Jerky Braking?

[kytten]

I have a new 09 SE5 with less than 150 miles on it. I've never ridden a motorcycle before, so I'm not sure 'what to expect' out of the Spyder. One of the things I've noticed is that if I'm braking gradually, the Spyder jerks or bucks occasionally. It seems to do it when it's downshifting. Is this part of it being a semi-automatic? Anyone else have this problem? Is it something I'm doing wrong, maybe? I thought perhaps it comes from braking too gradually. It doesn't seem to do it if I keep steady pressure on the brake.

Anyone have any ideas? I know I can take it to my dealer, but was just hoping for some opinions as to whether this is me or the bike.

Thanks.

 

[3wheeldemon]

I felt a bit like that at the beginning, but it went away. Never figured out if it was the break-in of the brakes of just me learning to adjust to the new bike. I would give it at least until the 600-mile service before going to the dealer; unless becomes real bad.

3WD

 

[Tom in NM]

Probably both you and the bike.

Since the update, there has been a change in my Spyders downshifting, it reminds me of when I first started riding my SE5.

When I am coming up to a light, I let go of the throttle and will downshift and do not use the brake until I am in first. Lately, the Spyders program is downshifting at the same time I am - or just as I give it a little gas to go a little farther to stop. The double down shift can be a little jolt. The downshift just as I am giving it gas will feel like a little buck.

The other day I downshifted the same time the Spyder did and I went into Neutral - didn't realize that until I tried to take off.

Lately, to "re-learn", I have been letting the Spyder downshift with no throttle so I can hear and feel when it is down-shifting. Once that gets locked into my brain, I will probably go back to a lot more manual downshifting. If you downshift while holding the throttle steady or giving it more throttle, it will buck.

3Wheeldemon is also right, since you are still breaking in the Spyder, some things are a little rougher. I was surprised by the change after my 600 oil change - much smoother.

So, it is probably just learning, but if it feels bad, take a run by the dealer and have them take a look at it. They should be able to tell in one little turn around the parking lot and give you some tips.

Tom

 

[QuadManiac]

Most of the time, I downshift before the Spyder would by itself... but every once in a while, if I'm distracted, I'm jolted out of my daydream by the auto-downshift. What you describe sounds pretty normal to me.

BTW, I find that during decelleration, if I hold the throttle JUST a tiny bit on (like just taking up the slack in the throttle cable) that downshifts are usually as smooth as glass - and you can feel the computer 'blipping' the throttle during the down-shift with your throttle hand.

 

[Tom in NM]

BTW, I find that during decelleration, if I hold the throttle JUST a tiny bit on (like just taking up the slack in the throttle cable) that downshifts are usually as smooth as glass - and you can feel the computer 'blipping' the throttle during the down-shift with your throttle hand.

I am going to try that. My downshifting feels fine, normal for a motorcycle, but smooth as glass would be nice sometimes too.

Your handle should be Mr. Throttle.

Tom

 

[Tom in NM]

I tried this . . . . . . .

BTW, I find that during decelleration, if I hold the throttle JUST a tiny bit on (like just taking up the slack in the throttle cable) that downshifts are usually as smooth as glass - and you can feel the computer 'blipping' the throttle during the down-shift with your throttle hand.

. . . . . worked EXACTLY as you said. Wow. It was so smooth that the first couple of times I looked to see what gear it was in and to make sure it shifted. You really are Mister Throttle.
I am impressed.

This is worth bumping up my Smiles per Gallon to 70.

Thanks
Tom