A QUESTION ABOUT TRANSMITIONS

[Sunshyn]

As some of the members here might have noticed in the posting I made regarding the purchase of my Spyder about two weeks ago, it came with a manual transmition. The seller told me that he quickly became tired of the effort needed to shift gears, so he had it converted to a semi-automatic. I have been speaking with someone who knows quite a lot about Spyders, having owned several of them, and was told that it was unlikely that this conversation could be made. Obviously, it can be done, because my 2008 Spyder has a semi-automatic transmition, one that shifts gears with the paddle like button on the left handlebar. On the original bill of sale presented to the first owner the Spyder is "described" as a 2008 BRP Can Am Roadster Spyder GS SA R with an item number QBRA28G.

I am wanting to purchase another Spyder and hoping it will have a semi-automatic transmition as part of the OE. Finding one that does not have one, I want to know what I would have to do to make it have a semi-automatic transmition. Do dealerships do this kind of work? Would they do it for someone like me who purchases a used one? If not, could/would someone who works on motorcycles do a satisfactory job of converting one? I've not found a used Spyder with an semi-automatic in the price range that used Spyders actually sell for. I've noticed that there are some owners who expect to get most of what they have spent on their Spyder back out. I've been told that that just does NOT happen.

I have one other question: What do the letters "GS SA R" mean in the description of my Can Am Roadster Spyder?

Thank you in advance for any answers, suggestions, recommendations, or advise provided to this new Spyder owner who joined this site a couple weeks ago.

Sunshyn

 

[CyncySpyder]

Sorry Sunshyn :dontknow: but we dont have any answers for ya :dontknow: Just wanted to say :congrats: & :welcome: again :2thumbs:

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

transmissions

hey sunshyne, why not just get a spyder with an auto transmission ? I have a 08 sm5 and would not trde it for the world, love shifting through the gears, seem to have greater control , versus an auto, my wife's van and our toy hauler truck are both auto trans and I HATE THEM.:sour:

 

[Sunshyn]

Buying Spyder with AT

Thank you for the response. I'm looking for a used Spyder with a SAT, but have not found one, yet. I am patient, though, and will find one sooner or later. However, there seem to be some great MT Spyders for sale, so I wondered about converting one of those. I would never buy a Spyder without an AT. It is a personal preference.

Sunshyn

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

transmission

I would think the conversion would/could be done , but definetly cost prohibitive. Suggest the search for an automatic type unit. Have some experience in this field, not recommended to convert, more problems than what you need or want, Good luck.

 

[Sunshyn]

Transmition conversion

Thank you for responding. I understand your opinion, but at the same time, my Spyder came with a manual transmition and was converted to a semi-automatic prior to my purchasing it. I really don't want to bug the seller, but I guess if I'm going to understand what/how the conversion was done I'll have ask him to give me the details. Initially, he told me it cost him $1500 to have it done.
Sunshyn

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

yes, that is I would be doing, asking lots and lots of questions. Once again good luck.:spyder2:

 

[spyryder]

Just checked the BRP parts catalogue and your model number A28G, shows it left the factory as an SE5:

Spyder GS 990, Semi-Automatic, Roadster Red. North America. Engine, Rotax 991 SA

(ALL manual Spyders that year were A18's)

 

[NancysToy]

Just checked the BRP parts catalogue and your model number A28G, shows it left the factory as an SE5:
Spyder GS 990, Semi-Automatic, Roadster Red. North America. Engine, Rotax 991 SA

:agree: You were fed a line. Your Spyder always was electric shift. The model number doesn't lie. The conversion, BTW, might be able to be done, but it could not likely be done for $1,500. There are a lot of parts involved, including a computer module, clutch and transmission parts...plus a whole bunch of labor. There have been some Spyders converted with a Kliktronic electric shifter, though.

 

[Sunshyn]

Oh my goodness!

Thank you, Spyryder, for this new information. Now I'm wondering why he would have told me that he had it changed. For sure I am calling the dealership in Mobile where it came from and see what light they can shed on this. I am most grateful for this new information.

Sunshyn

 

[NancysToy]

Thank you, Spyryder, for this new information. Now I'm wondering why he would have told me that he had it changed. For sure I am calling the dealership in Mobile where it came from and see what light they can shed on this. I am most grateful for this new information.

Sunshyn

Perhaps it is just a misundertanding, and he meant to say that he changed what he ordered. The SE model costs $1,500 more.

 

[spyryder]

Thank you, Spyryder, for this new information. Now I'm wondering why he would have told me that he had it changed. For sure I am calling the dealership in Mobile where it came from and see what light they can shed on this. I am most grateful for this new information.

Sunshyn

He probably got you a bit confused in explaining that both versions use basically the same manual transmission. If he paid $1500, that probably means he just opted for the SE5. I can't see any way that he actually had it converted....it would cost thousands if you added all the parts up.

 

[ARtraveler]

Very interesting opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[boborgera]

He probably got you a bit confused in explaining that both versions use basically the same manual transmission. If he paid $1500, that probably means he just opted for the SE5. I can't see any way that he actually had it converted....it would cost thousands if you added all the parts up.

:agree:More than likely the original owner was about to buy the manual then when the dealer said for 15 hundred more we can switch you over to an auto,
Deal done! :dontknow:

 

[Sunshyn]

Many Thanks

A big "Thank you" to all for helping me with this transmition thing. I guess what confused me is the fact that I have the, no, A original invoice dated 9/12/2008 from SRS Powersports in Semmes, AL stating the model number, unit serial number, and a long list of item numbers beginning with the 2008 BRP Can Am Roadster Spyder GS SA R 17,399. The total cost of the Spyder and all 21 of the additional items the seller bought for the Spyder +plus fees, shipping, and set-up came to $24,644.61. Stapled to the invoice is the BRP Warranty Registration and the Alabama title application both in the seller's name, as is the invoice mentioned earlier. I have no doubt that the Spyder was purchased by the man who sold it to me. After reading all the posts here, I am sure that Spyder came with an automatic transmition, and again, thank you to all for your valuable input. I hope, after I've been on this site and have some experience with my Spyder, I can be of help to someone. I think this is a great community of people and I look forward to meeting up with you at some point in time.

Sunshyn aka Sandy

 

[Bob Denman]

Sandy,
On a related issue... Now that I've got more information.
The SE 5 transmission won't let you upshift to a higher gear unless the rpm levels will be high enough. I experimented with my RT until I found the lowest possible speeds at which I can hit the paddles...
Since you've got a GS I'm not sure where it'll allow you to upshift. The RT's powerband has been moved down the rev level quite a bit, so some experimenting on your part will be needed. have some fun and let me know how you make out with it! :2thumbs:

 

[Sunshyn]

Thank you

Thank you, Bob, for this additional information. I will see what I can make it do, once I'm comfortable with the throttle. I refer to it as the bottle rocket in my hand:yikes::gaah:and the first couple times I drove it, I actually did scream when it took off nearly ejecting me off of it. :gaah: Talk about learning respect REEEAL FAST:bowdown:.......lol. My neighbors laughed themselves silly. For sure this beautiful "HOT Red" as I call her will be a whole new learning curve for me.

I saw a canoe like thing with a little motor on it the other day, mentioned it to my neighbor as I want to do some fishing, but not off a bridge, bank or beach. Her reply was, "Don't you think you should learn to ride your Spyder before you venture into something else?" She is right of course, but I do tend to be a bit of an adventurer. Used to be an avid roller blader until a fall resulted in a torn rotator cup. I learned to scuba dive and was certified at age 64 hyea::clap:. Perhaps Sunshyn is going through 3rd childhood:yes:.

Well, thanks again for the additional information, Bob. Hope to see you at a get together event someday.

 

[SpyderWolf]

hey sunshyne, why not just get a spyder with an auto transmission ? I have a 08 sm5 and would not trde it for the world, love shifting through the gears, seem to have greater control , versus an auto, my wife's van and our toy hauler truck are both auto trans and I HATE THEM.:sour:

I am not trying to bust your chops, but this is a topic that pops up quite frequently that contains incorrect information.

There is no such thing as an automatic transmission on the Spyder. The SE5 model is an electronic clutch that is controlled with a paddle shifter under the left hand grip. You must shift up by pressing the paddle forward with your thumb to go to the next gear, the Spyder will not do that for you. You can control the downshift points by pulling back on the paddle with your left index finger. However, if you don't feel like doing that the Spyder will downshift for you when the engine reaches a certain RPM level. That is the only shifting the Spyder can do on its own, and for that reason some people call it a semi-automatic transmission. It is nothing like the automatic transmission in your car, unless you have one of the cars with the sport paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

 

[Bob Denman]

Would you be willing to refer to it as a "semi-automatic"? (I just prefer to call it an "SE 5".

 

[Sunshyn]

Busting Chops

No chops busted here, Spyderwolf. Actually, I recall someone mentioning that the Spyder does not have an automatic transmission in a post waaaaaay back. I spent a lot of time on here the first couple days after I joined this site. I am and will remain grateful for the straightforward advice and information about our treasured Spyders. I sit here in front of this pc in absolute awe looking at what people do to/with their Spyders. I just finished looking at all the lighting mods you have made. Amazing! Everytime I see someone's mod(s) I think to myself, "I want to do that to HOT Red." Keep on with the great postings, Y'all!