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Spyder RSS advice needed....

DrewNJ said:
Don't sweat running that 20/50. Aprilia has been running the same v twin in most of their bikes for years and a lot of those guys run 20/50. No oil issues.
BRP specs the 5/40 oil because it's the same oil they use in a lot of their other machines.

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Thanks Drew! It's been a while since I read up on it, but I remember that the low number (20)indicates the equivelent viscosity of 20w at 0 dg. F, the high number (50) is the same as 50w at 212 deg F (Or something like that!). Anyway, I feel the same that clean oil was a better choice, even if a little thicker.............Art
 
I do

Queasyrider said:
Thanks Greatrides! Quick question: I noticed at highway speeds 50-70 mph, the wind over the windshield hits me right at my face. Do you have a similar problem? I wear an open face helmet, full face is too hot in the warmer weather especially in the heavy traffic here.............Art
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I do get a lot of wind....you do on a rs. They make bigger windscreens Witch will help.
 
FaranH said:
BRP makes a 25" windscreen that might help. I keep it on until we get to the really hot days here in Arkansas. I thought I would like the taller model to help with buffeting, but it cut the airflow down too much on 90degree days. Once it's that hot I switch back to the short sports screen and just wear a 3/4 helmet. But below about 80, I do like the taller one even though it takes away from some of the coolness factor of the RSS. :doorag:
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Thanks FaranH! Yeah, the the last two bikes I had, Intruder 1400, V-Star 650, both came with windshields. I took them off right away as I like the "coolness" without them. I ordered a used RSS windshield from eBay to try cutting it down an inch at a time to see what works best. I'll post how it works out. Did the new sway bar help with the floating feeling at high speeds? Also, getting a lot of lean on sharp turns at lower speeds..........Art
 
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Queasyrider said:
Thanks FaranH! Yeah, the the last two bikes I had, Intruder 1400, V-Star 650, both came with windshields. I took them off right away as I like the "coolness" without them. I ordered a used RSS windshield from eBay to try cutting it down an inch at a time to see what works best. I'll post how it works out. Did the new sway bar help with the floating feeling at high speeds? Also, getting a lot of lean on sharp turns at lower speeds..........Art
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The lean is something you have to get used to, to some extent. Be sure your front tires have sufficient air...around 20 seems to work well on the GS/RS. That may also help the floating feeling, although overcontrol is a common cause, and the toe-in may need adjustment. Be sure the front tires are the same pressure as each other. To help with the lean, set your front shock preload higher or replace the front shocks with 2010 or the 2011/2012 RT units. Take-offs are available at reasonable prices. Elkas would be better, but more expensive. Lean your upper body into the curve or shift your weight. It's like trying to kiss the knuckles of your inside hand. A BajaRon swaybar is the best help, and a real bang for the buck. Do some parking lot figure eights until you are more comfortable with the lean.
 
NancysToy said:
The lean is something you have to get used to, to some extent. Be sure your front tires have sufficient air...around 20 seems to work well on the GS/RS. That may also help the floating feeling, although overcontrol is a common cause, and the toe-in may need adjustment. Be sure the front tires are the same pressure as each other. To help with the lean, set your front shock preload higher or replace the front shocks with 2010 or the 2011/2012 RT units. Take-offs are available at reasonable prices. Elkas would be better, but more expensive. Lean your upper body into the curve or shift your weight. It's like trying to kiss the knuckles of your inside hand. A BajaRon swaybar is the best help, and a real bang for the buck. Do some parking lot figure eights until you are more comfortable with the lean.
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Thanks Scotty! I used the e-air gauge supplied with the tool kit and set the front tires to 15.0 psi. My old mech gauge showed 17psi. Riding two up and taking a left at a light, I noticed the right tire flattening out. Will the 20psi throw off the VSS? I guess it monitors yaw (lean) and modulates the eng timing/brakes to avert lifting a wheel. I'll try a higher preload a little at a time.
The sidecar hack required body english, careful throttle, etc. and would still lift the wheel......Art
 
I have one of those 25" touring windshields I just picked up to try and have used for a few rides. I absolutely HATE it. It works as it should keeping most of the wind off of me, but looks ridiculous, to quiet sitting behind it. Makes me feel 20+ years older than I am....:D I really am just not a big windshield kinda guy...

