DPS Problems, We Can No Longer Ignore "The Elephant In The Living Room"

[Smylinacha]

Very Good Magic man. Now that the 2 yr warrenty is almost up on the first ones. And we have continuing problems is BRP going to stand behind them or are we going to have to deal with it ourselves and out of our own pockets. When the warrenty is gone???? :spyder: :dontknow:

And that is why I feel "forced" to shell out the $900 for an extended warranty. never had to do that w/ any of my other stuff - HDX just fixed it. He can fix most anything but when it comes to computer codes, BUDS and all that - he can't do that.:dontknow:

 

[Smylinacha]

One of their divisions makes teh Lear Jet - Bombardier Aerospace. :yikes:

Let us not forget the bike fires that so far go without any fix outside of "after market devices" as a cause. I, for one, don't buy it. Issue is still out there waiting for the next chance to strike.

Surge problems. My bike was a hazard to ride after the "steering fix" was installed. Bike would cut off -- then on .....you had better be hanging on to ride the bike!!! Anyone that might be tailgating me might just run up my back tire it was running so poorly. The fix? Bypass the canister. This fix works, but not what should have happened. I still have the canister bypassed and the bike runs great.

Steering issues. Now we are getting scary out there folks!!!

Just glad BRP does not make airplanes..........(or submarines)

Ride safe, gang.

don

 

[BRPjunkie]

One of their divisions makes teh Lear Jet - Bombardier Aerospace. :yikes:

Not for several years. BRP spun off from the Bombardier parent and is no longer affiliated with the plane maker. I guess they decided it would be safer to put peoples lives at risk one (or two) at a time on rather than in larger groups on planes. Just kidding. I don't think they ever set out to put us at risk, but with new technology, it sometimes happens. Heck, even with old technology it still happpens. Electricity kills lots of users every year. Edison should have never unleashed this menace on society.

 

[Smylinacha]

As one that has experienced the steering anomaly, it seems like a hardware problem (kinking at mid steer), and not something that can be corrected through a software update.

THAT is EXACTLY what the brp tech called it when he looked at my Spyder at Lamonster's house. He called it a steering anomaly and didn't tell me either way if it was fixed or not. He did download some stuff into it I remember that because we were remarking that it was all in French as we were looking at his laptop screen. And yes - "kink" is the word - felt like a kink when I had to pull it to the center to get out of the mishap.

 

[Smylinacha]

No, I will go by the Lemon Law and have my dealer buy the bike back. Then I will go and get something else.

I have not had any real problems with my Spyder either with almost 7000 miles but 7000 miles isn't many miles and BRP needs to address the issues that many are having. If they would do this before things get out of hand they would restore faith and creditability in the Spyder; that is slowly slipping away. I honestly think they will do this; If they don't i'm afraid we may all own a collectors item. I certainly hope not!!nojoke

Michael:doorag:

 

[Smylinacha]

OK, I know everyone loves their Spyders - I still like mine but I'm very concerned about the steering thing, especially since it did happen to me and I was far away from home. So I think when something ACTUALLY HAPPENS to a person, they tend to freak out over it a little more - meaning ME. But I'll tell you - my Spyder will not be going on any regular rides soon. I am just glad it is cold out and I won't ride much anyway. I will not ride mine until this gets resolved. I don't ride my Spyder around town. All of our rides are distance and we tend to ride very fast. All of our riding is hills, curves, sharp turns, and much of it is in rural areas where limp home would take me forever, hitting a tree and waiting for lifestar would take quite a while so call me totally paranoid but I ain't going anywhere on it until all this gets resolved. I will be passenger w/ HDX on the Roadglide.:dontknow:

 

[Dochands]

It's a joke!

I fortunately have had no problems with my Spyder as of yet. I know I was very concerned when I read about the string of engine fires but was reassured as I am seeing people reassured, that it was a minority problem.

Honestly I have no idea if my DPS is even operating. I have never had such a technologically sophisticated bike so if its not working at low speeds I am not sure I would know the difference.

However in the interest of our most maudlin of holidays. I offer the following:

Should my steering lock up.

Please put this on my tombstone.

Here Lies Sherwin
B - RIP.


:roflblack:

 

[jcbatt]

Wow, I am sure am glad I did not extensively read the forums before buying a Spyder. I may have been scared away by all the negativity. You all are doing a great job of scaring away potential owners. My experience has been nothing but positive, and I will guarantee you there are a LOT more silent owners with positive experiences than those posting negative bits on forums. I understand the vocal minority likes to vent on problems, but I have always been perplexed by why. It does nothing but kill the resale value of the thing you currently own and so dislike.

