Why does'nt BRP fix the RT turn signal return ?

[cjackg]

This is a seemingly minor Spyder RT defect that is usually considered just a picky complaint. My 2010 RT had the problem, but it is still the same on my new 2012 RT Ltd. The RT turn signals work just fine when you are turning corners and turn off as expected. but, when you are on an Interstate moving along at 70-75+ and make a lane change, no way will they turn off without precisely pushing the center button.

Without gloves, I can push that button straight and turn them off with one shot after a lane change, but... with gloves on I am lucky to get them off with less than 3 tries... in between the signal lights may go left--right--off-- etc before I can confirm they really did stop!

Now the real issue is that I can only confirm that they are off by looking down at the dash panel. This is where safety is the center issue. Moving your eyes down, off the hwy, at higher speeds is sure to have consequences. Riding on Interstate highways on a cycle is risky enough without having to look down (several times) at the dash to find out what signal you are sending to other drivers any time you change lanes. This whole thread was prompted by recently having a very close call due to another driver seeing the wrong signal.

I understand that the switch on the RS works much better... why is the RT so bad ?

This has all been documented many times, Why doesnt BRP fix it on the later model RTs ?

If any car signals worked like this, I believe there would be immediate action to resolve it. And, yes you can add aftermarket Leds to alert you about the signals but why are safety issues left to us?

I believe this matter is a serious Safety issue and hope that BRP is paying attention and will step up and fix it both in new models and for current RT owners.

 

[Rando]

I concur. Mine was replaced, same thing is occurring again.

 

[Mspiv]

Yupp mine also and the signal indicators in the dash are impossible to see. I wonder if national highway safety would consider this?

 

[CyncySpyder]

Teddy & I would sign our names to a petition if it would help

:agree: its frustrating:banghead: and dangerous:yikes: as hell. Like you mentioned, we've added the LED turn signals for visual verification, and have gotten used to it for the most part, but still wish they would make it easier to cancel :banghead::banghead:

 

[Toys42]

Turn Signal Switch

Thank you for starting the post. I normally stay quiet on reliability issues with the RT but this thread deserves attention from BRP.

I rode a 2008 RS for 15,000 miles with no issues with the turn signal switch. After 2,500 miles, I still cannot shut the turn signal off on the first try with the 2012 RT. For the first 1,000 miles I did not realize I was having an issue because I only rode in the daylight and could not see the indicators with polarized sunglasses. It was only when we rode on a trip to Florida with another pair of bikes did I learn from the other riders that I was riding down the interstate with one or the other signal on.

In my mind, the most dangerous scenraio is to be in the right lane of a 2 or 4 lane road with the right signal on giving a false inditication to the driver waiting to cross an intersection in front of me.

Is there something I am doing wrong?

 

[MarkLawson]

I filed a safety complaint with the National Highway Safety folks. I would encourage any owners that feel the issue is a safety hazard to do the same. Maybe if BRP won't listen to owners, they will listen to the Feds, if we make a blip on their radar.

 

[bitsy224m]

Led lights

I also have the same problem and the little green light on the dash is so faint on the left side that I can hardly see it so I added the red led strip of lights around the mirror so I can now tell when they have not canceled. Sometimes it takes a few hits to cancel the left side like all seem to have. I noticed this to be with the RT that I was following home from spyderfest had the same problem.

 

[cjackg]

Could you post some info as to how to file a complaint with the feds?

 

[NancysToy]

It is touchy. The RS, or at least the original 2008 GS, was much better. The problem seems to lie in the spring strength. On the old GS, the spring was softer to cancel and stiffer to turn on. The RT seems to be the opposite. Far too easy to push it slightly to the side.

Pushing it in and holding it for a second before releasing seems to help. That's what I have learned to do, and it works 95% of the time...on release.

 

[MarkLawson]

Could you post some info as to how to file a complaint with the feds?

Go to this site: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Be factual. You may be contacted and asked for additional information. You don't want to have to explain an exaggeration in the report.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I also find it a pain to turn off the signal. I usually hit the button twice to be sure that it is off. And as others have said the green indicator arrows are nearly impossible to see especially in bright sunlight. I said this once before and someone replied that they didn't want to see giant arrows on the display to make the old folks happy. In reply I would say that I can see the rest of the display just fine but not the green arrows.

 

[tobor9]

I have a "11 RS and my wife has an "11 RT-S and I can't understand why they can't fix this, just put the same switch in the RT that is used in the RS,also switch to the single double arrow light used in the RS as it is much easier to see one indacater then two, on the RT you have to look in two places to see if one of your turn signels is on,on the RS it's onwe indacater with two arrows so your eyes are on the road more! these are easy and cheap fixes that BRP should have done years ago.

 

[Arr MiHardies]

I have no problem. Just push straight in, not at an angle. Maybe it's just me.

 

[oldbaldguy]

I feel your pain. Hassled with that issue all 750 miles returning from Spyderfest last Sunday.

 

[eddieshep999]

I posted this on an earlier Thread

The question - Why is it so easy to hit the wrong switch and it operates without fail - Yet you try to cancel the turn signal and in most
cases it won't respond on the 1st or even after several attempts - Sods Law

The answer must be Poor design from BRP/Lack of attention or Consideration for Rider safety

My RT -S SE5 2010 Model has had this problem since new - How come it can still be a problem with 2012 Models
It does concern me when riding on Major Highways or when approaching Junctions in case the indicator signal is misread by other drivers and
they pull out believing I am turning in only for me to run into them

I to would be willing to sign a petition if it would help

Eddie Sheppard
Reading UK

 

[Mspiv]

I also find it a pain to turn off the signal. I usually hit the button twice to be sure that it is off. And as others have said the green indicator arrows are nearly impossible to see especially in bright sunlight. I said this once before and someone replied that they didn't want to see giant arrows on the display to make the old folks happy. In reply I would say that I can see the rest of the display just fine but not the green arrows.

And I would say hopefully you will live long enough to be the old folks

 

[texasride]

I have. 2010 rt never had a prob with canceling turn single just push the button in. All so most cars and truck when you Chang lanes they do self cancel. Seem to me just nick picking spyder and brp geeeee.

 

[Questions]

jackndon from OZ

Hi I had same problem drove me mad, did not want switch changed because so much of the wiring having to be changed, (the less the dealers touch my machine the better) and not just the switch head, is that crazy or what, anyway for what its worth I just touch the switch, just a quick touch, and it works nearly everytime, I never try to push it right in hard, or it will go left and right every time, all the best Don

 

[Bob Denman]

Guys... You're looking at this from the wrong perspective... View it as an excuse to add some more lights to your bike and then it'll seem like a GOOD thing... :thumbup: :roflblack:

Arr is right; just push the button in straight and all is well...
(But I do leave mine on once in a while too!:gaah

 

[rcdurango]

I do agree!

This is a problem that should be fixed. I do find myself looking down to see if I have turned off the signal after using it. Not good!
What I have done on highways at highway speeds in most cases when just going around someone is used my hands as a way of
letting drivers know. Not good I know but its safer than taking eyes off the road. LED is one thing that would help to see if there still
on but one shouldn't have to think about that as hard as we do. Hope something comes up that will fix this.