Power steering botches a good trip.

[Longlegs]

We took a ride up through Lake Geneva WI and on up north of Milwaukee. It was about 40 degrees so we had lots of clothes on and didn't really mind the temps. When we got to Lake Geneva it started snowing and we almost turned around. But after walking around town the sun came out so we continued on. We wanted to go up to door county, but it was so nice not having kids wake us up that we just couldn't get motivated to get out of the hotel early. Plus it gets dark so early and the temps really drop. We really saw some pretty country. Rolling hills with the trees starting to change and there were pumpkin patches about every 2 miles. We ate like fat kids too (Cheesecake Factory!). Every thing was good til the steering acted up. It is just like others have said, it feels like the steering locks, then when you overpower it, it overcorrects. Man that is downright scary. The first couple times I thought it was wind or something. But then it got worse so it was doing it all the time. Once we got stopped and shut it off, it quit doing it when we got back on the road. But I only felt like I could go about 40mph and still regain control if it acted up again. I sure hope I can get the confidence back after dealer looks at it.

 

[richie]

steering

Scary :yikes: you bet! It happened to us last week,and I took it to a dealer yesterday ,of corse it was'nt doing it then. He put it on computer and nothing seemed wrong.He wants me to leave it with him to test drive it. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Recluze]

While there has been a software recall on this issue I am not convinced that is the root cause of the problem. I had to have my power steering unit changed twice. The third one behaved a lot different than the previous two. Since that change I have not had the problem but I will never ever trust that steering system completely again.

The software upgrade made no difference in my steering. It certainly made the bike easier to shift, run a little better and get better mileage. On a couple of occasions the power steering went out and stayed out. After a while, it came back on. Much easier to manage then the original problem. And now this too has seemingly gone away.

It is not uncommon for companies to 'fix' mechanical problems in software. It is a lot cheaper to do a software recall than to change out all of the suspected mechanical parts when only a few of them are going to make a difference. I don't know if this is what happened here. I know I have been party to doing this during my working career.

 

[Bersquack]

I love the Lake Geneva area, it is not too far from my place (about an hour). But Lake Geneva to Door County is a pretty long drive and the temperature drops significantly as you head North this time of year.

Have not done it on a Spyder but plan on dong so next year.

 

[Roaddog2]

I posted a reply on this topic yesterday....that somehow disappeared ?? IMO the Spyder is an unsafe vehicle with major problems with it's computers that control both the power steering and the stability control. It appears that no amount of computer software upgrades have been successful in eliminating these life threatening problems. Any vehicle that has the potential to veer to the right or left unexpectedly and without driver input, should not be allowed to be sold !! I will be taking this matter directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

opcorn:

 

[Smylinacha]

opcorn:

Do it up Dude - I'd love to see the outcome of this. Mine acted up twice and it was scarey to me but since it had the second steering update it has been fine. BUT it is now always in the back of my head about it going and me hitting a tree, guardrail at a high rate of speed.

I wonder if that lady from Australia that got into an accident had that happen to her.