2013 RT Elevated Temperature in Engine Compartment - Safety Campaign

[Lady Lamonster]

I purchased a 2013 from a dealer in North Jersey and wonder how long it will be before the dealer has the parts and can release it to me. Not looking forward to a summer without riding!! Sold my 2 wheeler in anticipation of having this resolved.....

I also have the 2013 RT and have been riding it in triple digit temps in Texas plus it's a black bike - black currant. Yes, it gets a little warm but you can ride it. Hope your dealer gets the parts quickly but enjoy your riding season!

 

[R&L Limted]

[This is NOT specifically addressed to Highwayman]

Folks have different issues and different concerns, depending on their own situations. Everyone's case is a little different. Now that the details are out, there are going to be those who are disappointed over this or that. And they will need to vent and express their concerns. And some concerns will be very valid points. I have some concerns, myself, as well as some disappointments after reading the details on the fix - doesn't mean I don't appreciate what BRP has done. BRP understands this, I'm sure. (Which is obviously one reason that they did not want to leak specifics until the fix was in the dealer's hands.)

My [admittedly unsolicited] advice to all would be to let folks comment, complain, ask questions, and vent as they need to, and try not to call them on it. The transition should go a lot more smoothly that way - at least here on the forum. :thumbup:

(My 2 cents)

Thank you for this Robmorg, some folks comments sound as if we should not have concerns or thoughts. Some of these don't even own a 2013 . Do hope all will work out in the end . we love our RT Limited !:bowdown:

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Just Now

Spoke with my dealer and they have the parts ordered and they are on the way. Should be ready by this weekend! Thanks BRP for working hard on a resolution to some peoples concerns. We have been fortunate that our heat issues are not as bad as some (or we are more tolerant) and I see nothing wrong with the design of the new panels. So we are looking forward to the fix. BTW our dealer said that they were made aware of the fix yesterday, and quite frankly they were aware of it before I was. So if your dealer doesn't know anything yet....maybe it's time for a new dealer!

Thanks BRP!

 

[hapyisme]

My dealer cannot schedule me in until they get notice from BRP it is Wild West in Katy 281/392-8940 so if anyone from BRP reads this please call them.

Dan is aware, he has order parts as of yesterday.(Tuesday) He will do the two he has in the show case first so he knows how to do them before he starts working on customers. Hang in there, it is being handled just will take a bit of time.

 

[hapyisme]

Well with the announcement just being released this morning, any conversations held prior have no bearing at this point. We have a call in to Mancuso on scheduling Louise bike in. No info so far, they are checking on it ..... I won't hold my breath. Will post back if we get things moving.

Is the actual notice and the recall instructions available anywhere for full details? Just interested on where this is going. We plan to get the work done regardless and see how things turn out. Just want to know what Mancuso will be doing with the bike. I will need to thoroughly recheck everything on return. My history with them is not favorable.

Maccuso SUCKS, I have had nothing but problems after problems with that company!!! Good luck

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for that update... :thumbup:
"Patience Is the one virtue, that none of us can wait to acquire." :shocked:

 

[robmorg]

Question for Steve @ BRP

Steve,

First, thanks for keeping us owners updated in such a timely manner. No matter what individual concerns we have, we all appreciate that.

But here's my question.... As you know, the heat issue with the 2013 RT's has effected owners in two ways. First, there is the the more serious issue of the overheating fuel and all of the negative consequences of that issue. And secondly there is the issue of rider discomfort. Both were addressed in the remarks from the NHSTA. After reading the Warranty Bulletin in detail, I have to agree that it looks like the first issue has hopefully been successfully addressed. Also the new design of the air scoops and the removal of the acoustic panels may indeed help some with the heat coming up around the seat, which has been burning riders legs. We'll know that soon enough.

But could you please address the right foot heat issue that is so prominent on the 2013 RT's (as you can tell from other posts in this thread)? There doesn't seem to be anything in the current campaign to address this issue. I was pretty sure that the campaign would include reversing fans and/or re-positioning of the radiators, like on the newer models, but it seems that consideration was rejected. Can you tell us a little about why that might be, and if you expect further consideration of this issue from BRP?

Thanks. Awaiting your reply.

 

[ekfraz]

Heat

My dealership is waiting for the tools and parts, should be the 1st of the week.

 

[MouthPiece]

I also have the 2013 RT and have been riding it in triple digit temps in Texas plus it's a black bike - black currant. Yes, it gets a little warm but you can ride it. Hope your dealer gets the parts quickly but enjoy your riding season!

I'm with you Lady Lamonster <smiles>. It gets purdy hot here in Flarda and admittedly my 2013 RT-S spyder with 23,000 miles gets warm too. However, it is not unbearable even in the hot Flarda temps that we get as well. I don't see anything solving the hot right foot problem when it is just behind (or in front if you will) of the bottom right "torch" hole. (save putting a block there). Now that there will be ventillation going into the cavity of the spyder I will put a block on that hole.

​Chris

 

[cuznjohn]

if i understand the bulletin right??? they are going to remove some plastic components behind the motor so heat can escape, right. now if this is part of the fix, than riding along the heat will be pushed out. but what about slow speeds and stop and go traffic with a second rider on the bike. will the heat rise up and bother the passenger as they sit on the back seat and their feet on the rear pegs.

please let me know i i understood this right and if you think the heat will bother the passenger. thanks

 

[wis2013rtltd]

I owned a 13' as well, and I did not experience the hot right

foot as much as some others I guess.

My chief complaint was the fumes and dripping gas in the garage after a ride, in addition the visible gas boiling when filling the tank.

My guess is the recall is primarily focused on the resolution of those issues and in addition the dissipation of heat near the seating area etc.

Just a guess, but I do not think the recall is focused on the hot right foot, and in fact I will be surprised if the recall does much for that issue...

I am optimistic that the addition of the scoops and fuel remapping etc, will take care of the safety intentions regarding this, but less optimistic that it will alleviate the hot foot. I am sure the testing provided a result on the hot right foot, but I don't think anyone will share the results, we will have to wait and watch the feedback here.

In summary, this is a safety recall, not a rider comfort recall....

Time will tell, but something tells me they will opine on the hot right foot with the " Ride with proper attire" answer.

 

[ThreeWheels]

How will the adjustable side wind deflectors be disposed of?
I'm hoping that a lot of them show up on the used market.
Please let me know if a pair become available. Plain. Not chrome.
Thanks!

 

[finless]

All of the RT's have the hot right foot issue! Well known as the dragon's mouth.

Even before the 2013, many complained of that issue and some did things to help it, e.g. block off plates, etc.
Search back in time and you will see this is not a new issue.

Once the 2013 temps are down due to the fixes, the amount of time the fan goes on to blow heat off the radiator will probably now be the same as all other RTs! Thus I doubt BRP ever planned to fix that issue since all have it and they consider that normal for a motorcycle.

The good news I think, is now the heat on the right foot will be on par with all other RTs rather than hotter as it has been.

FYI, the 2010-2012's also have the canister stink issue. I have had it a few times now on hot days. I wish the new canister system would roll out to pre-2013 models to fix that as well. The hot foot I can live with as I have added a block off plate so I can use my NVB pegs. Without that plate it will melt your shoes when using the NVB pegs.

Bob

 

[jwulf74]

I agree with Finless. I hope they come out with something for the pre-13's. I have tried a few different things on our 2 2011 RT's and they both have the gas smell when parked (and sometimes while riding) and both drip gas when we park right after riding. Not just a little bit either. I used a bottle to catch the drips in it is not an insignificant amount.

Our cat's will have to go to reduce the heat transfer to the gas tank and at the very least I want to do the new evap system to see if that helps, assuming we will be able to buy the parts after the recall is substantially done...

 

[MouthPiece]

All of the RT's have the hot right foot issue! Well known as the dragon's mouth.

Even before the 2013, many complained of that issue and some did things to help it, e.g. block off plates, etc.
Search back in time and you will see this is not a new issue.

Once the 2013 temps are down due to the fixes, the amount of time the fan goes on to blow heat off the radiator will probably now be the same as all other RTs! Thus I doubt BRP ever planned to fix that issue since all have it and they consider that normal for a motorcycle.

The good news I think, is now the heat on the right foot will be on par with all other RTs rather than hotter as it has been.

FYI, the 2010-2012's also have the canister stink issue. I have had it a few times now on hot days. I wish the new canister system would roll out to pre-2013 models to fix that as well. The hot foot I can live with as I have added a block off plate so I can use my NVB pegs. Without that plate it will melt your shoes when using the NVB pegs.

Bob

I agree Bob. Although all the 2010-2012's all had the heat issue, it wasn't until 2013 when BRP came out with the floorboard on the RT-S and Ltd. Consequently, a rider's foot position changed. Prior to "13" the foot rested on a peg which was above the bottom right torch hole. However, with the "13" and floorboards the foot position was directly behind this torch hole. I'm simply saying that although the heat may have been the same, it was more noticeable with the "13".

​Chris

 

[Bob Denman]

All of the RT's have the hot right foot issue!
Bob

:lecturef_smilie: NOPE! My 2010 never gave me a single instance of heat -related stinks or burns... :thumbup:

...And I'm certainly not lucky enough, to get the only one without problems!

For the record: I DID try to get it to cook me. On a day with the temperatures just under a hundred degrees, I took off in just a helmet and a pair of shorts... (I had to test it!)
It got warm in some stop and go traffic; not hot.

 

[cuznjohn]

when i had my 13 rt i would go for a ride and actually pull over and get off the bike to let it cool down. i would sweat and burn so much that people would pull over thinking i was selling fresh ham i was sweating so much

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

if i understand the bulletin right??? they are going to remove some plastic components behind the motor so heat can escape, right. now if this is part of the fix, than riding along the heat will be pushed out. but what about slow speeds and stop and go traffic with a second rider on the bike. will the heat rise up and bother the passenger as they sit on the back seat and their feet on the rear pegs.

please let me know i i understood this right and if you think the heat will bother the passenger. thanks

That is one of the concerns expressed in the discussions here, what about slow speed heat release.

 

[rayeade]

I wish all of you the best in getting this problem fixed. I decided to get rid of my 2013 RT Limited and that fixed my heat problem. If I see you on the road I will wave at you. Good luck.

 

[ARtraveler]

I have been sitting out since I do not have a 2013 involved in the recall.

RE: All RT's give a hot foot. None of the three I have owned have heat issues for either rider or passenger. 2010 RTS, 2011 A&C, and 2014 RT-S.