Spyder on FIRE

[Don in E Texas]

Welcome aboard!! Hope the flames/smoke do not deter you.... we are all looking forward to the final outcome of the sad news of a Spyder fire.

I've never smelled fuel/oil on my Spyder.... maybe I'm lucky? Or I'm old enough that the nose no longer works...

Ride safe, everyone..

don

 

[Smylinacha]

I freaked out after reading this thread. Went out today on the :spyder: to run some errands - quick around town stuff. I kept trying to park it in the shade. Came home for a bite to eat, parked it in the shade, went back out - had to park it in the sun but came home and it's parked in the shade. I'll put it in the garage later. I hope they figure out why these things are catching on fire. I know the percentage is small but hell, I could be in that small percentage soon, who knows?:dontknow:

 

[Twodog185]

Smylinacha...are you serious?

You "freaked out" and altered your driving habits because of one "aleged" claim of a small fire? And you use the words "firgure out why these things are catching on fire"?

You have left me speechless.

 

[bone crusher]

Let's see a photo of your bike...:clap:

Good point...maybe that can help with determining what happened...

 

[bone crusher]

I freaked out after reading this thread. Went out today on the :spyder: to run some errands - quick around town stuff. I kept trying to park it in the shade. Came home for a bite to eat, parked it in the shade, went back out - had to park it in the sun but came home and it's parked in the shade. I'll put it in the garage later. I hope they figure out why these things are catching on fire. I know the percentage is small but hell, I could be in that small percentage soon, who knows?:dontknow:

You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're being sarcastic...

 

[Smylinacha]

Smylinacha...are you serious?

You "freaked out" and altered your driving habits because of one "aleged" claim of a small fire? And you use the words "firgure out why these things are catching on fire"?

You have left me speechless.

Well after reading about fire and the thing is always hot anyway when I'm done riding it, I figure better let it cool off.

Haven't changed my ryding habits but changed my parking ones. Seems like the ones that caught on fire were standing still.

I remember once when mine was sitting in the sun for a couple of hours - in a parking lot on a wicked hot day. Went to get back on and go for a ride and some code came up - forget which one but when we took it to the dealer he found it and it was just a malfunction - guess they got a personality all of there own.

 

[Smylinacha]

You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're being sarcastic...

I am known to be sarcastic but not this time. I had a car catch on fire when I was in it once when I first learned how to drive and I didn't do anything - it just caught on fire - electrical - smoke pouring out of the dash - totally freaked me out. Maybe that is why I'm freaked out about fire.

I know it's a small percentage but I seem to fall into the oh sh*t category when it comes to things going wrong.

 

[Firefly]

Smylinacha...are you serious?

You "freaked out" and altered your driving habits because of one "aleged" claim of a small fire? And you use the words "firgure out why these things are catching on fire"?

You have left me speechless.

There are 2 known fires that we have heard of direct from the owners mouth out here. Nothing 'alleged' about it - they rode them - parked them - they caught fire - all by their little selves.

I agree with Smylinacha - they need to figure out why these caught on fire. We don't want to end up losing Spyders like drummers in Spinal Tap - one of which spontaneously combusted.

If there is indeed a 3rd one that caught fire - then we all have good reason to be concerned - especially those that have had the gas smell.

 

[Smylinacha]

Just want to set the record straight - before anyone goes running off saying that I believe that the freakin sky is falling.....

All I'm saying is, "I" have a problem with fire. "I" don't exactly live in a perfect world. "I" tend to fall into the bad luck catagory when it comes to things screwing up.

And I think if there are some :spyder:where "poof" - they just started to catch on fire while they're just sitting there doing nada, zippo, zip, then it needs to be reported and investigated which apparently this one was - hope they find out why.

 

[bone crusher]

There are 2 known fires that we have heard of direct from the owners mouth out here. Nothing 'alleged' about it - they rode them - parked them - they caught fire - all by their little selves.

I agree with Smylinacha - they need to figure out why these caught on fire. We don't want to end up losing Spyders like drummers in Spinal Tap - one of which spontaneously combusted.

If there is indeed a 3rd one that caught fire - then we all have good reason to be concerned - especially those that have had the gas smell.

To be exact, one confirmed fire...and that was in a garage...who knows what really happened...an exhaust could ignite something that could then get back to the bike and light it up...in this case, Motza asked to see some pics...

 

[zzneonzz]

I'm glad the 2 reported cases on here did not harm anyone and do think that they all should be reported if for nothing else to have it in record.

I know in the mid 80's several fords were known for just catching fire while not running due to electrical problems (can't recal the models currently).
Then in the mid 90's the Chrystler Concorde had a safety recal due to a leaking fuel rail that caused several fires when parked as well due to fuel dripping on the manifold. And now that i recall the ford trucks in 2005 i believe it was were also recalled for catching fire while parked. So non running fires have been known to happen on vehicles in the past and is always a possibility when your dealing with electrical and flamable materials such as every auto out there.

So personally i understand Smylinacha's concern about parking in the garage after a ride and such.

 

[Tripod]

Just want to set the record straight - before anyone goes running off saying that I believe that the freakin sky is falling.....

All I'm saying is, "I" have a problem with fire. "I" don't exactly live in a perfect world. "I" tend to fall into the bad luck catagory when it comes to things screwing up.

And I think if there are some :spyder:where "poof" - they just started to catch on fire while they're just sitting there doing nada, zippo, zip, then it needs to be reported and investigated which apparently this one was - hope they find out why.

You said "Zippo"...are you being sarcastic again? Just kidding. Actually, the way I read your post was that you were being "cautious". That's along way from "freaking out. Good job.

Tripod :clap:

 

[Smylinacha]

To be exact, one confirmed fire...and that was in a garage...who knows what really happened...an exhaust could ignite something that could then get back to the bike and light it up...in this case, Motza asked to see some pics...

Yep - hopefully we'll see some pics.opcorn: All I know is mine is very hot after riding it. Don't remember my other bikes being like that. But (knock on wood), it still rydes good.

 

[Twodog185]

There are 2 known fires that we have heard of direct from the owners mouth out here. Nothing 'alleged' about it - they rode them - parked them - they caught fire - all by their little selves.

I agree with Smylinacha - they need to figure out why these caught on fire. We don't want to end up losing Spyders like drummers in Spinal Tap - one of which spontaneously combusted.

If there is indeed a 3rd one that caught fire - then we all have good reason to be concerned - especially those that have had the gas smell.

Firefly, I do believe you mean well. I just disagree with the hightened concern and public outcry that "they" find the cause. The insurance company, BRP, and the owner all have a financial interest in finding the truth. 2 in more than 10,000 (US sales) doesn't reach the level of "we are all going to die".

 

[WaltH]

I don't have any specific information, but there was at least one other spyder that burned to the ground recently.

I had seen a reference to it on craigslist (the post is now expired) - it was at rock cut state park in northern Illinois.

I asked the dealer that sold it about it last week when I was buying my 09 spyder - the owner of the dealership stated that BRP had sent an investigator who went over the charred remains for a couple hours and could find no cause.

So there you have it. My first post here. (and a disturbing one at that)

Would not this be the third Spyder fire? There has been one each in Florida, Texas, and now Illinois

I was hoping mine would be the only Spyder fire and now there are three.

 

[Smylinacha]

I'm glad the 2 reported cases on here did not harm anyone and do think that they all should be reported if for nothing else to have it in record.

I know in the mid 80's several fords were known for just catching fire while not running due to electrical problems (can't recal the models currently).
Then in the mid 90's the Chrystler Concorde had a safety recal due to a leaking fuel rail that caused several fires when parked as well due to fuel dripping on the manifold. And now that i recall the ford trucks in 2005 i believe it was were also recalled for catching fire while parked. So non running fires have been known to happen on vehicles in the past and is always a possibility when your dealing with electrical and flamable materials such as every auto out there.

So personally i understand Smylinacha's concern about parking in the garage after a ride and such.

Mine was a Ford Maverick - my very first car.

 

[Smylinacha]

You said "Zippo"...are you being sarcastic again? Just kidding. Actually, the way I read your post was that you were being "cautious". That's along way from "freaking out. Good job.

Tripod :clap:

:roflblack: Zippo - Ooops - didn't mean THAT!

 

[BRPjunkie]

Like many of you, I have seen motorcycle, tractor, lawn mower, boat, PWC, and car fires. Gasoline, hot surfaces, electrical sparks, loose connections are among the many factors that can lead to such events. Boats and PWCs are required to carry fire extinguishers just for that reason, but I for one would never look for the fire extinguisher on my Sea Doo if I saw smoke coming from under the seat. This is a serious concern and requires everyone to pay close attention to gas smells, filling the fuel tank, post ride observation and extra care before simply pulling it in the garage and closing the door. Loosing the Spyder is a terrible thing, but setting your house on fire is another matter.

 

[Twodog185]

Would not this be the third Spyder fire? There has been one each in Florida, Texas, and now Illinois

I was hoping mine would be the only Spyder fire and now there are three.

Did "they" ever determine the cause?

 

[Firefly]

With the first fire the poster was very detailed about what happened - and nothing was draped over anything to cause the fire.

With this second one, I believe the poster would have said 'my wife left her jacket hanging and it caught fire' rather than how they posted it.

I don't believe either of these were due to operator error.