Ooomg...what the..?!!!

[SheWolf]

Hey guys, got my Spyder out for the second time this year, FINALLY! So what I've got is this. New 2012 RSS SE5, 186 miles. Yes, that's it. I'm working on getting more. Anywho, what's happened is that I took it for a ride for a few hours, did the norm, ride, stop get a few things, varied riding no highballing...start up the hill towards my house, second gear, 3700-ish rpm, steady throttle. All of a sudden I hear this bang...bang-bang-bang (it was loud...thought something was gonna fly out of it)coming from down under me, and it lurched something horrible. No codes came up. Thought maybe the belt slipped, looked back and down, it was still there. Shifted to first, gave her some light juice, banged once more. Let off the throttle a bit; was fine the rest of the way home (maybe 500 feet) in first about 3000 rpm. Wasn't on any loose gravel or dirt, wasn't throttling around any corners. Wasn't stomping on it. Any ideas? No leaks, belt is tight, still no codes. I heard about the throttle body/actuator, but thought it was limited to the RT? Hopefully someone can shed some insight into this. I know it's still under warranty and the service tech said to just ride it and if something fails the warranty service would have it towed to the shop. That's fine and dandy but....kinda leaves me going should I ride this thing???

[Lamonster]

Sounds like you picked up a rock and it ran through the pulleys a couple of times. I would inspect the belt all the way around.

[SheWolf]

Ok...jacked up the ass end and spun the wheel around, checked all the teeth on the belt and the rear cog. Didn't see anything unusual; the cog didn't show any silver scraping from rocks contact on any of the teeth, and the belt didn't have any chunks missing or any splits *WHEW!*. Shone a flashlight right up to the front and spun it again, didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Gave the whole thing a good rinse again, just to get the residual grit from the road. Haven't ridden it again...kinda...well, you know a bit worried. No rocks though...unless they fell out but so far i don't see any damage from that. Good idea tho to invest in one of those belt savers.

[Chupaca]

From what you explained sound like you were lugging the engine. 3000 rpm in 3rd gear going up a hill I might cough and lurch a bit myself. If you have no codes and the bike is running fine I would test it again and if it acts up again downshift...

[boborgera]

From what you explained sound like you were lugging the engine. 3000 rpm in 3rd gear going up a hill I might cough and lurch a bit myself. If you have no codes and the bike is running fine I would test it again and if it acts up again downshift...

Thats what it sounds like, To low rpms will cause the Spyder to buck/lurch.

[SpyderGirl]

Thats what it sounds like, To low rpms will cause the Spyder to buck/lurch.

You are shifting way too soon. The Spyder likes high RPMs. You should cruise and no less than 4,500. Climbing a hill.... 5,500+. I stay in 2nd until about 45mph.

I have been a GS owner for five years with over 60,000 miles on a Spyder under my belt.

[SheWolf]

I was in second, @ 3700 rpm when it started and then dropped it to first. It did it even in first when I went to keep going, so I let off and then just buggied it the rest of the way around 3k. I don't like lugging it...mind you I don't like lugging any of my bikes. I kinda like the sound of this thing when you get the higher rpms; with the Hindle it sounds like a Nascar racer. Guess all I can do is keep an eye on it next trip out. The weather's finally getting nice and I want to get some miles on this thing!

[Motorcycledave]

That is what my Harley sounded like when the belt was loose enough to jump
the teeth on the front pulley your belt may just be to loose.
good luck
Dave