Not a so great four-days with the RTS...

[Illinois Boy]

LATER POSTS PROVIDE UPDATES AS WE GO:

I took my RTS to a rally I put together for a bunch of Kawasaki riders (I used to own one once)...

Most wanted to see it so I took it with my trailer (Can Am).

Not only did I put the rally together, I also led the rides over the few days.

Most were not impressed with the Spyder because it wouldn't start very often without the "big orange check-engine" screen coming up almost every time I tried to start it. Sometimes it would take 10 to 12 times to get it to finally setup right. Once it did it performed beautifully (to which most were impressed about that).

However, overall at present, my opinion of the Spyder just took a dive to about a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Ask some of those that have never seen one and witnessed the problems I had... and they'll tell you they will never buy one (and likely will tell everyone about it).

If I keep my 2011 RTS and trailer it will depend on this problem being permanently fixed; otherwise I am not going to tolerate its potential to strand us on our long-rides. Sorry to say...

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Sorry to hear about your trouble. Did you buy it new or used?

 

[Illinois Boy]

New August 31st, 2011.

With a back-injury, I just now have 4,000 miles on it... (around 800 miles this past few days).

 

[Jeriatric]

Wondering. Did this problem just happen out of the blue. or is it one that's been ongoing?

 

[Camdenlake]

Sounds just like what happened to mine. Check the code when you see the orange screen. Its probably the Thottle body code. I totally feel your pain. But been great since fixed.


Josh

 

[mastertek2000]

Just wondering y the RT throttle bodies have problems , and the RS don't ???

 

[Illinois Boy]

Wondering. Did this problem just happen out of the blue. or is it one that's been ongoing?

Just started happening once I arrived to the first night's hotel. It was set for trailer-mode, so my first thoughts were it had something to do with that. One time, I put it in reverse and the problem immediately cleared-out; however other attempts of the same did not work again.

I rode 300 miles without the trailer and it worked fine all day. Then later went (without trailer) to dinner and the problem occurred again. It also occurred when leaving the restaurant.

The next morning it happened again. Took about 20 minutes to get it to clear-out. I hooked-up the trailer and put it in trailer-mode for my return trip home -- and, of course, it happened again.

It did not happen for the 270 mile trip home (several stops where it could have happened).

Made it home... turned it off to move the cars to unload... then couldn't get it started in my drive; while my neighbor watched. Real fun listening to his comments about it!!

Having to listen to 25 people talk about the problems I was having with the RTS didn't exactly add any "fun-factor" to the situation. I, unfortunately, do know BRP just received permanent damage to their reputation with the Spyder with that group of people.

Even if this gets fixed; I am not sure my confidence will be enough for me to take this thing on any long trips ever again. I don't like getting stranded; and am quite disappointed with it after this trip.

Given all the posts about limp-mode and the long list of other complications (despite whether it is or is not caused by the rider); I really feel let down by BRP with this product (especially given the amount of money it costs to own)... sorry to say at this moment.

 

[CMA Cowboy]

Had the same problem with my 2011 RTS. Just started on an overnight trip from home. Once I got it started if I turned on the cruise it would kill the engine. Got to the point my wife was afraid I'd go somewhere and could not get home. Finally got it to Cowtown and it was a problem in the throttle body that they fixed. Have not had a problem since.

 

[Illinois Boy]

Had the same problem with my 2011 RTS. Just started on an overnight trip from home. Once I got it started if I turned on the cruise it would kill the engine. Got to the point my wife was afraid I'd go somewhere and could not get home. Finally got it to Cowtown and it was a problem in the throttle body that they fixed. Have not had a problem since.

Mine will be at the dealer tomorrow... I'll let them know the suggestion. I know they are aware of that problem, and have updated the software. I just hope no damage has been caused by this.

 

[r1100rider]

Just wondering y the RT throttle bodies have problems , and the RS don't ???

Rs has cable's to the throttle body's and the Rt's are controlled by wire and the brain

 

[ARtraveler]

Sorry to hear about your problem. Stuff always happens when there are others around to criticize or make fun.

Give the dealer a chance to get it fixed. Let us know the outcome. Once the problem is solved, hopefully your opinion of the :spyder2: will get better.

I would be unhappy in your situation also.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Give the dealer a chance to find and fix it. Granted; it's a shame that he has to though! :gaah: Good Luck! Please let us know what they find... :thumbup:

 

[Illinois Boy]

:agree: Give the dealer a chance to find and fix it. Granted; it's a shame that he has to though! :gaah: Good Luck! Please let us know what they find... :thumbup:

I'll report back...

Can anyone tell me what is making all of the noise you hear when it is in-gear when the orange-screen is on?

It sounds like the transmission is tearing itself apart... It is an awful sound. One guy (with some mechanical background) thought the noise sounded like the rear cylinder had been cut-off as possibly part of the "limp-mode". If so, then he thought the motor was making all of the noise, and he didn't think that was such a "good-thing".

Again, hopefully there hasn't been any damage to the "expensive parts"!

 

[Bob Denman]

I believe that's the dreaded "Limp Mode" kicking in... :gaah: When I was getting P1614 codes that's what mine did a few times. I described it as the belt trying to jump cogs on the pulleys! :shocked:

 

[Illinois Boy]

I believe that's the dreaded "Limp Mode" kicking in... :gaah: When I was getting P1614 codes that's what mine did a few times. I described it as the belt trying to jump cogs on the pulleys! :shocked:

All I know is... it sounds like the whole unit is self-destructing.:shocked: That simply cannot be a good thing...

If anyone knows what is making that sound... let me know!!!!

 

[joe schmoe]

All I know is... it sounds like the whole unit is self-destructing.:shocked: That simply cannot be a good thing...

If anyone knows what is making that sound... let me know!!!!

With EVERYTHING you are describing it sounds EXACTLY what my wife went through with her Spyder...THOTTLE BODY!!!! Luckily, we were in CUba during Spydefest when her troubles started and ENDED!!!

Even the put it in to gear and it's going to detonate! ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS!!! Make sure your dealer ahs the LATEST BUDS software AND the LATEST PATCH...Might even tell them to go ahead and replace the thottle bodies...It was what they did to fix the wife's spyder!

 

[Illinois Boy]

With EVERYTHING you are describing it sounds EXACTLY what my wife went through with her Spyder...THOTTLE BODY!!!! Luckily, we were in CUba during Spydefest when her troubles started and ENDED!!!

Even the put it in to gear and it's going to detonate! ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS!!! Make sure your dealer ahs the LATEST BUDS software AND the LATEST PATCH...Might even tell them to go ahead and replace the thottle bodies...It was what they did to fix the wife's spyder!

It appears that is going to be the problem. I just had them update the software with regard to the throttle-body... apparently that did not work. I will likely be without it for a few weeks while they order new parts...

However... can anyone tell me what is making those terrible sounds?????? Is it the motor or the transmission? I cannot tell...

 

[Bob Denman]

Without actually knowing for sure... pps: I'd say that it's the computers grabbing hold of the bike and shaking everything to get your attentions... :shocked:
It's very unnerving; but I cannot believe that BRP would let the bike shake itself apart just to make a point!
Mine did it about a half-dozen times, and there was no permanent damage. (Other than to my nerves!:yikes:

 

[Thopper]

I thought the throttle body issue was corrected on all 2011's? By the way what is wrong with the throttle bodies?

 

[NancysToy]

However... can anyone tell me what is making those terrible sounds?????? Is it the motor or the transmission? I cannot tell...

That's a question you should ask the dealer. There are way too many possibilities to accurately diagnose over the Internet...especially without being given any fault codes or any failure warnings from the display. Any comparisons to what happened to someone else are no more than guesses.