RT Vibration continues

[spyder stryder]

RT vibration

I feel your frustration my friend, catch 22 to say the least. I could almost tolerate a 400 rpm range of the drive belt flapping around. But for me its 900 to 1,000 rpm range of continuous drive belt flapping under acelleration and at a cruise. I have to put up with this in 3rd, 4th, & 5th gears at 5300 through 6200 rpm.
Like you I like the Spyder RT, but if we don't get any resolution on the drive belt problem. I'm afraid I'll be sorry indeed the day I bought it.
Come on BRP step up to the plate and get this fixed.
A very concerned Spyder RT owner.

My 2012 also had this vibration, the dealer adjusted the belt several times
without helping much.Then we started checking the belt and the sprockets,
what we found was the engine out of alinement. Like the front was over to
the left to much causing the belt to ride hard up against the outer back edge
of the drive pully.Looking at the outer edge of the belt you could see where it
was wearing on it.He loosend the engine mounting bolts an used a 3/4 round
bar to push through the line up holes ( had to do a little wiggleing on the engine)
so the bar would go through then retighten the bolts. Reset the belt tension,so
far so good in the last 400 miles. Might need to have your spyders checked for this.

spyder stryder

 

[Jeriatric]

My 2012 also had this vibration, the dealer adjusted the belt several times
without helping much.Then we started checking the belt and the sprockets,
what we found was the engine out of alinement. Like the front was over to
the left to much causing the belt to ride hard up against the outer back edge
of the drive pully.Looking at the outer edge of the belt you could see where it
was wearing on it.He loosend the engine mounting bolts an used a 3/4 round
bar to push through the line up holes ( had to do a little wiggleing on the engine)
so the bar would go through then retighten the bolts. Reset the belt tension,so
far so good in the last 400 miles. Might need to have your spyders checked for this.

spyder stryder

Very interesting. Thanks for posting this :thumbup:

Keep us posted.

Edit: procedure is on pg 20 in the shop manual and the alignment rod is a homeade tool.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Maybe this is a possible cause? It could explain why some folks are going bonkers and others don't understand what the problem is.

 

[A1A]

My 2012 also had this vibration, the dealer adjusted the belt several times
without helping much.Then we started checking the belt and the sprockets,
what we found was the engine out of alinement. Like the front was over to
the left to much causing the belt to ride hard up against the outer back edge
of the drive pully.Looking at the outer edge of the belt you could see where it
was wearing on it.He loosend the engine mounting bolts an used a 3/4 round
bar to push through the line up holes ( had to do a little wiggleing on the engine)
so the bar would go through then retighten the bolts. Reset the belt tension,so
far so good in the last 400 miles. Might need to have your spyders checked for this.

spyder stryder

spyder stryder, Thanks for your solid response and input in regards to this issue. I was wondering how many miles were on your Spyder RT? Before the Dealer discoved the engine was out of alignment with the final drive assembly? The reason I ask is I don't see any wear marks on the inside of my belt and I have approx. 1,600 miles on mine. What was your belt tension set at after completion?
:cheers:

 

[Flight Risk]

Me neither.

Me either

 

[Firefly]

My 2012 also had this vibration, the dealer adjusted the belt several times
without helping much.Then we started checking the belt and the sprockets,
what we found was the engine out of alinement. Like the front was over to
the left to much causing the belt to ride hard up against the outer back edge
of the drive pully.Looking at the outer edge of the belt you could see where it
was wearing on it.He loosend the engine mounting bolts an used a 3/4 round
bar to push through the line up holes ( had to do a little wiggleing on the engine)
so the bar would go through then retighten the bolts. Reset the belt tension,so
far so good in the last 400 miles. Might need to have your spyders checked for this.

spyder stryder

Good info to have. Thanks for sharing. Perhaps this is what is going on with the RT models that are experiencing vibration.

 

[Littlebadwolf]

I'm running the belt tensioner that one of the sponsors here on the board developed although mine is a RS...It definitely makes the ride a lot smoother...Don't know if this will help the RT but I'd guess it will...Experts can clarify on it's use.

 

[Ride Master]

Lugging?

Lugging at 5400-6200 rpm...are you serious? lol

I did 800 miles straight on my new RT-- all highway and had no such vibrations.

I now have 3,000 miles on it during the last month and have only noticed it is far smoother than my GS ever was... so for me it's a dream to ride.

Sorry you're having such problems.

While this might not be your issue, I think some are just frankly lugging the engine because they're in the wrong gear.

I really want to meet up with someone with this problem and take one for a spin......

 

[Illinois Boy]

Obviously if you are running at that RPM you aren't lugging the motor. I would assume you are in 5th by then though.:shocked:

The vibration people are feeling IS real, and IS related to belt-harmonics that can happen at various speeds... so these people are not nuts.

The length of the belt is fairly long by standards compared to other vehicles using drive-belts. Due to its length, it appears the vibration can be caused by many variables mentioned so far. (i.e., engine alignment, motor vibration, RPM/Gear combinations, uphill torque, downhill slack, wind in combination with the previous, and etc)

I am fortunate that mine rarely vibrates, and when it does it is at higher RPM's -- however I adjust my shifting and it goes away for me. I know that doesn't help if you are cruising at 65+ MPH in fifth...

It would seem all elements that can cause this problem have to be solved for the vibrations to be minimized. That could be one heck of a project... especially if your mechanic isn't the best.

 

[spyder stryder]

spyder stryder, Thanks for your solid response and input in regards to this issue. I was wondering how many miles were on your Spyder RT? Before the Dealer discoved the engine was out of alignment with the final drive assembly? The reason I ask is I don't see any wear marks on the inside of my belt and I have approx. 1,600 miles on mine. What was your belt tension set at after completion?
:cheers:

Right at 9000 miles,belt was adjusted to the new lower setting that BRP came out with at the 600 mile service.
Then has been reajusted four times since then changing the tension in small amounts (as he stated)to see if he
could hit a happy place for the belt. The last go round i started helping check things out & noticed specks of black
on up toward the center of the belt length on different things under there. Thats when i noticed the outer edge of
belt looked as if it was being ground on or polished off,looking at each side ther was a good bit of difference in
the looks. You can shine a good flash light from the rear straight forward to the drive sprocket an it out of line.
My suggestion was to pull the sides off so he could check the drive pulley ( that didn't go over well) grumble,grumble
but off with the side cover. Huh,this thing is out of alinement,guess i better take care of that. So i asked do you think it
might have damaged anything else such as the pulley,seal or shaft & bearing. He looked the pulley over & said it's ok,as
the other stuff it should not have hurt anything there. The should not is what worries me.

spyder stryder

 

[A1A]

Thanks spyder stryder, sounds like you had belt vibration at just about every engine rpm?

 

[Firefly]

Lugging at 5400-6200 rpm...are you serious? lol

I wasn't specifically talking about that RPM range... I just know there's a lot of people that run their Spyder in 5th gear at 45 mph... and ARE lugging it......

 

[flaggerphil]

I challenge BRP's senior Spyder engineer to get on a new factory RT, leave Quebec and run down to Florida on Interstate 95 at the normal 70-80 mph; look me in the face and tell me this is "NORMAL". Short jaunts, you might be fine, but for extended travel, at speeds of 70-80 (5000-6000 rpm in 5th) it will drive you crazy as it comes and goes. After 50 years of riding, no single cycle, sidecar setup, etc, has had this effect on me. BRP HELP! :banghead:

Well, here's the thing...I bought my Spyder in St Louis and a week later drove it to Melbourne FL in two days...at 70 to 80 mph...and didn't experience any bad vibration at all. My 2011 RT-AC is one of the smoothest motorcycles I've ever owned and I've been riding since the late '60s, including thumpers, two strokes and v-twins. I put close to 400 highway miles on mine this past weekend...I now have well over 4000 miles on the beast...and I've never experienced this vibration. At all. At any speed and any rpm range. I'm NOT saying others haven't, but it seems to me that the vast majority of riders out there don't have the problem.

As for heat, the only time I've noticed bad heat on my RT is when I've put my foot up on the air damn where a highway peg would go and I wasn't wearing boots. So, basically, I don't put my foot there anymore. And I ride in temps over 90 degrees most every day in the summer. The heat from my Spyder is nothing compared to heat I've felt on air-cooled HD's when riding in the tropics. I used to get far more heat out of my V Star 1300.

The worst problem I've had is the stitching on the seat coming undone. They replaced the first one and it looks like they're going to have to replace the second one. Poor subcontractor qc? I don't know.

Again, I'm not saying other people haven't had problems, it's just hard to relate when my Spyder doesn't have them at all.

 

[billythekidd]

Well, here's the thing...I bought my Spyder in St Louis and a week later drove it to Melbourne FL in two days...at 70 to 80 mph...and didn't experience any bad vibration at all. My 2011 RT-AC is one of the smoothest motorcycles I've ever owned and I've been riding since the late '60s, including thumpers, two strokes and v-twins. I put close to 400 highway miles on mine this past weekend...I now have well over 4000 miles on the beast...and I've never experienced this vibration. At all. At any speed and any rpm range. I'm NOT saying others haven't, but it seems to me that the vast majority of riders out there don't have the problem.

As for heat, the only time I've noticed bad heat on my RT is when I've put my foot up on the air damn where a highway peg would go and I wasn't wearing boots. So, basically, I don't put my foot there anymore. And I ride in temps over 90 degrees most every day in the summer. The heat from my Spyder is nothing compared to heat I've felt on air-cooled HD's when riding in the tropics. I used to get far more heat out of my V Star 1300.

The worst problem I've had is the stitching on the seat coming undone. They replaced the first one and it looks like they're going to have to replace the second one. Poor subcontractor qc? I don't know.

Again, I'm not saying other people haven't had problems, it's just hard to relate when my Spyder doesn't have them at all.

While I completely understand what you are saying..... I had a 2011 RTS that I put almost 13000 miles on before it had electrical problems, and now have a 2012 Limited that I have about 10000 miles on and neither have had a problem with the seat.... Just saying..... I know some have.... but the majority have not.

If you ever do get the vibration you wil know it. I complained to my dealer about my 2011 and they checked everyting (rod touching the frame and such) and then took it for a ride before adjusting the belt.. They were really supprised at the vibration it produced. Adjusted the belt and all was fine for a bit. I have a little vibration on my 2012 but not nearly like it was on the 2011. If it is an engine alignment issue as was stated that would surely explain why it can be frixed for a time with a belt adjustment

Willy

 

[prider]

curious

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.....

Just curious keep reading comments about vibrations and higher rpms. What happens to GPM at higher RPMS?

Thanks Tom

 

[Cruzr Joe]

They get PMS



Sent from my iPad 3 using Tapatalk HD

 

[Cruzr Joe]

PMS = pretty much smaller, thought i might clarify that


Sent from my iPad 3 using Tapatalk HD

 

[spyder stryder]

Rt vibration

Thanks spyder stryder, sounds like you had belt vibration at just about every engine rpm?

A1A
new update on the vibration, this has been from the start when new.
It would start around 52-53 mph & as the speed increased so did the
vives. At 70 -72 you could feel the belt as if it wanted to come apart.
Also i know of another new one that has the belt against the outer side
of the pulley that vibrates as well. When the guy pushed the lineup bar
through the holes it hit solid on the right side. When looking into this
you would only see half on the 3/4 " bar. That is a lot of misalinement.
Also there is a radius rod on the front of the engine that you will need
to disconect one end so you can do the ainement then readjust it so
as to bolt it back on. Makes you wonder how many 2012 RTs have been
sent out this way.

spyder stryder

 

[Jeriatric]

A1A
new update on the vibration, this has been from the start when new.
It would start around 52-53 mph & as the speed increased so did the
vives. At 70 -72 you could feel the belt as if it wanted to come apart.
Also i know of another new one that has the belt against the outer side
of the pulley that vibrates as well. When the guy pushed the lineup bar
through the holes it hit solid on the right side. When looking into this
you would only see half on the 3/4 " bar. That is a lot of misalinement.
Also there is a radius rod on the front of the engine that you will need
to disconect one end so you can do the ainement then readjust it so
as to bolt it back on. Makes you wonder how many 2012 RTs have been
sent out this way.

spyder stryder

It's not bad enough a guy has a problem and isn't getting the help he needs to resolve it. But, to have to read dissertations from others exclaiming how they don't have the problem, and without knowing you or your background, or, level of experience. They drone on and on about how you should have experienced this or that from this or that. As if, that, would make your problem magically go away. Ugh! Thinking about it. If protecting and defending fixed things......none of us would have a problem.

Hope all who are having this problem get it resolved soon and to their satisfaction.

 

[phj]

It's not bad enough a guy has a problem and isn't getting the help he needs to resolve it. But, to have to read dissertations from others exclaiming how they don't have the problem, and without knowing you or your background, or, level of experience. They drone on and on about how you should have experienced this or that from this or that. As if, that, would make your problem magically go away. Ugh! Thinking about it. If protecting and defending fixed things......none of us would have a problem.

Hope all who are having this problem get it resolved soon and to their satisfaction.

Very well stated:thumbup: