Thermal event

[Ex-Rocket]

So glad that you got off the bike in time before it erupted in flames. Glad you weren't hurt, that is the main thing. Bikes can be replaced.

[Brew crew]

Ann, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Very grateful that physically you are ok. Sendi g lots of GOS hugs!

[Blake33]

So glad you weren't physically injured during this awful event, Ann. Please keep us updated about what BRP does in response to your frightful experience.

[finless]

Ann, as everyone said I am glad your OK.

I have to say I am a total n00b here with my 2011 RT-S SM5. But before I bought it I read a lot here including your posts. I remember clearly a post you made about having a previous year model RT and having no issues with a TON of miles put on it. In that post you said you traded it in for a 2013 model and had problems from the get go and were concerned if you did the right thing!

Your post helped me a lot in deciding what I bought. I was not against buying a 2013 but when a 2011 RT-S SM5 came up at a outstanding price, I looked at all I read and went that way. Now I am not saying the 2013 have problems and you post kept me from buying a 2013 model, but..... After seeing everything since then I am honestly glad I have what I have.

As for your burn up.... Total bummer and I know what you have been through already. But look at the bright side. If it was a lemon, it is now gone and a new one is in your future with the hopes it performs for you as your first RT did!

BRP, time to look at this! I am new and have read a lot of history with these trikes and sorry... this is sticking out like a sore thumb now! I think the plastic bag story is now beyond believable..... When you have a RT burn up at your own "controlled" event, it might be time to put some serious thought into the matter.

Bob

[PW2013STL]

WOW

So glad to hear you are ok Ann

Well what a story you now have to tell. When I look back on past rides the one thing I always remember are the adverse things that happened and were overcome. You are safe and the Spyder can be replaced and that is what matters the most!

[twain]

Ann so sorry this has happened to you. I know you have had lots of trouble with this bike. Glad you are ok and walked away from this terrible event. Just adds to my fear of riding my 2013 ST here in Texas. Still ave heat issues and no fix as of yet. This may be the ingredient needed to get BRP off their butts and help us out. Again so sorry this happened to you but glad you are safe.

[billrob71]

Glad your ok Ann, unimaginable in my eyes !!!

Be hard to fathom riding down the road and experiencing that. good luck

[rick_w]

Glad your ok. I am sure that you are still a little shook up. Don't let this set back stop you from riding though.
Teresa rides our 2013 RT and I was a little concerned about the heat issue's also. Did a few things to take care of it, but still runs warm.
Let us know what BRP does with the warranty and their answer to the cause.

Rick
Value-Accessories

[Highwayman2013]

Glad you're OK. Time to find an older Spyder to replace it.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Ann, not sure i can add anything to what has been said. Genuinely glad you are physically unharmed, though without a doubt rattled by the event. Looking forward to seeing you back here after things settle down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[SpyderAnn01]

Thanks again everyone for the well wishes. While I had a bad day I can't help but shed a tear for my neighbor who called me this afternoon to tell me that her husband succumbed to cancer this morning. I am truly thankful that I got off the bike without getting hurt and as Kawakii said in her post she may not have been so lucky.

A little background first. The parking brake cable had melted and was just replaced along with the shocks. I then had a problem with it running rough and not idling or racing up then stalling. The dealer initially told me it was an exhaust leak and that is all they looked at. That didn't fix the problem and I went on a 2,000 mile trip and it ran like crap. I got 20 mpg on more than 1 tank and was glad to have made it home. I took it back to the dealer and suggested that they look at the purge valve as others had reported similar symptoms and the purge valve fixed it. They replaced the purge valve and I asked them when I picked it up if they replaced the evap canister but the service writer didn't think they had.

I left on a short 150 mile trip the next day and before I made it to the expressway it went into limp mode and had 4 codes that I had never seen before. I turned the key on and off while riding and the codes went away and the bike ran fine. I returned from that trip last Thursday and on Saturday I decided to go to SITR. The ride up there was fine and I had no issues. On Monday I rode to Yosemite and there was construction that took forever so I shut the bike off in neutral and set the parking brake. I don't usually use the brake as I have a manual but I did and when I went to start back up it wouldn't go. Felt like an elephant had stuck his foot on the front and wouldn't let me go. I pulled off and turned the brake on and off and got it to release. This happened again yesterday and I had to loosen a nut (1/4 turn) and the brake released.

I left this morning and everything was going great. It was cool and the traffic was light and I got 30 mpg on my first tank of gas. I was about 80 miles into the second tank and was ready to get lunch when I smelled something. I was in an agricultural area and it had many smells but I knew this was a burning smell. Then I thought I saw smoke and looked down and saw smoke pouring out of the right side next to my knee. I was in a construction zone where the traffic was split with trucks and local traffic in the far right lane, the middle lane was blocked off and I was in the left lane. There was another lane to my left but it was not for traffic and every so often they put up cones to keep vehicles out of it.

As soon as I saw the smoke I hit the emergency flashers and started to pull to the left and I saw just ahead of me the cones and knew that I wanted to be in front of them. I was able to veer back to the right around the cones and then off again to the left. I hit the kill switch and as I was getting off the Spyder I turned the key to open the front trunk. I got my bag out of the front then I turned the key to open the seat and I was able to remove the bag I had on the seat behind me (I had the strap run under the seat) Then I thought I really should get my purse and phone out of the back so I ran around back and got that then I opened the right side and got my textile jacket and pants out of there. By this time, probably all of 30 seconds , there were flames shooting out of the right side and I knew I needed to get the heck away from it.

