I would like to make a request,

[txknight67]

Would everyone that has or is having issue with their license plates breaking, please report it to BRP.

I am getting the run around from BRP and it is PO'ing me.

I contacted my dealer about this issue who contacted BRP who requested photo's. Provided photo's and here is their response, The pictures are added to the call id but still this would not be covered under warranty. When I asked why, here is their response, Because the lower Texas inspection tag bracket is not our part that I know of and it is unknown what additional stresses that puts on the rest of the lower fender and attachment parts. I had already asked the Spyder team leader if this should be covered and was told no last week. I'll ask again. I'll get back to you when I have an answer again.

WT:cus:? Scuse me? Shouldn't you do research about the rules, regulations, and laws of the places you are going to sell your product and :cus: know an inspection sticker is going to be required in certain local's, like TX? It isn't like I have a :cus: choice in the matter, unlike other modifications. If you didn't take that into account in design and testing, man up, admit it, and then do something about it, not sidestep the issue and claim it "ain't our fault, you made a mod to your bike."

When you report reference Call ID 3008868.

Yes this is me taking BRP to task. Even though I defended them and still do defend them with the steering issue, to me this is inexcusable.

 

[boborgera]

:hun:
Do you mean the crack in the license plate?
My plate cracked too, But it was on my SV650 I turned it into MV and they gave me a replacement. I think your beef is with MV?

 

[txknight67]

Nope,

:hun:
Do you mean the crack in the license plate?
My plate cracked too, But it was on my SV650 I turned it into MV and they gave me a replacement. I think your beef is with MV?

because the inspection bracket broke first, then the plate cracked, and now that I put that frame around everything, it just broke today in the upper left hand corner.

I can go get another plate....but it will be cracked the next time I ride in 30mph crosswinds.

 

[bone crusher]

It's odd that in Texas you need another part hanging down...that does create more drag on a part that can barely hold the license to begin with...thing still shouldn't break though...

 

[Lamonster]

Sorry Bro but if they didn't make the plate what do you want them to do about it? You can put the sticker somewhere else right? I know I've seen bikes have them in other places. I found this doing a quick search.

Had to go measure it, but my inspection sticker is 10" away from my side mounted license plate. Had inspected twice at two different shops here in DFW area. Never have anyone even mention an 8" law or questioned it. Looks like someone has applied their own 8" law here to define "near".

The Texas Transportation Code states the following in relation to inspection stickers:
§ 548.255. ATTACHMENT OR PRODUCTION OF INSPECTION
CERTIFICATE. (a) An inspection certificate shall be attached to
or produced for a vehicle in the manner required by department rule.
(b) The department shall:
(1) require that a certificate for a motorcycle be
attached to the rear of the motorcycle near the license plate; and
(2) adopt rules with respect to display of an
inspection certificate for a moped.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

 

[Lamonster]

Looks like that's a Chris Products Inspection Sticker Plate

You could use something like this.
http://grill-accessories.com/forharleyinspectionstickerplate.aspx

 

[Firefly]

Strange--- never seen this before. If it was a BRP design issue I think you would see plenty of people with the same problem.

I know I had the arms that hold the fender on crack, and the weld on the swingarm come loose-- so there is some vibration back there.

Maybe some rubber washers between the plate and the hanger will lessen the vibrations?

Maybe the plates aren't made like they used to be?

Will your DMV replace it for free? Seems they should as they made it.

 

[txknight67]

Guess I should have clarified.

Sorry Bro but if they didn't make the plate what do you want them to do about it? You can put the sticker somewhere else right? I know I've seen bikes have them in other places. I found this doing a quick search.

I'm not asking they replace the plate, just that something be done about the fact that my plate is being ripped off/cracked.

I have no problem accepting the replacement plate is on me, but what good will that do? I will just need to go get a new one about every three to four months judging by my current rate of breakage.

However, I will look into moving the inspection sticker. At the moment though I am stuck with what I have as I would have to pay for a re-inspect. The state requires the inspection stations have a payment for every sticker they were issued by the state. I have been looking at other bikes as I drive around and every single one I have looked at so far has the inspection sticker either right below the license plate like mine is or right above it on a similar type of bracket. I don't have room above the license plate as we all know, unless I can put it above that light. Like I said, I will look into that, but just going by what other bikes have I didn't think I could.

 

[txknight67]

Thanks

Looks like that's a Chris Products Inspection Sticker Plate

You could use something like this.
http://grill-accessories.com/forharleyinspectionstickerplate.aspx

Have not ever seen that on the road around here. Now that I look at it, I have seen it on bikes with military base access stickers on them, but then the inspection sticker is still back by the license plate.

 

[Smylinacha]

Hope you get this issue fixed. I never had the problem but then again I don't have an inspection sticker either. All I have is this little sticker for registration that goes right onto the plate. I've never seen that sort of inspection sticker on a bike before. But we'll probably get the same law sooner or later. I know here if your cars are older you need one, never heard of one being put on a newer vehicle.

