Hello to all. I purchased a used 2011 Spyder last fall, and all was well. My wife and I went on our first bike trip from Kentucky to Myrtle Beach back in the spring and really enjoyed it. I have always had a little trouble going manually from reverse back in to first gear, but had it looked at while I was in Myrtle Beach. The shop changed and flushed the system. I rode the bike last weekend and it felt different. Once you have been riding a while you can feel when something just isn't the same. It seems that when I'm in a gear that I should be in the next higher gear. It's hard to explain. If anyone knows what I am trying to explain, I would really appreciate any help provided. Thanks
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RT doesn't feel right
- Thread starter rlwood
- Start date
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Shift rpm's are important on the 998 twin. The :ani29: is happiest when shifted between 5000 - 5500 rpm's. It should also be operated in that 5000 range. That can mean first gear through town (30 - 35 mph). That can also mean driving 55 mph in 4th gear. We never use 5th unless driving over 65 mph. It seems weird at first if you come from low torque machines or are new to the :spyder2:.
On the semi-automatic, the clutch can be slipping if you are operating under 3,500 rpms. This may be what you are experiencing.
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Chupaca
New member
Agree..!!
:agree: if you are lugging the engine it means you need to be in the next gear. If yours is the semi automatic your clutch is not fully engaged if not over 3,500 rpm's. Unlike most popular twins this one is a high rpm engine. Not knowing exactly what was flushed or done in myrtle beach its hard to say. Other options are more drastic. Try this first...and let us know..:thumbup:
:agree: if you are lugging the engine it means you need to be in the next gear. If yours is the semi automatic your clutch is not fully engaged if not over 3,500 rpm's. Unlike most popular twins this one is a high rpm engine. Not knowing exactly what was flushed or done in myrtle beach its hard to say. Other options are more drastic. Try this first...and let us know..:thumbup:
I appreciate the replys. I am used to the way my old motorcycle felt when I needed to shift gears. I was unaware that I needed to be riding with such high RPMs. It felt fine during my ride to Myrtle Beach. I had the clutch fluid flushed and changed. The mechanic said that it had been filled with motor oil instead of break fluid, so he flushed it. It will take some getting used to riding that high of RPMs without going to the next gear. I hope I haven't harmed anything running 55-60 in fifth. Thanks, again for your help. Richard
Highwayman2013
New member
I doubt if you hurt anything, but to get in the engines sweet spot you must rev it. The 998 was a sportbike motor back in the day.
Mazo EMS2
Active member
Took me a while to realize that 5th gear was rarely gonna be used in my travels. I never go on the interstate, and really have no major highways that I hit. If I'm ever gonna get it above 65 for any reasonable distance, I'll bump up to 5th. Otherwise I run at 60mph in 4th all the time.
Bob Denman
New member
:shocked: Don't let folks get you worried... :shocked:
The 998s DO like to rev; but they'll also putter along happily at any rpm that you like.
Since you've got an SM-5 transmission; worrying about the clutches is something that you don't need to do.
Relax, and enjoy the ryde! :2thumbs:
The 998s DO like to rev; but they'll also putter along happily at any rpm that you like.
Since you've got an SM-5 transmission; worrying about the clutches is something that you don't need to do.
Relax, and enjoy the ryde! :2thumbs:
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT
Am I the only one one who see's this ......."clutch fluid flushed ....filled with motor oil instead of brake fluid ",,,,,WHAT's...wrong with this picture ?????.......IF YOUR MECHANIC TOLD YOU THIS.......RUN AND DON'T EVER GO BACK .....BECAUSE HE IS CLUELESS......Spyders have NO CLUTCH fluid per-say they share engine oil and it must be the right type for your clutch to operate correctly......and BRAKE FLUID where that's coming from is really scarry .You need your Spyder checked by a competant mechanic ASAP........jmho.........Mike:thumbup:
I have brake fluid in my clutch.....SM5?
The mechanic likely thought the dirty brake fluid he swapped out of the clutch reservoir was motor oil because it was so dirty. The fluid gets dirty and discolors quick. I do mine every other season. We did a friends 09' and it was completely black!
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The mechanic likely thought the dirty brake fluid he swapped out of the clutch reservoir was motor oil because it was so dirty. The fluid gets dirty and discolors quick. I do mine every other season. We did a friends 09' and it was completely black!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Also, Don't read into the "gotta run high rpms" hoopla if you have an SM. You can lug it around pretty much all you want. Shift by feel if that's what your used to. 3k+ is a non issue on the SM. I wouldn't run lower than that though.....personally.
Good luck!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Good luck!
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Bob Denman
New member
Drew...
What's going on? I find myself agreeing with what you're saying... :shocked:
There must be a "Disturbance in the Force"... :yikes:
What's going on? I find myself agreeing with what you're saying... :shocked:
There must be a "Disturbance in the Force"... :yikes:
bruiser
New member
BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
unclegeezer
New member
RT
I had 2011 RT and it ran better the higher the rev's were in all gears :yes:
I had 2011 RT and it ran better the higher the rev's were in all gears :yes:
bruiser
New member
Yes there is brake fluid in the clutch...
The SM5 uses DOT 4 brake fluid in the clutch reservoir. It should be flushed per the maintenance schedule. Clutch fluid can look like motor oil if it hasn't been changed. I flushed the clutch fluid on my 2012 RTS SM5 three times a year. It's also a good idea to check the clutch diaphragm and the clutch assist solenoid. If the diaphragm has a hole in it or is other wise compromised, it can feel like the clutch is slipping.
The SM5 uses DOT 4 brake fluid in the clutch reservoir. It should be flushed per the maintenance schedule. Clutch fluid can look like motor oil if it hasn't been changed. I flushed the clutch fluid on my 2012 RTS SM5 three times a year. It's also a good idea to check the clutch diaphragm and the clutch assist solenoid. If the diaphragm has a hole in it or is other wise compromised, it can feel like the clutch is slipping.
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