The Rest of the Story?
Hi, been riding for 4 moths now and looking for more of everything. So, as soon as I got my RSS I took to to dealer re sway bar. Baja Ron was what I wanted but dealer said he can fit OEM upgraded bar for RSS. Mine is 2014 and came with Fox Podium as standard so not sure why my RSS not as stock come with OEM upgraded sway bar. After install I did notice a significant improvement in turning though...
Anyhow, I am assuming that Baja Ron sway bars are thicker the OEM upgraded ones. I am not able to find any comparison. Any thoughts?
I believe even thicker bar should sort little understeer I still feel with RSS.
Also the hiem joints are original plastic items and not metal as come with Baja Ron kit. Will metal heim joints make any difference in handling if fitted to upgraded OEM sway bar?
Many thanks
Babr
All of the RSS models come with BRP's 'Upgraded' sway bar and Fox Podium shocks. That is one of the things that makes them an RSS as opposed to the other model spyders.
BRP made this, essentially an RSS upgrade kit with Fox shocks and slightly stiffer sway bar, available as an upgrade for the RS and ST models. The Fox shocks are a worthy upgrade if you do not already have them. But the sway bar is a complete waste of time. We tested an ST with just the RSS sway bar upgrade installed and no one could tell any difference. Then we installed the Fox Shocks with the original ST stock sway bar and the improvement was noticeable.
Since you already have the Fox shocks and you did notice an improvement and you did not get the BajaRon bar. I have to assume that they installed a stock RT sway bar. Many are doing this as it is usually less expensive than getting the BajaRon bar kit installed. Especially since you can still use the plastic Heim joint links (they were designed to handle the stress of the OEM RT bar). The dealers pay nothing for the RT Bar they removed when they installed a BajaRon bar. So their overhead on that product is essentially zero. It's a good bang for the buck upgrade.
It is hard to give a definitive gauge on the difference between a stock RT Bar on an RS, RSS, ST or F3 because everyone perceives handling improvements differently. It has a lot to do with your riding style and how aggressive you are. But from those who have gone from the OEM RT bar on these Spyders to my bar. The consensus is that you get about 1/2 the improvement with the OEM RT bar compared to the BajaRon bar.
Because the plastic links are designed to handle the stock RT bar. You are safe staying with them with the OEM upgrade. But the RS, RSS, ST, F3 BajaRon sway bar is stiffer than the OEM RT bar. And, of course, the RT BajaRon sway bar is even stiffer than that. This is why I require that my Billet Aluminum Heim joint links be installed with these bar kits. Because my bars are stiffer, the plastic Heim joint links are more prone to failure.
In testing we found that the plastic Heim joint links stretch. Even with the stock sway bar This stretching actually reduces or absorbs some of the sway bar energy transfer process and reduces the effect of the sway bar somewhat. Some have installed the billet aluminum Heim joint links on their stock sway bar to eliminate any possible breakage and have reported better handling.
Placebo effect? Maybe. I have never personally tested this. But we do know there has to be a physical improvement when you eliminate this stretching action. The stiffer the bar and the more aggressive you ride, the more the plastic Heim joint links will stretch.
Sorry to run on like this. I hope it helps clear things up for everyone. There is a lot of misunderstanding and even maybe some bad information out there regarding this whole sway bar issue.
If someone is looking to purchase one of my products I want them to know as much as they can about what to expect from the various options out there. That way there is a much greater chance they will get what they are looking for and be happy with their purchase. Regardless of whether they decide to get one of my products or not.
It's all about the ride!
hyea:
