Question for the seasoned one-up road warriors. Sway Bars

[JBMGDM]

Hi Folks! I'm sure this question has been asked numerous time, but please humor this relative newbie.

I'm looking to the future in taking longer rides. My aim is to have better control in high winds and maneuvering around semi's on interstates riding one-up (as opposed to tearing through twisties).

Is it worth the investment in a beefier sway bar (BajaRon more than likely)? Or, since I'll be riding solo, is the stock sway bar sufficient?

[Peter Aawen]

Hi Folks! I'm sure this question has been asked numerous time, but please humor this relative newbie.

I'm looking to the future in taking longer rides. My aim is to have better control in high winds and maneuvering around semi's on interstates riding one-up (as opposed to tearing through twisties).

Is it worth the investment in a beefier sway bar (BajaRon more than likely)? Or, since I'll be riding solo, is the stock sway bar sufficient?

Given the criteria above, YES!

That said, the stock sway bar may well be 'sufficient', but if better control in the stated circumstances is your aim, then an upgraded sway bar will provide a significant improvement over just 'sufficient', and IMHO, that improvement in control & therefore safety, rider confidence, & comfort would be worth it at twice the price! There again, your milage may vary.... . But you did ask...

[YPILOT]

For interstate driving the sway bar upgrade will definitely help especially around semi’s.
Also switching to good car tires will provide additional stability.

[RayBJ]

The beefier sway bar helps with cornering, wind gusts, and semis. Shocks will improve ride on irregular surfaces (bumps). Tires will improve ride, traction, and longevity.

[canamjhb]

The stock sway bar should be replaced regardless of load and riding conditions. Upgrading will improve your handling in many ways...... Jim

[fatboy]

absolutely

[JBMGDM]

Given the criteria above, YES!

That said, the stock sway bar may well be 'sufficient', but if better control in the stated circumstances is your aim, then an upgraded sway bar will provide a significant improvement over just 'sufficient', and IMHO, that improvement in control & therefore safety, rider confidence, & comfort would be worth it at twice the price! There again, your milage may vary.... . But you did ask...

You've conveyed the magic words - improvement in control & therefore safety, rider confidence, & comfort. Thanks Peter!

[troop]

Yes !!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Given the criteria above, YES!

That said, the stock sway bar may well be 'sufficient', but if better control in the stated circumstances is your aim, then an upgraded sway bar will provide a significant improvement over just 'sufficient', and IMHO, that improvement in control & therefore safety, rider confidence, & comfort would be worth it at twice the price! There again, your milage may vary.... . But you did ask...

with Peter, but I still don't have one .... My experience has been different though .... I designed and made a Bracket that changed the ANGLE of the Front shocks (a lot more up-right ) It appears the OEM shocks now work better..... So I never got the SWAY-BAR ...... I know it works, get one ...... Mike .......PS if your curious about what ,my Brackets look like , I have pics with explanations in my Albums ....." shock re-locators 2013+ & F-3

[Bfromla]

All plenty of positives above FYI still oem @ 70+k miles all laid back & casual, can’t say have had any difficulty around trucks , maybe just not as bothered each their own with that said - additional lighting a definite plus for just being seen on those solo interstate stretches. Enjoy

[bigbadbrucie]

Hi Folks! I'm sure this question has been asked numerous time, but please humor this relative newbie.

I'm looking to the future in taking longer rides. My aim is to have better control in high winds and maneuvering around semi's on interstates riding one-up (as opposed to tearing through twisties).

Is it worth the investment in a beefier sway bar (BajaRon more than likely)? Or, since I'll be riding solo, is the stock sway bar sufficient?

I went for 6+ years without changing my swaybar (all solo riding). This year I bit the bullet and got the BajaRon bar but due to the cool/cold weather limited my trips to local only....no highway riding whatsoever. This past weekend I did a quick trip up to another town, riding at highway speeds (110 kph to 120 kph) and couldn’t believe the difference in my ride. My RTS is now firmly planted on the highway. It feels far more secure. I’m running Vredesteins on the front and Altimax 43 on the rear. The combination of those tires AND the BAJA RON SWAYBAR gave me a brand new ride. jmho wthdik

[CloverHillCrawler]

Another vote up for the BajaRon sway bar here. Definitely made a noticeable difference.

[RICZ]

I don't confuse investment with spending, but adding a swaybar, IMO, was definately an investment in control, handling, comfort and increased yee haw.
If you are still on Kenda tires, ditch them and get real car tires - another real investment that's even more effectiver.

[Deanna777]

Hi Folks! I'm sure this question has been asked numerous time, but please humor this relative newbie.

I'm looking to the future in taking longer rides. My aim is to have better control in high winds and maneuvering around semi's on interstates riding one-up (as opposed to tearing through twisties).

Is it worth the investment in a beefier sway bar (BajaRon more than likely)? Or, since I'll be riding solo, is the stock sway bar sufficient?

Yes, it well worth having a sway bar.

I am a solo rider myself, I have noticed a difference when I am maneuvering on the interstate,and on my local roads. The spyder handles much better and sticks to the road better.

Deanna

[Haze]

The beefier sway bar helps with cornering, wind gusts, and semis. Shocks will improve ride on irregular surfaces (bumps). Tires will improve ride, traction, and longevity.

Well said. I ride solo and alot on the highway. Baja Ron sway bar was one of the first additions to my bike.
Tires will be my next investment.

[Piratezz]

GET THE SWAYBAR, it will make for a better handling byke, and get a decent brand tyre, they also make a huge difference, do one upgrade at a time, so you'll notice the benefits...

[WilcoJunoHotel]

On my 2020RT it was a big improvement: Straight line stability was greatly improved (I can one hand it on the interstate at 80 mph) and the Spyder was a lot less jittery in the twisties. Worth every penny spent.

[JBMGDM]

I have the lighting situation under control. Those were my first mods.

[tofriendscreek]

With all due respect to posters and products, I’m going to say, if you have the inclination and the money, upgrade whatever you wish. I’ve had 3 Spyders in my life so far. I’ve used car tires, sway bars, different shocks, etc.. On those Spyders, I’ve traveled all over the country, all kinds of terrain, in all types of weather, at all times of the year and racked up 158K miles, collectively. The only upgrade I ever was able to concretely say I noticed any difference having installed was putting Elka shocks on the front. I get better miles out of Kenda’s than any car tire I’ve ever tried. I can handle being buffeted by strong winds or the draft of semis without any questions of safety. Just my opinion.

[RayBJ]

With all due respect to posters and products, I’m going to say, if you have the inclination and the money, upgrade whatever you wish. I’ve had 3 Spyders in my life so far. I’ve used car tires, sway bars, different shocks, etc.. On those Spyders, I’ve traveled all over the country, all kinds of terrain, in all types of weather, at all times of the year and racked up 158K miles, collectively. The only upgrade I ever was able to concretely say I noticed any difference having installed was putting Elka shocks on the front. I get better miles out of Kenda’s than any car tire I’ve ever tried. I can handle being buffeted by strong winds or the draft of semis without any questions of safety. Just my opinion.

The key point that needs to be understood is the type of rider driving the machine. Casual riders may not notice the limitations of the OEM equipment. Those that push their machines hard discover the weakness in the stock suspensions and upgrade to create a safer and more enjoyable experience.

[spyderdave]

In my (limited to 8K miles on a 2020 RTL) opinion, get BajaRon's swaybar. I won't go as far as to say it will resolve issues passing a semi at interstate speed, but I found it stabilized my RTL in corners & curves, specifically curves that tighten or are unevenly surfaced. This opinion would be "seconded" by my wife, who commented on how much "correction" I was doing IN a curve (pre-BajaRon swaybar). Now my RTL gets a "set" and requires little, or no, correction; I consider it money well spent.

I would be quick to add that BlueKnight911 probably has a handle on the true "root of the problem"; the angle of the coil-overs on these machines. I just don't have the education in suspension geometry, or experience in fabrication, necessary to compensate for the factory set-up..., so I bought a swaybar.

Also..., remember that tire pressure is very important. Radial tires tend to move horizontally, or "roll over", because they have flexible sidewalls intended to afford you a softer ride. The lower the pressure, and the taller the sidewall, the more they will do this. If your running car tires, at a lower pressure than manufacturer specs, this has to affect your steering/handling; to what degree, I don't know. I put 16" wheels & tires on mine & am happy with that decision.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

In my (limited to 8K miles on a 2020 RTL) opinion, get BajaRon's swaybar. I won't go as far as to say it will resolve issues passing a semi at interstate speed, but I found it stabilized my RTL in corners & curves, specifically curves that tighten or are unevenly surfaced. This opinion would be "seconded" by my wife, who commented on how much "correction" I was doing IN a curve (pre-BajaRon swaybar). Now my RTL gets a "set" and requires little, or no, correction; I consider it money well spent.

I would be quick to add that BlueKnight911 probably has a handle on the true "root of the problem"; the angle of the coil-overs on these machines. I just don't have the education in suspension geometry, or experience in fabrication, necessary to compensate for the factory set-up..., so I bought a swaybar.

Also..., remember that tire pressure is very important. Radial tires tend to move horizontally, or "roll over", because they have flexible sidewalls intended to afford you a softer ride. The lower the pressure, and the taller the sidewall, the more they will do this. If your running car tires, at a lower pressure than manufacturer specs, this has to affect your steering/handling; to what degree, I don't know. I put 16" wheels & tires on mine & am happy with that decision.

Thanks for the compliment, .... The reason " radial tires " provide better Traction when turning, is because the sidewalls " flex " more .... I've watched ( proprietary ) video's of various types of tires in action while the veh. is turning.... Radial tires will have a larger " footprint " ie. tread on the road surface, than tires with different types of cores..... The KEY reason auto tires work on lightweight Spyders is the inflation pressures MUST be lower than what would normally be used for a Car ..... Mike

[pegasus1300]

Hi Folks! I'm sure this question has been asked numerous time, but please humor this relative newbie.

I'm looking to the future in taking longer rides. My aim is to have better control in high winds and maneuvering around semi's on interstates riding one-up (as opposed to tearing through twisties).

Is it worth the investment in a beefier sway bar (BajaRon more than likely)? Or, since I'll be riding solo, is the stock sway bar sufficient?

Since the investment compared to the cost of a Spyder is negligible, just go ahead and do it. I did ride mine for a year before putting it on but I also wanted to be sure I could tell a difference, I could. For all those reasons you said you wanted in your original post. I ride solo and at 70,000+ miles I wouldn't have my Spyder without a bar.

[bigbadbrucie]

. I ride solo and at 70,000+ miles I wouldn't have my Spyder without a bar.

Is that a “wet bar)?

[pegasus1300]

Is that a “wet bar)?

Aw Brucie You're a card........ a joker. Actually it is so dry here in the west it doesn't get wet very often.