the most dangerous motorcycle on the road

[NancysToy]

There's no question about the effectiveness of the Spyder brakes as designed. The real problem may be your braking technique. Any MSF course will teach you to use both the hand brake and the foot brake when braking. If you have been braking properly all along on your two-wheeler, you will also brake properly on the Spyder, plus you'll even add some "air brake" action while trying to grab the hand brake that isn't there! As you feel the Spyder is unsafe, I must conclude your braking technique could use some improvement regardless of the bike you are riding, as you apparently are not in the habit of using your foot brake at all.

Practice safe braking on the Spyder and the Harley & you'll be much more confident on both.

Alas, the advent of distributed braking systems has instilled some bad habits in way too many riders. The old timers are very much tuned in to the use of both brakes at once for maximum stopping power (and of staying off the front brake in the dirt). Those who have become lazy or learned improperly due to the linked braking systems, are often in the habit of using just the hand or foot, but not both. Remote controls (and highway pegs) have reinforced those bad habits. It is understandable how someone arrives at the conclusion that anything else is unsafe, but in reality it just points out a need for relearning. The real problem here is mainly that old habits die hard.

 

[aka1004]

I didn't click on this cuzz I thought it would be about a jet propelled bike or just people being nuts... But a spyder?????
Spyder may be a lot things but it does not fit this title.

Now that I read more, I see the size of brake pedal was brought up.
I got a piece of metal from home depot for $1.49, I don't even know what their original purpose was and cut it to 3" piece, drill holes and used it as extension on my pedal. Credit goes to an old lady on spyder in San Diego.

 

[bikeguy]

I still reach for a front brake now and again and I wish I had a handbrake just to give my right hand something to do besides turn the throttle. But I don't need one bad enough to spend a lot of money for it. I keep my foot just to the right of the brake pedal and it's easy to find when I need it. One of the reasons I don't like floorboards is that they place my foot further from the brake. I never liked linked brake systems much on 2 wheelers because I liked the extra control of being able to use either brake or both. But I have no problem with them on on a 3 wheeler. I will disagree with some posters on the effectiveness of the Spyder brakes compared to other bikes, though. My RT stops well enough and it's better than some but it definitely takes a back seat to the BMW R1100RT I was riding when I got the RT.

Cotton

 

[kinggeek]

Stops on a dime!

Had two deer jump out in front of me doing 60MPH at 5:00AM one week after buying the RT. I stood up on the brake. I stopped incredibly fast and never came close to being out of control. If I was on a two wheeler with a hand brake I would have been in the hospital.

 

[Mexican]

I do have a problem with my spyder brakes,,,,,,,, they squeal when i'm pushing it out of the garage!!!:dontknow::shemademe_smilie:

 

[Spyderjockey]

Of all the bikes I've had over the years my Spyder will "out brake" any and all of them!! I, unlike you, believe the Spyder is the "safest" bike on the road. BTW if you just use the hand brake on other bikes you are getting about half of it's braking power and I believe you are headed for a disaster, like having the bike skid out from under you in some circumstances.....like wet roads or loose gravel or sand on pavement surfaces especially early in the spring in states where snow and ice have had to be dealt with. Good luck to you with your Spyder and just be ever aware of where your foot is in relationship to the brake pedal because as others have said....... the brake pedal is always in the same place.:thumbup:

 

[bone crusher]

I have a 2009 can am rs se5 and dearly love the bike. I also own a Harley Electraglide. They both have their place on the road. However the Can Am has a horrific brake problem, that being finding the brake pedal especilly in an emergency situation. I have install floor boards and the hinged brake entension. This has improved the braking situation by at least 50 percent. However fun it is to ride, the braking situation, in my opinion, makes it the most unsafe bike on the road. I won't sell it because it is too much fun to ride. The dealer wants $1700 to install a hand brake which would probably make it one of the safer bikes out there. I just wish BRP would not be so stubborn and install the handbrake on the new models. How many people have died because of this. I know of one.

I know this has probably made a lot of people mad, however, one should not have to ride wondering where the brake pedal is.

Huh? I think the Spyder braking system is plenty safe and easy to use...

Maybe all your modifications have made it harder to get on the brake pedal?

I've never heard this complaint before...

 

[CyncySpyder]

Hey now, Teddy resembles that remark -lol

But I'll be honest with ya, if I really felt my machine was the least bit unsafe, I'd either modify it to my liking or it'd go down the road without me on it! There's already far too many dangerous distractions out there without that mental 'black dog' lurking in the sub-conscious too. :shocked:

The Spyder is Very Unique machine in a catagory all its own & sure, there are changes that many of us would like to see & as time goes by, BRP is listening & doing what it thinks is best for the company and brand. You have options available to you to help remedy your issue, if you so choose. I truly hope you can find satisfaction with your machine, and even tho I respect that you (like all of us) are entitled to your opinion, to state that that the Spyder is the MOST DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLE ON THE ROAD :crackpipe: Teddy & I wish you luck in NOT killing yourselfray:

 

[J. Mark]

Never had a problem Breaking my 2012 RT

I really don't get the issue...I have plenty of stopping power......

View attachment 44028
The Spyder is Very Unique machine in a catagory all its own & sure, there are changes that many of us would like to see & as time goes by, BRP is listening & doing what it thinks is best for the company and brand. You have options available to you to help remedy your issue, if you so choose. I truly hope you can find satisfaction with your machine, and even tho I respect that you (like all of us) are entitled to your opinion, to state that that the Spyder is the MOST DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLE ON THE ROAD :crackpipe: Teddy & I wish you luck in NOT killing yourselfray:

 

[Bob Denman]

I don't think that Canner has been back here... :shocked: :dontknow:

 

[Bootie]

Brakes

I have a 2009 can am rs se5 and dearly love the bike. I also own a Harley Electraglide. They both have their place on the road. However the Can Am has a horrific brake problem, that being finding the brake pedal especilly in an emergency situation. I have install floor boards and the hinged brake entension. This has improved the braking situation by at least 50 percent. However fun it is to ride, the braking situation, in my opinion, makes it the most unsafe bike on the road. I won't sell it because it is too much fun to ride. The dealer wants $1700 to install a hand brake which would probably make it one of the safer bikes out there. I just wish BRP would not be so stubborn and install the handbrake on the new models. How many people have died because of this. I know of one.

I know this has probably made a lot of people mad, however, one should not have to ride wondering where the brake pedal is.

I have been riding since 1964 and I missed the hand brake on the Spyder. The addition of the ISCI handbrake was the first mod I installed after buying the RT. This allows me to rest my feet on the highway pegs and not worry about stopping. The Handbrake is well worth its cost.

 

[packbuckbrew]

Totally disagree, the brake on the spyder is just fine.

 

[bullant12]

I think we can agree... Close this thread!

 

[Lamonster]

3 pages so far and not one person has agreed with him? I think this is a first. nojoke

 

[Neez]

I didn't click on this cuzz I thought it would be about a jet propelled bike or just people being nuts... But a spyder?????
Spyder may be a lot things but it does not fit this title.

Now that I read more, I see the size of brake pedal was brought up.
I got a piece of metal from home depot for $1.49, I don't even know what their original purpose was and cut it to 3" piece, drill holes and used it as extension on my pedal. Credit goes to an old lady on spyder in San Diego.

I did the same, since I usually ride toes out. I don't have to twist my foot to reach the pedal now. As a bonus, with this setup I can heel brake from my hiway pegs, as well. I've been riding bikes since 1960 and I prefer Spyder braking to any other.

 

[Bob Denman]

I think we can agree... Close this thread!

:agree: The dead horse has taken enough punishment already...
:bdh:

 

[arntufun]

3 pages so far and not one person has agreed with him? I think this is a first. nojoke

This thread reminds me of the thread I started last year that said high windshield are ugly on a RS !!!! :roflblack: I know never to do that again !!!! :yikes:

 

[retread]

Lessee... he's been a member over a year, 8 posts. I haven't looked up his other posts, but this one sounds like fishing from a slow moving boat.

john

 

[chickridin]

I love my Spyder and his brake pedal!! :2thumbs: :yes::b2b:

 

[steve635]

To say a Spyder is the most dangerous motorcycle on the road seems a bit of an overstatement, but the absence of a hand brake has been my only complaint about my new RS. On the other hand, I only had the bike for 3 days before I left for a previously scheduled vacation. I was already getting somewhat more comfortable with the setup, so I'll give it a little while before deciding whether I need the handbrake.