Does anyone know exactly under what circumstances the limp mode is supposed to engage? I had a nasty steering experience and to add to it the limp mode kicked in at highway speed. It happened just after my first update and both BRP and my dealer were right on it. It turned out to be a bad yaw sensor and now no problems for several thousand kilometers. However, when I talked to Carlo I believe that he mentioned the first update should have adjusted the application of limp mode???. I understand if the motor is overheating and it is applied as a pre-emptive move, but I don't like it coming on under driving conditions. I hated losing power in the middle of high speed traffic. Any thoughts?
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Limp Mode
- Thread starter bcspyder
- Start date
Wheeler~
RT-S PE#0311
I have a question.........is it true when it goes into limp mode it shuts down to 35 mph? Would hate to be passing a vehicle and have a car following me pass at the same time. From 70 mph to 35 is drastic and not sure a car could slow down quick enough to avoid rear ending me! Pleasee tell me this isn't true. Just ordered the 2010 Spyder RT-S and concerned!!
docdoru
Doru the Destroyer-Spyder Photo Investigator
45 miles/hours and maximum 4,500 RPM in any gear. :gaah:
Unfortunately this is true in my case. At highway speed my steering lead me into the other lane and then the limp mode kicked in. This is the reason for my post. I can handle the steering but the loss of power at speed could have been a disaster. I am trying to understand when the limp mode is supposed to kick in and whether or not mine is activating properly. When I talked to Carlo he mentioned that the first update addressed some limp mode concerns but my incident occurred after the first steering update. I agree with the limp mode if you are about to overheat but do not agree with it kicking in during a high speed move.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
There are a large number of reasons the Spyder can enter limp mode. Overheating is but one type of major failure. Loss of oil pressure, loss of brakes, transmission or shifting failure, and on and on. There are some minor causes, like burnt out bulbs, but they are relatively few. For the most part, if the Spyder goes into limp mode, it is to save either you, the Spyder, or both. This is no different from most modern cars, that will also go into limp mode unannounced upon a major failure. It is something we all will have to learn to live with, since computer controlled vehicles aren't going away. If we can't live with it, we may all have to start riding 1959 Harleys and 1949 Chevies.
There are a large number of reasons the Spyder can enter limp mode. Overheating is but one type of major failure. Loss of oil pressure, loss of brakes, transmission or shifting failure, and on and on. There are some minor causes, like burnt out bulbs, but they are relatively few. For the most part, if the Spyder goes into limp mode, it is to save either you, the Spyder, or both. This is no different from most modern cars, that will also go into limp mode unannounced upon a major failure. It is something we all will have to learn to live with, since computer controlled vehicles aren't going away. If we can't live with it, we may all have to start riding 1959 Harleys and 1949 Chevies.
I agree that technology is hard to get away from and it is, in fact, one of the reasons I bought the Spyder. Recently, on a trip in nasty conditions the VSS helped on a couple of hydroplanes that would have been more than a handful on my bike. Before I could make the adjustments the system did. Awesome.
However, the limp mode kicking in during my loss of steering made the situation WAY worse, not better, and as a rider I did not like giving up that much control all at once. The worst thing that can happen to you and your bike is having someone hit you from behind and a loss of power at 60 can make that happen. I would like to know if the computer considered road speed before engaging limp mode? Unfortunately, one of the negatives about the SE5 is that you can't easily disengage the motor with the clutch so maybe there needs to be a different set up for the Auto.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
My mother used to say "If wishes were horses, we'd all take a ride." Basically, we can wish and hope for this all we want, but it is not going to change a thing. I understand your discomfort. I was driving my wife's 1996 Dodge Caravan years ago, when it kicked into limp mode at highway speeds, and coasted until it could safely be shifted to first gear...max 30 mph! Not fun!!! Your situation was actually compounded by the fact that you had multiple system failures, not just steering. Limp mode was one symptom in this case, not necessarily the result. I firmly believe you have an electrical problem at the root of this. Anyway, the Spyder is unlikely to change, nor are any other modern vehicles with this feature. You will have to make a decision between the safety of a cage in such a situation, the trade-offs to a less sophisticated two-wheeler, or continuing with the Spyder for what it is. I hope you can come to a solution you will not lose too much sleep over. I sympathize.
As I mentioned in the first post since the replacement of the sensor all is good as far as the steering goes. I consider it fixed and so there is no electrical problem to diagnose unless you think the sensor failure should not have set off the limp mode. That is what I am trying to determine.
I am simply wondering if the limp mode is helpful or hurtful in all the applications that it occurs in, as well as whether or not a yaw sensor failure should activate it. I don't see this as something to "wish" for, instead I think that it could be programmed differently. Perhaps there is way to give prior warning, either audibly or with a dashboard message. I appreciate that the purpose of the mode is to save a potentially dangerous event but I would always rather have power as an option if possible. What if the steering failure created a situation that I needed to accelerate away from?? A catastrophic engine failure needs a shutdown; a steering fault needs a rider in control, and when the limp mode reacted I lost that.
I have ridden for a long time and have absolutely no problem with the inherent risk we take to get the smile on our face. I am a real supporter of the Spyder for the boldness of the design, and the fact that my Victory has been pretty lonely lately speaks to that. I also appreciate that we are a testing ground for the new design and as such we need to ask whether a system that sounds good in theory actually works on the road. When it comes to a limp mode I am not sure.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
I don't necessarily disagree with you. I think it is silly to make burned out taillight bulbs put the Spyder into limp mode, instead of merely giving a warning. There are probably other minor triggers that could also be warned. I don't think a yaw sensor, or anything connected to a safety system, vital engine or drivetrain component, steering or suspension system assembly is "minor", however. It really doesn't matter what either of us thinks. The dealer cannot reprogram the Spyder to pick and choose what we want, and BRP is not about to change it. It does no good to wish, cry, scream, or pout.
It is what it is...and always will be. Love it or leave it, in effect.I don't necessarily disagree with you. I think it is silly to make burned out taillight bulbs put the Spyder into limp mode, instead of merely giving a warning. There are probably other minor triggers that could also be warned. I don't think a yaw sensor, or anything connected to a safety system, vital engine or drivetrain component, steering or suspension system assembly is "minor", however. It really doesn't matter what either of us thinks. The dealer cannot reprogram the Spyder to pick and choose what we want, and BRP is not about to change it. It does no good to wish, cry, scream, or pout.
I am waiting to hear from Carlo because in our first conversation he was surprised that the limp mode activated in my situation and thought it had been adjusted in the first download, so it can be changed.
krb1945
New member
Limp mode in...
2 minutes would be a nice safety improvement. But they would have to incorporate some kind of alarm to attract attention to the ''limp mode warning''.
That would leave the power on and give you a chance to get to the shoulder or a striped safety zone.
What do you think members?
2 minutes would be a nice safety improvement. But they would have to incorporate some kind of alarm to attract attention to the ''limp mode warning''.
That would leave the power on and give you a chance to get to the shoulder or a striped safety zone.
What do you think members?