 

[txknight67]

Hope you get this issue fixed. I never had the problem but then again I don't have an inspection sticker either. All I have is this little sticker for registration that goes right onto the plate. I've never seen that sort of inspection sticker on a bike before. But we'll probably get the same law sooner or later. I know here if your cars are older you need one, never heard of one being put on a newer vehicle.

Yep, we have that sticker as well. We are supposed to be able to use the plates seven year, just adding the stickers. After that, DMV asks if you want a new plate when you re-new your registration. You can get one then no charge beyond what the registration costs, but if you ask for one before that, you are charged a fee for a new plate.

Actually that has changed as well, the registration sticker now goes on your windshield for cages, it still goes on the plate for motorcycles though.
But you can still get a replacement plate after seven years for no charge. At least that is what I have experienced, not sure what the actual law states.

Never heard of it being applied like the way you are describing.:dontknow: In TX, inspection is required on all vehicles regardless of age. However, when I bought my Dakota new in '94 I got a two year sticker because it was a new vehicle bought from the dealer, but when My Lady bought her Durango in '05 it came with just a one year sticker.

Anyway, I have been wondering if it is that inspection sticker bracket causing the issue or if it is just because of the brutal winds we get here. If I can put the inspection sticker somewhere else I will find out for sure.

 

[bone crusher]

I'm not asking they replace the plate, just that something be done about the fact that my plate is being ripped off/cracked.

I have no problem accepting the replacement plate is on me, but what good will that do? I will just need to go get a new one about every three to four months judging by my current rate of breakage.

However, I will look into moving the inspection sticker. At the moment though I am stuck with what I have as I would have to pay for a re-inspect. The state requires the inspection stations have a payment for every sticker they were issued by the state. I have been looking at other bikes as I drive around and every single one I have looked at so far has the inspection sticker either right below the license plate like mine is or right above it on a similar type of bracket. I don't have room above the license plate as we all know, unless I can put it above that light. Like I said, I will look into that, but just going by what other bikes have I didn't think I could.

Unfortunately, I think you're barking up the wrong tree...I don't expect them to do much about this. I'm not trying to anger you, but if I hung something from my BRP windshield and it cracked the shield, I don't think BRP will be too sympathetic...sometimes our actions have undesired results and we have to change things on our own to make it better...

I'd contact the DMV in your state and see what other options you have...perhaps get an aftermarket vertical license plate holder and then attach this somehow so that it does not create the same drag...there are some vertical options out there for the Spyder...

 

[txknight67]

If it was an optional mod

Unfortunately, I think you're barking up the wrong tree...I don't expect them to do much about this. I'm not trying to anger you, but if I hung something from my BRP windshield and it cracked the shield, I don't think BRP will be too sympathetic...sometimes our actions have undesired results and we have to change things on our own to make it better...

I'd contact the DMV in your state and see what other options you have...perhaps get an aftermarket vertical license plate holder and then attach this somehow so that it does not create the same drag...there are some vertical options out there for the Spyder...

I'd agree with you. Since this is required by state law it should be something BRP thought about.

I was going to use this analogy, if a car manufacturer made their windshield out of some "new" material (whatever that may be) and the registration/inspection stickers in the state of TX caused crazing or other damage to the windshield and the manufacturer claimed it wasn't covered under warranty because it wasn't their stuff; what the :cus: is an owner supposed to do? In TX those stickers HAVE to be there....and that I know is state law. Would you let the manufacturer off the hook so easy then?

In the '80's there was a big stink because several auto manufacturers quit putting license plate brackets on the front bumper for design/aesthetic reasons, but several states required a front plate....I believe TX was/is one of those. So people were having to drill holes in the bumper to mount the plates and then the manufacturer claimed it voided the warranty when cracking started to show up from the plates being mounted like that. Those were some of the first plastic bumpers. Don't know what ever happened with all that though, just know I would have been PO'd as an owner....like I am now. I do know that in the next model year or two factory installed mount holes/points began showing up in the bumpers again.

 

[bone crusher]

I'd agree with you. Since this is required by state law it should be something BRP thought about.

I was going to use this analogy, if a car manufacturer made their windshield out of some "new" material (whatever that may be) and the registration/inspection stickers in the state of TX caused crazing or other damage to the windshield and the manufacturer claimed it wasn't covered under warranty because it wasn't their stuff; what the :cus: is an owner supposed to do? In TX those stickers HAVE to be there....and that I know is state law. Would you let the manufacturer off the hook so easy then?

In the '80's there was a big stink because several auto manufacturers quit putting license plate brackets on the front bumper for design/aesthetic reasons, but several states required a front plate....I believe TX was/is one of those. So people were having to drill holes in the bumper to mount the plates and then the manufacturer claimed it voided the warranty when cracking started to show up from the plates being mounted like that. Those were some of the first plastic bumpers. Don't know what ever happened with all that though, just know I would have been PO'd as an owner....like I am now. I do know that in the next model year or two factory installed mount holes/points began showing up in the bumpers again.

I'm a bit lost...do you expect BRP to redesign their vehicle for those in Texas so that this doesn't occur? There are changes to vehicles in CA for their very stringent emissions and other states have certain rules that auto manufacturers must follow, but these rules usually revolve around environmental and safety issues, not around extra drag on a rear fender piece.

Perhaps using a piece of plastic to attach the sticker instead of a heavier piece of metal might make a change? How about a piece of plastic with small holes that can also be made in the sticker to allow venting through the plastic to reduce drag?

I don't think you'll see BRP worry too much about this as there are likely many solutions that individual owners can work on to rectify this on their own...this isn't a flaw in the Spyder design, it's a problem due to an obtrusive rule in your state...expecting BRP to change their vehicle so that it adheres to one state out of fifty (not also including the rest of the world not having this issue) may be a bit ambitious.

I'm sure you can find a solution to this far faster and more efficiently than BRP ever could.

 

[Lamonster]

I'd agree with you. Since this is required by state law it should be something BRP thought about.

I was going to use this analogy, if a car manufacturer made their windshield out of some "new" material (whatever that may be) and the registration/inspection stickers in the state of TX caused crazing or other damage to the windshield and the manufacturer claimed it wasn't covered under warranty because it wasn't their stuff; what the :cus: is an owner supposed to do? In TX those stickers HAVE to be there....and that I know is state law. Would you let the manufacturer off the hook so easy then?

In the '80's there was a big stink because several auto manufacturers quit putting license plate brackets on the front bumper for design/aesthetic reasons, but several states required a front plate....I believe TX was/is one of those. So people were having to drill holes in the bumper to mount the plates and then the manufacturer claimed it voided the warranty when cracking started to show up from the plates being mounted like that. Those were some of the first plastic bumpers. Don't know what ever happened with all that though, just know I would have been PO'd as an owner....like I am now. I do know that in the next model year or two factory installed mount holes/points began showing up in the bumpers again.

If I waited for other people to fix stuff for me that I thought wasn't right I don't think anything would get fixed.nojoke

This is not a big deal, get a axle mount plate and put your new sticker on it and move on with life. It's just not worth getting that worked up about it and you can be sure BRP isn't going to make any changes soon enough for your situation.

 

[txknight67]

If I waited for other people to fix stuff for me that I thought wasn't right I don't think anything would get fixed.nojoke

This is not a big deal, get a axle mount plate and put your new sticker on it and move on with life. It's just not worth getting that worked up about it and you can be sure BRP isn't going to make any changes soon enough for your situation.

True.

Don't get me wrong, I am going to keep messing around trying to solve this myself, but my worry is that if in the process and time involved with trying things, I wind up moving the stress to the fender and it breaks/cracks I will be stuck paying for a new fender out of my own pocket. All because of "an obtrusive rule in my state" is how I believe bone crusher put it....have to agree with him on that.

I also know I am not the only one dealing with the issue....at least here in TX....the push to fix something has to come from somewhere.:thumbup:

 

[txknight67]

Found this.

TRANSPORTATION CODEAA CHAPTER 548. COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF
VEHICLES
TRANSPORTATION CODE
TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
SUBTITLE C. RULES OF THE ROAD
CHAPTER 548. COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF VEHICLES

Sec.A548.255.AAATTACHMENT OR PRODUCTION OF INSPECTION
12
CERTIFICATE.A (a)AAAn inspection certificate shall be attached to
or produced for a vehicle in the manner required by department rule.
(b)AAThe department shall:
(1)AArequire that a certificate for a motorcycle be
attached to the rear of the motorcycle near the license plate; and
(2)AAadopt rules with respect to display of an
inspection certificate for a moped.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Which was linked off TXDPS home page. Would hope it is the most current.

Well, we'll see what the police think when I move things around.

 

[Lamonster]

That's what I posted in the 5th post of this thread.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=209160&postcount=5

 

[Roadkill]

cracked tags

+I'm on my second RAKNID tag due to it snapping off at those same crack locations on the way to a service session. At the dealer, the mechanic asked me what happened to my tag, and showed me the triangular remnants at the mount points.

I rode home from the dealer that day with a cardboard tag, and then needed to replace the basic tag (they wouldn't let me re-use my original non-vanity plate still in my possession) until my genuine replacement arrived weeks later.

Nothing to do with the bike, other than vibes. The culprit is the subpar tag manufacture. NYS DMV simply told me, "Yes, they're lesser quality now." before charging my replacement fees.

Ride on.
Roadkill

 

[txknight67]

I know.

That's what I posted in the 5th post of this thread.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=209160&postcount=5

Got the impression that was copied over from another post so wanted to make sure it was the most current version.

What was it Reagan used to say "Trust but verify"?