DESS - what does it do exactly

[JimH]

I saw a couple of posts about DESS and did some searching to see exactly what it is and does. Is it a security control on the Spyder that links the key with starter? I saw a few posts of people saying a failure causes the bike to be disabled. Is this common? I see people who disabled DESS and seems like the possible disablement goes away? Where can you get this disabled and is it worth it?
Thanks in advance,
Jim

[Deanna777]

D.E.S.S is Digitally Encoded Security System


It started on the 2014 Spyder models and up.

The older spyder models ( 2013 and back) did not have as many failures.

Someone else should chime in on this.

Deanna

[BajaRon]

Deanna is right. Many vehicles have this feature these days. All keyless (don't have a key inserted into an ignition switch) have this. It's simply a wireless communication between the chip in the key and the chip in the vehicle. If the vehicle does not recognize the key's chip within range, it simply will not engage the starting sequence. A nice security feature when it works correctly. When it does not, then you simply cannot start your vehicle.

You can disable this feature with BUDS. You still need the key in the ignition, of course. But a duplicate key, chipped or not, will then start your Spyder. For most, this isn't really a downside.

[mn.roadking]

I bought the Megatech license for my Buds and turned off DESS on both of my 15 f3’s. Took longer to boot laptop than perform the proceedure. Faulty DESS can leave you stranded. No downside to turning it off, if someone wants to steal it they don’t hotwire it, they roll it into a trailer.

[Trbayth]

Disabling DESS requires BUDS with a "Megatech" license. It's a higher license level than most dealers have which is why dealers cannot disable DESS. Plus, for liability reasons, even if they could they wouldn't.

[Deanna777]

I saw a couple of posts about DESS and did some searching to see exactly what it is and does. Is it a security control on the Spyder that links the key with starter? I saw a few posts of people saying a failure causes the bike to be disabled. Is this common? I see people who disabled DESS and seems like the possible disablement goes away? Where can you get this disabled and is it worth it?
Thanks in advance,
Jim

Jim,

Look at my Thread: D.E.S.S Key Code Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can also find the thread under the Spyder RT -touring ( it is Sticky) on this forum.

Just in case you do get the D.E.S.S error on your spyder.

That thread is a long thread, it has a lot of great/excellent info about the D.E.S.S.

Deanna

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I saw a couple of posts about DESS and did some searching to see exactly what it is and does. Is it a security control on the Spyder that links the key with starter? I saw a few posts of people saying a failure causes the bike to be disabled. Is this common? I see people who disabled DESS and seems like the possible disablement goes away? Where can you get this disabled and is it worth it?
Thanks in advance,
Jim

All Spyders have it, but it was changed significantly in 2014. The earlier 2014s had a lot of problems with it, as well as some later year models. What it is is a system that sends a signal to the key asking for its identification code. The DESS sends that info to the ECM (Engine Control Module) which then compares the code to a list of allowed codes programmed into the ECM. If there is a match then the ECM allows the start sequence to take place. If it doesn't find a match it won't allow the start sequence to take place. Since the communication between the key and DESS is a radio signal anything that disrupts that communication causes the key code to not be read correctly. Disabling the DESS is a process of selecting a different program option in the ECM that tells it to skip the key check procedure.

[JimH]

Jim,

Look at my Thread: D.E.S.S Key Code Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can also find the thread under the Spyder RT -touring ( it is Sticky) on this forum.

Just in case you do get the D.E.S.S error on your spyder.

That thread is a long thread, it has a lot of great/excellent info about the D.E.S.S.

Deanna

Deanna
Thanks for that - a lot of good information in there.
Jim

[alexf415]

I towed my 2020 spyder F3s twice in a week that make me buy the Buds/buds2 urgently. My dess is now disabled and I help few spyder owners so far disabled their dess. It is not a matter of if, but its a matter of when. BRP did not make the dess perfect compared to all cars. imho every spyder should disable their dess until they fix this problem.

[sledge]

I bought the Megatech license for my Buds and turned off DESS on both of my 15 f3’s. Took longer to boot laptop than perform the proceedure. Faulty DESS can leave you stranded. No downside to turning it off, if someone wants to steal it they don’t hotwire it, they roll it into a trailer.

I was told that now day's most motor cycles are stolen by picking up each tire off the ground , and putting a roller skate under each and pushing the bike up a ramp into a closed trailer so nobody can see it. and just drive away with it , no matter how much it weighs , or if the bike is locked or not .

[Deanna777]

Deanna
Thanks for that - a lot of good information in there.
Jim

Hi Jim,

You are Welcome! Yes, there is.

Deanna