Initial Impressions of the Heat-related Recall for 2013 RT Roadsters

[Dan McNally]

I just got Topper back from the dealership . . . It was the first 2013 RT to get the recall work done at Motosports, Inc in Hanover PA . . . my thanks to Ryan Bortner for getting me in and out so quickly!

My first impressions? I LOVE IT! The new scooped vents look really good to me. It ran great, coming home. Temps were in the mid to high 70s . . . it feels . . . smoother? Shifting is really smooth as is acceleration. It sounds . . . different? I can't really say "louder" but there is a definite change.

As an added bonus . . . I got 35 MPG on the ride home! . . . about 90 miles.

Since I had the CanAm adjustable vents under the mirror, I was given a $155 gift certificate from the dealership. I used it to buy a CanAm Rain Jacket and four bottles of XPS Roadster Wash! I even got a Motosports T shirt tossed in!

The first really test comes on a four day/three night trip to the Smoke Hole Resort, Cabins WV, with the Maryland Spyder Web, next week!

Life is good! hyea:

 

[spacetiger]

What kind of mpg were you getting before?

 

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for posting the information. Looking good. :yes::yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: Glad to hear that you're feeling good about all of this! :2thumbs:

 

[USAFE7RET]

I will second the impressions Hayfield reported. Just got mine back from the dealer today and was impressed. I had initially dropped it off for the upper belt cover bolt, ECM refresh, and fuse box cover bulletins, in addition to the frunk switch was inop and the right turn signal was not working correctly. They called me to let me know they had found a loose connection for the frunk switch and had to replace the switch cluster and that they were waiting on the switch from BRP since it was under warranty. The dealer (Ted's Alton, IL) let me know they had just received the instructions and tools for the heat recall and if they got the parts in, would go ahead and do that while they were waiting on the switch.

I was impressed with the smoothness of the engine at low speed, no more "herky-jerky" while going slow through the parking lot. Seems to rev less at the same speeds before, mileage looked to improve, but will know better after another tank of fuel. The new panels look great and the "boys" are no longer being toasted!

The temp on the ride home today was 91 indicated and the temp guage never got over the halfway mark. I think BRP got this one right, for my initial impression. Will have to see how it performs and report back in a couple of weeks.

 

[Dan McNally]

What kind of mpg were you getting before?

I'd normally get around 27 MPG, however, last Saturday, I only got 20! It was really hot and my parking brake cable melted, again. I suspect the lousy gas mileage had to do with the open fuel system . . . gas fumes were probably boiling out and being lost to the atmosphere for much of the ride. With the closed system, that doesn't happen.

 

[Chupaca]

Good to hear..!!

nice hearing that the fix is working out well for those letting us know. You have a great dealer, hang on to them...:2thumbs:

 

[RBS66]

I am anxious to get my recall work done. I haven't made an appointment yet just want to find couple days spare time and have my wife off for a couple days to give me rides back-and-forth . I went for a ride today and gas fumes were horrible after my ride. So thanks guys for the feedback after your recall work was done. Really looking forward to this

 

[wetmountainman]

Thanks for the report and photos. Looks good, and your first report sounds great. Enjoy now!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

As I said to Dan on Facebook, I hope the nightmare is finally over for the 13 RT owners. :clap:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree::agree::agree:

 

[Bensonoid]

Mine is going in on 6/19. Glad to hear about being smoother running, that has always bugged me. More miles between fillups is a good thing too.

 

[Dan McNally]

I forgot to mention . . . not a whiff of gasoline smell when I rolled into the garage!

 

[Bob Denman]

So the ONLY thing that you're smelling now, is happiness??

 

[Dan McNally]

So the ONLY thing that you're smelling now, is happiness??

I think I smell a beer calling to me! :cheers:

 

[Dan McNally]

A Better Test

On Friday, I left for a long weekend, three nights, four days, of ryding with the Maryland Spyder Web. We met in West Friendship, MD and rode to the Smokehole Resort in Cabins, WV ( http://www.smokehole.com/ )

On the ride, Friday, it was HOT out. The temperature on my screen read 108 degrees a few times, and was over 100 for a good part of the day. Temps outside were in the mid to high 90's. Topper ran amazingly well and I averaged just over 31 miles per gallon on each tank. No gas smells at the end of those hot rides, either.

Saturday, the group (twelve Spyders, 14 people) rode to Cumberland MD and we all rode the Western Maryland Railroad - http://www.wmsr.com/?gclid=CMvrtsHoy8QCFXBp7AodeRkAWg

Sunday we rode to Blackwater Falls State Park and had lunch at the lodge - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_Falls_State_Park

Monday, we all headed back home. It was a great time and I truly believe that BRP has resolved the heat issues on the 2013 RT . . .

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs:

 

[jetmech]

On Friday, I left for a long weekend, three nights, four days, of ryding with the Maryland Spyder Web. We met in West Friendship, MD and rode to the Smokehole Resort in Cabins, WV ( http://www.smokehole.com/ )

On the ride, Friday, it was HOT out. The temperature on my screen read 108 degrees a few times, and was over 100 for a good part of the day. Temps outside were in the mid to high 90's. Topper ran amazingly well and I averaged just over 31 miles per gallon on each tank. No gas smells at the end of those hot rides, either.

Saturday, the group (twelve Spyders, 14 people) rode to Cumberland MD and we all rode the Western Maryland Railroad - http://www.wmsr.com/?gclid=CMvrtsHoy8QCFXBp7AodeRkAWg

Sunday we rode to Blackwater Falls State Park and had lunch at the lodge - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_Falls_State_Park

Monday, we all headed back home. It was a great time and I truly believe that BRP has resolved the heat issues on the 2013 RT . . .

So Mr Hayfield; how was the seat, glovebox, and upper panels temperature during your rides, and slow traffic? Was the gas cap temp okay to touch when stopping for fuel?

 

[Dan McNally]

So Mr Hayfield; how was the seat, glovebox, and upper panels temperature during your rides, and slow traffic? Was the gas cap temp okay to touch when stopping for fuel?

The seat, glovebox, and upper panels were all considerably cooler than past rides in very hot weather . . . Much of the time riding was slow, and, as we rode into and out of the heart of Cumberland MD's downtown area, there was stop and go, as well . . .

And, as I said: "I truly believe that BRP has resolved the heat issues on the 2013 RT . . . "

 

[jetmech]

The seat, glovebox, and upper panels were all considerably cooler than past rides in very hot weather . . . Much of the time riding was slow, and, as we rode into and out of the heart of Cumberland MD's downtown area, there was stop and go, as well . . .

And, as I said: "I truly believe that BRP has resolved the heat issues on the 2013 RT . . . "

Thanks for the quick response.