• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

RT Vibration continues

Will no hurt her, nothing for me to be at 60+ and drop to 3erd and run 9000 and as i am passing, skip 4th and go strait to 5th. feels like the front shocks stretches out as she rockets up front of the pack. They do not like low rpm's. let them sing;)


Now as for vibration. yes the belt can and will cause some but there is a bulletton out for another reason for vibration here some info on it.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?34646-Vibration-Motor-Mount-Clearance

I have a 2012 RT SE5, I thought the motor mount shimming issues was fixed for the 2012's? My belt starts really flopping badly at 5300 rpm and doesn't quit this severe flopping until after 6200 rpm. I just can't stand feeling this belt flopping so badly. When I know this is a major issue and needs factory resolution.
If I get a written garantee from BRP, stating they will fix for free an engine and or drive line problem caused by this floppy belt vibration. Then I'd ride my Spyder RT and ignore the severe drive belt flop.
Thanks for your constructive feedback though.
 
Last edited:
I'm beginning to wonder if this issue is being caused by the revised belts on the 2012s? Just thinking out loud here, but something has changed and that's they only thing I am aware of.
 
I still think we may have multiple different problems here. Some have stated they're running under 5,000 RPM's when in 4th and 5th....and may be lugging the engine. These Rotax engines like higher RPM's... plain and simple.
--------------

For those that are running in the proper (higher) RPM ranges.. I'm very curious about this problem.

My 2012 RT A&C doesn't vibrate... it's far smoother than my GS was-- and that had the belt tensioner installed.

I wasn't aware that the belt had been updated for the 2012 RT's ??? Anyone have more info on this?

If that's the case.... I'll have to sell my spare belt I've had for a year or so.....

Thus far, my only complaint about the RT belt is the noise during acceleration.....
 
I still think we may have multiple different problems here. Some have stated they're running under 5,000 RPM's when in 4th and 5th....and may be lugging the engine. These Rotax engines like higher RPM's... plain and simple.
--------------

For those that are running in the proper (higher) RPM ranges.. I'm very curious about this problem.

My 2012 RT A&C doesn't vibrate... it's far smoother than my GS was-- and that had the belt tensioner installed.

I wasn't aware that the belt had been updated for the 2012 RT's ??? Anyone have more info on this?

If that's the case.... I'll have to sell my spare belt I've had for a year or so.....

Thus far, my only complaint about the RT belt is the noise during acceleration.....

I would be happy to trade my vibration for your noise, mine makes no noise of any-kind!
 
Yeah well

Its the belt tension and we either complain as a whole so they come up with a tensioner recall or pay out of pocket for one. Definitely seems to be the answer because of belt vibration in between 5000-6000 RPM.
Some of these issues really hurt my impressions of BRP especially coming from a Gold Wing.
 
Its the belt tension and we either complain as a whole so they come up with a tensioner recall or pay out of pocket for one. Definitely seems to be the answer because of belt vibration in between 5000-6000 RPM.
Some of these issues really hurt my impressions of BRP especially coming from a Gold Wing.

We can't really complain as a whole when it's not happening to us as a whole. So far out of the thousands of RT's out here, there are only a handful of people complaining about vibrations.

Only way to know what's going on for sure is to swap Spyders with another member-- take a spin and see either of you notice a big difference.....that would be a good starting point.
 
Its the belt tension and we either complain as a whole so they come up with a tensioner recall or pay out of pocket for one. Definitely seems to be the answer because of belt vibration in between 5000-6000 RPM.
Some of these issues really hurt my impressions of BRP especially coming from a Gold Wing.

BRP all ready knows about this problem, they are just hoping we except this as normal and we all go away. Even though I have spent a lot of time and money on this problem and at times I believe I may be near to solving the problem on this bike, I have my doubts if it will ever completely go away, it's just a bad design/belt. There is something screwy about some of the 2012 bikes, I am willing to give some more effort, time and money, but not much!!
 
We can't really complain as a whole when it's not happening to us as a whole. So far out of the thousands of RT's out here, there are only a handful of people complaining about vibrations.

Only way to know what's going on for sure is to swap Spyders with another member-- take a spin and see either of you notice a big difference.....that would be a good starting point.

:agree: Another option is to compare to a demo at your dealer. You could also have another owner ride your Spyder and see if they notice the "problem". Don't choose me, though, After years of Triumphs, BSA singles, Harleys, Indians, Cushmans, and BMW boxers, I would be shocked if a motorcycle didn't vibrate at all.
 
This is a topic that needs more study and input. There is no reason that so many folks have different experiences both with RT vibration and heat. The problem is that there are way too many variables for an easy analysis. BRP needs to look into this, first by a survey of the RT customer base not just Spyderlovers Forum members. Then based on the size of the issues determine the causes. Dealer Setup? New to Spyders riders? Differences in product ? Etc.

I have been riding An 09 RS for the last three years and now have a 2012 RT-S. With no heat or vibration issues. It runs smoother, cooler and quieter than my RS, why? Why should some folks have a great ride and others are just miserable? No matter the reason this needs to be addressed by BRP. My personal belief is that this may be a Dealer setup or a final factory setup issue. The dealer that I use has an exceptional tech who took a full day of checking and setting up my new RT. He even insisted that I pick it up the next day to allow for a full battery charge. He then took it on a test ride, was not satisfied and did some adjustments to the belt and then after a second test ride turned the RT over to me. I hope that this is the attention to detail that BRP expects from their techs at all dealers, but I think that this may be the exception rather than the rule.

I am not saying all this to brag or show off but to let new riders have some idea of what is possible with a good dealer and how it may pay off in a solid enjoyable ride.
 
I have a 2012 RT Ltd and have a small amount of vibration from time to time but i can usualy just adjust my speed and correct the vibration.

Joe

Sent from my iPad 3 using Tapatalk HD
 
This is a topic that needs more study and input. There is no reason that so many folks have different experiences both with RT vibration and heat. The problem is that there are way too many variables for an easy analysis. BRP needs to look into this, first by a survey of the RT customer base not just Spyderlovers Forum members. Then based on the size of the issues determine the causes. Dealer Setup? New to Spyders riders? Differences in product ? Etc.

I have been riding An 09 RS for the last three years and now have a 2012 RT-S. With no heat or vibration issues. It runs smoother, cooler and quieter than my RS, why? Why should some folks have a great ride and others are just miserable? No matter the reason this needs to be addressed by BRP. My personal belief is that this may be a Dealer setup or a final factory setup issue. The dealer that I use has an exceptional tech who took a full day of checking and setting up my new RT. He even insisted that I pick it up the next day to allow for a full battery charge. He then took it on a test ride, was not satisfied and did some adjustments to the belt and then after a second test ride turned the RT over to me. I hope that this is the attention to detail that BRP expects from their techs at all dealers, but I think that this may be the exception rather than the rule.

I am not saying all this to brag or show off but to let new riders have some idea of what is possible with a good dealer and how it may pay off in a solid enjoyable ride.


I have an excellent dealer too. If BRP were to ask them to verify whether or not my "hot foot" issues are real or not. I would be more than happy to cooperate. One caveat, my dealer would need to perform the test where I live. Not where they are located(2 hrs away in a completely different climate zone). Since I have no heat mods it would be a fair test and the results would either say I have a problem or I don't. Fair enough by me.
 
BRP all ready knows about this problem, they are just hoping we except this as normal and we all go away. Even though I have spent a lot of time and money on this problem and at times I believe I may be near to solving the problem on this bike, I have my doubts if it will ever completely go away, it's just a bad design/belt. There is something screwy about some of the 2012 bikes, I am willing to give some more effort, time and money, but not much!!

Let's meet up sometime and swap Spyders for a few miles and see if mine is smoother than yours......
 
This is a topic that needs more study and input. There is no reason that so many folks have different experiences both with RT vibration and heat. The problem is that there are way too many variables for an easy analysis. BRP needs to look into this, first by a survey of the RT customer base not just Spyderlovers Forum members. Then based on the size of the issues determine the causes. Dealer Setup? New to Spyders riders? Differences in product ? Etc.

I have been riding An 09 RS for the last three years and now have a 2012 RT-S. With no heat or vibration issues. It runs smoother, cooler and quieter than my RS, why? Why should some folks have a great ride and others are just miserable? No matter the reason this needs to be addressed by BRP. My personal belief is that this may be a Dealer setup or a final factory setup issue. The dealer that I use has an exceptional tech who took a full day of checking and setting up my new RT. He even insisted that I pick it up the next day to allow for a full battery charge. He then took it on a test ride, was not satisfied and did some adjustments to the belt and then after a second test ride turned the RT over to me. I hope that this is the attention to detail that BRP expects from their techs at all dealers, but I think that this may be the exception rather than the rule.

I am not saying all this to brag or show off but to let new riders have some idea of what is possible with a good dealer and how it may pay off in a solid enjoyable ride.

Obviously an RT will be smoother than an RS. It's a totally different machine. Different engine and motor mounts, etc.....

I think the main variable is rider perception. A rider that has never ridden motorcycles before may perceive typical v-twin vibrations as a machine problem.
 
I have a 2012 RT Ltd and have a small amount of vibration from time to time but i can usualy just adjust my speed and correct the vibration.

Joe

Sent from my iPad 3 using Tapatalk HD

When you say a small amount, do you mean for like 300 to 400 rpm range? Or a small amount like a 1,000 rpm range?
 
Obviously an RT will be smoother than an RS. It's a totally different machine. Different engine and motor mounts, etc.....

I think the main variable is rider perception. A rider that has never ridden motorcycles before may perceive typical v-twin vibrations as a machine problem.

Thats the 500 pound elephant in the room. Nobody wants to come out and say it so I will. Folks, and I say this with a great deal of love and respect for the newer Spyder Riders who never rode a motorcycle regularly, V Twin motorcycles vibrate a lot and they are hot even with water cooling. What's acceptable for us old crusty folks may be not what the new rider had in mind when he bought his machine. I can say that it will become more normal over time. As far as melting shoes etc, you may notice that BRP did not supply forward controls or footrests with their bikes. There may be a reason for this ya think?

Ok I'll take one for the gang, let the flames begin!
 
Thats the 500 pound elephant in the room. Nobody wants to come out and say it so I will. Folks, and I say this with a great deal of love and respect for the newer Spyder Riders who never rode a motorcycle regularly, V Twin motorcycles vibrate a lot and they are hot even with water cooling. What's acceptable for us old crusty folks may be not what the new rider had in mind when he bought his machine. I can say that it will become more normal over time. As far as melting shoes etc, you may notice that BRP did not supply forward controls or footrests with their bikes. There may be a reason for this ya think?

Ok I'll take one for the gang, let the flames begin!

:agree:
 
Thats the 500 pound elephant in the room. Nobody wants to come out and say it so I will. Folks, and I say this with a great deal of love and respect for the newer Spyder Riders who never rode a motorcycle regularly, V Twin motorcycles vibrate a lot and they are hot even with water cooling. What's acceptable for us old crusty folks may be not what the new rider had in mind when he bought his machine. I can say that it will become more normal over time. As far as melting shoes etc, you may notice that BRP did not supply forward controls or footrests with their bikes. There may be a reason for this ya think?

Ok I'll take one for the gang, let the flames begin!

Ya think? nojoke
 
I have ridden a ton of machines and both of my RT's had vibration that none of the others had, including harley belt drives and my Vic Vision belt drive. On my first one the vibration occurred at about 6000 rpm through about 6300 rpm. It is a vibration that is so different than the v twin vibrations mentioned that I originally thought the bike was coming apart. I can feel it in the bars, foot pegs and see the mirrors vibrate. Had it checked at the dealer for the rod touching the frame, it was ok and the only thing left was belt. They adjusted it and it would be good for a few hundred miles or so and then return. On my second one (2012 Limited) I get the vibration between 4800 and about 5500 or so. Not as bad as the first (11 RTS) but still noticeable. When I was at the owners event in Durango I asked the techs in the tent about the vibrations and they said it is belt related and adjusting the speed/rpms will lessen the vibrations. His exact quote was "nature of the beast" with a french accent. He told me that most of the vibrations occur on the top of the belt. He mentioned that the oscillations in the belt could be quite pronounced from what they have seen causing the vibration. For what it is worth, this was a BRP tech in the tech tent.

I have learned to adjust my riding to the vibration when it occurs.


Willy
 
This is a topic that needs more study and input. There is no reason that so many folks have different experiences both with RT vibration and heat. The problem is that there are way too many variables for an easy analysis. BRP needs to look into this, first by a survey of the RT customer base not just Spyderlovers Forum members. Then based on the size of the issues determine the causes. Dealer Setup? New to Spyders riders? Differences in product ? Etc.

I have been riding An 09 RS for the last three years and now have a 2012 RT-S. With no heat or vibration issues. It runs smoother, cooler and quieter than my RS, why? Why should some folks have a great ride and others are just miserable? No matter the reason this needs to be addressed by BRP. My personal belief is that this may be a Dealer setup or a final factory setup issue. The dealer that I use has an exceptional tech who took a full day of checking and setting up my new RT. He even insisted that I pick it up the next day to allow for a full battery charge. He then took it on a test ride, was not satisfied and did some adjustments to the belt and then after a second test ride turned the RT over to me. I hope that this is the attention to detail that BRP expects from their techs at all dealers, but I think that this may be the exception rather than the rule.

I am not saying all this to brag or show off but to let new riders have some idea of what is possible with a good dealer and how it may pay off in a solid enjoyable ride.

I do believe what your are saying may have a lot of truth in it!
 
Back
Top