Fire Joe
MOgang Member
If there was ever a choice, I would love to bring my bike to that state again.
Pretty sure there is one, you can pull the fuse for the DPS

If there was ever a choice, I would love to bring my bike to that state again.
Any thoughts on this? Did it yank the bar to the right and then try to correct itself and yank left? An uncommanded ghost "s" manuever?Am I missing something here? I don't understand how the Spyder making a right-hand turn could lift the left tire off of the ground.
Pretty sure there is one, you can pull the fuse for the DPSI rode my Spyder for close to 2 months this past year like that while I waited for a new DPS unit to arrive when mine went out.
You know I tried that once and all Hades broke loose on the cluster! All kinds of codes and indicators started appearing and it scared me so I put the thing back in! I am very curious, Sir; what happened when you pulled yor fuse?
:agree:Desert Spyder, Thanks for the update on the status of Wayne and Sue, and for providing the additional information as well. I am sure we will all be anxiously awaiting any results from the investigation in the accident. I am very glad they were not seriously injured during this incident.
I mentioned earlier how he was turning left and was straightening out when it happened and this was not the case. Picture yourself at a 4-way stop with 2 lanes going each direction and the turn lane in the middle. Wayne was turning left at the intersection. Within 1-1.5 seconds he felt the right front dip suddenly but had no idea why. He remembered no sound. He was trying his best to steer to safety but the steering was locked and he struck a curb, the bike rolled to its side, throwing the occupants, and righted itself. As soon as he saw his wife was alright he turned the engine off and that was the last he had anything to do with the bike. He has not seen the bike since. It was actually towed about 200 yards away. As quoted from DesertSpyder
All was fine with my cluster when the fuse was pulled. Only thing that was showing was the "Check DPS" message.
Very glad they're okay!
Now that we have much better information, it's pretty clear this *may* have had nothing to do with the DPS. The other important thing mentioned was that he hit a curb. I've yet to hear of a Spyder flipping over without the assistance of something like a curb.
I personally don't see a spyder being able to flip at such a slow speed without some external influence (curb).
And with all due respect to the rider - (and I'm not saying this was the case here as I wasn't there and don't know the riders experience level) - most accidents are due to operator error - not equipment malfunction.
We all need to be prepared for equipment failure at all times. Something as simple as a flat tire could instigate an accident such as this one.
Practice the various maneuvers in the owners manual. Practice emergency shutdowns, etc.
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One other thing I noticed that might be a typo Desert Spyder-- you mentioned a 10-15 second gap between riders. This seem really really excessive for a 'group' ride IMO.
Thanks for keeping us all posted. Glad they have a good attitude about it all.:2thumbs:
If I remember correctly from a post awhile back, there are actually 2 fuses; one near the trunk and the other under the seat.
One other thing I noticed that might be a typo Desert Spyder-- you mentioned a 10-15 second gap between riders. This seem really really excessive for a 'group' ride IMO. by Firefly
Years ago while riding with the GWRRA we were riding tight and staggered (2 seconds) on a 2-lane highway, doing the speed limit. Someone tried to pass all of us and had to squeeze a Goldwing to the far right of the lane to avoid a head on. I know what the professionals say about group riding, but even on muli-lane highways the cars will try and get between you for the next exit. They have no problem doing so. I am not one to argue with a 4-wheeled metal box. If I get hit, I lose. Period. That is why I will not ride with any group that rides tight. After one incident on I-5 a while back I was indirectly called at the meeting about someone coming between me and the Spyder in front of me. I had watched the driver in the car and his actions showed me that he wanted the space that was less than safe...I gladly gave it to him. If that is unsafe, count me out.
I just got my new DPS installed, steers much easier than before, almost too easy. Before it used to understeer, now it seems to oversteer slightly. It seems like it would be able to dodge a pothole or something in the road much better at speed than before, seems to have more assist at higher speeds, seemed a little sluggish before. I was happy with the old DPS, but the new one is much better, I'm happy. Had both updates done, that went well also, and seems to shift much easier. They said i need to keep a closer watch on the oil level, that i was 2 quarts low, i said "i don't think so" when i got home and looked at the oil stick it was 1.5" above the full mark!
One other thing I noticed that might be a typo Desert Spyder-- you mentioned a 10-15 second gap between riders. This seem really really excessive for a 'group' ride IMO. by Firefly
Years ago while riding with the GWRRA we were riding tight and staggered (2 seconds) on a 2-lane highway, doing the speed limit. Someone tried to pass all of us and had to squeeze a Goldwing to the far right of the lane to avoid a head on. I know what the professionals say about group riding, but even on muli-lane highways the cars will try and get between you for the next exit. They have no problem doing so. I am not one to argue with a 4-wheeled metal box. If I get hit, I lose. Period. That is why I will not ride with any group that rides tight. After one incident on I-5 a while back I was indirectly called at the meeting about someone coming between me and the Spyder in front of me. I had watched the driver in the car and his actions showed me that he wanted the space that was less than safe...I gladly gave it to him. If that is unsafe, count me out.
I really don't believe in the two second rule, even in staggered formation. There are too many incidents of bikes in this tight of a group hitting each other in case of a problem, and there is no room for the inevitable intrusion...even with a small group. I have been converted to the 3-5 second interval...in good weather. 15 seconds is way too much, however. That is over 1,500 feet at 70 mph! If you leave more than a quarter mile between bikes, you will lose the group, have endless intrusions, and lose the visibility advantages that group riding affords. You may as well be riding alone. Leave enough space to avoid trouble and stop safely, but don't stretch it out so far that you become visually distinct from the group. Just my humble opinion.