Do I have a Problem?

[Dan_Ashley]

I am wondering if I have a problem. Can anyone advise me on that? Being new to Spyders, I am unsure.

The Bike:

Spyder: 2012 RT
mileage: 2,887
age: 3 1/2 months
weight of driver: 184
no passengers
no luggage except for a couple of jackets.
Mods: gloriders, gel seats, front fender stick on chrome.
oil usage: about 4 oz every 1,000 miles​

My problem:

I was on a ride today. The air temp was about 90, and the humidity was about 50%. The roads were all dry. I drove 70-75 on the freeway for about 10 miles, then on a highway for another 15 miles. The highway was curvey--not twisty, just curvey. Most cars, as well as me, slowed from 65-70 to 55-60 around some of the curves. No big deal. It was downhill. I think the sign for trucks said 6%, but the entire highway was not that steep, only portions of it.

At the bottom of the hill I decided to exit the highway, and did a right hand shoulder check before I changed lanes. When I glanced at the instrument panel, the odometer section was blinking orange. So, I exited the highway, and stopped. The instrument panel then blinked orange handlebar icon, then an engine icon, then something else that I did't recognize.

I turned off the spyder, and removed the key. I waited a few seconds for the computer to shut down. Then I started the engine again. I then rode 55 miles or so, some rather spirited, some rather lazy. I reurned home on the interstate...all of this with no issues at all. Everything was perfect.

​

My question (and I realize that I am under-educated on these kinds of issues) is this: do I have a problem? I mean something made the machine have a bi-polar, psychotic break--right?

 

[Tierhog]

I cant offer any solid explanation, but I can share similiar unexplained phenomena. Pushed really hard.. 8500 rpms and up.. Heavy corners etc, my oil light flickers. Last time I had an error like yours i deduced that the fuses may get loose. I found some foam and placed in on top and placed the snap lid back on and no problems.

Only other occurrence was a faulty relay. Simply replaced it.

 

[Oldmanzues]

Are you aware of the brake issue? Even a very light "touching" of the brake pedal without actually applying the brakes will cause the same problem on some Spyders, not sure if all. It just takes a few seconds for this. Downgrade and curves made me wonder.
Otherwise, good luck and hopes for no more problems
Oldmanzues

 

[Chupaca]

Let's see..!!

if all went well after that orange screen with handle bars came on you may have had a glitch. That screen refers to the DPS (dynamic power steering). You would have to check and see if there were any codes. You can find active codes or run by the dealer to have them check. I would ryde on and if it happens again take it to the dealer...

 

[Pennyrick]

I am wondering if I have a problem. Can anyone advise me on that? Being new to Spyders, I am unsure.

The Bike:

Spyder: 2012 RT
mileage: 2,887
age: 3 1/2 months
weight of driver: 184
no passengers
no luggage except for a couple of jackets.
Mods: gloriders, gel seats, front fender stick on chrome.
oil usage: about 4 oz every 1,000 miles​

My problem:

I was on a ride today. The air temp was about 90, and the humidity was about 50%. The roads were all dry. I drove 70-75 on the freeway for about 10 miles, then on a highway for another 15 miles. The highway was curvey--not twisty, just curvey. Most cars, as well as me, slowed from 65-70 to 55-60 around some of the curves. No big deal. It was downhill. I think the sign for trucks said 6%, but the entire highway was not that steep, only portions of it.

At the bottom of the hill I decided to exit the highway, and did a right hand shoulder check before I changed lanes. When I glanced at the instrument panel, the odometer section was blinking orange. So, I exited the highway, and stopped. The instrument panel then blinked orange handlebar icon, then an engine icon, then something else that I did't recognize.

I turned off the spyder, and removed the key. I waited a few seconds for the computer to shut down. Then I started the engine again. I then rode 55 miles or so, some rather spirited, some rather lazy. I reurned home on the interstate...all of this with no issues at all. Everything was perfect.

​

My question (and I realize that I am under-educated on these kinds of issues) is this: do I have a problem? I mean something made the machine have a bi-polar, psychotic break--right?

I had this happen once on my present 2012 RT Limited last year. I had just a few thousand miles on it (now has 16,000) and we had just run a stretch of winding highway with several hard turns. We had just turned onto a major highway and the orange light came on and I went into limp mode. Like you I waited a while and then restarted without a problem.

The next day the tech at my dealership plugged it into BUDS and cleared the codes (having to do with a DPS function) and I have never had the problem again. His opinion was that sometimes they get a bit sensitive after a heavy workout but not to worry about it.

 

[Bob Denman]

The DPS light popped on?
I seem to recall that sometimes prolonged stretches of straight roads or real gentle sweeping turns can get some of the sensors to get confused...
There were some posts about this quite a while backl; I'm jjst not sure of the details... pps:
Scotty would have the explanation...

 

[Mooseman]

I would also be concerned about 4 ounces of oil used every 1000 miles. That seems awfully high to me. I have a lot of bikes through the years and the only one that every used that much oil was a two-stroker. Just saying:doorag:

 

[NancysToy]

My guess would be either riding the brake or a steering sensor mismatch. Riding the brake without actually applying brake pressure can cause a limp mode and cause the VSS to be disabled. Long sweeping curves, side winds, or steering sensor miscalibration can cause the Spyder to think it has a steering problem when the mismatch in sensors lasts a long time, and it will shut down the DPS and disable the VSS. That triggers a DPS failure warning. Your dealer can look the occured fault codes up in BUDS and possibly shed some light on your issue. If repairs are necessary he can take care of them. Your dealer can and should check your steering sensor calibration next time you have service...be sure to ask him to do so. I would not worry too much about this glitch unless it happens again or occurs frequently. Mention it to your dealer when you have the Spyder serviced or the next time you are at the dealer. Meanwhile be aware of having your foot on the brake without applying pressure. You can look up currently active fault codes by pressing MODE, SET, and the turn signal cancel simultaneously if it happens again, but you may not see a fault code. As you have discovered, shutting off the Spyder for 30 seconds then restarting (some say it pays to remove the key in between) will reset the warning if the fault has cleared.

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for that FAR better explanation! :clap: :thumbup:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

See what a better and more precise answer you get when you include all the pertinent info right from the start.

Cruzr Joe

 

[safecracker]

I had the same thing happen to me, twice on vacation. Took to dealer and they hooked it up and saw the code(twice) did not know what it meant. They connected to BRP website and it stated what Bob said above. They let me read the resolution form the BRP site and it stated to inform customer not to worry. The fault has not occured since. Hope this helps. Bruce

 

[Pennyrick]

Thanks for that FAR better explanation! :clap: :thumbup:

Scotty's explanations are always better than anyone else.:firstplace:

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Thanks to all!

Thankyou to all. I will take it to the dealer on Monday. It needs an oil change (almost) anyway. I will post the results here for everyone to see.

thank you.

 

[fispyder]

Mine :ani29: does it on a certain road that I ride sometimes heading north. I have to go up a grade between 10/15 miles than it flattens out for stretch than drops down on an interstate. When I hit the interstate it will go into limp mod check engine light comes on. Luckily there an exit about a 1/4 mile when this happens. It done it all 3 times I've been on this stretch of road. I Stop turn bike off,let sit about 5 minutes start up and runs fine after that. Asked my tech about the problem. He thinks the computer cannot get the air/fuel mixture right because of the altitude change and running the bike hard. So when you turn the bike off than restart it it reset the computer. I ride the mountains a lot but most of the time it's 35/55 mph the :ani29: runs fine never went in limp mod.

 

[murphybrown]

IMHO oil usuage not issue

I would also be concerned about 4 ounces of oil used every 1000 miles. That seems awfully high to me. I have a lot of bikes through the years and the only one that every used that much oil was a two-stroker. Just saying:doorag:

I have a 2010 RTSE5...and I use 8-10 oz oil every 1100 miles.....and I understand the later models use less....but Spyder's do like their oil refreshed/topped off every 1000 or so!!!! :clap:

 

[jerpinoy]

Oil company will be happy if you use 4 oz of oil per 1000 miles driven. :roflblack::roflblack:

There must must something wrong. Your dealer should able to tell you why and let us know what ever they tell you.:yikes:

 

[MouthPiece]

See what a better and more precise answer you get when you include all the pertinent info right from the start.

Cruzr Joe

Joe you are absolutely right.

The person who originated this thread and question did an excellent job in providing valuable, pertinent and much needed information so that others reading can have a pretty good idea of what we are dealing with. My compliments to the originator of this thread for providing such detailed information. It really does help a lot.

Chris