Do you have power steering?

[Lamonster]

I thought I would bring this subject up again. While I was in Daytona I met three other Spyder owners who had no power steering. I read the post about BRP not knowing of this being an issue and if you only go by the BUDS you wouldn't know. None of the guys I know that had no power steering had any fault codes on the Spyder or on the BUDS. Magic Man and BajaRon both had the complete power steering replaced under warranty even though there was no code that said it was faulty. The only way either of them knew was by driving one that did have power steering or in Ron's case I drove his Spyder and knew he didn't have power steering.

So out of the 30 or so Spyder owners I talked to down in Daytona 3 of them said they had to take theirs in for repair on this issue. I don't think that not having PS is much of a safety issue as it is a inconvence. Ron rode his for several thousand miles before getting his fixed. I just think that there is a issue and to say there isn't is just avoiding the facts. I don't know how many Spyders have been sold and I don't know how many pumps have been replaced but I do know there are quite a few Spyder owners out there that do not have power steering and have yet to get them fixed either because they don't know any better or they haven't had time to take it in.

This is just a heads up for the new owners. If you think your Spyder steers hard have it checked out.

 

[Spydr in KS]

Intermittent power steering??

My power steering works intermittently and the bars will actually shake when it turns on and off. Going to dealer tomorrow to see what's up. It's been like that since day1. I'll report back on what they find.

Most of the power steering issues seem to be system failures, but how many have been intermittent? My steering has been "jumping" during slow speed turns, but I thought it was just my imagination or differences in surface traction. However, today it seemed to occur more frequently to the point a few times it scared me. Not a good feeling when steering switches from hard to easy suddenly while turning. The Spyder doesn't actually jump but I have to react fast to adjust steering tension. Curious if other have experienced similar feeling.:dontknow:

I am going to take another ride later on different roads and see if it occurs again. If so will be contacting my dealer. I just hate to walk in with "I was reading about issues on the internet and..."

 

[ataDude]

Read this entire thread:

Clicky: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7831

.

Most of the power steering issues seem to be system failures, but how many have been intermittent? My steering has been "jumping" during slow speed turns, but I thought it was just my imagination or differences in surface traction. However, today it seemed to occur more frequently to the point a few times it scared me. Not a good feeling when steering switches from hard to easy suddenly while turning. The Spyder doesn't actually jump but I have to react fast to adjust steering tension. Curious if other have experienced similar feeling.:dontknow:

I am going to take another ride later on different roads and see if it occurs again. If so will be contacting my dealer. I just hate to walk in with "I was reading about issues on the internet and..."

 

[SpyderGirl]

My power-assisted steering konked out during one of my last group rides in San Francsico in December. I rode to the meeting spot then the hubby did the ride up to the Golden Gate. I moved the Spyder around to get some pictures in front of the bridge then when we got on to leave the Golden Gate I immediately noticed the difference. It made the ride miserable having to wrestle the steering through the twisties. The next time it goes into the shop (within the next few months) I'm going to have them take a look at it. It's just a little annoying.

 

[wingnut]

kind of scary to think of these steering issues at 80 mph

 

[Spydroe]

I thought I would bring this subject up again. While I was in Daytona I met three other Spyder owners who had no power steering. I read the post about BRP not knowing of this being an issue and if you only go by the BUDS you wouldn't know. None of the guys I know that had no power steering had any fault codes on the Spyder or on the BUDS. Magic Man and BajaRon both had the complete power steering replaced under warranty even though there was no code that said it was faulty. The only way either of them knew was by driving one that did have power steering or in Ron's case I drove his Spyder and knew he didn't have power steering.

So out of the 30 or so Spyder owners I talked to down in Daytona 3 of them said they had to take theirs in for repair on this issue. I don't think that not having PS is much of a safety issue as it is a inconvence. Ron rode his for several thousand miles before getting his fixed. I just think that there is a issue and to say there isn't is just avoiding the facts. I don't know how many Spyders have been sold and I don't know how many pumps have been replaced but I do know there are quite a few Spyder owners out there that do not have power steering and have yet to get them fixed either because they don't know any better or they haven't had time to take it in.

This is just a heads up for the new owners. If you think your Spyder steers hard have it checked out.

Mine has been at the dealer here in Ca. since the 20th of Feb. The dealer told me that BRP was not aware of any problems. I gave them the number of the service manager in the shop that fixed Baja Rons because they offered to steer my dealer in the right directon but so far nothing has happened.

 

[hondaman]

I took mine in and they replaced the range switch and updated ecu per bulliten and said its fixed.well its not.If you turn at a standstill its just as hard to turn engine running or not.

 

[spyryder]

I took mine in and they replaced the range switch and updated ecu per bulliten and said its fixed.well its not.If you turn at a standstill its just as hard to turn engine running or not.

I'm sure that's normal. Mine works the same way, especially on concrete surfaces. But when I start moving the assist is quite apparent.

 

[Spydr in KS]

kind of scary to think of these steering issues at 80 mph

Actually it is wonderful at 80 and great above 40 mph. Around 20 turning at an intersection I am getting the weird jumping or on/off assist feeling.

Now if I could just take every turn at 80...

 

[Rando]

This is just a heads up for the new owners. If you think your Spyder steers hard have it checked out.

Lamonster, during all your miles of Sypdering, have you ever had any issues with your DPS?

 

[Lamonster]

Lamonster, during all your miles of Sypdering, have you ever had any issues with your DPS?

I've had times where I thought it might have changed while driving but I can't say for sure if it was the DPS or the road. :dontknow: It's worked pretty good for me from day one. That's why I knew Ron's Spyder was hosed up when I rode it. I thought his front tires were really low on air.

 

[NancysToy]

Actually it is wonderful at 80 and great above 40 mph. Around 20 turning at an intersection I am getting the weird jumping or on/off assist feeling.

Now if I could just take every turn at 80...

I sure wouldn't consider that normal. The only time I have ever experienced it was sitting still in the gravel driveway, when it may "twitch" a little if the bars are slightly turned and the ground is uneven. Our Spyder steering is there, and has been rock steady at all speeds, variable assist just like it should be. If this condition is repeatable, have the service tech ride it to see what you are talking about, then chase it down. Could be the start of similar, more severe on-and-off problems that others have talked about.
-Scotty

 

[Spydr in KS]

If this condition is repeatable, have the service tech ride it to see what you are talking about, then chase it down. Could be the start of similar, more severe on-and-off problems that others have talked about.
-Scotty

Thanks:agree: It is not always repeatable, but seems to be occurring more frequently. Now that better weather is here I'll spend a little more time to narrow down the conditions where it occurs for the service tech to look at

 

[gjco]

took the spyder out tonight and I dont know what happened but she must have woke up. I guess all along the PS was out because out of know where it was like a dream to ride. now what do I do? Do I wait and see what happens. I think I will have to wait for it to go out again and take it to the dealer, if I dont I am sure that the jabronies at the dealer wont have a clue. What do I do???????????

 

[bone crusher]

I thought I would bring this subject up again. While I was in Daytona I met three other Spyder owners who had no power steering. I read the post about BRP not knowing of this being an issue and if you only go by the BUDS you wouldn't know. None of the guys I know that had no power steering had any fault codes on the Spyder or on the BUDS. Magic Man and BajaRon both had the complete power steering replaced under warranty even though there was no code that said it was faulty. The only way either of them knew was by driving one that did have power steering or in Ron's case I drove his Spyder and knew he didn't have power steering.

So out of the 30 or so Spyder owners I talked to down in Daytona 3 of them said they had to take theirs in for repair on this issue. I don't think that not having PS is much of a safety issue as it is a inconvence. Ron rode his for several thousand miles before getting his fixed. I just think that there is a issue and to say there isn't is just avoiding the facts. I don't know how many Spyders have been sold and I don't know how many pumps have been replaced but I do know there are quite a few Spyder owners out there that do not have power steering and have yet to get them fixed either because they don't know any better or they haven't had time to take it in.

This is just a heads up for the new owners. If you think your Spyder steers hard have it checked out.

This is rather freaky! I have never checked to see if mine is working...my bike seems to turn just fine but I've never compared with the engine on or off...I will say that I always lock (and unlock) my wheels to the left or right and turn them when the bike is off...so, there is definitely a good amount of friction. When the bike is on and moving, I've never noticed any difficulty so even if there is a problem, I'm likely oblivious...I guess I shouldn't worry about it as even if there was a problem, I'm not seeing any issues??

 

[92lt]

I took my SE5 out for the first ride of the season. I'm still not sure if I have power steering. When I was taking a curve at 40mph (entrance ranp to expressway) it took a lot of effort to steer the spyder. There is no way I could drive a long twisty road - I would get too tired out. I still plan to go to the dealer to try another spyder to see if it steers easier.

 

[NancysToy]

A Spyder will take more effort to turn than a motorcycle, or even an ATV. You have to physically steer it into turns, unlike a motorcycle, where you countersteer slightly, then lean. Since most of the speeds are higher than an ATV, there is more straight-line momentum, so you have to steer a bit harder there, too, IMO. Spyder steering is just an assist, not full power steering, and it is proportional, so it reacts differently under different conditions. If you think you may have problems, compare to a dealer's demo, or have another rider try yours. For most of us, there are no issues, but we do get more of a workout than motorcycle riders, for sure.
-Scotty

 

[spickus]

Both my father and I own a Spyder. My power steering has always worked correctly. His has never been right but it can only really be noticed while turning at speed or by the lack of dampening at high speed. I've mentioned this to him in the past. He even took it back to the dealer to be checked. The dealer in Gulf Shores checked the pounds of tension required to turn the bars with the engine running but while sitting still. They said it was "within spec". They even compared our bikes noting that mine used less force to turn. We were out riding the other day and swapped bikes. He was amazed at the difference and so was I. The curve that I had come through with ease at 45 mph moments before on my Spyder had me gripping the bars very tightly on his while the front end plowed to outside edge (understeer). He took his machine back to dealer and insisted that there is a problem and that they must address it. After much hemming and hawing (and an extended test ride), they agree that there is a very real problem with his power steering and have ordered a power steering unit. There have never been any error codes.

 

[Lamonster]

Both my father and I own a Spyder. My power steering has always worked correctly. His has never been right but it can only really be noticed while turning at speed or by the lack of dampening at high speed. I've mentioned this to him in the past. He even took it back to the dealer to be checked. The dealer in Gulf Shores checked the pounds of tension required to turn the bars with the engine running but while sitting still. They said it was "within spec". They even compared our bikes noting that mine used less force to turn. We were out riding the other day and swapped bikes. He was amazed at the difference and so was I. The curve that I had come through with ease at 45 mph moments before on my Spyder had me gripping the bars very tightly on his while the front end plowed to outside edge (understeer). He took his machine back to dealer and insisted that there is a problem and that they must address it. After much hemming and hawing (and an extended test ride), they agree that there is a very real problem with his power steering and have ordered a power steering unit. There have never been any error codes.

Thanks for proving my point once again. :thumbup::doorag:

 

[Recluze]

I am impressed. Anyone who can steer one of these things for several thousand miles without power steering is a stud. The way to tell if you have power steering or not is that if you come in from a ride and you are tired, then you don't have power steering.

I truly believe a more serious case is where the power steering is intermittent. I have had this situation 3 times and it is pretty scary with you are steering for all you are worth one minute and having the bike jump over two or three feet the next.

Good luck to all on this. I am not arm wrestling any Spyder owners because they don't know their own strength.