Harder steering after laser alignment

[trikerbiker645]

Hello members, I just had new tires, belt adjustment, laser alignment, tri-axis handlebars done on my 2015 RTS right before I left for Sturgis. I put on 2300 miles and can't say I'm impressed with the handling of the trike now. It seems to go down the road straight on a flat road but takes a lot more "muscle" to operate, more push pull to keep it going straight on the roads with any crowns and a lot more turning effort in twisties. Raising the handlebars up as high as they would go helped some by giving me more whole arm leverage. Some background, I put 8500 miles on before anything was done to bike and my arms never got tired, including a 1500 mile trip on the circle tour of Lake Superior. Could it be the toe,out of spec? It is almost like it only wants to go in a straight line and anything else takes more constant steering effort. When dealer did alignment they said steering angle was set way off and alignment was way off. New front tires appear to look ok at this point? Any thoughts? safe riding!

[ThreeWheels]

Sounds like you need a bit more air in the front tires.
Get it up on the balls of it's feet, so to speak.
Not too much air, because then it will be too twitchy.
With the Kendas, it's about 18 lbs.
I suspect you may need about 23 lbs with your new tires, but that's just a guesstimate. You'll need to do some trial and error to focus in on the right setting.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.

[JayBros]

Did the dealership use the Rolo laser alignment system? Was the steering sensor reset with B.U.D.S. AFTER the laser alignment? Something is not right. Were I in your shoes I'd take it back to the dealer tell them do the alignment over again on their nickel and ensure they road test it. The first laser alignment should have rectified any toe error. And I agree that you should start with recommended tore pressure, 20 +/- 2psi with tires within 1/2 pound of each other.

[trikerbiker645]

Jaybros and Threewheels, Thanks for your response,suggestions. I have frt tire pressure at 18 psi,rear at 23 psi. New Fermoza's on front, Kumo on rear. Dealer said they reset steering angle with Budds to "o". Said the angle was way off when they checked it. Also said toe was way off but didnt tell me which way or how they reset it. Yes they use the rolo system.........My buddy has same year and almost same mileage and same tires etc. and had his done there and said he has no problems. Im going to try driving his and see how it compares to mine before I call dealer. Maybe i drove it so wrong for so long it just feels different? It did chew the front tires bad on the originals but thought was just the tires from all the posts.............................

[trikermutha]

I run my fronts at 19 PSi and I can drive with almost no effort in steering unless making a turn they yes you have to use some force.

But straight roads should be dream to drive mine is just that. I can one with one arm holding the handle bars or I can drive with no hands on a really nice smooth road.

In fact 55 just was repaved around Bollingbrook area and the Spyder really loves that road now...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Jaybros and Threewheels, Thanks for your response,suggestions. I have frt tire pressure at 21 psi,rear at 23 psi. New Fermoza's on front, Kumo on rear. Dealer said they reset steering angle with Budds to "o". Said the angle was way off when they checked it. Also said toe was way off but didnt tell me which way or how they reset it. Yes they use the rolo system.........My buddy has same year and almost same mileage and same tires etc. and had his done there and said he has no problems. Im going to try driving his and see how it compares to mine before I call dealer. Maybe i drove it so wrong for so long it just feels different? It did chew the front tires bad on the originals but thought was just the tires from all the posts.............................

Trust me on this .... the Formosa's can be at 14 psi and you won't feel what you are feeling if everything else is in correct alignment...... The ROLO system is GREAT .... if the Tech using it knows how !!!!! and the rear should be 18-19 psi ( with a car tire ) for best performance ...... Mike

[SpyderAnn01]

Trust me on this .... the Formosa's can be at 14 psi and you won't feel what you are feeling if everything else is in correct alignment...... The ROLO system is GREAT .... if the Tech using it knows how !!!!! and the rear should be 18-19 psi ( with a car tire ) for best performance ...... Mike

If I were to run my RT with 14 in the front and 18-19 in the rear it would handle like a Mack Truck. Turning, for me, becomes very difficult at that low psi and I can always tell when my tires are low because the handling becomes so poor. At 19-20 on the front and 28 in the rear my Spyders handle like a dream.

TrikerBiker, we will be at Spyder Fever in Council Bluffs, IA on August 18-19. Come on down and we will check it out for you.

[irvin48]

Jaybros and Threewheels, Thanks for your response,suggestions. I have frt tire pressure at 21 psi,rear at 23 psi. New Fermoza's on front, Kumo on rear. Dealer said they reset steering angle with Budds to "o". Said the angle was way off when they checked it. Also said toe was way off but didnt tell me which way or how they reset it. Yes they use the rolo system.........My buddy has same year and almost same mileage and same tires etc. and had his done there and said he has no problems. Im going to try driving his and see how it compares to mine before I call dealer. Maybe i drove it so wrong for so long it just feels different? It did chew the front tires bad on the originals but thought was just the tires from all the posts.............................

who did the alignment?

