BRP belt tensioner

[IdleUp]

Hey guys you should be bitching your asse's off and demanding that BRP fix our broken machines!

This is a major let-Down from Can Am, and I can't believe some of the reply's where guys are almost happy to pay for the parts and labor and loss time to put it on.

Can Am designs something that is broken - then as if its not enough we have to suffer with the vibration. After almost everyone is complaining, they come up with a Mickey Mouse hang on bandage "Fix" but wait . . . . . we end up paying for Can-Am's mistake.

I mean you don't have to be a Genius to realize when a belt gets "So" long you have to add an Idler somewhere. So instead of issuing a re-call to fix a know vibration problem - they come up with a fix and let the buyers foot the bill for their lack of engineering - and we have to:

1) Pay for a part that is already supposed to be on he bike.

2) Pay labor cost to install something that should already be included.

3) Put ourselves thought the BS of leaving a bike or waiting for it.

4) Suffer from the down time (transportation) to bring it to a dealer which for most of us is 1-2 days of obligation.

Guys - "Wake Up" there is nothing to be happy about!

The real questions is with all the hype of high technology and thousands of miles of research and all the "Expert" drivers - did no one at BRP even drive the damn bikes and feel such an obvious vibration problem. On my first test ride it took me 5 minutes to note the problem. When I mentioned it to the dealer he said when you feel the vibration - just slow down or speed up till it goes away! Hellooo . . . . .

Come On BRP Make This Right - fix our machines we already spent $25K

 

[Bob Denman]

Nothing is broken, and this issue doesn't affect all of the bikes to the same degree...
And YELLING about it, is a pretty strong turn-off; unless you don't mind not being taken seriously... nojoke

Or did you just hit the "Big Font Button" in error?

 

[Peteoz]

Nothing is broken, and this issue doesn't affect all of the bikes to the same degree...
And YELLING about it, is a pretty strong turn-off; unless you don't mind not being taken seriously... nojoke

Or did you just hit the "Big Font Button" in error?

I agree with you, Bob.......except for the bit about the large font......It meant I didn't need to go looking for my glasses, which was lucky as I can never remember where I left them!
Pete

 

[retired1]

IdleUp;
As I understand it, 5 minutes into your test ride you detected a vibration and mentioned it to the dealer. He suggested how to avoid feeling the vibration, but evidently, you chose to ignore his suggestion. Evidently, you went ahead and purchased the machine with the knowledge of the vibration. I fail to see how you can blame BRP for your decision. JMO

 

[Bob Denman]

I agree with you, Bob.......except for the bit about the large font......It meant I didn't need to go looking for my glasses, which was lucky as I can never remember where I left them!
Pete

I'm 20/360 in my left eye... :shocked:, and tons of retinal hemorrhaging in my right. :yikes:
If I could read it... :dontknow:

 

[Wildrice]

Truth in Advertising..

IdleUp;
As I understand it, 5 minutes into your test ride you detected a vibration and mentioned it to the dealer. He suggested how to avoid feeling the vibration, but evidently, you chose to ignore his suggestion. Evidently, you went ahead and purchased the machine with the knowledge of the vibration. I fail to see how you can blame BRP for your decision. JMO

I don't exactly agree with your evaluation; now if the dealer places a sign near the Spyder that reads it may vibrate at a certain speed & the solution is to change the vehicle speed--then I would agree with you. The truth of the matter is that when a customer has a complaint the dealer needs to be more direct & immediately advise same on the issue. Purchasing any vehicle from a dealer is a "implied intent" that the dealer will correct the problem. Waiting until after the purchase is in process is Not the time to state "that's normal" just go above the speed limit or ride it in the slow lane, or downshift & rev the engine higher along with a free pair of ear muffs.
Now that would be "Truth in Advertising"..
Darrell

 

[Msmoto]

The "Vibration"

As I am approaching 1000 miles on my new F3, I am discovering the vibration is less of a problem. The dependency on throttle position, roadster attitude, i.e., up or down a hill, and even wind all seem to alter the vibration severity. There are still times it is severe, but as BRP states there is no mechanical consequence from the vibration.

