ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
If/when you figure it out, let me know. I am stuck here too. :roflblack:
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There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
SM VS SE
- Thread starter bmccaffrey
- Start date
If/when you figure it out, let me know. I am stuck here too. :roflblack:
Wildchild6969
New member
SM over SE for sure
I have the SM5 and my brother has the SE5 so I have ridden both on several occasions. Both he and I prefer the SM5 as it offers a more "motorcycle feel" and requires less maintenance over the span on the bikes life.
I have the SM5 and my brother has the SE5 so I have ridden both on several occasions. Both he and I prefer the SM5 as it offers a more "motorcycle feel" and requires less maintenance over the span on the bikes life.
MikeinGA
New member
My BRP manual gives me a way to check the shift up/down with a muilt meter. I agree with you about the SM5 and the manual clutch. I hate having a vehicle that is going to let me sit along side the road. I'm going to go to the Smoky Mountain Spyder Rally next month and I will be towing it there because it's over 100 miles from home. This is not the first time the Spyder failed me like this. It's the sixth time in 15,000 miles. That's IMHO.
Mike
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bmccaffrey
New member
Great input everyone. Learned a lot. That's why I got the sm figured motorcycle should have a clutch. Love to power shift the sm also. Was a little surprised how quick the se was:yikes:. I've not read that many complaints on the se. I like keeping things simple. My feeling the less electronics less problems:doorag:.
I do love my gadgets though
I do love my gadgets though
MikeinGA
New member
Mike,
I'm just saying that the SE controlled transmission can have more problems than the SM transmission. :congrats: on winning your class at the SpyderFest drags.
Mike
I test drove the SE and had to have one. Probably the same one you just drove. I'm telling Sam what you did.:lecturef_smilie:
SpyderGAAZ
New member
Don't laugh.....
I love to shift and have 1000 miles on my STS, would not trade my manual. Not sure what a power shift is? :hun:I think I might have done it by mistake a few times but would like to know how to power shift on purpose.......please tell!!
I love to shift and have 1000 miles on my STS, would not trade my manual. Not sure what a power shift is? :hun:I think I might have done it by mistake a few times but would like to know how to power shift on purpose.......please tell!!
capt.jim
Member
I'm in the same boat of indecision if I get the F3.
My GS- SM has 49,000 miles, shifts like butter. No problems. Love the control of the clutch and low speed drivability, (as long as i'm not in traffic that is) and the feeling of being one with the bike.
My 13 ST has the auto, I didn't like it at all when new.
It was really slow between shifts and I felt like I had to keep the rev's much higher not to have that lugging feeling. I don't like worrying about having to keep the rev's up. They do rev-match nicely during downshifts.
But at 5000 miles it is just getting broken in good and the shifts are now quick with no lag anymore.
The SE has grown on me tremendously to where I enjoy it as much as the SM.
I understand the feeling, a motorcycle should have a clutch like all my old hotrods did. But the truth is todays automatics are far more advanced and likely faster at the drag strip.
With the clutch being hydraulically activated on the 14-15 triples with the 6 speed, instead of centrifically, that makes having to keep the rev's up a non issue for them. Good luck, decisions, decisions!
My GS- SM has 49,000 miles, shifts like butter. No problems. Love the control of the clutch and low speed drivability, (as long as i'm not in traffic that is) and the feeling of being one with the bike.
My 13 ST has the auto, I didn't like it at all when new.
It was really slow between shifts and I felt like I had to keep the rev's much higher not to have that lugging feeling. I don't like worrying about having to keep the rev's up. They do rev-match nicely during downshifts.
But at 5000 miles it is just getting broken in good and the shifts are now quick with no lag anymore.
The SE has grown on me tremendously to where I enjoy it as much as the SM.
I understand the feeling, a motorcycle should have a clutch like all my old hotrods did. But the truth is todays automatics are far more advanced and likely faster at the drag strip.
With the clutch being hydraulically activated on the 14-15 triples with the 6 speed, instead of centrifically, that makes having to keep the rev's up a non issue for them. Good luck, decisions, decisions!
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Spyda98
New member
If you ride in stop and go traffic, then SE is the best option...
I was a big SM advocate until I had to sit in traffic on my initial test ride. The SE is definitely better for me because I have to go through tunnels here in the Hampton Roads area. And if anyone is familiar with the tunnel traffic here then you know my pain of constantly pulling the clutch will push you to a SE.
I was a big SM advocate until I had to sit in traffic on my initial test ride. The SE is definitely better for me because I have to go through tunnels here in the Hampton Roads area. And if anyone is familiar with the tunnel traffic here then you know my pain of constantly pulling the clutch will push you to a SE.
daveinva
New member
On two wheels, I go manual. Scooters freak me out, without the ability to slip a clutch I get all squirrely in the parking lot. :sour:
On four wheels, I go manual. I have fun rowing gears on a car, although yeah, it's a PITA in city traffic (which unfortunately has been the story of my life... man, gotta move out to the sticks when I retire
hyea
.
But on THREE wheels... SE all the way. I don't need the manual to feel safe like on two wheels, and I have plenty more fun on three wheels than I do in my car, i.e. I don't need to "spice up" Spyder riding with a clutch to put a smile on my face.
Now, if the SE didn't work, or worked slower than a manual, or had more problems than a manual (honestly, after four years on SL I don't see any trends for problems with either SE or SM), it'd be a different story. But the SE works great on every Spyder I've ever had the pleasure of riding (the SM works great, too, but again, unlike on two wheels or four, it's more work for the same amount of fun, there's just no upside to the SM).
Plus, as I've said before: the SE is part of what makes a Spyder a Spyder. Very few bikes have such a nifty transmission, it's all part of the charm of what makes our ride so unique. It rides like THE FUTURE. When I get the itch to strain my hand and smack my toes, I've always got my Ninja to take out for a spin... :doorag:
On four wheels, I go manual. I have fun rowing gears on a car, although yeah, it's a PITA in city traffic (which unfortunately has been the story of my life... man, gotta move out to the sticks when I retire
hyea. But on THREE wheels... SE all the way. I don't need the manual to feel safe like on two wheels, and I have plenty more fun on three wheels than I do in my car, i.e. I don't need to "spice up" Spyder riding with a clutch to put a smile on my face.
Now, if the SE didn't work, or worked slower than a manual, or had more problems than a manual (honestly, after four years on SL I don't see any trends for problems with either SE or SM), it'd be a different story. But the SE works great on every Spyder I've ever had the pleasure of riding (the SM works great, too, but again, unlike on two wheels or four, it's more work for the same amount of fun, there's just no upside to the SM).
Plus, as I've said before: the SE is part of what makes a Spyder a Spyder. Very few bikes have such a nifty transmission, it's all part of the charm of what makes our ride so unique. It rides like THE FUTURE. When I get the itch to strain my hand and smack my toes, I've always got my Ninja to take out for a spin... :doorag:
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BLUEKNIGHT911
Sadly Passed Oct 2024 - RIP
THEY PROBABLY DID BACK THEN
The reason I mentioned the SE-5 vs. the SE-6 is the SE-6 with it's clutch operate quite differently from the 5's and IMHO will not have the issues they did........Mike
SPYD3R
Active member
LIKE
BUY n RIDE WHAT YOU LIKE....
DON'T TRY TO SATISFY ANOTHER PERSONS PASSION... :lecturef_smilie:
I'VE HAD VETTE'S, SS CHEVY'S (STILL DO), 442, ROAD RUNNER, AND I'M ALL DONE SHIFTING.... :yikes:
MY THUMB AND INDEX FINGERS DO ALL THE LABORING NOW...
I LOVE MY "SE's" AND WILL NEVER AGAIN ALLOW MYSELF TO OWN ANOTHER MANUAL SHIFT VEHICLE.... :lecturef_smilie:
THAT'S JUST ME... YOU BUY WHAT SATISFIES YOUR NEEDS.... :2thumbs: UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE PAYS FOR IT... :banghead:
DAN P
SPYD3R
BUY n RIDE WHAT YOU LIKE....
DON'T TRY TO SATISFY ANOTHER PERSONS PASSION... :lecturef_smilie:
I'VE HAD VETTE'S, SS CHEVY'S (STILL DO), 442, ROAD RUNNER, AND I'M ALL DONE SHIFTING.... :yikes:
MY THUMB AND INDEX FINGERS DO ALL THE LABORING NOW...
I LOVE MY "SE's" AND WILL NEVER AGAIN ALLOW MYSELF TO OWN ANOTHER MANUAL SHIFT VEHICLE.... :lecturef_smilie:
THAT'S JUST ME... YOU BUY WHAT SATISFIES YOUR NEEDS.... :2thumbs: UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE PAYS FOR IT... :banghead:
DAN P
SPYD3R
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wolphspyder
New member
I have had manual shift on all my past bikes, and had a 2013 STS with the SM5....loved it.....also drove the wifes SE5 and found it to be very smooth, with no power loss, when I bought my 2014 SE6....found it also to be very smooth and no power loss, and I don't baby her.....no problems with either transmission....and believe it or not....I really enjoy the SE6....so either transmission is good.....just get what you want .....they are both fun..:2thumbs:
isthatahemi
New member
Rode both back to back for 4 days
I rented an SE5 for 4 days, and rode around 1200 miles. The downshifts were cool, other than that, I was unimpressed. I thought the shift buttons were backwards, easily bumped, and all around intrusive. The upshifts were inconsistent, and it was a bother to have to pay heed to running over 3500 (or is it 3700 or is it 4000rpm now!!). The shift quality was acceptable, and no more. I did not like the rpm flair on some shifts, or the strange bouts of off the line rpm flare and then bog.
Considering one only needs the clutch to get moving, and gets to feed the appropriate amount of slip, (not having a set one rpm fits all, like the SE), and then clutch to second, and after that, properly coordinated upshifts are crisp and smooth, no clutch required. The upside of the SM, is that under certain occasions, when you are either wanting to hold on, or need a free left hand, you can click off a shift with your left foot, no need to think about what button to press.
Now if the SE had a full auto option, I would understand, as it is, it is all the distraction of shifting, with none of the tactile feel, or rewarding feeling when done correctly. Boo. It's really not a semi-automatic, it's a automated clutch manual.
Just my opinion.
I rented an SE5 for 4 days, and rode around 1200 miles. The downshifts were cool, other than that, I was unimpressed. I thought the shift buttons were backwards, easily bumped, and all around intrusive. The upshifts were inconsistent, and it was a bother to have to pay heed to running over 3500 (or is it 3700 or is it 4000rpm now!!). The shift quality was acceptable, and no more. I did not like the rpm flair on some shifts, or the strange bouts of off the line rpm flare and then bog.
Considering one only needs the clutch to get moving, and gets to feed the appropriate amount of slip, (not having a set one rpm fits all, like the SE), and then clutch to second, and after that, properly coordinated upshifts are crisp and smooth, no clutch required. The upside of the SM, is that under certain occasions, when you are either wanting to hold on, or need a free left hand, you can click off a shift with your left foot, no need to think about what button to press.
Now if the SE had a full auto option, I would understand, as it is, it is all the distraction of shifting, with none of the tactile feel, or rewarding feeling when done correctly. Boo. It's really not a semi-automatic, it's a automated clutch manual.
Just my opinion.
isthatahemi
New member
And doesn't require 2 hands on the bars to do it.
I'm just thing to figure out why every thread in the GS/RS shop section get flooded by responses from the RT crowd. Most of which can not accept they sit in a different rider spectrum than an RS and RSS rider / buyer. Every dang thread. Sigh. I wish the mods would at least point this out if not fix it. It spoils the option for us non RT riders to discuss things, as we are not as concerned with farkles (and good lord what is a farkle), and more out to have an engaging ride.
end rant
The SE is a as annoying as any other automated clutch manual. Unpredictable, less reliable, and has caveats to keep it alive. The only discernible advantage is bad traffic laziness. Which is far harder on the clutch than the lower rpm engagement options on the SM. In gridlock I felt like I was a abusing the SE clutch.
I'm just thing to figure out why every thread in the GS/RS shop section get flooded by responses from the RT crowd. Most of which can not accept they sit in a different rider spectrum than an RS and RSS rider / buyer. Every dang thread. Sigh. I wish the mods would at least point this out if not fix it. It spoils the option for us non RT riders to discuss things, as we are not as concerned with farkles (and good lord what is a farkle), and more out to have an engaging ride.
end rant
The SE is a as annoying as any other automated clutch manual. Unpredictable, less reliable, and has caveats to keep it alive. The only discernible advantage is bad traffic laziness. Which is far harder on the clutch than the lower rpm engagement options on the SM. In gridlock I felt like I was a abusing the SE clutch.
