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Steering in corners is killing me.......

T

turkman

New member
I have a 2013 RSS with 9000 miles on it. Bought it from the original owner with 5000 miles on it a few months ago. He had the dealer change the original low bars to a higher set of bars.
Has been dealer serviced.

Just got back from a four day trip on the Spyder. At the end of the day I'm pooped out from having to really put forth a lot of effort in big sweeping corners or anytime I make a turn. Feels like the something is not working correctly in regards to steering. Is this something I'll get use to or something else?
 
possibly....

the only thing to check out is the DPS. Start with the tire pressure as low pressure will make it a heavy steer. If pressure is good lift front end and see if everything is smooth and not binding. Now push the spyder and steer with the motor off then repeat with the motor started and note the difference. If none possibly the DPS is not working. (DPS Dynamic Power Steering)...:thumbup:
 
Not sure if it affects the RSS in 2013, but the earlier GS/RS had a DPS recall to fix problems.

Also... before throwing money at it for Laser Alignments and BajaRon swaybars. Check you tire pressures. Recommended is 18F/28R approximately. Some like to run a bit higher, it supposedly reduces steering effort.

You did't say if you came from the two wheeler world, like others myself included. At first having to actively steer seems very physical compared to countersteering a conventional motorcycle. Brace yourself on the RSS by pressing down on the outside peg, inside knee against the tank. Also lean forward and towards the inside mirror. This way you don't get that thrown off the bike feeling, and end up using your hands to hang on. If you aren't hanging on with your hands they can be used for steering and not fighting the bike. Push with the outside hand while pulling with the inside hand.
 
steering issues

Chupaca said:
the only thing to check out is the DPS. Start with the tire pressure as low pressure will make it a heavy steer. If pressure is good lift front end and see if everything is smooth and not binding. Now push the spyder and steer with the motor off then repeat with the motor started and note the difference. If none possibly the DPS is not working. (DPS Dynamic Power Steering)...:thumbup:
Click to expand...
:agree::agree::agree: ....... I can EASILY drive with one arm/hand except in tight Twisties ..... I think you have a DPS issue .... If you have checked and Lazar aligned the front and your tire pressures are normal .... it's DPS .....Mike :thumbup:
 
turkman said:
I have a 2013 RSS with 9000 miles on it. Bought it from the original owner with 5000 miles on it a few months ago. He had the dealer change the original low bars to a higher set of bars.
Has been dealer serviced.

Just got back from a four day trip on the Spyder. At the end of the day I'm pooped out from having to really put forth a lot of effort in big sweeping corners or anytime I make a turn. Feels like the something is not working correctly in regards to steering. Is this something I'll get use to or something else?
Click to expand...
Put the original handlebars back on and see if that makes a difference. Raised handlebars have no practical value.

I'm envisioning ape hangers.
 
Last edited:
asp125 said:
You did't say if you came from the two wheeler world, like others myself included. At first having to actively steer seems very physical compared to countersteering a conventional motorcycle. Brace yourself on the RSS by pressing down on the outside peg, inside knee against the tank. Also lean forward and towards the inside mirror. This way you don't get that thrown off the bike feeling, and end up using your hands to hang on. If you aren't hanging on with your hands they can be used for steering and not fighting the bike. Push with the outside hand while pulling with the inside hand.
Click to expand...

This bit of wisdom was given to me a couple weeks ago as I was having the same problem.
Just by doing these things, I am feeling much better in the curves. I am not as tense and worn out after a ride.
 
A bit about me

I came from the 2 wheeled world. BMW's, Moto Guzzis & Vespas.....a GTS250 that I took across the country....coast to coast 4 times. Tons of miles, after riding for 45 years. Got the Spyder because I have Parkinson's. My balance isn't very good.

Someone mentioned that I should put the original bars back on. The bars on my Spyder now, look to me like they came from more touring model Spyder. I purchased the Spyder because it was very comfortable (for me) to ride. Probably should have done some more research before purchasing the RSS.

Its kind of tough when the thing you like too do the most in life, gets harder to do. I've always figured that life is tough, but I'm tougher. My Spyder is perfect for me except for cornering with it. I'll get it into my dealer and have him address the problem.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

BTW: this forum is fantastic!!
 
Welcome! If you want to take a ride, there is a small rally being held in Pateros, WA June 15 - 17 it is called the PAC NW Spyder Fest. If you’d like to have your alignment checked we will be there to get you squared away.
 
Maybe this will help

I come from the 2 wheel world and I quickly found that ryding Spyders is very different than riding motorcycles :-)
One thing that helps me in cornering a lot, is I use my body weight to push into the outside handlebar and I lean into the turn. by using my entire weight when I push, my arm and shoulder are under less strain, because my body is doing the steering. I hope that helps (I hope it made sense).
 
UtahPete said:
Put the original handlebars back on and see if that makes a difference. Raised handlebars have no practical value.
Click to expand...

Not quite...

Raised bars have enormous practical value for some riders - maybe it's cos I'm 5'4" but they made a huge difference on my Rs and st. Nb I am not talking about ape hangers...

Still orig bars may help this rider...
 
Handlebar height

The height of the bars has nothing to do with your issue ...( unless they are genuine " APE HANGERS :roflblack: )... It's either DPS or riding style ......Mike :thumbup:
 
Agree other issues are more likely the problem - but if the bars are very wrong for the rider's height and reach, everything including steering goes pear shaped.
 
hard steering

Just going through that with my 2013 RT with 15.500 miles on it. Will start into the corner normal and then lose power steering. Got worse as the day went on. Had to man handle around corners. Found a used DSP on Ebay with 1100 miles on it. should be here tomorrow. Put 4,000 miles on since I got it.
 
bought the wife a 14 rss she had the same problem she is 5.1 changed handlebars from an rt and added 2 lbs of air to the front tires no more problem
 
asp125 said:
Not sure if it affects the RSS in 2013, but the earlier GS/RS had a DPS recall to fix problems.

Also... before throwing money at it for Laser Alignments and BajaRon swaybars. Check you tire pressures. Recommended is 18F/28R approximately. Some like to run a bit higher, it supposedly reduces steering effort.

You did't say if you came from the two wheeler world, like others myself included. At first having to actively steer seems very physical compared to countersteering a conventional motorcycle. Brace yourself on the RSS by pressing down on the outside peg, inside knee against the tank. Also lean forward and towards the inside mirror. This way you don't get that thrown off the bike feeling, and end up using your hands to hang on. If you aren't hanging on with your hands they can be used for steering and not fighting the bike. Push with the outside hand while pulling with the inside hand.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with your turning tips. I found that with my Seal Floorboards I could move my feet around to get into that "perfect position", especially when going into a high speed turn. On my 2009 RS, I also put on a HeliBar raiser....5" up and 2" back. It made a huge difference for my 5'7"body. Tire pressure is also very, very important. I had a "
Baha Ron" sway bar and Elka shocks, Boy did that badboy corner. You can see what I did to my "bumble" on my website.
Ride in comfort.
John
 
I agree with pushing on outside foot, pressing inside knee hard against bike, leaning and looking into the corner, and pulling on the inside handlebar. What confuses me a little is the comments about DPS problems. I was/am under the impression that the DPS system is variable an diminishes to zero assist at speed. I thought it only assisted when going slow.....like parking lot speeds. I don't believe I feel any help from the DPS system when cruising the twisties. Years ago I added an aftermarket DPS to my old CanAm Commander. That DPS operated 100% full time at all speeds. It eliminated the bump-steer and made the Commander feel more like an automobile PS. I could drive with one finger on the wheel at all speeds under almost any conditions. It was great.....


If the Spyder DPS is suppose to help when at cruising speed then I think I may have a problem with it too. If so, I would welcome having it fixed because I would like to have a little more steering assist too. Thoughts, Comments.....?
 
The above posts have the issue covered well.

:ani29:: GS, RS, RSS models ride similar to crotch rockets. OEM--a leaning down position and low windshields. I could not stand either. Quickly modified my bars by going to three inch risers. Custom at the time.

:ani29:: Driving position can be an issue. Don't do corners with the death grip. A push pull on the bars. Pretend there are eggs in your palms, and don't break the eggs. Lean slightly into the curve. Place "outside" foot on the pegs and grip the tank with the knees. Enter curves at a speed where you can accelerate. If you have to brake at a curve--you are to fast.

:ani29:: If the above are not the answer, it could be the DPS is faulty.

:welcome:
 
Please check both of your battery terminals for tightness before you spend a dime on anything. If there are not star washers on the bolts buy some and install them, will be the cheapest "fix" you'll do on your ride.

Al
 
canamjhb said:
If the Spyder DPS is suppose to help when at cruising speed then I think I may have a problem with it too. If so, I would welcome having it fixed because I would like to have a little more steering assist too. Thoughts, Comments.....?
Click to expand...

The original DPS units were progressive. They gave the most steering assistance at low speeds where it requires a lot more force to move the bars. The assistance gradually lessened as speed increased going to zero assistance at some point (around 50 mph if I remember correctly). I don't know about the current DPS units. But I would think BRP is still using this approach.
 
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