Took a ride for the 4th and....

[Nyparrothead]

Hi all,

took a 100 mi spin yesterday and had a great time except for the buffeting and vibration. I have the BR screen and above 52 mph the buffeting is horrible. I felt like my head was in a paint shaker!

My belt vibration starts at about 63 and is full on from 65 to 71 then it disappears... It is a shame that BRP decided to sell a product with a clear engineering defect.

mark

 

[IGETAROUND]

took a 100 mi spin yesterday and had a great time except for the buffeting and vibration. I have the BR screen and above 52 mph the buffeting is horrible. I felt like my head was in a paint shaker!

My belt vibration starts at about 63 and is full on from 65 to 71 then it disappears... It is a shame that BRP decided to sell a product with a clear engineering defect.


​Hey Mark, that's a pretty harsh charge.

It would be impossible for ANY manufacturer to design a windscreen which would work for all riders regardless of height, leg length or political persuasion.

That said, long belts have harmonics. If you don't care for that the aftermarket, Smooth spyder and Baker, no doubt are developing adaptations of their belt tensioners for the F-3 market.

Don't know of any bike made which comes correctly tuned in for all in the market; hence a thriving aftermarket accessory segment!!

Now if they would just develop a rear tire that you could turn and burn with that would get 15-20000 miles the world would be a better place:yikes::joke:

 

[Nyparrothead]

​Hey Mark, that's a pretty harsh charge.

It would be impossible for ANY manufacturer to design a windscreen which would work for all riders regardless of height, leg length or political persuasion.

That said, long belts have harmonics. If you don't care for that the aftermarket, Smooth spyder and Baker, no doubt are developing adaptations of their belt tensioners for the F-3 market.

Don't know of any bike made which comes correctly tuned in for all in the market; hence a thriving aftermarket accessory segment!!

Now if they would just develop a rear tire that you could turn and burn with that would get 15-20000 miles the world would be a better place:yikes::joke:[/QUOTE]


my comment was not meant for the windscreen, it was the vibration.. I'm sorry but we will have to argee to disagree... To sell a commercial product where the crusing speed (65-70) of many highways results in a riding condition that is down right miserable means one of two things, either BRP knew about it and released it anyway or they were incompetent in their testing. This is not a styling deficiency or a minor glitch, it is a major problem that makes the product partially unusable for the purpose it was manufactured for.....

mark

 

[Highwayman2013]

Take it to your dealer and have the belt adjusted.

 

[Ronbo]

If only...

Take it to your dealer and have the belt adjusted.

..it were that simple.

 

[4 MARIE]

as it sits... I understand ALL Spyders have some range of "belt harmonic".

What scares me is the modern American sentiment..".it is a major problem that makes the product partially unusable for the purpose it was manufactured for....."

That is lawsuit speak, which ultimately could drive a manufacturer out of a price point that allowed more people into the
sport.

I'm not crazy about my RT's harmonic either. One thing I'm trying now, is going to slight trail throttle. It seems to allow
the back sprocket to kind of match rpm with a engine a little better. Nothing scientific, just something I've been trying.

 

[Chupaca]

Wow..!!

never knew it to be that big a problem. Certainly not rendering the machine almost useless. Learning to handle the rpm's, shifting and powering through those points has worked well for our ryders. This may be an F3 problem with the longer belt but not all harmonics are from the belt. I would not judge all spyders by a 100 mile ryde considering I have 28,000 miles and that has never been a problem....have those that ryde with us with up to 84,000 miles no problem. It is hard to find the right adjustment and I would start there...jmo...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

If the bike is costing you sleep, worry, and time... sell it! :thumbup:

 

[bmccaffrey]

​Hey Mark, that's a pretty harsh charge.

It would be impossible for ANY manufacturer to design a windscreen which would work for all riders regardless of height, leg length or political persuasion.

That said, long belts have harmonics. If you don't care for that the aftermarket, Smooth spyder and Baker, no doubt are developing adaptations of their belt tensioners for the F-3 market.

Don't know of any bike made which comes correctly tuned in for all in the market; hence a thriving aftermarket accessory segment!!

Now if they would just develop a rear tire that you could turn and burn with that would get 15-20000 miles the world would be a better place:yikes::joke:

my comment was not meant for the windscreen, it was the vibration.. I'm sorry but we will have to argee to disagree... To sell a commercial product where the crusing speed (65-70) of many highways results in a riding condition that is down right miserable means one of two things, either BRP knew about it and released it anyway or they were incompetent in their testing. This is not a styling deficiency or a minor glitch, it is a major problem that makes the product partially unusable for the purpose it was manufactured for.....

mark[/QUOTE]

I would have to agree. I have ridden 2 of them. No windshield on either. Wind beat me to death.
I would love to try one with a windshield and see if there is a differance. I'm sure aftermarket will remedy this.
Other then that I loved It

 

[Nyparrothead]

It amazes me the number of people willing to spend 24000.00 on a product that cant comfortably be ridden at most highway speeds... What amazes me more are the number of people willing to excuse the issue and spend MORE money on aftermarket fixes ( which will result in BRP voiding warranty for driveline issues)

i must use value my money more than most or my expectations are just to high

mark

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually; I really LIKE my Spyder...
I've got nothing to complain about! :2thumbs:

 

[bmccaffrey]

Actually; I really LIKE my Spyder...
I've got nothing to complain about! :2thumbs:

Bob
I complain but no one listens.

So I just don't complain. :dontknow:

 

[Highwayman2013]

Gee, my 2012 has a belt harmonic and I just got used to it. It's just what the bike does. Madstad makes an adjustable windshield for the F3.

 

[Nyparrothead]

Gee, my 2012 has a belt harmonic and I just got used to it. It's just what the bike does. Madstad makes an adjustable windshield for the F3.

I will be buying a new windshield, that is not the problem. The vibration is horrible! If you don't have an F3 you don't know what I am talking about. Trust me, there is not getting accustomed to it.. If you ride in the speed range were these bike vibrate like hell, your fingers will be numb in no time......

again, BRP either didn't care that this issue existed or their engineering team is incompetent.

Mark

 

[Tazzel]

It amazes me the number of people willing to spend 24000.00 on a product that cant comfortably be ridden at most highway speeds... What amazes me more are the number of people willing to excuse the issue and spend MORE money on aftermarket fixes ( which will result in BRP voiding warranty for driveline issues)

i must use value my money more than most or my expectations are just to high

mark

If you had done any research before you spent your 24K you would have known about the vibration and known about the less then adequate Blue Shield at highway speeds. There has been plenty of information on these subjects. I am not saying the F3 is perfect, no bike i have own or ridden has been. you can try getting your belt adjusted or a belt tensioner when they come on the market. I have just learned to shift my F3 at the right speed and RPM's and the vibration has gone away. I am hoping BRP will make a larger windshield for the F3. I don't like the look of the Madstad and hope something else pops up on the market.

 

[jaherbst]

Actually; I really LIKE my Spyder...
I've got nothing to complain about! :2thumbs:

Me too!

Jack

 

[Big Jeff]

F3 Vibration and BR windshield issue

As an owner of a new F3 I have the same issues with the blueridge windshield and belt vibration. Suggest an Xcreen Tour clamp on windscreen. It is fully adjustable and will take any additional wind off your head/upper chest from the short blueridge windshield. It works great. As for belt vibration, Smooth Spyder is testing a product now to reduce/remove any excess vibration. Everyone is going to customize their spyder for them, just have to deal with those 2 issues the best you can unfortunately. Dealer will not resolve the vibration issue. Have had mine already at two of the local dealers for the vibration issue and each could only say belt was tensioned and aligned correctly. Service guy at dealer said it was inherent in the design unfortunately. Would definitely also reccommend a sway bar install and heim joint link kit. Difference in handling after they are installed is massive. Lamonster Garage products are also all very good looking and well made:f_spider:.

 

[Nyparrothead]

As an owner of a new F3 I have the same issues with the blueridge windshield and belt vibration. Suggest an Xcreen Tour clamp on windscreen. It is fully adjustable and will take any additional wind off your head/upper chest from the short blueridge windshield. It works great. As for belt vibration, Smooth Spyder is testing a product now to reduce/remove any excess vibration. Everyone is going to customize their spyder for them, just have to deal with those 2 issues the best you can unfortunately. Dealer will not resolve the vibration issue. Have had mine already at two of the local dealers for the vibration issue and each could only say belt was tensioned and aligned correctly. Service guy at dealer said it was inherent in the design unfortunately. Would definitely also reccommend a sway bar install and heim joint link kit. Difference in handling after they are installed is massive. Lamonster Garage products are also all very good looking and well made:f_spider:.

Finally, a voice of reason... My only fear of adding a tensioner is that if I have a driveline issue in the future, will Mother BRP use it as an excuse to disallow the warranty claim...

mark

 

[Highwayman2013]

Many people are running a tensioner and there have been no reports of driveline problems. Yes there are aftermarket products made and used on many spyders. If you want to run a tensioner and don't want your dealer to know, don't tell them and remove it before you take it in for service. Do not be fearful. Sorry not to be a voice of reason. Lol

 

[Wippi01]

I don't want to be disrespectful in any way. I know from past own experiences that a flaw in something you spend big money on can drive you nuts. The more I concentrated on the flaw the more it drove me crazy. It got to the point where I lost all joy I usually got out of it.
For years I have been telling my students when they complained about something to either
1. Love it
2. Change it or
3. Leave it
There are really only those three possibilities... Took me quite some time to realize that loving it is the easiest way.

What I'm trying to say: I just worry less (as Bob already pointed out)