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  1. #1
    Registered Users Cognac's Avatar
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    Default Laser alignment question

    Is the laser alignment something that lasts or do you need to redo it every time you hit a bump?


    2014 Spyder ST-Limited - "Sally Ryde"

  2. #2
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    I think it has to do with hitting bumps. Your results may vary.

    That said, We have about 5,000 miles on our last laser alignments and both track like on rails still. We have hit a couple easy potholes--but nothing major.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  3. #3
    Very Active Member Chupaca's Avatar
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    Default Well..!!

    nothing lasts forever...you do need to hit some knarrly (hitting curbs more likely) potholes to knock it out but happens. I would have it done with every rear tire change seeing as that is the referrence.
    Gene and Ilana De Laney
    Mt. Helix, California

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    SpyderLovers Sponsor BajaRon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cognac View Post
    Is the laser alignment something that lasts or do you need to redo it every time you hit a bump?
    Depends on the size of the bump!
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  5. #5
    Very Active Member jcthorne's Avatar
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    More likely to need redoing when suspension work like tie rods or ball joints are replaced. You would have to hit something hard enough to bend a componet in the suspension. Pretty darn hard. Or if you notice it pulling to one side, or tires wearing oddly.

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  6. #6
    Very Active Member Darren111's Avatar
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    Do I need to have laser alignment on brand new F3-S before dealer delivers to me?
    2019 F3-S Special Series , Liquid Titanium with orange frame

  7. #7
    Very Active Member latony007's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darren111 View Post
    Do I need to have laser alignment on brand new F3-S before dealer delivers to me?
    If you do you should make the dealer pay for it
    Tony From Los Angeles

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  8. #8
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    Darren we have done over 450 alignments and only a handful did not need adjustment. I rechecked my Spyder after 40,000 miles and a trip on the Alaska Highway and it was still in spec.

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  9. #9
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Darren111 View Post
    Do I need to have laser alignment on brand new F3-S before dealer delivers to me?
    Good idea to do it. I would see if the dealer will go for that one.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by latony007 View Post
    If you do you should make the dealer pay for it
    Dealer? Or BRP?

    Question: Does such alignment correct the dealer's set-up work? Or the original factory set-up?

    Y'know, when ya buy a brand-new 4-wheel cage or truck, the alignment is already perfect and no extra $ need to be spent right out of the delivery door. Why is that not true on a ~$30K Spyder?

    Alignment service is properly known as re-alignment, after you have inadvertently compromised the original alignment - right?
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    2015 Limited , Intense Red Pearl

  11. #11
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by missouriboy View Post
    Dealer? Or BRP?

    Question: Does such alignment correct the dealer's set-up work? Or the original factory set-up?

    Y'know, when ya buy a brand-new 4-wheel cage or truck, the alignment is already perfect and no extra $ need to be spent right out of the delivery door. Why is that not true on a ~$30K Spyder?

    Alignment service is properly known as re-alignment, after you have inadvertently compromised the original alignment - right?
    Many dealers look at alignment as a "factory done" thing on new vehicles. Add to that, some dealers that just "check the boxes" on the set up sheet and do nothing other than put on the wheels.

    It seems to now be a proven fact, that factory set up does not a perfect alignment make. How customer oriented a particular dealer is, then is the next step.

    This is why we occasionally (not as much lately), hear how the Spyder just purchased drives like a POS right out of the box.
    Last edited by ARtraveler; 10-14-2015 at 01:36 PM.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  12. #12
    Registered Users Cognac's Avatar
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    Default

    Is checking the belt tension important to the laser alignment?


    2014 Spyder ST-Limited - "Sally Ryde"

  13. #13
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    Default making the dealer pay.........

    Quote Originally Posted by latony007 View Post
    If you do you should make the dealer pay for it
    't

    Make him a bet: If he checks it for you and it doesn't need alignment, then you pay a small sum for his time. If it needs alignment, then he does it for free. Why in heck should you have to accept something BRP didn't catch in quality control???

  14. #14
    Very Active Member jcthorne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cognac View Post
    Is checking the belt tension important to the laser alignment?
    Not really. The belt needs to be running correctly, IE straight and just off the inside flange. But the tension is not critical for the alignment.

    Blue Flame Spyder F3-S
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  15. #15
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    Default ALIGNMENT

    I live in Louisiana and looking for a place to have mine aligned. Does anyone know of a place near me?? Thanks in advance

  16. #16
    Very Active Member jcthorne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DakotaRae View Post
    I live in Louisiana and looking for a place to have mine aligned. Does anyone know of a place near me?? Thanks in advance

    Laser alignment is available in Houston.

    Blue Flame Spyder F3-S
    2015 F3S , Blue Flame

  17. #17
    Very Active Member JayBros's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DakotaRae View Post
    I live in Louisiana and looking for a place to have mine aligned. Does anyone know of a place near me?? Thanks in advance
    If either of the AL dealers is within reasonble riding distance it would be well worth the trip and you'd see the difference immediately on way home.
    http://www.spydercomfort.com/dealeral.htm
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  18. #18
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    I don't understand how the rear tire has anything to do with the front tire alignment as it only does the toe in and toe out??

  19. #19
    Registered Users Gray Ghost's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MrBones View Post
    I don't understand how the rear tire has anything to do with the front tire alignment as it only does the toe in and toe out??
    The laser alignment aligns the front wheels to the rear wheel rather than the frame.


    Clifford Fargason
    2013 Spyder RTL
    2007 Royal Star Venture

  20. #20
    Very Active Member Darren111's Avatar
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    Default Doing my homework

    Firstly I would like to thank Cognac for this thread. I have found the thread helpful and useful.
    For me as a newbie it was about doing my homework too in addition to reading responses to the laser alignment question.
    Part of my homework was to ring supplying dealer for F3-S and ask the question "Do I need to have laser alignment done on my brand new F3-S before it's being delivered to me? The answer was "No", because laser alignment is carried out on their PDI (Pre delivery inspection) and there is no additional cost to me.
    My next question was "Do you have your own laser alignment, if not who did laser alignment?"
    They don't have their own laser alignment equipment but they said a company called Apex based in Peterborough carried out the laser alignment of my F3 and there was no negative problems to report.
    The final part of my homework was to ring Apex and confirm they did a laser alignment on my F3 and to find out about associated costs of having laser alignment done if needed in the future.
    Apex confirmed they did laser alignment for my F3. If camber and tracking needs doing in the future it will cost £40.00 (that's cheap) and if only the tracking needs doing it will cost £20.00.
    If nothing needs doing, they won't touch it.
    My homework is now completed and answers in my head have been answered.
    Finally I would just like to thank you again Cognac for a thread that has answered my question on laser alignment
    2019 F3-S Special Series , Liquid Titanium with orange frame

  21. #21
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    Caster and camber are fixed, no adjustment, on the Spyder front ends. The only adjustment is toe-in/out.

    The belt position on the pulleys is quite sensitive to adjustment. I would make sure the belt is properly adjusted for the first alignment. As long as the same belt remains aligned, the wheel alignment shouldn't be impacted, even if the rear tire has been changed.

    One of the things that affects toe-in is the ride-level of the suspension. According to Mike Loescher, the relationship of the suspension components allows for variable toe-in/out as the suspension ranges through its motion limits. If I remember correctly, compressing the front suspension drives more toe-out into the system. A 50th percentile male ryder will have a different compressed dimension than no weight or a two-up 75th percentile ryder pair. I suspect the wheel alignment folks take that into consideration when setting the alignment.

    Wayne
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    Thanks Gray now I know.

  23. #23
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    Default no extras

    I now have 2500 miles on my 2012 RT-S(bought it new in Nov 2014), the last 900 miles were hard ones in the mountains of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It took me a little while to adapt to the Y setup, but I now find I can keep up with my friends on two wheels, even in the twisties in the mountains. However, it is critical to keep the RPMs up in the 5-7k range which really hits the mileage. But I digress.........I have felt no need to do an alignment or add aftermarket sway bars or other "extras". I did have my dealer install the intake vents that were part of the 13 recall on BRPs dime which has helped with heat issues, but aside from that I haven't done a thing. I know folks like to fine tune their Spyders to fit their personal taste and personality but I wanted to provide my perspective to potential new owners that the Spyder is good right off the showroom floor and they shouldn't worry about having to spend any money to enjoy the ryde, I would rather spend my money on gas and hotel rooms!
    Last edited by desertryder; 10-16-2015 at 12:03 AM.

  24. #24
    Registered Users Gray Ghost's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by desertryder View Post
    ...that the Spyder is good right off the showroom floor and they shouldn't worry about having to spend any money to enjoy the ryde, I would rather spend my money on gas and hotel rooms!
    Have you checked to ensure that your Spyder tracks straight without rider input? In other words, can you lift your hands slightly off the handlebars on a straight no crown road and have it continue without pulling to either side? The great majority of Spyders will not do that right out of the box. Some dealers are doing laser alignments as part of the dealer set-up. Yours may have been one of them.


    Clifford Fargason
    2013 Spyder RTL
    2007 Royal Star Venture

  25. #25
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    Default track

    Quote Originally Posted by Gray Ghost View Post
    Have you checked to ensure that your Spyder tracks straight without rider input? In other words, can you lift your hands slightly off the handlebars on a straight no crown road and have it continue without pulling to either side? The great majority of Spyders will not do that right out of the box. Some dealers are doing laser alignments as part of the dealer set-up. Yours may have been one of them.
    Dealer did not do an alignment and it does track perfectly straight, no abnormal tire wear evident either. Aside from the poor mileage, especially when ridden hard I have been very happy with the RT-S.

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