Calling all 2014-2015 RT owners with "Belt Vibration"

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

A VERY INTERESTING INFORMATIVE INTELIGENT OPINION ABOUT BELT VIBRATION

People it is in your best interest to go over to the F-3 forum and see what " Sledmaster " had to say about this issue...Yes the F-3 has a longer Belt but it's not that much longer. And He is someone you should listen to........ See posts #78 & 80 ......... Mike :thumbup:

 

[PaladinLV]

When you downshift, you have obviously changed the RPM. Harmonic vibration is partially do to the RPM amongst other things.
So naturally, it disappears.

AJ

Well, reducing the belt tensioner tension to 8 pounds did not make any difference. I am starting to wonder if it is belt vibration, maybe it is the top of the belt that is vibrating and not the bottom where the tensioner is. However when I downshift to 5th the vibration goes away. This is driving me crazy and has to be resolved. It starts around 73 mph and does not go away until I pass 80. Suggestions?

 

[DC1]

My experience is limited but I'll toss in my 2/cents..

I have had a little vibration in the 73 to 81 mph range....I am positive it is belt harmonics (in my mind anyway)...I recently changed rear tire and a member here pointed out my belt alignment issue (hard against inner lip of rear pully)..So....I went to work..

Pulled the starboard side back about 2 turns till it tracked right, added about 1/3 to belt side to add some tension, then pulled starboard side back till riding true again...It appears dialed in better than when I bought it...

I tried what ya wanted about dropping to 5th and the speed ranges with slight vibration were different...and acted better between 72 and 81 but noticed a little in the 50's range...I also notice the vibration in 6th gear is hard to find if ya don't know what ya lookin for....and on mine is only noticeable on flat slightly uphill or downhill...vibration disappears during accel/decel and up or down grades....really depends on a lot of factors...

But in conclusion, at 78 mph it just don't seem to vibrate the same in 5th as 6th....I just think it is a Spyder thang and now that it is dialed in best it can be, won't let it worry me in the least....hope this helps....

 

[SpyderCruiser]

People it is in your best interest to go over to the F-3 forum and see what " Sledmaster " had to say about this issue...Yes the F-3 has a longer Belt but it's not that much longer. And He is someone you should listen to........ See posts #78 & 80 ......... Mike :thumbup:

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the link, much useful information there. It looks to me like the top of the belt is vibrating in that video, or am I looking at it wrong?

 

[Bensonoid]

Just finished putting on a new Kumho on the back, and was surprised that there were NO previous balance weights on the wheel when I pulled the OEM Kenda off. After about 30 spins on the HF stand, and 1 3/4 ounce of weights, my wife says it seems better, but will wait to give a final verdict this weekend.

Have 230 lbs tension on the belt and tracking well, but interested in others belt tension, amount of weights on the rear wheel.

I also was surprised at the one piece wheel assembly on the 2015 versus the hub that bolted on, as on the previous wheels.

Discount Tire was nice enough to furnish the black stick-on weights to match the black wheel on the RTS:yes:

I didn't count how many weights were on my stock rim/tire but it was somewhere around a buttload. I too used a HF balancer to check the wheel w/o tire and then matched the tire to rim and used only 1/4 oz. weight. Smooth as silk now and my passenger also noticed an improvement. 240 lbs on the belt.

 

[akagone]

Vibration, me two.

The dealer & I have chased this rabbit from day one. Just
like the rabbit, probably never catch it. Installed the
smooth spyder, didn't help. Mine is in the range of 3800 to
4100 rpm. When I get above 4100, your close 85 mph.
I started my testing at 4k and third I could fell some, then
shift 4th more vibration and up and worst, on up to 6th.
This is with the smooth spyder tied down off the belt.
My tech. said he read some kind of update saying to drop
the tension down to between 600 & 900 newtons. He set
mine at 750. It is the best it ever has been.
Oh, by the way, mine is a 2015 RTS.

