Steering issue = yikes !

[Monique]

I took Lil Pumpkin out for the Motorcycle Ride for Dad (prostate Cancer fundraiser) last Saturday and experienced serious steering issues. The only way to describe it is to say she was "possessed" for a few seconds. While riding on a paved road about 30KM/h, along the procession of bikes, the handlebars just turned left and immediately right in a jerking motion. I immediately thought, perhaps it was because the road was wet, or maybe I hit an oily patch - I had never experienced this and had the DPS recall done a long time ago. At low speed this did not totally freak me out - I was concerned - but made excuses for Lil Pumkin's behaviour.

All was fine for the rest of the ride except the odd time it seemed to require a little extra muscle to get it to take curves to the right. (at the first Poker Run stop I had checked fluids, tire pressure - all the obvious possible culprits)

After the ride returning home, I turned right onto my street (no problem), I then had to negotiate a very mild bend in the road (can't even call it a curve) to the right at which time the steering had a mind of its own again ........it wanted to keep going straight..... into my neighbour's parked car . I had to hit the brakes and seriously jerk the steering to the right to avoid a crash. (and some of those were in French let me tell you!)

She's gone to the dealership this morning - I am seriously concerned and can't wait to hear what went wrong - I'll update this post once I find out.
I have also been having numerous error codes - all kinds - perhaps it's all related. The dealership cleared 18 codes less than a month ago and I get them regularly still - sort of like playing Rock-Paper-Scissors every time to turn it on - you never know what code will show up.

I hope she can be fixed in time for Americade ...or it will be a bummer.

On a positive note there were lots and I mean lots of (healthy) Spyders on the ride. Including Lil Pumpkin's twin: Copperhead !

[Firefly]

Good thing to get it to a dealer and checked out. Also make sure you're using a Battery Tender to keep your battery in good condition. The DPS uses a lot of power-- and if you're battery is low you might see problems.

[Monique]

Good thing to get it to a dealer and checked out. Also make sure you're using a Battery Tender to keep your battery in good condition. The DPS uses a lot of power-- and if you're battery is low you might see problems.

Thanks- I keep a trickle charger on in the winter. I was getting a low volt / low battery error code while riding. Could be a battery or alternator (or what ever it is we have on the Spyder) issue.

[bone crusher]

Thanks- I keep a trickle charger on in the winter. I was getting a low volt / low battery error code while riding. Could be a battery or alternator (or what ever it is we have on the Spyder) issue.

As Fire alluded to, get a battery tender plus...check on amazon.com...can get cheap and delivered quickly...I leave my bike hooked up in the garage..

[BillGargan]

You can get a fine battery tender at WalMart quickly at a low cost.

[Bersquack]

Get it to the dealer, mine is in for the same reason.

[Way2Fast]

Thanks- I keep a trickle charger on in the winter. I was getting a low volt / low battery error code while riding. Could be a battery or alternator (or what ever it is we have on the Spyder) issue.

If you use a regular type trickle charger..one that doesn't float, or cut off when a full charge is obtained, chances are you cooked your battery. Hense the low voltage reading while riding. A charger with the trade name "Battery Tender" will eliminate any risk of overcharging. There are several other makes that do the same.

[murphybrown]

If you use a regular type trickle charger..one that doesn't float, or cut off when a full charge is obtained, chances are you cooked your battery. Hense the low voltage reading while riding. A charger with the trade name "Battery Tender" will eliminate any risk of overcharging. There are several other makes that do the same.

I am new Spyder owner..so you are saying that everyday at end of use need to connect to a Battery Tender...OR just when stored for off season (I will ryde mostly Spring through Fall? Thanks for clarifying...

[boborgera]

I am new Spyder owner..so you are saying that everyday at end of use need to connect to a Battery Tender...OR just when stored for off season (I will ryde mostly Spring through Fall? Thanks for clarifying...

Unless you have a bad battery, [or charging system] you don't need to use a charger after every ride.
But if if it's stored or sits for long periods then you should use some kind of float charger.

[Firefly]

I am new Spyder owner..so you are saying that everyday at end of use need to connect to a Battery Tender...OR just when stored for off season (I will ryde mostly Spring through Fall? Thanks for clarifying...

While you don't 'need' to --- it's not a bad idea. I get a bit lazy when on the go--- but I make sure to have it plugged in overnight 1 or 2 times a week to keep things up where they should be.

[Amanda B]

Get it to the dealer, mine is in for the same reason.

+1 Steering problems here too and at the dealer...UGH!!!

[Way2Fast]

Unless you have a bad battery, [or charging system] you don't need to use a charger after every ride.
But if if it's stored or sits for long periods then you should use some kind of float charger.

Agreed.....however the Spyders ECU is always drawing juice even with the key turned off. If left sitting for any extended period of time the battery will get discharged. Same applies to Sea-doo PWC batteries.

