Steering almost got me killed!

[Way2Fast]

There was another incident that was posted here....probably over a year ago. It involved a woman who was killed when her Spyder went off the road and hit a tree head on. Steering glitz or driver error...will we ever know ?

 

[Smylinacha]

Yeah - I remember that. Very sad!

Well I asked HDX to just get rid of the dps. Can't be too hard to ride - some people never had power steering in the first place when they got their spyders and said it wasn't bad. I used to drive standard cars w/ no power steering so I'm sure this won't be hard.

Really, when that happened to me twice in TN, it happened so fast that I had no idea what went wrong - I thought it was the road, then I thought it was me, it was really weird. Well after the first time I thought it was something I did but when it happened the second time, I was actually dreading riding the highway all the way back north to CT. No problems heading home but I was unnerved at times.

There was another incident that was posted here....probably over a year ago. It involved a woman who was killed when her Spyder went off the road and hit a tree head on. Steering glitz or driver error...will we ever know ?

 

[Questions]

Let me say straight up I have had no Spyder problems apart from squeeling brakes since new and rough running since the first update - I am about to have the second one done. I noticed no difference in the steering after update #1.

The local Australian TV stations have been running a story about an incident in a Qantas Airbus A330 (fly by wire) where it went into a dive and was only just recovered in time to save a tragedy. I admit I dont have the details but the media are reporting that it is "believed" to be incorrect data going to the flight computer and that pilots are relauctant to fly that aircraft now.

This, to my untrained mind, seems a likely scenario with the Spyder. I too am becoming relauctant to ride mine and short of some acceptance of the problem and effort by BRP I dont know what the answer is.

I spoke to one of the biggest dealers here a few weeks ago and his belief was these issues are "pilot error" and the steering issues were all internet hype. You may recall we had a mother and daughter leave the road on a corner here a month or two back, going down a 15mt drop. They both ended up in intensive care. This was a few days after update #1 and we have not heard anything back regarding that one yet. BRP Australia were trying to get the data off of the bike I am told.

Unless this was a steering related accident it should probably be posted in another thread.

 

[mrb]

Unless this was a steering related accident it should probably be posted in another thread.

At the time comments were made indicating the steering "lock up" was the cause. Some statements made in a local newspaper which were very alarming but apparently unconfirmed. BRP Australia have the data from the Spyder but we have yet to hear. I think this is the appropriate thread.

Other issues with reliability etc are an inconvenience only but the apparent steering issue is the thing that makes me think twice about riding.

 

[Questions]

At the time comments were made indicating the steering "lock up" was the cause. Some statements made in a local newspaper which were very alarming but apparently unconfirmed. BRP Australia have the data from the Spyder but we have yet to hear. I think this is the appropriate thread.

Other issues with reliability etc are an inconvenience only but the apparent steering issue is the thing that makes me think twice about riding.

Fair enough. :thumbup: But Iv'e got to tell ya this is one of the most difficult threads I've read to sort out. My wife has less with 300 miles on hers, no steering related problems yet and I'm thankfull of that. So can somebody please tell me how they can get yanked in an on coming lane of traffic where they could possibly lose their life,and still say they love their spyder and its going to the shop for an up date. Are you effing kidding me !? If that happened to my wife I would take the bike back and get my money back. keep your Up date. So far we are very pleased with our :spyder2: and plan to buy a second one soon. but I am a little concerned in regards to this topic.I hope people that are posting are stating facts and are not exaggerating their events. Crossing the center line is no joke.

 

[jarhd3]

steering problems

The discussion/thread on the on going steering mishaps w spyders merits some serious looking into.It goes beyond just computer up dates and program redos.When I read the most recent ones,I feel that the BRP/CANAM engineers are looking for the quick fix instead of trying to really get to the heart of the situation.As premiere owners of the FIRST spyders to hit the market,we should be given the utmost consideration with our vehicle problems and not just bandaid fixes and patches.This is the FIRST of the line and theFIRST to be judged by the riding public.The premiere owners are the ones who are promoting the product,the ones who are putting the bike through its paces and doing the mods ,etc:so that the product continues and is seen by the public.We are the pioneers of the spyder marketing and recognition.People the likes of Lamont,NoMagicNeon,Kewell,ETC;have done so much to promote the spyder and make fine products and address mods and bring a whole community of owners together,no other site or community has done something as extensive as this.WE ARE THE BIRTH OF THE SPYDER RIDER COMMUNITY!Without us there would be no RS edition or any other addition to the spyder market.All of the ideas on the 2010 spyders are the result of this very community and all those who like and revere their premiere edition spyders,like myself.So we should expect no less then the utmost in service from the parent company when it comes to serious problems concerning the safe operation of the vehicle we purchased.LETS ALL STICK TOGETHER ON THIS AND GET THE ANSWERS TO ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE THE SPYDER ESPECIALLY THE SAFE OPERATION ISSUES AND FORCE THEM TO PERMANENTLY FIX AND NOT PATCH THEM UP.WE ARE THE PREMIERE OWNERS,IN MY OPINION,THEY OWE US.ALL PREMIERE SPYDERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE LOOKED AT FOR ALL THE FACTORY SHORT COMINGS AND GET THE PROBLEMS FIXED RIGHT.FOR THEM IT IS FIX NOW OR THERE MAYBE CONSEQUENCES LATER IN THE FORM OF A LOST LIFE/LIMB OR CLASS ACTION SUIT.Sorry so harsh and maybe unrealistic but remember the PINTO?

 

[BigJohnZ]

The discussion/thread on the on going steering mishaps w spyders merits some serious looking into.It goes beyond just computer up dates and program redos.When I read the most recent ones,I feel that the BRP/CANAM engineers are looking for the quick fix instead of trying to really get to the heart of the situation.As premiere owners of the FIRST spyders to hit the market,we should be given the utmost consideration with our vehicle problems and not just bandaid fixes and patches.This is the FIRST of the line and theFIRST to be judged by the riding public.The premiere owners are the ones who are promoting the product,the ones who are putting the bike through its paces and doing the mods ,etc:so that the product continues and is seen by the public.We are the pioneers of the spyder marketing and recognition.People the likes of Lamont,NoMagicNeon,Kewell,ETC;have done so much to promote the spyder and make fine products and address mods and bring a whole community of owners together,no other site or community has done something as extensive as this.WE ARE THE BIRTH OF THE SPYDER RIDER COMMUNITY!Without us there would be no RS edition or any other addition to the spyder market.All of the ideas on the 2010 spyders are the result of this very community and all those who like and revere their premiere edition spyders,like myself.So we should expect no less then the utmost in service from the parent company when it comes to serious problems concerning the safe operation of the vehicle we purchased.LETS ALL STICK TOGETHER ON THIS AND GET THE ANSWERS TO ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE THE SPYDER ESPECIALLY THE SAFE OPERATION ISSUES AND FORCE THEM TO PERMANENTLY FIX AND NOT PATCH THEM UP.WE ARE THE PREMIERE OWNERS,IN MY OPINION,THEY OWE US.ALL PREMIERE SPYDERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE LOOKED AT FOR ALL THE FACTORY SHORT COMINGS AND GET THE PROBLEMS FIXED RIGHT.FOR THEM IT IS FIX NOW OR THERE MAYBE CONSEQUENCES LATER IN THE FORM OF A LOST LIFE/LIMB OR CLASS ACTION SUIT.Sorry so harsh and maybe unrealistic but remember the PINTO?

My problems have dealt with the automatic transmissin. My Spyder has been back to the shop over 1/3 of the time I have owned it. The company keeps trying to fix it piecemeal and as a result some solutions have lasted less than three hours.

As of today, 10/20, I have less than 850 miles on my machine even though I have owned it since April. This last occasion, the dealer had to tow the machine back and have had it in the shop for over three weeks and have informed me they don't know when the parts will arrive.

Company reps are nonexistent and will not even talk to me.

Any one else having tranny problems, because according to the dealer my machine is the only one with these problems.

 

[Desert Spyder]

I don't know much about what go's on "under the hood" on these things but if the servomotor? were removed from the bike would there be as great of a resistance in steering? Would this make it like standard steering? Some people have suggested pulling the plug when the steering goes out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting removing power steering for good, but hypothetically, would a power-steeringectomy be possible? If there is no mechanical connection to the computer? I'm not having any problems and had the first recall update done other than some crappy mileage. I do notice a click after I first start up and my first movement of the handlebars. That started AFTER the recall but I dismissed it as a Spyder thing.

God I love this bike! I really do!:2thumbs:

 

[rnet]

BRP was looking for test pilots and got them. Welcome to their R & D program. I also am a Polaris (FST snowmobile) test pilot, don't like being either. My term for the FTS was two years and now all appears to be ok. I hope thats the same with the spyder. My spyder has been good to me, but I know what you're going through.

 

[retread]

Okay, maybe a little different angle on this; it seems most of the problems are software (programming) related, now compare them with the problems people have had with Windows (software) and how long it's taken to get THEM straightened out, and how many patches have been used. Granted there is a huge difference in results if our Spyders glitch out, but if Microsoft (huge) has problems, BRP (relatively small) is going to.
I don't know if I got this across like I wanted to, just an idea.

john

 

[Derwin]

... but if Microsoft (huge) has problems, BRP (relatively small) is going to.
I don't know if I got this across like I wanted to, just an idea.

john

Problem is... If your Windows operating system crashes, you won't get injured or lose your life!

Wow! This steering problem seems to be huge. I would be scared to death to ride something if I didn't have confidence in the steering, or if I thought the steering was going to "flip out" on me any moment (as seemed to happen with Smylinatcha).

For the sake of all the Spyder owners out there I hope BRP resolves this matter. This is something that can surely destroy a company in a heart beat if they don't take care of it before anything serious happens to an owner. BRP isn't Ford or General Motors, and I don't think they could survive the onslaught of negative publicity. JMO.

Derwin

 

[Firefly]

I don't know much about what go's on "under the hood" on these things but if the servomotor? were removed from the bike would there be as great of a resistance in steering? Would this make it like standard steering? Some people have suggested pulling the plug when the steering goes out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting removing power steering for good, but hypothetically, would a power-steeringectomy be possible? If there is no mechanical connection to the computer? I'm not having any problems and had the first recall update done other than some crappy mileage. I do notice a click after I first start up and my first movement of the handlebars. That started AFTER the recall but I dismissed it as a Spyder thing.

God I love this bike! I really do!:2thumbs:

The only thing required to remove if you want 100% manual steering is a fuse. Might work okay for most of the guys ----- but I'd personally be afraid of any woman that could handle it--- maybe even have the Olympic committee do a sex-test on her----:roflblack:

 

[andys11907]

Alright...this is totally freaking me out being that I'm brand new to Spyders and riding!

 

[dltang]

Back to the beginning of the problem

When we first started hearing about some steering issues it was from ATADude. He had his Gear Position Sensor replaced. Very shortly afterward, I had the same issues, my steering went from being very hard to then coming back while I was on the highway at 75 mph. Very scary situation. I took my spyder to my dealer along with all the info from AtaDude's thread. They replaced my GPS with no problem and under warranty. This was all before there were any updates released. Ever since the updates, I am not hearing about the GPS anymore, only the DPS. With the update is when they discovered Brian had a problem with his DPS so it is good that they are doing the updates. I am just wondering is anyone still checking the Gear Position Sensor when they are having these steering issues. I have not had any steering issues ever since they replaced my GPS. Just wanted to throw this point out there. The GPS issue seems to have gotten lost in the whole update/DPS unit fix.

