Software Update Poll- Please vote

[BajaRon]

For what it's worth, I just sent this letter to BRP:


Just want to add my regrets and disappointment about the steering update. You guys really choked us on that one. My steering is a lot improved, but the engine running like a spastic rabbit at low RPMs in first gear is not what I brought it in for. I am a very disappointed owner, as are many others. My Spyder was almost a flawless performer until now. Apparently, you guys read a few posts about people wanting better gas mileage and threw that in for a bonus without doing enough testing in the field. Anyone spending that much money on a great machine, then gripes about the gas mileage, should never have bought a Spyder. If getting 3-4 more MPG is that important, sell it.
We completed a 13,624 mile journey last Wednesday. I had the update done in Worthington, MN. Ran really well until about 500 miles later. Then, we call you guys and are told you never heard about the problem, and don't pay attention to SpyderLovers.com posts! Frankly, someone needs to start heeding legitimate complaints. I, as many other owners, have over 300,000 miles on varies motorcycles, and I am not a complainer. But, if something is wrong, then I would like to have it corrected. I don't appreciate BRP doing something to my Spyder that was not requested, which is what you did.
Sincerely,
Dudley J. Stelly

Have you checked your purge valve? It may not be the re-map at all.

 

[Motza]

Everything was good before the update. No problems. Better after the update.
I will put it this way; If I had paid $50 for the update and its results, I would feel like I got a real deal.

Tom

:agree:
I never had any issues with my SE5 to begin with, but after the upgrade I feel that my shifting felt smoother.

 

[Smylinacha]

My spyder was running good anyway, however since the upgrade it runs hotter, and extra bar and that concerns me.

Mine ran hotter yesterday - I got 5 bars instead of 4 but I attributed it to the unbearable humid/hot weather. I am just so confused now. Wish I never took it in for the darn recall.

 

[wildwillie]

recall report

Steering seems ok . Bike was running fine before recall, after recall running terrible. sputterning, backfireing all the time. Told service mrg. soon as I notice it. He said he did not do anything that would have cause it.
I do believe him but just maybe some of the software program were written wrong, and he would not know it was doing it. They are suppose to be checking it out with BRP not a word yet.
Theres got to be something to it to many people are having the same problem after recall.:dontknow:wildwillie

 

[jwfranklin]

Mine ran hotter yesterday - I got 5 bars instead of 4 but I attributed it to the unbearable humid/hot weather. I am just so confused now. Wish I never took it in for the darn recall.

:agree:

 

[kman]

funny how the purge valves are going bad after software update.I had a
bad feeling about taking my bike in for the recall when i found out it was a
software update because in my experiance they fix one thing and screw up 3 ohter things in the name of "making it better".i am not riding my:spyder2: untill they come up with a fix.if i have to buy a juicebox to get it running like it did before the update...:cus:

 

[spyderwoman]

Might want to make some phone calls if you haven't already.

if you are having issues please call the number lamonster gave us....i called this morning, talked to a nice lady, she did not offer any solutions but that is not her job. she did record down all my "symptoms" and said it will be reported to brp. i would encourage you to call your dealer and have them to report all their customer complaints too....i called my dealer and they are frustrated as we are. they are calling their other customers who have had the update and see if they are having problems too. maybe with all these calls they will do something!

 

[gazey]

Wow, only 150 votes from 2000 members....
There must be a lot of riders out there that either havn't bothered to vote or are waiting on the side lines to see what happens next.

Hey Lamont maybe you need to add a vote choice:
"Not done yet, waiting to see what happens" because I can't vote untill I've done the upgrade. I don't want to do the upgrade because my machine is running sweet.

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[BajaRon]

funny how the purge valves are going bad after software update.I had a
bad feeling about taking my bike in for the recall when i found out it was a
software update because in my experiance they fix one thing and screw up 3 ohter things in the name of "making it better".i am not riding my:spyder2: untill they come up with a fix.if i have to buy a juicebox to get it running like it did before the update...:cus:

It isn't a matter of Purge Valves going bad. The valve is opened and closed electronically based on how and when it is activated by the ECM. It is a programmed function and can be altered by changing the software (as is the case with the update).

It is pretty obvious that BRP has changed how and when the valve is controlled. They probably extened the OPEN cycle duration to address the "Gas Fume Smell" being reported by some owners.

But regardless the reason, it appears that this change has caused a fair number of Purge Valves to be open when they need to be closed. Are the valves sticking open or are they being kept open too long by the ECM?

That may vary by case. But either way you're going to get drivability issues.

I agree that we should not have to be troubleshooting these issues. But I'd rather troubleshoot and fix than wait for a fix from BRP or the dealer. Especially when blocking off the Purge Valve is so easily done with no negative effects.

 

[caser]

Recall work complete. Seems to run the same to me.

 

[gladdy's spyder]

:2excited:I never realized there was a problem with the Spyder steering, but my friend Kiwi Rider told me about it and I took it in and now it runs like a dream. I can't respond to engine problems, as far as I know it's running good, my husband rides it once in awhile to check it out and he says it's running good. I never rode anykind of a motorcycle until June, last month we trailed bikes to Yellowstone, Tetons, Black Hill and Sturgis and rode them over 3200 miles. I'm a 68 year old female finding my second youth on my wonderful Spyder.

I'm trying to get an idea on how many SpyderLovers have had issues after the update and how many are happy after the update. Please vote on this post and I will send it to BRP when we have a good number of votes. Maybe they can tell me what you need to do if your Spyder is not happy with the update. :dontknow:

Please don't vote if you have not had the update. I like to get an honest report to send to BRP. Thanks

 

[Lamonster]

:2excited:I never realized there was a problem with the Spyder steering, but my friend Kiwi Rider told me about it and I took it in and now it runs like a dream. I can't respond to engine problems, as far as I know it's running good, my husband rides it once in awhile to check it out and he says it's running good. I never rode anykind of a motorcycle until June, last month we trailed bikes to Yellowstone, Tetons, Black Hill and Sturgis and rode them over 3200 miles. I'm a 68 year old female finding my second youth on my wonderful Spyder.

welcomeand :congrats:

 

[TMehaffey]

How great is that....The spyder is a "enabler for setting our spirits free."
It crosses so many boundries for people to experience life in the open
air and to do things that may have not happened with only a two wheel
option.:clap::clap::clap:

 

[spyderme]

It is a shame this isn't going more smoothly.

Peacing together what seems to be coming from BRP I'd say widowmaker2011 makes a lot of sense. At least in regards to Ken's static O2 sensor as opposed the the JB, which is adjustable.

Who would have guessed BRP would be changing the fuel map?

I does not sound like BRP has leaned out the entire map. Sounds like the main area of change is in the cruise function. That is where you're going to get a mileage improvment.

If Lamont's info about the purge valve staying open too long or sticking open is correct, that would definitely play havoc with the entire system and give a very lean mix. At least that is an easy possiblity to confirm or eliminate by blocking or pinching off the purge hose.

I rode again today. I've got 120+ on the update and I am sure my Spyder is running better and steering better than before the update. I wish everyone could say the same.

I have a Motad Venom muffler (db killer fitted) and the high flow air filter (no O2 modifier or juice box).
After the update, engine runs smoother, no popping when throttling down as before. Power delivery is more linear which I am getting used to now. Haven't checked my plugs, but exhaust is a dark grey colour after a long ride (suggests to me no lean running issues). And it seems to be running a little cooler.

Shifting is much smoother.

Steering is very much improved.

All good for me. Vast improvement all round.

If we're getting the same update I can't understand the huge difference in performance.

 

[dabreitbach]

WOW. Who did they get to do this program patch? Did they get some intern to do this Or is there just so much sloop in these components that the patch has such radically differnt results on these bike. Did they use such cheap components that they won't hold to specs and are all over the map as to how they react to programing? This isn't rocket science. Far more complex progaming and components are used on cars these days and they don't have a 40% failure rate.
Mine ran fine until the patch and now pops and spits and bachfires. Stock filter and pipe. Come on BRP. Get this fixed RIGHT!!!!!!!:lecturef_smilie::gaah:

 

[wildbill6565]

SO FAR!!!

Well here is our 4 cents worth(two Spyders!)
On Wifes Spyder
Took Wife in first(SMILE) Hers was backfiring also.
Did upgrade, 9000 mile service(using Royal Purple oil because of Dudley suggestion about oil in airbox-DID NOT HELP!)
She had almost 10000 miles on her's when I took it in for service!
Tech said they tighten clamps on exhaust for backfiring(DID NOT HELP got worse !)
When I left the dealership I did smell raw gas and then rode about 5 miles and filled up(cheaper in VA.) I smelled raw gas again very strong and it was a VERY LONG 20 mile trip home. Wife said she did not smell any gas Saturday.
She did not have any problems with her steering before sooooo!
Her Spyder does seem to have more power up to 5th gear!

ON MINE
Did upgrade and 9000 mile service(Royal Purple too and had a lot more oil in my airbox than wife( I do push mine harder that Wife does)
Little P.S. here; when I took Wifes Spyder in when I hit the four lane I pass a truck and got up to 90 MPH; (she'd NEVER GO THAT FAST) and had just slowed down when I spotted a Reidsville cop checking speeds on the four lane(never saw that before)
Well back to my write up--
I had experenced a catch in my steering before upgrade
When I was making a big uturn in a parking lot the streeing felt like it hit a stop bumper then it would pop and go on the the full turn
I think that is fixed(really have not checked it out)
I too feel I have more power up to 5th gear too but not as much as Wife's Spyder.
We rode last Saturday with one of our groups we ride with for a 150 miles trip and NO PROBLEMS and it was 95+ degrees all day!
So we're happy SO FAR!! Fingers and toes crossed!!

 

[BajaRon]

Looks like the poll is holding pretty steady at 60% good, 40% bad. Not a great showing.

I wonder how much this would improve by eliminating the Purge Valve factor.

From scanning the posts, sounds like this might correct most of the issues people are having.

 

[binzer]

Had the update done at the 1000km check and it seems the :spyder:has lost some go,I was able to spin rear tire by just rolling on throttle prior to update, not anymore. It also seems It is using more fuel now.I have only put on about 800km since update.Thanks Lamont for all you do for us.

 

[3wheeldemon]

Finally had the chance today to thoroughly test my Spyders after the recall. My Spyder is still mechanically 100% stock. Temperature was 95F and 90% humidity. I could not feel any difference in the steering and the drivability was the same, just felt like the smooth shifting soft spots happened at a slightly higher RPMs.

I guess I am one of the lucky ones.hyea:
3WD

 

[curtdoowopman]

update

:gaah:I had the update and it runs like crap!!