Baja Ron Sway Bar Impressions - 2016 Spyder F3-T

[wvedec]

I had the Baja Ron Sway bar installed on my 2016 F3-T by a dealer recently (got ripped off in price, but I did not want to do it myself - off to a different dealer next time). I agree with previous posters that it has made a significant difference in handling. The bike is much more stable and there is less lean in the curves. I also notice much less "bump-steer" over rough surfaces. A light grip is easier to maintain and the bike tracks very well - like its on rails. It is difficult to compare directly to the stock set up, but the ride seems a little "stiffer" than stock. it could be my imagination. I am considering softening the shocks a tad to soften the ride but am wondering if all that would accomplish is to return it to its stock BRP sway bar handling characteristics.

Anyway, I am extremely pleased with the result. I think there may have been some questions about whether the Baja Ron Sway bar was necessary or not on 2016 and later F3's. All I can say is that the effect was dramatic and noticeable on mine.

I will be getting a laser alignment done in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see if I notice further improvement.

Wayne

[Peteoz]

Wayne,

I'm sure Ron will respond to your post in case my comment here is not spot on, but he has said on many occasions that the bar can not make the ride stiffer or softer per se. It simply reduces sway and improves stabilisation in corners and on cambers due to it being stiffer.

Pete

[BajaRon]

I had the Baja Ron Sway bar installed on my 2016 F3-T by a dealer recently (got ripped off in price, but I did not want to do it myself - off to a different dealer next time). I agree with previous posters that it has made a significant difference in handling. The bike is much more stable and there is less lean in the curves. I also notice much less "bump-steer" over rough surfaces. A light grip is easier to maintain and the bike tracks very well - like its on rails. It is difficult to compare directly to the stock set up, but the ride seems a little "stiffer" than stock. it could be my imagination. I am considering softening the shocks a tad to soften the ride but am wondering if all that would accomplish is to return it to its stock BRP sway bar handling characteristics.

Anyway, I am extremely pleased with the result. I think there may have been some questions about whether the Baja Ron Sway bar was necessary or not on 2016 and later F3's. All I can say is that the effect was dramatic and noticeable on mine.

I will be getting a laser alignment done in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see if I notice further improvement.

Wayne

I love selling stuff. Always have. But really, it is the satisfied customer that makes this entire process enjoyable. Thank you so much for the kind words.

Most riders instinctively set the shock spring pre-load stiffer than it needs to be in an attempt to reduce the lean and roll. In reality, this is an effort to compensate for a weak sway bar. It is the sway bar's primary function to reduce sway and lean. While the shock's main job is to dampen(slow and control) suspension travel while allowing for as much movement as necessary to provide a comfortable ride. Though this is an exacting science. Everyone's perception of a 'Nice Ride' and 'Great Handling' vary somewhat.

Sometimes you can better visualize a situation by going to extremes.
In this case. If you removed the shocks and replaced them with a steel bar, you would no longer have any need for a sway bar as the Spyder then COULD NOT LEAN at all! But, of course, the ride would be horrendous! It is easy to resolve one problem by creating another, even more severe problem elsewhere. Government does this all the time. But I digress...

So, what most are trying to accomplish is to improve handling without sacrificing the nice ride. After installing the sway bar upgrade, most are able to bump down the shock spring pre-load a bit to get a nicer ride without sacrificing handling. I recommend experimenting with different settings to find your personal preference.

[wvedec]

I love selling stuff. Always have. But really, it is the satisfied customer that makes this entire process enjoyable. Thank you so much for the kind words.

Most riders instinctively set the shock spring pre-load stiffer than it needs to be in an attempt to reduce the lean and roll. In reality, this is an effort to compensate for a weak sway bar. It is the sway bar's primary function to reduce sway and lean. While the shock's main job is to dampen(slow and control) suspension travel while allowing for as much movement as necessary to provide a comfortable ride. Though this is an exacting science. Everyone's perception of a 'Nice Ride' and 'Great Handling' vary somewhat.

Sometimes you can better visualize a situation by going to extremes.
In this case. If you removed the shocks and replaced them with a steel bar, you would no longer have any need for a sway bar as the Spyder then COULD NOT LEAN at all! But, of course, the ride would be horrendous! It is easy to resolve one problem by creating another, even more severe problem elsewhere. Government does this all the time. But I digress...

So, what most are trying to accomplish is to improve handling without sacrificing the nice ride. After installing the sway bar upgrade, most are able to bump down the shock spring pre-load a bit to get a nicer ride without sacrificing handling. I recommend experimenting with different settings to find your personal preference.

Thanks, Ron, for the excellent analysis. I will play a little with it, but I really like it pretty much as it is.

[KID Ryker]

One of the best upgrades you can add. installed one this weekend on my 2016 F3T. To me it made a great difference. Test rode today 250 mile I think it great. Thanks Ron

[Bruisr]

Ron's sway bar and laser alignment on my F3T this weekend.. can't wait 😎

[Peteoz]

Ron's sway bar and laser alignment on my F3T this weekend.. can't wait 😎

You don't think you need to do an alignment BECAUSE you are putting Ron's bar on, do you Bruisr? ......or are you just getting it done independent of Ron's bar?

Pete

[tomand]

It a great addition Bruisr and you will notice the difference. Joe and Ann are great to work with and defiantly know what they are doing.

[Bruisr]

Independent of the sway bar.. Joe was able to pick up Ron's sway bar at the St George Spyderfest. I was initially planning to have Joe install a belt tensioner and alignment.. now the sway bar😎... LED's(and related)next😳. This forum has been really helpful on upgrades that should be done and also avoided👍

[BajaRon]

You don't think you need to do an alignment BECAUSE you are putting Ron's bar on, do you Bruisr? ......or are you just getting it done independent of Ron's bar?

Pete

Installing the BajaRon sway bar kit does not affect alignment. If your alignment is bad before you install the bar kit it will be just as bad after. If you're alignment is spot on before you install the bar kit it will be spot on after.

The sway bar install does, however, help maintain correct alignment through turns, during cross winds or when in turbulence as you pass large trucks, etc. This generally adds to the stability and easier handling of your Spyder in these situations.