Laser Alignment Question

[Old Prof]

I read an overwhelming number of owners singing the praises of getting a laser alignment. I have no experience with them other than what I read here. I know how often cars need re-alignments done. How often do Spyders need realigned? We certainly hit potholes and other things causing some degree of front end "trauma". Just wondering. Thanks once again for the wisdom and shared experiences of all the 3-wheeled veterans here.

[DriftersWay]

When I had my 2012 RT I had it laser aligned it made a big difference in handling.
Just before I traded it in I had it checked and it was still perfect. And I ryde like
there is no tomorrow. That was with about 6,000 happy miles.

Butch

[PistonBlown]

Had mine done about 2 years ago and though it only needed minor adjustment at the time I was surprised what an improvement it made.

Recently I'd felt it wasn't quite right and when I checked found one of the tires was beginning to wear on the outside edge. Had it re-aligned today and the toe in was out on that one wheel, other wheel was fine.

That's after 2 years use and we have some very uneven/potholed roads here following the earthquakes.

I'm not sure how much it costs to do in the US but here it's only NZ$30 (US$20 at current exchange rates) so to be honest I should just get it checked each year anyway.

[quasi]

i bought my 2012 RTS from a Harley dealer here in Morgantown. the bike had been purchased new at the Spyder dealer in Uniontown pa. it always felt like the bike was fighting a crosswind of sorts. then I rode it down to Mineral Wells WV and had the shop there do a laser alignment. Made a big difference. now it tracks nice and straight with no darting back and forth. only put about 500 miles on it since the alignment. our roads around here are rough to say the least. far as I know the alignment has not been knocked out of whack. moving to Summerville SC tomorrow and when I get it out next week I will know.

[Grandpot]

Spyders, like cars need alignments for two main reasons, trauma from hitting something and normal component wear. The reason you hear about some many owners having laser alignments done is the alignments from the factory or dealer were incorrect in the first place.

[DrewNJ]

I don't buy into doing an alignment due to "wear" in components. If you have worn components its time to do some repairs/replacement to those components. IMHO if an alignment is right from the start, the only reason to change it is due to damage.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Bob Denman]

Spyders are also quite a bit lighter than cars... Any impacts with highway debris should result in less "damage" to the alignments...
Oh! The only thing that'll fix an issue with worn components: New Ones!

[DrewNJ]

To add, there are more alignment shops that will cause more issues mucking with the alignment, so be careful.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Grandpot]

Gentlemen:

Let me clarify what I meant by needing an alignment due to worn components. If you have worn parts, you need to replace them and then have an alignment. Just replacing the worn parts with new parts may not bring the alignment back into specs. Doing and alignment with worn parts still in place will not fix anything.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

As to the benefits you've gotten plenty of comments. As to how often there is no way to say. I had my 2013 RT aligned my Joe and Anne in May 2014 here in Idaho. Then after something like 10,000 miles in May 2015 at Spyderfest I had them check it again. It needed some adjustment. Don't know why, other than it may have been because the power steering unit had to be replaced in the fall of 2014. The handlebars were not dead square with forward travel after the DPS change. I don't think the steering linkage had to be disassembled other than maybe being dropped loose off the DPS.

Have it done, but do not expect it to be permanent.

[Chupaca]

Had it done shortly after they came out with it. If done with a well aligned rear tire it will make a big difference. I have since had it done with each tire change be it front or rear tires. It has not been out but I have it checked once a year and we ryde all year long.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I had a Lazer alignment done, then had it checked about 10,000 miles later.....no change ...........Mike

[STELLING MAN]

I had my 2013 rts aligned by Lamonster last year at Spyderfest, It did make a big difference..

[ARtraveler]

do not come aligned well from the factory.

A laser alignment will do your well. The only caveat is to determine that the alignment person knows what they are doing. Thank you Joe & Ann from Squared Away.

[Old Prof]

Sounds like the laser alignment is a good move. What did y'all find you had to pay for it?!!!

Thanks for the info!!!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Sounds like the laser alignment is a good move. What did y'all find you had to pay for it?!!!

Thanks for the info!!!

.....It varies, but I think the INDEPENDENTS charge less...( dealers use shop hours ).....and if you can get it done at a large event it may be cheaper......from what I've heard if it's within specs they may not charge you......At Spyderfest 2015 mine was free.......Mike

[JayBros]

Sounds like the laser alignment is a good move. What did y'all find you had to pay for it?!!!

Thanks for the info!!!

$125 is a ballpark number, give or take.