Sleeping Nanny - What's up with that?

[SpyderFun]

So there I was....

Riding 2-up on my 2010 RT-S SE5, stopped at an intersection w/left turn signal blinking away. All tire pressures were previously checked 2-days before and the front shocks have been at 5 since day one and the rear air suspension was at mid-point. Everything seems "Normal" right? I accelerate and make the turn only to find I'm on 2-wheels versus 3! :yikes:
Where was my "Nanny" to stop a bad situation from getting worse (i.e. us rolling the bike over and into on coming traffic)? :dontknow:

Now before you can say "you must have turned too sharp while accelerating too fast" this was my "normal" easy going turn.
NOTE: I have made more aggressive turns in the past without an issue of becoming a 2-wheeler. What changed?

I just want to know:
1.) Anyone else experience this, and;
2) IF you have, what was found to be a potential cause for your Nanny not kicking in to prevent a rollover?

opcorn: opcorn: opcorn:

 

[docdoru]

Interested to apply that on my Spyder :thumbup:

 

[Lamonster]

Could be a swaybar issue. Check all connections at swaybar and links.

 

[SpyderFun]

Post Ride Follow-Up

Could be a swaybar issue. Check all connections at swaybar and links.

As a Post-Ride note, I did the following:
1) Checked the undercarriage - No Issues Found, and;
2) Went back out, 1-up this time, and I could not duplicate the 2-wheel effect.

Let the brain scratching begin!

 

[Firefly]

My guess is maybe passenger pushed weight the wrong way... moved a bit, etc..... to cause wheel to come up.

You can actually bring a front wheel pretty far off the ground before the nanny will do anything. Typically you'll let off the throttle and/or straighten things out before the nanny will kick in. The nanny will cut the throttle and/or apply brakes depending on the situation. I've had a wheel a foot off the ground plenty of times...going slow in a parking lot without nanny kicking in.

At higher speeds, you would typically be shifting your weight to the inside to help keep the tire down... but on roads like the Dragon... you'll actually feel the nanny applying the brakes as you enter the curves.... with both wheels firmly on the ground.... kinda freaky at first..... but really cool once you get used to it.

Good thing to check all your mechanicals out.. but chances are your nanny is just fine. Try a quick take-off and turn sharp... like on some loose gravel or wet pavement... she should kick right in....

 

[Mowerman]

SpyderFun,
I too have had the same problem. While at spyderfest on a ride. But mine ened up we hit a guard rail. I called Len to see if they could look at it.As always Len was there to help. When we got back to cowtown the BRP techs that where there looked at it for 2.5 hours. At first I don't think they really belived me when I told them what it was doing. After they took it out and rode it and had the spyder come up on two wheels on them they where very confused.

They finally said that yes it was the Sway Bar Bushings that had gone bad. They did not not have the parts to fix it nor did Cowtown. They put it alll back together and got it so we could travel home. They told me to take it easy on the way home. Then to get it to my dealer so they could get parts ordered.

Well its been at the dealer now since May 1st and still no parts .

I will keep you updated on what happens

 

[Bob Denman]

Fly might be on to something here... :agree:

 

[SpyderFun]

.....it was the Sway Bar Bushings that had gone bad... I will keep you updated on what happens

Interesting to say the least. How many miles did you have on your Spyder for "worn swaybar bushings"? Mine has <4k so I don't think its that but it is something to keep in mind for future ref. And do keep us informed on how it takes you to get parts. Sad thing is, you could probably get an aftermarket sway bar faster and installed quicker than waiting for BRP.

 

[SpyderFun]

Good Points & More Questions

...My guess is maybe passenger pushed weight the wrong way... moved a bit, etc..... to cause wheel to come up...

My passenger, aka my sexy significant other, does not need to be weighed at a truck scale....:roflblack: All joking aside, when she first started riding with me, I had her try lean more than usual to see if I would notice like I would with a 2-wheeler. Over-leaning in a turn had no effect or notice on handling - the advantage of 3-wheels.

...You can actually bring a front wheel pretty far off the ground before the nanny will do anything. Typically you'll let off the throttle and/or straighten things out before the nanny will kick in. The nanny will cut the throttle and/or apply brakes depending on the situation. I've had a wheel a foot off the ground plenty of times...going slow in a parking lot without nanny kicking in...

How far is "pretty far off the ground" before you can expect Nanny to work or not? Because if she doesn't....you just rolled your ride!

...At higher speeds, you would typically be shifting your weight to the inside to help keep the tire down... but on roads like the Dragon... you'll actually feel the nanny applying the brakes as you enter the curves.... with both wheels firmly on the ground.... kinda freaky at first..... but really cool once you get used to it...

I agree except what if there really is something wrong and Nanny continues to sleep and yet you expect her to work?

...Try a quick take-off and turn sharp... like on some loose gravel or wet pavement... she should kick right in....

I did this when I first got my Spyder to get a "feel" for what to expect. Nothing happened.

 

[Bob Denman]

You can forget about "Nanny" once "The Missus" starts growling! :shocked:

 

[SpyderFun]

You can forget about "Nanny" once "The Missus" starts growling! :shocked:

My other-half was "What H_ _ _ Was That All About!?" So I tried to sound intelligent, "What was what?" :roflblack:

 

[Mowerman]

spyderfun,
You asked about my mileage. I have about 15,000 on my 2010 spyder.

Just got off the phone with my dealership.

They are ordering parts should be in next week. They also told me that the bushings are to be inspected every 6,000 miles. They are a wearable part. This was news to me, but it is in the owners manual.

So everyone please check your bushings on your front sway bar. It is no fun to ride your spyder when they go out.

 

[Bob Denman]

My other-half was "What H_ _ _ Was That All About!?" So I tried to sound intelligent, "What was what?" :roflblack:

:roflblack: Playing dumb is usually my best defense... I'm naturally good at it! pps:

 

[FrankPa]

Interesting regarding worn bushings...

At SpyderFest, John (Elka) and I were trying to isolate a 'clunking' noise coming from my front end (well, actually the Spyder's front end). John felt that the swaybar was 'loose."

He put on the Elkas and I told him I needed my state inspection as soon as I got back to PA and that I'd have my dealer take a look. I have about 5500mi on my 2011 RT-S.

Well, the tech looked and advised that the bushings were worn, that he'd order them to have for my next oil change & service, and that I could still ride OK in the current condition.

In light of the above, I'm not so sure... any suggestions or comments? Thank You!

 

[hrbeta]

You can forget about "Nanny" once "The Missus" starts growling! :shocked:

I hear you, the nanny does not come along when I ride with the wife


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Who needs a Nanny when "The Missus" does a way better job of keeping us slowed down and safe? :gaah:
If you see me in the front yard... PLEASE RUN OVER ME!!! ray:

 

[wyliec]

spyderfun,
You asked about my mileage. I have about 15,000 on my 2010 spyder.

Just got off the phone with my dealership.

They are ordering parts should be in next week. They also told me that the bushings are to be inspected every 6,000 miles. They are a wearable part. This was news to me, but it is in the owners manual.

So everyone please check your bushings on your front sway bar. It is no fun to ride your spyder when they go out.

I've been through the maintenance schedule (in the owner's manual) a number of times for my 2008 GS and I cannot find where it mentions the bushings for the stabilizer/sway bar. Can you point me in the right direction; maybe what it is listed under for your 2010.

You've got me just a little concerned b/c I have the EVO sway bar and they are currently out of business and currently no replacement bushings.

 

[pro10is]

I've been through the maintenance schedule (in the owner's manual) a number of times for my 2008 GS and I cannot find where it mentions the bushings for the stabilizer/sway bar. Can you point me in the right direction; maybe what it is listed under for your 2010.

You've got me just a little concerned b/c I have the EVO sway bar and they are currently out of business and currently no replacement bushings.

Don't be too concerned, even though EVO is out of business you can still get bushings for it from a source such as this:

http://energysuspension.com/universal-products/sway-bar-bushings.html

The GS/RS EVO sway bar is 9/16" or 14mm.

 

[wyliec]

Don't be too concerned, even though EVO is out of business you can still get bushings for it from a source such as this:

http://energysuspension.com/universal-products/sway-bar-bushings.html

The GS/RS EVO sway bar is 9/16" or 14mm.

BajaRon,

Does this help with your Achilles heel?

pro10is,

Thanks. I'll take a look?:thumbup: