RT Vibration continues

[Plyrod38]

I've got it too

I've had the Spyder for about three weeks now...love it, but I have the dreaded vibration.
The vibration starts at about 5200 RPM's in any gear and continues until about 5800 RPM's. Pretty annoying, I've been riding for 50 years and this is the most costly motor cycle like machine that I've owned, and the problems started immediately.

The gentle people that are commenting about not having experienced this situation consider yourselves fortunate. My issue started on the ride home from the dealer, and I have noticed alot of rubber dust on the rear wheel and swing arm, along with the smell of burning rubber.

I have duscussed this problem with my dealer after the first 100 miles of operation and he has promised to make it right at the 600 mile service.

Wish me luck!

 

[spyder stryder]

Rt vibration

I've had the Spyder for about three weeks now...love it, but I have the dreaded vibration.
The vibration starts at about 5200 RPM's in any gear and continues until about 5800 RPM's. Pretty annoying, I've been riding for 50 years and this is the most costly motor cycle like machine that I've owned, and the problems started immediately.

The gentle people that are commenting about not having experienced this situation consider yourselves fortunate. My issue started on the ride home from the dealer, and I have noticed alot of rubber dust on the rear wheel and swing arm, along with the smell of burning rubber.

I have duscussed this problem with my dealer after the first 100 miles of operation and he has promised to make it right at the 600 mile service.

Wish me luck!

We must have twin spyders,sounds just like mine. Just for the heck of it shine
a flashlight from the rear of the belt toward the front sproket & see if the belt
is over against the outer flang. You will see how the flange rolls out as it goes
up & if the belt is over hard aginst it the belt will try to climb the drive sprocket.
Also check the outer edge of the belt to see if it looks as if its being worn down.
Ask your dealer if he has a line up tool & if not he will need to have one made.
This will be a 3/4" solid round bar 16" long with a 4 3/4" long tee handle welded
on it.When he inserts it through the line up holes and follow the instructions on
doing the line up he will then find out why the tee handle has to be on there.
Good luck, i'am sure everything will be ok.

spyder stryder

 

[TexGEOas]

Strong Belt Vibrations on brand new 2012 RT-S SE5

2012 RTS SE5 3510 miles...

I've been very happy with the Spyder so far... except... except... except...

I get very consistent, strong and uncomfortable belt vibrations at the 5100-5200 rpm range in 4th and 5th gear (right in the middle of my favorite cruising speeds). The slight difference in when the vibration shows up is due to whether I'm still accelerating, just cruising or decelerating. Vibrations are also present in 3rd gear but get harder and harder to differentiate from normal engine vibration as the gears go down.

IMHO, an badly vibrating belt is NOT normal and is not something to ignore. It is not "engine vibration". I've been riding bikes of all models and sizes all my life and can tell you... this is BELT. For those of you that have ever had a "U-Joint" go bad... it is a similar feel. Any time a belt vibrates this much... at this high an RPM... is going to do damage one way or the other... sooner or later.

I plan to take my Spyder in ASAP for a specific vibrating belt Warranty Claim. Not a check up... just fix the belt! We'll see what happens here (North Texas). I'm hoping for the best...

I've read what many of you have written about your vibration problems, what various dealers have told you, what Can-Am said, etc. and it has been helpful. I will post any progress I make. If the dealer can't fix it... I will not give up. It is not safe to have a bike with this kind of flaw.

One suggestion I can make FWIW... is for owners that still have this problem... Write a complaint letter with your own vibration details, and a demand that it be fixed... and mail it Certified-Return Receipt Requested to Can-Am. It will be important to document this problem until it is finally recognized by the manufacturer... and fixed. Manufacturers do get nervous when their mail box gets full of well-documented claims. If one rider gets injured as a result of this belt problem... Can-Am will have been forewarned in spades.

(off the soap box now)

TexGEOas
Argyle, TX

 

[phj]

2012 RTS SE5 3510 miles...

I've been very happy with the Spyder so far... except... except... except...

I get very consistent, strong and uncomfortable belt vibrations at the 5100-5200 rpm range in 4th and 5th gear (right in the middle of my favorite cruising speeds). The slight difference in when the vibration shows up is due to whether I'm still accelerating, just cruising or decelerating. Vibrations are also present in 3rd gear but get harder and harder to differentiate from normal engine vibration as the gears go down.

IMHO, an badly vibrating belt is NOT normal and is not something to ignore. It is not "engine vibration". I've been riding bikes of all models and sizes all my life and can tell you... this is BELT. For those of you that have ever had a "U-Joint" go bad... it is a similar feel. Any time a belt vibrates this much... at this high an RPM... is going to do damage one way or the other... sooner or later.

I plan to take my Spyder in ASAP for a specific vibrating belt Warranty Claim. Not a check up... just fix the belt! We'll see what happens here (North Texas). I'm hoping for the best...

I've read what many of you have written about your vibration problems, what various dealers have told you, what Can-Am said, etc. and it has been helpful. I will post any progress I make. If the dealer can't fix it... I will not give up. It is not safe to have a bike with this kind of flaw.

One suggestion I can make FWIW... is for owners that still have this problem... Write a complaint letter with your own vibration details, and a demand that it be fixed... and mail it Certified-Return Receipt Requested to Can-Am. It will be important to document this problem until it is finally recognized by the manufacturer... and fixed. Manufacturers do get nervous when their mail box gets full of well-documented claims. If one rider gets injured as a result of this belt problem... Can-Am will have been forewarned in spades.

(off the soap box now)

TexGEOas
Argyle, TX

I wish you luck getting BRP to respond, I have been waiting a month after the local BRP Rep stated they would be in contact. You need to have your dealer show you the video that BRP has produced for it's dealers showing the belt vibrating wildly, and BRP telling them this is normal. Then add other owners saying it is normal to have a bike that vibrates and what you then get, is a company (BRP) that does not care about those that are having issues.

It is to bad that BRP has taken this approach (lack of customer support) for they designed a very unique bike and I have enjoyed riding it (minus the vibration and other problems). Without a better customer service, this bike will never develop the support it deserves. On Tuesday I plan on meeting with my dealer and start looking into ordering a 2013 GW/CSC Trike for next season. Maybe someday when BRP gets their customer service department together I will try another Spyder.

 

[SpyRyd]

RT Vibration Issue

I too have a vibration issue on my 2012 RT Limited. Mine occurs when accelerating between about 68-69 MPH through about 72-74 MPH. If I back off the throttle a tad the vibration goes away. Not sure this is that unusual as I expect some harmonic vibration might be "normal" considering the length of the belt. BTW, I'm usually in 5th gear when this happens. It doesn't concern me much since I can just back off the throttle and the :spyder2: settles down. I will be close to the 5000 mile mark after returning from the BBQ and will mention this to my mx tech when I take it in for it' s checkup. Thoughts?

 

[NancysToy]

I too have a vibration issue on my 2012 RT Limited. Mine occurs when accelerating between about 68-69 MPH through about 72-74 MPH. If I back off the throttle a tad the vibration goes away. Not sure this is that unusual as I expect some harmonic vibration might be "normal" considering the length of the belt. BTW, I'm usually in 5th gear when this happens. It doesn't concern me much since I can just back off the throttle and the :spyder2: settles down. I will be close to the 5000 mile mark after returning from the BBQ and will mention this to my mx tech when I take it in for it' s checkup. Thoughts?

My experience has been that vibration that increases under load is usually either a motor isolation issue or is related to an imbalance between cylinders. If the vibration is rpm related rather than speed related, that is even more likely. It could be a (belt?) harmonics issue, but those usually seem to be about as bad at steady throttle. They may either improve or increase when backing off, depending on the physics of the specific problem. These are not hard and fast rules, just what I have seen...even in shaft and chain drive bikes.

 

[TexGEOas]

I wish you luck getting BRP to respond, I have been waiting a month after the local BRP Rep stated they would be in contact. You need to have your dealer show you the video that BRP has produced for it's dealers showing the belt vibrating wildly, and BRP telling them this is normal.

I have already described the Belt Problem to two friends who were going to by a Spyder. One is waiting to see what happens with my Spyder... the other friend decided to trike his Harley instead. I was looking on BRP's website in hopes of getting more information...THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A SUPPORT PAGE! Everything is referred back to a dealer. But what if the dealer is a neophyte or doesn't know what he's doing? Frustrating...

 

[TexGEOas]

I too have a vibration issue on my 2012 RT Limited. Mine occurs when accelerating between about 68-69 MPH through about 72-74 MPH. If I back off the throttle a tad the vibration goes away. Not sure this is that unusual as I expect some harmonic vibration might be "normal" considering the length of the belt. BTW, I'm usually in 5th gear when this happens. It doesn't concern me much since I can just back off the throttle and the :spyder2: settles down. I will be close to the 5000 mile mark after returning from the BBQ and will mention this to my mx tech when I take it in for it' s checkup. Thoughts?

You are correct... the vibration can be managed by letting off the throttle or accelerating through it. One problem for me is... the worst of the vibrations happen at the best highway speeds. And... it is hard to keep pace with other riders in the group when they have settled in at a MPH that is in the Vibration range!

BTW, the MPH you describe as your Vibration range is just about 5100-5300 RPM. Same as most.

Good luck. I hope the vibrations don't cause the sprocket bolts to back out!

 

[SpyRyd]

TexGOSas

I get the vibration while accelerating through the MPH range mentioned. I can maintain the speed, say 72MPH, once there without the vibration. I'm going to experiment on the ryde to Lamont's and see if I can narrow down the MPH and RPM when the vibration starts and stops.

 

[Firefly]

I too have a vibration issue on my 2012 RT Limited. Mine occurs when accelerating between about 68-69 MPH through about 72-74 MPH. If I back off the throttle a tad the vibration goes away. Not sure this is that unusual as I expect some harmonic vibration might be "normal" considering the length of the belt. BTW, I'm usually in 5th gear when this happens. It doesn't concern me much since I can just back off the throttle and the :spyder2: settles down. I will be close to the 5000 mile mark after returning from the BBQ and will mention this to my mx tech when I take it in for it' s checkup. Thoughts?

Try staying in 4th until 70+ and see how that feels.

 

[SpyRyd]

Today on the way to greeneville tn on I81 I experimented with the vibration issue I described earlier. Firefly, downshifting to 4th gear helps. For example I was in 5th gear with the cruise control set and was going between 73-75MPH, started up a slight hill and the Spyder starting vibrating as the cruise tried to maintain the speed while going up the slight hill. I downshifted to 4th gear and I was able to maintain my speed and actually accelerate while going up the hill with no vibration. However whenever I'm going around 70MPH in 5th gear and accelerate or the cruise tries to maintain speed while going up a hill I get some serious vibration. This doesn't happen when I'm traveling at slower speeds i.e., say 65MPH. When I get back home from this Tn trip I'll be ready for the 5000 mile service and will describe the vibration details to my dealer. It's a PITA having to deal with this by either downshifting or slowing down or...? Is getting tiresome to say the least. Maybe some wrench guru at the tech day tomorrow can check my belt tension and alignment for me...would appreciate it!

 

[NancysToy]

Your situation sure sounds more like an engine related issue, like cylinder imbalance, to me. That can shake your eye teeth out under load. I would imagine the effects could be maginied by the harmonics of a long belt, tight motor mounts, or similar factors, too. Unfortunately, the throttle body is factory balanced, and cannot be "tuned". So the most common cause cannot be addressed. There could be other factors, like valve leakage, different valve clearances, ignition difficulties, and so on. The effects of cylinder imbalance are subtle, but very noticeable under certain circumstances. It will be difficult for the average tech to find that sort of thing and work it out...especially since the Spyder fuel injection can't be dealer tuned. I wish you the best.

 

[saint999]

So has engine realignment solved the vibration problem long term? How long has it been tested? I just want to know before going to my dealer asking them to check that.
Thanks
Joe

 

[phj]

Phone Call

I just received a phone call from BRP Customer Service regarding the belt vibrations and other issues on my 2012 Spyder. They have made arrangements with my dealer to provide me with a loaner for a few days while they address the vibrations and other outstanding issues. My dealer had mentioned to them that I was getting ready to trade it in for another brand and the BRP Rep ask for one more chance to solve the outstanding issues before I do something like that.

I really do hope they can solve whats going on for I like riding this bike. I want to thank my dealer for pursuing this with BRP and to also thank BRP for finally agreeing to address issues I'm having with this bike.

 

[Jeriatric]

I wish you luck getting BRP to respond, I have been waiting a month after the local BRP Rep stated they would be in contact. You need to have your dealer show you the video that BRP has produced for it's dealers showing the belt vibrating wildly, and BRP telling them this is normal. Then add other owners saying it is normal to have a bike that vibrates and what you then get, is a company (BRP) that does not care about those that are having issues.

It is to bad that BRP has taken this approach (lack of customer support) for they designed a very unique bike and I have enjoyed riding it (minus the vibration and other problems). Without a better customer service, this bike will never develop the support it deserves. On Tuesday I plan on meeting with my dealer and start looking into ordering a 2013 GW/CSC Trike for next season. Maybe someday when BRP gets their customer service department together I will try another Spyder.

I just received a phone call from BRP Customer Service regarding the belt vibrations and other issues on my 2012 Spyder. They have made arrangements with my dealer to provide me with a loaner for a few days while they address the vibrations and other outstanding issues. My dealer had mentioned to them that I was getting ready to trade it in for another brand and the BRP Rep ask for one more chance to solve the outstanding issues before I do something like that.

I really do hope they can solve whats going on for I like riding this bike. I want to thank my dealer for pursuing this with BRP and to also thank BRP for finally agreeing to address issues I'm having with this bike.

Glad to hear help is on it's way!:thumbup:

That said, it bothers me to no end that it has taken your area rep, your dealer, your saying you were bailing, and over a month in time, before BRP said they hear you.

We're all on the same continent. Aren't we?

 

[A1A]

I just received a phone call from BRP Customer Service regarding the belt vibrations and other issues on my 2012 Spyder. They have made arrangements with my dealer to provide me with a loaner for a few days while they address the vibrations and other outstanding issues. My dealer had mentioned to them that I was getting ready to trade it in for another brand and the BRP Rep ask for one more chance to solve the outstanding issues before I do something like that.

I really do hope they can solve whats going on for I like riding this bike. I want to thank my dealer for pursuing this with BRP and to also thank BRP for finally agreeing to address issues I'm having with this bike.

What other issues do you have besides the Drive Belt Flopping Vibration problem? I do hope you finally getting positive resolution with the Drive Belt.

 

[phj]

What other issues do you have besides the Drive Belt Flopping Vibration problem? I do hope you finally getting positive resolution with the Drive Belt.

Dropped my RT off this morning as BRP requested to look into the vibration, CB Radio and Blue Tooth issues and was given a loaner to use until my bike is repaired. The loaner is a 2010 RT with 7000 miles and what a difference, ran it through all my vibration speeds that I have on my bike and nothing on this loaner, what difference compared to mine. That 58 - 65 mph range, smooth as silk. Now, just hoping they can find what's causing mine to shake the mirrors off!!

 

[Buttsy]

The loaner is a 2010 RT with 7000 miles and what a difference, ran it through all my vibration speeds that I have on my bike and nothing on this loaner, what difference compared to mine. That 58 - 65 mph range, smooth as silk.

Well this is sorta good news! To all those who said "I don't have that problem" seems like you may have been correct? To all those who said "I have that problem" seems like you may have been correct?

Now it can't be that difficult to see what is causing one bike to do it and what is not causing another bike to do it? Can it:dontknow: Best of luck and I know you will, but let us know all the sorted details?

 

[ma and pa]

vibration

I was afraid to say mine had a vibrationat 73 mph, someone would say it didn't

 

[Buttsy]

I was afraid to say mine had a vibrationat 73 mph, someone would say it didn't

:roflblack: :roflblack: :roflblack: