Has anyone experience a "DEATH WOBBLE" in the rain?

[Dilling]

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]On a trip through Arkansas I experienced what I term "DEATH WOBBLE". I was cruising at highway speed with the cruise control on when it was raining. I came upon a slight incline when the rear end started whipping left and right several times. It happened so fast that I could not offer any counter steer at all. I was nearly thrown off my Spyder F3-S! By the grace of God the F3-S cruise control disengaged and the bike recovered itself. This happened a second time a few hours later at slower speed and not as violently. I also had a few incidences where I could feel the back tire loose traction without the cruise control on in the same rain storm. However after that first "DEATH WOBBLE" experience I became keenly aware of the onset of the Spyder F3's weakness in the rain.[/COLOR][COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]
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[hawkiii]

Cruise control in rain

You might try an Internet search for 'cruise control in rain'. Not a good idea in your cage or on your Spyder. IMHO.

 

[Marker]

I never use cruise control in the rain. I feel that I have more control over the spyder If I accelerate and not the cruise control.
I was in a very violent rain storm once and the spyder hydroplaned a little before I could safely pullover. Not a great feeling and the Nanny did her job.

 

[Chupaca]

Scary..!!

All of the above when ryding in the rain. The F3 has great torque and if you hit a oil slick the cruise will compensate as the wheel breaks loose. This is easy to do if you ryde in the center of the lane where oil and debris tend to collect (rain makes it slick). Even without cruise this will happen but you can better handle it. Keep your traction wheel on the clean surface...:thumbup:

 

[Tom in NM]

Sounds extreme . . . .

. . . . . No, I have not experienced anything like what you describe. But, I don't use cruise control in slippery conditions - rain, ice/snow or sand/gravel. I've had the F3 in all these conditions multiple times.

Sometimes on sharp corners at 25 mph+, the rear wheel will 'drift' as I increase speed ( gun it ) and there is oil on the road surface. But, this is nothing like the wobble you describe.

Tom

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:

Riding in the rain seems to be a good clue here. My owners manual states that the :spyder2: is prone to hydroplaning in rain.

Riding at 50 mph + through water will cause the :ani29: to hydroplane. Have had it happen to me twice. Nanny actually kicked in to help me regain control.

Add the cruise control and you have an even more dangerous situation.

 

[Bob Denman]

That wasn't a Death Wobble; that was just what hydroplaning looks and feels like... :yikes:

 

[vided]

A rule to live by "no cruise controll in the wet" 2,3 or 4 or more wheels.

 

[CanAmChris]

Never

Never, never, never ever use cruise control in slippery conditions. Ever. Cruise control is a simple computer program that will adjust the throttle to maintain a constant speed. If the drive wheel breaks loose, the program will do what ever it's limited programming tells it to do to keep the speed constant.

So... You have your cruise control set at 50mph. You hit a rain or ice spot. The drive tire breaks loose. Your forward speed drops and the cruise control does what it is programmed to do... Speed up to get back to 50 MPH. Bad things can and will happen when you give more throttle to a drifting drive tire.

You are lucky. Please do not use cruise control in the rain. We like you, and want you to be around for many more rides and posts on the forum.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Don't forget they (BRP) backed down the nanny so you could get a little more "fun" out of the F3. Ride accordingly.

 

[SPYD1]

That wasn't a Death Wobble; that was just what hydroplaning looks and feels like... :yikes:

That is my thought too. Unfortunately I get caught in rain way too much.

 

[Yazz]

+50 for not using cruise control in the rain.

What happened to you was "fish tailing." Back wheel wagging back and forth.

It happened to me on the F3 a couple of times riding in the rain. Wasn't using cruise control, but making right angle turns at two-lane intersections. Slow sharp turns in the rain, back wheel slides to the outside of the curve. Kept the front wheels pointed where I wanted to go and Nanny very gently, without bruising my ego for drifting, got the rear wheel back in line.

Nanny is toned down on the F3. :doorag:

 

[CanAmChris]

Yes... this. Thank you Yazz

 

[Rogue Hawk]

Sounds like hydroplaning.

 

[Lamonster]

Sounds like hydroplaning.

:agree:

 

[Robertsepolen]

Been there. Done that. Bike did what it was supposed to do. You and I did not. Turn off cruise control on bike or in cage when roads are wet.


2015 RT-S

 

[BeRight]

Sounds like hydroplaning.

:agree: I haven't ridden my F3 yet in rain, but I found my 08' GS to be excellent in the rain - of course to much water can cause hydroplaning. I tend to ride slower, takes turns slower and definitely easy on the brakes.

 

[Robertsepolen]

The plus side is if you are tired this will surely wake you up!


2015 RT-S

 

[Mike Ard]

Owners manual for any vehicle that has cruise will state that it should not be used in rainy or slippery conditions for the reasons that many have stated above.

 

[grumpybob]

A rule to live by "no cruise controll in the wet" 2,3 or 4 or more wheels.

Totally agree no matter what vehicle you are operating. SNOW ALSO DON'T USE CRUISE.