SE5 and downshifting

[bmwlarry]

I will take my bike in to the shop and Wed but thought I would post this question today. I noticed this weekend while riding 2up and pulling a trailer -- especially the 2 to 1 downshift, it seems to blip the throttle about 4 times before it drops into first. The dealer said this is unusual so I'm taking it in. Does any of your SE5 bikes do the she while towing? When 1up and no trailer, the shifts are simple and clean.

 

[harrypottar]

No mine shifts clean just at different points when in trailer mode. Does it do this on all grades of roads, flat, up/down hill etc. just a guess but might be trying to get the rpm to where it needs to be before shifting down. The dealer will tell on Wednesday. Does your spyder have all the latest software updates?

Harry

 

[Max LTD]

I will take my bike in to the shop and Wed but thought I would post this question today. I noticed this weekend while riding 2up and pulling a trailer -- especially the 2 to 1 downshift, it seems to blip the throttle about 4 times before it drops into first. The dealer said this is unusual so I'm taking it in. Does any of your SE5 bikes do the she while towing? When 1up and no trailer, the shifts are simple and clean.

Had the exact same issue on my 2011 RT Limited about a month ago. The dealer did a great job contacting BRP to properly fix the odd downshifting from 2nd to 1st gear. I know that he played with the clutch shim and changed a spring (clutch that was out of spec). The Spyder has been great since my last shop visit. If you need the exact details of my fix, please let me know and I will contact my Technician.

 

[boborgera]

I will take my bike in to the shop and Wed but thought I would post this question today. I noticed this weekend while riding 2up and pulling a trailer -- especially the 2 to 1 downshift, it seems to blip the throttle about 4 times before it drops into first. The dealer said this is unusual so I'm taking it in. Does any of your SE5 bikes do the she while towing? When 1up and no trailer, the shifts are simple and clean.

Do you have it in trailer mode when trailering??

 

[bmwlarry]

Yes it is in trailer mode. I rode again yesterday without trailer 1up, in and out of trailer mode, and it seemed to be fine so I assume it is only while trailer is attached. I will take the trailer with me tomorrow to the dealer.
Thanks

 

[Bob Denman]

Do you have it in trailer mode when trailering??

If it doesn't lock trailer mode in automatically; I'd say "no"; but you probably should be using it...

 

[bmwlarry]

I do always use trailer mode while trailering. Yesterday I tried the trailer mode "without" a trailer just to see how the shifting was. It seemed correct without trailer. I'm thinking that the issue my be precipitated by the loading while the trailer is actually attached.

 

[harrypottar]

Have you tried it with an empty trailer? or do you not have much in your trailer

harry

 

[bmwlarry]

An update:

The bike has been at the shop all day while they run new shifting updates. Next the ran the computer thru a new update to relearn shifting patterns. After calling BRP, Schaun was told to check the transmission oil pressure and if pressures are fine, proceed to tear down the clutch. I guess there is a heavier clutch spring that may need installed. Part way in, Schaun realized that BRP had never furnished the necessary parts for the pressure test. Parts are ordered. He did install the new oil change panels and they are pretty trick! Next we realized the rear brakes are at about 15% with only 4500 miles and the front pads are like new. He had to order pads also. As soon as the parts are in, I will take it back in for the shifting repair issues as well as new rear pads and some diagnostics to see if maybe the parking brake was way out of adjustment or maybe the front brakes were never working in the linked brake setup.

DARN!!

 

[Max LTD]

An update:

The bike has been at the shop all day while they run new shifting updates. Next the ran the computer thru a new update to relearn shifting patterns. After calling BRP, Schaun was told to check the transmission oil pressure and if pressures are fine, proceed to tear down the clutch. I guess there is a heavier clutch spring that may need installed. Part way in, Schaun realized that BRP had never furnished the necessary parts for the pressure test. Parts are ordered. He did install the new oil change panels and they are pretty trick! Next we realized the rear brakes are at about 15% with only 4500 miles and the front pads are like new. He had to order pads also. As soon as the parts are in, I will take it back in for the shifting repair issues as well as new rear pads and some diagnostics to see if maybe the parking brake was way out of adjustment or maybe the front brakes were never working in the linked brake setup.

DARN!!

Any updates on this one?

 

[bmwlarry]

Sorry. As for the brakes, when the tech removed the back brake pads, they measured 99%. Apparently the rt brakes have a lot of metal and are very thin from the start. My own pads were put back in. As for the shifting, BRP authorized the replacement of the complete clutch package. At this time, I have only ridden without the trailer and not in trailer mode. The shifting is fast and exact. I will give it a shot soon with the trailer, trailer mode and two up soon and see how it does. The tech said the clutch plates were burnt and warped. I'm assuming this happened while the previous owner put 256 miles on it as I follow the RPM shifting guideline!

Update coming.

 

[Illinois Boy]

I'm assuming this happened while the previous owner put 256 miles on it as I follow the RPM shifting guideline!

What are you calling the "shifting guideline"?

 

[bmwlarry]

The guideline I am talking about is to never cruise at or below 3500 rpm in any gear except first. I always upshift at 5000 rpm as it will always put the next gear rpm above 3500.

 

[Illinois Boy]

Perfect!