[Questions]

I just had my Spyder serviced for the recall & maintenance. Left for vacation this morning & experienced a very scary ride. The bike pulled to the right and when I attempted to ease it left it quickly jerked the bike. Not fun @ 70 Mph. I'm sitting @ Waffle House waiting on a ride. I don't trust the dealer to fix it. Any good mechanics outside of Columbia, SC?

[docdoru]

I just had my Spyder serviced for the recall & maintenance. Left for vacation this morning & experienced a very scary ride. The bike pulled to the right and hen I attempted to ease it left it quickly jerked the bike. Not fun @ 70 Mph. I'm sitting @ Waffle House waiting on a ride. I don't trust the dealer to fix it. Any good mechanics outside of Columbia, SC?

welcome
What recall did they apply? Update 1 or 2?

[C3517C]

You're going to have to get it to a dealer. The DPS service / replacement requires very specific knowledge, tools, and software that other mechanics aren't going to have, even if they're good. If you have no confidence in the dealer you have been using, you're going to have to find another.

[stgilmer]

I hear that you all are having these issues with the steering. You mentioned that you have had the updates(recalls) done. So you haven't had a new dps put in?? I ask cause I had the same problems at the beginning of this year, after having all of the updates done and ended up have a new DPS put in along with other stuff, steering zeroed, alignment. Just curious that it wasnt a new issue. If not then thats what you all have to look forward to, getting a new DPS..good news is it rides better than ever once done. Hope yours doesn't stay in the shop as long as mine did(15 weeks), I think BRP is faster at sending parts now...Good Luck, hope your riding soon.

[Questions]

welcome
What recall did they apply? Update 1 or 2?

I don't have a clue. I've had difficulty getting recall notices and have to keep a close eye on the BRP WebSite. The service tech that installed the update said it would (and did) took a full day yet I see where others state 20 to 30 minutes.

[Questions]

I hear that you all are having these issues with the steering. You mentioned that you have had the updates(recalls) done. So you haven't had a new dps put in?? I ask cause I had the same problems at the beginning of this year, after having all of the updates done and ended up have a new DPS put in along with other stuff, steering zeroed, alignment. Just curious that it wasnt a new issue. If not then thats what you all have to look forward to, getting a new DPS..good news is it rides better than ever once done. Hope yours doesn't stay in the shop as long as mine did(15 weeks), I think BRP is faster at sending parts now...Good Luck, hope your riding soon.

Sounds like GA and SC need some new Spyder service techs.

[Odie]

I keep seeing steering issues here on this site and I have not yet to experienced this. I am really worried because I like to do a lot of mountain twisties here in Arizona. What if I fly off a side of a mountain? I wonder if anybody has had a horrible accident from this? Why would I want to ride something that has a mind of its own and steers you to your death? This makes me want to get back on two wheels. I wonder if BRP would have to pay off my Spyder if I turn it back in in fear of dying while riding. Isn't this a big concern to anybody? If this happened to me I would park it at the dealer and demand my money back. If it happened once I would be extremely gun shy to get back on it no matter what updates or replacing the tech did. I'm scared to get on the Spyder right now in fear of being launched head on into a Mack Truck! Good grief. Never seen these many problems in the HD forum I belong too back when I was a die-hard HD rider.

[Smylinacha]

I got a new dps and it rides great (knock on wood). Took me a while to get my trust back. I'm pretty comfortable on it now. The thought only enters my head every now and then.

But once a new dps is installed it runs great. Not sure if anyone had new dps's installed and had it let go on them again?

Just wish there was an answer as to why it's happening here and there.

[docdoru]

Just wish there was an answer as to why it's happening here and there.

First DPS failed 1.17.2010. Second DPS failed in Chicago. Third DPS on the way.

[capt.jim]

Many new cars are using electronally assisted power steering, yet i don't hear of any problems with them. I think the sticking toyota gas pedal problem would be miniscule compared to a suddenly lurching right or left and stuck steering wheel malfunction in an automobile, they would be all over it to find what the problem was and fix it. I can imagine a 5000 lb. car jerking to the right and running up over a sidewalk or bus bench, this has been going on for over 2 years now with the spyder. BRP needs to put more research into fixing this potentially deadly problem, i don't get it!

[SPYDERGUY1]

Hey monique, this is really freaky. My problems compounded on the same ride in CANADA, is this an omen or like another member said, perhaps the SPYDER does not like company ??????????? HMMMMMMMMM

[- Tim -]

Hey Doc,

Since you're working on your 3rd DPS... Could it be that you have an alignment problem that is making the DPS work overtime and going out, or do you think you're receiving original DPS units and seeing the original type of failure? Is the recall replacement unit upgraded in any way?

Tim

[docdoru]

Since you're working on your 3rd DPS... Could it be that you have an alignment problem that is making the DPS work overtime and going out, or do you think you're receiving original DPS units and seeing the original type of failure? Is the recall replacement unit upgraded in any way? Tim

The front alignment is sound: replaced the original front tires around 60K...