Is This A Coincidence?

[brodyson]

I have been having problems with shifting on my RTS -SE5. The shifting between first and second has been erratic. About 75% of the time it is fine, the other 25% there is a delay of up to about 2 seconds before it shifts. I do not let up on throttle and always shift between 4k-5k rpms.
Yesterday, I checked the oil and I was about 1/2 quart low. After adding oil, I have ridden over 200 miles without a single hesitation.
So, could the low oil have caused the irregular shifting, or is it just a coincidence?

 

[gmcgarrity]

on my 2011 low oil makes it shift funny

ride safe
geo

 

[Bob Denman]

Mine too! It's a sign... :shocked: :bowdown:

 

[boborgera]

I have been having problems with shifting on my RTS -SE5. The shifting between first and second has been erratic. About 75% of the time it is fine, the other 25% there is a delay of up to about 2 seconds before it shifts. I do not let up on throttle and always shift between 4k-5k rpms.
Yesterday, I checked the oil and I was about 1/2 quart low. After adding oil, I have ridden over 200 miles without a single hesitation.
So, could the low oil have caused the irregular shifting, or is it just a coincidence?

No its NOT a coincidence, The semi auto trans is very sensitive to oil levels, A little low and the shifting gets delayed.

 

[JCSMOKE]

Bad shifting is your early low oil warning

 

[revjvegas]

I think this behavior is indicative of the rotax motor with its wet clutch.
My BMW F650 will begin shifting "clunky", for lack of a better word, when either the oil is getting on the low side or is coming due for change.

 

[ARtraveler]

Had the same thing happen to me. Low oil. A quart cured the problem.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

If your bike is new it will also shift a little slow until it breaks in. On my last Spyder it really became much quicker and effortless after about 1,000 miles.

 

[stillriding]

I have been having problems with shifting on my RTS -SE5. The shifting between first and second has been erratic. About 75% of the time it is fine, the other 25% there is a delay of up to about 2 seconds before it shifts. I do not let up on throttle and always shift between 4k-5k rpms.
Yesterday, I checked the oil and I was about 1/2 quart low. After adding oil, I have ridden over 200 miles without a single hesitation.
So, could the low oil have caused the irregular shifting, or is it just a coincidence?

I've been having this problem on my 2010 RTS SE5 for over a year and it's happening more frequently. I had it checked at three different dealers including the one that's so near and dear to our hearts on this forum. The problem NEVER occurred during a tech's test ride and there were never any codes thrown. So that means there's no problem, right? Not so fast. I had routine service done this week at a brand new dealer and mentioned the shifting hesitation. Of course they couldn't duplicate it either. However...and this is the important part...the service manager BELIEVED me and said he'd call BRP...which he did. BRP suggested the Spyder be returned and gave the dealer some specific things to check. It appears they found the problem today. On the right side there's a certain plate or cover over a sort of plunger that operates when the SE5 is shifted. (Sorry about the simplistic layman's explanation). It's supposed to be dry in there, but mine was extremely oily because of seal or O-ring leakage. Parts have been ordered, so I won't know if this cures the problem until sometime next week. The most important part of this to me is that Todd, of JohnnyK's Powersports of Lodi, Ohio, trusted this brand new customer (me) that there was, in fact, a problem which needed to be thoroughly investigated and solved. I'll let you know the outcome. If this isn't the cure I may utilize the For Sale WTB thread.

 

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that they believed you and stuck with it until the issue was found! :2thumbs:
Now we're keeping our fingers crossed for you!

 

[stillriding]

Glad to hear that they believed you and stuck with it until the issue was found! :2thumbs:
Now we're keeping our fingers crossed for you!

You may uncross your fingers. As promised and as a follow up to post #9 above, my SE5 is now shifting smoothly and precisely. The problem was in the clutch piston. It was leaking, but not enough to indicate a low oil level on my dip stick. (I keep a close eye on my oil level). When the tech began to change the seals and gasket he discoved that a spring was out of tolerance, so that too had to be replaced. Fortunately I only had to pay the BEST Warranty $50 deductible. However, if one of the three dealers mentioned in my above post had trusted me and investigated the problem last year when the original warranty was in effect I wouldn't have had to pay anything. Again I thank JohnnyK's Powersports in Lodi, Ohio at the junction of Rt 83 and I 71 and service manager Todd. They also installed the new left side lower panel.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Glad to hear of a new dealer and one that actually knows how to grow his business.

 

[pro10is]

I have been having problems with shifting on my RTS -SE5. The shifting between first and second has been erratic. About 75% of the time it is fine, the other 25% there is a delay of up to about 2 seconds before it shifts. I do not let up on throttle and always shift between 4k-5k rpms.
Yesterday, I checked the oil and I was about 1/2 quart low. After adding oil, I have ridden over 200 miles without a single hesitation.
So, could the low oil have caused the irregular shifting, or is it just a coincidence?

Mine does the exact same thing but only occasionally and especially when the air temperature is very hot (above 90F).