Need suggestions on how to keep my RT radiators clean?

[djs14534]

I just bought my 1st Spyder RT 2021. I need suggestions on how to keep the radiators clean. I have only ridden it 600 miles and can't believe how many bugs already. Thanks

[Bfromla]

Elbow grease water hose not necessarily power wash. There are aftermarket grills to help, suggest ride more & know more before upgrading.

[Deanna777]

I just bought my 1st Spyder RT 2021. I need suggestions on how to keep the radiators clean. I have only ridden it 600 miles and cant believe how many bugs already. Thanks

First off and

Use a leaf blower to clean the radiators. Then install front KOTT Grills, that will help to keep the bugs & etc out of the grills.

Check the vendors on this site.

They are easy to install.

Deanna

[RealWing]

Kott grilles and Aluminum screen
Jim

[Rockdog]

If you want a homemade grill filter go to your local hardware store and get a furnace pre filter. Not the kind that looks like a car air filter. Get the very fiberous? Looking filter. The kind I used is like forest green. Ace hardware has it most the time. Cut to fit nicely over radiator inlet. Make it fit tightly. Take out and spray paint black. I took a wire coat hanger and cut the straight part in half and stick filter in hole. Then take half hanger and stick across to hold it in. Works awesome. Take out wash out bugs as needed. Been doing this for 15000 miles. 105 degrees out pulling motorcycle trailer on vacation trips. No problem overheating at all.

[Mikey]

if you want a homemade grill filter go to your local hardware store and get a furnace pre filter. Not the kind that looks like a car air filter. Get the very fiberous? Looking filter. The kind i used is like forest green. Ace hardware has it most the time. Cut to fit nicely over radiator inlet. Make it fit tightly. Take out and spray paint black. I took a wire coat hanger and cut the straight part in half and stick filter in hole. Then take half hanger and stick across to hold it in. Works awesome. Take out wash out bugs as needed. Been doing this for 15000 miles. 105 degrees out pulling motorcycle trailer on vacation trips. No problem overheating at all.

nice idea!!!

[PMK]

Since there is no free lunch, best to learn how to effectively clean those radiators, accomplish the task frequently, and if desired use the least obstructive secondary screen possible.

Years ago, I learned from another person here, to use hydrogen peroxide to remove bugs from radiators. Simply, I use an old discarded sprayer from glass cleaner, trim the straw if needed, and screw that onto a plastic bottle of peroxide.

With radiators cool or cold, I spray them and keep them wet with peroxide for say 5 minutes. Typically whatever time needed to drag out the garden hose and possibly soap bucket if washing the Spyder.

Again, keep refreshing the wetness of the peroxide.

After those few minutes, use the garden hose, with a spray pattern and low pressure so not to damage or distort the radiator fins, and rinse the bugs and dirt out spraying from the aft side towards the front.

Super simple, no damage and low cost. Our 2014 does not run any secondary screens. Maybe some day I will regret that, but more than a decade without them has been fine for us.

[Br549rick]

I just bought my 1st Spyder RT 2021. I need suggestions on how to keep the radiators clean. I have only ridden it 600 miles and can't believe how many bugs already. Thanks

tooth brush and shop vac.... i would not use a leaf blower... might bend the fins

[JayBros]

Spyderpops Keep Out The Trash (KOTT) grilles are one of the best farkles designed for Can-Am Spyders. They were amongst the three accessories I added to my roadster when I first brought it home from the dealership. When I temporarily removed them to do a radiator cleaning at 44K miles I was amazed at how many bugs had NOT gotten to the radiator fins. There were not 10 bugs total on both radiators.

[Lew L]

If you want a homemade grill filter go to your local hardware store and get a furnace pre filter. Not the kind that looks like a car air filter. Get the very fiberous? Looking filter. The kind I used is like forest green. Ace hardware has it most the time. Cut to fit nicely over radiator inlet. Make it fit tightly. Take out and spray paint black. I took a wire coat hanger and cut the straight part in half and stick filter in hole. Then take half hanger and stick across to hold it in. Works awesome. Take out wash out bugs as needed. Been doing this for 15000 miles. 105 degrees out pulling motorcycle trailer on vacation trips. No problem overheating at all.

Thanks for the great idea.....


I just did this simple mod. Radiator grills were clear as I give them a vac and blow after most rydes. Cut a little oversize so I don't need any extra supports. A 30 to 45 min job, including painting.

[Bensonoid]

After witnessing this mess when I had my frunk off I decided to install black fiberglass insect screen over the stock grilles on my 2015. I was afraid they might fill up with bugs and crap really fast, but they don't. I vacuum them out every 2 or 3 rides even though it's not necessary. Works better than I had hoped for.

[spyderdave]

I took the frunk assy off removed the factory screens, stretched aluminum (screendoor) screen over them, misted them & the radiators with a couple coats of black laquer. I can brush the bugs off & vac them without worry. And, the blackout radiators give the 2020+ a more sinister look!