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What did you do to your Spyder today?
- Thread starter Mazo EMS2
- Start date
Tested it out earlier today. It gives you around 3 seconds warning before a car passes you at a faster pace, and 5-6 seconds if they pass you at a slow pace. I had to heat and adjust the mount to point the sensor slightly to the right after I got home, as it tended to light up the red LEDs (indicating a vehicle is coming in straight from the rear) when the vehicle is still to the left.
The indicator placement location I chose is just okay. Ideally it should be placed higher in the line of sight even if they have to be closer together, but I have a huge screen in the way...
This spot (for the left side) would be a very nice location for the indicators, but it would be pretty horrible trying to shove the indicators through the vents from the inside:
Also, the red LEDs seem to be much dimmer than the yellow/amber ones, but it should be no issue if it's not under direct sunlight.
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mecsw500
Well-known member
Thank you for the feedback
DOR55
Member
UPDATE: Have spent the last couple of days riding the hilly twisties around La Crosse, Wisconsin. These shocks are amazing! Fiddled with rebound a bit, and the shocks combined with the BR Ultra bar completely transforms the Spyder. Much more stable and "planted" on smooth and not-so-smooth pavement. Extremely confidence inspiring.
The new EBC rotors and pads are great.
It's a shame that you have to invest $1500-2500 in a +$30K machine just to make it do what it should. Interesting that my BMW's and Ducati's all came with great suspension and brakes from the factory...
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Snoking1127
Well-known member
Maybe BRP is missing out on not having a "Sport" edition RT for an extra $1K with good shocks, HD Sway Bar, and better tires. They could do these upgrades OEM cheaper than having to buy aftermarket items piece meal.
Some people here have only been saying that since, ohhh... about 2010 I reckon, just a month or so after the first RT's hit the streets! Before that, they were saying much the same thing only about the GS/RS versions too, altho BRP did eventually release an RSS version, but they didn't come anything that was really all that 'good' in the way of shocks - better than the Mexican noodles, yeah, but certainly not what most would call 'good' when it comes to shocks & coil springs! And the sway bars and tires haven't ever got squat!
So yeah, you'd think this ^ would be a great option and a very attractive choice that'd significantly boost Spyder sales and market penetration, but it seems BRP aren't the least bit interested in doing anything like that at all! So I wouldn't be suggesting that you hold your breath waiting for any of that stuff to ever happen! After all, owners and prospective buyers have only been calling for just that for about 15+ years now, and we're still waiting!
After waiting a few weeks, the front discs for my Spyder arrived at the dealers. Mileage is 10,783, replaced both discs, and new pads fitted both sides no cost to me. The brakes now feel right and when I asked if it was the way I ride they said the materials were crap
DOR55
Member
Yeah, I thought about going the warranty route, but didn't feel like going through the hassle again next year.
I have a 5 year warranty, and they can pay every time, I know I could put better discs on but I will use the money saved to buy petrol
Ozarkwoods
Member
Tuesday I had the great guys at Lamonster garage put on a Lamonster Anti-sway bar! I normally would do my own install but, I just could not get the Spyder high enough in the air 22” to get it done. They did an awesome job, and like Lamont said in his install video, it’s like the Spyder is running on rails. Wow what a difference! I feel more stiffness when hitting road bumps and it does transfer from one side to the other but that is what it is designed to do, tie one side to the other.
mecsw500
Well-known member
I think the stock shocks and sway bar are very deliberately the way they are, especially on RT or S2S models.
The feeling of rolling to the outside from the slightly soft and under damped shocks and the light gauge anti roll bar keeps new riders from being encouraged to ride faster than they perhaps have developed the skill for as new riders.
If you don't mind the roll sensation then all is fine, but most people don't, so the inexperienced are less likely to over cook their cornering and end up in nanny intervention territory.
Of course, cost is a big factor I'm sure, but I still think part of it is deliberate.
For those who want to push further without the ensuing feeling of excess roll, the after market fortunately provides for more quality choices.
Yes, after laying out $34,000 for an S2S, then paying out a couple of thousand dollars for top shelf suspension components seems a little harsh. For the difference in MSRP between the RT LTD and the S2S they should certainly be including a better quality set of shocks if nothing else. There's a big price difference that doesn't really pan out for anything but a better seat, a different paint color scheme, fancy wheels, and not a lot else that costs BRP very much to include. At least five point adjustable preload up front would have been nice. They could have upgraded the brake disks to a better Brembo specification without too much expense, especially considering the number of warranty claims they have to absorb.
It's like going back to the 1970's and 1980's where the first thing you did with your bike was to junk the shocks and install a set of Koni Dial-A-Rides, and swap the brake pads for materials that actually worked a bit in the rain. Same thing for the original Bridgestone tires which we swapped for Avon Road Runners, Pirelli Phantoms, Dunlop TT100s, or Metzelers, so that they would actually go around corners when it rained. In recent years we have got into the habit of not needing to do these things on modern motorcycles apart perhaps on some of the very cheapest models. In that respect the Spyder can be considered a bit of a step back in some ways compared with the rest of the industry.
The feeling of rolling to the outside from the slightly soft and under damped shocks and the light gauge anti roll bar keeps new riders from being encouraged to ride faster than they perhaps have developed the skill for as new riders.
If you don't mind the roll sensation then all is fine, but most people don't, so the inexperienced are less likely to over cook their cornering and end up in nanny intervention territory.
