Shifting the SE5

[tnohl]

I need some help with the recommended procedure for shifting the SE5. I was always told to roll off the throttle shift then roll on the throttle. Is this what Can Am suggests or can one just shift while on the throttle?

[zzneonzz]

I need some help with the recommended procedure for shifting the SE5. I was always told to roll off the throttle shift then roll on the throttle. Is this what Can Am suggests or can one just shift while on the throttle?

Best thing to due is make sure your above 3500 RPMS me i prefer above 4500 RPMS. Then hold the throttle stead and shift. Do not roll off the throttle and do not give it more throttle just hold it steady and it will produce a nice smooth shift.

[Questions]

I'm having trouble with the gears slipping from one to the other when I roll on the throttle while it is down shifting. Also, is anyone having trouble with the breaks squealing when they get hot?

[Big Arm]

welcome tnohl and pampchic43

[fastfraser]

Best thing to due is make sure your above 3500 RPMS me i prefer above 4500 RPMS. Then hold the throttle stead and shift. Do not roll off the throttle and do not give it more throttle just hold it steady and it will produce a nice smooth shift.

Had a post awhile back and same thing 4500 hold throttle steady shifts smooth as silk. Iknow revs sound a little high but it is a high rev motor as some shift at even higher RPMs. Any how after awhile you will shift by sound and feel without looking at RPMs.

[zzneonzz]

I'm having trouble with the gears slipping from one to the other when I roll on the throttle while it is down shifting. Also, is anyone having trouble with the breaks squealing when they get hot?

You need to hold the throttle steady when shifting up or down. If its downshifting on its own as you give it throttle you are freaking out the computer so it doesn't know weather to downshift or stay were its at.

Brake squeal is a problem with all models. Clean them rotors/pads of any dust and it will minimize the squeal. Some people have been successfull at getting the pads replaced under waranty if your using the old style pads.

[bone crusher]

You need to hold the throttle steady when shifting up or down. If its downshifting on its own as you give it throttle you are freaking out the computer so it doesn't know weather to downshift or stay were its at.

Brake squeal is a problem with all models. Clean them rotors/pads of any dust and it will minimize the squeal. Some people have been successfull at getting the pads replaced under waranty if your using the old style pads.

Just remember that softer pads wear out a lot faster, costing the owner more money...and they might not brake as well...friction is king!

[bjt]

welcome tnohl and pampchic43

welcome

[irish2themax]

I need some help with the recommended procedure for shifting the SE5. I was always told to roll off the throttle shift then roll on the throttle. Is this what Can Am suggests or can one just shift while on the throttle?

The Can Am rep at the demo I went to last week said to maintain the throttle position while shifting

[aubierules]

I'm having trouble with the gears slipping from one to the other when I roll on the throttle while it is down shifting. Also, is anyone having trouble with the breaks squealing when they get hot?

Thats because u hit the rpm where it auto downshifts...its best to roll off thethrottle while the machine downshifts

[aubierules]

The Can Am rep at the demo I went to last week said to maintain the throttle position while shifting

only upshifting...not downshifting

[zzneonzz]

only upshifting...not downshifting

This is not completely true. I downshift quite often while maintaining throttle position. If your letting it Auto Downshift then this would be correct but if your manually downshifting to increase power holding the throttle steady seems to work best.

[Firefly]

Someone needs to do a mod so you can shut the auto-downshifting off.

[zzneonzz]

Someone needs to do a mod so you can shut the auto-downshifting off.

Why? I don't see any problems with the auto downshift especially when you don't have to allow it to downshift you can always do it prior to the 2500 RPM's or 1500 RPM's for 1st. I generally downshift manually to 2nd gear to have the engine help with braking but 99.9% of the time i let it auto shift to first.

[aubierules]

This is not completely true. I downshift quite often while maintaining throttle position. If your letting it Auto Downshift then this would be correct but if your manually downshifting to increase power holding the throttle steady seems to work best.

i was referring to auto downshift...HMM.. i see no reason to keep the gas applied while downshifting anyway...doesnt make sense to me

[zzneonzz]

i was referring to auto downshift...HMM.. i see no reason to keep the gas applied while downshifting anyway...doesnt make sense to me

Really? You never need the extra power to pass someone or to get into traffic? Thats when i keep on the throttle and downshift

[Firefly]

Why? I don't see any problems with the auto downshift especially when you don't have to allow it to downshift you can always do it prior to the 2500 RPM's or 1500 RPM's for 1st. I generally downshift manually to 2nd gear to have the engine help with braking but 99.9% of the time i let it auto shift to first.

So why didn't they just make the SE5 do automatic upshifting too?

I hear in 2010 the auto-steering Spyder will be out - but it only auto-steers to the right -

[zzneonzz]

I hear in 2010 the auto-steering Spyder will be out - but it only auto-steers to the right -

Thats good news cuz from some of the posts i've seen the 2008/09 tend to autosteer to whatever side they want atleast now we know which way to counter it

[aubierules]

Really? You never need the extra power to pass someone or to get into traffic? Thats when i keep on the throttle and downshift

no...my spyder has always had plenty of torque to pass without the need for a downshift..and i can never imagine needing to downshift getting into traffic either....if i upshift properly while accelerating i dont need to downshift...maybe thats just me

[aubierules]

Don't you ever downshift to power through a turn? Even on the SM5, I usually hold the throttle steady, feather the clutch, and drop a gear to better accelerate out of the turn......

nope..never had the need for it..i always enter the turn hard then downshift, then when coming out of the turn i give it throttle....rpms never low enuf to downshift..for me that is

[tnohl]

I wanted to thank every one for their help with my shifting question. I wasn't able to get any info from my dealer, and you all gave me the exact information I was looking for. Thanks again.

[aubierules]

I'm confused-so you are downshifting then

no, i mispoke..... i go into the curve hard, tap brake, let bike downshift(throttle not open)apply throttle thru curve, while exiting curve i upshift....so i let the bike downshift when it needs to, then apply throttle thru curve...keep in mind im not trying to go 100 mph thru curve....for the 25 years or so when i rode 2 wheels...i did downshift a good bit to power thru stuff....just havent found that i need to on the spyder..it seems to do fine without

[mike3069]

I hear in 2010 the auto-steering Spyder will be out - but it only auto-steers to the right -

Guess we can't use it in NASCAR

[aubierules]

Guess we can't use it in NASCAR

good point! nascar is to the left....nice observation

[JPoehlman]

The auto downshifts blip the throttle automatically. You can't turn it off.

Unless I am going for max exceleration on my SE5 on upshifts I feather the throttle a tiny bit. It seems to smooth out the transition from lower to higher gear. It's something I've always done since when riding a motorcycle.

YMMV

Dennis in Maryland
The Krusty Old Phart
Still turnin' burnin' and lurnin'
2008 Can AM Spyder Yellow SE5
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9949290@N02