Anyone want to wake up BRP?

[BajaRon]

I too had one of the "Spyders that never had any power steering from day one" remember? So I know about what may have seemed like BRP was not aware of my problems. But I also know from Lamonster's talks to Matt at BRP that they were all over this ASAP.

Even if there are twice the fires out there, I know from a CTA ( cover their as$) point they will never come right out and say it is their fault until they know 100% for sure and have a fix for it too.

I just hate to think of all the people who will see a You Tube vid and think "all Spyders" go up in toast. It is thinking like this that can drive resale values right into the dumper as things like this make John Q Public think all Spyders are Roman Candles waiting to burst into flames.

Remember how many people here and elsewhere who have said a Spyder was their very first bike? Hearing things like this or seeing a You Tube vid to these new riders (not all of whom can afford new Spyders, but might buy a used one) could cost all us in the long run more than we may have thought about. Because who would buy a brand of bike that You Tube says burst into flames for no good reason. The internet does not lie right?

I am with everybody here who says we all need to get to the bottom of this ASAP 100%!

I just think regardless of what any of us think, BRP is really all over this already more so than we will ever know. But, also that they won't say anything "offical" until they have something "real" to say about this topic and it's cause/fix.

MM

BRP has got to be all over this issue of fires.

We have to look at this as a partnership with BRP and the dealers. We each have a role to play.

My steering was ZERO from day 1. Figured it out (well, Lamont figured it out but that is beside the point) and got it fixed.

The fix was a bit protracted but again, BRP and dealership were working out bugs of their own. I feel that because I cooperated and didn't get all fired up, the process went pretty well overall.

And, I'd say that my event helped both the dealership and BRP to improve the next customer's experience. That is a good thing.

We have to ask ourselves what our goal is.

If our goal is to cook BRP's goose (or Spyder in this case) and rub theirs and everyone elses nose in it we can do that.

But think how many "Lurkers" visit this site thinking about buying a Spyder. If it were you, what would you think if the very place called SpyderLovers was hating on the Spyder? Especially when the truth is, we really love the Spyder. I see smiles on every Spyder Rider's face, everytime I meet one (mayby they're just that glad to see me?).

Multiply the effect by thousands that would see a Spyder buring video on You Tube.

If we want to get this fixed let's do what we can to work together. Think about it. What are the chances that you or I will come up with a fix? Not good. The fix will come from BRP and I don't think we have to beat them up to get it.

If we nuke the goose, don't be surprised when the golden eggs stop coming.

As always, just my opinion (of course I'm pretty impressed with it but that is also worth what you paid for it! )

[bun-1]

No one can deny that there are issues with at least a few Spyders.

Still, from everything that I know and the BRP people I've met I am convinced they are on our side.

You can be assured BRP is not ignoring any of these issues. They have an approach that may not thrill us as we want answers and solutions yesterday. As great as that would be it just isn't the way things work.

A corporation just isn't going to jump out and do something until they have a pretty good consensus from all departsments as to what needs to be done. That isn't necessarily bad. Especially if they get it right the 1st time.

I'm not saying that we need to blindly trust anyone to take care of everything. BRP or the dealerships. Just that we need to give them some benefit of the doubt along the way.

Beating them up should be the last resort.

i disagree because my bike caught fire and was saved for the most part, but BRP didn't send a tech out to investigate personally nor did they request my bike to be sent in. these jokers had the dealer send them pictures of the damage HINT HINT they either don't give a f_ck or they don't give a sh*t...

sorry to b so anal but my bike was only 2 months old with 1700 miles and all they offered to do was fix it..

[Firefly]

i disagree because my bike caught fire and was saved for the most part, but BRP didn't send a tech out to investigate personally nor did they request my bike to be sent in. these jokers had the dealer send them pictures of the damage HINT HINT they either don't give a f_ck or they don't give a sh*t...

sorry to b so anal but my bike was only 2 months old with 1700 miles and all they offered to do was fix it..

You filed a recent report on the NHTSA right?? Your story sounds like the one listed---- if that is you-- THANKS for doing that.

So is BRP fixing it--- or is your insurance kicking in to cover it?

I feel your pain-- hope they get you back on the road soon!

[Putt-Putt]

i disagree because my bike caught fire and was saved for the most part, but BRP didn't send a tech out to investigate personally nor did they request my bike to be sent in. these jokers had the dealer send them pictures of the damage HINT HINT they either don't give a f_ck or they don't give a sh*t...

sorry to b so anal but my bike was only 2 months old with 1700 miles and all they offered to do was fix it..

Really sorry to here about you bike. I know if it were me it happened to I'd be pizzd too. Nobody figures in the lost time the inconvience this causes or the extra expense to the owner. It's easy to sit back and be real calm & collected when it's not your bike. Even if it is just a few if it happened to, you would feel a little different were it yours.

