2008 SM5 not shifting...

[wyliec]

I've read plenty of posts related to SE5's not shifting; but, has anyone had a problem with a GS/RS SM5 not shifting?

I was stranded a little bit from home today and had to call for the BEST Roadside Assistance. When coming up to a red light I noticed the spyder would not shift. The normal easy movement of the clutch lever was gone and of course I had great difficulty moving the shifter.

I've had the oil changes done at regular intervals at the BRP dealer using the BRP blend oil. The last oil change was done last week at 14,500 and I now have 14,700. All fluid levels were checked last week at the dealer and all was well.

By the way, rather than have the spyder dropped off at the closest dealer, I had it dropped off at my dealer; that cost an extra $75 on top of the allowable $200. I did that b/c I had no idea how long my spyder would be waiting for service at the other dealer. At my dealer they said they would look at it on Monday or Tuesday. When it was dropped off today at my dealer, the owner said that was the first he had seen of an SM5 with that problem.

If this had to happen, I'm glad it happened now. In a few weeks we are riding to R.I. and I'd rather not be stranded in an area I'm not familiar with.

 

[Freddy]

Not me, but I eagerly await the diagnosis.

 

[Mo Lee]

Sounds like a clutch problem.

 

[wyliec]

I didn't think of how dangerous this could have been until the spyder was dropped off at the dealer. If this had happened on a multi-lane highway, I may not have made it to the side of the road and there I would have been trying to get it into neutral to push it.

 

[wyliec]

I have an easier question. Since I have a clutch problem and the clutch is a wear item, do you think it won't be covered under warranty or would you say it depends on the actual problem?

 

[bone crusher]

I had a problem with my bike going into first and then slipping back into neutral. I have no idea what caused it, but I had the bike towed to a dealership where they promptly fixed it....I have the BEST so they towed it for me and it was covered under warranty...

No issues since...I will say that sometimes going from 1st to 2nd is a bit dicey if you let go of the clutch too quickly...you can end up in neutral if you're too fast with this. I demoed another bike or two at my dealership the last few times I was there and they all seem to do this...just have to be a bit careful with this transition...

 

[wyliec]

I had a problem with my bike going into first and then slipping back into neutral.

No issues since...I will say that sometimes going from 1st to 2nd is a bit dicey if you let go of the clutch too quickly...you can end up in neutral if you're too fast with this.

Mine is not doing that.

What made it so bad is that when I could got it into neutral to start the spyder, the clutch lever had absolutely no movement to let me pull in to shift. What would happen is that I could eventually move/work the shifter into gear and then of course the spyder would stall. It's like the clutch lever never moved back out to its normal position, if that makes sense.

When the tow truck finally arrived, we got it into neutral and then had to push the spyder on to the flat bed.

I'm kind of surprised no one else here has had this problem.

 

[Freddy]

Mine is not doing that.

<snip

When the tow truck finally arrived, we got it into neutral and then had to push the spyder on to the flat bed.

I'm kind of surprised no one else here has had this problem.

Ya gotta love Spyders - there's never a dull moment reading this forum - worrisome maybe, but never dull!

 

[bone crusher]

Mine is not doing that.

What made it so bad is that when I could got it into neutral to start the spyder, the clutch lever had absolutely no movement to let me pull in to shift. What would happen is that I could eventually move/work the shifter into gear and then of course the spyder would stall. It's like the clutch lever never moved back out to its normal position, if that makes sense.

When the tow truck finally arrived, we got it into neutral and then had to push the spyder on to the flat bed.

I'm kind of surprised no one else here has had this problem.

That's an interesting problem...some sort of clutch issue. Please let us know what it was when it is fixed...I assume that they'll be able to figure this out rather quickly...at least, I hope so...doesn't seem too complicated, but you never know.

 

[wyliec]

To those that expressed an interest, it was looked at today. Since I'm not an expert and I didn't write anything down, I believe when I called a little while ago I was told that when they removed the clutch cover that the nut that holds the (clutch) assy. in place had come off. BRP was called and they said that has never happened before; but, they wanted a complete incident report so they can check into it further.

The repairs will be covered under warranty. The dealer mentioned they ordered a few parts, which will be in tomorrow. One part was the diaphragm, I believe.

I'll find out more tomorrow.

 

[bone crusher]

To those that expressed an interest, it was looked at today. Since I'm not an expert and I didn't write anything down, I believe when I called a little while ago I was told that when they removed the clutch cover that the nut that holds the (clutch) assy. in place had come off. BRP was called and they said that has never happened before; but, they wanted a complete incident report so they can check into it further.

The repairs will be covered under warranty. The dealer mentioned they ordered a few parts, which will be in tomorrow. One part was the diaphragm, I believe.

I'll find out more tomorrow.

Great news...sounds like you'll be on your way soon...betcha that lil' doggie of yours chewed the nut off...probably thought it was a treat!

 

[groundeffect]

To those that expressed an interest, it was looked at today. Since I'm not an expert and I didn't write anything down, I believe when I called a little while ago I was told that when they removed the clutch cover that the nut that holds the (clutch) assy. in place had come off. BRP was called and they said that has never happened before; but, they wanted a complete incident report so they can check into it further.

The repairs will be covered under warranty. The dealer mentioned they ordered a few parts, which will be in tomorrow. One part was the diaphragm, I believe.

I'll find out more tomorrow.

Hey wyliec - Happy for you that this is covered under warranty! Be interesting to see if they find the root cause of this. Sounds like you're be rYding again, soon! Keep us posted and good luck! Cheers from Newfoundland!:thumbup: