se5 tranny

[jonathvining21984]

hi new guy here and new owner of a 2012 se5 was woundering if the tranny has clutchs that wear out or is it like an auto in a car thx for the help

 

[my3gs]

Hi an :welcome:yes they do wearout an quickly if not used right. look up THE DO'S an DONT's n the forum. an read ur manual over an over!!

 

[boborgera]

hi new guy here and new owner of a 2012 se5 was woundering if the tranny has clutchs that wear out or is it like an auto in a car thx for the help

Yes they have clutch plates, There Not like a car. But not to worry, If you shift at the proper RPM's they'll
last for years.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and :congrats: on the new ryde.

 

[jonathvining21984]

thx yall for the help im reading the owners book but its not all that clear about the small stuff

 

[bhfromme]

I have a standard because I just didn't trust the longevity of the automatic but the guy at the dealer says there have been no problems with the automatics (of course he's in sales and would say that). He went on to say that you could shift on the fly at any speed or rpm with no problem but honestly I find that hard to believe.

Has anyone got some insight on this? Is it true that you can abuse the automatics with no problems? I'm not a speed freak but I do tend to ride my Spyder pretty hard. The standard sucks it up and begs for more. Would the automatic?

 

[Questions]

automatic

The best thing about the automatic is you can never be in the wrong gear because it won't let you shift if your rpms aren't above a certain range.:spyder2:

I have a standard because I just didn't trust the longevity of the automatic but the guy at the dealer says there have been no problems with the automatics (of course he's in sales and would say that). He went on to say that you could shift on the fly at any speed or rpm with no problem but honestly I find that hard to believe.

Has anyone got some insight on this? Is it true that you can abuse the automatics with no problems? I'm not a speed freak but I do tend to ride my Spyder pretty hard. The standard sucks it up and begs for more. Would the automatic?

 

[my3gs]

:roflblack: Abuse :yikes: the SE5 hmm thats a bad word. lets just say when u shift the SE5 at oh lets say 8500 1st to 2nd and 3rd u hang on an dont let up u best have a good streach to ride on cause when u hit 3dr u r well exceeding all speed limits:yikes:. NOT like i have ever done that:roflblack::roflblack: i love the SE5 !!! it is so smooth at all times i have a 2012 RT Limited but i ride it a bit aggreive cause its just to much fun.:yes:

 

[Illinois Boy]

hi new guy here and new owner of a 2012 se5 was woundering if the tranny has clutchs that wear out or is it like an auto in a car thx for the help

So far the Spyder's clutch appears to be fairly strong and able to handle most of what a reasonable person would "put it through". Of course, there is always one or two in a crowd that can destroy anything.

If you are new to your Spyder, you might find insight from the "Do's and Don'ts thread. It can be a great starting-place to learn a few tricks. The link is below in my signature.

Depending on which Spyder you have and whether is is an automatic or manual; there will be variations to some of the points provided -- however, you'll get the idea; and after a while you will find what works best for your Spyder.

Good luck, and enjoy the ride. (Since it is about zero outside here, I certainly would appreciate knowing someone is riding! Ha!)

 

[Illinois Boy]

I have a standard because I just didn't trust the longevity of the automatic but the guy at the dealer says there have been no problems with the automatics (of course he's in sales and would say that). He went on to say that you could shift on the fly at any speed or rpm with no problem but honestly I find that hard to believe.

Has anyone got some insight on this? Is it true that you can abuse the automatics with no problems? I'm not a speed freak but I do tend to ride my Spyder pretty hard. The standard sucks it up and begs for more. Would the automatic?

Your question/thought is likely to solicit many responses from various experiences people have had with their Spyders.

The dealer's statement of being able to shift at any speed or rpm: not exactly an accurate statement, but not that far off.

For the most-part, you determine what gear you want by shifting. The automatic does not up-shift on its own. The SE5 does downshift once the RPM's get to a certain speed though.

Horsepower is an issue with some riders. Those being used to torque at the low-end are likely to complain about the "lack of horsepower" from the Spyder. Those who shift at higher RPM's (closer to or within the maximum power-band) will complain far less.

It comes down to the "riding-style" required of the Spyder to experience its fullest potential. If you don't ride the Spyder as it is designed to be, then you'll likely have a less desirable experience or opinion of it. Expecting a Spyder to have a V-Twin, or a "muscle-car" torque to it is assured to provide a dissatisfaction of the power and feel.

Regarding whether the SE5 is indestructible when being abused... Not sure what your version of abuse is. Anything made can be broken. Can you "get-on" the throttle of the SE5 and move? ...yes would be the answer; but it is NOT a drag-racer. It would be more aligned to an Italian performance car (not necessarily fast off the line, but down the stretch it will move).

The SE5 compared to the manual tranny... not sure whether it would be as quick. That would depend in part on the rider's skill. Personally, I have little problem with the power of the machine with the SE5.

(Keep in mind... weight has a lot to do with any vehicle's performance. If a person's size and luggage is close to the weight limit, or exceeds it... they should expect diminished performance -- period.)

 

[Bob Denman]

The ESSIE and ESSEM trannys are the same; the difference is in how the clutching chores are handled...
The ESSIEs don't end up getting their clutches fully locked-up until about 4000 rpm. Riding around with them slipping will eventually have you at the dealers with a long face and a story to tell... :shocked:
Keep them above four grand, and you'll be piling on the miles and smiles for many years! :thumbup:

 

[billybovine]

SE5 Bits and pieces

There are many misconceptions about what BRP calls the semi automatic transmission (SE5). First the gearbox, the place the gear ratio changes actually happen, are identical in both the SE5 and SM5. The SE5 does not have a automotive style auto transmission. The gears are shifted using hydraulic pressure on the SE5 and foot lever on the SM5. Both are connected to the identical gear shift input shaft on the gear box. Second the clutch is one oil bath clutch pack that is identical in both the SE5 and SM5 except for one plate. This is similar in technology to most motorcycles. The SE5 the clutch is engaged and disengaged by a centrifugal mechanism with hydraulic override. The SM5 clutch is engaged by spring pressure and disengaged by hydraulic pressure created by your left hand. The big difference between the two is the SE5 has a hydraulic control unit bolted on the side of the engine that contains an oil pump and some valves that actually shifts the gears and controls the clutch during gear shifts instead of your left foot and hand on a SM5.

 

[jerpinoy]

Everything is laid out here so make your own conclusion. The more you abuse the more damage you suffer.

Remember " Murphy's Law" it always apply.

 

[sergentwoody]

mine on my RS-S 12 se5 slip betwen 1-2:sour: