fishtailing

[wyliec]

I picked up my spyder from the dealer today after brake service. It started snowing on the way home and the roads were wet and the temp. 32 F (as shown on the display). I took a curve at 75 mph and the spyder fishtailed; but, the speed didn't go down. It happened again at 55 mph on another curve. I thought with fishtailing the spyder electronics caused the speed to drop off?

 

[Fly boy]

I assume it is because the computer could not compute the fact of slippage. I think the computer needs a significant change in RPM's to cut out, and with just a simple hydroplane keeping a constant speed would not trip it....but I'm not an engineer

 

[freebob]

Mmmmm...Not when your sliding on ice......:lecturef_smilie:
Our motorcycle club Sun City/Hilton Head Roadrunners did a 191 mi.rt
today clear and sunny 80 deg. Sorry about that...hyea:....

Freebob...:doorag:...

 

[Firefly]

Do you have an RT or RS? On the RS the cutout is much more noticeable. You can slide the rear quite a bit before cutout.

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

I have a '09 GS and have fishtailed it at slower speeds, 35 mph, without it cutting out. I think it has to do with just how much the wheel spins compared to the front wheels and just how much the handlebars are turned. I was jumping snow drifts across the highway and the wheel spin would torque the rear wheel to the right pretty good and it never cut out.

It was fun at low speed but at 75 mph :yikes:.

 

[bone crusher]

I picked up my spyder from the dealer today after brake service. It started snowing on the way home and the roads were wet and the temp. 32 F (as shown on the display). I took a curve at 75 mph and the spyder fishtailed; but, the speed didn't go down. It happened again at 55 mph on another curve. I thought with fishtailing the spyder electronics caused the speed to drop off?

I have fishtailed before, but usually with going from a stop to a quick start with a sharp turn...add to that hitting a pothole with the back tire, and you'll fishtail every time!

The dash will flash for a second, maybe, but be assured that you have control of the bike...two tires in front make a huge difference to stability...you won't lose control easily with the 'Y' configuration.

 

[boborgera]

With my 08GS, I can fishtail all the way up my driveway [ice/snow] but as soon as i turn the bars to swing into my garage,
''Bam'' the engine cuts out like turning off a light switch.:shocked:

 

[MouthPiece]

If by fish tailing, you mean the rear tire goes sliding out, then I'm not sure the "nanny/vss would kick in. I thought the nanny/vss kicked in when one of the front wheels raised itself up from the pavement. Note I said "thought" because I'm not sure.

Chris PE# 0004

 

[NancysToy]

If by fish tailing, you mean the rear tire goes sliding out, then I'm not sure the "nanny/vss would kick in. I thought the nanny/vss kicked in when one of the front wheels raised itself up from the pavement. Note I said "thought" because I'm not sure.

Chris PE# 0004

Miss Nanny has several "triggers"...rear wheel perceived speed greater than 40 and greater than front wheel speed, rear wheel speed greater than front wheel speed and steering angle greater than allowable, front wheel lifted beyond limits, steering angle and torque not matched, etc. The VSS is a very complex beast, fed by a variety of sensors. It kicks in for a lot of reasons.

 

[Motavar]

Definately is a challenge when that back wheel goes sideways on you when hitting a patch of ice!!! woohoo!

Even if the engine retards fire it won't save your butt in that 2 seconds... you just have to keep steering in the direction you want to go and hope you don't panic or oversteer.

I hit a long stretch of ice doing about 60mph and the back tire was waaay out.. no one was coming in the opposite direction so I slowly steered into the oncoming lane of traffic to get her back on track without oversteering. If I was on a motorcyle I would have been down on the ground

To be honest I find the stupid Nanny causing me problems when going around turns instead of saving my butt. I wish there was a level of control for the Nanny.

 

[Lone Spyder Ryder]

Saved by the Nanny

In downpour rains going into Seattle the nanny stopped my 08 fishtailing three times before I could pull off the freeway. It really scared the (you fill in) out of me for sure. I really appreciate Ms. Nanny. The next mod I would like to see is six inches more ground clearance. I would like to be able to take it up some rough and ready back roads. I don’t want to go four wheeling or across country, just go up some of the rougher dirt roads.

 

[Raptor]

Definately is a challenge when that back wheel goes sideways on you when hitting a patch of ice!!! woohoo!

Even if the engine retards fire it won't save your butt in that 2 seconds... you just have to keep steering in the direction you want to go and hope you don't panic or oversteer.

I hit a long stretch of ice doing about 60mph and the back tire was waaay out.. no one was coming in the opposite direction so I slowly steered into the oncoming lane of traffic to get her back on track without oversteering. If I was on a motorcyle I would have been down on the ground

To be honest I find the stupid Nanny causing me problems when going around turns instead of saving my butt. I wish there was a level of control for the Nanny.

I hear you Bro. I had a similar deal on a very wet road at night. I did pretty much what you did and made it out OK. It's funny how time just tends to stop during that brief period isn't it!

The Nanny can be a pain. You are all set up, you perform a great turn in and just as you about to clip the apex and unwind BAM! you get that stupid break tap which almost totally throws your line off. Or that lame fart sound of the engine jaking! I have since learned how to really throw my body low, down and inside to decrease roll. It's fun to try new things to get that snap out of exit, preferably hard on throttle! It's pretty physical but it's kind of a blast! But I agree, it would be nice to be able to dial the Nanny back a bit.

 

[Bob Denman]

...fishtailing at 75mph under snowy conditions... :shocked:
Not to throw a wet blanket on your party, but did it ever occur to you that slowing down might be a good thing?


(Sorry.. I'm off my soapbox now!)

 

[xpeschon]

...fishtailing at 75mph under snowy conditions... :shocked:
Not to throw a wet blanket on your party, but did it ever occur to you that slowing down might be a good thing?


(Sorry.. I'm off my soapbox now!)

Was thinking the same thing actually..

X-Joe

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm sorry... I hate like Hell being the idiot peeing in the campfire every time!

 

[wyliec]

...fishtailing at 75mph under snowy conditions... :shocked:
Not to throw a wet blanket on your party, but did it ever occur to you that slowing down might be a good thing?


(Sorry.. I'm off my soapbox now!)

I was following the flow of traffic and I was in the left hand lane (2 lanes each way) with a truck next to me and someone behind. After the first fishtail I slowed down to 55 mph after I passed the truck. It happened again and I slowed down to 45 mph (20 below the sped limit).

I probably should have waited until this weekend to pick up the spyder. And, by the way, sometimes when you follow the flow of traffic you sometimes, for an instance, don't realize your speed. But, that was a fair question you asked.

 

[bikeguy]

Several days after I picked up my RT, still getting used to it, I was riding in the rain when it began cutting out. I thought a had an engine problem and pulled over onto the shoulder, then it began to run right again. Pulled back onto the road and it started to cut out intermittently again. It finally dawned on me that I was riding with the rear tire in a "wheel track" where deeper water was accumulating and that wide rear tire was hydroplaning. When it hydroplaned and spun, the "nanny" shut the engine down. When I pulled onto the shoulder or put one of the fronts into the "wheel track", the engine ran fine.

I tried it several times and it was consistent. When I got the rear tire into deeper water, it began cutting out, otherwise it ran fine. Had to be the traction control.

Cotton

 

[ARtraveler]

The nanny system is good for when we get into trouble. IMO: Most of us do not go out there looking for trouble or riding crazy as a matter of habit. Circumstances can bring us to that point without us realizing that danger is lurking just ahead. Sounds like that is what happened above. Riding with the flow of traffic would be my recommendation 99% of the time. I learned all about hydroplanning the hard way. We have those tire grooves--from studded tires used in the winter in Alaska. I was riding in the rain, with the flow of traffic, and AWAAAAAAAY WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Nanny kicked in and helped me regain control of the bike before I got into trouble. Maintaining space between cars did not hurt me that time either. After that lesson, I am very conscious about wet weather driving. I have so far avoided driving in snow, near-snow, or icy conditions. That one is not my cup of tea--but I do ride this time of year--on clear roads. We are fortunate to have a vehicle that has some good safety systems on it. I am glad that the outcome was good.