIN and documentation of the completed remedy through the recall lookup and service records.
Service communications are not blanket recalls
Other documented service concerns have their own model, VIN or operating-condition limits. They should remain separate from the safety recall and should guide diagnosis or record checks only where applicable:
- Heat management: documented heat-panel, air-scoop and ECM-software measures depend on the model, VIN and condition; they are not evidence that every ST needs the same work.
- 2013 front-end guidance: alignment, shock and ball-joint guidance should be evaluated against the particular machine and its service history.
- 2013 SE5 warm shifting: HCM sleeve/pressure-related guidance addresses a documented warm-shift issue on applicable machines; it is not a diagnosis for every SE5 complaint.
- 2014 electrical recognition and moisture: key/DESS and fuse-box updates are specific service-history items to investigate where relevant.
- Windshield adjustment: rail and high-screen concerns call for an inspection of the installed screen, adjustment mechanism and secure mounting.
- Brake lamp remaining lit: investigate the actual symptom and applicable service guidance rather than assume a universal cause.
A safety recall, a service bulletin and a diagnosis are different things. A bulletin documents guidance for a defined concern; it does not establish that all STs are affected or that a particular machine has received the work.
Is an ST a good fit?
The ST can appeal to a rider seeking a balance of sporting character and touring accommodation: a more upright position and wind protection than the RS, without the RT's full-touring bodywork. That balance is its own design choice, not a ranking of one Spyder generation above another.
Among 2013–2015 machines, the Limited has the most extensive original touring equipment. The ST-S emphasizes a sportier equipment and appearance package, while the base ST is the simpler starting point. The 2016 ST-S stands apart as the final-year SE5-only offering with heated grips and its specific trim treatment.
The right purchase depends on condition, service history, transmission preference and the equipment a rider actually needs. Confirm VIN-specific work and check any needed parts before committing to a repair or restoration plan; older-model parts availability should not be promised without checking.
ST service at Mighty Ride Moto
All Models. All Years.
Mighty Ride Moto provides independent Can-Am Spyder maintenance, diagnosis, repairs and restorations across Spyder generations. For an ST, that means starting with its exact year, trim and transmission, then matching the service approach to the machine's condition and documented needs.
Whether the task is scheduled maintenance, an SE5 shifting concern, an electrical diagnosis or a restoration plan, accurate model-specific information matters more than treating every Spyder as the same platform.
Related Spyder models
The ST sits between the sporting and touring branches of the Spyder family. These companion articles cover the differences without treating one model as a substitute for another:
Owner resources
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