SE5 problems for real?

**GaryTheBadger** · 01-12-2009, 12:52 PM

Hello, I am brand-new to this forum and about to pull the trigger on a 2008 yellow SE5 with just 62 miles (on eBay) BUT I keep reading about SE5 problems on this forum and other Spyder forums. If it was your $, would you buy the SE5, or wait for BRP to fix the problems (assuming they really exist). Thank you in advance for your help. Gary, Northwest Arkansas

**Lamonster** · 01-12-2009, 12:58 PM

welcome

The problems are real but like any product they are amplified on the message boards. They do have a fix for the shifting problem now.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=8054

I would make sure that's done or that you can take it in and have it done. I think you're going to love the SE. I have 25K on my SM and it's been a great ride.

**bone crusher** · 01-12-2009, 01:19 PM

Save the money...have more fun...and buy the SM5...IMHO...

**GI Jane** · 01-12-2009, 01:26 PM

I've had my SE5 for 3 months, 1100 miles with VERY minor hiccups. I've not regretted getting her for one second. Go for it!

**GaryTheBadger** · 01-12-2009, 02:27 PM

GI Jane and Lamonster, thanks for the encouragement. I will be making my final decision tomorrow after I speak with the local service department to get a feel for their understanding of SE problems & fixes.

Bone Crusher, the SM5 is not an option for me unfortunately. Wish it was, I could save some $.

**zzneonzz** · 01-12-2009, 02:29 PM

welcome
I have an SE5 with 5300 miles on with very little problems on mine and i have not had the service bulletin. I think you will love the SE5

**LDFIREWORKS** · 01-12-2009, 02:36 PM

BUY IT I CANT BELIVE YOU HAD A SHELBY AND A PANTERA, I HAD A GT 500, AQUA COLOR AND I HAD A 72 AND A HALF RED PANTERA BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 72 FOR 12,300 DID YOU HAVE ALOT OF OVERHEATING PROBLEMS WITH YOURS LIKE ME AND EVERYONE ELSE, WHISH I STILL HAD IT IT IS WORTH ABOUT $125,000 NOW TO BAD GOOD LUCK

welcome

**sleepman** · 01-12-2009, 02:58 PM

Go for it, you won't regret getting the Spyder. What you read on the forums is only a small number of machines. Besides you'll have the remainder of the factory warranty so any failures will be covered.

**strats** · 01-12-2009, 03:56 PM

I guess I'm just throwing my 2 cents worth in anyhow...
I've only had my SE5 for a week now but have done nearly 800 kilometers, a lot of it in the Adelaide hills on some pretty tight demanding corners involving a lot of shifting in both directions, by me and the computer and all I can say is that the machine has performed flawlessly.

**angusmac** · 01-12-2009, 04:16 PM

Gary,

I have an 08 SE5 that I picked up in September. I am still getting used to it, but as of right now, I have had no problems with it, and I am approaching the 600 mile/10hr mark for the first scheduled maintenance. I chose the SE5 to be different, since I also ride a 2003 Harley road King Police. Like other SE5 owners, I have tried the computer shifting, my own shifting, and a combination, and as I said, I am still getting used to it. If you decide to go with the SE5, you will enjoy the ride and the "difference" of the semi-auto transmission, and just remember, the SE5, like anything mechanical, and new, can, and will have some problems. BRP seems to be trying to address the issues as they arise, so I think they are on top of the major problems. Have fun, enjoy the ride, and stay safe.

Rory MacDonell, Hastings, Florida

**GaryTheBadger** · 01-12-2009, 06:09 PM

Thanks to everyone who replied, I am leaning towards taking a (very expensive) chance and going for the SE5. The wife and I will decide very soon. We have to balance it against putting our daughter into college later this year and other expenses we all have.

I was also contacted by someone interested is starting a group in Northwest Arkansas, so that helps the decision too...a social network and experienced local help for the newbie!

PS to LDFireworks: yes I had a real Shelby and Pantera, wish I still had them both and all the NSXs and bikes too! No overheating with the Pantera, it was all sorted out by the time I bought it. It's now in Europe, along with one of the NSXs, something about a favorable exchange rate.

**hawkiii** · 01-12-2009, 06:41 PM

I picked up my SE5 in October. I have just under 2600 miles. I spend quite a bit of time riding the Lake Berryessa area in northern California. Lots of twisties and switchbacks and a lot of gear changes up and down. Only problem I have is every once in a while, not often, Spyder will stick in reverse. Because of this I always back into a parking space. That way after I have done my running around and get ready to leave Spyder will start right up and go into N. Haven't been stuck in reverse in about 3 weeks. Like I say, it doesn't happen often and many people have had no trouble what so ever. Go for it. It is an awesome machine.

