Redesigned RT Shocks

[NancysToy]

It was very good news to hear that BRP had responded to those of us who expressed concerns that the RT shocks were not up to the level of performance that some of us expected. I was one of the first to complain about the excessive body roll, and I was one of the first to find a need to set the preload to max, despite riding solo and being light enough for a setting of 2-3, if you follow the recommendations in the manual. I applaud BRP's concern and response.

I am worried however, that the "early adapters" that bought, and even pre-ordered, the 2010 RT, and forged the way for this improvement, will be left out in the cold...having to spend money to replace year-old shocks, just to get the handling we expected in the first place. BRP has mentioned providing RT-622 trailer owners with the lid revisions to prevent water intrusion, but nothing has been said regarding the RT shocks. We have to assume that they intend for us to pay them for the improvement. That disappoints me!

It would be nice for them to clarify their position, ASAP. If they intend for these to be available as an accessory purchase, it would be nice to have them at least make a deal to sell them to original owners at a substantially reduced rate. Yes, they will be cheaper than Elkas, but we have already shelled out a bunch of money to buy our RTs, and many of us remain disappointed. Free would be the right thing to do, even if we payed for installation, like with the brake pads. Selling them at cost would be an acceptable second choice. C'mon BRP, do the right thing and make us happy. We deserve as good a ride as the 2011 owners will get.

 

[2NFrnt]

:agree: Don't like the fact that I have no more adjustment to use. Ours is locked into the 5th notch because we ride 2-up most of the time and still have issues with the body roll.

I understand the meaning of BOAT (Bring on another thousand), but have not been able to figure out the real meaning of SPYDER yet.

We still love the thing though.

Sam

 

[Lamonster]

If it were me Scotty I would first contact your dealer as he's the one that would handle this and I'm sure you have a few contact numbers to call too. I'm sure BRP will do the right thing by those who are having these handling issues.

 

[SpyderRider]

Scotty,

You are absolutely correct. :agree: I already have spent a bundle of money on my new RT-S (I have had the new Spyder for a month today) improving the lighting (ESI) and sound with Polk Speakers. I am next looking to sinking either $1,000.00 into a Corbin Saddle as my rear end gets numb after about an hour in the stock saddle (I don't have this issue on my Valkyrie Interstate) or into Elka Shocks and an Evo Sway Bar to get a clean ryde. I have been running the shocks at Max setting and have inflated the tires to roughly 21 PSI to stiffen up the ryde.

I think that BRP should step up to the plate and this should be a corrective action to an already known issue for a first year production vehicle...at the minimum they should replace all RT shocks for a better unit and we pay install, the better would be a total "turn-key" no-cost replacement.

Just my 2c's. opcorn:

 

[NautiBrit]

I understand the meaning of BOAT (Bring on another thousand), but have not been able to figure out the real meaning of SPYDER yet.

S-uspension
P-arts
Y-our
D-ealer
E-xpects you to
R-eplace

 

[SpyderRider]

S-uspension
P-arts
Y-our
D-ealer
E-xpects you to
R-eplace

:congrats: :2thumbs: :clap::clap::clap::clap:

 

[canam9]

It was very good news to hear that BRP had responded to those of us who expressed concerns that the RT shocks were not up to the level of performance that some of us expected. I was one of the first to complain about the excessive body roll, and I was one of the first to find a need to set the preload to max, despite riding solo and being light enough for a setting of 2-3, if you follow the recommendations in the manual. I applaud BRP's concern and response.

I am worried however, that the "early adapters" that bought, and even pre-ordered, the 2010 RT, and forged the way for this improvement, will be left out in the cold...having to spend money to replace year-old shocks, just to get the handling we expected in the first place. BRP has mentioned providing RT-622 trailer owners with the lid revisions to prevent water intrusion, but nothing has been said regarding the RT shocks. We have to assume that they intend for us to pay them for the improvement. That disappoints me!

It would be nice for them to clarify their position, ASAP. If they intend for these to be available as an accessory purchase, it would be nice to have them at least make a deal to sell them to original owners at a substantially reduced rate. Yes, they will be cheaper than Elkas, but we have already shelled out a bunch of money to buy our RTs, and many of us remain disappointed. Free would be the right thing to do, even if we payed for installation, like with the brake pads. Selling them at cost would be an acceptable second choice. C'mon BRP, do the right thing and make us happy. We deserve as good a ride as the 2011 owners will get.

:agree: :ani29:

 

[bikeguy]

It was very good news to hear that BRP had responded to those of us who expressed concerns that the RT shocks were not up to the level of performance that some of us expected. I was one of the first to complain about the excessive body roll, and I was one of the first to find a need to set the preload to max, despite riding solo and being light enough for a setting of 2-3, if you follow the recommendations in the manual. I applaud BRP's concern and response.

I am worried however, that the "early adapters" that bought, and even pre-ordered, the 2010 RT, and forged the way for this improvement, will be left out in the cold...having to spend money to replace year-old shocks, just to get the handling we expected in the first place. BRP has mentioned providing RT-622 trailer owners with the lid revisions to prevent water intrusion, but nothing has been said regarding the RT shocks. We have to assume that they intend for us to pay them for the improvement. That disappoints me!

It would be nice for them to clarify their position, ASAP. If they intend for these to be available as an accessory purchase, it would be nice to have them at least make a deal to sell them to original owners at a substantially reduced rate. Yes, they will be cheaper than Elkas, but we have already shelled out a bunch of money to buy our RTs, and many of us remain disappointed. Free would be the right thing to do, even if we payed for installation, like with the brake pads. Selling them at cost would be an acceptable second choice. C'mon BRP, do the right thing and make us happy. We deserve as good a ride as the 2011 owners will get.

:agree: I had the shocks in the stiffest pre-load position before I left the dealer. I love my RT but I'd love it even more if the body roll was reduced.

Cotton

 

[MouthPiece]

Okay. Point/Counterpoint. I had every opportunity to take the demo spyder out and see what it would and wouldn't do. Admittedly, some may not have had this opportunity. I noticed the roll when I went through the demo ride.

I've bought many a vehicle that I would have preferred an upgraded feature, but still bought it knowing that it wasn't there. I plan on upgrading to the Elka's when I think I've gotten the miles that I want out of the present ones.

Just a comment from a different point of view.

Chris PE # 0004 (Until I installed my "upgraded" Corbin seat)

 

[Magic Man]

I too am glad to see the upgraded shocks for 2011.:clap:

I hope BRP can help people who have real handling problems with their 2010s so everybody is happy on both sides. :thumbup:

MM

 

[dave01]

Okay. Point/Counterpoint. I had every opportunity to take the demo spyder out and see what it would and wouldn't do. Admittedly, some may not have had this opportunity. I noticed the roll when I went through the demo ride.

I've bought many a vehicle that I would have preferred an upgraded feature, but still bought it knowing that it wasn't there. I plan on upgrading to the Elka's when I think I've gotten the miles that I want out of the present ones.

Just a comment from a different point of view.

Chris PE # 0004 (Until I installed my "upgraded" Corbin seat)

Good point. I did a test ryde too, but it wasnt very long due to dealership location and time. I had the shocks put at 5 before I left the shop knowing it would roll some, but until the swaybar went on, I could set the Nanny off in a parking lot. To me, that shows the shocks werent up to the task, like the ones on my RS were. If BRP does something, I will be happy. But before I buy some of the 2011 shocks for full price, I am going to trst ryde and beat the heck out of a demo unit to see if they will be worth the cost.

 

[Tonga]

I bought the Elkas and told my dealer that they were on order. He advised me to inform BRP about my disatisfaction with the OEM shocks so I sent them an email. Maybe it did some good as they are addressing the problem. They have to keep upgrading to keep sales up. I am not sure what they did to the 2011 shocks but will it be enough to please everyone?

 

[Dwight]

Absolutely agree with you, Scotty. They replaced my rear shock with the new and improved version under warranty (second replacement). They should do this for the front shocks also.

Dwight

 

[Lamonster]

Absolutely agree with you, Scotty. They replaced my rear shock with the new and improved version under warranty (second replacement). They should do this for the front shocks also.

Dwight

Except for the rears were failing, not just a ride difference.

 

[mainespyder]

Has anybody known any factory (bike, auto, or truck) to replace something on an older vehical because they upgraded the next year model? not me. would be nice if a company would eat thousands but I dont see it happening. After all there in business to make money.

 

[SpyderFun]

Except for the rears were failing, not just a ride difference.

While that may be a very true statement, it does force the following question to be asked:

Why would BRP even "IMPROVE" the old front-end shocks unless they too agreed that their "old shock design" failed to offer the handling range customers were told or led to believe they would? :dontknow: :chat:
(hint-hint: If it ain't broke, it don't need fixin'! ~ WELL THEY "FIXED" 'EM FOR A REASON!!!) :thumbup:

Think about it......
opcorn:

 

[Lamonster]

While that may be a very true statement, it does force the following question to be asked:

Why would BRP even "IMPROVE" the old front-end shocks unless they too agreed that their "old shock design" failed to offer the handling range customers were told or led to believe they would? :dontknow: :chat:
(hint-hint: If it ain't broke, it don't need fixin'! ~ WELL THEY "FIXED" 'EM FOR A REASON!!!) :thumbup:

Think about it......
opcorn:

Because that's what year to year products do, they improve from end user feedback.

 

[SpyderFun]

Has anybody known any factory (bike, auto, or truck) to replace something on an older vehical because they upgraded the next year model? not me. would be nice if a company would eat thousands but I dont see it happening. After all there in business to make money.

Happens all the time, PROVIDED it is a safety item or issue that resulted in the change. Changing it under those circumstances is almost as good as an admission of a known problem = "liability" = $$$ paid out in lawsuit. Cheaper to replace a part than to pay for the tombstone(s) you have caused or will cause.

But as Lamont (and you) touched on, if the reason for the change is for a "non-safety related reason" then good luck getting a "free upgrade" by any mfg.

Because that's what year to year products do, they improve from end user feedback.

AGREED...but the only thing I am saying is we have to ask "WHY". I have had my RT-S set at the maximum for 1-up and I still think it is too soft.
Just to experiment, I set the front end on the lowest or "softest" ride and went for a test ride. It felt like the bike was about to rollover! Worse yet, I felt I had LITTLE TO NO CONTROL in a curve due to the "excessive rollover sensation". I had the same feeling even at BRP's recommended setting for a rider of my weight (170#).
So it's MAX stiffness until I can afford a more responsive upgrade to the front end. I am not saying I want a suspension to hit a slalom course at max speed like a 2-wheeler, just one that makes me feel the bike isn't going to, or want to, throw me off at the first sign of a curve at the posted speed limit.

Ultimately it is each rider's own rear that tells them the ride "feels right" or not. It is funny how alot of us are feeling, and complaining about, the same thing ("excessive rollover sensation"). Hmmmmm

 

[dave01]

Because that's what year to year products do, they improve from end user feedback.

:agree: I think the only way that BRP would replace the shocks with the new ones would be due to failure of the product or proven safety issues.
From all of the posts that I have seen, we have neither of these. I will be giving the new ones a try as soon as I can though.

 

[SpyderRider]

Either way the folks from BRP better be prepared for some very "intense" feedback from the RT crowd in a week or so. nojoke

I bet this issue will be the number one "talking point" when we all gather in the Smokies, that and having some rather weak dealerships (mine and others I have read about and gleaned from this forum).

opcorn: