Still need more

[nipmip2002]

:helpsmilie: I'm still needing some more info about the SE, my heart was set on the SM more or less do to the fact that I have been riding traditional motos and am use to the manual shifting aspect, however the more I hear about the semi the more intrigued I am. I have gone through the usual you tube vids and tried to find additional (web)sites out there but they all pretty much say the same thing. I guess I'm looking for an unbiased opinion and am looking for some anwsers such as, If you let the bike automatically down shift does it cause any undue wear on any of the components?, or When you come to a stop does it automatically shift into neutral or do you remain in first for evasive manuevers? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jrl.spyder]

SE characteristics

While I am a new ryder, (my prior ride was a Goldwing Trike) my experience with the SE has been great so far. The auto down shifting will leave you in first at the stop, ready to go if needed. I use the manual downshift all the time as I approach slowing conditions, thus rarely needing to reach for the brake. This is a habit I developed on the "wing" to keep my feet on the highway pegs. I expect to do the same when my kewlmetal pegs are installed next week. I can readily get to the brake in sudden stop conditions, but the downshifting and engine braking works well when you are approaching curve, yellow/red light, or traffic ahead, etc. Upshifting is so easy and smooth, and you can wind it up as much as you want in each gear. I'm sure this auto feature is a personal choice for each ryder, but it is perfect for me.

 

[NancysToy]

I'm not sure why you came here for an unbiased opinion. We are SpyderLovers. We are biased to an extreme! :roflblack: Wish I could help you on your SE decision, but we ride the SM and have never tried the SE. I'm sure whichever you choose, you will love the Spyder.

 

[BumbleBee]

SM or SE? That is a personal choice for a ryder, but for me that was easy, I have never operated a manual shift, so of course, I went with a SE. I love it.
I am using part of "jrl.spyder's" qoate. The auto down shifting will leave you in first at the stop, ready to go if needed. I use the manual downshift all the time as I approach slowing conditions, or when I have to rapidly slow down. Upshifting is easy! I am not having any issues with my spyder.

For me it's really great, and the only way I would go. Never dreamed of ryding a motorcycle, and now I am.
Good-Luck in your choice :f_spider:

 

[QuadManiac]

I have much experience with M/C style clutches and shifting and would have preferred an SM5. However, an SE5 fell in my lap with a deal I couldn't refuse.

I'd still prefer an SM5 now, but the difference is getting grayer as I ride more and more (3k miles now). THe SE5 does provide ease of shifting at a cost. You can't choose to start in anything but 1st. You can't shift past a gear, just through it. I can't do the equivalent of pulling the clutch when riding, all i can do is shift down through the gears till neutral, so i can't really 'coast'. And, the one that bugs me the most, is i can't get into gear when i'm moving at all... so if i start coasting down a hill in neutral, i have to stop to engage 1st, and conversely, i can't get into neutral while I'm moving... those two bug me - not necessarily out of need, but just cause I'm used to be able to doing them on my other machines.

Last thing that originally bugged me - auto-downshifting while in a turn. If I'm cranking thru a turn and let the RPM's drop to 2500, it will downshift automatically. NOT A GOOD THING! I've since learned that I was operating at too low RPM's anyway, and now plan ahead and downshift going into the turn, both to be in the proper power range for the turn AND to eliminate the forced auto-downshift.

It does make riding easier... pushing on the paddle does beat clutch/shift/clutch for ease of use. And most of the time I don't miss having the 'manual' transmission. Once in a while, however, I do, when I want to do something that seems simple on a clutch bike, but not do-able with the SE5.

Hope this helps.

RE: your last question - The bike will downshift automatically till 1st and stay there till YOU put it in neutral.

 

[BajaRon]

Have never ridden the SE so no first hand advise. But I can say that when we rode with the BRP R&D techs they all preferred the SE over the SM.

This surprised me because most (if not all) of them I met, or rode with were x-racers that BRP employs to wring their products out.

They rode hard and were a great bunch of guys. I really expected them to say they preferred the manual. But every one I asked said they preferred the auto.

They told me that they could ride whichever one they wanted. And I have to say they all were riding the auto.

I think most people will be very happy with either one. But you may be HAPPIER with the auto.

I like my SM so I'm staying off the SE since I don't want to buy another one!

 

[nipmip2002]

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your responses. I have ridden the SM in the past. I have an appointment in about a 1/2 hour to go and try out the SE , I guess we'll see which one suits my riding style the best, either way I'm sure its going to be a blast.

 

[Longlegs]

Only two things that bug me about the auto. First is I cant rev the motor up in gear if I want to rattle the pipe. And two, it cost more money. But really I went to buy a manual and the dealer told me I had to ride the auto too. I left with the auto even though the manual was set up exactly how I wanted. We had to change wheels, backrest/rack and the color. I really liked it that much better. Go test ride both!

 

[opticat]

I've owned both an SE and an SM. Only have the SM now. The SM is much more fun!

 

[ntxYguy2009]

I am a proud owner of a SE5 :spyder2: with 7000 miles and I love it. I am a former owner of a V-Star 650 Silverado. The ability to let it shift down automatically or manually is what sold me on the product. I too take advantage of engine braking. From my viewpoint, it prevents additional wear on the brake pads.

I really believe that auto transmissions are the future of motorcycles (Honda DN-01 and others coming). Yes, there will be some that prefer shifting, but look at all the other areas that have switched - Dragsters, F1, Indy, not sure about NASCAR. It also brings a new audience to motorcycles. I think that is a good thing.

I am glad that BRP made both styles because it allows everyone to have their cake and eat it too!

 

[nipmip2002]

Well just got back from the test, man what a tough decision:dontknow:. I think I'll just hold out and buy one of each:2thumbs:. Alright probably not but wishful thinking. We'll just have to waite and see whats in stock when I finally go to make a purchase.

 

[Country Spyder]

SE vs SM

I have put about 3k miles on my SE since April. I have to admitt that you get real weird looks when you are coasting through traffic at rush hour with both hands on your hips (before everyone yells i only do it under 5 mph)

I have only regretted the SE one time. I had a truck pull out in front of me and I SMASHED the brakes hard and fast enough that the computer was not able to down shift fast enough. The bike stalled in 2nd gear. I did get it stopped without issue, but I really wish I would have had a clutch lever to pull.

Other than that 1 time and a visually impared truck driver, I love the SE.

:spyder:

CS

 

[Tom in NM]

A hard choice . . . . .

. . . . but as others have said, you will probably love your Spyder whichever one you choose.

Take more test rides - that will give you more experiences to base your decision on. Your first rides will have no many new sensations you probably will not notice some of the finer differences.

I ended up with the SE5, I found, for me, the ergonomics of sitting position were more comfortable when I didn't have to keep my foot on the shifter. I didn't realize that until my 3rd test drive. I probably would have adjusted, but that was what tipped me to a SE5.

After 45 years of motorcycles, my clutch hand still wants to do something. So, sometimes I find myself "clutching" my SE5 and downshifting when I really wanted to upshift.

Yup, you cannot shift into neutral if you are going more than 2 miles per hour. A couple of times, when down-shifting to a stop light, the bike has downshifted at the same time I have and I have ended up in Neutral. Something of a surprise when I (don't) take off when the light goes green.

Not having to back-off the throttle to shift is a hoot, and still usually brings a smile to my face.

On the SE5, you have to set the Parking Brake when you are parking the bike. If you don't, you get an alarm. BUT, you have to remember to release the Parking Brake when you start your ride (there is a reminder and flashing light on the dash - no audible alarm when you go into gear). Something really different from all the motorcycles I have ridden. Hands-down, the scariest experience I have ever had on any vehicle was when I took off from a parking spot to merge into traffic with the Parking Brake on.

One final thing, most people call the SE5 an "Automatic". Not exactly. The E is for Electronic vs. the M for manual. You shift. The computer can shift (seen most often in downshifting) and it assists you in handling the clutch work. There is no doubt in my mind that the SM5 is a traditional motorcycle experience and the SE5 has less of the coordination and control found in that hands+feet+mind+machine relationship. If I had to ride a SM5, I would and I would enjoy it, but, I would much rather have a SE5.

Again, do more test drives. If you like the overall Sypder experience, I don't think you can go wrong with either the SM5 or SE5. Multiple experiences test drives will "tell" you which feels the best to you.

Tom

 

[nipmip2002]

. . . . but as others have said, you will probably love your Spyder whichever one you choose.

Take more test rides


Tom

That sounds like a brilliant idea:2thumbs:.

 

[Tom in NM]

Oh, if it sounded brilliant . . . . .

That sounds like a brilliant idea:2thumbs:.

. . . . . I probably got it from someone else on this forum.

Another upside of multiple demo rides is that you will also get a better idea of what is "normal" on a Spyder ( turning effort, braking, shifting, noise & sounds, acceleration, heat, etc. ) As you have probably gathered from reading this forum, the norm can be pretty wide, but if you do not have anything to compare it to, how would you know if your Spyder is showing unusual behavior?

Tom

 

[Don in E Texas]

Wife and I test drove both models... we had the same opinion... the manual transmission felt like the bike was driving us. What do I mean? Try to go S*L*O*W as in a Wal*Mart parking lot on a busy Saturday afternoon. I never rode a bike that had such a hard time going slow as the manual model Spyder (last bike was Goldwing). The high RPM of the engine makes the bike idle along at 10 MPH (my guess) far too fast. If it was not for the SE model, we would not own a Spyder. Any model can get on down the road. As others have said, test drive both... what ever model you get you will enjoy it.

don