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  1. #1
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    Default 1st Post by new Ryker Owner - Alignment Issues

    Picked up my Ryker 600 on Weds, 01 May. I had ordered it two weeks previously after going back and forth between the 600 and the 900, but ultimately went with the 600 as I don't really plan on doing any extended interstate highway riding. Previous motorcycles I have owned were two Sportsters and a Vrod, and I've been riding for about 15 years. No accessories were installed at time of purchase and I only weight about 165. As I left the dealership with 1 mile on the odometer (obviously no make ready test drive) and hopped on the IH35 North access road, when I hit approximately 54mph the Ryker started to shutter side to side several times. I immediately backed off on the throttle and the shuttering stopped. Only dropping a couple mph stopped the shuttering. I had my GoPro on and I can see the shutter as it happens. I continued home about 20 miles testing this issue and was able to replicate this shutter on a variety of road surfaces and regardless of where I positioned the bike in my lane. Tire pressure on all 3 tires was perfect at 20lbs in the front tires and 28lbs in the rear. Over next two days I ran the mileage up to around 50 miles on the bike, ever conscience of the 54-55mph barrier. On Friday, 03 May I called the dealer and spoke with a Service Consultant. I explained the issue and he said he needed to consult with the service department. He called me back about 30mins later and said he was sending a flatbed today for the Ryker. I also sent him the mp4 of the issue when it happened. The next day they called back to tell me they watched the video but were reluctant to let anyone test drive the Ryker to confirm it had issues. Also stated they had never had a problem like this on any other Rykers. Because they don't currently have the tools for doing a precise alignment on a 3-wheeler they are overnighting the necessary laser alignment fixtures and will perform a laser alignment on my Ryker. Laser alignment and tire balance completed so I picked up my Ryker yesterday 09may. They test drove the Ryker about 9 miles after alignment. Ryker tracks much better, no shutter, but still a little skittish. Could just be the nature of the beast and differing road surfaces. Before going back to dealer I had measured tie rods and they were both 13 -5/8" long. Clearance between left tie rod lock nut and steering knuckle was 0.440" and right side was 0.515". After laser alignment left clearance was 0.250" and right side was 0.770". There is now almost no adjustment remaining on the left side and I have no idea how much remains on the right side because I don't know how long the threaded portion of the knuckle is. When I picked up my Ryker after align I noticed a 900 Ryker in the shop. I asked about it and they stated yep it was in for the same problem mine had, so now two new Rykers with alignment issues in less than a week, when they had never had any before.

  2. #2
    Very Active Member dpetrick's Avatar
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    Welcome to SpyderLovers. Enjoy the Ryker. When I first got my Spyder, I thought it was skittish, but after putting some miles on I got used to the handling. Hopefully that is the case for you. Have fun.
    David Petrick
    Certified Professional Photographer
    2020 Limited Dark , Magma Red Black

  3. #3
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    & …… Since the beginning of Spyders … BRP has a terrible track record for selling Spyders that aren't really properly aligned …. it appears from comments here that a few are good ( my 2011 RSS was one ) and some are Bad ( my 08 GS was one ) …. however with the advent of LAZER alignment that is easily cured, and unless you hit something very HARD it should stay that way...…. Mike

  4. #4
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    and What is said above covers the alignment situation.

    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

  5. #5
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    Back again as a follow up to my original post. As I noted in original post shutter is gone after my laser alignment but the Ryker was still twitchy. I found that driving it was not enjoyable at all as I was spending all my time concentrating on keeping the Ryker tracking straight in my lane. I purchased the BRP Ryker Shop Manual and it gave me specs for toe in after laser alignment. Those specs for toe in for the 600 and 900 Ryker(not the Rally) are -5mm +/- 15mm. On measuring toe in on my Ryker I found toe in to be -7mm which is well within spec. I increased toe in to -12mm by rotating 1/2 turn the left tie rod CCW as viewed from center line of Ryker. I did not touch the right tie rod as it is aligned with the rear tire during laser alignment. -12mm is still in spec and it made all the difference in the world. The Ryker is now a dream to ride and now tracks straight without my having to concentrate on keeping it straight. I am now a happy camper with 144 miles on it now. I don't know if -12mm toe in will work with every Ryker 600 or 900 and I doubt that it will, but at least I know toe in is critical if after laser alignment a Ryker still doesn't track straight. Being ever safety conscience I would recommend having your dealer perform toe in adjustments if you think they are off.

  6. #6
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    Terribly sorry for your issues.

    I would have returned it and started discussion of Return of Funding at 1 mile mark, but that's me.

    I own a Rally. I have 2K miles on it now. It drives straight as an arrow, even with a hard sustained/gusts of midwest wind.

    Any way you can get it to a pro alignment specialist that has experience with Spyders?

  7. #7
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    Unless you are riding in ideal conditions (aka a brand new road surface), unfortunately the Ryker is a rough ride. I've learned to accept this basic truism.

  8. #8
    SpyderLovers Sponsor cptjam's Avatar
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    I rode two today, a Ryker and a Rally, both 900 cc. Twitchy. A good laser alignment will fix that! Joe
    Joe Meyer



    Dealer for the Outlaw/ROLO laser Alignment system

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