Are the 2022 RT's speed limited by the computer ? My past few bikes have been limited and I was wondering if the Can Am's are also....
I don't think so .... I've had two V-twins and my 2014 RT maxed out in top gear and they weren't able to go any faster. They just didn't have the HP to do it..... JMHO .... Mike
A couple of my newer bikes have rev limiters on them as does my RT. That's more for engine protection than it is a speed limiter. Not all bikes have the needed horsepower to get to the rev limiter in the higher gears. The wind resistance is just too great for the available power to overcome. Then there was this; A gentlemen's agreement was made among the major motorcycle manufacturers to limit the speed of their machines to 300 km/h (186 mph), starting with 2000 models. That was agreed upon for the FEW motorcycles that could actually reach that speed and of course the Spyder isn't one of them. Not even close. I have read where some countries in Europe are considering technology on new vehicles that would limit them to the posted speeds.
Don't know.
I do know my '21 RTL will easily and smoothly run 95mph in 6th gear with 2 riders but haven't had the need to try and push it above that... yet.
2021 RT Ltd, Marsala Red/Black, Dark New course heading Mr Sulu: 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning...
I don't really know for sure about the 20+ Spyders, but I do expect they'd be at least similar to the earlier models and for those made earlier than that, there's been similar threads & discussion both here & elsewhere, & IIRC, there's even vids showing this in action - I'm pretty sure they're not actually 'SPEED limited' per se, it's more of a Wide Open Throttle Limit that effectively achieves the same thing!
So unless you've had your ECU upgraded to remove this WOT limit, the throttle just won't remain Wide Open for very long before it cuts back a bit - and that means that while you can get the engine to accelerate pretty hard, you simply can't hold WOT for long enough to continue increasing road speed until you reach the potential maximum speed the engine's power/revs should be able to deliver when balanced against the dirty great wall of air our Spyder's hafta push ahead of them & all the other 'natural' restrictions that team up to limit top speed!
So AFAIK, NO, they're NOTSpeed limited as such, but there's more than one way to achieve that end, & BRP have found at least one of them!
Drag force does vary with the square of the speed, but power needed to overcome that drag force varies with the cube of the speed.
the power needed to push an object through a fluid increases as the cube of the velocity. A car cruising on a highway at 50 mph (80 km/h) may require only 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) to overcome aerodynamic drag, but that same car at 100 mph (160 km/h) requires 80 hp (60 kW).[16] With a doubling of speed the drag (force) quadruples per the formula. Exerting 4 times the force over a fixed distance produces 4 times as much work. At twice the speed the work (resulting in displacement over a fixed distance) is done twice as fast. Since power is the rate of doing work, 4 times the work done in half the time requires 8 times the power."
well that's how i remember it from my drag racing days back in the 80's and early 90's.
My previous bikes have all been speed limited and I was curious if the Can Am was also limited, not by rpm or wind drag , just plain old mph. Two harley's were done at
107 mph, 2018 goldwing was 112, no matter what gear they were in. They would accelarate strong to the mph and just go no further.
I helped developed the ECU flash that is I believe the only one available in the USA. Simply put BRP only allows the RT platform to reach 105 to 108 mph and the F3 sport to reach 112 to 116 MPH. Yes some riders report under optimal conditions, (going down hill) a little higher MPHs. That is why I don't post this info it just starts a pissing fight on the forum.
We had hundreds of hours trying to unlock speed restrictions and found that the ignition ECU, Transmission ECU, and the dash computer all are active in controlling top speed. We gave up as all 3 components would need to be flashed together. It was calculated that if Can-Am unlocked everything and gave us 150HP plus, as the motor is capable, the RT platform would reach 128 to 130 mph and the F3 Sport could break 140 mph.
Dennis
Last edited by Dennis in Lodi; 10-16-2022 at 08:28 AM.
There was a guy reflashing the new Goldwing computers who had good results, but he decided to stop doing it due to the govt coming down on shops modifying vehicles, whether it was bikes, or trucks, or cars. It could be very expensive if they are found doing these modifications...
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 10-17-2022 at 06:27 AM.
Reason: Ther & ' 's ;-)
I helped developed the ECU flash that is I believe the only one available in the USA. Simply put BRP only allows the RT platform to reach 105 to 108 mph and the F3 sport to reach 112 to 116 MPH. Yes some riders report under optimal conditions, (going down hill) a little higher MPHs. That is why I don't post this info it just starts a pissing fight on the forum.
We had hundreds of hours trying to unlock speed restrictions and found that the ignition ECU, Transmission ECU, and the dash computer all are active in controlling top speed. We gave up as all 3 components would need to be flashed together. It was calculated that if Can-Am unlocked everything and gave us 150HP plus, as the motor is capable, the RT platform would reach 128 to 130 mph and the F3 Sport could break 140 mph.
Dennis
I didn't know that the RT was limited to 108 mph by the ECU. I had mine up to about 108 for a very short time and thought it just ran out of HP, pushing that big barn door front end through the wind at that speed.
Nevertheless, I'm not unhappy with cruising at 75 mph.
To me, the Spyder is a recreational vehicle.
What's your hurry?
Just my opinion, I could be wrong, and I'm sure someone on this forum will be delighted to tell me so.
If it ain't broke, don't break it.
IBA #47122
2020 RT Limited Asphalt Grey
I didn't know that the RT was limited to 108 mph by the ECU. I had mine up to about 108 for a very short time and thought it just ran out of HP, pushing that big barn door front end through the wind at that speed.
Nevertheless, I'm not unhappy with cruising at 75 mph.
To me, the Spyder is a recreational vehicle.
What's your hurry?
Just my opinion, I could be wrong, and I'm sure someone on this forum will be delighted to tell me so.
The flash is for making better acceleration performance in the RPM ranges that everyone drives in. 25% more power from idle until your personal preference for RPM shift points. Where it is really noticed is coming up an interstate ramp 2 up and how quickly you get to your 75mph. And, just like the pedal commander the acceleration happens with less twisting of the throttle.
For me, I'm kind of on the same page as you. I didn't get the flash this time around for 3 reasons. 1. The Pedal Commander device delivered the quicker throttle response that I was addicted when I had the flash. 2 Warranty. 3. I have a 2 wheel race bike to meet my speed needs.
For my 2021 RTL I have no intentions of putting a sway bar on, changing shocks, or getting the ECU flashed. My RTL is cushy plush in all riding conditions. For those who like their ride as is, you should really consider the Pedal Commander to reduce your throttle roll on by about 40%. Hard to explain, but it is addictive having shorter and quicker throttle response.
Dennis
105 at 5500 rpm today and that was all she had not one iota more, SLEDGE got there quickly but at 105 it was all over, i tried down shifting to 5th and nothing happened, the RTL ia also very very thirsty at that speed as you can see from the picture.
105 at 5500 rpm today and that was all she had not one iota more, SLEDGE got there quickly but at 105 it was all over, i tried down shifting to 5th and nothing happened, the RTL ia also very very thirsty at that speed as you can see from the picture.
AFAIK the german RT's are registered to get >120mpH (195km/h) as highest possible speed in their registration papers.
At https://www.auto.de/magazin/can-spyd...erheitsfimmel/ (a german test magazine) they also write about the Speed on a F3. They tested it at 198 km/h (123mp/h). That speed sounds quite realistic as cars with roundabout 120hp don't hit much more than 200 km/h. The Alpina B8 GC needs 620 hp to touch the 200mph.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 12-14-2022 at 05:31 PM.
Reason: Exposed hidden URL iaw Forum Policy ;-)
There is a rev-limiter so the answer to your question is most likely yes. I have heard top speed around 105 or so.
We have never pushed the limits. Currently, posted speed limit--plus no more than five mph. On quiet country roads, we like to putz along at around 40 mph. Saves gas and we enjoy the great scenery.
Our 19 and 20 F3L's will do at least 80.
A bit off topic...but the latest issue of Rider shows the "new" 1100 cc Honda Rebel with fairing and saddle bags. Looks like a H-D Road King. Very nice, 27" high seat, semi auto tranny available, weight around 500#, and in a beautiful burgandy red. $11,299. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
Last edited by ARtraveler; 12-16-2022 at 01:37 PM.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
the RTL ia also very very thirsty at that speed as you can see from the picture.
This reminded me of the best Top Speed car review ever. The Bugatti Veron... "At this speed the tires will only last 15 minutes... but that's OK because the fuel will run out in 12!"