final drive ratio

[Putt-Putt]

So thats what happened to me when I was trying to back up in a friends yard; up hill. Rear wheel spun on grass front wheels didn't move so it killed the engine. Thats not a good thing. What if you were in or at a situtation where you had a very steep incline with a drop off in front of you and you needed to back up. I could see it cutting power BUT to KILL the ENGINE. Good by over the cliff you go. Grand Canyon! In the mountains etc.. A lot of the parks have gravel roads that lead up scenic view etc. etc. NOT GOOD---NOT GOOD

 

[Magic Man]

The owners manual says the the max speed in reverse is limited to 15 MPH. I have done a rearward burnout and had the engine shut right off on me too. Once you are in reverse if the rear wheel sensor sees the rear wheel spinning faster than 15 MPH it kills the motor moving or not. I think this was to stop the chance for runaway situtations in reverse and people loosing control and hitting something? The killing of the engine is a bit unsettling though I must admit.

MM

 

[Putt-Putt]

My rear wheel just barely turned and it killed the engine. I tried to just feather the gas same thing. People were watching and laughing. They said the wheel just turned a little.

 

[LittleJohn]

My rear wheel just barely turned and it killed the engine. I tried to just feather the gas same thing. People were watching and laughing. They said the wheel just turned a little.

My guess would have to be that the VSS is sensing the rear wheel turning in reverse, but not the front ones, so it reacts accordingly.
Just a guess

 

[Putt-Putt]

Your probably right as the front didn't move.

 

[Way2Fast]

I wish they would have left the computers on the desk where they belong. I can only imagine the accident situations that will be created by computers that control a vehicles handling when road salt, moisture, age, etc start to affect them. Scary !!

 

[SpyderMark]

I wish they would have left the computers on the desk where they belong. I can only imagine the accident situations that will be created by computers that control a vehicles handling when road salt, moisture, age, etc start to affect them.

You mean computers like the one controlling the ABS in about 90% of today's new vehicles?

Regards,

Mark

 

[trumphair]

Computers! Bah. I'll stick to my horse and buggy, thank you very much.

Just sounds like a bug/oversight in the VSS software parameters. The should make some changes and issue a software patch.

 

[Putt-Putt]

Ya I think this is a case of a little too much technology and not enough just common sense in design.

 

[Danimal]

What we need is Christini to come out with a Spyder kit to make it AWD like these bikes:

http://www.christini.com/index.php


That would ROCK!

 

[SpyderMark]

Ya I think this is a case of a little too much technology and not enough just common sense in design.

With the majority of the Spyder's weight behind the front wheels, the Spyder is inherently unstable under acceleration in a hard turn. If the rider applies too much throttle and breaks the rear wheel loose in a turn, the resulting loss of traction at that wheel will allow centripidal force to pull the rear end toward the outside of the turn. I'm guessing BRP did the tests and determined the rapidity of such an event might preclude the average rider from responding in time to avoid a spin out.

And what of the possibility of turning too sharply while braking? Again, centripidal force is pulling toward the outside of the turn. With four wheels on the ground, the average car will likely slide before generating enough lateral acceleration to overturn. Not so with the Spyder. One less wheel makes it much easier to overturn. The VSS can apply brakes at any of the three wheels to help the rider get out of just such a bad situation. Obviously, no one would expect a rider to juggle three different brake controls at the same time in an emergency situation.

Short of a computer to "sense" a developing situation and take control of the event to prevent or mitigate it, what else could the Spyder's designers have done within the laws of physics and human response times?

Regards,

Mark

 

[Putt-Putt]

I was speaking in general in addition to that. Like you can't change tail light bulbs to led's will put it in limp mode, you can't do a lot of different things electricaly because it will go to limp mode or not run. Also they could have centralized the weight distribution better. This would have made it more sure footed by putting the weight more even on all 3 wheels. I agree there is basiclyy no weight in thr rear.

 

[retread]

Had an idea last night, don't know if it's feasible, would a 2 - speed hub work? Seems like a setup like the old over drive units with a kick-down on full throttle would be ideal, maybe I've got too much time on my hands.

 

[Crazyhorse]

If it was me.. I would try to defeat the whole system. I only say this because I have lots (35 years of experience) riding quads and bikes and I would feel right at home on one. I Dont really care for all of the fancy electronic stability control stuff these days and that includes ABS breaks. Plus with all that stability control stuff brings down the fun factor for me anyways. But this is just my humble opinion ;D

I do know if I decide to buy a spider I will be taking all that stability control and abs breaks off of mine .. even if I have to rewire and reprogram the whole thing to do it. That way I can do anything custom that I want and wont have to be tied down to it. :bigthumbsup:

What I really would like is the T- Rex.. but that just cost way to much for me right now.. so I have been thinking this would be the 2nd best thing.