 

[3whlLefty]

I've always wondered why they put that DPS in there at all. This is a light weight vehicle. Why does it need power steering? It seems that the front end could be designed so that it's not necessary at all. Could we just disconnect it somehow and see how well it controls w/o it? I never has PS in any vehicle until 1987. It's nice to have but not crucial!:dontknow:

 

[Way2Fast]

From what I understand the updates or "fixes" for the steering issues were not voluntary on the part of BRP....they were a MANDATED RECALL by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a result of at LEAST 3 serious injuries (as of April 2009) involving the Spyder's steering. BRP doesn't volunteer to do much. Their track record and that of the parent company, Bombardier, is very poor in this regard. Unless pinned in a corner, all they ever seem to come up with are inexpensive half-ass solutions that seldom work ! Websites like seadoosucks.com sprung up over their inability to address problems with their personal watercraft in the 90's. In 2004 they introduced a super charged 4 stroke engine for their PWC. It took them almost 5 years to correct the supercharger clutch washer issue that was destructing engines. To this day they still are in denial on hull delamination problems. Granted, these issues have some danger associated with them, but nothing compared to the problems seen with the Spyder. Unless a fire is ignited under their butts they will continue to introduce new models, without correcting the carry over faults from the previous ones !! I commend Magic Man for his stance on this issue. Denial on the part of some owners and by BRP will only lead to more injuries and possibly deaths that could have been avoided.

 

[Way2Fast]

Wow, I am sure am glad I did not extensively read the forums before buying a Spyder. I may have been scared away by all the negativity. You all are doing a great job of scaring away potential owners. My experience has been nothing but positive, and I will guarantee you there are a LOT more silent owners with positive experiences than those posting negative bits on forums. I understand the vocal minority likes to vent on problems, but I have always been perplexed by why. It does nothing but kill the resale value of the thing you currently own and so dislike.

Here is the perfect example of "Denial". Someone who choses to ignore issues that could result in serious injury or death. It's a good thing that we all don't choose to ignore serious potential problems hoping that the issue will just disappear by itself. This is someome who is more concerned about "resale value"...the almighty $$...than safety. If enough potential owners are "sacred away", maybe BRP will provide a "fix" that works !!

 

[Smylinacha]

Should my steering lock up.

Please put this on my tombstone.

Here Lies Sherwin
B - RIP.


:roflblack:

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[SpyderGirl]

Regarding all these issues surrounding the DPS system I have to echo what others have said here.... I fear three things the most...

1. The DPS system failing while operating resulting in a crash

2. Getting the DPS updates and having more problems (right now at 22K I am having none)

3. Not getting the DPS updates and something happening after the warranty expries in February 2010

I hope BRP gets their act together and finally nails down the DPS issue. I love my Spyder but when people start to ask me about issues and such, that one is always a sticking point right on the tip of my tounge even though it has yet to be an issue for me.

 

[jcbatt]

Here is the perfect example of "Denial". Someone who choses to ignore issues that could result in serious injury or death. It's a good thing that we all don't choose to ignore serious potential problems hoping that the issue will just disappear by itself. This is someome who is more concerned about "resale value"...the almighty $$...than safety. If enough potential owners are "sacred away", maybe BRP will provide a "fix" that works !!

And the silent majority gets beaten into submission once again. Why post positive things when you only get bashed? If I had something I was truly scared to ride, I would sell it (and buy a Volvo, so I am can really have "safety") rather than gripe about it on a message board.

 

[rleathen]

Now while I can understand peoples concern about the DPS problem and in no way am dismissing it as just a few people with a minor problem and do accept that it is a problem that has the potential for serious and in some cases catastrophic ramifications I do have just one question. How many spyderlovers out there who believe this to be a serious problem continue to ride their spyder?

IMHO the more that people voice their concerns about this very serious problem and yet continue to ride their spyder knowing full well that a serious problem exists the less credible the collective group position is on the issue even taking on the appearances of some just whinning and complaining. If you really want to get BRP's attention, keep in mind they do read this forum, stop riding your machine to protect your own safety and file a report of your problem with the NHTSA.

In more simple terms we should collectively be part of the solution not just voice our disscontent about the problem. While I am not a lawyer, did anybody think what liability you actually take on yourself riding a machine that you believe has a serious problem with it if an when the serious problem is actually acknowledged ?? I am sure there is at least one if not more insurance companies that would love to say "why would you willingly ride a motorcycle that you believed full well had a serious mechanical problem. Don't look at us to pay out your claim!". Just a thought.

 

[hevnbound]

I'm going to jump on this thread to add my comments in an effort to keep all postings regarding this steering problem in more or less a central location.

I had posted a thread earlier entitled: "Steering While Stopped". I was reporting on how hard it was to turn the wheels on rough pavement even when the engine was running.

Against my better judgement I went for a ride yesterday with a buddy to check out the leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The weather was great, the vista were fantastic, the leaves were only fair but the Spyder steering really sucked!!

Here is a quote from Magic Man's original post in this thread: I was there this past week and saw first hand the failure Lamonster's Spyder had when his DPS died in Daytona. Although he said "it was not too bad at highway speeds" the effort it took to steer his bike when I sat on it was down right freighting! I can definitely confirm the "effort it took to steer"! We traveled the Parkway and roads like Hwy 80, 226A, etc (locals will know how twisty these roads are). I feared for my life - we cut the trip short and came home. Literallly when I would slow down to make a very tight curve/switch-back the steering would actually fight back on me! I'm hoping I haven't pulled something out of line on the steering assembly .... much less pulled something in my shoulder and/or arms! I am extremely sore through the shoulders and arms as I am typing this response!

Hopefully I can head for the dealer tomorrow but I am pessimistic as to the response I will receive from them .. afterall, they have done what BRP told them to do; 1st update and 2nd update, so .. what can they do now?
I'm mentally prepared for the fact that my Spyder will probably be in the shop for quite awhile.

I do hope BRP is monitoring this thread and others regarding this serious steering problem as Lamont has already stated that they are.

I also still have the issue of the intermittent "Check Engine" light appearing.

And ... the sad thing is that this is happening after I finally made the decision to keep my Spyder and was just beginning to enjoy it again. Someone posted about having to purchase the expensive B.E.S.T extended warranty because of the various problems popping up ... guess I am going to have to do the same. I think the least BRP could do is to extend the warranty on Spyders that they can determine by serial number that seem to be having these problems so any other unforseen problems that might occur due to manufacturer defect that pop up will be covered!!

BRP .... Please do something quickly.

Sam

P. S. BTW ... the gas fume problem is worse than ever !!!! .... I'm going to take my original exhaust, air filter and air tubes and O2 sensor back to the dealer and tell them to put it back to stock. I'm tired of them and others (BRP) telling me that my problems are because of aftermarket exhaust, O2 sensor bypass, etc. etc., yada, yada, yada. We will see! .... Sorry, this P.S. does seem like a rant but the more I type, the madder I'm getting so .. I'm going to stop now - I promise!

 

[Gimpy Girl]

I've been following these threads and it's made me hold back on buying just yet. That being said, I know I'll buy one, just not sure as to when is all. I'll just give BRP a while to work out issues but it won't scare me off from getting one. Till then, hope y'all stay safe & enjoy your rides, & just be careful out there!!

 

[Way2Fast]

After the last steering malfunction, my Spyder sits as a dust collector in my garage. However, I plan to pull the DPS fuses just to see how hard it actually is to drive without the power steering. I grew up with manual steering in automobiles. I operated 4 wd trucks in heavy sand without power steering where turning the wheel would actually lift you off the seat. I just can't understand how a 700lb vehicle could be so hard to turn without it...unless the inoperative electric steering motor is creating a lot of "drag".

I can see how the front bars would try and correct themselves to go straight when going through a turn. Take your hands off a car steering wheel after a turn and the wheel will self center. This is more pronounced in vehicles with out power steering and the same would hold true for the Spyder's handle bars.

 

[Magic Man]

If I had something I was truly scared to ride, I would sell it (and buy a Volvo, so I am can really have "safety") rather than gripe about it on a message board.

Funny you should say this....

Here is a copy of a PM I received today from a member who has asked to not be named. They are a long time member here and very well thought of and respected. If I were to say their name I know quite a few people here would be totally shocked to say the least.

... and thought I'd let you know (very privately, please) that I will be selling my Spyder after this past weekend's trip into Arkansas.

I had the same very serious steering issues that "pitmon" described... came really close to killing me in the mountains.

I've got to do a few things to the Spyder before the dealer gets it to fix... maybe next week. They will trailer it to their shop.

Bottom line... I don't trust it anymore... especially the way I ride... and where I ride.

Although I will respect their wishes and not say their name, this is not some "panti waist" rider here and THEY ARE, AND WERE SCARED ENOUGH TO BE SELLING THEIR SPYDER!

What needs to happen here is for a positive fix to be put into place quickly before this does becomes a widespread epidemic that can ruin resale values and brand image for sure.

But I am not going to continue to "ignore the elephant in the living room" to falsely protect a topic that needs to be addressed, regardless of it's short term effect on BRPs sales or even my resale value as a Spyder owner.

When someone like this (who is a real rider) is so scared they are selling their Spyder, I know that even if BRP does not notice, I do for sure.

MM

 

[hevnbound]

I can see how the front bars would try and correct themselves to go straight when going through a turn. Take your hands off a car steering wheel after a turn and the wheel will self center. This is more pronounced in vehicles with out power steering and the same would hold true for the Spyder's handle bars.

Just so you understand ... this was not the normal "self center" ... the steering actually "fought back". I was using a lot of pressure to maintain the turn and actually felt the machine trying to "push back" against my input! ........ It happened more than once ....!!:yikes: