Wanna be with a long time question concerning driveline.

[Lcfour]

I don't own a Spyder yet but I have a question thats been simmering for a while. Why not use a shaft drive on these things? The belts have gotta be a mile long. I know a shaft would be heavier, so what, add some HP, should be easy with 1330cc. Your thoughts on this please. Thanks!

[pegasus1300]

You would have to ask BRP that question. The belts on the RT aren't bad and if adjusted carefully don't seem to vibrate intrusively. The F3 is another matter tho. There is a belt dampener available for either machine that works well if you need it.
Athought on the shaft drive,the power path would hane to make 2 right angle turns which add expense and rob power.

[JayBros]

The expense of a shaft drive is probably BRP's primary objection, to say nothing about the weight, not only of the shaft drive itself, but also of the gearing system that would have to be designed and applied to a transversely mounted engine and transmission. The 1330 Ace engine was designed with, amongst other objectives, a goal of being a very reliable engine which it is. It's easy to the company can easily add some more horsepower, but at what expense to longevity and reliability.

[Mikey]

BRP is like any other company, after they spend the time and money to build some thing, they hate to change it up and retool for some thing else, even if it is a turd!! Belts aren't that bad once you get use to them, yes it would be nice to have a shaft, but the price of the bike would be a lot more if they were, and that is bad enough! CanAm's not a bad line to get into, yes they have there little hiccups here and there, but there fun as all get out!!!

[Texas Al]

If weight and power were the problem, why did BRP put a shaft drive in a 600cc Ryker.

[2dogs]

BRP is long on computer technology (the nanny system) and short on mechanical engineering. Spin-on oil filters and drive shafts are just a couple of their shortcomings. Not to even mention their choice of tires. A rear tire that won't outlast the required 9K oil change requirement? What are those R&D boys smoke'n? My OEM tire was gone in 7K miles.

[2dogs]

If weight and power were the problem, why did BRP put a shaft drive in a 600cc Ryker.

Excellent question Al.

[ARtraveler]

on your first post to our site.

RE: Belt drive...todays belts will go 50K to 100K miles. I have had chain, shaft, and belt drives over the years. I do not have a personal favorite.

[UtahPete]

If weight and power were the problem, why did BRP put a shaft drive in a 600cc Ryker.

I don't think weight and power were the reason for the belt.

[Lew L]

.

BRP expected more off road use as evidenced by some of their Ryker commercials.

[JayBros]

If weight and power were the problem, why did BRP put a shaft drive in a 600cc Ryker.

The whole thing was designed as a package with CVT transmission and shaft drive and a smaller engine to help lower the entry price point.