R.I.P. Spyder 2683 up in flames

[tweeder]

But what is the ignition source is the big question!

A hot pipe isn't going to ignite gas.... gotta have a spark or flame.

I remember hearing a few times that people have has arcing from there spark plug boot....that could be an ignition source.

 

[spyryder]

Failure prone right side exhaust gasket which happens to be directly below the canister. Even with the machine burned to the ground, that gasket should still be intact for inspection.

 

[SilverSurfer]

leoejr 's fire

First and foremost, my heartfelt sympathy to leoejr. I am so glad he's okay, and believe that ultimately his bike will be replaced; hopefully with another Spyder.

For the rest of us, please note LAMONSTER's previous post in this thread; especially its calm, pragmatic tone. Reading this thread, I couldn't help to muse to myself on which spread faster ... the fire on leoejr's Spyder, or the firestorm of negative sentiment on BRP's customer service; including discovering how many pyro-forensics experts we have on the forum.

This is a single-incident matter involving leoejr's bike, a Spyder RS that apparently had a very unfortunate problem. Yet, the problem has never been shown indemic to Spyders, RS or RT. Spyders are in their third year of production. On ANY motorcycle, or even car for that matter, when we detect an unusual strong odor of fuel, it's time to stop, turn off the motor, and get the vehicle towed/trailered to a qualified mechanic. I've seen Harleys and Hondas burn, for goodness sake. Freak incidents will occur with any vehicle.

All the buzz and speculation, I feel, does the Spyder community a disservice. Potential owners see this stuff and are immediately smacked in the face with an unqualified anti-sell. The insurance, BRP and leoejr will determine and feedback on the facts. Now is not the time for a whirlwind of speculation that does nothing more than foment alarm. Our role on this forum should be to send leojr our support, brotherly love, and best wishes to get his new Spyder and encouragement to get back out on the road with us.

 

[Firefly]

First and foremost, my heartfelt sympathy to leoejr. I am so glad he's okay, and believe that ultimately his bike will be replaced; hopefully with another Spyder.

For the rest of us, please note LAMONSTER's previous post in this thread; especially its calm, pragmatic tone. Reading this thread, I couldn't help to muse to myself on which spread faster ... the fire on leoejr's Spyder, or the firestorm of negative sentiment on BRP's customer service; including discovering how many pyro-forensics experts we have on the forum.

This is a single-incident matter involving leoejr's bike, a Spyder RS that apparently had a very unfortunate problem. Yet, the problem has never been shown indemic to Spyders, RS or RT. Spyders are in their third year of production. On ANY motorcycle, or even car for that matter, when we detect an unusual strong odor of fuel, it's time to stop, turn off the motor, and get the vehicle towed/trailered to a qualified mechanic. I've seen Harleys and Hondas burn, for goodness sake. Freak incidents will occur with any vehicle.

All the buzz and speculation, I feel, does the Spyder community a disservice. Potential owners see this stuff and are immediately smacked in the face with an unqualified anti-sell. The insurance, BRP and leoejr will determine and feedback on the facts. Now is not the time for a whirlwind of speculation that does nothing more than foment alarm. Our role on this forum should be to send leojr our support, brotherly love, and best wishes to get his new Spyder and encouragement to get back out on the road with us.

I agree with much of what you said--- but you were not around last summer when many Spyder fires were happening--- 6 of them I believe--- and all went up in very similar ways.

Do a search for Spyder Fires and you'll find plenty of heated(boo hiss boo) debate. It does seem there is something more than just happenstance going on--- and many believe the second update where they re-route the canister vent line may have been done to alleviate a fire hazard. Many of us did what we call a 'canisterectomy' to eliminate an area of concern.

I do not believe we have seen a confirmed fire to a Spyder that had the 'second' update done.

Also, considering the relative low number of Spyders sold compared to HD and Honda, the number of fires carries more weight.

Certainly condolences go out to Leo Jr. He's been unhappy with his Spyder for sometime now, and then this happens.....:yikes::gaah:.

 

[dave01]

Not trying to make light of this but I have called in the experts to find out the cause. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Wow, I am sorry about the loss of your Spyder but very glad to hear you are okay. Hopefully the insurance company will take good care of you now. Best of luck.

 

[mvengineer]

[QUOTE= I've seen Harleys and Hondas burn, for goodness sake. Freak incidents will occur with any vehicle.

Remember Columbia with all of NASA's engineering, exploded and burned due to fuel leak.

 

[Gimpy Girl]

Wow! Sure your shook up quite a bit. Wheels can be replaced, but glad that your alright.

 

[Boriken]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, glad that you are OK. Please keep us informed.

Carmelo

 

[BajaRon]

Not trying to make light of this but I have called in the experts to find out the cause. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode.

Hey! Is that a lighter in his hand?

 

[Smylinacha]

I had loose hose clamps and that would be on the right side.

I posted a video of the fuel spewing out. No fires though because HDX caught it when I started it up. I would think there would be fire if they were leaking and I kept riding it.

Very sorry to hear about and view the demise of your Spyder. Glad to hear that you had the chance to bail off of it before you were injured. It can be replaced!
In the past posts I thought I had read about some hose clamps loosening and allowing some fuel seepage which would allow for volatile fumes to accumulate and provide an ignition source. I don't remember which side of the engine the posts were about, but it was just a thought.

 

[Smylinacha]

Very glad you didn't get hurt jumping off it or get burned when the fire started! Also a blessing that the Spyder was outside when you started it and not in a garage where it could have burnt down your house!

I hope they can figure out what caused it. Maybe a loose clamp in the fuel line - it happened to me but we found it before I went riding on it. Couldn't miss it - was like garden hose spewing out the right side. Even if it was a small drip, maybe that caused it? Anyway, I am just glad you are alright. Spyder can be replaced - you can't be replaced so that is most important that YOU are ok!

 

[Lone Spyder Ryder]

Fuel Smell.

I am betting on a loose fuel line. Mine was leaking before I changed out the clamps. Maybe the evap cannister but less likely.

I have had the fuel smell since this Spyder hit the road 18 months ago. I have had it serviced each and every time at a BPR dealerships. It took visits to 3 dealerships before the 3rd one found the throttle body loose and fixed. The 3rd dealer also found the battery was going bad.
The fuel smell was never an every time I use it thing. it has always been some time you start it you smell fuel and sometimes you didn’t. While most the time I smelt it was when I started it but not all the time. Some times when doing fast twisties you could smell fuel . My spyder spent 62 days in the shop and each time it went in I reported fuel smells.
I was always the same answer. Could not duplicate the problem, possible canister vapor smell. That was the answer for the DPS steering problem, the fuel canister and every other problem it has had. If you read the forums here and on spyder talk there are a lot of people who have the fuel smell problem. They even have a take the canister off suggestion. If I had took it to the shop every time I could smell fuel it would only have 5000 miles on it and not 25000.
So please understand this. I did not over fill the tank. At least 10 different times in the last 18 months when I smelt fuel I stopped and took the side panels off. No visual signs of a gas leak and I never saw fuel under it. But keep the suggestions coming in and maybe BRP will find an answer.

The only good news for me now is that my insurance has said it is covered if it is not a warranty thing.


I am not sure what was done when the canister was replaced. When I took this to the dealer and it was replaced it was under the guidance of BRP. I would expect them to do all recalls and fix everything. I will never make that mistake again. if and when it happend again there will be a go over everything do meeting when I pick up the machine.

 

[Firefly]

Did they re-route your canister vent hose per update #2???

 

[Mo Lee]

Did they re-route your canister vent hose per update #2???

I'm with you Firefly, I think the vent hose extension is the most important Mod that can be done to the Spyder. When the fire were happening last summer I took the plastics off mine and did not like the looks of that vent line location. I extended mine at that time (a couple of weeks before BRP started installing them). When I witnessed the fire on Jeff City Joes bike this summer I extended it all the way down the swing arm so the fumes can't rise back up under the tupperware.

 

[spydee owner]

I think this fire topic has been pretty much flogged to death ... collect the insurance, get another bike and move on.

 

[BajaRon]

I have had the fuel smell since this Spyder hit the road 18 months ago. I have had it serviced each and every time at a BPR dealerships. It took visits to 3 dealerships before the 3rd one found the throttle body loose and fixed. The 3rd dealer also found the battery was going bad.
The fuel smell was never an every time I use it thing. it has always been some time you start it you smell fuel and sometimes you didn’t. While most the time I smelt it was when I started it but not all the time. Some times when doing fast twisties you could smell fuel . My spyder spent 62 days in the shop and each time it went in I reported fuel smells.
I was always the same answer. Could not duplicate the problem, possible canister vapor smell. That was the answer for the DPS steering problem, the fuel canister and every other problem it has had. If you read the forums here and on spyder talk there are a lot of people who have the fuel smell problem. They even have a take the canister off suggestion. If I had took it to the shop every time I could smell fuel it would only have 5000 miles on it and not 25000.
So please understand this. I did not over fill the tank. At least 10 different times in the last 18 months when I smelt fuel I stopped and took the side panels off. No visual signs of a gas leak and I never saw fuel under it. But keep the suggestions coming in and maybe BRP will find an answer.

The only good news for me now is that my insurance has said it is covered if it is not a warranty thing.


I am not sure what was done when the canister was replaced. When I took this to the dealer and it was replaced it was under the guidance of BRP. I would expect them to do all recalls and fix everything. I will never make that mistake again. if and when it happend again there will be a go over everything do meeting when I pick up the machine.

Not every gas smell is a fuel line spewing. Actually, a dangerous situation is extremely rare, in this regard. If you've had the fuel smell checked out it is most likely just vapors excaping from your evap canister and not a hazard.

I assume you've had the latest update to recalibrate the purge valve timing.

Still, I highly recommend the Canister-Ectomy. Done properly, this will both solve the fuel smell problem and eliminate any canister related issues forever. Why guess when you can be sure?

BRP or the Dealer cannot do this for you, nor can they even recommend it by law. But it's your Spyder. It's basically a free mod and very effective.

It's nice to not smell fuel and wonder.

 

[BajaRon]

Fuel vapors don't rise, they sink, as they are heavier than air. Getting the tube away from the exhaust is the beneficial thing, be it in front of the Spyder, or the rear

For the vent tube this is true. But not for the vapors most likely involved in this Spyder Fire.

Take a SMALL amount of gasoline and pour it out onto hot pavement and see what happens. You will see the vapor rising.

While it is true that gasoline vapors at AMBIENT tempertures (same as surrounding air mass) will fall. Hot gasoline vapors will rise, just like Hot air is ligher than cool air.

And we are talking about fuel hitting hot engine parts and rising to temperatures of over 400 degrees.

I can guarantee you, at these temperatures, fuel vapor will rise.

 

[Firefly]

For the vent tube this is true. But not for the vapors most likely involved in this Spyder Fire.

Take a SMALL amount of gasoline and pour it out onto hot pavement and see what happens. You will see the vapor rising.

While it is true that gasoline vapors at AMBIENT tempertures (same as surrounding air mass) will fall. Hot gasoline vapors will rise, just like Hot air is ligher than cool air.

And we are talking about fuel hitting hot engine parts and rising to temperatures of over 400 degrees.

I can guarantee you, at these temperatures, fuel vapor will rise.

Interesting... I was also under the impression that gas fumes went DOWN, not up (hence why garage waterheaters, furnaces, etc. are supposed to be 18" off the floor)....but I can see how the temp would make a difference.

While I understand what you're saying on your 'hot pavement' analogy--- kinda hard for the fumes to go 'down' when there is no 'down' to go to....:roflblack:

I do agree that the gas smell is most likely from the STUPID evap canister---and that they should be YANKED for the best solution and safety.

 

[BajaRon]

Interesting... I was also under the impression that gas fumes went DOWN, not up (hence why garage waterheaters, furnaces, etc. are supposed to be 18" off the floor)....but I can see how the temp would make a difference.

While I understand what you're saying on your 'hot pavement' analogy--- kinda hard for the fumes to go 'down' when there is no 'down' to go to....:roflblack:

I do agree that the gas smell is most likely from the STUPID evap canister---and that they should be YANKED for the best solution and safety.

Granted, the vapors don't have anywere DOWN to go on pavement. But you will see them rise and rise quickly from hot pavement.

Pour the same fuel on pavement that is the same temperature as the ambient air and you will (if you look closely) see the vapors crawling away just above the pavement. Dry ice or cold air from your freezer when you open the door is a good example of this. That vapor is easier to see. It falls and runs along the floor.

This is why LPG, gasoline and other heavier than air vapors are so dangerous. In a garage they will run along the floor and find an ignition source like a hot water heater. That is why hot water heaters are now required to be elevated.

It all makes sense when you think it through. One of the most enjoyable things I did in the fire service was to intentionally set things on fire! That is awesome! But you have to know your fuels or you can become more intimately involved in the operation than you intended. :yikes: