Wobble, wobble, wobble

[Habib]

The title sort of describes how riding my Spyder RS feels. On almost any road I get sort of tossed side to side. Not violently but it sometimes it does take a bit of correction to keep from being tossed into another lane or off to the side. The dealer will be installing three new tires and a laser alignment in a week but I'm curious if this is a Spyder 'thing' or correctable. Yes, I have researched the Baja Ron sway bars but want to make sure if there might not be something else happening before tossing money into the well.

[Bob Denman]

How long have you owned the bike, and how long has it been doing this?

[mxz600]

What year is the Spyder? Back in the day there were a lot of DPS issues with recalls. Maybe all the updates have not been done on your bike. That is of course if it's used.

[Bob Denman]

(His signature line says that it's a 2010 RS...)

[ARtraveler]

If it just started--you got a problem.

It could be DPS issues or something as simple as misaligned. The tires, laser alignment, and sway bar should solve your problems.

No--it is not a thing. I would not have bought five if that were the case.

[happyspyder2039]

The title sort of describes how riding my Spyder RS feels. On almost any road I get sort of tossed side to side. Not violently but it sometimes it does take a bit of correction to keep from being tossed into another lane or off to the side. The dealer will be installing three new tires and a laser alignment in a week but I'm curious if this is a Spyder 'thing' or correctable. Yes, I have researched the Baja Ron sway bars but want to make sure if there might not be something else happening before tossing money into the well.

the correct tire pressures are the key to these things.

[mxz600]

(His signature line says that it's a 2010 RS...)

Didn't even read that. Duh!

[Bob Denman]

It's all good... I miss more than my own fair share also!

[JerryB]

Hi Habib,

Re: Wobble, wobble, wobble

You also might consider shock relocators. I'm told that they help this type of thing.

Just a thought,

Jerry Baumchen

[Habib]

It was purchased from the second owner. Seems to have been well cared for but the rear tire is almost bald down the center and the fronts are evenly worn out in the inside. There is the reason for the new tires and alignment. Tires are OEM and probably original, just went over 18k and I rode 1000 of them. Wobble has been there since the first test ride.
PO said he put on a new belt (it is new) and said he did the alignment and it was easy. That's also why the laser alignment will be done by the dealer. Speaking of dealers has anyone got any first hand knowledge of Lifestyles in Mt. Vernon WA? They seem ok to me with the few dealings I've had but this will be the first time in the service dept.

next is a complete tune-up and it's time for a valve adjust, any idea what the average costs for that sort of thing are? Being a new to Spyders I'll have many questions. I can say that I'm trying to talk the wife into riding on back and moving to a warmer climate. I am a Spyder lover.

[SteveP]

I think with the tires the way you describe the wear patterns , there is a good chance the "PO" was a bit off when he said " it was easy" and the alignment is lacking . The bald tires certainly won't help either . I think you will notice a big difference with 3 new ones and an alignment . My 2008 GS doesn't have the sway bar upgrade but it runs straight as an arrow and tracks well in corners too

[PistonBlown]

The Spyders are very sensitive to things being wrong at the front end and you'll feel any issues. So like others have mentioned the alignment and new tires you've already booked in should be the answer. Also if the front isn't aligned properly then it quickly shows up in the tire wear and it sounds like you've seen exactly that. When the dealers doing the tires get them to check the swaybar fittings etc. just in case somethings damaged or broken.

I've found on mine even a small difference in pressures between the two tires can make a big difference, as does even a minor misalignment of the wheels. Put one of my wheels out of alignment on a weekend ride on some bad roadworks. I could feel it right away and the uneven tire wear was noticeable by the end of the weekend. It wasn't out by much but certainly made a difference.

One minor thing to check after it's back - are the front shocks on their hardest setting? I did find with mine on the uneven roads we've got now (post earthquake:-)) that the hardest suspension setting made the front 'jittery'. So if they are it may be worth dropping down a notch (obviously make sure you have the wheel jacked off the ground when you do:-)). As mentioned the feeling is more jittery that a wobble but worth checking.

The common mistake we all make when we start riding Spyders is gripping the bars too tight which makes it wobble but you will have already stopped doing that with the mileage you've done already so we can rule that one out.

Bajaron's Swaybar is a fantastic bit of kit and I do strongly recommend fitting it but your Spyder should be stable without it. The swaybar upgrade is more about improving the handling around corners - the stock swaybar should be able to handle straight lines:-)

Also just to mention the stock Kenda rear tires always wear in the middle just as you said yours have - you can play with tire pressures but it makes no difference:-)

[Habib]

Thanks all for the good info.

[Bob Denman]

I guess that I'm assuming that you're a relatively new Spyder rider.
Are you keeping a "soft grip" on the bars?
If you go to a "white knuckle Death-Grip": that will certainly make the bike feel twitchy.

[Habib]

I guess that I'm assuming that you're a relatively new Spyder rider.
Are you keeping a "soft grip" on the bars?
If you go to a "white knuckle Death-Grip": that will certainly make the bike feel twitchy.

New to the Spyder but not bikes. Only time I grab it is when the wobble is bad. It jerks to one side or ta-udder really bad. I'm actually getting used to it 😮