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New 2014 RT SE6 with maintenance issues. Could use some advise.

sscheuer47

New member
While installing some aftermarket items onto #879, I noted several maintenance issues.

When I took off the skid protector, I noticed 4 screw heads and nuts that had a whitish looking corrosion on them. Almost looked like battery corrosion. Yikes. I hope it is just from the radiators above. The only thing unusual was that someone had already installed a battery maintainer pigtail onto the battery.

Why would an 8 mile Spyder have so many scrapes under the nose? Spyderpops bumpskid is a must have item.

When the machine was raised, I noticed one spot in the center of the frame, about a foot ahead of the footpads, where the welded flat iron has what looks like an inward bulge. Like someone used a floor jack to lift and bent that frame piece. When I use a floor jack, I use a board to spread the weight. Was this designed into the frame, or is this a mistake by a mindless person?

The adjustable handlebars have two exposed allen screws that I see will be a reservoir for water. Are there any aftermarket rubber pieces that would cover them, like the two pieces of rubber in the center?

Is there a user guide on the adjustable handlebar? There was none with the machine and nothing that I could find online at BRP.

There is some vibration in the handle bars and some in the feet. It doesn't seem to wander much. I think some beads in the tires for balance and a laser alignment is in order. Has anyone used Ridenow Peoria for a laser alignment? They are supposed to have someone there that is qualified. If not, off to Las Vegas I go.

The transmission shifts hard into reverse like my x Harley. Is that normal for the SE6? Is there some special technique that will help?

The rear air bag does not want to hold air. I'll let BRP do the trouble shooting. Has this been a problem with the RT? Is there anyone who has added the BRP auto air to the RT? I watched the video of the Air Wing air system. The BRP looks to be more compact and tidy.

#879 has a whine. There also seems to be something loose. Not quite sure yet. The muffler sound is healthy, but the engine seems to have these abnormal sounds. The upper midrange whine can be annoying. Don't get me wrong, plenty of power, and I like the machine, but the more I ride it, the more I notice. The wife does not hear at highway speed, only in slower speeds in town and at idle. I hear it at idle and slower speeds. I have a feeling that this is going to be the hardest to solve, if at all. I'm hoping:pray: the answer is not better ear plugs.

I will soon find out if paying more to buy local will help solve my maintenance issues.
 
Those exposed screws are the adjustment screws for the bars. There is no cover for them. Don't worry about them collecting water. You loosen those screws with the supplied allen wrench to adjust the bars.

The screws with corrosion, were they on the left side under the battery? The battery is sealed and should not be leaking.

Scratches on the skid plate, depends on the previous operator. Bump skid will help.

Dent in midframe, sounds like what you suspect.

Rear shock, is this an RTS or Limited? They have the automatic air shock. Take to dealer for service. RT A&C does not. Check the schrader valve under the seat. Make sure the valve stem is tight (all models). If still doesn't hold air take to dealer.

Vibration could be a number of things. Alignment, tire pressure, misaligned/loose belt, poorly balanced tires are just a few.

Noise/whine, hard to pinpoint.

Hard shifting, first check is proper oil level. Some do shift a little hard in reverse.
 
Have to agree..!!

:agree: would only add that the whine may be the fuel pump. They have had problems with noisy fuel pumps...:thumbup:
 
Reverse

When I go into reverse it shifts with a very hard clunk. I am assuming it's normal but when I get my 3,000 mile check-up I'll ask them what they think.
 
There have been complaints of loud fuel pumps. The auto leveling on the air ride will put air in and let it out depending on load. It's not an air shock however it has a shock with a separate air bag. 2012 clunks going into first or reverse. There has been some bad front tires on the 2014's as well, see if balancing will help. The drive belts also have a harmonic vibration at certain speeds.
 
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I have a 2014 RT-LTD that I got last July.

4100 miles on her and I have/had the following:

Hard clunk when going into and out of reverse

Vibration at about 70mph. Let off the throttle, rpms come down and the vibration goes away. I installed the smoothspyder belt tensioner and the vibration is gone.

I have been very careful when parking not to get to close to a parking curb but yet I still have scrapes under the nose. They just happen it seems. I did hit a shallow dip in a road once that took the gremlin bell I had attached to the frame under the bike. :(
 
"CLUNK" into reverse... normal :thumbup:
"Whitish looking corrosion", that might be threadlocker: I agree :thumbup:
Vibration at 70mph... Belt harmonics at their very best! :D
The Dent... :gaah: These SST frames do seem a bit easy to "tweak"... :yikes:
Your dealer should have the instructions for the handlebars. They really should have included them in your ownership packet.
 
Having the same transmission, I have found if you shift to 1, then reverse, you will get no clunk at all. Found this out by accident, but it does work. The whine is probably the fuel pump. If an alignment and tire balance doesn't take care of the vibration, take a look at the belt, a known problem. Good luck with your :spyder2:. it is an excellent machine.
 
Thank you to all who have responded.

I rode about 200 miles yesterday and this x farmboy that was trained from the age of 6 to "listen to your equipment" is slowing pinpointing what is going on. The belt caused vibration has become very apparent and will be solved easy enough.

The others are a work in progress.
 
After returning from a family emergency in Wyoming, I started looking seriously at the new spyder.

The windshild support screws under the chrome were not completely tight so the windshield was able to move so much it could rattle on the frame.

The left service cover was not installed properly.

On the left side there is an air duct that has a rubber connection. This connection was not completely on. What a b****:banghead: to attach properly. Not much room to work. Lots of soapy water and several breaks to calm the nerves and was able to get completely on.

The whine is from the fuel pump. Using a stethoscope with the side panels off, it was easy to locate the source.

The frunk lid does not pass the leak test. So loose I'm sure that is the cause of some more vibration noise.

The right front wheel has 4 5g weights. The left has 17. Thats right, seventeen. Now who would think to look at the amount of weights on the wheels? I didn't. I checked the L tire. Very out of round.

What does that tell you about RideNowPowerSports Chandler dealership? I want my prep fees returned!

10 day lead time so next week dealership maintenance has a crack.
 
Lsidewires.jpgThis is a picture from under the left side service cover of a 2014 RT. Anyone know what the two connectors are used for?

Rsidewires.jpgThis is a picture from under the right side service cover. Anyone know what the two connectors are used for?
 
After returning from a family emergency in Wyoming, I started looking seriously at the new spyder.

The windshild support screws under the chrome were not completely tight so the windshield was able to move so much it could rattle on the frame.

The left service cover was not installed properly.

On the left side there is an air duct that has a rubber connection. This connection was not completely on. What a b****:banghead: to attach properly. Not much room to work. Lots of soapy water and several breaks to calm the nerves and was able to get completely on.

The whine is from the fuel pump. Using a stethoscope with the side panels off, it was easy to locate the source.

The frunk lid does not pass the leak test. So loose I'm sure that is the cause of some more vibration noise.

The right front wheel has 4 5g weights. The left has 17. Thats right, seventeen. Now who would think to look at the amount of weights on the wheels? I didn't. I checked the L tire. Very out of round.

What does that tell you about RideNowPowerSports Chandler dealership? I want my prep fees returned!

10 day lead time so next week dealership maintenance has a crack.

don,t go to any ridenow power sports dealers in az. also there are suppose to have 36 dealerships in the south west.
try drity dog in scottdale area.
 
Squared Away will be doing Lazer Alignments and Baja Ron bars at my Hanger on the 6th of Dec. in Tucson. Contact them or myself to schedule. [email protected]. Unfortunatley Ride Now is the only game in a lot of towns. (34 dealerships) "The big company with the small heart" They are owned by Coulter Cadillac family. I am certainly not a fan.

Jack
 
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Squared Away will be doing Lazer Alignments and Baja Ron bars at my Hanger on the 6th of Dec. in Tucson. Contact them or myself to schedule. [email protected]. Unfortunatley Ride Now is the only game in a lot of towns. (34 dealerships) "The big company with the small heart" The are owned by Coulter Cadillac family. I am certainly not a fan.

Jack

I was one of the first to schedule with Squared Away Jack. Will see you at the hanger.
 
The wheel weights you have are typical on the 2014. I can't even count how many I've seen with a few weights on one side and 8 or more on the other. That one goes back to th factory not the dealer
 
The wheel weights you have are typical on the 2014. I can't even count how many I've seen with a few weights on one side and 8 or more on the other. That one goes back to th factory not the dealer

:dontknow: I'm either very lucky; or VERY unbalanced...
(Speaking strictly about tires right now... :D)
No weights on either wheel.

It was the same with my 2010 also

I've seen no indications of cupping on the tires either! :thumbup:
 
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