Engine vibration at 6000 rpm

[ZWolf-2011]

I have a Spyder RT 2011 with about 12,000 miles on it and since way back, at about 6000 rpm the engine would vibrate just as you get to 6000 rpm, and as you get above that speed, it would stop. The vibration would come on just as quick as it would turn off. Taken it to the dealer a few times and they claim they cannot feel the vibration. So now that I am feeling it more so, I took it in again for them to fix it. But again they claimed they could not get it to vibrate on them. Well took the service writer with me this time and let them feel the vibration and sure enough, they felt it or sure and no question about it, it vibrated at 6000 RPM!

The vibration is so bad that I have a hard time reading the GPS when I am at this 6000 rpm range. Tickles my feet too! It will do this mostly in 5th gear, but it also does it in the lowers gears too, just not as bad. The vibration does not slowly start to vibrate, it just suddenly starts to vibrate at 5950 rpm, and will stop at about 6100 rpm. It is like you turned on and off a switch to make it vibrate.

Last summer they changed the oil, and about 4000 later I had problems with the transmission shifting. The cause was low transmission fluid. I asked them what was the problem, did they fail to fill the transmission correctly last time? No good answer, and the bike was not leaking any oil any where.

I am starting to think there is a relationship between the vibration and the low transmission fluid level, but not sure at this time.

We are now six weeks in the shop with no change since it went in.

Any one else heard of any issue like this?

Allan
Cypress TX


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[spyryder]

They're BS'in you, the engine and transmission oil are one and the same.

 

[2 Cruysyn]

Last summer they changed the oil, and about 4000 later I had problems with the transmission shifting. The cause was low transmission fluid. I asked them what was the problem, did they fail to fill the transmission correctly last time? No good answer, and the bike was not leaking any oil any where.

At 4000 miles the oil level should have already been checked more than a few times. (I'm curious as to what happened during the previous 8000 miles). The nature of the beast is it's going to use a bit of oil which means the level needs to be checked often. If your service department didn't tell you this you might want to educate them. Low oil at 4000 doesn't surprise me.

Has your belt tension been checked lately? I have a similar vibration situation as you describe and I know mine needs adjusting, again. Since you are "feeling it more so" than before correct belt tension, or lack thereof, is something that should be looked into.

Front motor mounts could be a contributing factor. Actually it's the front motor mount vibrating against the frame. I think there was a service bulletin to fix that which your service department should know about.

 

[NancysToy]

Have them check the front motor mount bracket clearance. There is a service bulletin on this issue.

 

[captblack]

At 6K I think it is telling me to shift ... I am one of those folks that prefers to run in the range between 4000 - 5000 (5200 at 75 mph). I do have a SM 5 and I stay in the highest gear possible without lugging the engine. This has worked well for me for the last 28,000 miles ... :thumbup:

 

[MikeinGA]

Have them check the front motor mount bracket clearance. There is a service bulletin on this issue.

Question, were do you get the service bulletin information?

 

[Can-Am Poogs]

same issue

I have the same issue on a 2012 RTS with 1800 kms. I attributed to belt slap/ belt tension. I have an SM5. I notice it at 5000 rpm and gone at 5500. In 4th and 5 th gear I have had the engine up to 7000 and 800 rpm..no issues...smooth as ever. I did the oil change myself. Bringing it to the dealer next week for the 1000 km service, they will adjust belt tension. I will let you know if it changes anything if you send me a message next week asking about it.

 

[bandwagon]

Presently going through the same

I put my 2009 RS SE5 in the shop for clutch and rotor replacement and the next day trailered it to Spyderfest. I did not get to ride it much because of a sudden vibration throughout all speed range. So after that I trailered it to vender alley and back to hotel a few times. It's been in the shop ever since my return. I told my dealer about Pitbulls front shock relocators and they have been orders. So that should help take care of the irregular wearing of tires. Third set and second in less than 4,000 mi. It's getting to the point that I'm spending too much money trying to keep it road worthy that I'm beginning to think about another make/model. I hate the thought of it because I love the spyder. Throwing good money after bad may take its toll.

I have a Spyder RT 2011 with about 12,000 miles on it and since way back, at about 6000 rpm the engine would vibrate just as you get to 6000 rpm, and as you get above that speed, it would stop. The vibration would come on just as quick as it would turn off. Taken it to the dealer a few times and they claim they cannot feel the vibration. So now that I am feeling it more so, I took it in again for them to fix it. But again they claimed they could not get it to vibrate on them. Well took the service writer with me this time and let them feel the vibration and sure enough, they felt it or sure and no question about it, it vibrated at 6000 RPM!

The vibration is so bad that I have a hard time reading the GPS when I am at this 6000 rpm range. Tickles my feet too! It will do this mostly in 5th gear, but it also does it in the lowers gears too, just not as bad. The vibration does not slowly start to vibrate, it just suddenly starts to vibrate at 5950 rpm, and will stop at about 6100 rpm. It is like you turned on and off a switch to make it vibrate.

Last summer they changed the oil, and about 4000 later I had problems with the transmission shifting. The cause was low transmission fluid. I asked them what was the problem, did they fail to fill the transmission correctly last time? No good answer, and the bike was not leaking any oil any where.

I am starting to think there is a relationship between the vibration and the low transmission fluid level, but not sure at this time.

We are now six weeks in the shop with no change since it went in.

Any one else heard of any issue like this?

Allan
Cypress TX


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[NancysToy]

Question, were do you get the service bulletin information?

I don't have a copy. You'll have to ask your dealer to look it up...or have him call BRP dealer tech support. They can point him in the right direction.

 

[lookerjdc]

for ehat its worth, I used to have a harmonic vibration when doing between 73-76 on the interstates and around 5500 rpm

it was like a bussing/humming that was really annoying

while at Spyderfest I had the Baker Belt Tensionser installed (the same people that make the Baker Air Wings) - that took care of the problem for me
you should check your drive belt tension and make sure its correct, but if all else fails, get one - it worked for me

 

[greenlaps]

vibration at 61miles an hour

I just bought a 2011 RT-S and at around 61mph I get a vibration that I can feel. My husband said it is all in my head. It gets better if I drop down a gear. I know the spyder runs up higher before you shift. But the change in the vibration always starts at 61.

 

[2 Cruysyn]

I just bought a 2011 RT-S and at around 61mph I get a vibration that I can feel. My husband said it is all in my head. It gets better if I drop down a gear. I know the spyder runs up higher before you shift. But the change in the vibration always starts at 61.

You won't find this in the "official" documents but just for ducks take hold of the lower run (easier to get to) of your belt mid way between the front and rear sprocket and twist it along its axis. If you can twist it to 90 deg without a lot of effort it's probably time to visit your service department for a belt tension tweak.

If/when you have your belt tension adjusted to spec try the tweak again so you know what it's supposed to feel like.

 

[Phyllis]

Map

This feels like a silly question, but how do you attach the map to your profile. Would like to feel in my travels.:dontknow:

 

[2 Cruysyn]

This feels like a silly question, but how do you attach the map to your profile. Would like to feel in my travels.:dontknow:

It goes on your signature line, the same place you have your emoticons.

You can create the map I use by going here. The instructions are pretty straight forward. Create the map, save it to your hard drive, log on to SL and upload the image at Settings / Edit Signature using Option 2. There are other maps of course this is just the one I use.

BTW, on Spyderlovers there are no silly questions.

 

[ZWolf-2011]

Thank you everyone for your responses to my issue.

I got the information from the factory it is the harmonic balance and the belt and it is a nature of the beast for some of the bikes to do this. The factory recommends that I go above or below the speed that I get the vibrations at. They claim that there is not much I fix it I can do for it except to make sure that the belts tension is the correct. The dealer claims that it was correct.

It took me six weeks to find this out and it was even something new to the dealership who did not know about this. Part of the problem is that the dealership could not reproduces, but when they went for a ride with me on the back, they felt it.

The auto belt tensioner sounds like the best trick to get. I'm going to order mine today!

Allan
Zwolf 2011




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[2 Cruysyn]

The auto belt tensioner sounds like the best trick to get. I'm going to order mine today!

Allan
Zwolf 2011

Once it's been installed and you've had the opportunity to put it to the test please let us know your results!

 

[greendean]

Once it's been installed and you've had the opportunity to put it to the test please let us know your results!

I ordered the smooth belt tensioner from Captain Jim Yesterday Hope to have it next week thinking positive
this should help with my vibration issues. I have read of several folks with the vibration issue and the belt
harmonics are a common theme.
Good Luck Dean

 

[capt.jim]

I ordered the smooth belt tensioner from Captain Jim Yesterday Hope to have it next week thinking positive
this should help with my vibration issues. I have read of several folks with the vibration issue and the belt
harmonics are a common theme.
Good Luck Dean

Thanks Dean, it should arrive by Saturday.

 

[Can-Am Poogs]

Partially Resolved

Had my 2012 Spyder in to the dealer for a check up. BTW, the dealer is amazing! Difficult to get into because they are so busy doing PDI's it seems. They move a lot of BRP units, seems like the show room changes over every couple of weeks. Had some campaigns completed and they said the belt was loose and they tightened it to spec. Did it make a difference? I have an SM5 RTS. Gear 1 to 2, I shift about 4000 rpm, gears 2 to 4, I will shift around 5000 to 6000 rpm, gear 4 to 5, I will shift anywhere from 5000 to 7500 rpm. I don't linger in gears for very long. Based on speed limit, I get to the gear I need to be in and I don't waste time, I don't accelerate heavily unless I am merging on a highway or something, but I am rarely casual about hanging in a gear if I don't have to.

Did tightening the belt help the vibration, sure did. I don't notice the vibration in in gears 2 to 4 anymore, like I used to. Last night I had to go out for a 224 mile round trip on the highway. I deliberately set the cruise control around 5500 rpm on my way back, this was 77 mph, in 5th gear. The vibration was now very inconsistent. It happened very infrequent and wasn't anywhere near as bad. It was infrequent to the point I wouldn't consider doing anything about it. That's the nature of a belt drive.

If you put a tensioner on and it takes it away completely, please post, I may consider it. For now I am okay with going 1 or 2 mph faster to avoid it. Notice I didn't say slower....

Cheers

 

[greendean]

Thanks Dean, it should arrive by Saturday.

Hey Jim I am very anxious to install it. I did get my bits back from the powder coater and now with
my highway pegs and backrest installed the ride is so much better. I rode home from work
yesterday and I hardly noticed vibration because I was more comfortable. I still need to grind the
foam in the seat for my posterior. The Stabilizer and seat will be done next week when I get back to work.
It is easier to work at my shop when I can put Baby Spyde on my lift to work on. Age dictates crawling around
on the ground anymore. Thanks again Will update when installed and still need to send you some pics
of my (homemade additions) Dean