New Battery Died and sat on a 2020 RTL

[h0gr1der]

Yuasa made in USA battery, 10 months old. Died very suddenly. Bad cell. Took it out and brought it to the dealer to test and replace, and of course they didn't have a replacement in stock, but at least confirmed it was bad. Typical. They could have told me that they didn't have one before I took the 180 mile round trip.

I did get to sit on the 2020 RTL model. The floorboards and new brake pedal position are real winners. The luggage is better as well. Downside items were the handlebars are too low and far forward to get my broken stuff to align. Hopefully they offer higher and more rearward options. Secondary to that they didn't appear to offer any bright paint. the Petrol blue is nice, but kind of dark. Missing is the bright blue like on my RTL. I think they have a red, but the sales guy said it is more of a Burgundy. I think I'll wait on the colors, my RTL runs well on occasion when it isn't breaking down.

 

[PW2013STL]

The nice thing about the new bar setup for the 2020 RT's is that it's the same as the F3, and Helibar makes one for them that is more adjustable then the triaxis one BRP makes for the 2010 through 2019 RTs.
At $599 it's $100 less then the $699 that BRP lists for theirs.

 

[PMK]

Saw a 2020 yesterday while I was out and driving the Van. Rolled down the window and spoke with the new owner a moment. From a visual perspective while driving, and when I first rolled up on it I suspected F3. The modular rear box, while it was rolling has a certain afterthought look about it. The black front scoops, different and adds a lot of black plastic to the machines looks. I had seen the prototype in Deland last year. Sure gave a different look just sitting there in Deland vs seeing one being ridden. Nice but sticking with what we have.

 

[Freddy]

Nice to see you getting accustomed to Spyder reliability HR.

 

[trikermutha]

10 months wonder how long it was sitting in the Spyder before you bought it?

I am going on 6 years on my battery and just tested it and still shows good.

 

[Musashi]

I changed the battery on my 2012 today in the garage. Didn't get to see a 2020 or a 2019. Dealer charged me $400 and broke my antenna last time I had them change a battery (4 yrs ago). And they had my trike for 2 weeks. This time, she was down for about 4 hours and it cost me $150 total.

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Remember, the 2020 RT has the option to install Short Reach or Long Reach Handle bars, juts like the F3 models. So you can fix that.

 

[ARtraveler]

RE: Short reach/long reach

Short reach refers to the length of your reach not the bars. Short reach = LONGER BARS

Long reach refers to the length of your reach not the bars. Long reach = SHORTER BARS

 

[h0gr1der]

I replaced it with A Deka AGM with the same rating. For all I know it came from the same factory as the Yuasa. I'm not sure if the Yuasa YTX24HL is an AGM or just a sealed lead acid. I've had much better service from AGM batteries, my last one lasted 8 years and even then didn't fail suddenly, just didn't crank as well when cold.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The Petrol Metallic is more of a teal blue than the previous blues that were offered. The Asphalt Metallic is a gray green and both are very sparkly. The Chalk Metallic looks bright white in certain light and chalky or gray in other light. I like the chalk the best and am waiting to see the Marsala metallic when it comes out.

 

[h0gr1der]

The Petrol Metallic is more of a teal blue than the previous blues that were offered. The Asphalt Metallic is a gray green and both are very sparkly. The Chalk Metallic looks bright white in certain light and chalky or gray in other light. I like the chalk the best and am waiting to see the Marsala metallic when it comes out.

The Marsala red is the only color I didn't see. The sales guy said it was more of a Burgundy color, which I can believe because all the colors seem darker that the Can Am pictures depict when viewing in the wild.

 

[h0gr1der]

After the battery fiasco I went and purchased a NOCO GB40 jump pack. Seems pretty well made. If I would have had that at the time I could have made it home, dead cell and all. Many thanks to Spectacuarl Spiderman (Yes, it is apelled like that) for the timely and informative link; https://www.carbibles.com/best-jump-starters-reviewed/ and all the discussion that prompted me to get one.

 

[2dogs]

After the battery fiasco I went and purchased a NOCO GB40 jump pack. Seems pretty well made. If I would have had that at the time I could have made it home, dead cell and all. Many thanks to Spectacuarl Spiderman (Yes, it is apelled like that) for the timely and informative link; https://www.carbibles.com/best-jump-starters-reviewed/ and all the discussion that prompted me to get one.

I was wondering about the physical size of the GB40? The battery store would not break open a sealed box of a GB40 so i could see it with my hands, as the saying goes. I have the very large GB150 PRO that i use to occasionally start my equipment, but that's a monster and is way too big to pack around in my RT. I was able to open up and see the jump pack at the Harbor Freight store. In it's small flat case it fits flat down in the bottom of the trunk of my RT. It is only about 1 1/2" thick so it doesn't take up that much room. I was wondering how compact the GB40 was?

 

[h0gr1der]

Mr. 2dogs,
Everything you could want to know about the GB40, the small 1000 amp jump pack. Scroll down for measurements. Make sure you get the newer model with the slim jaws on the clamps, there's a lot of the older models running around.
https://no.co/gb40

I also got the case for protection. The GB40 comes with a drawstring bag which I didn't like.
https://no.co/gbc013

Haven't used it yet, but a lot of good reviews on this one.

Edit- At the bottom of the NOCO case page, notice the dimensions of the case. It adds about ± 2" to each dimension of the jump pack. Roughtly 10" x 5" x 4".

 

[2dogs]

Measured the bottom of RT trunk. 9 1/2" wide, darn. GB40 won't quite fit. The Viking jump pack seems more compact than the GB40 and is about half the price of the GB40 when it's on sale. Think i'll give the Viking a second look. Thanks for the info on the GB40.

 

[h0gr1der]

Measured the bottom of RT trunk. 9 1/2" wide, darn. GB40 won't quite fit. The Viking jump pack seems more compact than the GB40 and is about half the price of the GB40 when it's on sale. Think i'll give the Viking a second look. Thanks for the info on the GB40.

The NOCO case is kind of flexible, I have mine smashed down into the bottom of the rear trunk. I chose this one because it has 1000 amps, roughly double the size of the units that are slightly smaller.

 

[Spyderjuice]

Lomonster Garage is listed on the home page of this forum. I have his and used it twice so far and worked very well. 1000 amp and smaller that the sizes listed above. I recommend it. Check it out and see what you think.

Stan

 

[h0gr1der]

Update on the battery failure. Even though it's only been in service 10 months, BRP isn't going to warranty the battery because it's a wear and tear item. This is a dick move by a crappy company. I'm beginning to regret my move to Can Am.

 

[2dogs]

Update on the battery failure. Even though it's only been in service 10 months, BRP isn't going to warranty the battery because it's a wear and tear item. This is a dick move by a crappy company. I'm beginning to regret my move to Can Am.

What the heck. If they look at it that way BRP could claim the entire spyder is a wear and tear item. There seems to be no end to BRP making themselves look bad in regard to customer service after the sale. They came up with a decent machine to keep folks with disabilities enjoying the open road and then to top it off with crapola like this. Their reputation for being a cheesey outfit is gaining momentum. A $100 battery replacement would gain them ten fold in customer satisfaction and reputation, but i guess they just don't see it that way. If I did business like that, i'd soon be out of business.

 

[bikerbillone]

2dogs, yeah, it's discouraging to see this about such a mickey mouse item as a battery, I'm trying very hard to see the positive on the 2020 RTL and this kind of news is not helpful in my choice.....But I'm guessing that BRP really doesn't give a rat's behind about any dissatisfaction if they're selling all they can produce. Not ragging on the RTL because in my mind, it's still the best all around 3 wheeler compared to others on the market.