Of course, cost is a big factor I'm sure, but I still think part of it is deliberate.
For those who want to push further without the ensuing feeling of excess roll, the after market fortunately provides for more quality choices.
Yes, after laying out $34,000 for an S2S, then paying out a couple of thousand dollars for top shelf suspension components seems a little harsh. For the difference in MSRP between the RT LTD and the S2S they should certainly be including a better quality set of shocks if nothing else. There's a big price difference that doesn't really pan out for anything but a better seat, a different paint color scheme, fancy wheels, and not a lot else that costs BRP very much to include. At least five point adjustable preload up front would have been nice. They could have upgraded the brake disks to a better Brembo specification without too much expense, especially considering the number of warranty claims they have to absorb.
It's like going back to the 1970's and 1980's where the first thing you did with your bike was to junk the shocks and install a set of Koni Dial-A-Rides, and swap the brake pads for materials that actually worked a bit in the rain. Same thing for the original Bridgestone tires which we swapped for Avon Road Runners, Pirelli Phantoms, Dunlop TT100s, or Metzelers, so that they would actually go around corners when it rained. In recent years we have got into the habit of not needing to do these things on modern motorcycles apart perhaps on some of the very cheapest models. In that respect the Spyder can be considered a bit of a step back in some ways compared with the rest of the industry.
Snoking1127
Well-known member
That does not square up with what Can Am is doing with Side By Sides and motorcycles where there is a lot of effort to out perform the competition. But maybe that is the issue, there is not that much competition in the trike area except HD, and they live off aged out HD rides primarily.
Snoking1127
Well-known member
Today Carol and I did a 100 mile ride each way to Leavenworth, Wa over Stevens Pass in Washington for lunch and meet up with in-laws. It was very windy/gusty and I was glad I had good car tires and HD sway bar set on sport/performance connections.
mecsw500
Well-known member
You are likely very correct. There isn't much competition out there. Harley Trikes seem to come with higher quality components, even if I don't like the stability issues and handling of forward trikes. I think the HD fit and finish is better too, to be honest.
The only other indirect competition is two wheel cruiser machines like HD again, or BMW etc.
jdgretz
Active member
Today was the final big tweak before the trip this week. New tires (Continental ContiproContact 165/60R15 and General Altimax 215/60R15) with the fronts mounted on PPA Orb wheels. Dual horn kit installed and my MotoJug Hydration system mounted and tested. Tomorrow I'll drill the hole in the hydration bottle cap, fit the tubing, and attach the lanyard to the GPS mount, and change the bite valve from straight to a 45°. Then it's test packing. My packing on the Goldwing was down to a science, but this configuration is a lot different and I need to not overengineer this. Hey, anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
When we mounted the wheels, there was a bit of rubbing against a wire retaining loop - this is for the wires leading to the fender lights/turn signals. Bent that out of the way added some zip ties, and everything fits. It's close, but it all works. Took her for a spin through the Malibu Alps and all is well.
I like the new horns (Spyder Extras Dual Horn Kit) . It actually sounds like a horn, not some wimpy bicycle thing.
I now have a spare set of front wheels with a pair of factory tires with 4000 miles on them in the garage as spares if I need them, along with the factory rear tire.
jdg
When we mounted the wheels, there was a bit of rubbing against a wire retaining loop - this is for the wires leading to the fender lights/turn signals. Bent that out of the way added some zip ties, and everything fits. It's close, but it all works. Took her for a spin through the Malibu Alps and all is well.
I like the new horns (Spyder Extras Dual Horn Kit) . It actually sounds like a horn, not some wimpy bicycle thing.
I now have a spare set of front wheels with a pair of factory tires with 4000 miles on them in the garage as spares if I need them, along with the factory rear tire.
jdg
Snoking1127
Well-known member
I like your wheels!
blacklightning
Well-known member
I did a good and bad thing. I decided to ride the 2016 F3L to church and to visit family yesterday. On the way home, I knew that I needed gas, but I wanted to stop at my favorite place, so I pushed the envelope. I knew the low fuel light came on at the last light bar and that would mean 1 gallon left in my 7 gallon tank. The light came on about 20 miles from the station, so I decided to try it. I didn't anticipate that I was traveling at 75+ mph. About 3 miles from the station, I noticed that all lighted bars had disappeared. I nervously made it to the station with only the low fuel light showing and no bars. So, if anyone wants to know if the bike really holds 7 gallons of fuel, here is your proof.
Before you guys start to rag on me, I know the fuel is used as coolant and it is not good for the fuel pump and it allowed any contaminants that were in the bottom of the tank to be pulled up, but I had to try, and now I know. I do know that I would never, NEVER, trust the gas gauge on my 2021 RTL that much. That is the most inaccurate fuel gauge that I have ever seen.
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Before you guys start to rag on me, I know the fuel is used as coolant and it is not good for the fuel pump and it allowed any contaminants that were in the bottom of the tank to be pulled up, but I had to try, and now I know. I do know that I would never, NEVER, trust the gas gauge on my 2021 RTL that much. That is the most inaccurate fuel gauge that I have ever seen.
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mecsw500
Well-known member
When you get out of metro areas here in the mountain west, you favorite gas station is the one that you see.
You fill up when you can, not when you need to. If I’m getting down to 100 miles to go until empty I’m filling up for sure.
I don’t think I’ll chance seeing if I can get 7 gallons in the tank!
I’m glad it worked out for you as these things are really heavy to push.
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