Dead on the Interstate.. - latest update

[KenInMN]

2018 F3L. Purchased new in January 2019. 127 miles from home. Day 8 of a nice road trip. Suddenly the RPM's jumped up to the rev limiter and then I was just coasting along at 70 mph on I35 south of Ames, IA. Almost 100% certain that it's the front sprocket issue. Won't know for sure until next week. My roadside got me off of I35 and a very close friend brought my truck and my trailer and headed south to rescue me. less than 9100 miles on it. 2nd time in the 18 months that I have owned this that it has had to go on a trailer to the dealership because it can not run. B.E.S.T. warranty will cover the repair. But it doesn't make up for the fact that a vehicle with this few miles and this new has issues like this. Just glad it happened close enough to home.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

Damn, and I thought that BRP had this problem solved but that what I get when you assume. I have a 2017 F3L so I guess it will happen when I least expect it.

 

[ARtraveler]

Going to watch this as I just purchased a 2019 F3L. Going on 7,000 miles.

 

[PMK]

Going to watch this as I just purchased a 2019 F3L. Going on 7,000 miles.

Being totally serious, make pulley removal and inspection a routine maintenance item. Servicing the pulley splines is not overly difficult and will lessen disappointment later.

Mileage to failure varies, but accomplishment aligning with an oil change or calendar items could work well.

Ordering a new spare and traveling with it, is likely wise too if a person has no intentions of accomplishing routine inspections.

 

[trikermutha]

Why does it seem to be more on the F3 models that this is happening? (front Sprocket)

I have over 34 K on my RT and never had the front pulley issue. But do check it from time to time.

 

[bodymanpainter]

I put a little over 45,000 (hard) miles on my 2016 F3T and never had the first issue with the front pully
and I check for the red dust or stain's at regular intervals but never seen any signs of it.
Is it just the later models or all F3's having this problem?
Toby

 

[blacklightning]

I put a little over 45,000 (hard) miles on my 2016 F3T and never had the first issue with the front pully
and I check for the red dust or stain's at regular intervals but never seen any signs of it.
Is it just the later models or all F3's having this problem?
Toby

I think it can happen with any model. I check mine 2-3 times a year, and before any trip over 400 miles. I have just over 19k miles on my 2016 F3T and have had no problems yet. It's just the luck of the draw.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

I know a lot of other manufactures use a drive belt on their motorcycles. Are they having problems with the front pulleys or is it just BRP? It is the origin country that makes the front pulley? Would be interesting to find answers to my questions? Would also be nice that BRP steps up to recognize they have a problem with the front pulleys. Is it a belt tension problem or something else that causes some to fail and others not to fail? Hope someone has an answer.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I know a lot of other manufactures use a drive belt on their motorcycles. Are they having problems with the front pulleys or is it just BRP? It is the origin country that makes the front pulley? Would be interesting to find answers to my questions? Would also be nice that BRP steps up to recognize they have a problem with the front pulleys. Is it a belt tension problem or something else that causes some to fail and others not to fail? Hope someone has an answer.

IMHO, it's logical to think that related parts is having an effect on the pulley splines ...... My experience with Spyders began in 09 and I have lowered the tension on all three Spyders I have owned. One of the first things I did for my New 2014 RT was to check and Lower the drive belt tension ..... So far no sign of this issue ...... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[PW2013STL]

Seems very hit and miss with this issue. Over 56,000 miles on the 2015 F3s that I traded off on a 20 RTL. Never an issue with the sprocket. My wife's 2018 F3L has over 22,000 miles on it. So far no issue, but I do watch for the red dust.

 

[pieman9155]

i will keep a eye on mind and wife's 2018 aand 2019 f3t's

 

[Motorcycledave]

2018 F3L. Purchased new in January 2019. 127 miles from home. Day 8 of a nice road trip. Suddenly the RPM's jumped up to the rev limiter and then I was just coasting along at 70 mph on I35 south of Ames, IA. Almost 100% certain that it's the front sprocket issue. Won't know for sure until next week. My roadside got me off of I35 and a very close friend brought my truck and my trailer and headed south to rescue me. less than 9100 miles on it. 2nd time in the 18 months that I have owned this that it has had to go on a trailer to the dealership because it can not run. B.E.S.T. warranty will cover the repair. But it doesn't make up for the fact that a vehicle with this few miles and this new has issues like this. Just glad it happened close enough to home.

It may be worth you while to check your states LEMON LAW.

 

[PMK]

I know a lot of other manufactures use a drive belt on their motorcycles. Are they having problems with the front pulleys or is it just BRP? It is the origin country that makes the front pulley? Would be interesting to find answers to my questions? Would also be nice that BRP steps up to recognize they have a problem with the front pulleys. Is it a belt tension problem or something else that causes some to fail and others not to fail? Hope someone has an answer.

Believe the photos of failed pulleys indicated Made in USA. Simply splines work best when lubricated. The lubricant does not last forever. Splines wear like other items and should be inspected and relubricated to ensure longevity.

 

[trikermutha]

Reminds me of the splines on our fork lifts pumps at work. They do need lubrication but they always wear out at some point and time.

Now the Spyder pulleys have a different type of metal and seems to be the weak link when it comes to rounding out.

Are the specs/tolerances correct from the pulley to the engine spline?

 

[KenInMN]

Front pulley/output shaft issue update

Update to my first post about this.I purchased my 2018 F3L in January 2019. On July 1st something went south in the power to the rear wheel. Can hear it go into 1st gear/reverse but it won't move. Pulley appears to be OK. No hint of the "red rust dust". So I am now thinking it's the output shaft. Pulley appears to have been manufactured December 2016.

I'm trailering it the 90 miles to the dealer on Tuesday. less than 9100 miles and it has been on a trailer to the dealer to be repaired twice already.:gaah:

 

[trikermutha]

Thinking maybe your clutch took a crap and is slipping?

Why not have your warranty trailer it to the shop?

 

[Ex-Rocket]

I hate to hear people having problems with their Spyders especially when its a model like I own. Knock on wood, that I haven't had any problems with mine but it only has around 4500 miles on it. KeninMn I hope it is nothing serious but thank goodness its still under warranty.

 

[KenInMN]

. KeninMn I hope it is nothing serious but thank goodness its still under warranty.

It's not under the factory warranty. One would think so. But the selling dealership did not disclose to me that the warranty was started in April 2018 because they put it in the loaner program. Dr Powersports in Cedar Falls, IA will not get repeat business from us. Took 11 months to get my BEST warranty started. If I had just assumed that it was taken care of I would have found out this May that I didn't have a warranty and I would not have been able to get the BEST warranty. But that is another story. I could do a very lengthy post on the whole thing.

 

[KenInMN]

Thinking maybe your clutch took a crap and is slipping?

Why not have your warranty trailer it to the shop?

1.Possible. Find out later this week.

2.Because that would take it to the nearest Dealer. I'm not letting them touch it.

 

[dpetrick]

You indicated this happened near Ames, Iowa. As far as I know there is a dealer in Ames, who also has a location in Grimes. Hicklin Powersports. We have stopped in the Grimes store to look a couple times, when we were in Des Moines to visit our son. No experience with them though.