New Spyders - Check That Aligment!!!

[FrogmanDave]

From the day I picked up my new 2022 RTL it pulled to the right. I tried everything I could to be sure I wasn't feeling crown in the road or anything like that. I called my dealer and they asked me about all of the obvious stuff that I had already tried. Mainly tire pressure which I had already checked several times and which they suggested 15psi front instead of the factory recommended 20psi. I adjusted the front tires down and the Spyder still didn't drive straight. It was definitely pulling to the right. So we set up an appointment to have them look at it along with a couple of other small things that weren't right from the factory. I finally got it into the shop yesterday. And in fact they were just finishing up aligning another brand new Ryker that was out of alignment from the factory.

They did a laser alignment and found it had 25mm toe 'in' on the left side and 30mm toe 'out' on the right side. It is still weird that they report it in mm's instead of degrees but I suppose that is a result of reading the targets out in front of the machine. Of course this is irrelevant to this topic. This is the obvious reason that it was pulling to the right. They got it straightened out and it drives much better now. I wouldn't say it is a night and day change but maybe dusk to dawn. It may not be 'Shawn Smoaks' different but I can definitely tell a difference. They told me most new Spyders are out of alignment and that they are supposed to be aligned at the factory. The factory is either not doing alignments or the person completing the task is incompetent. Neither of these scenarios seems likely to me but my Spyder was definitely wrong from the factory. I asked them why they (the dealer) didn't align all new Spyders and the obvious answer was because they wouldn't be paid for the work. It is not a part of the normal setup procedure. A customer must complain, then they can do the alignment and be reimbursed by BRP for the warranty work.

So my point is this, if my Spyder did not have toe 'out' toward the right on both sides, I may not have known about it. I also realize it would be difficult to know your Spyder wasn't handling correctly if you have never owned one before and know how they should handle. I know it would be difficult to insist on your new ride to be checked out under warranty but I would definitely be inquiring about it. I realize this is going to be difficult for you guys who live miles from your dealer or who purchased from out of state, etc. but there is a very good chance your Spyder is out of alignment when new from the factory. There are also dealers out there who don't have laser alignment equipment so I'm not sure how they check things out or adjust alignment issues. This is just a heads up as to what I encountered with my new Spyder. I feel somewhat relieved that I could 'feel' the problem, my dealer is close, and has the equipment to handle the problem. This problem should not occur on such an expensive machine but apparently does. Hopefully this helps some of you new (and possibly old) Spyder/Ryker owners out there.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

From the day I picked up my new 2022 RTL it pulled to the right. I tried everything I could to be sure I wasn't feeling crown in the road or anything like that. I called my dealer and they asked me about all of the obvious stuff that I had already tried. Mainly tire pressure which I had already checked several times and which they suggested 15psi front instead of the factory recommended 20psi. I adjusted the front tires down and the Spyder still didn't drive straight. It was definitely pulling to the right. So we set up an appointment to have them look at it along with a couple of other small things that weren't right from the factory. I finally got it into the shop yesterday. And in fact they were just finishing up aligning another brand new Ryker that was out of alignment from the factory.

They did a laser alignment and found it was towed 'in' on the left side 25mm and towed 'out' on the right side 30mm. It is still weird that they report it in mm's instead of degrees but I suppose that is a result of reading the targets out in front of the machine. Of course this is irrelevant to this topic. This is the obvious reason that it was pulling to the right. They got it straightened out and it drives much better now. I wouldn't say it is a night and day change but maybe dusk to dawn. It may not be 'Shawn Smoaks' different but I can definitely tell a difference. They told me most new Spyders are out of alignment and that they are supposed to be aligned at the factory. The factory is either not doing alignments or the person completing the task is incompetent. Neither of these scenarios seems likely to me but my Spyder was definitely wrong from the factory. I asked them why they (the dealer) didn't align all new Spyders and the obvious answer was because they wouldn't be paid for the work. It is not a part of the normal setup procedure. A customer must complain, then they can do the alignment and be reimbursed by BRP for the warranty work.

So my point is this, if my Spyder had not been towed 'out' toward the right on both sides, I may not have known about it. I also realize it would be difficult to know your Spyder wasn't handling correctly if you have never owned one before and know how they should handle. I know it would be difficult to insist on your new ride to be checked out under warranty but I would definitely be inquiring about it. I realize this is going to be difficult for you guys who live miles from your dealer or who purchased from out of state, etc. but there is a very good chance your Spyder is out of alignment when new from the factory. There are also dealers out there who don't have laser alignment equipment so I'm not sure how they check things out or adjust alignment issues. This is just a heads up as to what I encountered with my new Spyder. I feel somewhat relieved that I could 'feel' the problem, my dealer is close, and has the equipment to handle the problem. This problem should not occur on such an expensive machine but apparently does. Hopefully this helps some of you new (and possibly old) Spyder/Ryker owners out there.

Welcome to the club .... It has been well known that BRP does poor alignments .... sometimes a little some times a lot ..... I don'\t understand the Dealerr's claim " they arn't paid " .... ...was your SET-UP done for FREE ????? ..... Most dealers don't use the " LAZER " method so I doubt your machine is really aligned properly. Most folks here have learned that their Spyder/Ryker isn't aligned when the tires don't wear evenly. ..... good luck ..... Mike

[FrogmanDave]

Welcome to the club .... It has been well known that BRP does poor alignments .... sometimes a little some times a lot ..... I don'\t understand the Dealerr's claim " they arn't paid " .... ...was your SET-UP done for FREE ????? ..... Most dealers don't use the " LAZER " method so I doubt your machine is really aligned properly. Most folks here have learned that their Spyder/Ryker isn't aligned when the tires don't wear evenly. ..... good luck ..... Mike

I had not read much here about new Spyders and alignment issues so I was just trying to give new members a heads up. My dealer does in fact have a laser alignment system, so my Spyder is aligned properly. I believe it is the 'True Track' or 'Rolo', I'm not sure which. As far as the setup, I stated that the alignment is not a part of that procedure. Of course they are compensated for that work they do, but alignment would be extra uncompensated work. Just trying to help out here Mike.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I had not read much here about new Spyders and alignment issues so I was just trying to give new members a heads up. My dealer does in fact have a laser alignment system, so my Spyder is aligned properly. I believe it is the 'True Track' or 'Rolo', I'm not sure which. As far as the setup, I stated that the alignment is not a part of that procedure. Of course they are compensated for that work they do, but alignment would be extra uncompensated work. Just trying to help out here Mike.

From your reply I have the feeling that you weren't happy with My post ..... I'm sorry you ( may ) feel that way ..... In the future I won't be posting on any of your threads..... you can now " rest in peace "........Mike

[GFrog]

Pro Caliber Motorsports in Vancouver WA laser aligns all their new Spyders prior to delivery to customers.

At the price dealer charges for PDI ($1,575 in my case), the least they could do is check alignment and adjust as necessary.

[Cobwebs]

Pathetic isn't it. Had the same setup with mine. Couldn't pull out to pass a car at speed for fear of ramming him up the clacker or over steering completely off the road and into the wilderness. Imagine if a new car came like it, worldwide recalls, court cases,deaths the whole nine yards, how do they get away with it.

[FrogmanDave]

Bump for new (or old) members who may not know about 'new Spyder' alignment issues.

[USAF]

Our 22 RTL has a slight pull also and the bars are very slightly off when driving straight. They are a few degrees to the left. I asked my dealer about doing an alignment and they said they use a 2x4 and measure from that !!!!!???!!!! I said WTH ???? Are you kidding me ?? Its crazy all the money you spend and this is what you end up with.

[Knizar]

Honestly! a 2x4? Hope it wasn't purchased at Menards, do they keep it leaning up in the corner between uses?
Suppose they use sidewalk chalk for lines on the floor and a cloth measuring tape too!

[PaladinLV]

When I picked up my Spyder in pulled to the left.
Had the dealer do an alignment immediately (it was free). Better, but not good enough.
Fortunately, Squared Away, are about 10 mins from my home and Joe & Ann got it on the money.
Still holding true today 8 years later!
AJ

[Woodenfish]

From the day I picked up my new 2022 RTL it pulled to the right. I tried everything I could to be sure I wasn't feeling crown in the road or anything like that. I called my dealer and they asked me about all of the obvious stuff that I had already tried. Mainly tire pressure which I had already checked several times and which they suggested 15psi front instead of the factory recommended 20psi. I adjusted the front tires down and the Spyder still didn't drive straight. It was definitely pulling to the right. So we set up an appointment to have them look at it along with a couple of other small things that weren't right from the factory. I finally got it into the shop yesterday. And in fact they were just finishing up aligning another brand new Ryker that was out of alignment from the factory.

They did a laser alignment and found it had 25mm toe 'in' on the left side and 30mm toe 'out' on the right side. It is still weird that they report it in mm's instead of degrees but I suppose that is a result of reading the targets out in front of the machine. Of course this is irrelevant to this topic. This is the obvious reason that it was pulling to the right. They got it straightened out and it drives much better now. I wouldn't say it is a night and day change but maybe dusk to dawn. It may not be 'Shawn Smoaks' different but I can definitely tell a difference. They told me most new Spyders are out of alignment and that they are supposed to be aligned at the factory. The factory is either not doing alignments or the person completing the task is incompetent. Neither of these scenarios seems likely to me but my Spyder was definitely wrong from the factory. I asked them why they (the dealer) didn't align all new Spyders and the obvious answer was because they wouldn't be paid for the work. It is not a part of the normal setup procedure. A customer must complain, then they can do the alignment and be reimbursed by BRP for the warranty work.

So my point is this, if my Spyder did not have toe 'out' toward the right on both sides, I may not have known about it. I also realize it would be difficult to know your Spyder wasn't handling correctly if you have never owned one before and know how they should handle. I know it would be difficult to insist on your new ride to be checked out under warranty but I would definitely be inquiring about it. I realize this is going to be difficult for you guys who live miles from your dealer or who purchased from out of state, etc. but there is a very good chance your Spyder is out of alignment when new from the factory. There are also dealers out there who don't have laser alignment equipment so I'm not sure how they check things out or adjust alignment issues. This is just a heads up as to what I encountered with my new Spyder. I feel somewhat relieved that I could 'feel' the problem, my dealer is close, and has the equipment to handle the problem. This problem should not occur on such an expensive machine but apparently does. Hopefully this helps some of you new (and possibly old) Spyder/Ryker owners out there.

So what was your toe set to after the alignment was performed?

[FrogmanDave]

So what was your toe set to after the alignment was performed?

Honestly I don't remember Woodenfish. I do know they set it a little bit toed out on both sides. Whatever the BRP spec says. Many here say they should be set toed in.

[Woodenfish]

What you started with is 5mm total toe out and a misalignment of thrust angle. I was wondering what the actual recommended toe spec is. The changes made were to correct the misaligned thrust angle and bring the toe in to reduce scrub. Normally, rear wheel drive vehicles are set for total toe to be in about 1mm. I fully understand your lack of not having an actual printed report as this alignment system isn’t capable. Having the total toe out as far as yours was could indeed create a bit of a wandering problem.

[RealWing]

My new 22 darted to the ditch when passing. Dealer did alignment and it is much improved.
Jim

[SLICE]

Mine was dog crap and I had to wait until the 3k service, then they tried to charge me for it , yeah like that was going to happen.

In front of the manager in the show room (very loudly) I said. I paid 32K for a bike that is out of alignment and I have to eat the cost, well you can kiss that 5 star review goodbye.


I win. Social media can be a cruel %^&$@ and cripple a business.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

So what was your toe set to after the alignment was performed?

It's not critical that it be dead on as long as it's close. The general consensus over the years here is that about 1/2" toe in for each wheel measured (1" total) at the targets about 6 feet in front and behind the front wheels works good. I did my own laser alignment a couple of years ago after the dealer botched it when replacing the steering column. It has tracked quite nicely since.