On Saturday, I put around 300 miles on my Spyder and experienced a case of the steering problems some others have mentioned. Nothing serious, but I will be taking the Spyder in and have it looked at.
It happened three times, highway, straight road, 75-80 mph. The first time, I saw some road debris ahead and lightly turned to the left to avoid it. It was a smooth course correction - if 12 o'clock is straight ahead, my turn was an easy turn to 11 o'clock. When I went to correct back to the center of my lane, the steering felt 'stuck' - like I was tracking on a road hump or pavement groove, it didn't pull, but it was 'locked' on the track it was on. It didn't take much effort or muscle to 'un-stick' it, but it when it released, I was exerting enough pressure for it to over-correct and the Spyder jogged to the right. Since I had a full helmet on, earplugs, and was at 75-80mph - I did not hear anything. At no point did I ever leave the lane I was in. I didn't try and go further left, that would have taken me out of my lane - so I don't know if it was locked for turning further to the left.
When trying to turn to the right, it felt like when you separate magnets - they are firmly attached, then when the pull you are applying overcomes the magnet's force, your hands fly apart faster and further than you expect. The binding force is there - then instantly it is not there.
As I said, this happened 3 times - over the course of 20 miles of the ride - all the conditions were the same as I described above. I stopped at a rest area, considered pulling the DPS fuse, but didn't. After that, no further events. I kept my speed down for a little, but finished the ride at normal riding speeds. None of the events were scary, but I did feel I was contending for control when I wanted to go right. After it would "un-stick" steering was instantly very easy and 100% responsive (right & left) - but there would be an over correction based on the sudden 'release' and the force I was applying.
I was out on Sunday for about 100 miles and experienced no steering issues.
My experiences were not anywhere near as serious as what others have related, more like the irritation of a stretch of very bad road surface, unsettling - not scary. But, THANK YOU, to all that posted your experiences - the instant it happened, I knew what was happening, what I had to do to correct it, what to lookout for and some possible on-the-road fixes. Thank you all! :thumbup:
And yes, Firefly, I will be reporting this to BRP and NHTSA.
I will be having my dealer look at it next week when I take the Spyder in for its 6,000 service. Sooner, if it starts acting up again.
For those interested: 2008 SE5, DPS update (1st Update) done 4/20/09 with 600 miles service, no performance problems or steering issues before or after - until 11/28. No second update. No electrical mods. All fuses felt snug. Tires at 19psi.
Thanks again to everyone for sharing your experiences! It helped me.
Tom
