Home from the Hospital

[ataDude]

how long have you...

Just did a quick search and he's logged about 18,000 MILES on the Spyder. Doesn't sound new to me. :dontknow:

.

 

[tnfleming]

Good research atadude; can't say he was inexperienced. And even though thousands of miles of trouble-free steering have been logged, that doesn't prove there can't be a malfunction rarely.

 

[tatt2r]

Just did a quick search and he's logged about 18,000 MILES on the Spyder. Doesn't sound new to me. :dontknow:

.

A problem is all about trouble shooting sounds like human error was not the issue thank for info

 

[Tonga]

That info on the servos in the electric steering has me wondering. Hard to believe that one servo can override the other but electronics are complicated and at the first sign of pulling will slow down and get back to the dealer asap. Thanks, Keep us informed.

 

[Recluze]

Since I have over 20000 miles on the Spyder and have experienced a steering problem three times, let me chime in.

In my case, it is not like the computer is taking over the steering and doing weird things. It is not like one servo overriding another and doing weird things. It is like having power steering and then not having power steering and then suddenly having it again.

When the power steering quits, you can still manage to steer the bike. Believe me you will put a lot of effort into making it go where you want it to go with adrenalin and self preservation kicking in.

Then the power steering kicks back in and you find you have way too much input into the steering and the bike will shoot off in the direction you wanted to go but much further than you wanted to go. It is like the bike jumps over a couple of feet before you can gather it back up. I am old and slow so that may have some bearing.

Once the PS unit was changed-no help
Once it was fixed by tightening a ground wire. Good for 12000 miles
Once it was fixed with a new gear position sensor. Good for 300 miles so far.

The last time it happened I towed the bike home. Too scary for me.

I find this a pretty serious problem because 1) I suffered from it and 2) if people start hurting themselves because of this the Spyder will soon be removed from the US market with our over abundance of lawyers.

I hope this helps

 

[tnfleming]

now that makes sense! Thank you for posting!

 

[tatt2r]

:agree:

now that makes sense! Thank you for posting!

 

[tjfischer]

Thank you all for your well wishes.

I am doing better every day. To answer a couple questions, I am not a rookie ryder. Although I hadn't riden any street bikes (regularly) in 20 years, can't even remember the bikes I had back in the day. I have always had a collection of dirt bikes and quads. The spyder was the first bike that has come out that my left knee could handle without the worry of the knee giving out a stop light or backing into a parking space. I was hoping to log 25,000 miles on the spyder before she was a year old (end of next month). I guess I will have to wait a couple extra months.

The shop that has the bike, assured me that they will do a full and complete diagnostics and work with BRP determine the exact cause to the sterring failure. They did say its going to take awhile. No biggie, I can't ride for a least 3 months (per the doctor, Like I'm gonna wait that long).

Hopfully the results will provide evidence to BRP, that there may be a potential issue with the steering. In which I'm confident they will push forward to reslove any issues on any of the spyder's they have produced.

I have no intention of getting rid of my spyder. On the contrary, I looking forward to getting it back. I'm still planning a long ride this summer. I got rid of the 2 wheelers back in the day, because my knee didn't work so well. The Spyder still gives me that freedom of riding, that I haven't had in a long time. One bad experience, is not going to change my mind that this is a great product, that offers great experiences. I'm sure, that if someone did the math, the steering issues out there, are less than 1% of the total number of Spyders. Just be sure, that if you feel you have steeing issues, take the bike to the shop and have it checked out.

 

[tnfleming]

you have a great attitude. Was your sense of problem as described in that power steering went out?

 

[ataDude]

Thank you all for your well wishes....

.
As I said in my PM the other day, I'm glad you're doing better. But... mind those docs and the therapists (which I assume you haven't started yet). Once started, aggressive therapy will be the only thing that gets you back in a short amount of time!

.

 

[bjt]

The day started of great, I meet Ken C. at the Mobile Gas station on Osborne St. and the 5 Freeway. We met at 7:00 am. From there we headed south towards San Diego. It rained on us pretty much all the way. In one of the area of less precipitation my bike started pulling to the left. This was happening at random intervals. We pull off the freeway into a rest stop, so I could check things out. Everything checked out fine. There was no sign of any damage, all fluid levels were fine, nothing was leaking. We took a break, for about 30 minutes. I started the bike and everything was fine. There was absolutely no hang or drag in any of the steering.

We meet up with everyone at 9:00am and started the ride around 10:00am. It was a very nice ride. At the second stop, (at the park and ride) as Ken Mentioned 3 of us opted to jump ahead of the pack and ride a little faster. Jerry; had the lead, followed by me, then Ken C. Everything was going great, the bike was handling like it always does, accelerating, when I hit the gas, hugging the turns. It was turning out to be another perfect ride. All of a sudden I hit this right hand turn (posted 35) I was going about 43-45. Part way through the turn, the bike decides to turn left, basically making it go straight. I pulled harder to the right the bike corrected for a second, then it pull to the left again. At this point, I was now facing oncoming traffic. I tried to turn right again, but the steering wouldn’t move. Now I had the choice of having a head on collision with an oncoming truck, or turning to the left and take my chances in the dirt. I opted for the later.

