2012 RT vibrates above 5000 RPMs

[Sumners2]

We have a 2012 RT and just had it in for the 600 mile service. We have been experiencing vibration between 5000 and 6000 RPMs. Mostly near 6000 RPM. Can't go above 73 miles per hour without feeling a lot of vibration. It seems to hit in different RPMs above 5000 , 6000 being the worse while accelerating. We told them at the service appointment but we are still experiencing this problem.
We read about the issue of the clearance between the motor mounts and the frame being the problem but this was resolved before the 2012 Spyders came out. What is the most recent "scoop"?

 

[boborgera]

We have a 2012 RT and just had it in for the 600 mile service. We have been experiencing vibration between 5000 and 6000 RPMs. Mostly near 6000 RPM. Can't go above 73 miles per hour without feeling a lot of vibration. It seems to hit in different RPMs above 5000 , 6000 being the worse while accelerating. We told them at the service appointment but we are still experiencing this problem.
We read about the issue of the clearance between the motor mounts and the frame being the problem but this was resolved before the 2012 Spyders came out. What is the most recent "scoop"?

Have they checked the drive belt tension?, There's a Good chance it's not adjusted properly.

 

[WaltH]

How about the wheel balance weights?

 

[bone crusher]

If it's the belt, go with SmoothSpyder's Belt Tensioner. He's a sponsor here and is a heck of a guy...just got one for my 2008 GS...should help with the 5500 RPM range issue that I am having right now...

BTW, all my buddies with Harleys have belt tensioners on them...apparently, easy to fiddle with... a belt tensioner is a good mod for our bikes...

 

[fastfraser]

I would go with the belt tensioner:thumbup:. Because of the long length of the belt, even if its torqued to spec will vibrate at different RPMs. The tensioner only applies gentle pressure to the belt to take most of the vibrations out .

 

[Bill R.]

Just a heads up. You might want to check first.
I was told my my dealer here in Ohio, that installing the aftermarket belt tensioner would void the factory warranty.
--Bill

 

[bone crusher]

Just a heads up. You might want to check first.
I was told my my dealer here in Ohio, that installing the aftermarket belt tensioner would void the factory warranty.
--Bill

Bill,

Don't let the dealers fool you or intimidate you. That is completely false. For a factory warranty to be voided, it has to be proven that said modification caused whatever issue it is you are complaining of...

For example, if you get a belt tensioner and you have a spark plug issue, they are not related, so your bike is under warranty. Unless the tensioner rips through your belt and shreds it to pieces, which it really cannot do (hence the reason most all bikes have a tensioner), it does not void anything (except in this example the belt).

The law is on your side with this...I think the Magnuson-Moss Act is the name of the act, but you can check this out.

Your dealer should be on your side and should help you with your bike. My dealer installed most of the mods on my bike without hesitation...

 

[Bill R.]

Bill,

Don't let the dealers fool you or intimidate you. That is completely false. For a factory warranty to be voided, it has to be proven that said modification caused whatever issue it is you are complaining of...

For example, if you get a belt tensioner and you have a spark plug issue, they are not related, so your bike is under warranty. Unless the tensioner rips through your belt and shreds it to pieces, which it really cannot do (hence the reason most all bikes have a tensioner), it does not void anything (except in this example the belt).

The law is on your side with this...I think the Magnuson-Moss Act is the name of the act, but you can check this out.

Your dealer should be on your side and should help you with your bike. My dealer installed most of the mods on my bike without hesitation...

BC, My concern was if I was away from my home dealer (out of state or whatever) and had a belt or drive issue would going to a dealer and claiming warranty be a problem with the tensioner installed.
He said the warranty at that point could be void (for that problem) if the tensioner was iknstalled.
--Bill

 

[bone crusher]

BC, My concern was if I was away from my home dealer (out of state or whatever) and had a belt or drive issue would going to a dealer and claiming warranty be a problem with the tensioner installed.
He said the warranty at that point could be void (for that problem) if the tensioner was iknstalled.
--Bill

Only if they (or anyone) can prove that the tensioner did the damage...and truth be told, being most bikes have tensioners (except for ours), they'd have a hard time proving that reducing tension on a belt is a bad thing...or reducing vibration is bad for all the bolt, nuts, screws, etc...on your bike...

Just remember that NOTHING voids your warranty unless it can be proven to cause the problem. Most all of the mods you'll see on Spyderlovers have been tried and true for some time. You have a lot of smart people doing things to enhance the safety and performance of our Spyders. Some of the changes actually get implemented at BRP. They monitor this board. Hundreds before you have gotten the tensioners and are loving them. (I just got mine the other day). If there was a problem along the way, we would've heard about it here first, for sure! All parts belt related will undoubtedly last longer if they have less stress to deal with...the Spyder has a very long belt...reducing even a small amount of that tension is benefiical...

 

[Bill R.]

Only if they (or anyone) can prove that the tensioner did the damage...and truth be told, being most bikes have tensioners (except for ours), they'd have a hard time proving that reducing tension on a belt is a bad thing...or reducing vibration is bad for all the bolt, nuts, screws, etc...on your bike...

Just remember that NOTHING voids your warranty unless it can be proven to cause the problem. Most all of the mods you'll see on Spyderlovers have been tried and true for some time. You have a lot of smart people doing things to enhance the safety and performance of our Spyders. Some of the changes actually get implemented at BRP. They monitor this board. Hundreds before you have gotten the tensioners and are loving them. (I just got mine the other day). If there was a problem along the way, we would've heard about it here first, for sure! All parts belt related will undoubtedly last longer if they have less stress to deal with...the Spyder has a very long belt...reducing even a small amount of that tension is benefiical...

That might all sound up and up, but fact being, I would not want to be in the middle BFE and count on your explaination without first a release from BRP.
BTW, most warranties cleary state they are null void if any "alterations or modifications" are performed.
BRP is no different as it has this disclaimer also.
I am sure it is agreat product, I am not knocking that.
Also, it is a tensioner, it does NOT reduce tension as you stated above. It applies tension to reduce "slap"
BRP issued a reduction in the belt tension last year. This reduction was applied by dealers at time of service.
They were blaming output bushing damage on the original tension

From BRP's warranty, in black and white,
"modifications, alterations that are outside of the original specifications of the Product"

"

 

[Firefly]

Love my belt tensioner..... And Bone Crusher is right pertaining to the warranty---- don't worry about it.

As far as HD's go----- of all the HD guys i ride with-- I've never seen a belt tensioner on any of them. Our belt is pretty long.

 

[boborgera]

Love my belt tensioner..... And Bone Crusher is right pertaining to the warranty---- don't worry about it.

As far as HD's go----- of all the HD guys i ride with-- I've never seen a belt tensioner on any of them. Our belt is pretty long.

:agree: On both accounts.

 

[bone crusher]

Love my belt tensioner..... And Bone Crusher is right pertaining to the warranty---- don't worry about it.

As far as HD's go----- of all the HD guys i ride with-- I've never seen a belt tensioner on any of them. Our belt is pretty long.

my buddy says his 2003 Road King has a tensioner on it...he also said his friend with a 2008 has an adjustable one as well....are they wrong (honest question)?

 

[bone crusher]

Love my belt tensioner..... And Bone Crusher is right pertaining to the warranty---- don't worry about it.

As far as HD's go----- of all the HD guys i ride with-- I've never seen a belt tensioner on any of them. Our belt is pretty long.

Fire, just a few quickies for you here...did you end up with 10 lbs. on yours? I haven't put mine in yet but I hope to get to it in the next few weeks (grand central over here)...also, how was the 'shaving' of the plastic belt guard piece? Piece of cake?...it's not too noticeable?

 

[gelaw]

Fire, just a few quickies for you here...did you end up with 10 lbs. on yours? I haven't put mine in yet but I hope to get to it in the next few weeks (grand central over here)...also, how was the 'shaving' of the plastic belt guard piece? Piece of cake?...it's not too noticeable?

Cutting belt guard is easy. Hold it in place and make a pencil mark where you want the cut. About 1 inch clearance. Use a ruler and draw a straight angled line. Should be parallel to the tensioner arm.

I used a bandsaw and then lightly sanded the edges.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm starting to get a bit of a "buzz in the 'Boards" too... Looks as if it's time to schedule the ACS installation and have them take a peek under her skirt while she's up in theair anyway... :shocked:

 

[Sumners2]

OK, We took our RT back to the Dealer again and they reported the problem to BRP. BRP now has them jack up the bike to allow the rear to run free. Then they ran it at different RPMs and adjusted the belt for minimum vibration using sonar to adjust according to the harmonics. It didn't totally eliminate the vibration, but rather moved it around to different RPMs that would not be so annoying or distracting. They are studying this issue and looking for a better fix and we just need to stay aware and watch for any new bulletins regarding this.
We feel the best remedy would be a belt tensioner or even a roller and would give better life and support to the belt. It is an improvement but we are going to wait and see what BRP comes up with. We encourage anyone with this issue go to their Dealer and get on the record with BRP along with getting the belt adjustment. I imagine the more information BRP receives on this, the quicker a remedy will come.

 

[Bob Denman]

Mine heads for the shop tomorrow... :shocked: That way they can have it for the rest of the week for what I need done.
(ACS installation, the aforementioned vibration, and my Ipod isn't Ipodding the way BRP says it should... :gaah