I threw all of my stuff up against the concrete and dialed 911. My phone has GPS but they couldn't figure out where I was! She actually said that if I figured out where I was to call them back. It took the fire department a long time to get to me due to the split traffic lanes and where they were located. But a very nice guy who also happened to be a county arson investigator stopped and waited for the fire truck and the police to arrive.
`

[SpyderAnn01]

So if I had to guess what caused the problem I would say the evap canister. I really do not think it was heat related or heat soak related. It was quite cool and I had not gotten any heat codes since before I left Las Vegas. I will report this to NHTSA and to BRP and I will let you all know what they say.

I am thinking about changing my user name from SpyderAnn01 to CrispySpyder or maybe FlamingSpyder. What do you think?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Ann...First things first...I'm glad you're ok...Beyond that I'd be extremely ticked off...BRP already had one of thier machines flame up at a demo, now yours...reminds me of the problem with the 08-09 GS's and I thought they had that rectified. You're one of our ambassadores in my eyes and I hope this doesn't discourage you...Keep the faith..I'm behind you as well as many others from Spyderlovers...Let me know if you need any kind of help while you're on the road...Larry & Cindi..

x 1000, + ...etc.,etc........Mike & Dee......Just read your last post and you are amazing , with what happened you still have your sense of Humor

[Brew crew]

Thankful for your safe arrival home! Thank you for taking the time to share with us all your experience. Sounds like you were quite cool"under fire" - forgive the pun - dont know if I would have had it so together! Get some rest and good luck with BRP.

michele

[SpyderAnn01]

Also, someone asked it I had my trailer with me and no I did not but I do want to say that if I had it probably would be toast along with the Spyder. I usually locked the tongue and I know that I wouldn't have been able to get that unlocked quickly enough but I don't think I would have had time to unhitch it even without it being locked.

[kawakii]

Ann - I'm so glad you are okay. You are very lucky to have gotten off it and to get as much as you did. Hopefully insurance will treat you well and you'll be on another less problematic Spyder soon.

[Desert Spyder]

Does anyone know what model and year spyder it was?

Brand new. She got it at Spyderfest this year when her 10 crapped out

[Desert Spyder]

So if I had to guess what caused the problem I would say the evap canister. I really do not think it was heat related or heat soak related. It was quite cool and I had not gotten any heat codes since before I left Las Vegas. I will report this to NHTSA and to BRP and I will let you all know what they say.

I am thinking about changing my user name from SpyderAnn01 to CrispySpyder or maybe FlamingSpyder. What do you think?

I think you and Joe need to toast (bad pun) your survival.

[SDM]

Thank the Good Lord you smelled and saw what was happening and were able to get off in time!! As long as you are in one piece, even if a little singed around the edges, is the most important part of this story!!!

[SpyRyd]

Wow! Scary to say the least. So very thankful you escaped injury. Hope this all works out for the best and you're back on three wheels (a new and improved Spyder) soon. Please keep us informed as this unfolds.

[spydercowboy]

So now we have one go up in flames without a plastic bag to blame. Is BRP really waiting for someone to get hurt before they recall theses things????????????????

Glad you're okay Ann but this heat, vapor canister, fuel tank overflow, WHATEVER issue is ridiculous. BRP has a real problem and should issue a "cease all operation" recall until they fix this before someone is hurt or worse.

[MouthPiece]

Thank you all for your concern. I'm shook up but okay. On my way home and now I'm getting low battery indications on my phone so you will have to wait until later for all of the fiery details

First, I too want to echo my concern over your incident. It appears that you came through physically unscathed. I also hope that it includes the mental.

As much as we, spyderlovers, want to know what happened, I'm not too sure it would be prudent (at least at this point) to go into detail what happened. I say this for many reason, but most importantly you will be "going on record". Wait till you've had an opportunity to see a lawyer before giving any details. I know I know this is the lawyer coming out in me, but I just think that for now you best keep your comments in a "general sense".

Again, I'm glad you're okay. I'm sorry about the whole ordeal and hope you come through this okay.

Chris Edit: [PS: Looks like I didn't see your second post. However, it appears to be in general terms.]

[CyncySpyder]

You've been thru alot in the past and now this
Teddy & I are adding you to our prayer list, cause you really could use some devine intervention to say the least

As others have stated, I hope this all gets worked out for you & your once again a Happy Spyder Ryder

[BajaRon]

Really sorry to hear all of this Ann. You are to be commended for keeping your wits about you. That is rare. You did all you could and that's all anyone can do.

I agree that it sounds like your Evap canister. With all the vapor recovery issues you had I am surprised that they didn't at least check that canister for raw fuel. I still can see absolutely no downside to the canister-ectomy.

But bottom line, we are all very grateful that you are ok.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm surprised that the Chairman, CEO, COO, and a few others haven't actually shown up at your house and asked for your FORGIVENESS because this is something that has not been fixed yet.........and brought at least ONE of every product they SELL ....all with Titles in your Name Just MHO .....Mike