When I evaluate the overall experience of the roadster, the small occasionally discomfort from the vibration is almost a non-issue. I will install the idler pulley as this no doubt will increase my enjoyment while riding, but the fact remains, the roadster is such an enjoyable machine, especially for some of us who are just too old to ride on two wheels, I will ride and enjoy, dealing with any small problems by working into the solution as quickly as possible.

 

[Wildrice]

As I am approaching 1000 miles on my new F3, I am discovering the vibration is less of a problem. The dependency on throttle position, roadster attitude, i.e., up or down a hill, and even wind all seem to alter the vibration severity. There are still times it is severe, but as BRP states there is no mechanical consequence from the vibration.

When I evaluate the overall experience of the roadster, the small occasionally discomfort from the vibration is almost a non-issue. I will install the idler pulley as this no doubt will increase my enjoyment while riding, but the fact remains, the roadster is such an enjoyable machine, especially for some of us who are just too old to ride on two wheels, I will ride and enjoy, dealing with any small problems by working into the solution as quickly as possible.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, I was born in March 1944. E-5 US ARMY. I skydived with a MarNav(Marine Navy) club. don't exactly remember what I paid for my Main & Reserve parachutes , but I do remember the thrill exceeding the Spyder F3's. I'm thinking the price of the F3's exceeds the price of several quality compact cars that have the same ABS/VSS/ etc but included air conditioning & Stereo, +++, yet without vibration issues--most of the compacts would be faster, handle turns quicker, etc. I also have a 343 rwhp-212#torque on a 1298 cc engine 530# motorcycle. I am in awe by the loyalty of a few Spyder owners, I really like mine also, my wife prefers riding on my F3's versus my turbo Hayabusa--but the Spyder has a vibration problem that interferes with the envoyment you profess & it's one of the job's of this Forum to make BRP aware & correct this issue, not via a bandaid, there is a solution to the problem & BRP won't address rectifying the origin of the issue.

 

[Peteoz]

As I am approaching 1000 miles on my new F3, I am discovering the vibration is less of a problem. The dependency on throttle position, roadster attitude, i.e., up or down a hill, and even wind all seem to alter the vibration severity. There are still times it is severe, but as BRP states there is no mechanical consequence from the vibration.

When I evaluate the overall experience of the roadster, the small occasionally discomfort from the vibration is almost a non-issue. I will install the idler pulley as this no doubt will increase my enjoyment while riding, but the fact remains, the roadster is such an enjoyable machine, especially for some of us who are just too old to ride on two wheels, I will ride and enjoy, dealing with any small problems by working into the solution as quickly as possible.

That's exactly my experience and feelings too, MS. I will definitely install the tensioner as most of our freeways out here are 110kph which puts them right in the worst band of 67-70mph. Mind you, I can also understand those who it annoys the crap out of, as everyone has differing sensitivities.

Pete

 

[Wildrice]

I'm 20/360 in my left eye... :shocked:, and tons of retinal hemorrhaging in my right. :yikes:
If I could read it... :dontknow:

Well Bob---that kinda takes the fear out of riding--can't be scared if you don't see the problem I have Macular Degeneration also, I've complained to my doctor & said I was tired of taking all the medication pills; his response was "so am I". Night time rain makes driving anything scares me.:yikes:
Darrell

 

[Msmoto]

@Wildrice

I sold my Hayabusa (2006 SE almost stock) at age 66. My year of birth was 1942....OMG

We probably agree that BRP needs to get the solution to the vibration issue solved before it becomes a safety related issue. I say this because when it comes on severely and suddenly, it becomes a significant distraction, which could potentially cause an accident. While this may be only my imagination, there are many issues in automotive/motorcycle safety which have been present and cleverly disguised by manufacturers. Hopefully BRP will look carefully at this and make a correction standard equipment.

 

[IdleUp]

Three Things!

1) We would not all be here monitoring this thread if the bikes were not broke.

2) Why is it BRP screws up and we the owners have to pay for their ignorance with lost time transporting our bikes and paying for parts and labor?

3) If you can't feel the vibration or think its going away - then your fine - you won't know the difference.

Regards

 

[Ken613834]

I guess since Lamont already let you guys know, I can reveal that this is what my wife has been testing for BRP for the last month.

