let us know if Docs idler works better then BRPs, the same or worse.
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BRP belt tensioner
- Thread starter Lamonster
- Start date
let us know if Docs idler works better then BRPs, the same or worse.
007james
Member
I installed Doc's Kit #3 on my 2016 RT Limited today. I have never even changed my oil before, in my 2012, but was determined to install this Kit. Removing the Tupperware to access the location to install the kit was the hardest. ( for me ) figuring out how to unlock the Push Pins were the toughest. But I worked it thru, after viewing Doc.'s Youtube Videos several times. I took my time, figuring where all the screws were, etc. the Kit was a breeze to install, once the Tupperware was removed. It looked like a real sturdy Kit, as compared to BRP's plastic Kit. But, unfortunitely, being honest, after test riding it 100 miles, at all speeds, 0-80 MPH, I never noticed any difference at all, after installing the Kit. 60-75 MPH range still has the same vibration both in acceleration and deceleration. Doc, via email asked what my belt tension is set at, but I have no idea, as The Dealer had it two days trying to eliminate the vibration, so I don't know what they set it at. But it tracks straight on the back wheel, and feels about the same as my 2012 used to. So, Bummer. But, one more piece in the puzzle to eliminate. I am in contact with Doc. who is thinking about what is happening. Again, the front wheels aren't jumping, only the mirrors and engine compartment, not even the back wheel or seat. It almost acts like the engine Cam is unbalanced!! The V-Twin 998 is supposed to be the Vibrater, not the 1330. Stay tuned for up dates if I get any improvements.
My hat off to you for your honesty. As stated I have the BRP idler and it was a good cure for the random vibration. I still have vibration as you detailed above. I dont know if its belt or engine but it make my bike vibrate to the point (at times) that the side view mirrors become blurry. When I bring my bike in for service I'll have my mechanic check it out. Being honest.....there are two reasons I'll ditch the Spyder in a couple of years with the first being reliability and the second is that pesky vibration. So far I have almost 7,000 trouble free miles on my bike.........and an annoying vibration.
007james
Member
Road Kill, I put 55,400 almost, trouble free miles on my 2012 RT Limited that I traded for this new left over 2016. Yes, there are little annoyances, and things to keep you thinking, but after riding 2 Wheelers for 40 years until I hit 70 and was having knee, ankle, back problems. I could hardly back my 2002 Kawi Vulcan 1500 out of my garage with out pain. I had put 27,000 miles on it, in 10 years, and put 55,400 on my 2012 Spyder in 5 years, and I was not home 1/3 of the time! So now, at 75, with my new 2016, I won't let a little vibration keep me from enjoying riding, because Two Wheelers are no longer an option for me. So......Doc offered to drive to Virginia to test ride my Spyder, and we have been communicating, and as of today, I think I have my vibration figured out. It definitly is belt tension, because as I said, mine had been Lazer Aligned and front wheels high speed spun balanced at a tire shop. Today, I ran tests on different roads, speeds, gears, RPMs, up, and down hills. I ran each test with the Air Ride Suspension set from Hard, to SOFT, on the Dash guage. Low and behold, the vibration really diminishes at tne SOFT setting on tne Guage! I had it set on the Hardest, before I installed Doc's Belt Tensioner, so I really don't honestly know, if his tensioner may have helped, had I had the Air Ride set to SOFT, before. But, I am not sorry I bought, and installed the Belt Tensioner. No doubt, the F3s with the longer belts will see more improvement than the RTs, but the small cost of Doc's Tensioner is good Insurance and money well spent, for me, at least. I would not have spent $50 to buy BRP's cheep plastic Tensioner with tne single Bearing. Heat and plastic, due to friction, is surely a disaster in progress. But the Engineering Design must be decent, or BRP would have never released their Tensioner. Doc Humphrey has taken the risk out of bearing seizure by his Double Bearing Roller and all metal brackets and components. With the Air Suspension set on SOFT, today, with Doc's Tensioner installed, I had only minor vibrations on hard acceleration and deceleration from 65-75 MPH, but letting off the throttle in between, the vibration smoothed out, and below 65MPH, there was virtually no vibration. So, all's well that ends well. One last point. Doc mentioned checking Belt Tension. I asked how he checked it, and he said he uses a " KRICKET." I looked it up on the Internet, and watched the short Video, and ordered mine yesterday. I will check my Belt tension, periodically, which I expect will change with Air Ride Suspension settings, belt wear, and when the rear tire is changed. Taking tne mystery out of little issues we don't understand, makes the ride and Spyder, much more enjoyable! I plan on riding mine as long as I can climb on it, and keep off a motorized Wheel Chair in a Nursing home! Hope this helps. Cheers, Jim
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Foolish question maybe but: All these tension devises only apply tension on either the top half OR the bottom half of the belt. ~ Don't both top and bottom need tension to alleviate the problem?
FWIW: I also found these the other day... http://www.smoothspyder.com/belt-tensioners/
FWIW: I also found these the other day... http://www.smoothspyder.com/belt-tensioners/
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Badco149
New member
Hi I had the smoothspyder installed on my F3 LTD this spring during it's service. I truly love the difference. It does what it says it makes your Spyder ride smooth.
Just MHO:clap:
I appreciate your thoughts but I am not at the point of "needing" a Spyder. I only purchased my F3s after some serious debating with friends etc, my other ride was going to be a Honda VFR1200X (Sport Tourer). Aftermarket options like Docs gizmo looks very good but I'm not that into performance upgrading. It took a lot to get me to purchase BajaRons sway bar (which worked) but I'm just not into "upgrading" a machine to get it to perform. Again....I don't need a three wheeler (yet) so I can exit when I wish. My thoughts.
The "Smooth Spyder" installs under the bottom belt....am I correct?
Does this mean I can have BRPs (or Docs) on top and SS on bottom?
Exactly what I was thinking/wondering.
Also, what adverse effects do these have on performance etc?
Bob Denman
New member
I have Doc's on my RT... there was no need for an additional one on the underside of the swingarm. :thumbup:
Do they hurt performance?
Only if you liked the buzziness at highway speeds. It sure hurt THAT!
Do they hurt performance?
Only if you liked the buzziness at highway speeds. It sure hurt THAT!
Just to be clear on the buzz/belt vibration...
If it's similar to the vibration (but less pronounced) when you veer out of a lane (and wheel runs over the warning "cuts" they put in the middle of the road to alert driver): Then I know we're referring to the same vibration. I've only experienced it a few times and first thought it was the pavement. But I wasn't going 70, maybe 60 tops. (even slower I think)
If it's similar to the vibration (but less pronounced) when you veer out of a lane (and wheel runs over the warning "cuts" they put in the middle of the road to alert driver): Then I know we're referring to the same vibration. I've only experienced it a few times and first thought it was the pavement. But I wasn't going 70, maybe 60 tops. (even slower I think)
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Jeriatric
Thinks out loud
We've seen this time and again form xxx
Some design things to eliminate a problem. And whatever it may be, it comes to us having been field tested in the real world, and ready to give us a return on our investment.
While others, design and sell things with no real world testing, and are more interested in meeting a price point that will move the product, than what its lifespan will actually be.
And, they will continue to do so, as long as they can sell their half baked product.
Some design things to eliminate a problem. And whatever it may be, it comes to us having been field tested in the real world, and ready to give us a return on our investment.
While others, design and sell things with no real world testing, and are more interested in meeting a price point that will move the product, than what its lifespan will actually be.
And, they will continue to do so, as long as they can sell their half baked product.
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