[bone crusher]

Sorry, but I must disagree with your numbers.

You are talking about 10,000 total spyders - and we have no idea how many out of 10,000 have caught on fire - we only know how many have burnt from the membership out here. Your .0007 chance based on 10,000 is assuming that no one outside of this website has had a fire.

The fair way to look at these numbers is:

There are around 3,000 members here - and I don't believe all 3,000 are still around or even owned Spyders. We know of 6 confirmed fires out of these 3,000 'possible' Spyder owners.

That is 1 out of every 500 - or .005%... at best.

If you check the NHTSA - you will only find around 8 reports of steering failures - and BRP only received around 14 total (including those 8) reports.

So 14 out of 13,000 Spyders in North America was cause enough for a safety recall. That is one out of every 900.

If we get more owners to take the time and report this to the NHTSA - I have no doubt a recall will be done. BRP has had similar fire related recalls in the past - one was due to gas lines rubbing on engine heads.

Fire,

Actually, the only true number of fires is the one that is reported to the NHTSA. It's like if a tree falls in the middle of a forest, does it make noise?

Until they are reported, they don't exist, at least as far as BRP and the gov't go...

Therefore, the numbers are 3 total (is that the number reported?)...out of how many bikes?...so, the ratio is even lower.

If this were a JD Power and Assoc. rating, the Spyder would probably do quite well...as it's total complaints out of 1000 vehicles...the fire issue probably wouldn't even make it to the list...

Anyway, I agree that everyone who has a problem needs to report it...but if they don't, unfortunately, the problem doesn't exist for the people who would need to deal with it...

[Roaddog2]

No one can deny that there are issues with at least a few Spyders.

Still, from everything that I know and the BRP people I've met I am convinced they are on our side.

You can be assured BRP is not ignoring any of these issues. They have an approach that may not thrill us as we want answers and solutions yesterday. As great as that would be it just isn't the way things work.

A corporation just isn't going to jump out and do something until they have a pretty good consensus from all departsments as to what needs to be done. That isn't necessarily bad. Especially if they get it right the 1st time.

I'm not saying that we need to blindly trust anyone to take care of everything. BRP or the dealerships. Just that we need to give them some benefit of the doubt along the way.

Beating them up should be the last resort.

[Questions]

I'm curious how many people have actually dealt with BRP before the Spyder.

[spyder08]

[Firefly]

Fire,

Actually, the only true number of fires is the one that is reported to the NHTSA. It's like if a tree falls in the middle of a forest, does it make noise?

Until they are reported, they don't exist, at least as far as BRP and the gov't go...

Therefore, the numbers are 3 total (is that the number reported?)...out of how many bikes?...so, the ratio is even lower.

If this were a JD Power and Assoc. rating, the Spyder would probably do quite well...as it's total complaints out of 1000 vehicles...the fire issue probably wouldn't even make it to the list...

Anyway, I agree that everyone who has a problem needs to report it...but if they don't, unfortunately, the problem doesn't exist for the people who would need to deal with it...

Yup-- which is why I've been pushing hard for people to report these problems.

[WackyDan]

Ok ok.... I didn't say I always had great ideas...

I'll book mark it for some other time though.

[bone crusher]

Ok ok.... I didn't say I always had great ideas...

I'll book mark it for some other time though.

You're funny...that approach would be warranted if BRP totally disregarded our complaints and we were losing spyderlovers daily to incineration!

[WackyDan]

You're funny...that approach would be warranted if BRP totally disregarded our complaints and we were losing spyderlovers daily to incineration!

Where did I ever suggest that Spyderlovers were catching on fire?

[SSPSpyder]

Lets see - recent fire issues, steering, parking brake, DPS, GPS, locking in gear, lack of dealerships locally, lackadaisical customer support from BRP - we should ignore these and just ride? Easier said than done. How many of those defending BRP would change their tune if any of the above happened to them? Almost all I think.

If I was intending to buy a Spyder for its resale value, I would have put it in storage the day I brought it home. Since this is not the case (I would guess most of you would agree) why would we want to keep the problems a secret? Don't we all want to ride, safely, as much as we can?

By my arithmetic, approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the total Spyder owners worldwide belong to Spyderlovers.com - so the number of fires, steering problems, etc. reported here should be multiplied by 3 - 4.

Just aski'n, not diss'n.

[Roger]

The best thing that came out of the few fire posts that we have had. Think about all the spyders that have been saved because people went back and check their fuel filter lines or stopped filling the gastank so full or checked their electrical connections for any mods they have done or the evap cannister. The point of all of this is cooler calmer heads must prevail.

[WackyDan]

The best thing that came out of the few fire posts that we have had. Think about all the spyders that have been saved because people went back and check their fuel filter lines or stopped filling the gastank so full or checked their electrical connections for any mods they have done or the evap cannister. The point of all of this is cooler calmer heads must prevail.

Very true. I did the same and would be oblivious if not for Spyderlovers.com

[nater1]

Just do it.

I would like to see if they give some good attention like file suit for some BS stuff over, and over with no real intention to win a case. But have you spend $25,000 or more over the next ten years just to screw with you back. It happen all the time. When a big company has lawyers on the pay roll it costs the same to have them sit around, and screw with you.

Welcome to Business the American way.

[jimmykjimmy]

I would not do this. That kind of action could Snowball into something more than you wanted. If it would get out of hand (More rumor than fact) and people wouldn't buy the product (remember the Chevy Corvair) BRP would take it off the market and you would loose your investment also. I say let BRP handle the problems, we just need to be sure that they are reported factually.IMHO


Michael

Certainly good advice. We need to cool our jets, report the problems to BRP and follow through if we fail to get answers.

[Firefly]

I think we should give BRP a chance to find and fix the problem before going down the path of 'trashing' them on youtube.

If nothing has been done within another 6-12 months and the fires continue to happen---- then this might be an option--- but a last resort in my opinion.

I pulled the stupid evap can----- which I think may be a contributing factor.

[Tripod]

Wacky,

There is precedent in your idea about publicizing what's going on with the Spyder fires. The Pinto mess languished for about four years until a major story and expose was published by Mother Jones magazine which created a national awareness and outrage. It was instrumental in forcing Ford to fess up and issue a major recall. Like everything else, timing is everything. I'm not sure BRP is stonewalling... but, I'd sure like to hear something in the near future.

Tripod

[WackyDan]

Wacky,

There is precedent in your idea about publicizing what's going on with the Spyder fires. The Pinto mess languished for about four years until a major story and expose was published by Mother Jones magazine which created a national awareness and outrage. It was instrumental in forcing Ford to fess up and issue a major recall. Like everything else, timing is everything. I'm not sure BRP is stonewalling... but, I'd sure like to hear something in the near future.

Tripod

I hear you. I'm in no rush. Other than carrying fire fighting gear and letting the Spyder cool down some before bringing her in the garage... Well, it is no biggy. If a few more months and a few more spyders go up in smoke , then we may have to make a statement that way... It is just an idea, not an absolute nessesity at this point.

I do appreciate everyone's feedback on it though. -Keeping me sane. :P

[Tom in NM]

I do appreciate everyone's feedback on it though. -Keeping me sane. :P

. . . . that is what friends are for.

. . . . also why you have so many. It is a thankless and tough job, but we are happy to do it.

Tom

[DannyS]

I went to the BRP web site two or three days ago to see if there was a release date on the 2010 line-up there was not. But it asked me to take a short survey. So I did it is only about 5 questions long about how I didn't, I mean how I liked the web site. One question was did you find what you were looking for. I responded no so it have me a comment block. So I said I was looking for the 2010 line-up and if there was any info on the problems people were having with the ECM up-date, OR IF THERE WAS ANY ANSWERS TO THE LISTINGS OF SPYDERS CATCHING FIRE.
I am sure that if you go you will be asked to do the survey also. So go several times if need be. I was logged in so you may also need to be logged in. It is a chance to keep asking the question until we get an answer. Remember be civil you catch more bees with honey.

[krb1945]

fords and as I recall Ford got off their collective butts and issued a recall and installed a fused wire harness. I know this to be fact because three of mine were in the recall and ford recalled quickly.

Where as... it is a known fact that many of these spyders have fuel lines, oil lines and electrical wires touching or within fractions of an inch of the exhaust manifold and several have fuel lines rubbing on the cylinder heads and other areas. Oh... by the way two of the three spyders I own are in this catagory.

And as of this date I have neither seen or heard anything out of BRP via the dealer or direct mail advising me or any one else to check machines for these deficiencies or that they would modify them to correct a major safety defect.

I fixed mine myself because I did not want to burn the garage, house or my spyders and goldwings.

Anyone that doesn't think fuel, oil and electrical on or near exhaust headers, cylinders heads or cylinders needs to revisit their high school for an update on the science of heat transference or melting points for rubber. Or do they still teach science in high school these days?

Now I'll get off my soap box.

[Motza]

I couldn't have said it better myself, Scotty. Yes, this machine isn't perfect by no means but it is a fun machine and it still makes me smile every time I kick it into gear and crack the throttle. I think this machine is still in it's early infinite stages of quirks but, for the most part it's a good machine. In time they will fix the situations we are worried about. The owners are giving BRP feedback on it's problems and thats' what they need. If they don't take care of the problems, they will lose the fight and the product will go away. Hang in there Spyder riders, we will prevail.

WELL SAID ...

[effgjamis]

Rather than beat up BRP on the fire issue, I would rather have BRP resolve the surge cause by their sofware update, post haste... I think they caused more of an issue the the Percentage factor of fires.
Just an ole man's opinion..