NHTSA investigation update

[obiwan57]

Having recently purchased a 2013 RT Limited, and dealing with some of these heat and gas vapor issues, I agree that we should stay on topic, and avoid talk of litigation. I have formally registered complaints with the NHTSA, and corresponded with Mr. Robert Young of the NHTSA, who is working these issues. I think the long-term benefit of us 2013 Spyder owners is more important than having someone upset the process with premature talk about class action lawsuits.

[Bob Denman]

An F3 is a middle grade tornado, not as bad as the F5, but worse than the F1.

Are you saying that it "BLOWS"??

[Tnpapa]

Have a 2013 rs that is almost unrideable in 80 plus temperatures due to the heat from the bike. Gives you first degree burns. Have posted a complaint to the proper safety administration.

[Bob Denman]

Thank-you for doing so.
Sorry to hear that you're experiencing this, but still...

[DrewNJ]

An F3 is a middle grade tornado, not as bad as the F5, but worse than the F1.

Thank you...[emoji5]

[oldguyinTX]

I printed it & I have read through it a couple of times. Here is what jumped out at me:

Page 7, #14; "fully describe all assessments, analyses, tests, test results, studies, surveys, simulations, investigations, inquiries and/or (collectively, "actions") wherein temperature readings were noted that support BRP's marketing claim of "improved heat management" found at http://can-am.brp.spyder/shopping-to...spyder-rt.html for the MY2014 Spyder RT models. Provide all documents comparing/contrasting the temperature readings BRP relied upon when making that claim."

Page 8, #18 (g); "Separately for each of the 16 fires BRP identifies that are, or could be, within the scope of 12V-582, provide all documents related to each fire.

Page 8, #19 (d); "Separately, for each of the 30 fires BRP identifies that are, or could be, within the scope of 12V-581, provide all documents related to each fire.

Page 9, #20 (d); "Separately, for each of the 3 fires that BRP identifies prompting its recall, provide all related documents."

Boys & girls, that is a total of 49 fires that BRP has identified. Not once in my agonizingly long year of dealing with BRP have they ever acknowledged even 1 fire to me. Have they to any of you? I think that this is really going to bite BRP in the . Not to mention the marketing claim of "improved heat management" which implies that they knew all along that there was a heat problem with the 2013 RT's. I was told today by a BRP representative that the 2014 RT was "a completely designed bike" with new panels and twin radiators relocated to the front that "reverse in stop and go traffic".

I think that we are getting closer to some resolution with this. Below are 2 Emails from Bob Young a NHTSA.

On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 1:39 PM, <Robert.Young@dot.gov<mailto:Robert.Young@dot.gov>> wrote:
You should have your cannister weighed, Dwight. If more than 485 grams, it should be replaced.

Bob Young

Vehicle Defects Investigator

USDOT/NHTSA/ODI

202-366-4806<tel:202-366-4806>

I hope that helps. Make certain, too, that they check the roll-over and purge valves (per BRP diagnostic recommendations). In any event, please let me know what they find.

Bob Young

Vehicle Defects Investigator

USDOT/NHTSA/ODI

202-366-4806

Keep your fingers crossed. I know mine are.

[Jeriatric]

"Not to mention the marketing claim of "improved heat management" which implies that they knew all along that there was a heat problem with the 2013 RT's."

Have said this before and think it's worth repeating. One way to diminish a previously known problem is to make it worse. That is what happened in 2013. Those who have had heat issues prior to 2013 should not be discounted.

[uralski]

This is great news they have to step up now what really get me is all the dealers from what i read when you ask them if this is a common problem they all say the same thing i never heard of this before yup OK lets hope justice will be served i am about ready to trade my 2013 because of the fuel smell been to the dealer 2 times on more time then i will file a lemon law this surelly will help anyone that wants file a lemon law on their bike

When I asked about using the lemon law a couple of years ago on a different motorcycle, I was told the law didn't apply to motercycles just cars.

[Magdave]

When I asked about using the lemon law a couple of years ago on a different motorcycle, I was told the law didn't apply to motercycles just cars.

It varies by state mine does not have one.Needless to say lets stay on topic this is something for another thread.

[cuznjohn]

An F3 is a middle grade tornado, not as bad as the F5, but worse than the F1.

well a light year has 2/3 rd's less calories than a regular year

[SpyderAnn01]

I printed it & I have read through it a couple of times. Here is what jumped out at me:


Boys & girls, that is a total of 49 fires that BRP has identified. Not once in my agonizingly long year of dealing with BRP have they ever acknowledged even 1 fire to me. Have they to any of you? I think that this is really going to bite BRP in the . Not to mention the marketing claim of "improved heat management" which implies that they knew all along that there was a heat problem with the 2013 RT's. I was told today by a BRP representative that the 2014 RT was "a completely designed bike" with new panels and twin radiators relocated to the front that "reverse in stop and go traffic".

I.

Of course BRP or their dealers wouldn't have "acknowledged even 1 fire" to you, they believed that they had fixed the problems.

[cuznjohn]

see i complained about the heat on my 13 rt quite a bit, and spent close to 5k to try to fix it. i sold the bike and the new owner also has heat with it but it doesn't get to him as much as it did to me

[Magdave]

If you have not seen it here is a NHTSA PDF that explains the whole process of what is going on

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...andRecalls.pdf

[mastertek2000]

any more news on this topic ???

[Bob Denman]

Would you like some Bratwursts while we wait?

[Magdave]

Nuthin' new if you read the above PDF it is happening in steps. The step we are in will move on after DEC 5 deadline for BRP to respond. NHTSA has been testing bike and have results and are talking to owners. That is all that is happening....for now.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks, Dave...

[Mickay]

Hopefully, pre-2013 will stay in the course, like mine 2010 RTS PE , boiling gas, irriting eyes, dripping gas ,smell clothes. When new my dealer told me it's was normal operation. So i keep riding it like that not without inconvenient.
But i'm in canada so Transport Canada don't bite to hard if it's not push by NHTSA.
(I remember at that time when i complaint for the erratic power steering)
Please BRP waiting for good news for pre-2013 for canadian owner in december.

[Lone Spyder Ryder]

deja vu my first 08 was one of the 109. I just bought a 2013 SE5 ST Limited, I just started riding it the last few weeks back and forth to the store or run a short errand. Did take it to Lodi to have some thing fixed happened to it before I got it. But did ride it long enough to know that the sides get hot enough in 80 degree to make you keep your leg away from the side and the fuel smell at some long lights and I have left it our a few times when i got home and got a gas smell.
I do like the looks of the 2013 and was looking forward to riding again and will wait to see how it goes. I ordered the BajaRon swaybar kit and Lamonster highway brackets and pegs. Oh well it is what it is, and that is all it is.
You all ride safe.

[Lone Spyder Ryder]

If you read the letter it is for ALL years they are investigating especially since the 2011 police bike flamed on. The 2013 because of the frame design is more prevalent in having the issues there really is a difference in available airflow room on a 2013 over previous years. I thought both you and Drew knew the facts involved here there have been hundreds of posts about the 2013 differences. My quote on the 20 mph pertained to SE models only and not because of heat it is because of tranny issues. You can lug a SM if you want to but performance will suffer due to being in the lower torque range.It also is not good for the clutch disks. I did not support your theory about faster higher revs means less heat, We all have to stop at lights and stop signs don't we? If you go to the NHTSA reporting sight and look for 2013 Spyder you will see the # of reports on it. I have never looked for other years but I assume there are more.

Spyders have been burning up since 08 and I know that for sure.

[smcconnel]

Well, it seems I'm one of the people who just cant stand the heat that comes out between the seats. I thought initially it was just....well too tight tighty whities.....it was quite painful on many occasions.

I for one hope they deal with it as they should but ultimately corporate greed willweigh its ugly head. I'm too new an owner to put BRP down for their customer service and dont know much about their attempts at customer loyalty (but by reading here....it's either non-existent or so little as to be...)

*anxiously awaiting their response*

[SpyderAnn01]

Hopefully, pre-2013 will stay in the course, like mine 2010 RTS PE , boiling gas, irriting eyes, dripping gas ,smell clothes. When new my dealer told me it's was normal operation. So i keep riding it like that not without inconvenient.
But i'm in canada so Transport Canada don't bite to hard if it's not push by NHTSA.
(I remember at that time when i complaint for the erratic power steering)
Please BRP waiting for good news for pre-2013 for canadian owner in december.

Did you replace the gas cap?

[Raknid]

Did you replace the gas cap?

We have a 2012 RT with the replacement gas cap and it still fills the garage with fumes. There are others with pre-2013 models experiencing the same.

[M109Dreamer]

We have a 2012 RT with the replacement gas cap and it still fills the garage with fumes. There are others with pre-2013 models experiencing the same.

I agree, we have at 11 RTS/SE5 and still have the gas fume issue, especially in the summer after a long ride.

[SpyderAnn01]

On my 2010 RT the boiling gas never happened after the new gas cap was installed. It always smelled of gas, as did my 2013.