**Desert Spyder** · 01-13-2009, 07:02 AM

I love my SE5. I've got over 1,500 miles and no problem. Every once in awhile there is a hiccup with the shifting (slow to move out of R) but nothing to get out of traffic about. Two thumbs up!

**GaryTheBadger** · 01-13-2009, 07:44 AM

Thank you Desert Spyder and others for your feedback. It does help. Its great to know there's a highly responsive community of experts just a few keyboard clicks away! I will be making (excuse me, my wife and I will be making) a decision about the Spyder purchase today. I really want it, the test rides were great, spring will be here soon, but.....

**SpyderCrazy** · 01-13-2009, 08:35 AM

My husband & I both have SE-5's. We love ours. We have over 3500 miles on them. I prefer to do most of the down shifting myself. If I let it do the down shifting, it doesn't alway behave well. No problem if I do the down shifting.

We are extremely happy we purchased ours. We don't regret it at all.

**GaryTheBadger** · 01-13-2009, 09:07 AM

SpyderCrazy: What do you mean "it doesn't always perform well"?
If its under warranty, have you had it looked at? If you knew in advance
about this issue, would you have bought anyway? (I'm guessing yes)

**SpyderCrazy** · 01-13-2009, 03:15 PM

If you are coming to a quick stop it does not seem to down shift as quick as I think it should by itself. I just do all the down shifting myself and there doesn't seem to be a problem. I have spoken to my dealer about it and will probably have them look at it sometime but I hate to be without the Spyder.
Yes, I was totally aware that some people were having issues with their SE-5's when I took delivery of my Spyder in September but I loved all the features of the Spyder and figured if I had any problems my dealer would fix them. We purchased two Spyders from the dealer and live in a small town. The Spyders are a great advertisement for the dealer and I fully believe that he will make sure we are happy with our Spyders.

We have no regrets and are extremely happy with our SE-5's.

**major** · 05-02-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by GaryTheBadger

Hello, I am brand-new to this forum and about to pull the trigger on a 2008 yellow SE5 with just 62 miles (on eBay) BUT I keep reading about SE5 problems on this forum and other Spyder forums. If it was your $, would you buy the SE5, or wait for BRP to fix the problems (assuming they really exist). Thank you in advance for your help. Gary, Northwest Arkansas

Wait Gary, BRP is not even owning up to the problem. It is a BIG One. My spyder is in the shop for the third time. I have nothing good to say about the SE5 as of yet. I should get mine back on Tuesday or Wednesday. I plan on riding the heck out of it to be certain that it is solved after they replace the GPS. The shifting issue is a serious issue tht BRP needs to own up to, get back to the drawing board, resolve the problem and make everybody whole.

**bone crusher** · 05-02-2009, 10:25 PM

Isn't this a really old thread?? I thought we all decided no more SE5s...Mazda Miata instead...

Just kiddin'...good luck with getting the SE5s fixed...I cannot believe BRP isn't fixing these things faster...this is not very good PR...

**2faston3** · 05-03-2009, 07:02 AM

Just our humble opinion, keep the SE5! We have been running ours heavy for two weeks now and no problem, nada!

I vote to keep it...

Just sayin!

2faston3

**pphantom538** · 05-03-2009, 10:29 AM

no problems since the dealer upgrade at the first service.

**Arachnid** · 05-03-2009, 11:13 AM

I have had mine since last October.
The only problems I have had have been 2.5' above the handle bars.

Mike

**Bersquack** · 05-03-2009, 11:50 AM

No problems with mine at all. Knock on a big a$$ hunk of wood.

**D&J's#2** · 05-03-2009, 05:54 PM

Check with Bradford Marine there in Hot Springs. Unfortunately, I know what you're talking about and the real problem is with the coil wires crossing the TCM. BRP discovered the reason for the glitch late this week. If you have any problems contact the Bradford Marine in North Little Rock's shop supv. They have the solution and it's fairly simple

**Extracool** · 05-04-2009, 11:09 AM

We have 3000 miles on our SE5, love the shift and rarely use the downshift because about the time i start to downshift, it shifts. If you let off of the throttle and hit the brake , it is going to downshift.On panic stops, all you hear is 4 exhaust notes in quick order and when you are stopped, you are in 1st gear.The only time i manually downshift is when i come into a sharp curve and do not want to brake but need to slow down a little without losing RPMs.

Love not having to hold clutch in in long traffic lines.Wife drives as much as i do and loves it.

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