BajaRon Swaybar for 2015 RT limited

[wilde1]

How many of you have installed the BR Swaybar on your 2015 RT? Dealers don't seem so excited about it but most riders do say it improves corners? Opinions appreciated

[OverHillAndDale]

I have a 2014 with the same engine, suspension and steering as your bike. I installed the sway bar and I wouldn't call the change dramatic. I THINK I can feel that I'm cornering a bit flatter, but I also know I'm looking for it to feel that way and I may be playing headgames with myself. However, a friend with a 2014 who test rode my bike said my bike felt less "squishy" than his. I rode his bike and honestly didn't notice the difference.

I'm glad I did it so that I won't wonder if I should have, but if you're debating between the sway bar and another farkle you might put this one later down the list.

Also understand - I'm in a very sparse minority with that opinion.

[Cruzr Joe]

I installed it on my 2015 RT along with the Helm Links and it is a big improvement. (helm links come with the bar and they are metal as opposed to the plastic that BRP supplies)

Cruzr Joe

[MikeT]

I believed the BRP propaganda, and lived with the stock swaybar and plastic links for a year. At this year's Spyderfest, I made the plunge and had the Baja Ron swaybar and links installed. Can't believe the difference in the handling. The front end seems more "planted". The only downside is than nanny occasionally intervenes.

[LJspydee]

I installed BajaRon's swaybar on both my 2012 and 2015 RTs. Makes a world of difference in the handling in the corners. Also installed one for a friend.

[Fatcycledaddy]

Installed it on my 2015 and love it!!! Well worth the money.
I noticed a lot less lean when riding fully loaded two up, and no lean at all when riding solo.

It makes cornering FUN and does not affect the ride.

[MOSESS]

After reading about this improvement from the members on the forum, I did it and it does help. Now take a step back, the rt was very nervous in corners. also if the road was a bumpy corner the rt would move out of the chosen line and that was a scary at times. So with the bar in place its a lot better in the turns and also after putting some miles on it and learning how to ride this style of bike helps...

[wilde1]

After reading about this improvement from the members on the forum, I did it and it does help. Now take a step back, the rt was very nervous in corners. also if the road was a bumpy corner the rt would move out of the chosen line and that was a scary at times. So with the bar in place its a lot better in the turns and also after putting some miles on it and learning how to ride this style of bike helps...

I was hoping that maybe miles on the bike would get me accustomed to the difference. But at 8000 miles this year I still feel "wobbly" when going around a tighter curve at a higher speed (not a speed demon! but 5-10 above posted)

[southjerseyrider]

I ride double, I'm 230 and wife is 140 plus loaded with luggage. When in a turn especially if decelerating or braking, it really would dive/lean to the outside wheel. My plan was to do the sway bar & links then shock upgrade. I did the BajaRon sway bar an links and noticed a significant improvement, it keeps the machine much flatter. I never did do the shock upgrade because I'm happy the way it is now. Good Luck

Ed

[Peteoz]

When in a turn especially if decelerating or braking, it really would dive/lean to the outside wheel.
Ed

Hey Ed, everyone has to ride the way they feel most comfortable, but after seeing several Spyder reviews from very experienced riders saying "make sure you do your braking before the corner and accelerate out......Nanny will help take care of the exit", I made sure I was doing that and I found the F3 was much smoother through the corners......and then Ron's sway bar improved it even further for me .

p.s. at 320lbs I'm riding 2 up even when I'm alone

Pete

[Boilermaker]

I have a 2014 with the same engine, suspension and steering as your bike. I installed the sway bar and I wouldn't call the change dramatic. I THINK I can feel that I'm cornering a bit flatter, but I also know I'm looking for it to feel that way and I may be playing headgames with myself. However, a friend with a 2014 who test rode my bike said my bike felt less "squishy" than his. I rode his bike and honestly didn't notice the difference.

I'm glad I did it so that I won't wonder if I should have, but if you're debating between the sway bar and another farkle you might put this one later down the list.

Also understand - I'm in a very sparse minority with that opinion.

Not a huge difference, but helped some with two up and when getting passed by large trucks in the opposite direction, you don't get that gust.

[rwebb98]

How many of you have installed the BR Swaybar on your 2015 RT? Dealers don't seem so excited about it but most riders do say it improves corners? Opinions appreciated

I installed it on my 2015 RT and all I have to say is run not walk to buy one. Makes the ride a lot better.

[DC1]

I am a big guy (about 270 lbs) and despite all of OUR best efforts, my lovely wife has gained her weight back since her gastric surgery and now weighs about the same unfortunately...Now, WE are not giving up on her getting that weight back off and WE will always keep trying.....But while riding the Ozarks it has created a new effect and an unnerving one...The new symptom is when we hit the brakes it wants to dive BAD, left or right with ever the SLIGHTEST point in that direction, sometime even resulting in a rather scary oscillation back and forth....PLEASE tell me that Baja Ron bar will fix a MAJOR portion of that....I actually found pulling a trailer LESSENED the effect -VS- just 2-up riding.....Doesn't matter if in a curve or a straight line, it does it and we just have to HANG ON till we get it stopped.....Any advice on making the Spuder stop this is welcome...Just please play nice... :-)

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

I have a 2015 RTS SM6 and have not found a need for the sway bar as of yet. When I am riding the twisties, I generally take the turns at 20 to 25 mph above the Speed limit. I have found that if I go from the outside of the lane to the inside, downshift at the apex of the turn, and get back on the throttle, I don't have too much of a problem. I am also leaning my entire body to the inside the whole time. I have found that this technique can get me through the turns pretty good. Now two up is another matter. When Pebbles is riding with me on a twisty road, I go about 5 over the limit. If she rode more I might get the sway bar due to the extra weight on the back, but I seem to do fine without it right now.

[BenSan*]

IT WORKS!!!!!

[BajaRon]

I am a big guy (about 270 lbs) and despite all of OUR best efforts, my lovely wife has gained her weight back since her gastric surgery and now weighs about the same unfortunately...Now, WE are not giving up on her getting that weight back off and WE will always keep trying.....But while riding the Ozarks it has created a new effect and an unnerving one...The new symptom is when we hit the brakes it wants to dive BAD, left or right with ever the SLIGHTEST point in that direction, sometime even resulting in a rather scary oscillation back and forth....PLEASE tell me that Baja Ron bar will fix a MAJOR portion of that....I actually found pulling a trailer LESSENED the effect -VS- just 2-up riding.....Doesn't matter if in a curve or a straight line, it does it and we just have to HANG ON till we get it stopped.....Any advice on making the Spuder stop this is welcome...Just please play nice... :-)

The sway bar will help a great deal. But the lack of front shock spring adjust-ability is also contributing to the 'Dive' effect. You need to be able to increase the load carrying capability of the front springs to compensate for the additional weight that your Spyder is dealing with. There are several ways to accomplish this. When the sway bar, shocks and shock springs are working in harmony, the Spyder becomes a completely different machine and is much better able to handle whatever you throw at it.

[DC1]

The sway bar will help a great deal. But the lack of front shock spring adjust-ability is also contributing to the 'Dive' effect. You need to be able to increase the load carrying capability of the front springs to compensate for the additional weight that your Spyder is dealing with. There are several ways to accomplish this. When the sway bar, shocks and shock springs are working in harmony, the Spyder becomes a completely different machine and is much better able to handle whatever you throw at it.

Thanks for the response! She is having major neck multi level fusion surgery on the 20th and after her physical and our financial (LOL!) recovery we will definitely be giving you a shout for the swaybar and links and suggestions on preload shocks, I will be researching them here in the meanwhile and you can let me know if I am on the right page!....Thanks again!!!!

[BajaRon]

Thanks for the response! She is having major neck multi level fusion surgery on the 20th and after her physical and our financial (LOL!) recovery we will definitely be giving you a shout for the swaybar and links and suggestions on preload shocks, I will be researching them here in the meanwhile and you can let me know if I am on the right page!....Thanks again!!!!

I am sorry to hear about the neck issue. If I can help let me know.

[TnT]

We have a 2015 RTS-SE6. We put about 2,000 miles on the stock suspension. Found it to be very soft and often in corners the bike would "hula" with the suspension oscillating. We are normally doubled up and loaded down. After installing both of the BajaRon spring adjusters and sway bar with upgraded joints, the bike it s whole new beast. Instead of tip toeing around on/off ramps trying not to get run over by traffic behind - we now can very comfortably outrun traffic in those same corners. The upgrades for us made a huge difference - improving not only the handling but the safety for both of us.

[robmorg]

I can personally attest to what Ron said about the sway bar and springs "working in harmony" to really improve the ride. I'm a big guy too and I knew right away that I needed the beefier sway bar. And it made a significant difference in the turns. You don't have to lean your body nearly so much to take a turn at the same speed as you did before. But last year when Ron introduced his shock adjustors I installed those as well. Had to turn them up 4.5 turns to find that "sweet spot". But man what a positive difference on the entire ride now - turns and straightaways are much more smooth. I would definately recommend both for your situation.

Of course you could also upgrade your shocks to better ones that have preloads. Take a look at the Elka link on the forum home page for various options. I was going to get a set of Elka's but decided to try Ron's spring adjusters first, because they were very well made and MUCH MUCH less expensive than new shocks. For me, they worked great and I didn't need to upgrade the shocks. Your considerations may be different. My suggestion... when you call Ron to order the sway bar, have a conversation with him about suggestions regarding how to match shocks to your needs. He knows the Spyder suspension system well and he will be totally honest with you.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

How many of you have installed the BR Swaybar on your 2015 RT? Dealers don't seem so excited about it but most riders do say it improves corners? Opinions appreciated

I installed the sway bar on my 2013 RT and the sway bar and Ron's shock spring adjusters on my 2014 RTS. Quite often on curves my nerves cause me to slow down before Nanny gets a chance to kick in! On my 2013 with just the sway bar I often had Nanny slow me down on curves. So yes, the sway bar and shock adjusters together make a big difference in cornering stability.

[DC1]

We have a 2015 RTS-SE6. We put about 2,00 miles on the stock suspension. Found it to be very soft and often in corners the bike would "hula" with the suspension oscillating. We are normally doubled up and loaded down. After installing both of the BajaRon spring adjusters and sway bar with upgraded joints, the bike it s whole new beast. Instead of tip toeing around on/off ramps trying not to get run over by traffic behind - we now can very comfortably outrun traffic in those same corners. The upgrades for us made a huge difference - improving not only the handling but the safety for both of us.

"Hula", great description! And very accurate! Thanks y'all for the info!

[Jetfixer]

The sway bar is a must. I have a 15 RTL and it makes all the difference in the world. Also, as for the diving, in addition to what was mentioned above, also check to make sure that the passenger sensing switch wiring is connected.

[DC1]

The sway bar is a must. I have a 15 RTL and it makes all the difference in the world. Also, as for the diving, in addition to what was mentioned above, also check to make sure that the passenger sensing switch wiring is connected.

mine is a STD basic RT...doesn't have those....Just a place under the seat to air up the rear shock with a air nozzle.....I am running the taller rear tire (Altimax) and just went from )65 lbs down to about 50 lbs to put low beams back where they belongs....feels about right 2-up....but suspension is non adjustable while riding....no need for that sensor...

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

mine is a STD basic RT...doesn't have those....Just a place under the seat to air up the rear shock with a air nozzle.....I am running the taller rear tire (Altimax) and just went from )65 lbs down to about 50 lbs to put low beams back where they belongs....feels about right 2-up....but suspension is non adjustable while riding....no need for that sensor...

The Pillion Rider Switch, PRS, is input into the VSS to make adjustments for stability control. Your RT has it. The automatic air suspension is controlled by a different sensor that has an actuator arm on it. You're correct. Your RT does not have it.

Pillion switch function.JPG