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2009 Spyder GS/RS: Possible Steering Problem...(need input)
Ok, where to start? i have rode sport bikes all my life but i am getting older and wanted something different and more comfy so i bought this 09 Spyder about 2 months ago and so far im having a blast on it except for one thing the handling ,i have to keep compensating on straightaways its not as violent as a death wobble but it will sway left and right also makes cornering harder to do seems to get worse on the interstate when i get to speeds of 50 to 70mph
at first i thought maybe its just my inexperience with the spyder coming from 2 wheel bikes or wind buffering i do have a 23" windshield installed on it
but surely this cant be the norm
i did get a chance to ride a F3 and it was stable no wobble what so ever
i need some input here im at a loss!
what iv done so far is new kenda tires all around and had it balanced/alignment done
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Very Active Member
I notice you are new to the site.
Here is a helpful read: https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-Spyder-owners
Other places to check, tire pressures, tire tread, and the tendency to over control. That will give the Spyder a "mind of its own" when going down the road.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Originally Posted by ARtraveler
I notice you are new to the site.
Here is a helpful read: https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...-Spyder-owners
Other places to check, tire pressures, tire tread, and the tendency to over control. That will give the Spyder a "mind of its own" when going down the road.
alot of good info in that thread, also seen where tire pressure could play a part in it, mine is at 25psi in the front think ill try 17psi like the manual recommends and see if that helps
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by xxLoTeKxx
alot of good info in that thread, also seen where tire pressure could play a part in it, mine is at 25psi in the front think ill try 17psi like the manual recommends and see if that helps
OK the sad fact is KENDA tires have the worst " defect " rate of any tire I have ever heard of .... you may have a bad one or both !!!! .... how many weights are on each wheel ... if there are quite a few that is an indicator ... you didn't have an issue with the F-3, so gripping to hard isn't an issue for you .... early Spyders had a factory re-call on the DPS units ( power steering ). so they were an problem early on ..... try this... with engine OFF try turning the front wheels .... then start it and see if it's better ( easier ) if it is - the DPS may be failing .... good luck ... Mike
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Very Active Member
Any number of combinations between: psi, tire tread, balanced, alignment, road quality. & of course speed. Usually 5k or more miles to get use to handling Spyders push off foot pegs rather than trying clamp the tank with legs
2013 STL SE5 BLACK CURRANT
SpyderPop's: LED bumpskid
SmoothSpyder: dualmode back rest
T r * * LED:foam grip covers, Tricrings, FenderZ,
brake light strips, wide vue mirrors
Rivico SOMA modulation brake leds
sawblade mowhalk fender accents
minispyder dash toy
Lid lox
KradelLock
Pakitrack
GENSSI ELITE LED H4 headlights
FLO (Frunk Lid Organizer)
BRP fog lights, trailer hitch
SENA 20S EVO
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Originally Posted by Bfromla
Any number of combinations between: psi, tire tread, balanced, alignment, road quality. & of course speed. Usually 5k or more miles to get use to handling Spyders push off foot pegs rather than trying clamp the tank with legs
just drove it to work and took the interstate there is still a sway back and forth at 80mph but its extreamly mild now i can ride with one hand and keep control where that was impossible before
i wonder if i should take the psi down to 15psi if that would be even better ,ill have to play with it ,but right now after the psi drop to 17psi in the front im having alot more fun at higher speeds it was kinda scary before
and your right im sure about the 5kmiles to get use to the spyder i'm barley at 500miles in the saddle on it,im still a noob for sure! :P
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by xxLoTeKxx
just drove it to work and took the interstate there is still a sway back and forth at 80mph but its extreamly mild now i can ride with one hand and keep control where that was impossible before
i wonder if i should take the psi down to 15psi if that would be even better ,ill have to play with it ,but right now after the psi drop to 17psi in the front im having alot more fun at higher speeds it was kinda scary before
and your right im sure about the 5kmiles to get use to the spyder i'm barley at 500miles in the saddle on it,im still a noob for sure! :P
... you have Kenda tires .... they need at least 17 psi to be safe at any speed .... I wasn't kidding when I said they are the worst tires. .. Mike
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Very Active Member
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Originally Posted by BLUEKNIGHT911
Well currently the Best Spyder TIRE made is a Vredestein Q-5 .... and they have few 14" sizes that will fit fine ..... Mike
i'll look into those next time ,thanks!
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Did you have a laser alignment done or the factory method of measurements? If it wasn't a laser alignment find a shop that does them. If it was, take it back and let them know that you're still having problems.
Bruce
Yorktown, VA
'08 Spyder GS
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MOgang Member
Back in 10/11 there was a recall on the Spyders due to a faulty power steering unit that would try to steer on its own. BRP recalled the bad units and replaced them. It was kinda funny I was on my way to have the recall done when mine went bad and it was spooky. You might check with BRP and find out if yours was done.
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Originally Posted by bwbarnes
Did you have a laser alignment done or the factory method of measurements? If it wasn't a laser alignment find a shop that does them. If it was, take it back and let them know that you're still having problems.
no was just a regular alignment, i am trying to find a place around here that does the laser though
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Originally Posted by Mo Lee
Back in 10/11 there was a recall on the Spyders due to a faulty power steering unit that would try to steer on its own. BRP recalled the bad units and replaced them. It was kinda funny I was on my way to have the recall done when mine went bad and it was spooky. You might check with BRP and find out if yours was done.
hmm that's a good idea thanks!
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by xxLoTeKxx
no was just a regular alignment, i am trying to find a place around here that does the laser though
Check this link, which may not be 100% current, but it lists a dealer in Lexington: http://www.spydercomfort.com/dealerky.htm. It is worth having to ride a considerable distance to get a laser alignment.
Artillery lends dignity to what would
otherwise be a vulgar brawl.
******************************
Cognac 2014 RT-S
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Originally Posted by JayBros
about 120 miles from me but may have no choice but to go there for it
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 05-06-2021 at 12:20 AM.
Reason: Fixed quote display ;-)
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Originally Posted by Mo Lee
Back in 10/11 there was a recall on the Spyders due to a faulty power steering unit that would try to steer on its own. BRP recalled the bad units and replaced them. It was kinda funny I was on my way to have the recall done when mine went bad and it was spooky. You might check with BRP and find out if yours was done.
Your post here got me thinking so i did some research on the subject ,i think the next sunny day we have (been raining a lot here) im going to pull the 5amp and 40amp DPS fuses to disable the DPS and take a ride to see if that helps or makes things worse
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MOgang Member
Good idea, I remember a few Riders back then made the comment then that they found out their power steering had never worked.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by xxLoTeKxx
UPDATE.........
well turns out it was a messed up alignment and maybe even defective kenda tires.
i have never seen tires get ate up as quick as these did.
they only had 500 at the most 700miles on them and they looked like racing slicks lol
so i took it back to the shop and he didn't even try and argue with me.
he bought me two new tires for the front, car tires this time and had someone else do the alignment this time also, and now it handles like a dream!!
unsure if it was the Kendas or the alignment or maybe even both, but at least its handling great now!!!
Still in search of a place that does laser alignment..........
It is great that you've been able to make progress. But if you did not get a ROLO Laser alignment, your search for a final cure is not yet over. Most laser aligners will not charge you if you are within spec. So, it is a good idea to at least get what you have now checked.
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Originally Posted by BajaRon
It is great that you've been able to make progress. But if you did not get a ROLO Laser alignment, your search for a final cure is not yet over. Most laser aligners will not charge you if you are within spec. So, it is a good idea to at least get what you have now checked.
ya i am still searching for a place that does laser but no luck so far
there is one place that told me they would be setup to do laser alignment maybe in july but yup still looking
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