rick_w
New member
That happens with a few companies, they do not want to listen to people who use the products.
We just had an issue with the new Grand Pet Palace and having some serious conversations with Kuryakyn.
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And yet another one....
- Thread starter Roadster Renovations
- Start date
That happens with a few companies, they do not want to listen to people who use the products.
We just had an issue with the new Grand Pet Palace and having some serious conversations with Kuryakyn.
Bob Denman
New member
Yo'd be surprised at how many times I want to play that card! 
BajaRon
Well-known member
I refrained from saying anything when these were introduced because I hoped I was wrong and the anticipations were understandably high. Secondly, other than wanting everyone to enjoy their Spyder as much as possible, I have no dog in this race. But I have to say I was very skeptical about the BRP belt tensioner from the beginning.
The belt tensioner takes a great deal of stress and frankly, a good beating with every mile you ride. It never rests. The price point (in my opinion) was way too low for a quality belt tensioner. I was hoping that BRP was simply operating at, or near zero profit on this product to help Spyder customers resolve a problem that (maybe) should have been addressed at the assembly line stage.
But as I heard more about the materials and dimensions of the tensioner, I was thinking that these just could not last.
Not all aftermarket products are priced to make a killing for the seller. Sometimes it just takes a fair amount of money to make a quality, reliable and well designed product that will serve the buyer for a long time. The process to bring this kind of product to market is much more difficult than most imagine. I know it surprised me.
I am sorry that the failure rate on these belt tensioners is rising. Maybe BRP will go back to the drawing board and come back with a better product. Until then, it may well prove to be a better strategy to pay the money and go with aftermarket products.
The belt tensioner takes a great deal of stress and frankly, a good beating with every mile you ride. It never rests. The price point (in my opinion) was way too low for a quality belt tensioner. I was hoping that BRP was simply operating at, or near zero profit on this product to help Spyder customers resolve a problem that (maybe) should have been addressed at the assembly line stage.
But as I heard more about the materials and dimensions of the tensioner, I was thinking that these just could not last.
Not all aftermarket products are priced to make a killing for the seller. Sometimes it just takes a fair amount of money to make a quality, reliable and well designed product that will serve the buyer for a long time. The process to bring this kind of product to market is much more difficult than most imagine. I know it surprised me.
I am sorry that the failure rate on these belt tensioners is rising. Maybe BRP will go back to the drawing board and come back with a better product. Until then, it may well prove to be a better strategy to pay the money and go with aftermarket products.
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Roadster Renovations
New member
As always well said, Ron. What has me concerned is that any BRP idler that has been installed by anyone other than the dealer, either RT of F3, could be in really big trouble if their pulley fails. Even though the failure is their product, if you have installed it and it destroys your belt, you will probably be responsible. Those folks that bought the RTBK adapters to use with the BRP kit will most definitely fall into that category. I suggest checking it before each ryde and be vigilant for checking the feel of the byke and any unusual sounds. And carry tools and zip ties to remove enough tupperware to tie up the arm if it does fail.
Not trying to cause panic, but I hate to see a cheap part kill an expensive belt. We are scrambling to have enough kit #1's in stock so that if you want to upgrade you can do so.
BRP has still not called me. Phone number is on the link:
http://dochumphreys.wixsite.com/roadster/contact
bikerbillone
Well-known member
Interesting read and video. The BRP tensioner arm looks like black plastic, but maybe metal powder coated or painted black. Whatever, that one small bearing cannot last very long. Think about the rpm's at 50/60/70 mph. No dog in the hunt, jus thinking out loud.
stevencovert
Member
Yours still going strong at 9K miles!
Installed mine on my brand new RTS last year, at about 200 miles. Noticed the vibes right away on the highway. For those who haven't bought one, I'd go with Doc's, as it is even easier than the video he has on his site shows. The temp bolt now has an allen wrench socket in it, so no grabbing with pliers (no shavings). Mine was installed in about 45 minutes total. No bad vibes anymore:yes:
Before heading out to Maggie Valley, I inspected my RT thoroughly - now at 9K+ miles. I noticed the belt had a little "shine" on it, so looked at the belt tensioner. It was still solid, perfectly even with the belt, and spun easily with no play on the bearings. Had the mechanics @Maggie Valley that did my Laser Alignment check it, they also said it was fine, they had seen many tensioners and this was normal. He made the comment that the little shine was even across the width of the belt, meaning it was installed properly (go me!). They also had seen several failed ones like your pic :yikes:!
Steve
Installed mine on my brand new RTS last year, at about 200 miles. Noticed the vibes right away on the highway. For those who haven't bought one, I'd go with Doc's, as it is even easier than the video he has on his site shows. The temp bolt now has an allen wrench socket in it, so no grabbing with pliers (no shavings). Mine was installed in about 45 minutes total. No bad vibes anymore:yes:
Before heading out to Maggie Valley, I inspected my RT thoroughly - now at 9K+ miles. I noticed the belt had a little "shine" on it, so looked at the belt tensioner. It was still solid, perfectly even with the belt, and spun easily with no play on the bearings. Had the mechanics @Maggie Valley that did my Laser Alignment check it, they also said it was fine, they had seen many tensioners and this was normal. He made the comment that the little shine was even across the width of the belt, meaning it was installed properly (go me!). They also had seen several failed ones like your pic :yikes:!
Steve
9,000 is nothing to brag about.
I got 25,000 out of my cheap BRP idler before the spring broke and harmed nothing.
I also have no "shine" which indicates rubbing.
At least with my BRP idler I get both idler AND belt warranty.
My BRP idler is a keeper till the aftermarket can prove theirs lasts longer, reduces vibration more and is warrantied better.
I got 25,000 out of my cheap BRP idler before the spring broke and harmed nothing.
I also have no "shine" which indicates rubbing.
At least with my BRP idler I get both idler AND belt warranty.
My BRP idler is a keeper till the aftermarket can prove theirs lasts longer, reduces vibration more and is warrantied better.
johnsimion
New member
When Am I Supposed to Need This?
I know I don't ride as much as some, but I'm well over 3000 miles now on my RT and have yet to notice ANY vibration that I was certain was related to the Spyder and not the road.
It's easy to worry yourself sick over stuff you read in this forum. I myself worried over the possibility of getting a rock stuck in the belt until I ran into problems installing the rock guard and then I did some independent research and found that there is no such issue with Harleys that have the exact same setup, and you know how many Harleys there are. And yes, some Spyders have gotten rocks in the belt but seriously folks, out of the tens of thousands of Spyders on the road, how many? It's almost certainly a tiny percentage, and I suspect it may be very similar with the vibration. It may be real, but how many does it actually affect? At what point is the cure worse than the disease? I wonder how many people have unrealistic expectations about vibration based on what they read in this forum. It's not a car, it's a three-wheeled motorcycle. You have a connection with the road that you don't have in your S-class Mercedes. Some vibrations are to be expected.
It does seem like those who ride a LOT notice things a lot more than I do. For example, I really can't imagine how much better my Spyder would be with one of these anti-vibration doohickeys any more than I'd notice any better handling with a roll bar or ____ brand of tires. I'm not saying anybody is wrong, I'm saying that some of you are such experts that you notice things where others of us would never know the difference. But noobs like me can read this stuff and worry ourselves sick.
Someday I may develop a greater sensitivity to this. Until then, I plan to trust BRP's engineers on the theory that my RT ain't broke so why fix it? In the meantime at least I don't have to worry about my anti-vibration doohickey going bad on me.
I know I don't ride as much as some, but I'm well over 3000 miles now on my RT and have yet to notice ANY vibration that I was certain was related to the Spyder and not the road.
It's easy to worry yourself sick over stuff you read in this forum. I myself worried over the possibility of getting a rock stuck in the belt until I ran into problems installing the rock guard and then I did some independent research and found that there is no such issue with Harleys that have the exact same setup, and you know how many Harleys there are. And yes, some Spyders have gotten rocks in the belt but seriously folks, out of the tens of thousands of Spyders on the road, how many? It's almost certainly a tiny percentage, and I suspect it may be very similar with the vibration. It may be real, but how many does it actually affect? At what point is the cure worse than the disease? I wonder how many people have unrealistic expectations about vibration based on what they read in this forum. It's not a car, it's a three-wheeled motorcycle. You have a connection with the road that you don't have in your S-class Mercedes. Some vibrations are to be expected.
It does seem like those who ride a LOT notice things a lot more than I do. For example, I really can't imagine how much better my Spyder would be with one of these anti-vibration doohickeys any more than I'd notice any better handling with a roll bar or ____ brand of tires. I'm not saying anybody is wrong, I'm saying that some of you are such experts that you notice things where others of us would never know the difference. But noobs like me can read this stuff and worry ourselves sick.
Someday I may develop a greater sensitivity to this. Until then, I plan to trust BRP's engineers on the theory that my RT ain't broke so why fix it? In the meantime at least I don't have to worry about my anti-vibration doohickey going bad on me.
So is the BRP issue strictly the bearing/roller? BRP uses a plastic arm vs aluminum that everyone else uses, BRP loves this reinforced plastic design cause it it used on the OEM sway bar links too. I see Lamonster is selling the BRP arm with an upgraded roller assembly at an attractive price, what are the thoughts on this?
stmike 1800
Member
You should of taken my RT for a ride ,you would of felt the vibration for sure . Mine at 130 to 140 kph felt like the belt was about to explode .
Batmobil-F3
New member
I didn't have any vibrations with my F3-S either. After changing the rear wheel I unfortunately had slight vibrations. If the belt is set up correctly, there should be no vibrations.
As an observer only at this point I can see no negatives to installing a drive belt idler pulley except if they aren't installed properly, or if they fail and damage another component. What I wonder about is can an idler pulley mask another potential problem that is happening? If so then the idler pulley could be a bad thing. I think there is one benefit to the idler pulley that I haven't see addressed much, if at all. The addition of a spring loaded idler pulley should help keep the toothed belt positioned so that the teeth fully engage the drive and driven pulleys. I had this problem long ago on a few of the first belt driven Harleys I owned but the only "fix" was to make sure the belt was adjusted properly back then. So in my estimation I would think that the addition of a spring loaded idler pulley couldn't hurt anything as long as it doesn't fail and as long as it doesn't mask or coverup another ensuing problem and is adjusted correctly.
Rick H.
Rick H.
There is nothing wrong with the BRP idler.
Remember, you are being fed a steady diet of fear by those who are selling their products.
The plastic arm is not what's failing, its the spring.
All brands sell replacement parts and will all eventually fail so keep an eye on them.
You "might" have an unbalanced rear tire or finally noticed the vibration issue.
Remember, you are being fed a steady diet of fear by those who are selling their products.
The plastic arm is not what's failing, its the spring.
All brands sell replacement parts and will all eventually fail so keep an eye on them.
All Spyders have some vibrations due to the extreme length of the belt.
You "might" have an unbalanced rear tire or finally noticed the vibration issue.
The idler does NOT keep the belt teeth on the sprocket because it not only works fine without it....its also VERY un-tensioned to begin with. You can lift the idler off your belt with your pinky finger. My Harley, like yours, is half the length of the Spyders and why you never experienced the vibration issue.
Lamonster Tensioner?
Like Geep, I’m curious about the Lamonster tensioner. Any thoughts on that one?
David
Like Geep, I’m curious about the Lamonster tensioner. Any thoughts on that one?
David
My exact same thoughts........
I ordered BRP's idler after I first saw it. What a mistake. After I received the thing and had it in my hands I instantly knew better than to install it. It is a resounding example of BRP's knee jerk response to a horribly and overly ignored customer complaint. I still have the idler, brand new, sitting in my parts drawer and it free to anyone who wants it. Just pay shipping and it's yours. PM me if you want it.
I ordered BRP's idler after I first saw it. What a mistake. After I received the thing and had it in my hands I instantly knew better than to install it. It is a resounding example of BRP's knee jerk response to a horribly and overly ignored customer complaint. I still have the idler, brand new, sitting in my parts drawer and it free to anyone who wants it. Just pay shipping and it's yours. PM me if you want it.
I believe Lamonster uses the plastic BRP arm with his own larger roller.nojoke
This is hilarious because some here are saying the plastic arm is crap and Lamonster owns this website
opcorn:
People will bash BRPs idler but not Lamonsters and not give any reason why.:firstplace:
This is hilarious because some here are saying the plastic arm is crap and Lamonster owns this website
opcorn: People will bash BRPs idler but not Lamonsters and not give any reason why.:firstplace:
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