New guy with a 13 rt-s What problems have you guys had with your 13's

[Ramjet]

I did allot of mods on mine it has made the machine completely different machine.

For riding and handling the single best improvement was the Elka shocks with rebound dampening. The machine stable rides wonderful and handles like a sports car.

I put on Viritka Trike Intake side panels and removed the huge air filter assembly and put on the Kewl Metal one that freed up room for the intake air to move out the hot stale air around the exhaust and engine that dropped the heat under the tupperware by 30% or more as established with my infared digital heat gun. I also put on the "smooth spyder" to rid the machine from the natural frequency issue at certain speed because of belt warble another great ingeniuse product from within the Spyder community. I also did the Cat bypass and wrapped all the headers with exhaust wrap all this had very good impact on reducing the heat of the machine around the operator. No hot rule tank good performance and the updates provided by the dealer all had great performance now I have this machine where it should be and look forward to many stress free miles with wide open smiles.

 

[DJFaninTN]

only real problem I've had so far on my 13 RT is I can't keep my ass off of it. too much fun and enjoying it so far. just picked it up in late December and already have almost 3,500 miles on her.

 

[The Waz]

I got a good deal on the last 2013 RT Limited at a dealer her in southeast Georgia and will pick it up this Saturday. It does get rather warm down here and the heat issue is a bit of concern. I have read about the modifications, but doesn't doing some of them possibly void the warranty?

 

[tharris30]

2013 RT Problems??

I just bought a spanking new 2013 red rts and so far I love it. I have heard horror stories about them and want to know what you all have experienced?

None really .:gaah: Did have a bit of a problem with the digital display going AWOL, especially when hot - in S. Florida. Dealer replaced under warranty - no more problems.

Did, however trade it for a 2014. Just had to have that new 3-in-line 1330cc engine and 6 speed :clap:. Just had to have them and totally worth it.

 

[SPYD1]

I've had a 13 RTS for three weeks and so far so good. I have noticed some heat on the right foot but I wasn't wearing sox and had sandals on. Yes I know but it was a short ride. I did add the sway gar and links...needed. All is well. Headed for a 1500 mile trip in two days. Enjoy your bike. Just make sure the "campaigns" are completed.

 

[Magdave]

The 2013 issues seem to have gotten over blown. After wrapping my tank and the mods in my signature it seems as good as any year and they all had issues too. No year was perfect. I have a solution for the right foot heat too and that is getting a $28 right grille from the 2014 and cut to fit so the bottom is a flap that pushes the hot air down and away. I only have 3500mi and did have some dealer prep issues at first.:thumbup:

 

[MouthPiece]

The 2013 issues seem to have gotten over blown. After wrapping my tank and the mods in my signature it seems as good as any year and they all had issues too. No year was perfect. I have a solution for the right foot heat too and that is getting a $28 right grille from the 2014 and cut to fit so the bottom is a flap that pushes the hot air down and away. I only have 3500mi and did have some dealer prep issues at first.:thumbup:

Went down and ordered my grill about two hours ago. Thanks for the reminder Dave. I may have to get back with you on the install. I do remember you had a post and will look first.

Chris

 

[ARtraveler]

:congrats: on your new ryde. The complaints have diminished quite a lot on the 2013's. Do not ryde in fear--enjoy your new ryde. :thumbup:

 

[larrymz3]

What is the part number of the grill?

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[Magdave]

Went down and ordered my grill about two hours ago. Thanks for the reminder Dave. I may have to get back with you on the install. I do remember you had a post and will look first.

Chris

Only thing I might have done different is leave more on the lower left side I have a gap there that is no biggie with my Seal DLX FBs. That would have pushed it out more.Here is a pic before I filed it and put heat shield on




In the end the honeycomb shoots it outward more on top. I was out in shorts today and felt very little heat at the stop light. It is not a complete solution I would say 80 % reduction. There is a tab on the middle right side I might have left too you could drill and put a push pin in but the air keeps it sealed anyway.

 

[Ramjet]

I certainly would jot say the issues were overblown by any means.

They are correctable and the mods I did have reduced heat near the fuel tank by 40% and the heat by the right foot you can use a deflector to push the heat out and around your toes.

The differences I made were extensive and expensive.

heat taped the headers.
removed the air box and replaced with Kewl Metal air cleaner.
put Viritka Trikes new Intake air panels on.
removed the CAT replaced with a y-pipe and wrapped that assembly
applied 1500 degree heat shield around the fuel cell.

