RT SM5 Clutch Slip

[cbxconnie]

Hi Folks,

I am new to this forum as my 2011 RT SM5 just hit 5000 miles and has had no problems, until now. Maybe someone has experienced same and knows the cure. I want to be more knowledgeable when I contact my dealer tomorrow.

My wife and I took a 1400-mile trip to Upper Michigan / Eastern Ontario where the terrain is relatively flat. While inching along for nearly two hours, in a mile-long line of vehicles waiting to pass back through Customs into the USA, my clutch started to slip. The ambient temperature was 100+ and my radiator fan was on constantly, but the bike never overheated. As the stop-and-go traffic slowly ascended the slight incline of the Sault Ste. Marie bridge, and my left forearm grew increasingly sore from using the clutch repeatedly, the “pull” of the clutch lever suddenly diminished and the clutch began to slip noticeably. It felt as if the clutch springs had lost most of their tension, or the clutch assist was working overtime. The clutch steel & friction plates are most likely glazed / burned after one traffic jam!

BRP not only sells a matching trailer and hitch for the Spyder, but their manual contains seven pages of info on trailer towing, cargo capacities, and weight limits. It seems strange that a machine clearly designed for long-distance touring, has a clutch that wouldn’t last the duration of some of the single trips I’ve taken. I don’t want to hear any nonsense about this being a case of “normal wear & tear” because an engine tear-down every other oil change would not be acceptable even on a vehicle costing a fraction of what this thing cost.

Note: Oil & filter changed at 3600 miles using BRP XPS Summer oil as per manual. (The highly-recommended 5W-40 Rotella T6 synthetic in the blue container is rated SM on the bottles I examined, so it weren’t used here)

Questions:
1) Might the hydraulic fluid have boiled and expanded causing partial clutch engagement?
2) Might the high temp, combined with the constant “feathering” of the clutch confused the ECM or done something to the electronically controlled solenoid valve?

Word from anyone who has had a similar problem, and your outcome, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Scott H

 

[flybuddy]

I don't have an answer for you. There's a lot of responders on the forum who like the "it's the rider not the spyder" approach to most issues ie; YOU'RE not shifting high enough rpms, etc. I guess that's a defense mechanism so you don't worry yourself a lot on these design flaws. I have the same machine and am greatly worried about the clutch. When releasing my clutch it catches at the very end of the throw (like about the last 1/16 of an inch). Riding that high on the edge doesn't make me feel good about longevity. I've owned over a dozen motorcycles and standard shift vehicles (as well as being a truck driving instructor) and have never gone through a clutch. I doubt I'll be able to say that 10K (or less) from now.

 

[NancysToy]

Sorry to hear of your problems. First, let me say that this is not a common problem. Many of us have ridden in similar conditions with no issues. I rode through about 40 miles of stop-n-go coming past Chicasgo on the way back from Durango, with no problems despite a clutch that isn't working quite right.

There are a lot of possibilties as to the cause or contributing factors, including what kind of oil you used. A dealer will have to look at the Spyder and try to determine the initial cause. Be sure they check the clutch assist solenoid. A failure there could have caused the clutch to never engage properly, hastening its demise. Feathering the clutch constantly is not a real good idea on any vehicle, either. Better to let it out completely and pull it back in completely when traffic ahead slows. Anyway, the important thing is to get the clutch repaired properly, no matter what the cause. Keep the faith, most Spyder clutches do just fine.

 

[Jeriatric]

Hi Folks,

I am new to this forum as my 2011 RT SM5 just hit 5000 miles and has had no problems, until now. Maybe someone has experienced same and knows the cure. I want to be more knowledgeable when I contact my dealer tomorrow.

My wife and I took a 1400-mile trip to Upper Michigan / Eastern Ontario where the terrain is relatively flat. While inching along for nearly two hours, in a mile-long line of vehicles waiting to pass back through Customs into the USA, my clutch started to slip. The ambient temperature was 100+ and my radiator fan was on constantly, but the bike never overheated. As the stop-and-go traffic slowly ascended the slight incline of the Sault Ste. Marie bridge, and my left forearm grew increasingly sore from using the clutch repeatedly, the “pull” of the clutch lever suddenly diminished and the clutch began to slip noticeably. It felt as if the clutch springs had lost most of their tension, or the clutch assist was working overtime. The clutch steel & friction plates are most likely glazed / burned after one traffic jam!

BRP not only sells a matching trailer and hitch for the Spyder, but their manual contains seven pages of info on trailer towing, cargo capacities, and weight limits. It seems strange that a machine clearly designed for long-distance touring, has a clutch that wouldn’t last the duration of some of the single trips I’ve taken. I don’t want to hear any nonsense about this being a case of “normal wear & tear” because an engine tear-down every other oil change would not be acceptable even on a vehicle costing a fraction of what this thing cost.

Note: Oil & filter changed at 3600 miles using BRP XPS Summer oil as per manual. (The highly-recommended 5W-40 Rotella T6 synthetic in the blue container is rated SM on the bottles I examined, so it weren’t used here)

Questions:
1) Might the hydraulic fluid have boiled and expanded causing partial clutch engagement?
2) Might the high temp, combined with the constant “feathering” of the clutch confused the ECM or done something to the electronically controlled solenoid valve?

Word from anyone who has had a similar problem, and your outcome, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Scott H

Is your clutch slipping now, or was it only when you were having to use it so often while in line at the border?

Having to use any manual clutch repeatedly and for that duration of time would have heated the plates. Look at how you said it made your arm feel.