BajaRon Sway Bar

[sledmaster]

ok gents for a stupid question......... I have heard everyone talking about how much improvement the sway bar does........ but what exactly does it improve..... cause I love riding spydy already........
how can it be better?

thx

It does many things. Most obvious is the reduction in body roll in corners, also called lean. Since the spyder remains (basically) flat through a corner and does not lean into a corner like a bike, the body mass tends to roll or lean in the opposite direction of a bike, requiring the rider to lean into the corner. A better sway bar (really an anti-sway bar) will help to reduce this tendency. The machine will stay flatter and roll out less.

Most of us also notice how it reduces what we call "lane wandering", especially in side winds or even cornering, where instead of having the spyder twitching back and forth requiring steering corrections going through a corner it will corner with greater stability and less left-right movement. Very confidence inspiring. Your Spyder will track straighter.

Now logically there should be some trade-offs involved, but these are greatly minimized. In some very specific cases you might notice a firmer suspension but again, greatly minimized and the benefits far outweigh the change in suspension action. Few ever notice it. I would say it is slightly more aggressive in high-speed compression situations, shock speed, not vehicle speed, like hitting a square-edge bump with both wheels at the same time, each shock will not be acting as independently as before. Being we are on fairly smooth roads and not big-bump off-road situations you rarely ever would notice this effect. A sway bar is kind of a variable coupler device between the two sides of the front end, we are tightening up this variable just slightly. Maybe bajaron could clarify this even more. I speak more from snowmobile experience, but they are effectively the same front ends.

From a simple perspective, it makes the steering feel more connected to you. More confident. It works more like you expect it to, or want it to. I have not yet met a single rider that did not believe it was a significant improvement.

So why does BRP send the spyder out the way they do? One has to believe it is for ride comfort and compliance calibration, casual riders are often more interested in bump isolation and all-out comfort, so a softer or weaker sway bar helps to meet those goals. Not a matter of right or wrong but one of personal preference. That said, I am not aware of a single person on this forum that did not like the improvement of a BajaRon sway bar.

[StealthSpyder]

I have the bajaron sway bar and his special links...also had a laser alingment.....both really made a diff in ryding.....highly recomment all 3 items....

Regarding these special links you referred to...are you saying that they don't come with the bajaron bar? I bought the bajaron bar but don't recall purchasing any special links separately. What are they for? How do they differ from the links that are on the spyder? Why aren't they sold as a kit with the bajaron bar?

Should I get them in addition to the already purchased bar if my interest is to have the best cornering and handling possible? If so, can someone suggest where to purchase them. I have not installed the bajaron bar yet...was planning on getting it installed in the next couple weeks.

[finless]

Regarding these special links you referred to...are you saying that they don't come with the bajaron bar? I bought the bajaron bar but don't recall purchasing any special links separately. What are they for? How do they differ from the links that are on the spyder? Why aren't they sold as a kit with the bajaron bar?

Should I get them in addition to the already purchased bar if my interest is to have the best cornering and handling possible? If so, can someone suggest where to purchase them. I have not installed the bajaron bar yet...was planning on getting it installed in the next couple weeks.

They are replacement Hiem links. e.g. the links that connect the ends of the sway bar to the frame. Ron last year developed metal replacement links to replace the plastic ones that come with the Sypder. No they do not come with the sway bar you have to order them.

Bob

[MMcc]

I have Ron's sway bar and feel the ride improvement is well worth the small price. But, why does BRP not see the improvement in handling and ride and do it on the bikes from the factory ? Not trying to cut Ron out of the market but his bar makes a good product so much better. BRP should just order them from him, put them on at the factory and everybody wins.

[JerryB]

Regarding these special links you referred to...are you saying that they don't come with the bajaron bar? I bought the bajaron bar but don't recall purchasing any special links separately. What are they for? How do they differ from the links that are on the spyder? Why aren't they sold as a kit with the bajaron bar?

Should I get them in addition to the already purchased bar if my interest is to have the best cornering and handling possible? If so, can someone suggest where to purchase them. I have not installed the bajaron bar yet...was planning on getting it installed in the next couple weeks.

Hi Stealth,

I think that it depends on which year/version of Spyder that you own.

I asked Ron about this when I bought my sway bar & he said that I do not need the links.

You should ask Ron about your specific Spyder.

Jerry Baumchen
'08 GS

[StealthSpyder]

Hi Stealth,

I think that it depends on which year/version of Spyder that you own.

I asked Ron about this when I bought my sway bar & he said that I do not need the links.

You should ask Ron about your specific Spyder.

Jerry Baumchen
'08 GS

Interesting, I have a 2012 RSS. Maybe Ron will chime back in.

[lwrydr]

Regarding these special links you referred to...are you saying that they don't come with the bajaron bar? I bought the bajaron bar but don't recall purchasing any special links separately. What are they for? How do they differ from the links that are on the spyder? Why aren't they sold as a kit with the bajaron bar?

Should I get them in addition to the already purchased bar if my interest is to have the best cornering and handling possible? If so, can someone suggest where to purchase them. I have not installed the bajaron bar yet...was planning on getting it installed in the next couple weeks.

I got the links when I got the bar...the stock ones are made out of plastic and I feel safer with metal links...I probably did not need new ones but I just feel better with metal ones....now going to put on a cat-delete and a AF-1 air filter...the my farkles are complete....(I think)

[BajaRon]

Interesting, I have a 2012 RSS. Maybe Ron will chime back in.

As with everything, the bars and links are a work in progress. I'll quit changing them when they are perfect!

If someone needs more information just PM or email me.

Originally my Billet Aluminum Heim Joint links were offered only as an option which could be purchased separately. Some even purchased these links to install with a stock sway bar, especially for the problematic 2013's.

As the Spyder models have gotten bigger and heavier, I've made sway bars to fit the need. The 2013/14 RT sway bars are the strongest, and therefore put the greatest amount of stress on the OEM plastic links.

I did testing on several of the OEM plastic links and none failed. But this was short term, not long term testing.

Though most OEM links have held up well in actual service, some have not. My feeling is that there is a variance in strength in the OEM links. But regardless of the reason, to me link failure is unacceptable. Some have failed due to road debris impact, some due to wear or fatigue, and a very few have simply broken for the assumed reason that the stress applied exceeded that particular link's capability.

I am still evaluating, but at this point I will not sell a 2013/14 RT sway bar kit without my stronger links. I may, in the near future, expand this requirement to more models.

I do not like to require customers to purchase something that is not needed. But safety and reliability are very important to me and to my customers. Right now it is rare for a customer to purchase a bar from me without the link set. And I do recommend getting the links with the bar, especially for the 2010-2012 RT's.

The 2008-2012 RS/GS/RSS bar exerts the least amount of stress on the links. With the narrower wheel base and lighter weight, this bar does not need to be nearly as stiff as the other kits. But you have to remember, you're still dealing with plastic which can stress and fail over time regardless of the Spyder you ride.

Again, to be fair, the OEM links have held up in the majority of cases. But plastic is plastic.

The OEM links seem to last quite some time (though some have found the ball to be very loose when replacing them). That is because these are a wear item and will need to be replaced at some point. My link sets (as with the sway bars) come with a lifetime replacement warranty.

Hope this helps.

[billrob71]

I haven't got my bar yet but if your taking the plunge and buying a upgraded bar the cost for updated links is minimal. If the plastic link does break under pressure it's gonna be on a turn and can put the bike out of control if your not prepared.

[Gordo]

Hi Larry, it sure was great to meet a fellow Spyder rider. Thanks for all the good information. I will be ordering my swaybar soon. Enjoy the trip to the Redwoods. Take care and safe trip.

[stallion143]

It reduces the amount of "lean" in the turns, and even helps the bike maintain it's line when crosswinds are encountered!

I've had mine now over a year and it is AWESOME. Handles great, eliminates 90% of the body roll in curves....(Depending how aggressive you rYde)

[oldguyinTX]

Got the BajaRon sway bar & heim links installed yesterday, along with a Rolo Laser Alignment. Ron in Accord NY & his son did the work for me. Nice ride up, 57 degrees when I headed out. GREAT ride home!! What a difference!! Really flat in the curves, less wind buffeting. If you have not done this yet, DO IT. You will be amazed at the difference in the way that the handles. Absolutely worth every penny. Hats off to BajaRon for an excellent product!

[spyder0ne]

Installed Ron's sway bar today. First thing I noticed was one of the factory's plastic heim links was broken. I have no idea how long i've been riding that way. The ride after the bar and new links were installed was awesome. It is such a dramatic, positive improvement in how my 2013 RT handles.

[philblumenfeld]

Ok, my question is; I typically only ride in town and rarely go over 50 mph. Do I still need the sway bar?

[StealthSpyder]

Ok, my question is; I typically only ride in town and rarely go over 50 mph. Do I still need the sway bar?

Yep for sure, for many reasons. Everyone should have it. Those who ride aggressively will simply notice its benefits even more.

[Spyderal11]

Maybe I missed it in one of the previous post, do you have to take off spyderpops bump plate? And is there any tupperware you have to take off? Thx.