Soggy Spyders

[SpyderDuck]

How many of you guys have had transmission issues on your SE5 after it gets wet? Several weeks ago, I rode through rain, then had trouble getting the Spyder in reverse, and later, it wouldn't shift out of first.

Sunday, I rode the last several miles home from Myrtle Beach in a storm. When I got home, I tooted the horn to signal hubby to open the garage door, and positioned the Spyder to back into the garage. It would NOT reverse. After several tries, turning it off and on again, etc., I finally turned it off, hopped off and ran the key several feet away. When I returned, I restarted the Spyder and it finally cooperated with me.

Now, normally, this would have been merely inconvenient, but not in this case. There I sat, in the middle of the cul-de-sac, in a raging thunderstorm, small pieces of trees being blown around me, getting HAILED on, in t-shirt and jeans, with luggage strapped to the passenger seat. Lightning and hail aside, have you ever seen a round 5'3" woman try to sling her leg over a stack of luggage to get off a bike in that sort of situation? Just a disaster waitin' to happen, folks, especially with my clumsy self. Hubby didn't know whether to panic because of the danger to my person, or to laugh... which would have been extremely hazardous to his personal health and well-being (luckily for him, he realized this, and refrained).

Luckily, adrenaline must have kicked in, and I managed to get both myself and the Spyder into the garage without any major damage.

So what's the deal with soggy Spyders?

 

[SpyderWolf]

I have ridden in some pretty serious down pours and it never caused any shifting issues with my SE5.

There could be a slight chance that it is a coincidence the problem only shows itself when it rains. You may want to check your oil level while the engine is hot, as the SE5 is somewhat sensitive to low oil levels. It will act just like you are stating, can be intermittent at times, when the oil level is low.

If that is not the case, then you may need to visit your dealer. It could be the Gear Position Sensor, I had one replaced already, or something in the actual shift button that is causing the issue and will take a dealer to troubleshoot.

Best of luck getting it sorted out quickly.

 

[SpyderDuck]

I'll check the oil when I get home this evening. Of course, the last time I had an issue, the oil was only about 1/4" below full, so I don't think that's the problem. But we shall see.

On the same day that I had my shifting trouble before, another Spyder friend at he same event (rode thru the same rainstorm) had his bike go into limp mode. It does make me wonder if there is a water issue.

 

[FANG]

Have been told that excessive water to the ECM can cause problems - they are supposed to be water tight but as you know not everything is as it seems.

 

[Brunswick]

Don't know if this would be of any help, but I once had a car that had strange electrical issues when it rained. I eventually tracked it down to a ground wire that wasn't attached very well and would get wet in the rain. Just a thought...

 

[CyncySpyder]

Never had a rain issue, just oil issues here

Have been thru many downpours & for hours on end on the way to SpYderFest this year & have never had that cause a shifting issue. Have had many many many shifting issues with TEDDYS 2010 RTS SE5 & they were all related to oil issues. On Teds :ani29: if it was any lower than the full mark on the line, it could & would intermittently throw me a missed shift or something to that effect. Once I learned this, & kept it totally full, the issue went away.

Seems we don't have that or any related issues with Teds New Red Sled :spyder2: & we're VERY HAPPY & Thankful for all the great service from Len & all the Cowtown Staff :firstplace:

 

[murphybrown]

Nope Not in Rain But......

Had serious rain on way to and from Spyderfest no shifting issues. But like others have mentioned Ms Spyder is very sensitive to dropping oil level...it manifests in "her" shifting...I have the 2010 RTSE5...