the most dangerous motorcycle on the road

[wyliec]

I have highway pegs and found myself sometimes fumbling when trying to go from the highway peg to the (small OEM) brake pedal. So, I purchased the oversized brake pedal from Tricled and now I don't have that problem.

I'm just curious as to where you (canner) have your foot when trying to find the brake.

canner is it possible to take a picture of your set up and post it here? I know it sounds like most members were coming down on you; but, it would have probably been better if you had tried to get some input as to how to correct the problem.

 

[NancysToy]

If you take a MSRC or read the manual for the Spdyer, they both stress being familiar with the machine you are riding, be it 2 wheels or 3. Every machine is a little different, and you simply have to learn the characteristics of the machine you intend to ride. I have let experienced (2 wheel) riders ride my RT, and yes, they do have a tendency to grab air on the right handle bar. But that certainly doesn't make the Spdyer "unsafe". I have been fortunate enough to only have to make 1 panic stop and that was on my GS after only having ridden for a few months. I had no problem finding the brake and staying in control of the Spyder. I'm sorry you feel that way about yours, but I really think your off the reservation on the Spyder being unsafe. As an engineer myself, I truly appreciate all of the safety that BRP designed into the Spyder. I know there is no such thing as a "safe" motorcyle, but IMHO I think the Spyder is as close as you'll ever get.

:agree: Well said!

 

[TOPDOGJIM]

Never had any issue braking. Matter of fact, when I have needed to stop more often than not my spyder would stop faster than I would. I do not miss a hand brake from the 2 wheel life. I am confident in my ryde and my ryding style.

Me 2, well said.

 

[rogerb]

:agree: I have the handbrake on my Rt. There is nothing wrong with the braking system itself. With me the problem is I can't ride with my feet on the pegs all the time so I had to add the hand brake. I am quicker with my hand than trying to move my leg so its safer for me to have the hand brake just in case I need it. Is it expensive if it saves your life? Not to me. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Here's a comparison between the stock brake pedal and my replacement... :2thumbs:

 

[viperred]

Brake

I agree with all those who defend the Spyder's braking abilty. I think its great.:ani29:

 

[SpyderDog65]

It just takes a bit of getting used to not having a handbreak. Bad breaks on a can am spyder now I know your crazy. The brakes on a spyder have immense stopping power they dam near toss your ass over the handle bars if your not careful

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NON BRAKES

I have an old anchor you can have...you pay the shipping...:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:....Also I'm thinking of cutting my brake pedal to make it smaller , do you want the piece I cut off...:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::yikes::gaah::gaah: Mike

 

[Smokinspyder]

While I respect your opinion about the brake pedal but I have had no problems finding the brake pedal to slow down or emergency stop. there has to be something we can figure out here to assist you with your problem . OR could it be that going to the spyder from typical 2 wheelers its just having to get used to the single brake ???? at least your keeping the spyder so it shows you have some taste ha ha I had to poke fun a little ;P

 

[DynamoBT]

Another one here with no problem with the brakes on the Spyder. The braking exceeded my expectations the first time I rode one. Get yourself to a parking lot and practice stops from varying distances. Stay practicing until you feel comfortable. No one should exceed their comfort level on the streets. Too much out of our control as it is. Ride within your limits. Leave more space between you and cars in front until you are comfortable with what the Spyder can do. Lack of a handbrake should not be a problem with linked ABS brakes

 

[MarkLawson]

There's no question about the effectiveness of the Spyder brakes as designed. The real problem may be your braking technique. Any MSF course will teach you to use both the hand brake and the foot brake when braking. If you have been braking properly all along on your two-wheeler, you will also brake properly on the Spyder, plus you'll even add some "air brake" action while trying to grab the hand brake that isn't there! As you feel the Spyder is unsafe, I must conclude your braking technique could use some improvement regardless of the bike you are riding, as you apparently are not in the habit of using your foot brake at all.

Practice safe braking on the Spyder and the Harley & you'll be much more confident on both.

 

[FrankPa]

If you hit the brake pedal hard...

you better hang on tight... that sucker stops FAST !!!

 

[joet82]

Never had any issue braking. Matter of fact, when I have needed to stop more often than not my spyder would stop faster than I would. I do not miss a hand brake from the 2 wheel life. I am confident in my ryde and my ryding style.

:agree:

 

[jeromeb]

My touring club requires that CanAms ride in the rear of the formation because of the stopping agility and with rapid reponse. My retort is if you cannot control your ride in a safe matter I prefer you not ride or at least be in front of me. When I was in flight school, we spent hours in the trainers prior to each flight. Lesson is: practice until you feel a part of the machine and every action is immediate and intuitive. Coming off a sport touring bike the change required some thought changes but I adjusted quickly and like the controls better on the spyder. My hands feel better after a long ride. When I bought the RT I took it to the blue Ridges and rode the Parkway up and back and numerous side roads including the gap 4 times. I left feeling as one with machine and confident with our combined abilities. See you in Cuba.
Jerry

 

[glasspyder]

Brakes

So many perfectly worded replies... My two pennys...

The brake pedal is in the same place on my Buell, on my old vrod, and on my hubby's street glide. I've just gotten lazy. I no longer have to remember that the vrod liked a lil more front brake then the Buell.

V

 

[KipDM]

if you don't use the foot brakes on any bike you ride you ARE the most dangerous bike on the road.
since the vast majority of bikes do NOT have distributed braking then you should ALWAYS use all the brake controls.
and i have heard TONs of riders say to NOT use the hand brake because it causes wrecks......

if u feel unsafe on your ride either practice more, or get a bike you are confident on.

 

[bluestratos]

No problem with the foot brake here. I was natural the moment I got on the bike.

 

[DLewis]

I think the "no hand brake" philosophy from BRP also helped the "type" of folks who never rode a motorcycle before the Spyder. The comfort of going from a cage to the open ride without having to learn a "new" task made it a WHOLE lot easier for me. That and the semi-auto meant that newbies (like me) could get the hang of riding really quick. :yes: JMHO

 

[smurfette]

Brake issue?

I have a 2009 can am rs se5 and dearly love the bike. I also own a Harley Electraglide. They both have their place on the road. However the Can Am has a horrific brake problem, that being finding the brake pedal especilly in an emergency situation. I have install floor boards and the hinged brake entension. This has improved the braking situation by at least 50 percent. However fun it is to ride, the braking situation, in my opinion, makes it the most unsafe bike on the road. I won't sell it because it is too much fun to ride. The dealer wants $1700 to install a hand brake which would probably make it one of the safer bikes out there. I just wish BRP would not be so stubborn and install the handbrake on the new models. How many people have died because of this. I know of one.

I know this has probably made a lot of people mad, however, one should not have to ride wondering where the brake pedal is.

I agree with several of the other replies that say this sounds like a lack of familiarity with your ryde. Try finding either a Spyder specific training course or one designed for trikes/sidecars. Another good idea is to follow the exercises that are in your owner's manual. Putting the Spyder through its paces under controlled circumstances will improve your confidence greatly, and will help allay some of your apparent fear. Plus, with only one brake pedal, you only have ONE thing to think about if an emergency arises. No worries about potentially going butt over teakettle! Good Luck!:lecturef_smilie:

 

[gln2]

I could not disagree with you more I have had and rode Harleys for more than 40+ years and every bike I have bought there has been a learning curve. The spyder is designed with more safety features than any Harley or Honda that I have ever owned I have yet to see a Nanny on any other bike not saying there isn't one but I for one have not seen it. There are some things about the nanny I not real pleased with but that is part of the safety stuff which I for one applaud BRP. I also own a 2009 Electraglide and a 2010 RTS- SM5 which I might add there was also a learning curve. I feel much more safe on my spyder than I have ever on any other of my two wheeled bikes. Thats why My Harley is collecting dust. I'm thinking that this issue boils down to with some people somethimes you can't teach an old dog new tricks. However as with most of us we keep learning otherwise we would not spend $20 or $30K on a trike that is unsafe or for that matter as you say the most unsafe bike on the road.