On a $28.000,00 bike??

[prmurat]

Today, between Santa Fe and Durango I payed respect to the bad roads gods... I broke this:

And that:

(the middle axle of the windshield and the front stand on the front left fender).

I repaired the windshield with a ziptie and some rags.
Inserted a screwdriver long blade in the stand and used "magic" tape:

Sorry but I think this is not normal on a 2011 RT-S....

 

[Dar]

Several folks on here have had windshield arm breakage like yours.:banghead:

 

[HICKORY]

Was this corrected in the 2012 models?

 

[ThreeWheels]

I don't think so.

My windshield arm broke and was replaced under warranty.
The part number was new. It had superceded the old part, but it appears to be the same design. I suspect that the new part number may have been a change of supplier, although that in itself may have improved teh unit.
In 2011 the windshied was reduced in size. I would have thought that it put less stress on the windshiled arm. Evidently not.

 

[ARtraveler]

Our 2011 A & C came with a broken windsheld part. The dealer caught it on the inspection and replaced it about a week after delivery.

 

[BajaRon]

You RT riders need to get rid of your Evil Knievel gene!

 

[prmurat]

Evel

..."Color me Lucky".... A RT with an Evel Knievel paint?? Now we are talking!!! I will need 5 cows' skinS to get the suit but who cares?( maybe PETA?).

 

[Firefly]

So what happened to cause these breakages? You hit something in the road?

 

[prmurat]

Me thinks: a bad design on the windshield arm: just look how the entire thing is moving on bumpy roads! A dry weld on the fender stay?

 

[Illinois Boy]

If these "breaks" occurred on what is considered a normally-bumpy road, then I would say you are one unlucky person to get the one Spyder with a bad-weld and a defective windshield mount (although windshield mounts have been an issue).

Truth be known... you had to be beating the heck out of that thing on roads not fit for a mule; while having your windshield up-full. Just a guess; but tell us the truth on just how bad you treated it. The thing isn't an ATV! LOL!

If you didn't... then you have a legit complaint.

 

[Schnauzer]

Survey

How many broke windshield arms are sitting on Elka shocks. I notice my shield flops around like a dishrag at times. Just waiting for it to flip up. I'm curious if it is due to stiffer ride. Still running the stock shock and notice everything has alot of movement.

 

[prmurat]

Seeing the windshield top moving right and left for 11000 miles, I was surprised it did not break before!! My shocks are stock on position 4 and I now have a larger sway bar which makes the ride firmer and faster in turns. The fender stay is still a mystery as I do not see any forces at work there?! Maybe the light/mudflaps are putting too much weight on the fenders?? Maybe the RT is only made for freeways not Californian bad back roads??

 

[prmurat]

Kudos to Speed & Sports in Livermore they changes the broken parts under warranty and I am now on my merry way!!!!

 

[Buttsy]

Truth be known... you had to be beating the heck out of that thing on roads not fit for a mule; while having your windshield up-full. Just a guess; but tell us the truth on just how bad you treated it. The thing isn't an ATV! LOL!
If you didn't... then you have a legit complaint.

I have read on this forum somewhere that before a new owner took delivery of their Spyder a hairline fracture was noticed by the dealer on a "0" mile unit on the windshield support. Perhaps the truck that delivered the crate that the Spyder shows up in had Elka's installed or the driver was "off-roadin it"?

Most likely just another example of an off shore component that is a POS. Thank goodness we recycle in this country it has allowed more room for a longer period to place all the junk we are forced to buy in it! The quality of some of this crap is just out of control?:banghead:

 

[bluestratos]

Seeing where the windshield arm breaks I wonder if a preemptive repair is a good idea. I was thinking of fillilng the low points with JB weld and then laminating on 1/16" aluminum plate on each side. I can make the plate look cast by using a dremal tool but a smooth finish can be polished to a chrome like finish.