BRP Certified Tech for CanAm Roadster comments on Belt Tension Specs

[spydermanstever]

Lately there has been a lot of threads here on the discussion of what to set the belt tension for Spyders. The original specs stated in the manuals before the June 2015 BRP TST (Technical Service Tip) bulletin were higher, and some wondered if these higher specs could cause premature bearing failure if not lowered to the updated specs of the TST. A lot of excellent information I thought was provided by many of the members of this forum. One even hinted that it would be nice if BRP would like to comment on this subject. In attempt to get the opinions of a BRP qualified tech, I have contacted Shawn Smoak, a BRP Certified Technician for Can-Am Roadster who also has many excellent informative videos on YouTube, for his opinion on this topic. If you want to know more about him, his profile is on www.spydertechnician.com . Below are email correspondence I have had with Shawn. I think everyone that has stated opinions on this topic will see that it indicates that there is no right or wrong answer to a higher or lower spec - it has to do with how each setting will change the vibration frequency to suit the individual owner/rider of the Spyder. Here is the link to my emails back and forth with Shawn. For those of you that were confused as to what to do, have a read, you might find what he says interesting.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzLrt0HqFu-vRkhwRmFOWW9LY28/view

 

[finless]

Thanks for sharing. Very similar convo I had with him on my 2011 RT which also had the spec changed before.

I am going on the loose side and running a Smooth Spyder. Before the Smooth Spyder I had some vibes but they did not really bother me much. When I added the Smooth Spyder all that went away and I have what I consider the benefit of running on the low side of the spec.

Bob

 

[Devious56]

Thanks for sharing. Very similar convo I had with him on my 2011 RT which also had the spec changed before.

I am going on the loose side and running a Smooth Spyder. Before the Smooth Spyder I had some vibes but they did not really bother me much. When I added the Smooth Spyder all that went away and I have what I consider the benefit of running on the low side of the spec.

Bob

I too have a Smooth Spyder tensioner and at first we had the belt in spec but on the snug side. After riding it and talking about the ride, we decided that the belt should be on the loose side to allow the tensioner to do it's job. The results I posted in another thread, very smooth operation, no vibration at highway speed ( and I almost saw 100 ), and an added benefit was my shifting got smoother and quitter. This was on a 2015 RT Limited.

David