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.

[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

[NancysToy]

I'm gonna guess at bad gas, condensation in the gas, bad spark plug wires, wet spark plug wires, or too low rpm. Could easily be a combination. Put some Stabil or SeaFoam in it, top off the gas, and ride the thing. Keep the rpm up as much as possible, especially up hills...this ain't no Harley or Goldwing! If the problem persists, see your dealer.

[SheWolf]

Bad plug wires...well, that would be warranty. Wet plug wires...def not that everything was bone dry. Bad gas. Oooh boy I hope not this was a full cherry can of premium I just got last night! Funny thing was it ran fine all day with that tank of gas until just before I pulled into the driveway. I'll check the belt in the morning and see again.

[NancysToy]

Bad plug wires...well, that would be warranty. Wet plug wires...def not that everything was bone dry. Bad gas. Oooh boy I hope not this was a full cherry can of premium I just got last night! Funny thing was it ran fine all day with that tank of gas until just before I pulled into the driveway. I'll check the belt in the morning and see again.

Could still be a throttle body or other issue. Have your dealer check for codes. The procedure for owners only displays active codes. Your problem may not have been active the moment you checked. Could still just be low rpm...or even Miss Nanny kicking in (although she is usually more gentle and quiet).

[bluestratos]

Before the latest software upgrade mine would do this, usually from a cold start though it has happened when warm. It had something to do with the throttle body going nuts and did not always through a code but many times it would go into limp mode. Since then I have put on 7k miles and while it will do it a bit if i try to move it short after a cold start, if I allow to warm a 5 mins or so it is fine, which my mechanic said is normal. Just food for thought.

[SheWolf]

Yeah...I've had miss nanny kick in before and usually she just powers down and you get the pop pop pop out the exhaust when you are on the throttle until traction comes back. It was definitely a loud bang, like real loud. Hammer on metal loud. Did any of the RS have the TB probs?

[arntufun]

Yeah...I've had miss nanny kick in before and usually she just powers down and you get the pop pop pop out the exhaust when you are on the throttle until traction comes back. It was definitely a loud bang, like real loud. Hammer on metal loud. Did any of the RS have the TB probs?

No..................... I don't think there was ever a reported issue on an RS. If there was, it wasn't many. Mine is fly by cable (not wire) and I think yours is to.

As to your banging, you got me ????? Are you sure it wasn't out of your tailpipe ???? Where do you think it was coming from ???????

[SheWolf]

Definitely wasn't coming from my tailpipe. I've heard it backfire before when I shift. This came from right under me; it was so loud I couldn't really pinpoint exactly where it came from. Just scared the bejeesus out of me, so I slacked out of it and then shifted into first. I didn't think 3700 in 2nd was that low...went into first and it did it once and then stopped.

[SPYDER Mike]

Sounds like a rock/pebble went through the belt, It will Scare The Holly Beejesus Out Of You. Happened twice to us on a recently chip sealed road. Definitely an eye opening experience.

[SheWolf]

Around here...anything is possible. even when the roads are clean, you get those little pieces of pea gravel that like to come out of nowhere and take out a headlight. Def investing in the missing belt guard...should have ordered that the same time I ordered the bump skid.

[ARtraveler]

Cannot offer any mechanical advice--but will be watching to see how it all works out for you.

[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.

[Blue Star]

Funny thing was it ran fine all day with that tank of gas until just before I pulled into the driveway.

Your bike did not like going home, and wanted to play longer. I was thinking too low RPM's.

[SheWolf]

Ok so I took the Mad pumpkin out for a ride today; a bit longer than the last trip. Kept the revs up around 5600, shifted around 6500. Didn't have any problems this time but i have noticed a vibration coming from the back end below and above 5600. Belt didn't seem loose, but being new i have no idea how tight that thing is supposed to be. My dirt bike was easy if there was no more than an inch play then it was fine. Other than that it ran fine, I just really kept on the revs and made sure it didn't go below 4500 before I shifted lower if I had to.

[NancysToy]

Ok so I took the Mad pumpkin out for a ride today; a bit longer than the last trip. Kept the revs up around 5600, shifted around 6500. Didn't have any problems this time but i have noticed a vibration coming from the back end below and above 5600. Belt didn't seem loose, but being new i have no idea how tight that thing is supposed to be. My dirt bike was easy if there was no more than an inch play then it was fine. Other than that it ran fine, I just really kept on the revs and made sure it didn't go below 4500 before I shifted lower if I had to.

Inspect your sprockets very closely. The least little bit of debris built up in the sprocket grooves causes a great vibration. I picked up a stone recently, as you might have. After the awful racket, mine got stuck in the sprocket, resulting in severe vibration. After it was removed, the vibration was less, but still very noticeable. Upon closer inspection, I found bits of tar and dirt barely coating some grooves. After cleaning thoroughly, everything was fine. Also look closer at the belt...a divot can cause vibration. The Spyder does seem to have some resonant vibration around 5,000 rpm, however, so what you feel now may be normal.

The best thing to do with belt tension is to have the dealer set it with his sonic gauge. A Krikit2 from NAPA or Gates can substitute, if you take a reading on a properly tensioned belt for comparison. The old rule of thumb is to grab the belt between your index finger and thumb, midway between the sprockets, and give it a twist. If it twists 90 degrees, with some difficulty, it is close to the right tension. If it twists more, it is too loose, if less, too tight. Spyder belts usually need to be retensioned at the 600 mile service. It is best for a dealer to do this, and it's a good time to compare to a Krikit reading for future reference.

[vtspyder]

Just a thought; My RS has never had a problem with being bogged. EVER. Although I've spent considerable time tuning with the AFR gauge and JB Pro. I don't bog it often however. It's always smooth as silk. I would put a jack under the bottom rear shock mount on the swingarm, jack it up, start it and put it in gear while idleing. Let the rear wheel spin while watching the belt and sprockets with a flashlight. Have someone juice it to about 3000 rpms while you're watching it. It may well be excessive water in the gas (yes, even Super) if it contains ANY ethanol. A skip would cause it to bang like that. While you're at it check to make sure nothing is loose like front sprocket/wheel alignment/belt tracking/tension etc. I just had a fuel issue with my 660r Raptor with tracks and skis while riding in the mountains a couple of days ago. Might very well be a skipping engine because of questionable fuel. Good luck!

[NancysToy]

Just a thought; My RS has never had a problem with being bogged. EVER. Although I've spent considerable time tuning with the AFR gauge and JB Pro. I don't bog it often however. It's always smooth as silk. I would put a jack under the bottom rear shock mount on the swingarm, jack it up, start it and put it in gear while idleing. Let the rear wheel spin while watching the belt and sprockets with a flashlight. Have someone juice it to about 3000 rpms while you're watching it. It may well be excessive water in the gas (yes, even Super) if it contains ANY ethanol. A skip would cause it to bang like that. While you're at it check to make sure nothing is loose like front sprocket/wheel alignment/belt tracking/tension etc. I just had a fuel issue with my 660r Raptor with tracks and skis while riding in the mountains a couple of days ago. Might very well be a skipping engine because of questionable fuel. Good luck!

This does not make Miss Nanny happy!

[Bob Denman]

You'll freak her out with the different speeds in the front and rear of the bike.

[MikeinGA]

I'm gonna guess at bad gas, condensation in the gas, bad spark plug wires, wet spark plug wires, or too low rpm. Could easily be a combination. Put some Stabil or SeaFoam in it, top off the gas, and ride the thing. Keep the rpm up as much as possible, especially up hills...this ain't no Harley or Goldwing! If the problem persists, see your dealer.

I had the same problems I did the same as above and never went away. I took it to Freedom Motor Sports in Lawreneville, Ga. They found that the map sensor was faulty and replace it. I have over 6,000 miles on it after they changed it and runs like new. Take it to your dealer. That's in IMHO

Mike