Is Can Am aware that some 2013 RT's have severe handling issues?

[krazykat]

I just took delivery of a 2013 RT Limited and was horrified at how dangerous its road handling is. Anything above 50 mph goes beyond scarey and after making an extended trip home, following delivery, I consider myself lucky to be alive.

Trucks passing, undulating pavement, mild cross winds, cause the machine to enter into a high speed wobble that is almost impossible to correct with steering inputs. I've been riding for more than 50 years and this is the worst experience on a road bike I've ever had. Trying to hold a steady line, without wandering side to side, is only possible for short distances. The mental attention it takes to hold the machine in your lane, on the interstate, is beyond description.

I hope Can Am is aware of this and corrects quickly before someone gets hurt, ...or worse.

Please disregard all the hooey you read here about "death grip", "loose grip", "tire pressure", "wheel alignment", etc. You description exactly fits my experience with my first Spyder, a 2013 RT Ltd. Your machine has 2 problems - the left ball joint and the right ball joint. Get those replaced by your dealer. Should be warranty based on an earlier service bulletin. After mine were replaced, it was smooth as silk and very stable whether I gripped the "death grip" or "loose grip". Don't be discouraged, just getter done then enjoy!!!

Been through that........

 

[CanAmChris]

I guess I am kind of curious what the end result of this thread was.... after 2 years and 4 months. How did it finally turn out CurrantRyder?

 

[AH-NO-1]

My reaction was the same as your and so was my riding experience time wise.

I just took delivery of a 2013 RT Limited and was horrified at how dangerous its road handling is. Anything above 50 mph goes beyond scarey and after making an extended trip home, following delivery, I consider myself lucky to be alive.

Trucks passing, undulating pavement, mild cross winds, cause the machine to enter into a high speed wobble that is almost impossible to correct with steering inputs. I've been riding for more than 50 years and this is the worst experience on a road bike I've ever had. Trying to hold a steady line, without wandering side to side, is only possible for short distances. The mental attention it takes to hold the machine in your lane, on the interstate, is beyond description.

I hope Can Am is aware of this and corrects quickly before someone gets hurt, ...or worse.

I know this is a late response - The changes I made to resolve it.
1) Was a new seat (Corbin) the original was way too mushy which makes your body move with every movement of the spyder. Expensive but well worth it.
2)Spring Stiffners
3)Loosen your grips and relax as others have already told you.

The first two items will let you do #three without even thinking about, you will think that you have purchased a new machine. I personal think that 95% of the problem starts with there seat.

 

[MouthPiece]

Just saw what I wrote, January 25, 2013. I stand corrected. I definitely needed a laser alignment.

Chris

 

[jcasey]

:agree: Great advise! My wife bought a STS. I rode it and it was a terrible experience. I thought what a peace of crap but she liked it. I to have ridden two wheels for over 50 years. I rode it to the dealer for her(she works I don't :thumbup about 70 miles. It felt like I had ridden 700 miles. Said I would never have one! Rode it a few more times and got the feel of it and how to interact with it and now I have a F3S. It's like ridding a Cadillac Once you gat used to it.:yes::yes:

 

[oldguyinTX]

I may be eating crow. I just saw a thread in the subforum RT Shop Talk in which it has been stated that BRP has acknowledged there is a problem and is working on solving this issue.

Chris

Could you please post a link to this thread?

 

[pegasus1300]

I hope CurrantRyder got it fixed and has been enjoying it. As far as I can tell his last post was in April of 2013. It would be nice to know what finally turned it around for him.and if he is still here just lurking

 

[MouthPiece]

I may be eating crow. I just saw a thread in the subforum RT Shop Talk in which it has been stated that BRP has acknowledged there is a problem and is working on solving this issue.

Chris

Could you please post a link to this thread?

It has been so long since I posted the above that I can't remember for the life of me why I said what I did. I do recall that I was one of the few (in the beginning) who thought there was an alignment issue with the 2013 RT's (as well as any other year). I think I may have been referring to the heim joint (?), but not sure. I do know that in hind sight I was completely wrong about ALL spyders having an alignment issue. I'm now a firm believer that the laser alignment should be performed on all spyders at the time they are delivered at sale.

Hope this helps.

​Chris

 

[dukeBlue48]

Loose grip on the bars. Not a tight one helps.

I was thinking the same thing, since I'm new to riding three wheelers. It's the violence of the handling which brings me back to thinking it's a fault in the allignment or electronic power steering. It dosen't just wander, it can change lanes. The trucks passing me by (while I'm doing 65 mph) literally suck me across the lines of my lane. Mild cross winds will do it too, as will less than perfect roadway. It doesn't self correct if you relax on the steering, so how do you get it out of a high speed wobble? Just a question, thanks for any input you can give me.

Get a loose grip on the bars, not a tight one.