RT-S handling

[Dwight]

Yesterday was the first day we've been able to ride two up. I'm (we) a bit dissapointed it the handling. The ride is good, the handling isn't. There is way too much roll-over in the corners, even the wife mentioned it. I had the front springs adjusted full up, the rear set either at full up or one bar down. There doesn't seem to be much dampening either in extend or compression. I'm about 220 lbs, wife is around 120 so this shouldn't be much of a factor. In slow sharp 90 degree turns (city streets) the VSS kicks in unless you just eaze thru. Maybe it's just my RT or maybe I really am going too fast but this really irritates me. It's obviously gonna take a sway bar and/or new shocks and springs. Maybe I'm dissapointed because it doesn't seem like it handles nearly as good as the sportier Spyders, I guess I just expected it to be more of a sport touring ride than it is. That said, I don't think I'll be going back to a conventional trike anytime soon! Please remember this is my take on the handling, your mileage may vary! Those of you who would like to improve the handling please add your thoughts about how to go about it.

Thanks
Dwight

 

[8 Legged Freak]

In slow sharp 90 degree turns (city streets) the VSS kicks in unless you just eaze thru. Maybe it's just my RT or maybe I really am going too fast but this really irritates me. It's obviously gonna take a sway bar and/or new shocks and springs. Maybe I'm dissapointed because it doesn't seem like it handles nearly as good as the sportier Spyders, I guess I just expected it to be more of a sport touring ride than it is. That said, I don't think I'll be going back to a conventional trike anytime soon! Please remember this is my take on the handling, your mileage may vary! Those of you who would like to improve the handling please add your thoughts about how to go about it.

Thanks
Dwight[/QUOTE]


I also had the front upped to 5 on the setting and it made a world of difference. Went on a 50 mile ride yesterday and it was full of sharp turns ( you know the recommended ones of 15 to 25 mph) and took them all at 5 to 15 mph higher. Even had a OMG swerve to avoid a large creature that wandered out of the woods on a hard right, the VSS did not kick in.

That said, there is some high side physics with the RT-S that the RS did not feel as much. The additional weight of the machine is adding to the equation also. As far as myself, I am looking at adding a sway bar to mine when they hit the aftermarket to make it even more stable. Lamonster swapped his shocks on his RT-S and reported it made a difference.

There are some tips on turning as far as what you as a driver can do to make it easier and more fun, but when in 2 up, your passinger is going to feel the high side forces alot more than you. It is considered impolite to launch a passinger without cause.

Don't know how fast you were going but if you were turning and getting the VSS to kick in when in the city, I would be checking in with the dealer.

Good Luck, Ryde Safe!

Scotty

 

[Mad Matt]

I am not crazy about the body roll either. And the steering is just too sensitive. I believe the two are coupled. I think stiffening up the body roll will help the steering for sure. Also, you will notice the handle bars turn quite a lot before the front wheels start to turn (try this with the RT parked and not running, the RS does this also but not as much). This "soft" connection is part of the steering that I am not crazy about. I must say, they accomplished their goal of making a soft cushy ride, the RT soaks up bumps better than any bike or trike I have ever ridden. But the steering and handling takes some getting used to.

Matt

 

[NancysToy]

I am not crazy about the body roll either. And the steering is just too sensitive. I believe the two are coupled. I think stiffening up the body roll will help the steering for sure. Also, you will notice the handle bars turn quite a lot before the front wheels start to turn (try this with the RT parked and not running, the RS does this also but not as much). This "soft" connection is part of the steering that I am not crazy about. I must say, they accomplished their goal of making a soft cushy ride, the RT soaks up bumps better than any bike or trike I have ever ridden. But the steering and handling takes some getting used to.

Matt

:agree: I find the quick steering, and the tendency to dive into a turn to make for a need to be right on top of your game. The GS/RS is more forgiving. The scariest part to me is the dancing around behind a semi, and the exceedingly sudden turn when you pull out to pass. Combination of the soft suspension, wider track, higher center of gravity, and apparently different steering of the RT. I think there is much room for aftermarket improvement, but I wish it were not necessary on a $25,000 machine.

 

[ThreeWheels]

I've got My RT just a little over a week.
I increased the front tire pressure to 20 psi and increased the shock preload to 5.
I've put about 100 miles on the bike before the change and then another 100 miles after the change.
You're right it takes some getting used to.
Today I felt very comfortable riding. Either the suspension changes made a big difference or I'm starting to get used to the ride.
Either way it's a good thing.

 

[Ronsam]

:2thumbs::yes:This the same for me, like SKS06460
I Did the same adjustment and more i ride amd more i love it:spyder2:

 

[WaltH]

I noticed a big improvement in cornering on my GS when I went to auto tires on the front. I also have the performance sway bar and maximum pre-load on the shocks. I have purchased RT shocks for my GS, but don't have them installed yet. The improvement with auto tires (Sumitomo H200) was so great that I vowed when I get a RT, I will replace the OEM tires with auto tires in the first week. I will not wait for the original tires to wear out. Car tires on the front are fabulous.

 

[ataDude]

Just curious. Has anyone tried to install the evoluzione GS sway bar on an RT?

 

[NancysToy]

Just curious. Has anyone tried to install the evoluzione GS sway bar on an RT?

Like you, I was wondering if it would fit. The second question is if it would be beefy enough. The RS and RT stock swaybars are different part numbers.

 

[outdoorallens]

I rode the wifes rt-s(se5) 900 miles the first weekend and noticed the roll. but after following 1800's the first day i found it handled much better leading 1800's the next day :roflblack:.. I was'nt on the brakes so much.. How ever 2 up does require much slower days. so i let the wife drive...

 

[DragonSpyder]

The farther you lean the faster you go without waking up the Nanny. This also goes for the passenger.

 

[westgl]

Extreeme Kempy

Note: THIS DOES NOT FIT THE RT

Here is the Sway bar from evoluzione, the ad say's it fits RT's too .

I have an Email to Evoluzione to confirm this. Has anyone tried this swaybar?? I am wondering how much it will help.

Can I dial back to a #3 or #4 setting on the shocks and still have my spyder handle as good or better than it does now on a #5 setting???

See the ad below on Extreeme Kempy web site

westgl

Note: THIS DOES NOT FIT THE RT



View Larger Image 2007 to 2010 CAN AM SPYDER SM5 SE5 adjustable performance sway bar from evoluzione
SKU: canam sway
List Price: $230.00 Our Price: $225.00 Your Savings: $5.00 Stock: Out of Stock Quantity:
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Overview

2007 to 2010 CAN AM SPYDER SM5 SE5 adjustable performance sway bar from evoluzione

fits 2007 to 2010 spyder sm5 AND SE5 and rt

this adjustable sway bar was developed for the performance minded owner who would like to improve the front end feel while maintaining a comfortable ride. this sway bar will help to improve cornering by maintaining a more level attitude of the spyder through corners. to tailor the performance to your riding style, the sway bar is adjustable up to 30% stiffer

 

[Dwight]

Nancy’s Toy,
You hit the nail right on the head! We are just back from a day of riding in Arkansas. On my CSC/Ultra all you have to do to corner well is to set up for the corner, shift your weight, turn, add throttle, and hang on. On the RT you have to be, as Scotty says “On Your Game” all the way through the corner. If you let up on the throttle even a tiny bit the RT will unload the suspension and want to turn out of the corner. This raises the pucker factor quickly. We know you shouldn’t get off the throttle in a corner but the fly by wire throttle is sensitive and it doesn’t take much movement to effect throttle position. It is essential to maintain near perfect throttle control completely through the corner or it gets pretty exciting, pretty quick! Riding this thing fast in the twisties requires a lot of work!

Riding with a passenger (passenger switch engaged) is very likely part of the problem. I’m reasonably sure it changes the VSS settings. For those of you familiar with AR 123 either coming or going from Mt. Judea, the 10 mph switchbacks (particularly uphill) almost stopped us in our tracks! These are very steep and sharp. The VSS reduced our speed so much I thought the bike would stop, I throttled back as soon as it kicked in and was able to make it. I tried different approaches and finally just settled for very slow in low gear.

We really need to be able to select between a touring setting or a sport setting on the VSS. But, the only way a sport setting would work on the RT is if the front suspension was also tunable. A sway bar will be my first mod, if that doesn’t fix it, then I guess I’ll have to spend some money on front springs and shocks. We like this thing too much to give up on it. I’m an aggressive rider and it wasn’t fun watching my buddy on his GoldWing/Hannigan drive away from me.:cus:

Please don’t mistake this post for a rant on how bad the RT is, it isn’t! We love this thing but we realize we need to do some things to make it better for US! We did have a great time in Arkansas, adding about 1000 miles to the RT. Wife loves the comfort, I think she will like it more when (IF) we ever get the rest of the communications package. Anybody have any tips on packing for a 4 week trip?

Take it easy on me!
Dwight

 

[ataDude]

... For those of you familiar with AR 123 either coming or going from Mt. Judea, the 10 mph switchbacks (particularly uphill) almost stopped us in our tracks!...

.
Some of the best riding there is... right there.

However, we lost a Street Triple there a couple of years ago. Rider OK, bike died.

.

 

[NancysToy]

Anybody have any tips on packing for a 4 week trip?

Dudley says two pairs of pants, a pair or two of shorts, and 3 t-shirts. :roflblack: I've only known one person who ever packed lighter. He and Jennifer have set the bar high for all the rest of us.

 

[glynnk]

Dudley says two pairs of pants, a pair or two of shorts, and 3 t-shirts. :roflblack: I've only known one person who ever packed lighter. He and Jennifer have set the bar high for all the rest of us.

On their ride last year I met them here in Houston and I was amazed that they didn't have any luggage on the Spyder...just hard bags and the trunk. Jen is a master packer. When Dudley retrived the signing banner they were carrying, the trunk was neatly packed, everything had a place...unbelievable. Scotty, you're so right...the bar has been set, but I doubt if any of us can match it or even come close!

Glynnk

 

[Wheeler~]

Although I don't have them installed yet, I've heard forum members rave about the Elka shocks and the positive affect it has on their suspension. In fact at, Bike Week Daytona Speedway, Lamont suggested I hold off on purchasing for a bit. He's working on Elka shocks specific to the RT. :thumbup:

 

[Dwight]

Thanks Wheeler, RT specific would be nice. Wouldn't have to do the trial and error method. Downside is the expense. I was thinking about trying to buy a front shock and using it as a pattern to search through some of my racing catalogs. Lots of different adjustable shocks with coil over springs at probably 1/3 the cost of Elka's. On the other hand it would be easier to just buy the Elka's.

Dwight

PS: do you think if I sent Dudley my sizes, some money, and my soft bags he would pack for me?:roflblack:

 

[Wheeler~]

Thanks Wheeler, RT specific would be nice. Wouldn't have to do the trial and error method. Downside is the expense. I was thinking about trying to buy a front shock and using it as a pattern to search through some of my racing catalogs. Lots of different adjustable shocks with coil over springs at probably 1/3 the cost of Elka's. On the other hand it would be easier to just buy the Elka's.

Dwight

PS: do you think if I sent Dudley my sizes, some money, and my soft bags he would pack for me?:roflblack:

If you happen to find something comparable to the Elka's, I'd be interested. If I can save money without sacrificing quality, it would be the perfect mix! Maybe Consumers Digest might have suggestions :dontknow: I'll have to check also. Thanks Dwight!

 

[retired1]

RTS handling

I just got back from a 50 mile ride. The wind was blowing 20 to 30 mph and really affected the handling, especialy in a crosswind. I had a 23 or 25" Cee Williams windshield on my GS and 4" risers, so my riding posture on both bikes would be very similar. Today the RT was a lot "twitchier" on the ride than my GS ever was. I realize there is more "tupperware" on the RT that could be affected by the wind, but could not believe the differance between the two. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this noticeable difference between the two?