An Introduction and Questions

[rambler]

Hello to the forum: I'm a Spyder admirer but not an owner--yet. Had my first test ride last week and loved it. It is on the short list to replace my motorcycle in a year or two. Therefore, I'm gathering as much info as possible. First question: Is there much spray from the tires when riding in the rain? If so, does it cause a visibility problem?
Second question: What's the best wisdom about heated grips? I've looked around this forum and found that there is some discussion about the Spyder having an inadeuate electrical charging system to support heated grips and other accessories. Is there a problem with having enough juick for more than one accessort?
Other questions will follow as I get comfortable with the forum.
Thx in advance for the info.
Rambler

 

[zzneonzz]

Hello to the forum: I'm a Spyder admirer but not an owner--yet. Had my first test ride last week and loved it. It is on the short list to replace my motorcycle in a year or two. Therefore, I'm gathering as much info as possible. First question: Is there much spray from the tires when riding in the rain? If so, does it cause a visibility problem?
Second question: What's the best wisdom about heated grips? I've looked around this forum and found that there is some discussion about the Spyder having an inadeuate electrical charging system to support heated grips and other accessories. Is there a problem with having enough juick for more than one accessort?
Other questions will follow as I get comfortable with the forum.
Thx in advance for the info.
Rambler

welcome

1. I get very little spray if any from the tires when riding in the rain
handles very well...

2. I live in the south don't really need heated grips so can't comment on them.

3. You can have a bunch of accessories i would think. I currently run a GPS and LED's also changed to the No Magic Tripple play that changes how the turn signals work with no problems but there are others here running a whole lot more. So i don't think you will have a problem here.

 

[Roaddog2]

:2thumbs:welcomenope fenders work well:thumbup:

 

[ataDude]

Welcome aboard.

1. Spray... none that I have noticed... as long as you keep the fenders on.

2. Plenty of amperage for grips (50-60w, 5-6 amps) and 110w (9+ amps) of driving lights at the same time. (I run both when needed). The best I can figure is that there is at least 200w (16+ amps) available for accessories out of the 500w the magneto puts out.

Hello to the forum: I'm a Spyder admirer but not an owner--yet. Had my first test ride last week and loved it. It is on the short list to replace my motorcycle in a year or two. Therefore, I'm gathering as much info as possible. First question: Is there much spray from the tires when riding in the rain? If so, does it cause a visibility problem?
Second question: What's the best wisdom about heated grips? I've looked around this forum and found that there is some discussion about the Spyder having an inadeuate electrical charging system to support heated grips and other accessories. Is there a problem with having enough juick for more than one accessort?
Other questions will follow as I get comfortable with the forum.
Thx in advance for the info.
Rambler

 

[Dudley]

Can you believe 7300 miles since 11-18-08 and never drove in rain! Kinda looking forward to it.

 

[jima1153]

welcome aboard

welcomegreat forum group w lots of info!!! enjoy.

 

[NancysToy]

The Spyder fenders are well designed and keep the splash away nicely. Biggest problem in the rain is hydroplaning, and having the nanny kick in when you lose traction as you accelerate. I have even ridden through 8" deep slush and kept dry feet. The fenders and the bodywork do their job. Much drier than even my bikes with full fairings.

You should have no problem with heated grips, but they can't be the internal variety. No place to run the wires out at the steering shaft. Electric gloves are a good option. The Oxford external heated grips or the HotGrips that replace your existing grip, should work fine. A few folks here are running a full outfit of heated clothing, plus auxiliary lighting with no electrical problems.

welcome
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

I have had no issues with excessive water spray while riding in the rain. Like Scotty said, the fenders do their job. And we've added radios, extra lights, a trailer and a GPS without overtaxing the electrical system.

 

[rambler]

Thx to all who replied for the info, and the warm welcome to the forum.

I now have one additional question based on Scotty's message above: What is this "nanny" y'all are talking about?

Roy

 

[zzneonzz]

Thx to all who replied for the info, and the warm welcome to the forum.

I now have one additional question based on Scotty's message above: What is this "nanny" y'all are talking about?

Roy

Its the computer that handles Traction control, ABS and the stability system. It kicks in when the rear tire is spinning at a different speed than the front or if you bring one of the front wheels off the ground. Basically anytime traction is broken.

 

[Director]

Thx to all who replied for the info, and the warm welcome to the forum.

I now have one additional question based on Scotty's message above: What is this "nanny" y'all are talking about?

Roy

Good question, Roy. The "nanny" refers to the Vehicle Stability System (VSS), which is an electronic monitoring system designed to reduce the risk of losing control of the Spyder. It detects any loss of traction and takes steps to correct this. The VSS consists of the SCS (Stability Control System) which basically controls yaw, the TCS (Traction Control System), which detects excessive rear wheel spin, and ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) to prevent loss of steering control and prevent skidding while braking.
To give you an example, in a hard corner at speed, the front wheel on the inside of the turn may want to lift off the road. If the Spyder gets to this point, the VSS will correct the situation by cutting engine power and applying brake on the opposite wheel.
This is a very sophisticated high-tech system designed by Bosch Electronics.

Bruce

 

[Degaman]

Sometimes the 'nanny' can be a little overbearing; as while accelerating into a turn from a stop. But, I suppose the pros outweigh the cons. :shocked:

 

[rambler]

Great answer, folks. The VSS sounds like a practical safety feature; I like it. But, regarding the VSS--what happens next? Let's say the rider loses traction in a front wheel (lifts it off the ground) and the VSS intervenes and cuts power and the front wheel then settles back onto the pavement. Does the full power resume immediately? Or are you left to limp along in a reduced mode for some period of time? How quickly does all this action-reaction happen? Does the rider have time to stop the acceleration? Is all this action-reaction the same for the rear wheel?

New subject--tires. Are there a variety of tire makes, brands, and tread patterns available for the Spyder? Snow tires for example?

Thx for all the info.
Roy

 

[zzneonzz]

Great answer, folks. The VSS sounds like a practical safety feature; I like it. But, regarding the VSS--what happens next? Let's say the rider loses traction in a front wheel (lifts it off the ground) and the VSS intervenes and cuts power and the front wheel then settles back onto the pavement. Does the full power resume immediately? Or are you left to limp along in a reduced mode for some period of time? How quickly does all this action-reaction happen? Does the rider have time to stop the acceleration? Is all this action-reaction the same for the rear wheel?

New subject--tires. Are there a variety of tire makes, brands, and tread patterns available for the Spyder? Snow tires for example?

Thx for all the info.
Roy

The one time i managed to have the VSS kick in on me it just released the throttle till all wheels were back on the ground and going the same direction then it restored the throttle to you and you accellerate/stop whichever you choose.

 

[Roger]

welcome and with some free kc barbecue i will help anyway i can:joke: You will not meet a greater bunch of people than right here. And i like you have gathered a bunch of info and i now know what i want on my spyder when i get it. hyea:hyea:

 

[NancysToy]

New subject--tires. Are there a variety of tire makes, brands, and tread patterns available for the Spyder? Snow tires for example?

Technically, there are only the standard issue Kenda tires designed specifically for the Spyder. These are automotive sizes, but rated for motorcycle use and the lower pressures the Spyder runs. Some folks are trying automobile tires. Promising results so far. It is important to maintain the exact same tire diameter. If the front and rear wheel proportions change, it could throw off the VSS, including the braking, and could even go into limp mode. All the wheels are monitored all the time, not just during braking like with ABS alone.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

Great answer, folks. The VSS sounds like a practical safety feature; I like it. But, regarding the VSS--what happens next? Let's say the rider loses traction in a front wheel (lifts it off the ground) and the VSS intervenes and cuts power and the front wheel then settles back onto the pavement. Does the full power resume immediately? Or are you left to limp along in a reduced mode for some period of time? How quickly does all this action-reaction happen? Does the rider have time to stop the acceleration? Is all this action-reaction the same for the rear wheel?

The VSS kicks in immediately when needed and turns off immediately when it senses things are good. In your example, the VSS would take action to get the tire back on the ground. As soon as it sensed that the tires were all spinning at the same speed and the yaw sensor was showing OK, it stops trying to correct the Spyder's brakes and / or engine. That being said, it won't totally prevent wheel lift and won't necessarily kick in the instant one tire is off the ground.

To my knowledge, the only thing it corrects that can happen to the rear wheel only is if it loses traction while in reverse. That'll kill the engine every time. Breaking the rear loose in forward gears just burns mileage off the tire.

 

[NancysToy]

To my knowledge, the only thing it corrects that can happen to the rear wheel only is if it loses traction while in reverse. That'll kill the engine every time. Breaking the rear loose in forward gears just burns mileage off the tire.

VSS kicks in going forward if it detects a change in the steering angle sensor, which shows that the handlebars are turned more (you got that baby sideways!), or at a perceived speed of about 35 mph at the rear wheels and less at the front. Then it cuts the engine back and if I remember correctly shows a TCS icon on the dash. In reverse it simply shuts the engine down when slipping at about 5 mph.
-Scotty

 

[rambler]

OK folks, I'm back with more questions. I visited yestereday with Bob Metcalf, Spyder owner here in the region. Great guy and a nice looking Spyder. This morning my interest is Spyder maintenance.

Q. What is the recommended maintenance interval for big stuff, like a valve adjustment? How much does it cost at a dealer? I'm not a wrencher and don't own tools (would only hurt myself with them).

Q. Other than valves, what else has to be serviced regularly?

Thx in advance.
Roy

 

[zzneonzz]

OK folks, I'm back with more questions. I visited yestereday with Bob Metcalf, Spyder owner here in the region. Great guy and a nice looking Spyder. This morning my interest is Spyder maintenance.

Q. What is the recommended maintenance interval for big stuff, like a valve adjustment? How much does it cost at a dealer? I'm not a wrencher and don't own tools (would only hurt myself with them).

Q. Other than valves, what else has to be serviced regularly?

Thx in advance.
Roy

The biggest thing is the Valve's and its recomended in the book that they be checked every 6000 miles. However most people and Dealers won't check them at 6000 unless you can hear them. I believe some people have gone 25k miles before checking the valve adjustments.

The oil change is every 3000 miles and at my Dealer is about $100. Just had the brakes done at 6500 Miles and the parts for that were about 150$ for all 3 wheels plus labor. (many are getting more miles than what i got) Rear tire is about $300 installed atleast at the dealers here (still on factory tire for me) seems people are replacing them between 6000-15000 miles.

Without pulling out the manual and checking that is the biggest items that need to be replaced. I think its every 12000 or 15000 that the coolant and brake fluids get replaced but not certain on the recomendations of that. There is a link somewhere around here for the Owners Manual that you may want to look at for exact recomendations of Maintance scheduled.