Recap of 2014 RT Problems

[ARtraveler]

Sometimes these threads do go South, and then we get people nipping at each others heels and making statements that we may regret a bit later.

There have been many negative threads of late. Been on the site going on five years now and lately has been a bit hard for even me.

I have no problem with people posting about issues or glitches with our beloved machine. I have experienced a few things also. My history is now over five different :spyder2:'s and 100,000 miles. I guess you could say I like the product and am a supporter of it.

My problem currently is that there are a few (and most of us know who they are) that are ticked off big time at BRP or their particular machine, or the particular year model.

We see their rants almost daily. They interject their issue and problem in almost every thread they can, and sometimes in threads that are not even close.

Some have tried to get the problems solved. Some have not met with good results. We even have some who sold their :ani29: and they continue to rant. Then there are some who's expectations are not even realistic. It is easy to see who is on a vendetta.

A lot of the negativity on the site comes from a few people and not the majority.

 

[stewartj239]

I have been a member of this forum for about a year and half and I do agree with you that there has been a lot of negativity - not just lately but as long as I've been here. I remember reading about it before and after buying my 2013 as well. It seems like it never ends. I also agree with the comments that if an issue exists, it is best for people to point to a solution or a suggestion for resolving it - that is what I think is lacking - the actual discussion for how to make things better. Unfortunately, I have also seen some posts from what I believe are new members asking about problems they've read about and I know on many occasions, they were scared off by the responses. Anyhow, I don't have the answer. I do know that because of the issues I read about the 2013 is why I started a thread that addressed solutions to many of the problems. I wish there was more dialogue like that that didn't say the Spyder is junk because of this or that, but here is a real problem, and here is a real fix for it.

 

[markyodo]

I didn't read through all the posts so if this is a repeat I apologize. I am replying to the OP.
After 3 weeks of ownership I noticed I have some noisy brakes (rubbing). I don't consider this a problem yet. I only get to ride once or twice a week since the weather is colder.
If it continues I will have it looked at.

Carry on.

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

don't think this could be actually a problem.. more of a "shortcoming" .. the light in the frunk on my RT... I have seen fireflys that emit more light...

OSM

 

[Dragonrider]

The REAL problem with the 2014s is they didn't make a RED one... I had to buy white instead!!!

 

[The-BigDog-30]

Problem is everybody wants to say how great the 14's are, but in reality there's been nothing but problems- brakes, oil leaks, clutch, tires, rear shock, ignition, alignment, loose bolts, fuel pumps, shift sensor etc. The list goes on , most of it should be corrected by BRP and you would think they would have cleaned it up by now. The rest is due to a bad delivery at dealer by undertrained techs. Should not be swept under the rug like it's no big deal. They should be fixing current issues before coming out with new models.

 

[shelbydave]

Problem is everybody wants to say how great the 14's are, but in reality there's been nothing but problems- brakes, oil leaks, clutch, tires, rear shock, ignition, alignment, loose bolts, fuel pumps, shift sensor etc. The list goes on , most of it should be corrected by BRP and you would think they would have cleaned it up by now. The rest is due to a bad delivery at dealer by undertrained techs. Should not be swept under the rug like it's no big deal. They should be fixing current issues before coming out with new models.

Yeah, like GM for the last 14 years...:banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Bob Denman]

Problem is everybody wants to say how great the 14's are, but in reality there's been nothing but problems- brakes, oil leaks, clutch, tires, rear shock, ignition, alignment, loose bolts, fuel pumps, shift sensor etc. The list goes on , most of it should be corrected by BRP and you would think they would have cleaned it up by now. The rest is due to a bad delivery at dealer by undertrained techs. Should not be swept under the rug like it's no big deal. They should be fixing current issues before coming out with new models.

Sorry... :crackpipe:
The 2014s are a much improved ride over the previous years. There have been some hiccups along the way; but a lot of those items on your list... :dontknow:

 

[MisterP]

:bdh:

Haven't we beat this to death? Some think there are problems, some think there aren't. This thread has nowhere to go but in circles.

 

[shelbydave]

:bdh:

Haven't we beat this to death? Some think there are problems, some think there aren't. This thread has nowhere to go but in circles.

Perception is reality... That's why these threads are so tough. It's hard to separate the opinions from the facts, and even with the facts, then there are opinions on who should do what...

I'll use the tires as an example...

First off, I don't know WHO requested the softer compounds for the 2014's - Was it Kenda who changed, or BRP who asked for a stickier tire?

Either way,

Probably some more aggressive riders complained that the tires were too loose in the turns, so a stickier tire was made. Unfortunately, regardless of what you drive, you have to find the balance between performance and longevity. You generally can't have both. Now, everyone is complaining that they can only get 5000 miles from the tire. Well, that's the price for performance.
The best decision would have been for Kenda to make BOTH tires, but then the drawback would have been the price, since they were making 2 types, and basically cutting the volume of each in half.

Can't please everyone, so you try to please the majority, then handle the remainder. Out of the remainder, some can be satisfied with some "tweaks", others just need to be tuned out.

 

[Bob Denman]

Complaining About Complainers...

:shocked: There will always be folks who are never happy...
If you showed up to their house, and handed them a ZILLION dollars; they'd be mad because you didn't also give them the car that you arrived in... :banghead:
Fortunately; there's also folks out there, who can take lemons, and make some pretty sweet lemonade out of them.:thumbup:
Complaints should be heard; it's how improvements get made to the bikes. I think that BRP listened to what was being said about the original RTs, and the 2014s were the result.
Were they perfect? Nope... But then; what is? :dontknow:
I think that when folks show up with a gripe about an actual problem; it needs conversation about solutions. Trying to gather a mob by saying what BRP should be doing to right the wrongs foisted upon the stupid consumer... is a pure waste of space!
Discussing solutions to the problem presented, and then helping folks to move forward with the solutions; is what can make everybody smarter about their bikes. Isn't that what these forums are about?

Maybe the "Crybabies" need to simply be ignored. Let the thread die from boredom over the whining...

Okay; asbestos suit on... I can take it!

 

[shelbydave]

:shocked: There will always be folks who are never happy...
If you showed up to their house, and handed them a ZILLION dollars; they'd be mad because you didn't also give them the car that you arrived in... :banghead:
Fortunately; there's also folks out there, who can take lemons, and make some pretty sweet lemonade out of them.:thumbup:
Complaints should be heard; it's how improvements get made to the bikes. I think that BRP listened to what was being said about the original RTs, and the 2014s were the result.
Were they perfect? Nope... But then; what is? :dontknow:
I think that when folks show up with a gripe about an actual problem; it needs conversation about solutions. Trying to gather a mob by saying what BRP should be doing to right the wrongs foisted upon the stupid consumer... is a pure waste of space!
Discussing solutions to the problem presented, and then helping folks to move forward with the solutions; is what can make everybody smarter about their bikes. Isn't that what these forums are about?

Maybe the "Crybabies" need to simply be ignored. Let the thread die from boredom over the whining...

Okay; asbestos suit on... I can take it!

I'll don mine too. I'm right there with ya.

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[Magdave]

:2thumbs::2thumbs:

]

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

Fair enough... :2thumbs:

 

[Magdave]

Fair enough... :2thumbs:

Hey you asked for it and I went BIG

 

[Bob Denman]

And spectacular, too! :clap: :2thumbs:
I've already broken out the sunglasses, and marshmallow sticks... :roflblack:

 

[The-BigDog-30]

Sorry... :crackpipe:
The 2014s are a much improved ride over the previous years. There have been some hiccups along the way; but a lot of those items on your list... :dontknow:

Just because you haven't expierenced these problems doesn't mean they don't exist

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: What's the matter with you?
Nobody said that they don't exist; it's just that your list is in error.
Do your homework first... :thumbup:

For the Record; my 2010 RT had a few bumps along the highway:
Throttle Bodies needed replacing
The Throttle Position sensor needed replacing
The windshield center strut broke
and the harness back to the stereo interface was bad.

Was the bike a piece of crap? HELL NO! :2thumbs: We enjoyed every moment of ownership, and moved up when the 2014 was announced.

 

[The-BigDog-30]

2014 brakes, guessing you mean they are sometimes noisy. seems most often it is from light application of the brakes or dust.

2014 oil leaks, I was under the impression that BRP solved this with either the set screw sealing (repaired by dealer prior to delivery) or replacing parts as needed if something else.

2014 clutch, I heard one post about replacing some screws, assuming that is the concern but still do not know the problem that required replacement.

2014 tires, yes it was admitted the compound was changed. The new rear tire mileage is less, but not impossible to live with for many.

2014, rear shocks, it has been posted by very few that a few had concerns.

2014 Ignitions, known issue and supposedly corrected by dealer if within affected serial number range prior to delivery.

2014 alignments, true and maybe the most inconsistent item from vehicle to vehicle.

2014 loose bolts, have not heard much about this, but did find an extra bolt while accomplishing some work on the machine. No it did not just fall out.

2014 fuel pumps, no doubt a concern, but seems they have been replacing them as needed, as of now no known failures or stranded riders.

2014 shift sensor, few people have mentioned this. Not sure it is a problem with the sensor or something else. I have seen it twice, but it was obvious I shifted from 1 to R or R to 1 and the computer got confused for a second. Nothing a second of waiting did not sort on its own.

Granted it is a BRP concern for all items, however, the tires are not made by BRP, brakes are not made by BRP, the engines are made by Rotax another division but technically not BRP, Ignition switch is not made by BRP, fuel pump is not made by BRP, if it is a shift sensor failure it too is not made by BRP. So pretty much the loose bolts and alignment are directly BRP.

I'm not here to defend BRP, but my reality check shows me some items they are simply drawn into from their vendors, similar to the big airbag fiasco currently being dealt with by many car oems. How BRP contends with good customer service or how well their dealers resolve concerns and maintain good customer service is the greatest projection onto BRP.

Overall, I am not upset or praising them, just be realistic in your expectations of the vehicle and the support from BRP and more importantly from your authorized dealer.

PK

Not the noise of the brakes, should have specified, the parking brake actuator motors that are defective and have to be replaced. The OP wanted issues with the 14's, so I listed a few, if most of these issues occurred on your bike you might have different views. Don't get me wrong I love my Spyder, but when you take delivery and on the way home your screen lights up orange then into limp mode ,you start to have concerns. The clutch campaign where the clutch was put in backwards on the assembly line, yes that's my first spyder experience, won't bore you with more details. Lots of folks haven't had any issues and that's great, but they are out there. My expectations are realistic, when you pay $30,000 for a spyder, it should work awhile, way to many issues for being brand new, you think? Or just sweep it all under the rug? Brp is responsible for the product they put out, not the vendors.