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DrewNJ said:
I have one of those 25" touring windshields I just picked up to try and have used for a few rides. I absolutely HATE it. It works as it should keeping most of the wind off of me, but looks ridiculous, to quiet sitting behind it. Makes me feel 20+ years older than I am....:D I really am just not a big windshield kinda guy...

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Me too! See my post above to FaranH.......Art
 
Queasyrider said:
Thanks Scotty! I used the e-air gauge supplied with the tool kit and set the front tires to 15.0 psi. My old mech gauge showed 17psi. Riding two up and taking a left at a light, I noticed the right tire flattening out. Will the 20psi throw off the VSS? I guess it monitors yaw (lean) and modulates the eng timing/brakes to avert lifting a wheel. I'll try a higher preload a little at a time.
The sidecar hack required body english, careful throttle, etc. and would still lift the wheel......Art
Click to expand...
The manual says 13-15 psi, but 15 is the minimum posted on the sidewall, and I would never go below that. Those are cold pressures, taken severl hours since you last rode. Spyders seem to do better with a little more air up front, the GS/RS seems to like something around 20. That's where I would start. Not sure how accurate the OEM gauge is...I never use it. Use a gauge you trust, and you're sure is accurate. 20 psi won't anger Miss Nanny.
 
One week update..........

It's been a week of riding the RSS. Everybody wants to know more about it. Lots of fun, getting used to the handling. Weight shifting (leaning) is far less than riding the sidecar outfit.
A couple of questions:
Neutral is hard to find, especially when hot. It seems the clutch is dragging. I'm selecting it as I slow down for a stop. Very hard to find in stop and go traffic. It seemed to improve temporarily when I changed the oil. I'm guessing burnt clutch plates from hard use and dirty, diluted oil.....

Steady speed surging. Riding on the highway, it's hard to maintain a constant speed. Very noticable at 65-70 mph........

Loud ticking, right front brake. Noticable accellerating at low speeds but goes away. It seems like the pads aren't releasing. I jacked up the wheel, no noise when spinning the tire........

Any ideas?...........Art
 
Sounds like your having fun!
-Normal for neutral to be dodgy at times. No worries. Believe it or not its actually improved significantly compared to some of the Aprilia bikes that had a smaller oil jet. Its easier to find when going to neutral from first vs from second.
-the slight surge you feel is due to the o2 sensor going from rich to lean. Its accentuated when the purge valve is in operation too. It causes a slight surge. Its more noticeable on some machines vs others. Some people don't notice it. Its normal and won't hurt anything.

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DrewNJ said:
Sounds like your having fun!
-Normal for neutral to be dodgy at times. No worries. Believe it or not its actually improved significantly compared to some of the Aprilia bikes that had a smaller oil jet. Its easier to find when going to neutral from first vs from second.
-the slight surge you feel is due to the o2 sensor going from rich to lean. Its accentuated when the purge valve is in operation too. It causes a slight surge. Its more noticeable on some machines vs others. Some people don't notice it. Its normal and won't hurt anything.

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Thanks Drew....it sounds like I need to be getting used to its "personality"! BTW a Ducati owner (75 yrs old) I met wants to make the change! Art
 
Queasyrider said:
Hi! Great forum here, glad to be aboard!

I'm picking up my 2012 RSS SM5 tomorrow. It has 10k miles and is bone stock. It handles, accelerates, and stops well. It will replace my Suzuki Intruder 1400 with sidecar.
Is there anything I should be aware or watching for? I have done most of my own repairs, maintenance and tire work for many years. The brake fluid was low, topping it off put the warning message out. No stains or visible leaks could be found.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated..........

Art
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Just curious what you pay for your Spyder as I just picked one up in Michigan and bringing back to Canada tomorrow minds also bone stock black green 3400 miles on it
 
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