Of course I sell sway bars and shock spring adjusters, which I know everyone takes into consideration when I post on these subjects. And well you should. Please know that I appreciate each one of you who have helped in the development, testing, and production stages for each one of my custom products. And also to each one who has purchased, installed, and given me quality and detailed feedback which has helped me make corrections and improvements where needed. I could not have done any of this without you! :thumbup:
Just to reminisce a bit. I purchased my Spyder in 2007 because Lamont said I should. And I always do what Lamont tells me to do....
When I finally took delivery of my brand new Spyder and rode it, I absolutely hated it. A hatred that goes beyond my ability to describe. Having ridden 2 wheels for nearly my entire life, the Spyder simply felt all wrong. If I had test ridden it first, I highly doubt I'd have ever purchased one.
The only thing that kept me going was Lamont. He had gotten his Spyder about a month before and he was riding it fine! (That bothered me quite a bit I can assure you!). I could not let him best me at this and besides, if I gave up he'd never let me live it down. So the die was cast and I was in this thing neck deep!
Eventually, I did get used to riding my new Spyder, and I really started to like it. But as I got better at riding it, I began to realize that it did not handle nearly as well as it should. One day, while Lamont and I were wrenching on my Spyder at his house, he said I should take his Spyder to pick up some hardware parts we needed to finish the project. He had upgraded shocks on his Spyder and I noticed the improvement in handling right away. I also realized that my DPS had never worked from the time I picked my Spyder up at the dealership in Florida. But that's another story.
I added the upgrade shocks to my Spyder and was happy with the results. But I was still not thrilled with the overall handling. So, I started working on an improved sway bar. But before I got very far, Lamont found a guy in California also working on an improved Sway Bar, (Evoluzione). I decided to just purchase a bar kit from him. I must say I found the improvement to be AMAZING! I was very impressed.
Then Evoluzione went out of business, (personal issues). I picked up were I'd left off and started producing a Sway Bar Kit of my own.
The Shock Adjusters came later when, in 2013, BRP decided to remove the adjusters that had come stock on every Spyder up until then. BRP has greatly improved the stock shocks over the years. But the inability to adjust for weight loading created new issues.
Every well designed product makes a positive difference. The ROLO Laser Alignment system is one case in point. And there is more than one way to improve the handling and control on a Spyder. The problem with many of these products is that it's hard to know what, or how much you are missing until they are installed. Some are fortunate enough to have a friend with the upgrade they are interested in already installed on their Spyder. This gives them a chance to 'Try before they Buy'. But most are left with the choice to either take the leap, or continue to wonder. And, enough of us have been burned by products that didn't deliver, making this a serious consideration.
With the Sway Bars and Shock Spring Adjusters it is simply a matter of physics. They will give you a flatter, more planted stance in curves, cross winds and when buffeted while passing big trucks. There can be no other possible outcome. The debate has always been whether or not this is needed, and, is the improvement enough to justify the expense.
Fortunately, the most common comment I get from customers has been; 'I just wish I had done it sooner'. It seems the longer a person rides their Spyder without the Bar Kit and or Shock Spring Adjusters installed, the more impressed they are with the results.
I didn't mean for this to get so long winded. I really wanted to express my gratitude for all the support I have received over the years from all of you here at Spyderlovers.com. It is sincerely and greatly appreciated.
