2020 RTL burning smell

[bluewoo]

I had the same smell when I first got my '18 although it didn't last long. I got it w/360 miles. You could be correct, bluewoo, but then why does the smell go away after a few hundred miles?

I thought mine went away after the belt was adjusted on my old 2018, pushed it hard one day and It was smelling like hot rubber.

 

[Escorial]

I have a 2020 RTL w/ 500 miles on it and also have noticed the smell. I looked all over and could not find the source.

New car smell hehe...

 

[KAMJAM]

We still have the "burning rubber" smell with nearly 2k on the OD, though not as bad as it was.

The first couple days of riding there was a burning plastic smell, it was a large label (from manufacturing process?) stuck to the cat, I thought for sure a wiring harness was melting. After that burning plastic smell dissipated, thats when i could really smell the rubber stank.

I've had almost every panel off of both RT's, more than once adding different "stuff", no signs of any damage from excessive heat or rubbing anywhere to be found. I don't think it's the drive belt, it's never been more than warm to the touch after a ride. My vote is exhaust/cat mounting or shielding.

 

[spyderdave]

I wouldn't blame the drivebelt. The rear sprocket rotates with the belt and you can't get enough angle against that little flange to create enpough friction to cause the belt to burn. I had the same smell on my 2020; it went away when I ditched the factory cat for an RLS cat delete pipe and a Flowmaster.

 

[ButterSmooth]

I wouldn't blame the drivebelt. The rear sprocket rotates with the belt and you can't get enough angle against that little flange to create enpough friction to cause the belt to burn. I had the same smell on my 2020; it went away when I ditched the factory cat for an RLS cat delete pipe and a Flowmaster.

Just looked at my notes. The burning rubber smell on my 2020 went away at exactly 4737 miles. That's when I pulled the cat and put on an RLS cat delete pipe. 100% the smell was the cat.

 

[Pooch]

That odd burning smell was prominent on my 2021 RTL also. As best I could tell it was coming from around the muffler/exhaust area.
The smell was most prominent when I immediately parked it in the garage after a ride. I chalked it up to new parts getting settled in. At the 3000 mile first oil/maintenance change I forgot to mention it to the tech and he didn’t say anything to me about it…he took it into the shop immediately after I drove it there. Never had any fault codes and the smell has disappeared…now have 4,000+ miles on the Spyder.

 

[Mikey]

The exhaust gets really hot on these thinks, and there's assembly oils and compounds that will be burning off! You will be smelling things for a while, now if there burning your eye's or really smoking, I would investigate!! Good day, ride safe!!