2012 RT Limited vibration at 6000 RPM

[Yride]

I have a vibration that occurs around 5300 to 6000 RPMs ONLY during acceleration. This happens in 4th and 5th gear so road speed is not
the issue. I can back off the throttle slightly and it will go away but as soon as I roll the throttle again its back. Is it possible that the engine
is making contact with the frame under torque conditions????

[boborgera]

I have a vibration that occurs around 5300 to 6000 RPMs ONLY during acceleration. This happens in 4th and 5th gear so road speed is not
the issue. I can back off the throttle slightly and it will go away but as soon as I roll the throttle again its back. Is it possible that the engine
is making contact with the frame under torque conditions????

Most likely its coming from the drive belt.

[tuck]

My guess would be the drive belt also. My 2011 RT does the same thing.

[redlightron]

I would agree but I resolved my problem with "Capt Jims" belt tension er which worked very well.

[NancysToy]

Belt harmonics. If the rpm range changes slightly when the belt tension is changed, you'll know for sure. See whaqt happens after the 600 mile belt adjustment.

[Yride]

I have already done the 600 mi. service and belt tension adj. this had no affect on the vibration range. I did see another
post this morning that suggest that motor cradle to frame clearance has been an issue and shims have been added under
the motor mounts with good results. I am very disappointed to pay this much for a machine that requires and extensive
disassembly and shims installed.

[cjackg]

It seems I saw mention that 2012 RTs already have the shim problem fixed before they are delivered ?

Is the Capt Jim's belt tensioner the same as the SmoothSpyder sponsor ?

Anyone else have experience with it ?

[spyder3]

It seems I saw mention that 2012 RTs already have the shim problem fixed before they are delivered ?

Is the Capt Jim's belt tensioner the same as the SmoothSpyder sponsor ?

Anyone else have experience with it ?

Yes, its jims belt tensioner. I had no vibration at all at first with the tensioner. i now have it only at the 5300 mark. I'm sure the belt still stretches since i only have 4k on the bike. Before the tensioner i felt like i had the vibration in many different spots. I also had the frame issue check out and told there is clearance.

[fastfraser]

I would agree but I resolved my problem with "Capt Jims" belt tension er which worked very well.

+1 The belt on the Spider is extremely long and originally the belts spec was very high. BRP found that the belt spec was to high with owners developing drive pulley failures, so they reduced the belt tension spec considerably. So now owners are getting a bit of vibration. I also got the vibration at the 55000 PM level. Installed Capt. Jims belt tensioner and all is well .

[NancysToy]

I have already done the 600 mi. service and belt tension adj. this had no affect on the vibration range. I did see another
post this morning that suggest that motor cradle to frame clearance has been an issue and shims have been added under
the motor mounts with good results. I am very disappointed to pay this much for a machine that requires and extensive
disassembly and shims installed.

A 2012 should already have the 8 mm shims. They are factory installed now. Your vibration point is a little higher than is typical for engine harmonics...and even for a belt. I'm still betting on the belt, but it could be something else. Changing the tension (tighter) would tell you. The best advice I can give right now is to see your dealer and report the problem. Usually the Spyder's worst vibration point is from 3,500-4,800 rpm or so.

[Yride]

Scotty Where did you get the 8mm number?? I have been hearing numbers like 2mm or 4.5mm

[NancysToy]

Scotty Where did you get the 8mm number?? I have been hearing numbers like 2mm or 4.5mm

It came from the posts in this forum. I'm pretty sure that's what Jeff said. Remember that this is the entire shim pack thickness....not the clearance! The original shims were thinner. Can't get 4 mm clearance with a smaller shim, BTW. The repair shims are also thinner, from what I understand, as they are added to the existing one, not inserted as a replacement.

[gypsy_100]

The confusion is metric/English. The shims are 2mm thick or 0.08" thick. The part number specified in the "tech tip" from BRP is the same part number as now installed during regular production (late 2011's and all 2012's). Earlier production models had no shims -- there are no shims shown in parts diagrams for 2010 or 2011 production. The minimum clearance specified by BRP is 1mm or 0.04".

I recall that Spyder Jeff said his shop started making their own shims when they discovered some Spyders had this problem. Their initial shims may have been thicker. But now that BRP has analyzed the problem and determined corrective action, the BRP shims are 2mm.

[NancysToy]

The confusion is metric/English. The shims are 2mm thick or 0.08" thick. The part number specified in the "tech tip" from BRP is the same part number as now installed during regular production (late 2011's and all 2012's). Earlier production models had no shims -- there are no shims shown in parts diagrams for 2010 or 2011 production. The minimum clearance specified by BRP is 1mm or 0.04".

I recall that Spyder Jeff said his shop started making their own shims when they discovered some Spyders had this problem. Their initial shims may have been thicker. But now that BRP has analyzed the problem and determined corrective action, the BRP shims are 2mm.

Sorry, my error. Thanks for clearing that up.

[ulflyer]

My 2011 RT is now doing the VIBE at 5500 and up. Just started since the new tire was installed last week by shop.
Didn't make the connection till I read this thread. Am I to assume theres nothing to worry about....other than mirrors being blurry at that rpm?

[JolyStNick]

My 2012 starts at about 5000rpms, and the dealers said it was from the belt, something to do with the extremely long belt length. Looking for an alternative way to dampen the belt. The ones offered by the site guys are a bit high in price,
thought about building my own.

[ddileo]

Same thing happening with new 2012 RT just over 500 miles on it in the higher 5000 + RPM range Let off the throttle and vibration seems to go away. Will mention this to the dealer at 600 mile check.

[ddileo]

Same thing happening with new 2012 RT just over 500 miles on it in the higher 5000 + RPM range Let off the throttle and vibration seems to go away. Will mention this to the dealer at 600 mile check.

Yes the belt was loose. Still a bit of vibration at different stages, but what a big difference.

[Sumners2]

We have a 2012 RT and just had it in for the 600 mile service. We have been experiencing vibration between 5000 and 6000 RPMs. Mostly near 6000 RPM. Can't go above 73 miles per hour without feeling a lot of vibration. It seems to hit in different RPMs above 5000 , 6000 being the worse while excelerating. We told them at the service appointment but we are still experiencing this problem.

[saint999]

I hear about Capt Jims belt tensioner but no where to get it. Can someone post a link?
Thanks
Joe

[spyder3]

http://www.smoothspyder.com/ jims a great guy to work with.

[Ride Master]

I have the same problem. After sharing some of the comments from this site, my dealer has agreed to install the SMOOTHSPYDER MADE IN USA Can Am Spyder RT Rotary Drive Belt Tensioner if I order one myself and bring it to the dealership,
and I am waiting for it to be delivered.

I have a vibration that occurs around 5300 to 6000 RPMs ONLY during acceleration. This happens in 4th and 5th gear so road speed is not
the issue. I can back off the throttle slightly and it will go away but as soon as I roll the throttle again its back. Is it possible that the engine
is making contact with the frame under torque conditions????

[Ride Master]

I have the same problem. After sharing some of the posts from this site, my dealer has agreed to install the SMOOTHSPYDER MADE IN USA Can Am Spyder RT Rotary Drive Belt Tensioner if I buy one and bring it to the dealer.