New 2015 RT Dies on the Road

[Uruzgan]

I'm a new spyder owner (10 days) with about 600 mi under my belt. While cruising along the highway tonight, she died. Suddenly I lost power. Fortunately I was going down hill and made it to the breakdown lane. The oil light was on, but the oil level was full. I thought maybe I could baby it to the next exit, but it wouldn't even start. It wouldn't even crank, even though there was power. There were no codes that I could identify. Had to have it towed. Not an auspicious start for a new spyder owner. Hopefully it's an easy fixxxx

Steve


PS NOTE: if you are reading this post to research the reliability of a Spyder, the above incident is a result of operator error. I made a rookie mistake by hitting and not checking the kill switch. So nothing negative to read in this thread.

 

[noboot]

Did you take the key out and walk away from the bike for about 5 or 10 minutes and then retry it ?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Kill switch? If the key is on and the Spyder is not running the oil light will be on, you need to worry if the oil light stays on when the bike is running.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Yep, that 'wouldn't even crank, even though there was power bit' sounds a whole lot like a 'Kill Switch' event!! It's happened to most of us at least once, suddenly no engine, but the lights are still on; no cranking, no click from a starter solenoid, but it was fine a moment ago!! Some moments (or days) of angst while we worry & search for a solution/cause & then some bright spark flicks the kill switch & suddenly, everything is fine again!! :shocked:

From what you've described Uruzgan, it sounds awfully like someone has hit the kill switch or it has failed (yes, it does happen - not often, but occasionally!! More often if you use it to stop the engine every time rather than the key like many of us do!) Try flicking the kill switch on & off a couple of times, try starting the engine with it in the other position to what it is now & if that doesn't work, flick it again & try at least once more. And if the engine burst into life & everything is fine, then don't think you are any different to the rest of us, cos if you ride motor cycles for long, if you haven't been caught by the Kill Switch yet, it's just a matter of time! :thumbup:

 

[Uruzgan]

I think now it could very well have been the kill switch. It makes sense, I was fumbling with the cruise control, and could have accidentally hit it. It never crossed my mind to check it. I tried several times to start over a 4 her period while I waited for a tow. I'll go to the dealers lot tomorrow and check. Embarrassing if that's the case, but better than it being a potentially more serious problem...ugh

steve

 

[Dan McNally]

It is very easy to flick that kill switch - especially when first getting used to the Spyder. Please let us know the results!

 

[spyderCodes]

I think every new Spyder owner has a Kill Switch story.
It's too bad the BRP didn't include some kind of message on the display to indicate the kill switch status.

 

[2ndChildhood]

I think every new Spyder owner has a Kill Switch story.
It's too bad the BRP didn't include some kind of message on the display to indicate the kill switch status.

I had the same problem with my 2015 I was driving down the road and it died. This is my second spyder. I don't know how it happened but I accidentally hit the kill switch. It was kind of scary being on the freeway and all of a sudden a dead Spyder. When I realize it was the kill switch back to life it came, and back on the road. So things like this do happen.

I hope this is what your problem is.


ToM
Enjoy the Ride
Life is Good

 

[Omcge]

I had the same problem with my 2015 I was driving down the road and it died. This is my second spyder. I don't know how it happened but I accidentally hit the kill switch. It was kind of scary being on the freeway and all of a sudden a dead Spyder. When I realize it was the kill switch back to life it came, and back on the road. So things like this do happen.

I hope this is what your problem is.


ToM
Enjoy the Ride
Life is Good

Check Fuses I had an electrical problem that would blow a fuse that would shut everything down.:banghead:

Good Luck

 

[Chupaca]

Bummer...

I have to agree with the kill switch theory.. I always remind new ryders to remember the startup proceedure. Don't panic, especially if you hang out n this site, and slowly and methodically go through the starting process... glad your sudden loss of power was safely handled and hope it is the simple flip of a switch and your back on the road...don't worry most of us have had that Oh Oh moment...:thumbup:

 

[cognaccruiser]

Yup, sounds like the kill switch. Been there, done that. Actually, hope it is the kill switch. It is a lesson we all go through at some point in time and one we never forget.

Gary

 

[cptjam]

Engine cut off switch

Most likely.
Years ago, I had a kick start only Harley. I was going to a Army school, so my bike was outside of my temporary quarters. I had seen children playing nearby earlier, and went out to start up and go to work. Kick, Kick, Kick! nothing. No worries, it will start. Kick, Kick, Kick! After 30 minutes of that, I was dripping sweat, exhausted, angry,. Now running late, in danger of being in serious trouble, I looked a little closer. Everything was just a bit off; mirrors, switches, passenger pegs - anything that could have been played with, had been played with. I remembered my pre-start ritual: FINE-C. Fuel, turn it on, Ignition, turn it on, Neutral, move shift lever to neutral, Engine cut off switch, move it to run, Clutch/choke, Pull in clutch, tickle the choke. 1st kick, fired right up! I roared off to school, making it by seconds! I learned a powerful lesson that day! It happens to everyone. No shame, just remember to use the system. It works! Joe

 

[MRH]

I called my dealer a few days after I bought the Spyder when it wouldn't start. I didn't even know there was a kill switch - in the end I didn't feel like the brightest bulb in the room, but at least it was an easily fixed problem.

It will happen again. It always does.

 

[CapeSpyder]

So the ? Is can the spyder be restarted while rolling, if you relize the switch is off and the turn it back on? And you have an automatic?

Sent From my Note 5

 

[Bob Denman]

:dontknow: That's a good question. I would think that you'd still be in gear, so you'd need to have a foot on the brake pedal... :dontknow:
Once it did start: it would automatically switch you back to neutral anyway. And you can't stuff it into gear, if you're rolling! :banghead:

 

[pitzerwm]

So the ? Is can the spyder be restarted while rolling, if you relize the switch is off and the turn it back on? And you have an automatic?

Sent From my Note 5

That did happen to me and I was on the freeway. I hit the start switch and nothing, I then just touched the brake petal and the start switch and it started. So the answer is yes you don't need to come to a stop.

I too have inadvertently hit the switch while stopped and since I don't ever use that switch it took someone else to "see it" and off we went.

 

[ARtraveler]

Heck of a way to say :welcome: and :congrats: on your new :spyder2:.

It is sounding like it may be the kill switch. Let's hope that is all it is. Please keep us informed.

 

[Uruzgan]

Yuppers... It was the kill switch!!! The agust and knowledgable forum members diagnosed the problem correctly...Good on you all :clap: Rookie mistake with the kill switch...giant brain fart!!! :banghead:. Most embarrassed, but learned a valuable lesson, I'll not soon forget... The good news is I'm back on the road... Thanks all for your input.

Steve

 

[jcthorne]

Hooray! So glad your new Spyder is just fine.

Makes for a good story and a laugh. Get out there and ride.

Oh, and thanks for coming back and letting everyone know. Big of you to own up to it. We have all had brain farts.

 

[samewok]

Glad you are back riding