First Idler Kit Failure?

[honda]

Just found out the idler only has 14 day return policy . I picked it up on Jan.28/17 so I am out of time.​

[Bob Denman]

Only 14 days?
That seems like an incredibly short period of time!

[Habib]

Just found out the idler only has 14 day return policy . I picked it up on Jan.28/17 so I am out of time.​

For a return. Has BRP said anything about them coming apart in only 2500 miles?

[Roadster Renovations]

They should cover that as a defective product. If not a refund, then a defective exchange. And I would sure get a new one from them if for no other reason that to have the metal portion (spring & bracket, etc).

Want to bet the warranty is only good if: 1. The original part was installed by a BRP tech on a F3. 2. To replace the defective kit it would also have to be again installed (and paid for again) by a BRP tech.

[bzbaeren]

I just put Doc Humphries on my Rt and ran it down the road noticed the difference for the better right away.Took less than an hour to install.

[Beachbum]

I just got my BRP idler kit and don't know if I should bother installing it or just order the upgrade from Doc? I planned on adding it during my springtime oil change in about a month. Would you run the factory idler 'till it breaks or just do it right the first time?

[Cruzr Joe]

Well i will talk about the other end of the spectrum.

I have put 3,000 miles on my BRP idler arm on my F3 Limited and it is still working great, that don't mean it won't fail tomorrow but anything man made is subject to failure.

if you are running the F3 BRP idler on a RT with someone else's adapter, then you are not running a BRP idler as it was designed.

Cruzr Joe

Just my .02 cents worth.

[Richardv]

1/4"inch is too much play IMHO! Don't feel bad, several ryders have pulled them.
.
Your upgrade kit is on the way. I think she sent it priority. Might want to check the belt tension and alignment also.

My brand new BRP tensioner has quite a bit of play..... probably close to 1/8" . Should I adjust it as per your video, or is it ok since it is plastic and might expand with heat ?

Second question. Would you use USPS mail to ship to Canada? Reason for asking is that everybody else is charging custom even if it doesn't apply under $200.00. Customer does have the burden to claim back from governement after the fact.

Thanks for the replies....

[Roadster Renovations]

My brand new BRP tensioner has quite a bit of play..... probably close to 1/8" . Should I adjust it as per your video, or is it ok since it is plastic and might expand with heat ?

Second question. Would you use USPS mail to ship to Canada? Reason for asking is that everybody else is charging custom even if it doesn't apply under $200.00. Customer does have the burden to claim back from governement after the fact.

Thanks for the replies....

We have shipped several times to Canada and it is not much more than the US shipping. The BRP unit out of the baggie has play in the pulley, either by design or........ It cannot be adjusted as the bolt and nut are as tight as they can be made.

I have never seen a belt pulley made intentionally with that much slop, but I am not an expert on these matters as everyone knows.....

[jcthorne]

Just found out the idler only has 14 day return policy . I picked it up on Jan.28/17 so I am out of time.​

Return
policy is very different from warranty. The warranty for defective BRP Parts is indeed 90 days. If your dealer refused to honor that, contact BRP directly.

[Roadster Renovations]

I am going to lay this out the way *I* see it.

Dealer to dealer pricing on this kit is $25. That means that the dealer probably is paying BRP $12-15 per unit. That means that they are costing BRP probably no more than $7.50 each to manufacture. That is nickels and dimes compared to the investment the end consumer (us) have shelled out for these bykes.

Successful car manufacturers learn form their customers on what works and what doesn't. They are making improvements every year to problem areas. This makes a better end product.

Now, I am going to give three examples for the Spyder:

Side cases on the RT. Weak plastic joints that break due to voids in the mold. This has been since 2010. They have never changed it and made it stronger even on the 2017's. Why? Even the warranty work alone is costing them a great deal of money and with the down time on the byke the consumer is not happy with a loss of ryding time. Cause let's face it, they don't break sitting in the garage wrapped up for the winter. Cost of our fix per unit? $80. Heck, I would even give them the concept to use.

Air Bag holes from rocks. Unless you have had this happen, you have no idea the frustration of it being typically misdiagnosed (bad compressor) and the service dept. is lazy is checking the bottom of the airbag. Again, time we can't ryde while the byke is repaired. Our cost for this fix? $30.

RT Vibration Damper. Those of us that have RT's and experience vibrations have been asking for a fix. Until the F3 came along, we were shot down at every turn. Now, since we have successfully used a idler (their word, not ours) that does stop all those vibrations, we proved it could be done. This should be something that is standard equipment on both the RT & F3. Cost for this improvement? $250 at the most including install.

Now, going by the first part on costs, BRP could greatly reduce costs on the above items by buying in volume.

They are not listening to us about this stuff. Many of you are going to Valcourt. Express your concerns to them. Fix the known problems. Listen to your customers. Make improvements on these bykes in the known problem areas. This will not make the company weaker it will make it thrive by having a more bulletproof Spyder.

[Road-Kill]

Not making accusations but a dealer who bashes a competitor leaves their statements very suspect in my book. I am awaiting the installation of the BRP idler and will make my own judgement. Rather then discussing a competitors possible shortcomings maybe detail how yours are superior, titanium this-scandium that, warranty that is outstanding etc.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Doc , I can't believe you didn't mention the windshield .....ARM... which been a problem since 2010 !!!!!! and the warranty fix on that is $ 700.00 ................ ..... Mike

[Jeriatric]

Not making accusations but a dealer who bashes a competitor leaves their statements very suspect in my book. I am awaiting the installation of the BRP idler and will make my own judgement. Rather then discussing a competitors possible shortcomings maybe detail how yours are superior, titanium this-scandium that, warranty that is outstanding etc.

I think being relatively new here may have prejudiced your statement. Doc knows of what he speaks, and all he has spoken here, is the truth.

[Bob Denman]

Doc is a "Keeper".

[Road-Kill]

I think being relatively new here may have prejudiced your statement. Doc knows of what he speaks, and all he has spoken here, is the truth.

And you know this how?

[Jeriatric]

And you know this how?

Are you asking what I know about Doc?

[Roadster Renovations]

Doc , I can't believe you didn't mention the windshield .....ARM... which been a problem since 2010 !!!!!! and the warranty fix on that is $ 700.00 ................ ..... Mike

Dang, Mike! You are right! Someone should start a thread about the known issues of both bykes and then they can be addressed at Valcourt. if we band together on these issues, and enough of us do so, it *might* make them listen.

And, Roadkill, as far what I said about the problems, all of us "oldtimers" know about these problems. and they have been discussed many, many times. Especially the middle windshield racket that can suddenly break and throw the windshield back at you.

[Bob Denman]

If you remember what we were ALL saying about the "998 RTs": BRP did address that list thoroughly!
So a bit of politely-worded "observations", can go a long way toward improving our bikes!

[Road-Kill]

Are you asking what I know about Doc?

Yes. What and how do you know him. Then the bigger question is who are you. I'm not intending to be insulting. I used to be an investigator and asking questions and questioning people are second nature to me. My thoughts.

[Jeriatric]

Yes. What and how do you know him. Then the bigger question is who are you. I'm not intending to be insulting. I used to be an investigator and asking questions and questioning people are second nature to me. My thoughts.

Me, I'm no one special. Just another face in a sea of them.

How do I know Doc?

Years ago I purchased his product, have had phone conversations with him, and observed the way he treats people here. Both his customers and those that may not be. So, in short, for me, he has passed the test of time.

[Bob Denman]

... and for exactly the same reasons!
(Although I probably have a couple more of his products on my bike... )

[bmwlarry]

Re Idler failures

I have purchased the adapter kit for 15RT from Doc and also bought the BRP idler. I have not installed yet but am now hearing about failures or at least longevity issues. My question is should I proceed with the install of the BRP arm or bag the idea all together???

[Ex-Rocket]

Re Idler failures

I have purchased the adapter kit for 15RT from Doc and also bought the BRP idler. I have not installed yet but am now hearing about failures or at least longevity issues. My question is should I proceed with the install of the BRP arm or bag the idea all together???

I'm aboard that same boat as you are. I have the adapter kit and the BRP belt tensioner and haven't installed mine as yet either. What do I do?? I'm not going to bag the entire idea, but Doc's double ball bearings makes a lot more sense to me than a single bearing.

[Roadster Renovations]

As far as using the BRP kit, it appears that the failure is just a lack of stopping the vibrations when it fails. So far, none of them have actually seized up, causing a tow. With that in mind, and the fact that others are getting good mileage out of theirs, you could go ahead and use them. Might even last this ryding season, then you can upgrade if you want after the ryding season. Obviously, you have to make your own decisions and that is just my .02 worth.