Introduction

[txknight67]

I suppose I should introduce myself. Bought a Yellow '08 SM5 in Sept. It was a demo model with 2500 mi, but since a demo, got the full warranty and an extended warranty thrown in. Also bought during the promotion so got the Hindle exhaust, GSX-2 helmet, and full leathers.

Personally am not happy at all with the helmet. Leaks water around the forehead vent, same vent fell apart one night at 35 degrees Fahrenheit, (20 mi with cold wind straight on the forehead, talk about a headache). Don't know who to contact about that.

Have put over 6k mi on it since then and loved every mile. Just got back from a 1k round trip to my moms for Thanksgiving and had only the steering problem. Finished off the tread on the rear tire that trip. Currently parked awaiting arrival of back tire.

My Lady loves to ride with me. First ride turned into a trip to the dealer for the sport rack and seat back though.:shemademe_smilie::roflblack: Once she recovers from her recent surgery, we intend to ride as often as the weather will permit. She's not as hardy (or foolish maybe) as I am.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Welcome to the party! I also had to get the sport rack and backrest put on mine for family reasons.

Many people are putting car tires on the rear when it wears out, what is your plan? Also be sure to get it to the dealer to have them check out your steering issue. There have been quite a few 08's that have a problem, but BRP is getting them resolved now.

 

[txknight67]

I just ordered a BFG G-force from Tire Rack. They called today and asked about what I was ordering it for since I had only ordered one. I told him and explained what it was and he had seen them, but he still asked twice "And this is the size tire they have on them?" I told him a couple of people (I had seen their posts on here) had already ordered from them. He said he had to take it to his manager. I got a notice today my order had been shipped.

Now all I gotta do is find someone to mount and balance it. I guess try the cycle shops in town?

When I first bought the bike and looked at the size, I wondered if I could mount a passenger car tire on it. The OEM tires said "motorcycle use" on them and I was wondering if the bead was different or something. That question was actually what led me to come looking for forum's/message boards in the first place. I found this board and the second post down on the list in "shop talk" when I first looked was the one about a solution to the rear tire problem.:2thumbs:

Once I get that squared away, I am going to take it to the dealer to get the DPS software upgrade. I have been poking around awhile and am wondering, what are the issues with the oil in the air box, the ground wire, and the engine upgrade everyone keeps talking about? I also saw some references to yanking out a canister?

The sad part is, I haven't even found my air cleaner yet.:lecturef_smilie: Does K&N make one for the Spyder? Is there an aftermarket oil filter so I don't have to keep going to the dealer? I suspect the dealers are higher priced than any aftermarket would be.

 

[Smylinacha]

welcome

 

[txknight67]

Tire Rack response

The Tire Rack guy asked what the OEM was. When I said, "I think Kendra," he said "Say no more." When I started laughing, he said "Yeah, those are a rag.":roflblack:

 

[SpyderWolf]

Most of the issues you are talking about should be taken care of by the updates. The oil in the air box thing is what I think led some people early on to remove their cannister. You can search on here for canisterectomy to find out more about that whole deal.

For aftermarket air filters there is a green one from ESI Cycle Products, a race filter from Evoluzione, and Kewl Metal just recently released a new air cleaner kit. In fact, Black Widow is selling his so you may want to check the 4 sale section of the forum as well.

 

[Some Guy]

I haven't even found my air cleaner yet.:lecturef_smilie: Does K&N make one for the Spyder?

I don't know about a K&N (though I have them in my cages!), but ESI (site sponsor) has the "green filter" which is essentially the same. Many of us have these and they work great.

 

[ataDude]

... The oil in the air box thing is what I think led some people early on to remove their cannister....

Not related at all. Lamont originally created a trap from an air compressor accessory to deal with the oil problem. Others contributed the coarse air filter media in the breather hose as a solution.

The canister is smog-stuff related and partially driven by engine vacuum. The canisterectomies had been done for a while on a lot of bikes... just because. For the Spyder, the canisterectomy solved an ECU update / uneven running issue AND a possible fire hazard... where the canister overflow was/is directed onto the right exhaust header.

.

 

[txknight67]

K&N rocks cages!

I don't know about a K&N (though I have them in my cages!), but ESI (site sponsor) has the "green filter" which is essentially the same. Many of us have these and they work great.

Yep, K&N rocks in the cages. Everything I drive has K&N's in them. Did absolute wonders for My Lady's '05 Durango Hemi. Also added a nice muted induction howl when ya dig into the throttle.

Alright, I'll check out that filter. Always looking for any little thing that can wring a few more hp and fbtorque out of anything I drive. What is it they say? Ride/Drive it like ya stole it! Only way I know to use motorized equipment.

 

[Some Guy]

The oil in the air box thing is what I think led some people early on to remove their cannister. You can search on here for canisterectomy to find out more about that whole deal.

The canisterectomy has nothing to do with oil in the air box...that problem is solved by Lamonster's catch-can fix (works GREAT!!!). The canisterectomy is the fix for, well, the first DPS upgrade for many of us...many of our SpyderLover family did not require this mod, but I did (and several others will agree).

 

[txknight67]

Sig is hilarious!

I love your sig. I have known quite a few of those people that just have to pee on the electric fence....over and over and over....ya get the picture.

 

[Some Guy]

I love your sig. I have known quite a few of those people that just have to pee on the electric fence....over and over and over....ya get the picture.

Yeah, it's funny...but he had to learn that the hard way!!! :roflblack: :roflblack: :roflblack:

Sorry Mr. Dude, I mean ata!...it was just too easy!!!

 

[ataDude]

I love your sig. I have known quite a few of those people that just have to pee on the electric fence....over and over and over....ya get the picture.

Thanks. pps:

Yeah, it's funny...but he had to learn that the hard way!!!

Sorry Mr. Dude, I mean ata!...it was just too easy!!!

Now, for you Mr. Guy... :cus:

.

 

[bjt]

Welcome to SpyderLovers txknight67.

 

[txknight67]

I just noticed you are from North TX. Where, if ya don't mind me asking. If ya do, I know where to go.hyea:

 

[ataDude]

I just noticed you are from North TX. Where, if ya don't mind me asking. If ya do, I know where to go.hyea:

Allen... north of Dallas.

.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Thanks for the clarification as to why the canisterectomies started.

 

[Some Guy]

I just noticed you are from North TX. Where, if ya don't mind me asking. If ya do, I know where to go.hyea:

NOOOOOO!!! Stay away!!! He's evil!!!...wait...he's always been good to our SpyderLover family. Dang...I can't even say anything bad about him...UGH! :gaah:

 

[Roaddog2]

I don't know about a K&N (though I have them in my cages!), but ESI (site sponsor) has the "green filter" which is essentially the same. Many of us have these and they work great.

:agree:welcome

 

[txknight67]

If I remember right, you can't get much further north without being in "that other state". I'm up near Amarillo.