Yellow Spyder Fire

[Dudley]

Great fall evening last night. Trying to get another ride in before this weather changes. Riding bike and see some smoke and next thing I fell in heat and see flames......Got my butt off the bike and called Fire Department.......

Will post pic later.......But the entire front end is gone .......Lost my laptop and a camera .....This is crazy they have to find out the cause before someone get hurt...... Or is it going to take someone to get hurt before they do something about this?????

OK, so I am confused. We are all glad you were not hurt, but I have a question. If the front end of the Spyder is gone, where did the fire start? I had the impression from what I have read in the past that the fires were in the area of the engine, not the front end where there is nothing but a trunk, wheels, etc. Just wondering?

 

[Gimpy Girl]

Glad to hear that your alright, but sorry to hear about the loss of your Spyder. Hope that all gets fixed quickly for you.

 

[pitmon]

Not good at all... glad to hear you are ok, but so sorry for your loss. Thank goodness for insurance. Again, so glad u are ok.

 

[fastfraser]

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[Rando]

Mr. K's Spyder

 

[M2Wild]

OK, so I am confused. We are all glad you were not hurt, but I have a question. If the front end of the Spyder is gone, where did the fire start? I had the impression from what I have read in the past that the fires were in the area of the engine, not the front end where there is nothing but a trunk, wheels, etc. Just wondering?

I guess if the fire is in front of my crotch I'd consider it front end and if its my azz getting the heat, I'd call it the back end. If both are getting cooked at the same time .... I'd say thats the middle.:roflblack::shemademe_smilie:

Those pics looks like the fire started in the engine area.

 

[BajaRon]

Ouch! That looks serious.

 

[Smylinacha]

Wow - bad fire! What the heck is causing this? I remember talking about it a while back but then it faded.

Was this a totally stock bike? nothing done w/ hoses or any of the guts inside?

 

[SE5spyder]

Does any body know if BRP came up with some conclusion on these fires? Mr.K please keep us informed on what BRP tells you and glad you are safe. Hope all works out in this investigation. There are some SERIOUS issues going on and really do hope BRP resolves these issues...sooner than later for all of our safety!!!

 

[Rando]

NHTSA

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

 

[Roaddog2]

Mr. K's Spyder

Ouch :yikes: wow hear we go again :gaah: I'm just glad your ok :ani29:

 

[WaltH]

Does any body know if BRP came up with some conclusion on these fires? Mr.K please keep us informed on what BRP tells you and glad you are safe. Hope all works out in this investigation. There are some SERIOUS issues going on and really do hope BRP resolves these issues...sooner than later for all of our safety!!!

Carlo told me that BRP had finished their investigation and that the case was closed. They have not provided an explanation of the cause, or made any recommendations for things we could do. To the best of my knowledge, they did not actually inspect any of the burned Spyders. They would not have been able to get away with this if more owners had reported their fires to the NHTSA. There should have been a recall for the fire hazard and an accounting for the responsibility. As it stands, we are completely on our own.

In my opinion, BRP handled the fire situation very poorly. First, they refused to acknowledge the existence of the fires, and then they tried to place the blame on the owners themselves (did modifications) and finally, they just quietly closed the book. Is it any wonder that BRP lacks credibility on the steering issue?

 

[Firefly]

Carlo told me that BRP had finished their investigation and that the case was closed. They have not provided an explanation of the cause, or made any recommendations for things we could do. To the best of my knowledge, they did not actually inspect any of the burned Spyders. They would not have been able to get away with this if more owners had reported their fires to the NHTSA. There should have been a recall for the fire hazard and an accounting for the responsibility. As it stands, we are completely on our own.

In my opinion, BRP handled the fire situation very poorly. First, they refused to acknowledge the existence of the fires, and then they tried to place the blame on the owners themselves (did modifications) and finally, they just quietly closed the book. Is it any wonder that BRP lacks credibility on the steering issue?

I agree with you to some degree..... people just didn't take the time to file-- so nothing ever really got done--- that we know of.

My *personal* opinion is that the recent purge valve updates and re-routing of the evap can vent line was to do with gas fumes and *possibly* the fires.

I would be interested to know what updates 'Mr. K' had performed -- and also what mods.

This fire seems VERY different than the others - looks like it started in the trunk or front engine area. The other fires didn't appear to start that far up---- more under the seat around the tank.

We need to not jump to conclusions here until we know more. He said he had a laptop in the trunk--- and there have been cases of laptop fires in recent years due to bad batteries -- so anything is possible.

I'm still a bit confused on the chain of events--- riding or parked, etc....

Glad no one was hurt!

I would also add to Mr. K ---- PLEASE file a report with the NHTSA --- and DON'T let them take the Spyder away until you're satisfied with the investigation into the cause of the fire!

 

[Smylinacha]

My *personal* opinion is that the recent purge valve updates and re-routing of the evap can vent line was to do with gas fumes and *possibly* the fires.

Yeah without telling anyone a valid reason for this update. That is sneaky. They really didn't come out an say why for that update.

 

[mjw930]

I agree with you to some degree..... people just didn't take the time to file-- so nothing ever really got done--- that we know of.

My *personal* opinion is that the recent purge valve updates and re-routing of the evap can vent line was to do with gas fumes and *possibly* the fires.

I would be interested to know what updates 'Mr. K' had performed -- and also what mods.

This fire seems VERY different than the others - looks like it started in the trunk or front engine area. The other fires didn't appear to start that far up---- more under the seat around the tank.

We need to not jump to conclusions here until we know more. He said he had a laptop in the trunk--- and there have been cases of laptop fires in recent years due to bad batteries -- so anything is possible.

I'm still a bit confused on the chain of events--- riding or parked, etc....

Glad no one was hurt!

I would also add to Mr. K ---- PLEASE file a report with the NHTSA --- and DON'T let them take the Spyder away until you're satisfied with the investigation into the cause of the fire!

No conclusions need to be drawn. As it stands now there is a documented history of fires and defective / dangerous steering problems. Not exactly the kind of press BRP needs when trying to launch a $25K touring machine.

If they don't get off their collective ass and figure these things out FAST they risk doing irreparable harm to the brand and the product. Can anyone here say "Corvair"?

And don't go on about how everything mechanical has problems, these are becoming systemic and have the potential to ruin the reputation of the product and the company and I for one don't want to own a latter day Corvair or Edsel.

If my wife didn't love the Spyder so much AND be the most comfortable she's ever been on a bike I would demand she sell it tomorrow. The last thing I need is for her to lose control and crash or have the beast catch of fire in the garage and take out over $100K cars and bikes.........

To say I'm both pissed and conflicted would be an understatement.......

 

[Way2Fast]

:2thumbs:

No conclusions need to be drawn. As it stands now there is a documented history of fires and defective / dangerous steering problems. Not exactly the kind of press BRP needs when trying to launch a $25K touring machine.

If they don't get off their collective ass and figure these things out FAST they risk doing irreparable harm to the brand and the product. Can anyone here say "Corvair"?

And don't go on about how everything mechanical has problems, these are becoming systemic and have the potential to ruin the reputation of the product and the company and I for one don't want to own a latter day Corvair or Edsel.

If my wife didn't love the Spyder so much AND be the most comfortable she's ever been on a bike I would demand she sell it tomorrow. The last thing I need is for her to lose control and crash or have the beast catch of fire in the garage and take out over $100K cars and bikes.........

To say I'm both pissed and conflicted would be an understatement.......

:2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[Questions]

No conclusions need to be drawn. As it stands now there is a documented history of fires and defective / dangerous steering problems. Not exactly the kind of press BRP needs when trying to launch a $25K touring machine.

If they don't get off their collective ass and figure these things out FAST they risk doing irreparable harm to the brand and the product. Can anyone here say "Corvair"?

And don't go on about how everything mechanical has problems, these are becoming systemic and have the potential to ruin the reputation of the product and the company and I for one don't want to own a latter day Corvair or Edsel.

If my wife didn't love the Spyder so much AND be the most comfortable she's ever been on a bike I would demand she sell it tomorrow. The last thing I need is for her to lose control and crash or have the beast catch of fire in the garage and take out over $100K cars and bikes.........

To say I'm both pissed and conflicted would be an understatement.......

There has been many comments made about how on forums "just the people with problems post" . Well , let me tell you my experience with forums having owned Motorcycles with my hubby for over 20 years and being in many clubs and being very active on the internet. There is no forum that I have ever belonged to that has such a loyal following , HOWEVER the problems with the Spyder are leaps and bounds more numerous and serious beyond anything we have ever seen in our 100,000's of thousands of miles (literally) on 2 wheels.(now 3). This is beyond a few ticked off owners and BRP is doesn't appear equipped to solve this at this time. The dealer network is marginal (compared to say Yamaha or kawasaki) and many owners travel far to just get a compitent technician , and BRP's own Engineers appear to be over-taxed at quickly solving problems. Hubby sold his Spyder months ago and mine sits because we quite frankly do not trust the DPS. I am waiting for a fix (permanent) not throwing another DPS unit at it like is being done on many Spyders now. Just look at all the DPS problem posts in the last few days!!!!
Our dealer says the part number has not superceded and they are a high volume dealer and are shaking their heads at the actual DPS failures they are seeing. MANY. There have been recent posts here about how people have bad DPS units right out of the box after they are installed. CHINA UGH> The fires? Won't even go there . Too depressing. I don't feel safe on a 2wheeler , I want to feel safe again.

 

[WackyDan]

I doubt it was the laptop. The industry recovered from the contaminated SONY battery cells some time ago, and most Lithium Ion cells from that long ago would be nearing their cycle count limits, or would have chemically degraded to not being too useful as a battery anymore. I worked that recall for my company... was the most hellish experience I've had working in the computer industry. *I work as an engineer for Lenovo.

That said, a Lithium Ion battery needs to be in a state of rapid discharge, or rapid charging, or have a serious impact to a cell to actually catch fire/heatup. The charge controllers limit overcharging, and the batteries are designed with maximum system draw in mind.

Unless he had his laptop plugged into the 12v outlet in the trunk, I find it highly unlikely that it would be the laptop.

We need to not jump to conclusions here until we know more. He said he had a laptop in the trunk--- and there have been cases of laptop fires in recent years due to bad batteries -- so anything is possible.

 

[Firefly]

I doubt it was the laptop. The industry recovered from the contaminated SONY battery cells some time ago, and most Lithium Ion cells from that long ago would be nearing their cycle count limits, or would have chemically degraded to not being too useful as a battery anymore. I worked that recall for my company... was the most hellish experience I've had working in the computer industry. *I work as an engineer for Lenovo.

That said, a Lithium Ion battery needs to be in a state of rapid discharge, or rapid charging, or have a serious impact to a cell to actually catch fire/heatup. The charge controllers limit overcharging, and the batteries are designed with maximum system draw in mind.

Unless he had his laptop plugged into the 12v outlet in the trunk, I find it highly unlikely that it would be the laptop.

Yeah-- I would doubt it too--- just using that as an example since this fire was so strange compare to the others. Maybe something else electrical up front - something with the fuse box, etc..... I mean that trunk was melted right off the bike--- had to have started nearby I would think.

Would be interesting to see day-time photos and closeups.

 

[RoadHammer]

I find it strange he was riding in one post and in another followup post "that disapeared" said he was stopped picking up the mail or something.