[irvin48]

If I were to run my RT with 14 in the front and 18-19 in the rear it would handle like a Mack Truck. Turning, for me, becomes very difficult at that low psi and I can always tell when my tires are low because the handling becomes so poor. At 19-20 on the front and 28 in the rear my Spyders handle like a dream.

TrikerBiker, we will be at Spyder Fever in Council Bluffs, IA on August 18-19. Come on down and we will check it out for you.

you run 28 in a car tire? i just put an altimax on, and if my new wheels get here the fomozas will be on for the weekend. i put 22 in the rear. was planning on 20 for the fronts.run 22
in the kendas.

[trikermutha]

I run 29 on my rear tire. Close to where SpyderAnn runs hers and 19 on the fronts Bike handles like a Cadillac ..Smooth

[irvin48]

I run 29 on my rear tire. Close to where SpyderAnn runs hers and 19 on the fronts Bike handles like a Cadillac ..Smooth

what brand of rear tire are you running? i guess whatever works for each individual
is the right one. 99% of the time we are 2 up and would be around 380#. right now i
have 22 in the rear . i want the passenger to be as comfy as possible. dont think
we have bottomed more than twice and i run the air at the bottom of the gauge.
it does lean a lot more in the curves two up,but after ann and joe lined it it does track better on those country roads, which we like to run. englehart in madison did my friends rt and he
is happy with their work. he runs 26 in the rear of his altimax.

[trikermutha]

what brand of rear tire are you running? i guess whatever works for each individual
is the right one. 99% of the time we are 2 up and would be around 380#. right now i
have 22 in the rear . i want the passenger to be as comfy as possible. dont think
we have bottomed more than twice and i run the air at the bottom of the gauge.
it does lean a lot more in the curves two up,but after ann and joe lined it it does track better on those country roads, which we like to run. englehart in madison did my friends rt and he
is happy with their work. he runs 26 in the rear of his altimax.

I am running the Kuhmo Esta All season tire for the rear. I use Baja Rons shocks adjusters that help. I have never bottomed out when riding two up. Are you sure everything is good on your Spyder? Shock/air bag/compressor?

[Machinegunner]

I run 20psi. in the front and 30psi. in my rear Altimax. I don't like the way it handles with any less.

[UtahPete]

Jaybros and Threewheels, Thanks for your response,suggestions. I have frt tire pressure at 21 psi,rear at 23 psi. New Fermoza's on front, Kumo on rear. Dealer said they reset steering angle with Budds to "o". Said the angle was way off when they checked it. Also said toe was way off but didnt tell me which way or how they reset it. Yes they use the rolo system.........My buddy has same year and almost same mileage and same tires etc. and had his done there and said he has no problems. Im going to try driving his and see how it compares to mine before I call dealer. Maybe i drove it so wrong for so long it just feels different? It did chew the front tires bad on the originals but thought was just the tires from all the posts.............................

Doesn't address your issue, but I think rears are supposed to be at 28# +/-

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

If I were to run my RT with 14 in the front and 18-19 in the rear it would handle like a Mack Truck. Turning, for me, becomes very difficult at that low psi and I can always tell when my tires are low because the handling becomes so poor. At 19-20 on the front and 28 in the rear my Spyders handle like a dream.

TrikerBiker, we will be at Spyder Fever in Council Bluffs, IA on August 18-19. Come on down and we will check it out for you.

Ann, there are lots of opinions here about tire pressures ..... there is the group that bases what THEY think, on " HOW IT FEELS " and then there is Me and Peter Aawen who base what we KNOW on " SCIENCE ".. as a side note I don't up my tire PSI's when I'm running the " Twistie's ", I keep them pretty low front and rear on Car tires ...... I 'm sure " Machinegunner " ( a poster above) will attest to the fact that I'm far from being a " slouch " in the " Twistie's ".... So lower tire pressures = slower performance is a Myth ...... Mike

[Machinegunner]

Mike, you are correct. I would never criticize you for how you drive. And anyone else who ever rode with you would say the same. Patti doesn't seem to have any trouble keeping up with you. That girl can sure ride!!!!!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, you are correct. I would never criticize you for how you drive. And anyone else who ever rode with you would say the same. Patti doesn't seem to have any trouble keeping up with you. That girl can sure ride!!!!!

