12 Common Can Am Ryker Problems (Solutions Guide)

The Can-Am Ryker is a small, agile, 3-wheel, open-air recreational vehicle.

The Ryker is available with either a 600cc or 900cc Rotax engine, an automatic transmission, a reverse function, and a vehicle stability system, making it accessible to riders with little to no motorcycle experience.

No vehicle is perfect, though; this article dives into the most common problems of the Can-Am Ryker, complete with the most successful solutions for each one.

Table of Contents

1. Can Am Ryker Won’t Start

A dead battery, faulty relay, starter motor/relay, spark plugs, injectors, ECU, or sensors are the most common reasons a Can-Am Ryker won’t start. Another possibility is that you forgot to roll your throttle forward during start-up.

Dead battery: Caused by leaving the key on, using accessories without running the engine, or a faulty charging system. The solution is to charge or replace the battery and check the voltage regulator and alternator.
Faulty relay: Caused by corrosion, loose connections, or a blown fuse. The solution is to inspect and clean the relay terminals, tighten the connections, and replace the fuse if needed.
Starter motor failure: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or a bad solenoid. The solution is to test the starter motor and relay with a multimeter and replace them if they are faulty.
Fouled spark plugs: Caused by fouling, carbon buildup, or a corrupted plug gap. The solution is to remove and inspect the spark plugs, clean or replace them if necessary, and adjust the gap according to the owner’s manual specifications.
Faulty Fuel Injectors: Caused by clogging, leaking, or electrical issues. The solution is to check the fuel pressure and flow, clean or replace the injectors if needed, and inspect the wiring and connectors.
ECU or Sensor Failure: Caused by faulty programming, corrupted data, or damaged sensors. The solution is to scan the ECU for error codes, reset or reflash the ECU if possible, and replace the sensors if they are defective.
Rider Error; Throttle not rolled forward: This can be caused by forgetting to move the throttle forward before pressing the start button. The solution is to roll the throttle forward and try to start your Ryker again.

2. Can Am Ryker Cranks But Won’t Start

A bad fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, low fuel pressure, water in the fuel, or a faulty ignition system are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker cranks but won’t turn over.

“My 2020 Ryker 900 has been having starting issues. It will crank but not start. I have to try several times before it finally starts. It happens randomly, sometimes when it’s cold, sometimes when it’s warm. I have a full tank of gas and a new battery.”

Here are some possible causes and solutions for possible problems leading to your Can-Am Ryker clicking but not starting:

Bad fuel pump: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, or electrical issues. The solution is to test the fuel pump with a pressure gauge and replace it if it’s not working correctly.
Clogged fuel filter: Caused by dirt, debris, or water in the fuel. The solution is to replace the fuel filter regularly and drain the fuel tank if it’s contaminated.
Low fuel pressure: Caused by a weak fuel pump, a clogged fuel filter, a leaking fuel line, or a faulty fuel pressure regulator. The solution is to check the fuel pressure with a gauge and fix or replace the defective components.
Water in the fuel: Caused by condensation, rain, or poor-quality fuel. The solution is to drain the fuel tank, refill it with fresh fuel, and add a fuel stabilizer or dryer if needed.
Faulty ignition system: Caused by bad spark plugs, wires, coils, or sensors. The solution is to inspect and test the ignition system components with a spark tester or a multimeter and replace them if they are defective.

3. Can Am Ryker Won’t Go Into Reverse

A faulty reverse switch, a bad reverse actuator, a damaged reverse cable, or a misaligned transmission are the most common reasons a Can-Am Ryker won’t go into reverse.

“I have a 2020 Ryker Rally, and I can’t get it to go into reverse. I press the reverse button, and nothing happens. No beep, no light, no movement. The bike is in neutral, and the parking brake is off. I tried disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it, but it didn’t help.”

Faulty reverse switch: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the reverse switch and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Faulty reverse actuator: Caused by electrical issues, such as a blown fuse, a loose connection, or a short circuit. The solution is to check the fuse and the wiring of the reverse actuator and replace them if they are faulty.
Damaged reverse cable: Caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the reverse cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s damaged or frayed.
Misaligned transmission: Caused by improper installation, adjustment, or maintenance of the transmission. The solution is to align the transmission according to the specifications and check the fluid level and condition—consult your local Can-Am dealership for assistance.

4. Can Am Ryker Rough Idling

A dirty air filter, a clogged fuel injector, a faulty spark plug, a bad throttle body, or a vacuum leak are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker idles rough.

Dirty air filter: Caused by dust, debris, or oil. The solution is to clean or replace the air filter regularly and check the air intake system for any obstructions or leaks.
Clogged fuel injector: Caused by dirt, water, or varnish in the fuel. The solution is to clean or replace the fuel injector if needed and use a fuel additive or cleaner to prevent clogging.
Faulty spark plug: Caused by fouling, carbon buildup, or a wrong gap. The solution is to remove and inspect the spark plug, clean or replace it if necessary, and adjust the gap according to the specifications.
Corrupted throttle body: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the throttle body and replace it if it’s damaged or malfunctioning.
Vacuum leak: Caused by a cracked or loose hose, gasket, or seal. The solution is to check the vacuum system for any leaks and repair or replace the faulty parts.

5. Can Am Ryker Won’t Go Into Neutral

A misaligned shift lever, a worn or damaged shift linkage, a faulty neutral switch, or a low transmission fluid level are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker won’t go into neutral.

Misaligned shift lever: Caused by improper installation, adjustment, or maintenance of the shift lever. The solution is to align the shift lever according to the specifications and tighten the bolts and nuts.
Worn or damaged shift linkage: Caused by friction, corrosion, or impact. The solution is to regularly inspect and lubricate the shift linkage and replace it if it’s bent, broken, or loose.
Faulty neutral switch: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the neutral switch and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Low transmission fluid level: Caused by leakage, evaporation, owner neglect, or consumption. The solution is to check the transmission fluid level and condition with a dipstick and refill or change it if needed.

6. Can Am Ryker Won’t Shift

A faulty shift sensor, a bad shift actuator, a damaged shift cable, or a misaligned transmission are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker is not shifting.

Faulty shift sensor: This can be caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the shift sensor and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Bad shift actuator: This can be caused by electrical issues, such as a blown fuse, a loose connection, or a short circuit. The solution is to check the fuse and the wiring of the shift actuator and replace them if they are faulty.
Damaged shift cable: This can be caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the shift cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s damaged or frayed.
Misaligned transmission: This can be caused by improper installation, adjustment, or maintenance of the transmission. The solution is to align the transmission according to the specifications and check the fluid level and condition.

7. Can Am Ryker Trunk Won’t Open

A faulty trunk latch, a broken trunk cable, a jammed trunk lock, or a frozen trunk seal are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker trunk won’t open.

Faulty trunk latch: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the trunk latch and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Broken trunk cable: Caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the trunk cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s broken or frayed.
Jammed trunk lock: Caused by dirt, debris, or rust. The solution is to spray some lubricant or penetrating oil into the trunk lock and wiggle the key or the handle until it opens.
Frozen trunk seal: Caused by ice, snow, or water. The solution is to use a hair dryer, a heat gun, or some warm water to melt the ice around the trunk seal and gently pry it with a plastic tool.

8. Can Am Ryker Horn Not Working

A blown fuse, a bad horn relay, a faulty horn switch, or a damaged horn are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker horn is not working.

Blown fuse: Caused by a short circuit, a power surge, or an overload. The solution is to check the fuse box and replace the fuse if it’s blown.
Faulty horn relay: Caused by corrosion, loose connections, or a faulty coil. The solution is to inspect and clean the horn relay terminals, tighten the connections, and replace the relay if it’s defective.
Faulty horn switch: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the horn switch and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Damaged horn: Caused by impact, water, or rust. The solution is to test the horn with a multimeter or a jumper wire and replace it if it’s not working correctly.

9. Can Am Ryker Speedometer Not Working

A faulty speed sensor, a damaged speedometer cable, a bad speedometer head, or a corrupted ECU are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker speedometer is not working.

“I have a 2019 Ryker 900, and I noticed that the speedometer is not working properly. It shows zero when I’m moving, and sometimes it jumps to a random number. The odometer is also not accurate. I checked the speed sensor, and it looks fine.

Faulty speed sensor: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the speed sensor and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Damaged speedometer cable: Caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the speedometer cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s broken or frayed.
Faulty speedometer head: Caused by electrical issues, such as a loose connection, a short circuit, or a blown fuse. The solution is to check the wiring and the fuse of the speedometer head and replace them if they are faulty.
Corrupted ECU: Caused by faulty programming, corrupted data, or a power surge. The solution is to have the Can-Am dealership scan the ECU for error codes, reset or reflash it if possible, and replace it if it’s defective.

10. Can Am Ryker Parking Brake Not Working

A faulty parking brake switch, a worn or damaged parking brake cable, a bad parking brake actuator, or a low brake fluid level are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker parking brake stops working.

Faulty parking brake switch: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the parking brake switch and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Worn or damaged parking brake cable: Caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the parking brake cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s broken or frayed.
Faulty parking brake actuator: Caused by electrical issues, such as a blown fuse, a loose connection, or a short circuit. The solution is to check the fuse and the wiring of the parking brake actuator and replace them if they are faulty.
Low brake fluid level: Caused by leakage, evaporation, owner neglect, or consumption. The solution is to check the brake fluid level and condition with a dipstick and refill or change it if needed.

11. Can Am Ryker Fuel Gauge Not Working

A faulty fuel level sensor, a damaged fuel gauge cable, a bad fuel gauge head, or a corrupted ECU are the most common reasons why a Can-Am Ryker fuel gauge stops working.

Faulty fuel level sensor: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the fuel level sensor and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Damaged fuel gauge cable: Caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the fuel gauge cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s broken or frayed.
Problematic fuel gauge head: Caused by electrical issues, such as a loose connection, a short circuit, or a blown fuse. The solution is to check the wiring and the fuse of the fuel gauge head and replace them if they are faulty.
Faulty ECU: Caused by faulty programming, corrupted data, or a power surge. The solution is to scan the ECU for error codes, reset or reflash the ECU if possible, and replace it if it’s defective.

12. Can Am Ryker Stuck In Gear

A faulty shift sensor, a bad shift actuator, a damaged shift cable, or a misaligned transmission are the most common reasons a Can-Am Ryker gets stuck in gear.

Here are some possible causes and solutions for each:

Faulty shift sensor: Caused by wear and tear, dirt, moisture, or corrosion. The solution is to inspect and clean the shift sensor and replace it if it’s broken or worn out.
Broken shift actuator: Caused by electrical issues, such as a blown fuse, a loose connection, or a short circuit. The solution is to check the fuse and the wiring of the shift actuator and replace them if they are faulty.
Damaged shift cable: Caused by friction, stretching, or breaking. The solution is to adjust or lubricate the shift cable if it’s loose or stiff and replace it if it’s broken or frayed.
Misaligned transmission: Caused by improper installation, adjustment, or neglecting routine transmission maintenance. The solution is to align the transmission according to the specifications and check the fluid level and condition.

Author:

Michael Ta Nous

I've been weaving words into stories since my early scribbling days, and my journey in the world of motorcycles and their communities spans almost two decades. Living with a talented motorcycle mechanic as a roommate, our garage transformed into a vibrant workshop where I absorbed the intricacies of...

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