 

[SpyderCruiser]

The dealer & I have chased this rabbit from day one. Just
like the rabbit, probably never catch it. Installed the
smooth spyder, didn't help. Mine is in the range of 3800 to
4100 rpm. When I get above 4100, your close 85 mph.
I started my testing at 4k and third I could fell some, then
shift 4th more vibration and up and worst, on up to 6th.
This is with the smooth spyder tied down off the belt.
My tech. said he read some kind of update saying to drop
the tension down to between 600 & 900 newtons. He set
mine at 750. It is the best it ever has been.
Oh, by the way, mine is a 2015 RTS.

So that is around 169 pounds of tension. I took notes on what the tension was when I started and what it is now. I will repot back on what they are.

That is weird, because my initial vibrations were around 65, tightening the belt changed the speed so they do not occur until 75.

So you have no vibrations now and up to what speed have you tried it? And is this with the belt tensioner off the belt?

Thank you for posting this info.

 

[Pineywoods36]

Had to try it today on my way to work, I found that at 73-76 MPH there was a vibration, had to try it in several locations with differnt road serface and came up with the same results. I also get the same feel if I lug abit is 6th down in the 2800 RPM range.

 

[bcrav2]

2014 RT Vibration

I have a 2014 RTS, 1500 miles, went on a 450 mile trip, interstate travel (Nebraska I80) speed limits up to 75 mph. Noticed vibration beginning at 77 mph, lasting until 84, smooth sailing 84 and above. Noticeable vibration change going up/down hills, either beginning to vibrate or stop vibrating. The vibration seemed to be, in part at least, a function of engine load and consequent tension on the belt. While using cruise control, I could stop vibration by increasing or decreasing cruise control setting be 1 or 2 mph, indicating to me a harmonic based vibration. Furthermore, once the vibration stopped, I could go back and resume my original speed, at least for a while.

Update: Gear 5: Vibration at 65-68 mph @ +-4000 rpm
Minor vibration 77+ mph @ +-5000 rpm
Gear 6: No vibration below 77 mph
Vibration at 78-84 mph @ +-4000 rpm
From this simple test there appears to be an rpm correlation to vibration.:yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

Did you tinker around with that 4,000 rpm setting in third and fourth gears also? :dontknow:

 

[manxman]

Tire Balance

With 10,000 miles on the OEM Kenda the 15 RTS is ready for a new shoe, and have a Kumho waiting in the wings. Have noticed the 68-70 mph vibration as others have noted usually when loading the belt on an upgrade. I am hesitant to up the tension but willing to tweak it up or down.

First goal is to find a shop with a balance machine that can handle the groove on the wheel rim and get a true spin balance. I have used the Harbor freight static balance stand and Ride-On on one of the 3 rear tires replaced on the 11 RT, but maybe the Firestone shop can help as others have mentioned.

If not--- anyone know where I can get some more stick on weights? I usually recycle the old ones, but notice the rear rim on the 2015 doesn't have any. Could it be that the balance was perfect from the factory? HMMM......

Try balance beads, they work very well.
Several places sell them. I have run them and they do stop out of round tires from driving you nuts..........

 

[Sliverfox]

Belt vibration problem!

How does a person get BRP's Attention. We paid a lot of money for these bikes, why should we as customers put up with this known problem? Going slower or faster isn't the answer. "Fix The Dam Problem'. BRP has known about this problem for two years. It's not the dealers fault by any means! I have a new 2015 RT limited, I love the machine, but not the vibration. BRP is selling these bikes with a known problem, is it legal to sell a defective product? I know it isn't unsafe to ride, but it is known problem. I was in Sturgis this year, I spoke with a BRP rep. He said they would try to have it fixed by 2016! Great, what about the rest of us??

 

[palover]

RT vibration

If I were placing a bet, I would put my money on out of balance tires. Have you thought about dynamic balancing? Much better than those stupid weights.

Pam

Out of balance tires Really is the problem. I was experiencing the same vibration problem at speeds mirrors shake, fenders shake and windshield. I took my RT to a Hunter dealer with a dynamic balance machine and found my wheels were totally out of balance. He took off all the BRP stick on's and started from scratch. The machine is now running perfect.

 

[gpops]

Vibration at high speeds

I have a 2015 RT Limited with the same vibration problem. At 72 MPH and above it begins to vibrate which is felt mainly through the foot boards. I have not done the experiment you described, but what I have done is (with cruise control on) bump the speed up or down 1-2 mph and the vibration stops until steady speed is reached (when there is no deceleration or acceleration load on the engine or gearbox or belt). Because of this, I thought it WAS an "harmonic issue." The fact that the vibration stopped in your experiment (down shifting to 5th) does not surprise me; the drive train is under an increased load. I see the same thing my just slightly increasing or decreasing the speed. My RT is in the shop now as we speak to find out what the problem is and hopefully fix it. Until then, my riding is limited.

Gpops

 

[Bob Denman]

will a sway bar help?

With belt vibration? :shocked:
No; it won't.

 

[TXrider]

RT Limited 2015

Definite vibration at 75 - 80 - will have it checked out at next service.

 

[Sliverfox]

Tire balancing isn't the fix!

Good idea, but I've been thru the tire balancing, still have the problem. I've been reading other threads concerning this vibration problem, could it be engine performance concerning load on the engine at RPM range ( 3750 to 4000). With this being said I've read that the removal of the cat.converter and installing a good breathing test pipe in it's place seem to get rid of the vibration. Why? Maybe this would cause the engine to be more responsive at different RPM's. I have had the sprockets and the belt changed and adjusted, rear tire balanced, engine realigned, belt tensioner so an God knows what else!,:banghead: Help!! BRP you need to get to the bottom of this problem

 

[Sliverfox]

The Belt Vibration can be cured by calming down the top of the belt, not the bottom!!

Good idea, but I've been thru the tire balancing, still have the problem. I've been reading other threads concerning this vibration problem, could it be engine performance concerning load on the engine at RPM range ( 3750 to 4000). With this being said I've read that the removal of the cat.converter and installing a good breathing test pipe in it's place seem to get rid of the vibration. Why? Maybe this would cause the engine to be more responsive at different RPM's. I have had the sprockets and the belt changed and adjusted, rear tire balanced, engine realigned, belt tensioner so an God knows what else!,:banghead: Help!! BRP you need to get to the bottom of this problem

-------------------------------!
I reversed the smooth belt tensioner so the tensioner pulley rides on the TOP of the belt (with the smallest pulley Jim has. "Guess what, absolutely" No Vibration". Do what you want, but my 2015 RT is vibration free! Run the small pulley, other wise it may hit your fuel tank with two riding. I know their are new Tensioners being designed to allow for more clearance. People I'm convinced it's the top of the belt that is giving all the problem. Thanks, (BRP pay attention)

 

[iSpyder]

No vibration here

My 2012 RTS had the vibration but so far my 2014 RTS does not. I have had it up to 90mph.

 

[marty1096]

2016 RTS Vibration

Bought brand new last June.I didnt buy the maintenance service contract.... 6 years or 6 services At 3000 miles paid $312 for oil change and 3000 mile service...they signed they did both in operators manual. (60 month extended really 3 years...wont go into that)

I always had slight vibration on handlebars no where else that I noticed. I lived with it...wasn't bad...

at 9661 miles had oil changed last Friday and major checks done, had them sign operators manual that they performed all items under 9300 mile service and they changed a very dirty air filter. $415.00

on way home had vibration like a portable hot water foot massager everywhere. called them when I was in garage getting off bike, taking it back Tues. when you ride a bike you get to know what is normal for your bike....I want to know is this the NEW normal after the checked stuff and tweaked stuff, IF they did...they did something or its a vibration coincidence.......it rides different now.


Misc. Questions
.
When you replace a rear tire do you ask them to check the alignment at that time, is not that part of install to make sure tire is running true? just asking, have not replaced tire yet. getting close 9661

about the vibration does the ECM needs tweaking back to where it was IF it was adjusted when it was there for oil change?????
Have them loosen belt? if they adjusted it, (what bothers me about this is that its all the time, not at a certain speed) I put it in N and its constant consistent vibration even when winding up and down the throttle with foot on brake lol. its not the tires, or belt...its not moving....in N

OR Just
Tell them its an engine problem and make the running of the engine smoother?

any and all suggestions will be considered, I take her back to dealer Tues. closed on Mondays.