BRP Spyder investigation started. What will happen?

[Magdave]

From what I'm hearing about the investigation, it doesn't look like a buy back will be an option, they're looking specifically at the CAT and exhaust system as well as the redesign of the panels on the RS, RSS and ST's that were released in 2014

But the 2013 RT does not have any extra air flow options so we will see what comes up on those. :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

This is going to be a very interesting situation. In a previous thread I guesstimated that there were about 10 fires in 50,000. This averages out to a % rate of .0002.

The new statistics show 52,000 spyders out there. I did not know about the police :spyder2: fire and am sure that there are others. A re-run of the numbers and allowing for 20 total fires 20/52,000 shows a % of .00038 or .0004. Not sure how this compares with fire statistics of other brands--just throwing the numbers out here.

I got in a bit of hot water for making this kind of statement in the previous thread. If I had a :ani29: that burned, I would also be thinking the same things as you others.

What I am pointing out is that I do not believe that all :ani29:'s are a combustion just waiting to happen. I am not going to stop driving my :spyder2:'s or worry about it. I have no heat issues or gas fumes. I would now be getting a bit excited if I did though.

At the least, I do believe BRP and their dealers are going to have to address heat issues and gas fume issues on a timely basis. There is a real problem with some :ani29:'s, and that has now been brought to the attention of the Feds.

 

[Magdave]

This is going to be a very interesting situation. In a previous thread I guesstimated that there were about 10 fires in 50,000. This averages out to a % rate of .0002.

The new statistics show 52,000 spyders out there. I did not know about the police :spyder2: fire and am sure that there are others. A re-run of the numbers and allowing for 20 total fires 20/52,000 shows a % of .00038 or .0004. Not sure how this compares with fire statistics of other brands--just throwing the numbers out here.

I got in a bit of hot water for making this kind of statement in the previous thread. If I had a :ani29: that burned, I would also be thinking the same things as you others.

What I am pointing out is that I do not believe that all :ani29:'s are a combustion just waiting to happen. I am not going to stop driving my :spyder2:'s or worry about it. I have no heat issues or gas fumes. I would now be getting a bit excited if I did though.

At the least, I do believe BRP and their dealers are going to have to address heat issues and gas fume issues on a timely basis. There is a real problem with some :ani29:'s, and that has now been brought to the attention of the Feds.

Your numbers are skewed. Start with 2013 models and number of fires on those and the percentage goes waaay up.:thumbup: Still small percentage and thank God no one has been hurt...yet.

 

[robmorg]

At the maximum, I think a recall for safety issue will happen. But the probe may take a very long time (in months).

That would be my bet as well. I'm glad the the NHTSA decided to investigate all model years and not just 2013 where recent fires were an issue. But as slow as most government bureaucracies work, I cannot imagine any findings being published before at least 9-12 months go by. Then, depending on the recommendations in the final report, and the potential cost, I'd expect BRP to possibly challenge it the courts, which may take as long as another year - especially when the bureaucracy and the manufacturer are located in two different countries.

The thing that really aggravates me about this issue, is that BRP probably didn't have to put a catalytic converter OR a fuel evaporator container on the vehicle at all. It's a motorcycle, for goodness sakes, and likely not subject to the same bureaucratic standards as automobiles. I'm as environmentally conscious as the next guy, but I hate it when people or companies let "feel good" ideology get in the way of basic common sense - especially when the result hurts consumers.

 

[Jeffsm69]

True, 52,000 is not a lot compared to car companies, total number of sales in 2013 was only 9700 and 5100 of those were RT's with the biggest risk of fire, the ST's and RS's are mostly having heat issues but I'm not aware of any fires in those models, some have been burned though

 

[robmorg]

But the 2013 RT does not have any extra air flow options so we will see what comes up on those. :dontknow:

Exactly! :thumbup: Any effective fix is NOT going to be cheap. Which is what prompted my statement above.

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

All it took was a police officer's bike to burn. No mention of the RT's? Hopefully this will all come to light and be fixed for all involved!!

 

[ARtraveler]

Your numbers are skewed. Start with 2013 models and number of fires on those and the percentage goes waaay up.:thumbup:

Statistics can be interpreted in a lot of ways.

Here is a revision covering the situation based on 2013 only.

If we look at the 2013's (have to guesstimate about 7429 sold) based on 52000 sold in 7 model years. 2008 - 2014 (52000/7)

How many fires? Have to guesstimate about 10 for the 2013 models 10/7429 That gives a fire statistic of .001346076 over the 2013 model year.

 

[Jeffsm69]

Statistics can be interpreted in a lot of ways.

Here is a revision covering the situation based on 2013 only.

If we look at the 2013's (have to guesstimate about 7429 sold) based on 52000 sold in 7 model years. 2008 - 2014 (52000/7)

How many fires? Have to guesstimate about 10 for the 2013 models 10/7429 That gives a fire statistic of .0001346076 over the 2013 model year.

My opinion as a firefighter, one fire for a motorcycle wouldn't be suspicious, 10 fires, you have a problem

 

[SNOOPY]

1) It's a shame that it took a government official on one to get the safety council involved.

2) "if" any thing comes of this it would be having the dealers swap some parts...and I for one don't want my bike tied up at a dealer for 6 months while this is being resolved.

3) I wonder how long this thread will stay open? :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

1) It's a shame that it took a government official on one to get the safety council involved.

2) "if" any thing comes of this it would be having the dealers swap some parts...and I for one don't want my bike tied up at a dealer for 6 months while this is being resolved.

3) I wonder how long this thread will stay open? :dontknow:

I don't see this thread "doomed" at all. Good discussion about an important :spyder2: issue.

 

[ARtraveler]

My opinion as a firefighter, one fire for a motorcycle wouldn't be suspicious, 10 fires, you have a problem

I edited the statistics in the quote you showed above. The % was off by one decimal. The correct % is .001346076

 

[JerryB]

Hi 3 Wheel,

Re: All it took was a police officer's bike to burn.

Ding Ding Ding

No more calls, we have the winner.

I always find it interesting how those things work. :sour:

Jerry Baumchen

 

[Magdave]

Just going to toss out some fix ideas for the RT.

1. Totally WELL insulated Gas tank.

2. Redesigned intake resonator that will hold the Evap canister in it at the top of the bike(also keeps it cool).

3. Redesigned Cat I have seen them 1/3 the size of what we have.

4. Jet Hot Coated headers enough of the shade tree fix wrapping.

5. Venturi vented underbody covers.

6. Increase purge cycle and incorporate a sensor to ensure it is working.

7. Redesigned brake MC. Plastic and headers do not play well together there are other materials that take heat much better.

8. All vacuum and any other hoses changed to silicon. Enough of the lowest bidder stuff.


I think this is a good start any other ideas? We all know the source is unvented heat under the Tupperware. Protect better and Vent better is the solution IMHO.

 

[SNOOPY]

Your number 3 is very interesting :thumbup:

I have a 750hp car with smaller cats than my Spyder! roflmao

 

[flamingobabe]

not only fuel lines...my ST's spark plug wires started fall apart...made the bike have 800 to 2000 rpm's at idle.....when it hits under 1000rpm's it beeps...all this happened in a nano second.....so anything rubber will need replacing.....fuel lines being most important......I have a 2 page list of all my problems....no one wants to go there again....as of now my bike is running good.....but it took over a year of fighting for what I knew the ST needed......NHSTA has 31 complaints on 2013 RT...12 on 2013 Spyder and 9 on ST's.....4 of those complaints are mine....if you have a problem with your 2013 go to www.nhsta.gov

BRP should replace the panels on ALL RS's from the 2008 to the 2013 and all the fuel lines from 2008 to 2013. I put fuel line heat rap on me fuel lines. The fuel line should be replaced every 5 years on all motorcycles. That's IMHO.

Mike

 

[Buzzatronic]

So this pretty much sucks. My 2012 RTS is less than 3 weeks old and I have significant gas fume issues and the only parking I have for it is my in-house garage.

Basically this investigation means I have to worry even more about a) the bike catching fire while I'm riding it or b) the bike catching fire after I park it, burning down my house as well.

Yeah, not pleased at all right now. :/

 

[M109Dreamer]

Lets hope the address the heat issue for all makes and model & year. But I highly doubt it. We cant even ride ours in the summer time in AZ without the wife getting her legs burned up around the seat area.

 

[maliamd]

It's a start and I am glad to see it. Hopefully no more bandaids in the future and a real fix. Boy the resale value of the 13's just took a major hit even more than they all ready have.

 

[DJFaninTN]

at least it hasn't gotten as bad as GM yet. GM is telling some SUV owners to park outside because the possibility of fire :shocked:

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014...-them-outdoors-because-they-could-catch-fire/