Since I have over 20000 miles on the Spyder and have experienced a steering problem three times, let me chime in.

In my case, it is not like the computer is taking over the steering and doing weird things. It is not like one servo overriding another and doing weird things. It is like having power steering and then not having power steering and then suddenly having it again.

When the power steering quits, you can still manage to steer the bike. Believe me you will put a lot of effort into making it go where you want it to go with adrenalin and self preservation kicking in.

So we have at least three things going on with Spyder steering problems. The first is the steering assist not working at all, the second is that the assist just stops working sometimes, and the third is that it sometimes tries to turn the wheels in the wrong direction.

 

[wyliec]

tjfischer,

I hope everything is going well with your recovery.

I have a question. I read in BajaRon's thread, pertaining to his problem, that BRP had been keeping an eye on the thread to see how it was being viewed by others here (at least that's what I go from the thread). My question is, has BRP been in touch with you?

I guess it would be nice to know that they (BRP) did read your thread and had been in touch.

In any case, speedy recovery to you.

 

[sleepman]

So we have at least three things going on with Spyder steering problems. The first is the steering assist not working at all, the second is that the assist just stops working sometimes, and the third is that it sometimes tries to turn the wheels in the wrong direction.

I can add a 4th issue with the steering. On Friday I had stopped at a drive up atm on my way home. I had turned the Spyder off and when I turned it back on and started to drive off as I started to make a left turn the steering locked on me. It wasn't a loss of power steering it simply wouldn't turn at all. I felt kind of a "pop" and it begain steering just fine. It hasn't shown up again since.

 

[Degaman]

I can add a 4th issue with the steering. On Friday I had stopped at a drive up atm on my way home. I had turned the Spyder off and when I turned it back on and started to drive off as I started to make a left turn the steering locked on me. It wasn't a loss of power steering it simply wouldn't turn at all. I felt kind of a "pop" and it begain steering just fine. It hasn't shown up again since.

That is TOO scary!:yikes:

 

[AMTJIM]

Well sheesh...about the only these spyders haven't done is explode when someone turns it on....have they?

 

[Don in E Texas]

Gad Zooks, Bat Man!
I have my new, 2008 all paid for, but not picked up from the dealer yet and now I have a steering problem to be concerned about? #1 Wife will not be happy camper when she reads about this... the good news is all the posts here with suggestions, thoughts, etc. Big help to us new owners.:clap:

don

 

[ataDude]

Don - If.. BIG IF.. you have a steering issue, the original version of the gear position sensor, throws off enough bad signals to affect the steering... at least in my case.

BRP stepped up and re-spec'd the sensors and put the V2 on the market in October/November of last year. Check your bike's manufacture date... should be on the VIN sticker on the right side swing arm.

It's an easy fix... read my summary:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7831

I love my SpYder!

Gad Zooks, Bat Man!
I have my new, 2008 all paid for, but not picked up from the dealer yet and now I have a steering problem to be concerned about? #1 Wife will not be happy camper when she reads about this... the good news is all the posts here with suggestions, thoughts, etc. Big help to us new owners.:clap:

don

 

[Roaddog2]

Since I have over 20000 miles on the Spyder and have experienced a steering problem three times, let me chime in.

In my case, it is not like the computer is taking over the steering and doing weird things. It is not like one servo overriding another and doing weird things. It is like having power steering and then not having power steering and then suddenly having it again.

When the power steering quits, you can still manage to steer the bike. Believe me you will put a lot of effort into making it go where you want it to go with adrenalin and self preservation kicking in.

Then the power steering kicks back in and you find you have way too much input into the steering and the bike will shoot off in the direction you wanted to go but much further than you wanted to go. It is like the bike jumps over a couple of feet before you can gather it back up. I am old and slow so that may have some bearing.

Once the PS unit was changed-no help
Once it was fixed by tightening a ground wire. Good for 12000 miles
Once it was fixed with a new gear position sensor. Good for 300 miles so far.

The last time it happened I towed the bike home. Too scary for me.

I find this a pretty serious problem because 1) I suffered from it and 2) if people start hurting themselves because of this the Spyder will soon be removed from the US market with our over abundance of lawyers.

I hope this helps

:agree:

 

[Spyderjuice]

I missed the original post somehow. I'm sorry to hear of your accident and wish a full recovery for you.:2thumbs:

BRP needs to step up to the plate and correct, replace, fix whatever this is. Some dealers still say they don't know of any problems and BRP has heard of a "few". One is too many. Come on BRP...:dontknow:

Juice

 

[Greg H.]

Wow! Obviously, we are all very happy that you survived this! That could have been a lot worse. Hope you're up and about really soon. Take care of yourself.
This is very scary! I think we all need to be concerned. Why would any steering system cause something like this to happen? It makes no sense. My dealer will hear about this, for sure. I'm about ready for that next service.