First time spyder owner, Got some issues/questions.

[USAF]

Hey guys, I just picked up a new to me 2012 Spyder RTs with 5k miles. I noticed when riding at speeds above, let's say 50-65 mph, I get this light random tight vibration, seems to be from the drivetrain or rear end far as I can tell, it comes and goes. What could this be?

Second: Where is the auxiliary connection for the audio connection location?


Third: When I first drove it around the block, I noticed the front end diving in turns and chattering at certain speeds. So I tightened the front springs one click and puts me one away from full stiffness. It now handles way better but not perfect. It still feels like it darts some, Would a Baja Ron sway bar fix this?

Fourth: What is this low sounding High pitch sound coming mostly from the left side motor when turned off. It does it for a long time?

I'm sure I will have more questions, Thanks for any help!

[UtahPete]

Hey guys, I just picked up a new to me 2012 Spyder RTs with 5k miles. I noticed when riding at speeds above lets say 50-65 mph, I get this light random tight vibration, seems to be from the drivetrain or rear end far as I can tell, it comes and goes. What could this be?
That's the belt

Second: Where is the auxiliary connection for the audio connection location?
Should be a DIN connector in the trunk

Third: When I first drove it around the block, I noticed the front end diving in turns and chattering at certain speeds. So I tightened the front springs one click and puts me one away from full stiffness. It now handles way better but not perfect. It still feels like it darts some, Would a Baja Ron sway bar fix this?
First check your front tires have the correct pressure and are within 1/2 pound of each other. Then check your tires for evidence of poor alignment. What brand of tire? We need more information about the road and riding conditions under which you're experiencing the diving and chattering.

Fourth: What is this low sounding High pitch sound coming mostly from the left side motor when turned off. It does it for a long time?
Probably the fuel pump.

I'm sure I will have more questions, Thanks for any help!

See my responses above.

[pegasus1300]

The whining sound is just your computer shutting down, it is common to early Spyders. It doesn't hurt anything and will go away in a while.

[USAF]

See my responses above.

Sorry, where above ?

[K80Shooter]

Sorry, where above ?

UtahPete's answers are in bold.

Hey guys, I just picked up a new to me 2012 Spyder RTs with 5k miles. I noticed when riding at speeds above, let's say 50-65 mph, I get this light random tight vibration, seems to be from the drivetrain or rear end far as I can tell, it comes and goes. What could this be?
That's the belt

Second: Where is the auxiliary connection for the audio connection location?
Should be a DIN connector in the trunk

Third: When I first drove it around the block, I noticed the front end diving in turns and chattering at certain speeds. So I tightened the front springs one click and puts me one away from full stiffness. It now handles way better but not perfect. It still feels like it darts some, Would a Baja Ron sway bar fix this?
First check your front tires have the correct pressure and are within 1/2 pound of each other. Then check your tires for evidence of poor alignment. What brand of tire? We need more information about the road and riding conditions under which you're experiencing the diving and chattering.

Fourth: What is this low sounding High pitch sound coming mostly from the left side motor when turned off. It does it for a long time?
Probably the fuel pump.

I'm sure I will have more questions, Thanks for any help!

See my responses above.

[USAF]

UtahPete's answers are in bold.

Quote Originally Posted by Rick28 View Post
Hey guys, I just picked up a new to me 2012 Spyder RTs with 5k miles. I noticed when riding at speeds above, let's say 50-65 mph, I get this light random tight vibration, seems to be from the drivetrain or rear end far as I can tell, it comes and goes. What could this be?
That's the belt
.....

What needs to be done? Belt too tight/loose or out of alignment, belt tensioner?

Thanks!

[CopperSpyder]

1A Belt sound, vibration. Fix by adjusting tension or adding Belt Tensioner.
2 A Connection is in the rear trunk.
3A Your new so you may just need more seat time to get use to the Spyder and loosen grip, you can move the front shock to the high point if you like. The baja bar works good after you get the seat time. How old are your tires?
4A Sounds like it maybe your fans running, they will run after you shut down sounds like a high pitch wind.

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Hi Rick. Where in upstate NY?

So, you’re the new owner of a 2012. Read through this for the stuff that applies to you.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-Spyder-owners

Pete didn’t really annotate his responses that clearly. Look at his post where he quoted you in the shaded area. They’re embedded in there.

Bottom line, the sway bar and a laser alignment for the handling issues. You’ll be glad you did. If you’re anywhere near any of these folks, give them a ring.

http://www.spydercomfort.com/dealersny.htm

Yeah, that whining noise is your throttle bodies behind held closed to aid in any subsequent hot start. 40 minutes. It’s not your fan. There’s only one. It’s in your operators guide. If you don’t have one, and if you have a liner in your front storage area, aka frunk, unzip the zipper and check in the manual holder towards the bottom. Otherwise, download one here….

https://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/...hp?productId=5

Reducing the belt tension helps with the vibration. The best add on dampener is from Smooth Spyder.

PS. Looks like K80 helped out. Any other questions, us old guys with 2012s are right here.

[USAF]

Thank you for the help guys, The spyder only has 5k miles on it, Its practically brand new and looks like it came off the showroom floor, It was babied, garaged and very well kept by a 70+ older gentleman. I found the manuals where you said in the frunk, Thanks. I will have to look into the belt and get that resolved.

