-
Has anyone experience a "DEATH WOBBLE" in the rain?
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]On a trip through Arkansas I experienced what I term "DEATH WOBBLE". I was cruising at highway speed with the cruise control on when it was raining. I came upon a slight incline when the rear end started whipping left and right several times. It happened so fast that I could not offer any counter steer at all. I was nearly thrown off my Spyder F3-S! By the grace of God the F3-S cruise control disengaged and the bike recovered itself. This happened a second time a few hours later at slower speed and not as violently. I also had a few incidences where I could feel the back tire loose traction without the cruise control on in the same rain storm. However after that first "DEATH WOBBLE" experience I became keenly aware of the onset of the Spyder F3's weakness in the rain.[/COLOR][COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]
[/COLOR]
-
Very Active Member
Cruise control in rain
You might try an Internet search for 'cruise control in rain'. Not a good idea in your cage or on your Spyder. IMHO.
Very Happy Spyder Guy
The 2015 F3 has over 46,000 miles
Have Spyder...Will Travel
-
I never use cruise control in the rain. I feel that I have more control over the spyder If I accelerate and not the cruise control.
I was in a very violent rain storm once and the spyder hydroplaned a little before I could safely pullover. Not a great feeling and the Nanny did her job.
-
Very Active Member
Scary..!!
All of the above when ryding in the rain. The F3 has great torque and if you hit a oil slick the cruise will compensate as the wheel breaks loose. This is easy to do if you ryde in the center of the lane where oil and debris tend to collect (rain makes it slick). Even without cruise this will happen but you can better handle it. Keep your traction wheel on the clean surface...
Gene and Ilana De Laney
Mt. Helix, California
2012 RS sm5
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
-
Registered Users
Sounds extreme . . . .
. . . . . No, I have not experienced anything like what you describe. But, I don't use cruise control in slippery conditions - rain, ice/snow or sand/gravel. I've had the F3 in all these conditions multiple times.
Sometimes on sharp corners at 25 mph+, the rear wheel will 'drift' as I increase speed ( gun it ) and there is oil on the road surface. But, this is nothing like the wobble you describe.
Tom
2008 GS SE5 -> 2013 STS SE5 -> 2015 F3-S SE6 . . . Still riding & smiling.
-
Very Active Member
-
That wasn't a Death Wobble; that was just what hydroplaning looks and feels like...
-
Very Active Member
A rule to live by "no cruise controll in the wet" 2,3 or 4 or more wheels.
this posting has been vetted, scrubbed and endorsed by the committee for postings
-
Very Active Member
Never
Never, never, never ever use cruise control in slippery conditions. Ever. Cruise control is a simple computer program that will adjust the throttle to maintain a constant speed. If the drive wheel breaks loose, the program will do what ever it's limited programming tells it to do to keep the speed constant.
So... You have your cruise control set at 50mph. You hit a rain or ice spot. The drive tire breaks loose. Your forward speed drops and the cruise control does what it is programmed to do... Speed up to get back to 50 MPH. Bad things can and will happen when you give more throttle to a drifting drive tire.
You are lucky. Please do not use cruise control in the rain. We like you, and want you to be around for many more rides and posts on the forum.
-
Very Active Member
Don't forget they (BRP) backed down the nanny so you could get a little more "fun" out of the F3. Ride accordingly.
2016 F3 Limited
2019 Ryker Rally
2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
2020 CSC TT 250
-
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
That wasn't a Death Wobble; that was just what hydroplaning looks and feels like...
That is my thought too. Unfortunately I get caught in rain way too much.
-
MOgang Member
-
Very Active Member
[QUOTE=Yazz;966307...Kept the front wheels pointed where I wanted to go and Nanny very gently, without bruising my ego for drifting, got the rear wheel back in line.
Nanny is toned down on the F3. [/QUOTE]
Yes... this. Thank you Yazz
-
Very Active Member
Sounds like hydroplaning.
-
SpyderLovers Founder
Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
Sounds like hydroplaning.
-
Registered Users
Been there. Done that. Bike did what it was supposed to do. You and I did not. Turn off cruise control on bike or in cage when roads are wet.
2015 RT-S
2015 SE6 RT-S
Black/Red Special Edition.
-
Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
Sounds like hydroplaning.
I haven't ridden my F3 yet in rain, but I found my 08' GS to be excellent in the rain - of course to much water can cause hydroplaning. I tend to ride slower, takes turns slower and definitely easy on the brakes.
2020 RT Ride Frequent Stay Safe
Aftermarket Aux Light, GPS mounting/wiring, Lamonster Garage Mirror Lock, Lamonster Garage Belt Tensioner
Backrest Home Brew Mod
2008 RS from 2008 through 4/2015, 2015 F3-S from 4/2015 through 9/2020
-
Registered Users
The plus side is if you are tired this will surely wake you up!
2015 RT-S
2015 SE6 RT-S
Black/Red Special Edition.
-
Active Member
Owners manual for any vehicle that has cruise will state that it should not be used in rainy or slippery conditions for the reasons that many have stated above.
-
Very Active Member
Originally Posted by vided
A rule to live by "no cruise controll in the wet" 2,3 or 4 or more wheels.
Totally agree no matter what vehicle you are operating. SNOW ALSO DON'T USE CRUISE.
-
Very Active Member
Dilling
Hasn't reappeared to read comments or Thank everybody for there input!
-
Very Active Member
-
-
That's not even close to what death wobble really is. More common in lifted vehicles, Death wobble, when you truly have it feels like it's going to shake your vehicle apart and it doesn't stop until you get your vehicle at almost a complete standstill. There is no controlling it or stopping it once it starts.
You can simulate it somewhat on a skateboard going down a hill with loose trucks. The death wobble stops when you stop.....or crash.
-
Thank you all for your input! I am currently on the road riding my Spyder F3-S visiting both friends and family... especially my grandkids! I traded in my 2008 Spyder GS for the F3-S and was concerned because my GS was awesome in the rain, however it did not have cruise control. I have experienced hydroplaning before in a car but my Spyder incident left me thinking that there might be something wrong with my bike... but it does make sense what you folks are telling me! I love my new Spyder F3-S but in the rain I sure do miss my GS!
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|