mnefred
01-27-2012, 10:53 PM
Hi all, and appologies in advance for a long post. I've been a long time lurker here, and you have all been of more help than you'll ever know. Thank you!!! Before you read the list below, please know that this isn't a rant. I really do have some questions I need help with that will make more sense at the end. I also realize that many of the problems I've had are common to the 2010 RT.
To set the stage, I have the afore mentioned '10 RT A&C SM5. It was purchased new on May 8th of 2011. Of course that's Mother's Day, something my wife will NEVER let me forget! I ryde her every single day I can, which here on beautiful Whidbey Island WA is almost every day of the year. As of this post I have just short of 11,000 miles. Obviously I love the bike, and she is my daily driver.
First up is the list of problems I've had fixed under warranty pretty much in the order they occured. Except for #1 and #15 which I did myself because it cost me less in time and gas than driving the 50 miles each way to the dealership. I also had to buy the shock cover in #11.
1. Rear cargo warnings and front trunk release inop. - Moved jumper in the air suspension switch plug to the correct position.
2. After first 600 mile service, bike suddenly runs differently. Choppier idle, more power, I suspect a timing change. Dealership insists they did nothing other than hook up to BUDS. - If the BUDS changed the timing and/or the fuel curves from a restricted break-in set, I'm okay with that. What I don't like is that the mechanic doesn't know about it, and it isn't mentioned in any of the books.
3. Also after the 600 mile service, the tupperware rattled. - Found three missing grommets, obviously a hit on the dealership. I did find out here recently that the 2011's have attached grommets, and there are new grommets for the 2010's that are larger on the outside. No Warranty Campaign to fix them, just a new part number.
4. Gas cap comes loose between fill ups. - Cap replaced.
5. Rear air suspension leaks. - Air bag replaced.
6. Gas cap seal split, broke into three pieces. - Cap replaced again. They couldn't get just the special o-ring.
7. Left turn signal intermittantly turns itself on. - Left switch cluster replaced.
8. Left turn signal intermittantly does not work. - Left switch cluster replaced again.
9. Gas gauge fluctuates. - Gauge replaced.
10. Rear shock bad. - Shock replaced. Note that I complained about the shock from day one, but it finally had to get really bad before they'd change it.
11. Rear shock had a rock stuck between the shock and the spring. - This is caused by the narrowly wound coils of the springs being mounted at the bottom. I asked the dealership to turn it over when they replaced the shock, they said they could not deviate from the book. I bought a pair of shock covers for a snowmobile and the mechanic put one on for me during the shock change.
12. Park brake cable came off the actuator, caused by cable not retracting. This caused multiple codes and error messages, and a bike that wouldn't start for 30 minutes. This happened at 11:30 at night in near freezing temps. Fortunately it happened when I shut it off at home, and not at the card lock gas pumps that were my previous stop! - I lubed and put the cable back on the actuator, the dealership re-clocked the aft pulley, and re-adjusted the parking brake.
13. Cruise control inop. - Replaced the right switch cluster. The bike was in the shop for a week on this one,because BRP sent them a box with the correct part number on the outside, but yet another left switch cluster on the inside.
14. Seat will not stay up when temps get down around freezing. - Gaz strut replaced.
15. Radio antenna fell off. - I had to buy a 6mm tap to chase the threads, then installed as per Warranty Campaign 2010-6. I know that campaign had not been complied with as I was told, because there was no trace of locktite, and the receptacle was not tapped far enough down for the antenna to tighten against the lock washer. Probably another hit on the dealership fo a poor PDI.
Problems that aren't fixed.
1. Gas smell while stopped or at very low speeds. - This one is caused by the exhaust pipes that cross under the fuel tank heating the tank to the point the fuel is boiling inside. Happens most when the weather is warm and the tank is near empty. You can check this by looking inside the tank when you're having the problem. Watch your eyes when you take the cap loose, and I sure hope I don't have to say "Don't use a match!!!" BRP installed some thin pieces of insulation on the bottom of the tank in the problem areas, but not nearly enough. I would have thought wrapping the pipes would have been a better solution. The dealership will do nothing about it, because it is "by the book".
2. Left switch cluster is loose. - I understand some dealerships have been able to fix this, but mine won't deviate from the book so it stays as a design flaw.
3. Stiching is failing on the driver's seat. - In all fairness I haven't asked for a warranty fix on this because I'm planning on a custom seat here shortly.
4. Stering is 'jerky' in corners - Mainly a problem on high G corners, especially when I'm being less than smooth. Seems worse in colder temps, but that might be because I'm worse then too.
5. Brake pedal is not adjustable. - On most bikes you can adjust the brake pedal linkage to account for different foot angles. The RT's shifter pedal is adjustable but not the brake.
As you can tell from the problem count, there has not been a single month since I bought the bike that it hasn't been in the shop for something. That's especially true since the dealership's procedure requires me to bring it in for a diagnosis, so they can order the parts, then a second trip in for the actual repair. They also hate the fact I won't just leave it with them. Since it is my primary transpo, that means I get to wander around the show room and sit on all the new bikes while they're working on mine.
Now for the questions.
Of the problems that have been fixed, are they staying fixed? You'll notice I've had two of my repairs repeat so far.
Are these problems still showing up on the '11 and '12 models?
Anybody have any suggestions on the "not fixed" problems?
Thanks a million for all your past help, and your patience on this post. I really didn't intend to publish a book!
Mark
To set the stage, I have the afore mentioned '10 RT A&C SM5. It was purchased new on May 8th of 2011. Of course that's Mother's Day, something my wife will NEVER let me forget! I ryde her every single day I can, which here on beautiful Whidbey Island WA is almost every day of the year. As of this post I have just short of 11,000 miles. Obviously I love the bike, and she is my daily driver.
First up is the list of problems I've had fixed under warranty pretty much in the order they occured. Except for #1 and #15 which I did myself because it cost me less in time and gas than driving the 50 miles each way to the dealership. I also had to buy the shock cover in #11.
1. Rear cargo warnings and front trunk release inop. - Moved jumper in the air suspension switch plug to the correct position.
2. After first 600 mile service, bike suddenly runs differently. Choppier idle, more power, I suspect a timing change. Dealership insists they did nothing other than hook up to BUDS. - If the BUDS changed the timing and/or the fuel curves from a restricted break-in set, I'm okay with that. What I don't like is that the mechanic doesn't know about it, and it isn't mentioned in any of the books.
3. Also after the 600 mile service, the tupperware rattled. - Found three missing grommets, obviously a hit on the dealership. I did find out here recently that the 2011's have attached grommets, and there are new grommets for the 2010's that are larger on the outside. No Warranty Campaign to fix them, just a new part number.
4. Gas cap comes loose between fill ups. - Cap replaced.
5. Rear air suspension leaks. - Air bag replaced.
6. Gas cap seal split, broke into three pieces. - Cap replaced again. They couldn't get just the special o-ring.
7. Left turn signal intermittantly turns itself on. - Left switch cluster replaced.
8. Left turn signal intermittantly does not work. - Left switch cluster replaced again.
9. Gas gauge fluctuates. - Gauge replaced.
10. Rear shock bad. - Shock replaced. Note that I complained about the shock from day one, but it finally had to get really bad before they'd change it.
11. Rear shock had a rock stuck between the shock and the spring. - This is caused by the narrowly wound coils of the springs being mounted at the bottom. I asked the dealership to turn it over when they replaced the shock, they said they could not deviate from the book. I bought a pair of shock covers for a snowmobile and the mechanic put one on for me during the shock change.
12. Park brake cable came off the actuator, caused by cable not retracting. This caused multiple codes and error messages, and a bike that wouldn't start for 30 minutes. This happened at 11:30 at night in near freezing temps. Fortunately it happened when I shut it off at home, and not at the card lock gas pumps that were my previous stop! - I lubed and put the cable back on the actuator, the dealership re-clocked the aft pulley, and re-adjusted the parking brake.
13. Cruise control inop. - Replaced the right switch cluster. The bike was in the shop for a week on this one,because BRP sent them a box with the correct part number on the outside, but yet another left switch cluster on the inside.
14. Seat will not stay up when temps get down around freezing. - Gaz strut replaced.
15. Radio antenna fell off. - I had to buy a 6mm tap to chase the threads, then installed as per Warranty Campaign 2010-6. I know that campaign had not been complied with as I was told, because there was no trace of locktite, and the receptacle was not tapped far enough down for the antenna to tighten against the lock washer. Probably another hit on the dealership fo a poor PDI.
Problems that aren't fixed.
1. Gas smell while stopped or at very low speeds. - This one is caused by the exhaust pipes that cross under the fuel tank heating the tank to the point the fuel is boiling inside. Happens most when the weather is warm and the tank is near empty. You can check this by looking inside the tank when you're having the problem. Watch your eyes when you take the cap loose, and I sure hope I don't have to say "Don't use a match!!!" BRP installed some thin pieces of insulation on the bottom of the tank in the problem areas, but not nearly enough. I would have thought wrapping the pipes would have been a better solution. The dealership will do nothing about it, because it is "by the book".
2. Left switch cluster is loose. - I understand some dealerships have been able to fix this, but mine won't deviate from the book so it stays as a design flaw.
3. Stiching is failing on the driver's seat. - In all fairness I haven't asked for a warranty fix on this because I'm planning on a custom seat here shortly.
4. Stering is 'jerky' in corners - Mainly a problem on high G corners, especially when I'm being less than smooth. Seems worse in colder temps, but that might be because I'm worse then too.
5. Brake pedal is not adjustable. - On most bikes you can adjust the brake pedal linkage to account for different foot angles. The RT's shifter pedal is adjustable but not the brake.
As you can tell from the problem count, there has not been a single month since I bought the bike that it hasn't been in the shop for something. That's especially true since the dealership's procedure requires me to bring it in for a diagnosis, so they can order the parts, then a second trip in for the actual repair. They also hate the fact I won't just leave it with them. Since it is my primary transpo, that means I get to wander around the show room and sit on all the new bikes while they're working on mine.
Now for the questions.
Of the problems that have been fixed, are they staying fixed? You'll notice I've had two of my repairs repeat so far.
Are these problems still showing up on the '11 and '12 models?
Anybody have any suggestions on the "not fixed" problems?
Thanks a million for all your past help, and your patience on this post. I really didn't intend to publish a book!
Mark