[safecracker]

On our 2011 Spyder I have the spring adjusters at the stiffest setting. My advise to you is to also adjust your front springs to the stiffest setting. Your Spyder will have a high pitched tone for about 40 to 45 minutes. It is normal. If the tone is a problem, you can pull relay on the bottom left of your fuse box and put it back in. This will stop the tone. This is handy to do when working on your Spyder. Bruce

[Quickdraw]

Just curious, and without giving away your actual location, that Spyder wasn't by chance parked in a bus garage bay on Thursday afternoon, was it? I saw one sitting in the garage bay, orangish in color. Very nice-looking ride.

[USAF]

Just curious, and without giving away your actual location, that Spyder wasn't by chance parked in a bus garage bay on Thursday afternoon, was it? I saw one sitting in the garage bay, orangish in color. Very nice-looking ride.

No, Mine is silver and I'm in Ilion, NY.

[Steve W.]

Ilion? We were near there just last month. Went to buy a lift in Blue Mountain Lake. Turned north in Utica, so we missed you.

About your ride: most of your questions have already been addressed, I'll just offer my observations.

Your first question was about noise from the belt. It tends to act like a drum and vibrate. At certain speeds, it seems to resonate and be VERY noticeable. Reducing the tension slightly will lower the vibration frequency, probably to the point where it will not be noticed. There are gauges that will give actual tension readings, but I have never used one. Our Spyder does not seem to have the problem, so I have never had to 'fix' it. Someone mentioned a 'tensioner'. It's actually more of a 'damper'. It is a spring-loaded wheel that rides on the top side of the belt. It is meant to dampen the vibrations, but since it's a relatively small-diameter wheel, it turns rather quickly. If its bearings fail, it's possible to destroy the belt.

Another question was about 'the front end diving around'. My wife and I are relatively new to Spyders, we got hers just a couple of years ago. When I was out, trying to get used to it, I was afraid to go over about 45 mph, as it was constantly moving around. Had the alignment checked at a rally, it was good. Replaced the tires, it felt like a different bike. Like you, we had about 5000 miles on it, but changed the tires based on all the reports here. What tire to get? While some are better than others, almost everybody on the forum agrees that ANYTHING is better than the stock Kenda () tires. I installed Vredestein Q5 all around, very happy I did.

Your other issues are different than we have with our '17 RT-S, so I can't help with those.

.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Rick, do yourself a favor and get acquainted with the search function. All your questions have been nearly beat to death in years past with lots of comments and recommendations. You'll learn a whole lot more that way than you will from answers to your posts. If you get stuck looking for answers then for sure post them here. Be sure to read this thread - https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-Spyder-owners.

BTW, diving around is most likely bad front wheel alignment. Do a search for laser alignment. You'll get a brain full of info!

[missouriboy]

Second: Where is the auxiliary connection for the audio connection location?

If you wish to attach a single-plug stereo input device, be sure to use the cable that came with the Spyder. If you don't have that, don't waste your money buying an American cable, because the internal wiring is different, and will give you audio but not in stereo... to get stereo you will need to buy the genuine Spyder cable. (I don't know the part number.)

Welcome to the Spyder world!

[JayBros]

Your Spyder is a 2012 with five grand on the clock. How old are the tires? There is a DOT oval on the sidewall with a four digit number in it indicating the week and year of manufacture. If they are more than six years old, for your own safety replace them soon as possible. If you received an operator's guide with the vehicle, great! Read it thoroughly several times. If you do not have one, drill down at this link, save the copy to your computer and read it thoroughly.
https://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/...p?folderId=264

[USAF]

So I ordered the Krikit II belt tension tool, While I wait for it to get here, I looked at the belt and pushed on it and there was a lot of movement, I was also able to twist it to the side easily, Could it be to loose ?? My vibration comes and goes, when I let off the throttle it goes away instantly.

[Deanna777]

Hey guys, I just picked up a new to me 2012 Spyder RTs with 5k miles. I noticed when riding at speeds above, let's say 50-65 mph, I get this light random tight vibration, seems to be from the drivetrain or rear end far as I can tell, it comes and goes. What could this be?

Second: Where is the auxiliary connection for the audio connection location?


Third: When I first drove it around the block, I noticed the front end diving in turns and chattering at certain speeds. So I tightened the front springs one click and puts me one away from full stiffness. It now handles way better but not perfect. It still feels like it darts some, Would a Baja Ron sway bar fix this?

Fourth: What is this low sounding High pitch sound coming mostly from the left side motor when turned off. It does it for a long time?

I'm sure I will have more questions, Thanks for any help!

Hi Rick28,

My first spyder was a 2012 RTS-SE5 the answer to 2nd question it's in the trunk. on the right side.
Did you a get an audio plug when you bought the spyder?


Deanna

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

No, Mine is silver and I'm in Ilion, NY.

Concerning your Alignment .... The Netzley's will be at SpyderQuest Sept. 6 thru 10 in Lake George NY ( about 2 hr. drive for you ) .... they do great work ...... they may actually live closer to you, check them out .... Mike