 

[Firefly]

Alright...this is totally freaking me out being that I'm brand new to Spyders and riding!

No need to 'freak out' just because a few have had some steering problems. I was one of them - got things fixed--- all is good now.

Just keep abreast of any updates or recalls and get them done. If you feel your Spyder acting up - get it checked.

Not that steering failure can't be a serious problem - but it's only been an issue for a very small percentage of Spyders.

Ride and enjoy!

 

[M2Wild]

Why is it when someone has an opinion that differs from yours, you freak out?


And this forum is a place for ALL opinions - the good, the bad and the ugly.

:agree:

 

[3wheeldemon]

Very concerning…

Funny in a weird way. We had great weather in Houston (sunny 55-70 all weekend) and I just checked my computer for the first time since early Friday. I rode hundreds of miles this weekend, a lot of them over 100 MPH and many twisties too. I had a great time!:2thumbs: I am glad that I did not check this thread earlier! nojoke My point is, when is your time to go... your will go... on the mean time, enjoy your life, keep your Spyder well maintained, and at the first sign of the computer taking over and fighting you, STOP and try to get it repaired. I they can’t, dump it and move on.

Like QuadManiac I understand computer control. I can’t understand why the programming of something as important as the steering does not have a fail safe code that gives the rider manual unassisted control when the sensors fail or don’t make sense.:dontknow:

I hope we all stay safe and, without riding scared, just raise our awareness of this potential problem and get off the road at it first sign. :doorag:


3WD

 

[tatt2r]

When we first started hearing about some steering issues it was from ATADude. He had his Gear Position Sensor replaced. Very shortly afterward, I had the same issues, my steering went from being very hard to then coming back while I was on the highway at 75 mph. Very scary situation. I took my spyder to my dealer along with all the info from AtaDude's thread. They replaced my GPS with no problem and under warranty. This was all before there were any updates released. Ever since the updates, I am not hearing about the GPS anymore, only the DPS. With the update is when they discovered Brian had a problem with his DPS so it is good that they are doing the updates. I am just wondering is anyone still checking the Gear Position Sensor when they are having these steering issues. I have not had any steering issues ever since they replaced my GPS. Just wanted to throw this point out there. The GPS issue seems to have gotten lost in the whole update/DPS unit fix.

dropped mine off this morning deb.... dealer is replacing GPS on mine ... power steering never worked ... after update it worked erratic....

 

[Lamonster]

I made some calls and this is being looked into. I should have some answers in a couple of days. It could be as simple as resetting the steering angle sensor and torque sensor but I won't know for sure until they get back with me and I'll be sure to post something on the board.

 

[Way2Fast]

I can hear the response from BRP...."Hello, it's a nice day at Bombardier Recreational Products....we will be sure to look into the inconvenience you say you are experiencing" !! My wife is a former employee of BRP and I know first hand how they handle the "testing" of new products. I should have known better than to purchase any of their stuff....but the promo hype on the Spyder over came my common sense! I somehow believed that the malfunctions and problems that were brought to light during testing would be corrected on the production models. I only wish.

I have trouble trying to understand the reasoning expressed by some members on this forum. The steering issue can result in a life and death situation, yet their are those who dismiss it as a minor inconvenience that should be overlooked. There was the joker who stated that motorcycle riding is more dangerous than driving a car (I agree) and goes on to generalize that the additional risk from steering failure is no biggie. Really !!! How about the guy who's Spyder burnt to the ground almost igniting his house in the process. He got another one and did the emission canister mods to prevent it from happening again. Does he love his Spyder so much that he forgets to realize BRP should be making those mods, not the owner. By doing so he just threw his warranty out the window and assumed blame if it happens again. Then there are the other "lovers" who write off all the mechanical and computer problems as "teething problems". They seem so gullible that they would probably continue to worship their Spyders even if the computer screw ups killed their best friend. I guess that can be expected on a website aptly named Spyderlovers.com.