Automatic downshift

[Questions]

Hey guys, my name is Alex. I am new to the spyder world. I work at a dealership and we recently started carrying spyders and they have caught my attention a lot. One question that i find customers have often is about the automatic downshift that they do, and why do they not automatically upshift again. What my question i have is do they make an aftermarket upshift kit where it will upshift on its own if you are in cruise control? i just cant find anything on something like that. Thanks for the help in advance

[Bob Denman]

Nope: there's nothing out there, that'll turn the SE transmissions, into fully-automatic versions.
The computers read the engine rpm levels, and downshift only when they drop too low...
Actually; that's oversimplified... :shocked: The latest versions are FAR more intuitive than the earlier ones. The only times that I actually perform a manual downshift now: when I'm dropping gears to gain speed for a passing maneuver. :thumbup:
When braking down from 55 mph (when entering a Town with posted limits of 30 mph); I've had the bike drop back to fifth as late as 35 mph, and as early as 42 mph. It seems to be dependent upon what I'm doing with the brakes.

[jtoro1]

Hey guys, my name is Alex. I am new to the spyder world. I work at a dealership and we recently started carrying spyders and they have caught my attention a lot. One question that i find customers have often is about the automatic downshift that they do, and why do they not automatically upshift again. What my question i have is do they make an aftermarket upshift kit where it will upshift on its own if you are in cruise control? i just cant find anything on something like that. Thanks for the help in advanceIt will only down shift not up shift. No one makes an upshifter

[Chupaca]

seem they could and maybe they will some day. but in the mean time your going to have to make the effort...:banghead: I love the manual no magic you do it all and it works the best that way...:thumbup:

[Geoandkay]

I don't know of any aftermarket "shifter." IMHO, Spyders are offered with a semi-automatic paddle shift in order to keep the rider engaged in the ryding experience.

[Bob Denman]

http://www.apriliausa.com/technology/aprc.html

I'm only seeing an "SE-Style" setup; which model are you referring to? :dontknow:

[Peter Aawen]

..... One question that i find customers have often is about the automatic downshift that they do, and why do they not automatically upshift again. What my question i have is do they make an aftermarket upshift kit where it will upshift on its own if you are in cruise control? ....

Think of it this way (&/or maybe explain it this way too!! ;) )....

The SE gearbox on the Spyder is NOT an 'automatic' gearbox like you get in a car, it's the same MANUAL gearbox as the SM5/6's have but with a centrifugal or hydraulic clutch (depending on the 998 vs 1330 motor) so that you don't hafta play with a lever (that car drivers aren't used to) & an electronic sequential shifter on it (hence the 'flappy paddles') that also happens to have a 'fail-safe downshift' feature built into it so that the rider can't damage the engine or clutch too much by forcing it to lug along at too slow a speed/revs in too high a gear. :thumbup:


Now who'd want to let a sequential manual gearbox up-shift by itself when the whole 'reason d'être' for these things is so you can safely & enjoyably do full throttle up-shifts??! :2thumbs:



There might even be some who'd ask "why ever would you buy a vehicle so 'sexy & sophisticated' that it has an electronic sequential shift manual box on it only to be lazy enough to let the 'fail-safe downshift' take over for you when you could flip up OR down at the flick of a finger?".... but I guess it takes all types.... :rolleyes:

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Hey guys, my name is Alex. I am new to the spyder world. I work at a dealership and we recently started carrying spyders and they have caught my attention a lot. One question that i find customers have often is about the automatic downshift that they do, and why do they not automatically upshift again. What my question i have is do they make an aftermarket upshift kit where it will upshift on its own if you are in cruise control? i just cant find anything on something like that. Thanks for the help in advance
It could be done but it would require a substantial rewrite of the software in the transmission control module. I don't think anyone outside of BRP is capable of doing that without extensive reverse engineering of the software, and I don't think there would be any money to be made doing so.

[billybovine]

I think of the auto downshift for the times you are too lazy or busy to do it yourself.

[DrewNJ]

I think of the auto downshift for the times you are too lazy or busy to do it yourself.
Like when your changing songs, or checking texts or emails on your phone....[emoji23] [emoji12] [emoji85]

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[retread]

Aprilia has (had?) an 850 Manos? that was full auto, don't see it in their line up for this year. Honda has several dual clutch models that will shft full auto. BRP could adapt a snowmobile powertrain, and give people a full auto option.

john

[Ron2andia]

I shift up and down for the fun of it.. Would miss it if I didn't have to up shift...

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

how lazy can a person be that they don't upshift?! perhaps brp should start making centrifical clutch spyders.

[Bob Denman]

The current system is also only capable of reading rpm levels; not toque loads.
I'm pretty sure that you'd need to add that to the equation, in order to build a full-auto...

[ARtraveler]

Nope: there's nothing out there, that'll turn the SE transmissions, into fully-automatic versions.
The computers read the engine rpm levels, and downshift only when they drop too low...
Actually; that's oversimplified... :shocked: The latest versions are FAR more intuitive than the earlier ones. The only times that I actually perform a manual downshift now: when I'm dropping gears to gain speed for a passing maneuver. :thumbup:
When braking down from 55 mph (when entering a Town with posted limits of 30 mph); I've had the bike drop back to fifth as late as 35 mph, and as early as 42 mph. It seems to be dependent upon what I'm doing with the brakes.

:agree: I have both a 2011 (998) and a 2014 (1330). As mentioned above, no automatic upshift and the downshift is automatic unless overridden by the driver.

I don't like the "clunk" on the 998, so tend to downshift it when I feel appropriate. Linda, lets it do its job and is satisfied with the way it is.

I pretty much let the 1330 do its thing. I also believe the shifting mechanism is a bit more sophisticated. I have only manually downshifted less than 5 times in the two years I have owned it.

I also feel the paddle shifter helps to give the :ani29: a bit of an interactive feel. I actually had a 750 Hondamatic. That was a twist the throttle and go. It had two gear ranges on it--which you preset first. It always sounded like a jet winding out. Unique at first, but I quickly tired of it. Did not feel like I was much a part of the driving.

[Bob Denman]

:D We had your 750's little brother: the 400!
It bogged off the line, but was easy to ride!
I guess that I prefer the semi-auto version; no clutching is required on the part of the rider, but you've still got a hand in the game! :2thumbs:

[ARtraveler]

:D We had your 750's little brother: the 400!
It bogged off the line, but was easy to ride!
I guess that I prefer the semi-auto version; no clutching is required on the part of the rider, but you've still got a hand in the game! :2thumbs:

Back in mid 70's these were touted as "women's" bikes. They did bring a few ladies aboard. Back then, the GW was not an item. The 750 was bought stock and then the farkleing began. Usually Windjammer Fairing, Saddlebags, and Travel Trunk. Then, make it your own. One of my lady customers got the 750 and by the time she was done--it was a pretty snazzy looking machine.