Not sure what caused this....

[Lamonster]

....but it's not good.

[Buttsy]

I am thinking the rider had more than a hot right foot on that baby?

[CyncySpyder]

Seems a plastic bag got sucked up and into engine compartment while a new rider was taking a test ride and caused a fuel line to leak & a fire. Thankfully no injuries Avoid those bags

[Chupaca]

someone tried to post a link but didn't work. Worst place and time to go up in flames..wonder if they will ever lets us know what happened...!!

[kepople]

So sad...

[Littlebadwolf]

I'd say that's a total loss....why I carry an extinguisher with me at all times...

[Illinois Boy]

I had read about this...

Given a history of this happening too regularly a few years ago... there apparently remains a concern yet today.

Whether it is was a plastic-bag or not; fuel lines shouldn't be easily knocked loose, and vehicles shouldn't just catch fire.

[JCSMOKE]

I'd say that's a total loss....why I carry an extinguisher with me at all times...

Extinguisher didn't help in this case. Sny had an issue at owners event, the master cilinder for the brakes cracked and blew brake fluid onto the exhaust pipe, but his is a st.

[Mo Lee]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Get those cannister vent lines extended as far away from the engine as possible!

[spydercowboy]

No way a darn plastic bag by itself should do that. Even if it got caught on a fuel line. Makes me wonder if BRP has really answered their recall that supposedly addressed fires.

[bruiser]

It would be interesting to see if the actual cause could be determined. Note in the beginning, the fire is centered around the seat. Fire extinguishers were useless because the main body of fire was under the tupperware. They knocked the fire down but not out. You can see it being pushed from one side to the other. Just before the firefighter hit it with water, the fuel tank vented. That's the "rocket" type flame you see shooting up.

[MidLifeCrisis]

Now do they believe the hot foot issue?

[Bob Denman]

This really couldn't have happened at a much worse time or place...
People taking test rides...

[Tango]

Wife and I rode this very Spyder the day before. Tom

[NancysToy]

I'd say that's a total loss....why I carry an extinguisher with me at all times...

Regular extinguishers didn't put it out in the first part of the video. I'm not sure a baby extinguisher carried on board would have done any better. Very fortunate when the gas cap went that the fire sputed straight upward. Sideways could have really hurt someone. It may be hard to watch them burn, but it's a lot harder to recover from third degree burns. JMHO

[Illinois Boy]

Vehicles shouldn't catch fire at all... no matter the reason. I realize, on occasion, you will hear of a vehicle or bike catching on fire... but it is a rare occurrence based on any specific model or brand. However, not so with the Spyder.

I still have to discuss the comments from those (non-believers) who spout-out about how they catch fire. Things like this do no easily go away. Car manufacturers have had to stop making certain models through the years due to stigmas they have.

Someone said it was not the best place for a fire. I would agree. The adverse publicity of this video is beginning to go viral on the net will do damage to the perception of Spyders, no matter the cause or situation.

BRP cannot be happy about that... or at least shouldn't be.

Maybe it will get their attention... who knows.

[DrewNJ]

I have no idea if it's related but when doing some general maintenance I noticed two lines that were rubbing pretty hard on the motor. The main fuel line to the throttle bodies had worn totally through the split loom and had rubbed slightly on the fuel line itself. The other was one of the vac line that had rubbed pretty good. Not nearly through the line, but enough that with only about 5k miles it made me concerned what they would look like down the road.....

These are two areas that I think everyone might want to take a look at. Especially the main fuel line leading to the throttle bodies from the fuel filter.... I also attached a pic of how I added a piece to prevent any future concerns.
Motor on!

[lookerjdc]

not the best advert for a demo ride.......

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Sure it's not the best advertisement for the Spyder. However, as it's not the first to catch fire (I know of at least one other video and also of one Girls on Spyders member whose machine caught fire), maybe it will wake BRP up to the fact that there REALLY IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE VENTING SYSTEM ON SOME OF THESE MACHINES. Just look at all the threads regarding "gas smell" .... IMHO, the previous fires and this one probably have the same root cause (and it's something that BRP, unfortunately, has not paid proper attention to).

Maybe, since this was one of their own machines ... it will wake them up and result in a true solution that improves safety for all of us.

So, while it's not great advertising ... I think it couldn't of happened in a better spot; but only if BRP thoroughly investigates and comes up with something that stops these fires from happening for good. As above ..."vehicles shouldn't catch fire"!

Best Regards .... Ann

[jerpinoy]

If this fire is cause by a fuel hose deteriorating(chaffing)then BRP should replace them with stainless braided fuel hoses to prevent this from happening. They (BRP) should make a recall and get this solve. I am worried and I don't want to take a change and everybody should. Let's all rally and get BRP take action asap.

[spyderyderjim]

I wrapped exhaust header pipes near gas tank, & put 1000 deg heat reflecting insulation around gas tank. Gas vent smell stopped, & gas not boiling after riding.
BRP would be wise to address this dangerous issue. Jim

[rnet]

It was a plastic removal demo, impressive.

[AbNormy]

Plastic removal demo!

From Deep in the Hart of Texas!

[BajaRon]

Seems a plastic bag got sucked up and into engine compartment while a new rider was taking a test ride and caused a fuel line to leak & a fire. Thankfully no injuries Avoid those bags

That sounds a bit far fetched to me. Have you ever looked at the underside of a Spyder? It's basically solid plastic panels and steel frame. To somehow get past all of that and break a fuel line? Really? I am having some trouble with that.

[Elembytes]

Okay,

Being new to the Spyder etc., and seeing this, kinda blows the confidence a little bit.

How often have there been fires that involved Spyders? I think I know of 3 since joining this forum when we bought our 2012 in December.

What model seems to be the most involved in fires?

Is it something we all should be taking the units to dealers and paying them to extend vacuum lines from the cannister and re-enforcing fuel lines that rub against the motor housings?

I know we have insurance but this is one of those scary subjects, just about as bad as deer!

I too really doubt a plastic bag could have gotten sucked into the motor area causing this. Wondering how they say a plastic bag did it? Wish we knew more details on this one.

Like others have stated---I think having this happen when and where it did and getting the publicity that it is and has, may just make BRP take a closer look and act accordingly, or at least one could hope.

I just pray none of us will go through this----can you imagine what it could have been like had the rider been on and NOT knowing it was catching on fire, the melting tupperware etc., WOW!

I'll be following this thread closely. I hope we learn more and more on this.

Thank you Lamont and others for posting and discussing this. Together we all can help each other and BRP!