, Thank you ..... ..and I didn't see any " criticism " in your post ...... ..I have my reasons for what tires I recommend ( and they aren't financial ) ..... Annnnnnnd that GIRL can absolutely DRIVE Her " F-3 ".... next time I'll take my " RT " out of " ECO " mode ........Mike

[Mazo EMS2]

Hello members, I just had new tires, belt adjustment, laser alignment, tri-axis handlebars done on my 2015 RTS right before I left for Sturgis. I put on 2300 miles and can't say I'm impressed with the handling of the trike now. It seems to go down the road straight on a flat road but takes a lot more "muscle" to operate, more push pull to keep it going straight on the roads with any crowns and a lot more turning effort in twisties. Raising the handlebars up as high as they would go helped some by giving me more whole arm leverage. Some background, I put 8500 miles on before anything was done to bike and my arms never got tired, including a 1500 mile trip on the circle tour of Lake Superior. Could it be the toe,out of spec? It is almost like it only wants to go in a straight line and anything else takes more constant steering effort. When dealer did alignment they said steering angle was set way off and alignment was way off. New front tires appear to look ok at this point? Any thoughts? safe riding!

Maybe your set up was just fine to begin with, but your dealer wanted to try to justify the cost of an alignment job. They're out there!!

[SpyderAnn01]

Ann, there are lots of opinions here about tire pressures ..... there is the group that bases what THEY think, on " HOW IT FEELS " and then there is Me and Peter Aawen who base what we KNOW on " SCIENCE ".. as a side note I don't up my tire PSI's when I'm running the " Twistie's ", I keep them pretty low front and rear on Car tires ...... I 'm sure " Machinegunner " ( a poster above) will attest to the fact that I'm far from being a " slouch " in the " Twistie's ".... So lower tire pressures = slower performance is a Myth ...... Mike

Ill say it again, my Spyder is like a Mack Truck with low tire pressure. I don't need Fobo's to tell me my pressure is low, I just need to ride a short distance and I can tell. I spend way too much time in the saddle and I want to be riding the sports car version not the semi truck.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Ill say it again, my Spyder is like a Mack Truck with low tire pressure. I don't need Fobo's to tell me my pressure is low, I just need to ride a short distance and I can tell. I spend way too much time in the saddle and I want to be riding the sports car version not the semi truck.

My tires are 15psi front ( Altimax ) and 18 psi rear ( Hydro-edge ) and my Spyder handles like a Formula 1 car - Not a Mack truck ....unless My speed is below 2 mph ...... Maybe my power steering is the souped up version...mine and Peter A's ....... Mike

[trikerbiker645]

SpyderAnn01, thanks for the invite but after the last two trips I'll be home bound catching up for awhile.
Irvin48, I had Engelhart align and do the work. I've had faith in their work from previous encounters and I'm sure they will stand behind their work when I call them. As I said in my original post my buddy is happy as punch with his and he had his done at Englehart as well. I'm going to try and ride his bike this week if I can squeeze it in just to make sure it isnt just me. I'm also going to play with tire pressure a bit as well.
Thanks everyone for your remarks. safe riding!

[Mazo EMS2]

For what it's worth, I'll toss in another vote for 22 psi in the fronts, and 28 rear. Seems to work best for me, but....that's just me and how I ride. How boring would it be if we all did everything the same way? LOL....

Engelhart can be hit or miss, but I do think they try to treat Spyder owners a bit better. We bought our first Spyder from them and got what I thought was a good deal. When I shopped for our current one.....well....not so much of a good deal, so we went elsewhere. I also had a bad vibration after an alignment, and they worked with tire/wheel balance to straighten it out for us, even though we didn't purchase from them.

[ThreeWheels]

SpyderAnn01, thanks for the invite but after the last two trips I'll be home bound catching up for awhile.
Irvin48, I had Engelhart align and do the work. I've had faith in their work from previous encounters and I'm sure they will stand behind their work when I call them. As I said in my original post my buddy is happy as punch with his and he had his done at Englehart as well. I'm going to try and ride his bike this week if I can squeeze it in just to make sure it isnt just me. I'm also going to play with tire pressure a bit as well.
Thanks everyone for your remarks. safe riding!

I like your thinking.
I'm an engineer, and we can all calculate and postulate, but it's all a lot of chin wagging until the rubber meets the road. In your case literally.
Please remember to post your results so we all know how you made out.

[wyliec]

I like your thinking.
I'm an engineer, and we can all calculate and postulate, but it's all a lot of chin wagging until the rubber meets the road. In your case literally.
Please remember to post your results so we all know how you made out.

I'm not sure if I've ever heard the phrase chin wagging; but, that is excellent, in so many cases.

[irvin48]

SpyderAnn01, thanks for the invite but after the last two trips I'll be home bound catching up for awhile.
Irvin48, I had Engelhart align and do the work. I've had faith in their work from previous encounters and I'm sure they will stand behind their work when I call them. As I said in my original post my buddy is happy as punch with his and he had his done at Englehart as well. I'm going to try and ride his bike this week if I can squeeze it in just to make sure it isnt just me. I'm also going to play with tire pressure a bit as well.
Thanks everyone for your remarks. safe riding!

if it doesnt rain we will be at johnson creek sat. you can take mine out if you want.
its been "joeandannatized" and rechecked last week when mt rear tire was put on.