Next Gen Spyder Drvetrain

[h0gr1der]

First 24 hour summary:

* Most Popular setup: Shaft/Increased Engine Displacement/Semi Auto Trans
* 92% of respondents would like to have shaft drive
* Riders still like to “go through the gears” with 64% opting for a Semi Auto Trans; although a full Auto Trans has a strong following
* 71% of respondents would like more HP
* Surprisingly only 8% want to continue with a belt final drive

Interesting informal stats. I’ll summarize again in a week. BRP are you listening?

If I understand the Honda DTC transmission with its 2 clutches, it can be used semi-auto or fully auto at the riders discretion. Pitch in Honda DTC riders, let me know. No personal experience with the new stuff.

[AVBIZ]

If I understand the Honda DTC transmission with its 2 clutches, it can be used semi-auto or fully auto at the riders discretion. Pitch in Honda DTC riders, let me know. No personal experience with the new stuff.

DCT which started as a curiosity for Honda has turned into a big hit on all its models. I would have it on a bike without hesitation.

[ARtraveler]

DCT which started as a curiosity for Honda has turned into a big hit on all its models. I would have it on a bike without hesitation.

The 1976 Hondamatic 750 had a similar transmission. Just like a car with Drive and Low settings on an automatic. I bought a new one and had it for a couple years. No hand shifting required. Just snick it into D or L, turn the throttle and go.

[AVBIZ]

The 1976 Hondamatic 750 had a similar transmission. Just like a car with Drive and Low settings on an automatic. I actually had one of those for a couple years. No hand shifting required. Just snick it into D or L, turn the throttle and go.

Almost bought one of those a couple months back.

[Bfromla]

Has anybody here ever had a belt failure ? Is it a Can-Am thing ? Lots of H-D's and Indian/Victory's with years/miles on belts with low failure rates. And, yes, some serious power with built Harley's having no issues with belts...

59583 miles no bet problems here. (Knocking on wood) shaft would be little more comfort in road work areas with gravel & tar chip.

[h0gr1der]

As I understand it the Honda DTC has 2 clutches, one for each shaft in the transmission. This allows it to automatically shift up and down. Our Spyders having the one clutch only have half of our shifting available as automatic. At least that's the way the article described it.

[AVBIZ]

Bump..

[Fat Baxter]

I opted for the current setup. This keeps things easier for the dealership, and the tech only has to be familiar with one basic drivetrain. Tends to help keep costs down. If they went to a shaft drive/bigger engine, then in a few years the technicians will eventually become less familiar with your older bike.

Personally, I think the current engine has more than enough horsepower and grunt.

At my last duty station, I had a GI come back after several consecutive overseas tours. He got his then 20-year-old Yamaha out of long term storage at his parents' house, and took it the local dealer, who wouldn't touch it. No longer had parts in the system for it, and the techs weren't familiar with it.

[AVBIZ]

I opted for the current setup. This keeps things easier for the dealership, and the tech only has to be familiar with one basic drivetrain. Tends to help keep costs down. If they went to a shaft drive/bigger engine, then in a few years the technicians will eventually become less familiar with your older bike.

Personally, I think the current engine has more than enough horsepower and grunt.



At my last duty station, I had a GI come back after several consecutive overseas tours. He got his then 20-year-old Yamaha out of long term storage at his parents' house, and took it the local dealer, who wouldn't touch it. No longer had parts in the system for it, and the techs weren't familiar with it.

Good points. While buying a Can-Am later this year; my current daily rider is 47 years old- a 1973 Honda Scrambler. I bought from the original owner last year and have been in a continual process of refreshing mechanical items to bring it up to a reliable performance level. So far compression is good in both cylinders so no need for an engine rebuild. Tell your GI friend he’ll need to tap the vintage bike repair network which is alive and robust as us Boomers all want to ride the bikes of our youth and the vintage repair market is happy to accommodate. I have Atlanta Motor Works near by and they do great work on all makes.

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[chris56]

ROTAX built their first H2- Elektro snowmobile .. if that technik fits in the Lynx it should be no problem to use it also for a Spyder RT .. maybe thats the next generation !!

https://www.rotax.com/en/news/latest...e-concept.html

[AVBIZ]

ROTAX built their first H2- Elektro snowmobile .. if that technik fits in the Lynx it should be no problem to use it also for a Spyder RT .. maybe thats the next generation !!

https://www.rotax.com/en/news/latest...e-concept.html

Very cool. Didn’t know ROTAX was a division of Bombardier just thought BRP used their engines.

[308gunner]

For the F-3 sport ..a 4 cyl motor....no turbo..a turbo might cause problems in the long term.....horsepower increase to 200
HP... And a increase in torque to match...maybe increase to an SE-8 speed trans. ....to compete against the the BMW and Honda neo-wing..the Honda is coming ...the belt system is fine for the sport.

[PistonBlown]

Has anybody here ever had a belt failure ? Is it a Can-Am thing ? Lots of H-D's and Indian/Victory's with years/miles on belts with low failure rates. And, yes, some serious power with built Harley's having no issues with belts...

Got through two belts so far, both damaged by stones. A common problem over here because of the chip and tar resurfacing.

[PistonBlown]

No one else wants manual trans then?

[Wahrsuul]

I'd go manual trans before going back to the semi-auto I have now. If I'd have known before I bought...

The Honda DCT has 2 clutches, one for odd gears and one for even. It can be "manually" shifted just like many cars/trucks today. As I recall it also has sport and tour modes.

Honestly, a 4 cyl would be ok, but I've got to say - having owned mostly 4 cylinder bikes, the triple is surprisingly smooth with great torque. If I was going to pick an engine for the next RT, I think I'd go with the V4 from the Honda ST. It would fit between the wheels easily enough, and if oriented front to back, lends itself easily to shaft drive.

I don't mind a belt at all, they're the most efficient of the three drive trains. But, shaft is less worrisome for some.

200HP? Why? People buy horsepower, but they drive torque.

[Michaelscs]

No one else wants manual trans then?

I want a manual! I found a used F3-T with a manual this fall and I scooped it up. Last of the T's with a manual. I had a Daytona with a manual, but we ride a lot of 2-up and I wanted the air suspension. Don't know what I'll do when it's time for a change... probably no more Spyder for me.

[AVBIZ]

I want a manual! I found a used F3-T with a manual this fall and I scooped it up. Last of the T's with a manual. I had a Daytona with a manual, but we ride a lot of 2-up and I wanted the air suspension. Don't know what I'll do when it's time for a change... probably no more Spyder for me.

Thought I saw on a “Smoaks” video that BRP already has a plan in place to retire the manual trans option. That’s why I didn’t include in the survey.

[Michaelscs]

Thought I saw on a “Smoaks” video that BRP already has a plan in place to retire the manual trans option. That’s why I didn’t include in the survey.

They pretty much already have. The only model with a manual is the F3-S.

[Mike4143]

I have a 2015 RT Limited now but I had a Goldwing trike before and there is no comparison between the 2 bikes. The wing with shaft drive is so smooth and the Spyder with belt drive cannot compete. Belt is just tooooo long to be as smooth.
You cannot compare the power between the 2 bikes, the wing has about the same hp but much more torque which really shows when pulling a trailer up in the mountains. The fuel mileage is about the same I get between 38 to 43 riding
2 up with both bikes and I believe the Wing tank is a little smaller and uses regular gas not high test. The maintenance on the Spyder could be better and less expensive.
My vote is shaft drive, more cc's with an engine with less noise and runs on regular gas. I like the Spyder and went to it because of arthritis in the hands and like the semi=auto trans.

[wmjkweber02]

The Honda DCT would be an awesome addition. They really got that one right.

[AVBIZ]

The Honda DCT would be an awesome addition. They really got that one right.

I agree; made Honda’s Africa Twin a top seller.

[AVBIZ]

Bump....

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Has anybody here ever had a belt failure ? Is it a Can-Am thing ? Lots of H-D's and Indian/Victory's with years/miles on belts with low failure rates. And, yes, some serious power with built Harley's having no issues with belts...

But do they ride gravel roads or freshly chipped asphalt? That's where the worry is for Spyder ryders. On clean pavement Spyder belts generally last 100k miles plus.

[ARtraveler]

Two belt failures here. One came after exploring a 1 mile gravel road into a camp ground. Picked up a rock chip which caused a crack. Made it home and replaced belt within a week.

Second belt failure was in my driveway. To early in the year...got stuck in the soft gravel, gunned the engine to get out...sproingggggggggggggggg. Not the belt's fault. A great $500 lesson including the tow.

[cruisinTX]

Two belt failures here. One came after exploring a 1 mile gravel road into a camp ground. Picked up a rock chip which caused a crack. Made it home and replaced belt within a week.

Second belt failure was in my driveway. To early in the year...got stuck in the soft gravel, gunned the engine to get out...sproingggggggggggggggg. Not the belt's fault. A great $500 lesson including the tow.

I have to wonder about a guy who calls a $500 lesson "great".