Maybe I'm thick headed... Help me understand

[Bob Denman]

my opinion

BRP COULD CARE LESS JUST SELL THE UNITS AND LET THE OWNER GET IT FIXED WITH THE INCOMPETENT DEALERS OUT THERE

with a few exceptions most dealers suck at service

BRP DON'T GIVE A **** IF YOUR HAPPY!!!

So what's the source of this rant?? :dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

hmmm, a new car from the assy plant does not need an alignment, just saying

I don't know what you are driving, but 75% of the new cars I have purchased over the last 40 years have needed to be aligned.

 

[Sny]

I am out of my element regarding alignment. I need the experts to chime in. Should the front wheels be aligned to the rear wheel, all in the same plane? Should the rear sprocket and engine sprocket be in the same plane. Is the engine sprocket totally fixed in its frame alignment? Doesn't the rear axle have to be equidistant from the left and right wheel and all in the same plane?

The ROLO alignment system aka laser alignment is to a Spyder what a 4 wheel alignment is to a car.

The only reason you would only do a front end alignment is if your rear isn't adjustable.

The rear is adjustable on a Spyder, so why wouldn't you want a 3 wheel alignment?

That's my justification for spending the money. Doubt BRP sees it this way... If it's not essential to sell Spyders, doesn't reduce warranty claims/costs and it's "good enough" for "most people" then why would they do it?

Sometimes what we want doesn't match what BRP wants. Surprise!

So we make it better. With Ronbars, Elkas, fancy cup holders... and ROLO 3 wheel laser alignments :thumbup:

Haven't got mine done yet (Thursday!) but I have high hopes.

 

[vmaxman]

So what's the source of this rant?? :dontknow:

I Believe the source of the rant is that BRP should make the bikes right, it is their responsibilty that all models should be 100% correct and safe, after all it is our responsibilty to pay them thousands of dollars to buy it from them, which we do, then they often fail to follow thru with their end of the deal. Fair is far in my book.

 

[Questions]

I have a new 2013 less than two weeks old and am ready to give it back to Can-Am ! This dealership wants to skimp on making this bike right for me, Yesterday while I was out riding the vibration got so bad that I actually stopped at another dealership and had them balance my tires which were already supposed to have been done a few days before by the dealership where I bought it at. Come to find out theses tires had never been touched but maybe by the factory. They were so far out it was almost comical. The back tire was out 10 ounces the front two 15 and 20 ounces. Coming from the factory this is a little ridiculous if you ask me. Needles to say I still have the vibration in the front and I'm sure it's not going to correct itself until the dealership changes the rubber all the way around. Come on Can-Am what's up with the faulty rubber on the new bikes ?

 

[Captain Fin]

Some of you may recall

My 2011 RTS purchased new was so far out of alignment that it was pealing rubber off the front tires. I think the break bell rang when my Spyder was on the alignment rack.I was new to Spyder Lovers and some of you may recall that I was considering taking my Spyder to Lamont for alignment and was told at that time that his garage was too small and he was only doing his and a few friends. I was having a rough time with alignment because every time I took my Spyder to the dealer, the problem got worse.
Im happy to see that Lamont has got the ball rolling on his new venture and wish him great success.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TIRE WEIGHTS

I have a new 2013 less than two weeks old and am ready to give it back to Can-Am ! This dealership wants to skimp on making this bike right for me, Yesterday while I was out riding the vibration got so bad that I actually stopped at another dealership and had them balance my tires which were already supposed to have been done a few days before by the dealership where I bought it at. Come to find out theses tires had never been touched but maybe by the factory. They were so far out it was almost comical. The back tire was out 10 ounces the front two 15 and 20 ounces. Coming from the factory this is a little ridiculous if you ask me. Needles to say I still have the vibration in the front and I'm sure it's not going to correct itself until the dealership changes the rubber all the way around. Come on Can-Am what's up with the faulty rubber on the new bikes ?

If your tires needed that much weight, then either the tires are seriously defective or the wheels are ( doubtful ) or possibly both......You are under Warranty so you SHOULD be able to get this problem corrected for FREE.......Mike :thumbup:....PS....You may want to contact BRP direct and advise them about the BS at the " stealership " you bought the Spyder from.

 

[flamingobabe]

I have no clue how to do any of this but I will say.....when I purchased my Spyder ST I had Elkas put on by PitBull....10,000 miles my front wheels are perfect ...wear is even on both tires.....last time at shop....different they adjust my belt by 700N and re-aligned my rear tire to the front ....time will tell.......I did have shaking and clattering at takeoff and reverse....after belt and re-alignment that has gone away

 

[Silvervette05]

I don't know what you are driving, but 75% of the new cars I have purchased over the last 40 years have needed to be aligned.

From 1973, 1971 Ply Barracuda, new no alignment needed, 1984 Dodge new, no alignment needed, 1993 Camaro new no alignment need, 1996(?) Pontiac Trans AM new no alignment needed, 2012 Chevy Cruze New no alignment needed, 2013 Chevy Equinox new no alignment needed/. I have 100% new cars from 1973 and they did not need an alignment.

 

[Pappazippy]

Alignment

Fortunately I have the service manual and have read the alignment procedure recommended by the factory. They recommend the front be jacked up and put on jack stands as close to the frame as possible. The front has no load and at full extension. They remove the front wheels and use the brake disk as a reference. Using an 8 foot bar it is clamped to the frame and used as the centerline reference, the baseline as you will. They suggest the rear wheel be aligned with the swing arm and the belt tracking per specifications. A magnetic laser level is attached to the disk and measurements is made from the laser beam. to the frame bar front then rear to show the difference if any. The handle bars are just strapped to the foot pegs to keep them centered. Basically is is the same procedure used in the 1930's on cars (before modern computer alignment tools) with exception of the laser level. Note that the alignment is done while the front swing arms are free and not weight bearing. Using the frame method does not encompass the rear thrust angle at all. If the frame, rear swing arm, and wheel are not parallel to the frame the thrust angle will be off trying to push the trike either to the left or right based on the angle error. Alignment as the laser system Rolo uses does use the rear wheel as the reference point and aligns from the thrust angle thus putting the front tires and rear tire in the same frame, all tracking in reference to each other and not the frame. The laser system ensures all the tires track true. As most of the wrench heads like me know it is also better to align the wheels with full weight on the vehicle at proper ride height. Inaccuracy in front swing arm lengths can impart errors when adjusting toe settings. Yup long winded I apologize but feel free to PM me if you want more information.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

So do you think if you fork out the $$ for the laser alignment you could actually get 30,000 or 40,000 miles out of a tire on a Spyder? It sure would be nice not to have to buy rear tires twice a year.

 

[flamingobabe]

So do you think if you fork out the $$ for the laser alignment you could actually get 30,000 or 40,000 miles out of a tire on a Spyder? It sure would be nice not to have to buy rear tires twice a year.

My tires have 10k and still look real good...time will tell...BajaRon's sway bar ordered

 

[Pappazippy]

So do you think if you fork out the $$ for the laser alignment you could actually get 30,000 or 40,000 miles out of a tire on a Spyder? It sure would be nice not to have to buy rear tires twice a year.

Unfortunately a good front end alignment won't do much for the rear tire. Tire wear is based on a lot of variable from road surface roughness to driving technique. The rear tire is aligned with the belt to keep it centered. But getting the front tires aligned with the rear tire thrust angle will help but in a minute amount. The factory rear tire is a very soft rubber composition and while it wears fast it also has greater traction.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Thanks go out to all that took the time to dig out the tech data and share it.

For those that shared the automotive end, I have some data for you. 90% of alignment problems have been traced back to the truck driver of the auto transportation company that delivers the vehicle from the rail terminal. The driver does not want it to come loose on the transport trailer so they pull them down tight. It falls under the heading of transportation damage. If they secure the vehicle to loose the vibration eats the front wheel bearings up. I have even observed bowed rear axle housings when I worked in the dealerships.

Alignment or misalignment is just another by-product of people doing or not doing their jobs to the fullest I think!

 

[Silvervette05]

Thanks go out to all that took the time to dig out the tech data and share it.

For those that shared the automotive end, I have some data for you. 90% of alignment problems have been traced back to the truck driver of the auto transportation company that delivers the vehicle from the rail terminal. The driver does not want it to come loose on the transport trailer so they pull them down tight. It falls under the heading of transportation damage. If they secure the vehicle to loose the vibration eats the front wheel bearings up. I have even observed bowed rear axle housings when I worked in the dealerships.

Alignment or misalignment is just another by-product of people doing or not doing their jobs to the fullest I think!

Yes Master Sergeant

 

[jerpinoy]

We pay because we don't hvea choice, like me I have to pay a rubber panel bushing($5) when it was found missing from the factory.:banghead::banghead::banghead:BRP WHY???

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BUT IN OUR CASE

Thanks go out to all that took the time to dig out the tech data and share it.

For those that shared the automotive end, I have some data for you. 90% of alignment problems have been traced back to the truck driver of the auto transportation company that delivers the vehicle from the rail terminal. The driver does not want it to come loose on the transport trailer so they pull them down tight. It falls under the heading of transportation damage. If they secure the vehicle to loose the vibration eats the front wheel bearings up. I have even observed bowed rear axle housings when I worked in the dealerships.

Alignment or misalignment is just another by-product of people doing or not doing their jobs to the fullest I think!

But this is not the case with Spyders......they come on a pallet in a box without wheels and tires......Just sayin.....Mike

 

[MouthPiece]

So do you think if you fork out the $$ for the laser alignment you could actually get 30,000 or 40,000 miles out of a tire on a Spyder? It sure would be nice not to have to buy rear tires twice a year.

No.

​Chris

 

[Bob Denman]

We pay because we don't hvea choice, like me I have to pay a rubber panel bushing($5) when it was found missing from the factory.:banghead::banghead::banghead:BRP WHY???

You didn't yell loud enough at the dealer about this... :shocked:

 

[NancysToy]

We pay because we don't hvea choice, like me I have to pay a rubber panel bushing($5) when it was found missing from the factory.:banghead::banghead::banghead:BRP WHY???

These are generally missing because of improper panel attachment at the dealership. If they were missing from the factory the dealership should have caught the problem and replaced them. Usually, they just push them through when they hurriedly install the panels, though. If you are going to throw rocks, throw them at the real culprits. In this case that is the dealership, not the factory.