Baja Ron Sway Bar Regrets

[TheCajun1957]

Ok, so can I install a BajaRon sway bar on my spyder at home? Does the spyder need a alignment after the sway bar has been installed?

[Peter Aawen]

Yes, most people who can spin a spanner &/or operate a floor jack can install a sway bar at home - in the driveway or shed is probably recommended, but I have seen a couple done in the living room (you really need a doorway that's wide enough to get the Spyder in tho!!)

..... Does the spyder need a alignment after the sway bar has been installed?

Only if it needed an alignment before you installed the sway bar!!

Have you had it properly aligned by anyone apart from the selling dealer?? If not, then it would probably benefit from a 'proper' alignment - try a 'Squared Away' alignment, those you see here on SpyderLovers; or at least a laser/ROLO alignment that aligns the front wheels with the rear wheel rather than vaguely working off the frame!

[JP58]

The Anti sway bar was the first thing I got after I bought my RT-S. Couldn't stand the twitchiness of it. Then the bump skid. Love the bar. My buddy and I both bought 15 RT-S a week apart. I got the bar and we rode the twisties. He couldn't believe I was on his tail the whole time. We switched bikes and he was way ahead of me. I cost him another 300.00 bucks for a bar. Get the Laser Alignment to.

[TheCajun1957]

Yes, most people who can spin a spanner &/or operate a floor jack can install a sway bar at home - in the driveway or shed is probably recommended, but I have seen a couple done in the living room (you really need a doorway that's wide enough to get the Spyder in tho!!)



Only if it needed an alignment before you installed the sway bar!!

Have you you had it properly aligned by anyone apart from the selling dealer?? If not, then it would probably benefit from a 'proper' alignment - try a 'Squared Away' alignment, those you see here on SpyderLovers, or at least a laser/ROLO alignment that aligns the front wheels with the rear wheel rather than the frame!

Am still a newbie on the spyder, I have only put about 400 miles on the bike and still a little sloppy on turns. I have a cycle license but had not ridden for about 20 years prior to getting the spyder. I love the bike and have a few more things to do to it, I am 6'2", need to work on seat and maybe 3 way handle bars but without squishing my lady behind me. I am trying to find out what will help me with having a smoother ride in turns besides just practice.

[SteveLaoyster]

I specifically asked my "Platinum BRP Dealer" if the sway bar, or me installing it would affect the warranty, and was told no.

Thanks for the input. It'll save me some money for other farkles.

[BajaRon]

Hi Guys! Eventually I would like to get a BajaRon sway bar on my RT-S that is getting delivered this week. I was told that it would have to be installed by a shop so as to not void the warranty. I'm wondering if this is correct or am I able to install it myself without any warranty issues? Thanks.

This is not true... Putting it on yourself will not cause any issues at all. The F3 is by far the easiest bar install of any Spyder (once you get it lifted to the proper height). It would be pretty difficult to install a bar kit wrong. I've not had anyone who has gotten it wrong yet. And believe me. It it is possible, someone will do it.

Ok, so can I install a BajaRon sway bar on my spyder at home? Does the spyder need a alignment after the sway bar has been installed?

The Bar Kit will not affect alignment. If your alignment is bad before you install the bar. It will be just as bad after you install the bar. And Vise-Versa!

Am still a newbie on the spyder, I have only put about 400 miles on the bike and still a little sloppy on turns. I have a cycle license but had not ridden for about 20 years prior to getting the spyder. I love the bike and have a few more things to do to it, I am 6'2", need to work on seat and maybe 3 way handle bars but without squishing my lady behind me. I am trying to find out what will help me with having a smoother ride in turns besides just practice.

Practicing good turn procedure will certainly help. But there are some inherent suspension issues that make going through turns more difficult than it should be. Especially 2-Up. A great deal of this added difficulty centers around too much lean. Too much lean causes a number of negative things to happen. Control the lean and you control the machine.

The bar kit does a lot of things. But one way you can tell if it will help you is if you are always having to 'RE-Adjust' in your turns. In other words. You notice that when you go into a turn you have to adjust your steering angle to stay where you want in your lane. Te technical term is 'Over-Steer' ~ 'Under-Steer'. The stock sway bar is too weak creating a decending oscillation between these 2 conditions. With a correctly set up suspension. You go into a turn or curve and that's it. No adjustments to the handlebar angle needed unless the radius or the camber of the turn changes. But with the stock setup. The initial turn-in causes the Spyder to lean excessively which changes the front tire alignment giving you 'Over-Steer'. So you have to adjust the handlebar angle to compensate. This adjustment reduces centrifugal force reducing the lean angle. This changes the front wheel alignment giving you an 'Under-Steer' condition requiring another handle bar angle adjustment to compensate.

Depending on the speed, severity of the turn or curve and other variables. You may have to make 3 or 4 adjustments before everything settle in.

Do you get worn out when riding your Spyder in the twisties? Well, multiply steering input by 3 or 4 times for each turn and you can see. It will add up to fatigue quickly. The sway bar upgrade goes a long way towards correcting this and other suspension related issues.

With the sway bar installed, when you go into the turn correctly, you should not need any further adjustment of the steering angle unless the radius or camber of the turn changes. It's a real joy when compared to an OEM suspension.

[trikerbiker645]

Actually this question is for Bob Denman.....how long have you been retired? With your amount of posts which since you joined is 33+ per day if you are on here and posting everyday I have to assume your retired? Congrats , I'll call on you when I can't find it via search! safe riding

[irvin48]

Actually this question is for Bob Denman.....how long have you been retired? With your amount of posts which since you joined is 33+ per day if you are on here and posting everyday I have to assume your retired? Congrats , I'll call on you when I can't find it via search! safe riding

irv

[wengerda]

will the baja ron hemi links work on the f3? thanks

Yes it will work, I installed a Bajaron Sway Bar with hemi links on F3 Limited. It works great.

[dhawker]

Glad you are paying attention! You are correct, I have not put the Baja Ron Bar on the F3L. Lower center of gravity less body roll and better shocks. But that doesn't mean that I am not going to add one. I am still in the ryde it and see stage (just over 2000 miles). Honestly out of the box it does not need much! At the Nor-Cal Spyder Rally I am going to get it Squared Away with the laser alignment and see how that effects the handling. But even as hard as I ryde I am really happy with the ryde!

Thanks for the reply. My sentiments exactly, wait a bit and see how it rides. This is my first CanAm Spyder so I don't really have anything to compare it to, so I rely heavily on this forums wealth of knowledge. Even though I won't be selling my Triumph motorcycle anytime soon, I sure am having a lot of fun with the F3. It's like a whole new way to experience riding, and puts a big stupid grin on my face.

[Wildrice]

Yes, most people who can spin a spanner &/or operate a floor jack can install a sway bar at home - in the driveway or shed is probably recommended, but I have seen a couple done in the living room (you really need a doorway that's wide enough to get the Spyder in tho!!) ....

I think working on a bike in the living room is disgusting---that's what a front office is forDarrell's Front Office.jpg
Darrell

[Myron Ah]

So glad to see this post. I'm scheduled to get one put on at Spyderquest and laser alinement next Wednesday morning. Riding from Maine Tuesday. Three rides during the week and back to Maine on Sunday should tell me if I like it.

[gcoyne9825]

We had heard about the handling improvement after installing the BAJA RON anti-sway bar, and let me just say, it's a very noticeable and much appreciated improvement. Gone is the aggressive lean angle in curves and the sway often experienced due to the curvature of the road has been eliminated as well. The bike feels planted. Also, sway caused by cross winds has been eliminated as well. So glad we had it installed by Netzley Tire at the Maggie Valley Spyder Rally, October 2018.

[SpyderLinder]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vtZkQlcWt8&t=2s - Pierre loves the BajaRon Swaybars!!! Best quote of the video, when asked why you should install them: "It's like going from a Toyota Corolla to a BMW" Great job, @BajaRon!

[pegasus1300]

This thread started 2 months after I bought my Spyder and was a great help in understanding why I needed to add this to my Spyder. It needs to be a sticky in the required reading for new owners section. Thank you Ron for coming up with this addition and making our routine maintenance cheaper and easier.

[SpyderLinder]

This thread started 2 months after I bought my Spyder and was a great help in understanding why I needed to add this to my Spyder. It needs to be a sticky in the required reading for new owners section. Thank you Ron for coming up with this addition and making our routine maintenance cheaper and easier.

#BajaRon has been AMAZING to work with! I am going to add this to my 'to do' list for my Spyder - but first I need to find a place in Maine where I can get that awesome laser alignment. (will have to search the threads when I'm ready)