Next Gen Spyder Drvetrain

[cruisinTX]

First 24 hour summary:

* Most Popular setup: Shaft/Increased Engine Displacement/Semi Auto Trans
* 92% of respondents would like to have shaft drive
* Riders still like to “go through the gears” with 40% opting for a Semi Auto Trans; although a full Auto Trans has a strong following
* 71% of respondents would like more HP
* Surprisingly only 8% want to continue with a belt final drive

Interesting informal stats. I’ll summarize again in a week. BRP are you listening?

. . . I thought you were serious until that last question

 

[AVBIZ]

. . . I thought you were serious until that last question

I figured they probably have an intern with scrubbing software monitoring the web for their name. Beyond that - no guarantees

 

[Wahrsuul]

I don't NEED more power. but I wouldn't mind it.

Belt drive - it's more efficient than shaft and cleaner/quieter than chain so I don't mind it. But alignment and issues with gravel are a tad annoying.

Better mpg? Sure, but my brother's '05 wing gets around the same as my '14 RTS so, we're not far off there, and I have a smaller engine and heavier bike.

transmission - this is my issue. The SE6 feels like a half-way measure, and had I know before hand, I'd have gone for a lower spec RT and added the stuff I wanted. Either let me shift or don't.

 

[AVBIZ]

That's easy, a Honda flat six with shaft drive :spyder:

Yep- I Google Honda Neo Wing and Yamaha Niken every couple weeks to see if those OEMs are taking these platforms to the next level and challenge BRP. Be nice if one of them would buyout Tilting Motor Works so you could feel comfortable giving $30+k to a small manufacturer.

 

[troop]

Has anybody here ever had a belt failure ? Is it a Can-Am thing ? Lots of H-D's and Indian/Victory's with years/miles on belts with low failure rates. And, yes, some serious power with built Harley's having no issues with belts...

 

[h0gr1der]

First 24 hour summary:

* Most Popular setup: Shaft/Increased Engine Displacement/Semi Auto Trans
* 92% of respondents would like to have shaft drive
* Riders still like to “go through the gears” with 64% opting for a Semi Auto Trans; although a full Auto Trans has a strong following
* 71% of respondents would like more HP
* Surprisingly only 8% want to continue with a belt final drive

Interesting informal stats. I’ll summarize again in a week. BRP are you listening?

If I understand the Honda DTC transmission with its 2 clutches, it can be used semi-auto or fully auto at the riders discretion. Pitch in Honda DTC riders, let me know. No personal experience with the new stuff.

 

[AVBIZ]

If I understand the Honda DTC transmission with its 2 clutches, it can be used semi-auto or fully auto at the riders discretion. Pitch in Honda DTC riders, let me know. No personal experience with the new stuff.

DCT which started as a curiosity for Honda has turned into a big hit on all its models. I would have it on a bike without hesitation.

 

[ARtraveler]

DCT which started as a curiosity for Honda has turned into a big hit on all its models. I would have it on a bike without hesitation.

The 1976 Hondamatic 750 had a similar transmission. Just like a car with Drive and Low settings on an automatic. I bought a new one and had it for a couple years. No hand shifting required. Just snick it into D or L, turn the throttle and go.

 

[AVBIZ]

The 1976 Hondamatic 750 had a similar transmission. Just like a car with Drive and Low settings on an automatic. I actually had one of those for a couple years. No hand shifting required. Just snick it into D or L, turn the throttle and go.

Almost bought one of those a couple months back.

 

[Bfromla]

Has anybody here ever had a belt failure ? Is it a Can-Am thing ? Lots of H-D's and Indian/Victory's with years/miles on belts with low failure rates. And, yes, some serious power with built Harley's having no issues with belts...

59583 miles no bet problems here. (Knocking on wood) shaft would be little more comfort in road work areas with gravel & tar chip.

 

[h0gr1der]

As I understand it the Honda DTC has 2 clutches, one for each shaft in the transmission. This allows it to automatically shift up and down. Our Spyders having the one clutch only have half of our shifting available as automatic. At least that's the way the article described it.

 

[AVBIZ]

Bump..

 

[Fat Baxter]

I opted for the current setup. This keeps things easier for the dealership, and the tech only has to be familiar with one basic drivetrain. Tends to help keep costs down. If they went to a shaft drive/bigger engine, then in a few years the technicians will eventually become less familiar with your older bike.

Personally, I think the current engine has more than enough horsepower and grunt.

At my last duty station, I had a GI come back after several consecutive overseas tours. He got his then 20-year-old Yamaha out of long term storage at his parents' house, and took it the local dealer, who wouldn't touch it. No longer had parts in the system for it, and the techs weren't familiar with it.

 

[AVBIZ]

I opted for the current setup. This keeps things easier for the dealership, and the tech only has to be familiar with one basic drivetrain. Tends to help keep costs down. If they went to a shaft drive/bigger engine, then in a few years the technicians will eventually become less familiar with your older bike.

Personally, I think the current engine has more than enough horsepower and grunt.



At my last duty station, I had a GI come back after several consecutive overseas tours. He got his then 20-year-old Yamaha out of long term storage at his parents' house, and took it the local dealer, who wouldn't touch it. No longer had parts in the system for it, and the techs weren't familiar with it.

Good points. While buying a Can-Am later this year; my current daily rider is 47 years old- a 1973 Honda Scrambler. I bought from the original owner last year and have been in a continual process of refreshing mechanical items to bring it up to a reliable performance level. So far compression is good in both cylinders so no need for an engine rebuild. Tell your GI friend he’ll need to tap the vintage bike repair network which is alive and robust as us Boomers all want to ride the bikes of our youth and the vintage repair market is happy to accommodate. I have Atlanta Motor Works near by and they do great work on all makes.

 

[chris56]

ROTAX built their first H2- Elektro snowmobile .. if that technik fits in the Lynx it should be no problem to use it also for a Spyder RT .. maybe thats the next generation !!

https://www.rotax.com/en/news/lates...-first-zero-emission-snow-mobile-concept.html

 

[AVBIZ]

ROTAX built their first H2- Elektro snowmobile .. if that technik fits in the Lynx it should be no problem to use it also for a Spyder RT .. maybe thats the next generation !!

https://www.rotax.com/en/news/lates...-first-zero-emission-snow-mobile-concept.html

Very cool. Didn’t know ROTAX was a division of Bombardier just thought BRP used their engines.

 

[308gunner]

For the F-3 sport ..a 4 cyl motor....no turbo..a turbo might cause problems in the long term.....horsepower increase to 200
HP... And a increase in torque to match...maybe increase to an SE-8 speed trans. ....to compete against the the BMW and Honda neo-wing..the Honda is coming ...the belt system is fine for the sport.

 

[PistonBlown]

Has anybody here ever had a belt failure ? Is it a Can-Am thing ? Lots of H-D's and Indian/Victory's with years/miles on belts with low failure rates. And, yes, some serious power with built Harley's having no issues with belts...

Got through two belts so far, both damaged by stones. A common problem over here because of the chip and tar resurfacing.

 

[PistonBlown]

No one else wants manual trans then?

 

[Wahrsuul]

I'd go manual trans before going back to the semi-auto I have now. If I'd have known before I bought...

The Honda DCT has 2 clutches, one for odd gears and one for even. It can be "manually" shifted just like many cars/trucks today. As I recall it also has sport and tour modes.

Honestly, a 4 cyl would be ok, but I've got to say - having owned mostly 4 cylinder bikes, the triple is surprisingly smooth with great torque. If I was going to pick an engine for the next RT, I think I'd go with the V4 from the Honda ST. It would fit between the wheels easily enough, and if oriented front to back, lends itself easily to shaft drive.

I don't mind a belt at all, they're the most efficient of the three drive trains. But, shaft is less worrisome for some.

200HP? Why? People buy horsepower, but they drive torque.