We were approached by our dealer that BRP was looking for testers for their tensioner. She agreed and they installed it. It has worked great since the install. We just did a 3500km trip out to the eastern provinces and my wife says that she didn't feel any vibrations.

I can take a picture of it if you want and post it. When it is on the bike you can't see it because it is hidden behind the side cover.

I live in Ottawa too. Last year I did a 30,000km trip around North America and this year a 10,000km trip. After 2 riding seasons I have about 45,000km on my bike...would have loved to be one of the guinea pigs for the tensioner too as the vibration is quite an irritant. I wonder if your dealer would be interested in doing this on my bike...or I would simply buy one. Thanks,

 

[fatboy]

idler kit

i order one from power sports warehouse yesterday 24.49 plus shipping part #219800412

 

[rtlister]

Yes!!! PLEASE make one for the 2014 RT

I will never forget right after I got my Spyder putting it on the Interstate and just before 70 MPH I thought something had gone wrong. It was the belt vibration!! If BRP will offer one for the RT at that same price, COUNT ME IN! I'D ORDER IT TODAY! I hate that vibration and you can't convince me that problems will not come from it.

 

[Msmoto]

Contrasts

I suspect one of the issues for me is that the Spyder is so exceptionally smooth in so many things, e.g., the shifting with the semi-auto transmission, that when all of a sudden this vibration sets in, it is the severe contrast to what one is usually experiencing while riding that presents the problem. There are many motorcycles which vibrate extensively at various RPM, and yet no one complains about these.

Thus, I can see why BRP can at least verbally state this is "normal" as comparing it to some two wheelers places it at a similar level of discomfort. In any case, my part from BRP is due to arrive in about a week or so.

 

[Navy Warrant]

Do you know the part number for the belt tensioner?

BRP part #219800412.

There's an adapter available from Doc Humphries for the RT, and Doc (and others) now makes complete kits (aluminum, not plastic like BRPs) for F3s and RTs. I verified with BRP that it does NOT void the warranty. The non-BRP part is just not covered, of course. Even my dealer thought it would void the drive train warranty. They have been educated and will install my Doc Humphries complete RT kit next Monday. Doc is one of the sponsors for Spyderlovers.com. His vibration damper product page (he has install videos too) is http://dochumphreys.wixsite.com/roadster/ultimate-vibration-damper-products

 

[Road-Kill]

I installed the BRP idler a few months ago. It works, no issues....maybe a slight whistle at high speed but overall I'm a happy camper.

 

[900Dave]

I installed the BRP belt tensioner last fall. After almost 2000 miles there is some slight play in it. The bearing is starting to wear. Good by! It is gone. It would have failed sooner than later. The vibration is not near bad enough to risk a failure of this inferior product that rides on your belt and could destroy it when it fails and it will fail eventually.

 

[007james]

BRP part #219800412.

There's an adapter available from Doc Humphries for the RT, and Doc (and others) now makes complete kits (aluminum, not plastic like BRPs) for F3s and RTs. I verified with BRP that it does NOT void the warranty. The non-BRP part is just not covered, of course. Even my dealer thought it would void the drive train warranty. They have been educated and will install my Doc Humphries complete RT kit next Monday. Doc is one of the sponsors for Spyderlovers.com. His vibration damper product page (he has install videos too) is http://dochumphreys.wixsite.com/roadster/ultimate-vibration-damper-products

I ordered mine from Doc. Today, for my new 2016 RT Limited. I read most of the posts about belt vibration, and have become convinced that is what is causing my vibration, ( extreme ) between 60-75 MPH. My Dealer said his Tech told him other RTs do the same as mine. I had it Laser Aligned, and front wheels spun balanced. Still vibrating. Dealer took it back it, and said they reset the Toe In, but never mentioned doing any thing with the belt, or that BRP offers their plastic single bearing " Fix." So, since my Spyder is new, with now 1000 miles on it, I am not willing to settle for more Voo Doo experiments by the Dealer, and decided to roll the dice to chance my own Fix, based on the reports who have installed Doc's Kit and report definite instant improvement. I will attempt to install my it my self. If I fail, then I'll take it to have the Dealer do it. Riding on the Freeway doing 70 MPH on a bright sunny day getting the crap shook out of me on a $30k Machine, is not my idea of sucking it up! Some times, we gotta take the Bull by the horn.