I ran yesterday with the trailer fully loaded and my wife on the machine in 94 deg Ambeint heat and at fuel stop could hold my hand on the fuel cap area I was cool to the touch yes cool to the touch. So the heat can be mitigated but it costs money to it. admittedly I am not "do just enough to solve the issue" kind of guy. I take engineering approach identify the issue attack the issue and pull dat to verify the issue is resolved completely and fully.

I will add the glove box was cool as it used to cook what ever was in there.

So "overblown" I think not fixable ............... yes.

but that does not excuse the approach or attitude that BRP took on this entire situation.

But that said I am really enjoying my Spyder now....

 

[Bob Denman]

You had a pretty thorough thread about all of the modifications; can you dig it out, and bring it back to the top of the pile for us? :thumbup:
Your approach was very thorough, and I think that it could REALLY help anybody who has a 2013 with a serious case of the "hots".

 

[jaherbst]

Try to concentrate on the positive and forget the negative. These sights get visited most by the people having problems and looking for an easy solution. A little common sense and a visit to your (or any) dealer when your having a problem should alleviate your fears. We worry about things that only 10% ever come true. Stop looking to have problems and enjoy the ride.

 

[Ramjet]

Well for those experienced the "hot" issue their is little that is positive. Reality at times is not a great experience so with all due respect it is often we find ourselves searching for answers and that journey can be negative. Nice thing about the site is if you think the thread or post is going that way stop reading it.....

The experience of working through these issues cannot always be remedied by the dealer because they are beholden to certain requirements and regulations or contractural obligations. So even though I understand what you are saying at times to minimize the finically impact and to get quick and complete resolution you have to take the issue on yourself.

My point is simple if I had not taken this on and attacked it myself that machine would be sitting in my garage or I would have taken a very significant monetary loss and never owned another Spyder again.

So to talk about it exchange ideas and vent is all part of the process.

For or me it put my Spyder back on the road with me in the seat that machine is better than it ever was or could have been prior to my modifications. I suspect it runs significantly cooler than those who do not and the long term effects of heat on wiring engine components and body parts is significant with the current design.

So the negative part is BRP did nothing to mitigate the heat problem or satisfy me as customer and I had to spend allot of money above the original purchase price to make this machine what it can be.

Positive part is it NOW runs fantastic and runs cooler than any Harley or Victory I have owned.

 

[Magdave]

Just because one person who never owned a Spyder complains and does some mods to it does not make them "issues". They have been hot from day one all years some people learn to deal with it some change things. As with all motorcycles you are sitting on and engine and are going to get some heat from it. What is excessive? Depends on the rider. At this point I do believe most of, if not all, the 2013 issues have been resolved. Even the 2014 is having some teething pains.:dontknow:

 

[Ramjet]

Not if you have one that has them.

By the way when is last time you allowed your machine to idle as though you were riding in the city caught in traffic and took heat gun and shot the tank area next to the rear exhaust header pipe?

I did I know what those temps are they would make your potatoes fry.

I also know what they are after my mods........potatoes will not fry.

Some some of us speculate some of us have hard engineering data to back up our statements.....


Well Dave we agree to disagree then.......

 

[Magdave]

Not if you have one that has them.

By the way when is last time you allowed your machine to idle as though you were riding in the city caught in traffic and took heat gun and shot the tank area next to the rear exhaust header pipe?

I did I know what those temps are they would make your potatoes fry.

I also know what they are after my mods........potatoes will not fry.

Some some of us speculate some of us have hard engineering data to back up our statements.....


Well Dave we agree to disagree then.......

If you care to search my posts you will find all the data and temps I took LAST summer before the updates and mods. I ride in Myrtle Beach and it is a big parking lot most of the summer. I was one of the first to use IR to post temps. My bike runs as cool as it is going to with just a DEI tank wrap and some selective shielding total cost ~$100. Having my own engineering deg and working in the auto industry for 30yrs I know a little something. My gas cap is cool too as well as the seat front and glove box. Take a shot of any combustion engine exhaust they will all be nearly the same.:dontknow: The point is the 2013 is very little different than previous years and DID have some issues that I believe (and hope) are behind us. Running around saying the sky is falling is so last summer. :roflblack:

 

[Ramjet]

but you did mods so the problem did exist

point taken:yes:

 

[larrymz3]

So... What is the part number of the grill the folks are buying from the 2014 models to put on the 2013?

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