My Rear Fender Brackets are Cracking --- AGAIN

[sabunim5]

I had my rear fender brackets replaced under warranty some time ago. I quit keeping an eye on them as the replacements seemed like they were a reinforced version of the originals and were unlikely to crack again. I was checking the rear tire pressure a few days ago when I noticed that they were both cracked about a third of the way through. I am at about 34k miles and can't seem to locate the shop order for when they were replaced before without a more thorough search than I have time for right now. Just wanted you all to know so that you can check yours too. Don't be complacent like I was because you have the 2nd generation (if there really is such a thing) rear fenders. I hope you don't find what I did.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I had my rear fender brackets replaced under warranty some time ago. I quit keeping an eye on them as the replacements seemed like they were a reinforced version of the originals and were unlikely to crack again. I was checking the rear tire pressure a few days ago when I noticed that they were both cracked about a third of the way through. I am at about 34k miles and can't seem to locate the shop order for when they were replaced before without a more thorough search than I have time for right now. Just wanted you all to know so that you can check yours too. Don't be complacent like I was because you have the 2nd generation (if there really is such a thing) rear fenders. I hope you don't find what I did.

Even if you can't find the work order, the place that did them will have a record of it....just saying....Mike

[Tx web rider]

took it to my dealer and they are trying to get BRP to cover them since its a case of poor design and metal fatigue

they are saying there is not an issue in RS bikes

please if you can find where yours were replaced i might need data for mine

if there are others that have had theirs done we need to all speak up to BRP and get this rectified

[bobnaquin]

I have had two RS's and no broken fender brackets. I wonder why. The present RS has a habit of vibrating the license plate frame to shreds (2) and I have fixed that by just not using one.

Good luck with BRP on getting them to rectify what seems to be a fairly common problem.

[docdoru]

took it to my dealer and they are trying to get BRP to cover them since its a case of poor design and metal fatigue
they are saying there is not an issue in RS bikes

please if you can find where yours were replaced i might need data for mine

if there are others that have had theirs done we need to all speak up to BRP and get this rectified

Replaced 5 pairs of rear fender brackets in 150K miles.
BRP explanation: "It is not poor design or metal fatigue, is BC of the Turbo..."

[Tony Holbrook]

I have had two RS's and no broken fender brackets. I wonder why. The present RS has a habit of vibrating the license plate frame to shreds (2) and I have fixed that by just not using one.

Good luck with BRP on getting them to rectify what seems to be a fairly common problem.

If you listen to BRP they have no problems everything that goes wrong with a machine it is the operator which is so far from from the truth I like my 2010
RS very well but when you have a warranty Issue they being BRP should step up to the plate if they plan on growing the Line of machines

Tony Holbrook

[Lamonster]

Replaced 5 pairs of rear fender brackets in 150K miles.
BRP explanation: "It is not poor design or metal fatigue, is BC of the Turbo..."

There is a design issue for sure as I've welded up both sides of mine once but in your case I would say it is your Elka suspension that is way too tight and not taking up the bumps like it should. After riding behind you it looks like you have a hardtail.

[docdoru]

There is a design issue for sure as I've welded up both sides of mine once but in your case I would say it is your Elka suspension that is way too tight and not taking up the bumps like it should. After riding behind you it looks like you have a hardtail.

I should "dump" the Elka's and go with Fox...

[NancysToy]

I should "dump" the Elka's and go with Fox...

More damping, less spring tension. JMHO

[DocRags]

It had to be in July/Aug of 2011, Steve, since yours broke around the same time that ours did. We were in DC when ours gave us problems. We don't ride with ours on anymore since I was worried about the second one breaking like the first one did.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Replaced 5 pairs of rear fender brackets in 150K miles.
BRP explanation: "It is not poor design or metal fatigue, is BC of the Turbo..."

So it's not because you are not using GENUINE BRP air in your tires......... Mike.

[sabunim5]

took it to my dealer and they are trying to get BRP to cover them since its a case of poor design and metal fatigue

they are saying there is not an issue in RS bikes

please if you can find where yours were replaced i might need data for mine

if there are others that have had theirs done we need to all speak up to BRP and get this rectified

At the time mine failed the first time there were a lot of posts about rear fender bracket failure. It was mostly in higher mileage machines. BRP had no problems with the warranty claim. They supposedly redesigned, and I will have to say that I thought my replacement brackets were reinforced/thicker in the problem area. That is why I quit checking mine at subsequent service intervals. I am currently waiting for my dealership to let me know the status on my warranty claim. Good luck with yours.

[spydaman60]

So it's not because you are not using GENUINE BRP air in your tires......... Mike.

mike,
he just isn't using that fresh vermont air!

[SpyderGirl]

I have stock rear suspension. I went through two sets of fender braces in 30,000 miles. I gave up and now I go fender-less.

[twain]

My fender is fine but my license plate cracked on way back from Vandiver. Tag office said never seen one crack in half before.

[spyryder]

Lower the tire pressure and you won't have problems with the brackets.

[SpyderGirl]

My fender is fine but my license plate cracked on way back from Vandiver. Tag office said never seen one crack in half before.

I lost my first two, they just fell off. My third one is cracked. It's now mounted off my GIVI trunk.

[SpyderGirl]

Lower the tire pressure and you won't have problems with the brackets.

I highly doubt that it would make any difference. It would do a great job of lowering your fuel economy.

[Sny]

Just think how much that would cost when my wife rear ends me again (4 times so far, )

Mine never cracks and falls off... 'cuz she runs into me and trashes it and I get a new one every 6 months or so.

Now... fenderless... I might go for that.

[MikeinGA]

Does anyone have a picture of the cracked fenders? I like to check mine. Thanks.

Mike

[sabunim5]

Does anyone have a picture of the cracked fenders? I like to check mine. Thanks.

Mike

I think ERAGS took a picture of his when they were cracked. I don't have any. The cracks are at the rear (fender) end of the bracket. Both times, mine started cracking at the bottom side of the bracket and worked their way up.

[dave01]

Just a piss-poor design. Too much weight hanging off the end of the brackets, compounded by any aftermarket plate frames. ( even the ones BRP sells)

[Erags]

Broken Rear Fender is NOT covered by BEST protection plan

Got a call today letting us know that our 2008 GS rear fender is not covered under the BEST protection. The Spyder is still covered, but not the rear fender. On the web page for BEST Protection in small print:

"Note: accessories, normal wear and maintenance items such as tires, batteries, bulbs, filters and lubricants are not covered,"but it doesn't say anything about body parts.

So it looks like the rear fender is an accessory (because it doesn't fit in with items like tires, batteries, bulbs, filters and lubricants), or is it that they consider the fender falling apart "normal wear?"

We are going to have to think about this for awhile. I'm not sure if I need that accessory because the 2 rear fender supports are $50.00 each plus I will need all new bolts and nuts, because of the normal wear and tear on them from the rear tire throwing things up against them.



I'm making this piece of Diamond Plate aluminum for mounting the license plate and license plate light.

[docdoru]

Broken Rear Fender is NOT covered by BEST protection plan

Got a call today letting us know that our 2008 GS rear fender is not covered under the BEST protection. The Spyder is still covered, but not the rear fender. On the web page for BEST Protection in small print:

"Note: accessories, normal wear and maintenance items such as tires, batteries, bulbs, filters and lubricants are not covered,"but it doesn't say anything about body parts.

Contact NHTSA 1-888-327-4236: poor design body parts are to be covered by extended warranty.

[Neez]

I hung my rear fender from above and have not had problems with it since. Fenders riding on the trailing arm get shaken to pieces, I think.