Got New RT...mystery solved

[MrBill5491]

Kill switch... done that, rather embarrassing...

My wife did just that this last Sunday. Stop to gas up and I was on my bike, her the Spyder. I had pulled out to leave and she came over the intercom, its not doing anything! Checked neutral yes, brake on yes, yada yada, no start, I pulled up and flipped the kill switch, said K yer good to go. I hear mumbling through the intercom...

[SCWSpyder]

MrBill, Ha yea-was hoping for same. As mentioned I’m afraid dealer prep may be in play. The RT arrived the Monday before I took delivery and was initially told it wouldn’t be done until next Tuesday (lack of a qualified tech). Upon my objection dealer said he’d “call in a favor” from another store to borrow a tech. In retrospect, should I have waited...naaah. Anyhow playing waiting game until tomorrow.

[h0gr1der]

I'm a plus one for dealer prep. My RTL came to me low on coolant and missing the rear shock centralizer bushings. Spyderpops noticed my rear shock offset to the side when he aligned my bike. Sealer told me it came from the factory that way.

[robhowen]

So sorry to hear. I hope your problem is quickly resolved. I pick up my new 2020 RTL from Sierra Cycles this Saturday. My 2015 RTL was completely trouble free and I hope the new one is as well.

Please keep us in the loop!

Rob

[KX5062]

I'm not going to say it's dealer prep, it could be, but doubtful. The Spyders I've seen in the crate from the factory are almost completely assembled. The only thing the dealer had to do was windshield, battery, and front tires. A quick air and fluid check and away you go. Assembly at the dealership is kept to a minimum to reduce their costs and to reduce the chance of error by the minimum wage monkey who puts things together.

Now. I'll grant you that was years ago, but I doubt much has changed. Things like shock bushings etc are solely the responsibility of the manufacturer IMO.

[jaherbst]

So what is the outcome? Sounds to me like a bad solenoid on the starter or loose connection on the solenoid itself. I assume the starter has a solenoid. Starter is not getting full amperage to start. This is the first thing I would check. If it started fine and you rode it earlier something has come loose in the starter area. Maybe it was only finger tight at factory or dealer and never tightened. Something between the batterie and the starter is loose. I would not suspect anything else at this point.
Hope this helps.

Jack

[SCWSpyder]

Wow! Missing coolant& bearings! And I may have met the dealer from Sierra Vista at a bike show: liked him and made me wish he was much closer to me. The dealer and factory rep that happened to be on site last week said setup time is “about 4 hours” because they check/inspect “about 150 items.” (Hmmm, me thinks some were missed.)
Jaherbst, Great question! Am scheduled to have a tech this afternoon too solve mystery. Will advise!

[SCWSpyder]

Hi All! Just picked up RT (second time). “Official” word why RT wouldn’t start last weekend: “Found that nut for positive cable on starter was loose as well as the secondary post for additional ground.” Apparently, there were two loose connections.

Woohoo it starts!! Part of the puzzle was the dash showing “1” but yet it rolled and thus in neutral. Anyhow, much happier miles ahead. Thanks for group input/feedback.

[cptjam]

Good! Loose connections are easier than bad parts! Glad it’s fixed!

[JayBros]

...“Official” word why RT wouldn’t start last weekend: “Found that nut for positive cable on starter was loose as well as the secondary post for additional ground.” Apparently, there were two loose connections...

That sounds like an assembly line problem. Unless they've changed it the VIN sticker on the swing arm shows only the month and year of manufacture so you can't tell if it was a Monday or Friday bike.

[Ex Winger]

Glad you got your bike back and it's ready to go.I know BRP only pays up to $200 dollars on a tow and I don't know why.If it was a new car the manufacturer would pay the whole tow bill and the Spyder is the price of a car.Should be no out of pocket expense for the owner.I would call the dealer and insist that they reimburse all the money you spent and they can go after BRP

[Montery]

I had the same experience with AAA in fact they hung up on me when I question them on the no motorcycle policy. As luck would have it I also belong to the AMA and if you buy a three year membership Towing comes with the membership.They came to the rescue and got me back on the road.....

[SCWSpyder]

Ex Winger, Thanks for input. I returned to dealer this morning and approached them with the idea that they (the dealer) did nothing wrong in setup but that BRP should cover their error in assembly. Short story: Service Mgr agreed to credit me 2 hours for any future labor/repairs. Thanx again for idea.
And AMA I had forgotten about even though I am a member! There is a AAA office right down from my neighborhood and will see them next.