Evaluations: Evoluzione Swaybar

[aka1004]

Will it help with crosswinds on the highway? Every now and then when I'm taking a curve in crosswinds it feels like the spyder is drifting.

I am sorry that I don't have exact answer to that but I would think whatever force that causes spyder to "rock" would not matter. Anti sway bar would help.
I had ken's anti swaybar from the beginning and when i took it off because I thought I was done with spyder, my inside wheel lift off the ground whenever I turned. It took me few days to get used to stock bar but by that time I had cool down and kept mt spyder...

 

[daveinva]

Installed the sway bar on Saturday. Took me about two hours, but about an hour of that was messing with my new jack (the yellow Craftsman is definitely the way to go ).

Some tips:

1. You can do the install without taking the trunk off, just remove the two bottom bolts and tilt the trunk. HOWEVER, it helps to have a second pair of hands to tilt the trunk for 2-3 minutes when you're putting the new bar on.

2. If it's the first time you're taking off those bolts, you'll probably need some WD-40 to get them off, a few of those bolts felt *welded* on, they were so tight. It's a workout under the Spyder, that's for sure.

3. Own a Spyder? Invest in a ratchet set (also find a set of torx screw sockets). The ratchet is so handy, I keep it with the stock tool set.

4. For the swaybar install, I found it much easier to use *two* 13mm wrenches simultaneously to loosen/tighten the frame bolts.

5. Be patient!

My verdict? Actually, perhaps it was all the hype, but it wasn't as earth-shattering an upgrade as I expected. It definitely helps with the roll, but corners are still corners, i.e. I didn't find myself able to take corners all that much faster than I did before. That said, the swaybar dramatically helps in swerve situations-- dodging potholes, manholes, etc.

Definitely looking forward to upgrading the shocks at some point. But this was cheaper, and as long as you have a jack/jackstands, it's an easy install.

 

[aka1004]

Kinda rare feedback on anti swaybar but you will see what it's been doing when you take it off after awhile and take a turn like you use to.

Of course if you don't take turns or curves hard enough, this mod is almost meaningless.

Installed the sway bar on Saturday. Took me about two hours, but about an hour of that was messing with my new jack (the yellow Craftsman is definitely the way to go ).

Some tips:

1. You can do the install without taking the trunk off, just remove the two bottom bolts and tilt the trunk. HOWEVER, it helps to have a second pair of hands to tilt the trunk for 2-3 minutes when you're putting the new bar on.

2. If it's the first time you're taking off those bolts, you'll probably need some WD-40 to get them off, a few of those bolts felt *welded* on, they were so tight. It's a workout under the Spyder, that's for sure.

3. Own a Spyder? Invest in a ratchet set (also find a set of torx screw sockets). The ratchet is so handy, I keep it with the stock tool set.

4. For the swaybar install, I found it much easier to use *two* 13mm wrenches simultaneously to loosen/tighten the frame bolts.

5. Be patient!

My verdict? Actually, perhaps it was all the hype, but it wasn't as earth-shattering an upgrade as I expected. It definitely helps with the roll, but corners are still corners, i.e. I didn't find myself able to take corners all that much faster than I did before. That said, the swaybar dramatically helps in swerve situations-- dodging potholes, manholes, etc.

Definitely looking forward to upgrading the shocks at some point. But this was cheaper, and as long as you have a jack/jackstands, it's an easy install.

 

[SPYD1]

sway bar issue?

I just got my Evoluzione bar today for my 09 RS and I was in the middle of replacing it when I noticed there is a step out on the new bar which doesn't allow my trunk to seat properly when it is mounted. I believe I was sent the wrong one? I ordered it on the phone from Ken and it came in with instructions appropriate for my byke. So now the bike is torn apart, they are closed, and we have beautiful weather in Michigan for a change. I guess I could put it back together. Thoughts on whether or not I have the wrong one? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

[daveinva]

I just got my Evoluzione bar today for my 09 RS and I was in the middle of replacing it when I noticed there is a step out on the new bar which doesn't allow my trunk to seat properly when it is mounted. I believe I was sent the wrong one? I ordered it on the phone from Ken and it came in with instructions appropriate for my byke. So now the bike is torn apart, they are closed, and we have beautiful weather in Michigan for a change. I guess I could put it back together. Thoughts on whether or not I have the wrong one? Or am I doing something wrong?

No, I think you have the right one. The old sway bar is one straight curve, the new bar has that "step out" as you call it.

It *does* fit with the trunk, you just have to keep at it. I didn't remove the trunk to install it-- just the bottom bolts connecting it to the frame-- and I had a second pair of hands (my helpful GF) tilt the trunk forward a bit from the bottom while I slid the swaybar into place and initially tightened the bolts to hold it on. Once it was in place, she stopped tilting the trunk, and it lined up just right.

Again, it can be tricky, but it *does* fit.

 

[SPYD1]

sway

The one I just

got looks like the one on the top when my old one is straight like the other.

 

[daveinva]

The one I just

got looks like the one on the top when my old one is straight like the other.

Spyd, you got the same one I got, and it does install (again, tricky at first, but there's a way it seats *above* the part where the trunk meets the frame, I couldn't explain to you how it did, but eventually, it just slipped right into place).

As mentioned in the other thread, might be handy to use a PVC pipe or something (or my aforementioned extra pair of hands) to tilt the trunk when you fit the new sway bar, that helped "pop" it into place.

 

[SPYD1]

sway

I have the sway bar mounted but the trunk won't seat against the frame, it hits the sway bar.

 

[daveinva]

I have the sway bar mounted but the trunk won't seat against the frame, it hits the sway bar.

Hmmm. Sorry to punt, but hopefully Ken talks with you. I definitely found it to be an awkward fit-- I recall looking at the new sway bar wondering how the heck it was going to fit back there-- but I eventually got it to pop into place like a charm.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but best of luck!

 

[WrapFactory]

Hmmm. Sorry to punt, but hopefully Ken talks with you. I definitely found it to be an awkward fit-- I recall looking at the new sway bar wondering how the heck it was going to fit back there-- but I eventually got it to pop into place like a charm.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but best of luck!

yah, mine is the same way. it is absolutely up against the trunk, I installed it yesterday and am pretty unimpressed with the fitment. Let me know if they figure out you got the wrong one.

Thanks

 

[aka1004]

I think there may be problem with latest batch of swaybar.
This problem never came up in more than 3 years and all of sudden, 3-4 of them in couple of weeks. :lecturef_smilie::dontknow:

 

[sls3000]

Just put my red one on today worked great, I used the trunk-tip install method. It didn't come with its own instructions, so thanks again to everybody here for the tips.

Sls3000

 

[SPYD1]

sway bar

Well... They say I got the right one. It is common for it not to lay against the frame. When I put the last two bolts in that attach it to the frame I had to use a C clamp to draw it in a little tighter so I could reach the holes with the bolts. This didn't take much force at all. So I have it all bolted up. There isn't any room for this bar to fit, it is tight. I also think that the trunk moves a little in the frame and tightening the bolts moves it back where it is supposed to be. George from Evoluzione says that they are looking at changing it again as they have once already. I did install it without completely removing the truck...great idea. Now for the test ryde...I put 350 miles on it yesterday and it was much improved. My wife was on the back and it handled remarkably better on the highway and corners. The "wobble" is gone and the wind doesn't affect it as much...and it was really windy. :2thumbs:Thanks for your help. If anyone has questions feel free to ask.

 

[Bootie]

Firmer ride. Slightly stiffer spring and much stronger compression dampening.

DAMPING:lecturef_smilie:

 

[NancysToy]

DAMPING:lecturef_smilie:

pps: ...and I knew that, too. Old brain, easily confused.

 

[wyliec]

Well... They say I got the right one. It is common for it not to lay against the frame. When I put the last two bolts in that attach it to the frame I had to use a C clamp to draw it in a little tighter so I could reach the holes with the bolts. This didn't take much force at all. So I have it all bolted up. There isn't any room for this bar to fit, it is tight. I also think that the trunk moves a little in the frame and tightening the bolts moves it back where it is supposed to be. George from Evoluzione says that they are looking at changing it again as they have once already. I did install it without completely removing the truck...great idea. Now for the test ryde...I put 350 miles on it yesterday and it was much improved. My wife was on the back and it handled remarkably better on the highway and corners. The "wobble" is gone and the wind doesn't affect it as much...and it was really windy. :2thumbs:Thanks for your help. If anyone has questions feel free to ask.

Are you saying that you were told that the trunk may not touch the frame after installing the sway bar? Or, that it is a tight fit and does actually touch the frame once it's all buttoned up? It's a little confusing b/c you say "there isn't any room for this bar to fit."

I ask b/c my sway bar should be here early next week.

 

[SPYD1]

sway bar

It is hard to explain. You can PM me if you wish and I will give you my phone number. I will try to explain but the trunk sits in a frame that has two bolts that attach to the bike. If you take those two bolts out and wedge something about on inch wide you can avoid taking the trunk off completely. But the new bar is shaped differently so when you put it back together you have to draw it in with the bolts and maybe a C clamp, which is what i did. You will end up with it nice and snug metal to metal but there is no extra room. It rydes a lot better!!!

 

[bobbobtar]

When I did mine on the 2011 RT I wedged a tennis ball between the frame and the bottom of the trunk, to hold it out about 3 inches.

 

[WrapFactory]

The curve in the middle of the new sway bar is where the problem is for me. It is now literally smashed against the back of the lower portion of the trunk, sure it physically bolts in, but it shouldn't be smashed into the trunk. The sway bar has to move when you go over bumps, I'm sure over time there is going to be problems.

 

[SPYD1]

sway bar

That is exactly how mine is. Maybe that is why they said they are changing it. It sure does help though and once you know what to expect it should be easier for the next person. I would still say it is worth the money and time.