rcantrell52
New member
Our RS-S and RT-S were both used to help design the prototype for Len’s bracket for suspension improvement. This was developed by a mechanical engineer who is known by the powersports manufacturers as a source for after-market performance products. He is well known to John at Elka who is responsible for introducing Len and providing a gateway for Len’s concept for the brackets to come into existence. The RT-S has Elka shocks and RS-S has RT shocks.
The brackets on our Spyders were either the 6[SUP]th[/SUP] or 7[SUP]th[/SUP] attempt at developing this product. These brackets are manufactured from aluminum 6061. One of the goals was that the bracket should be installed with as little effort as possible. The RS-S was the initial model used for determining the installation procedure. The front of the Spyder was disassembled. Once the installation process was refined, the brackets were placed on the RT-S without any disassembling of the front end.
We rode the Spyders home (approximately 200 miles) but had to go through Dallas/Ft. Worth area to do so. I rode the RT-S and my son rode the RS-S (he’s ridden this one before and was impressed with the change in handling due to the brackets). All the riding was done on the interstate and we had to do some of it at night with limited visibility because of fog. My first impression about the brackets was that the suspension was tighter. I found the Spyder riding true when I passed or was passed by trucks, I did not have any stability problems nor did the bike act differently. Riding behind an 18-wheeler in the turbulence zone did not affect the Spyder’s handling. The handling characteristics on interstate roads have improved with the brackets.
My wife and I rode Monday for about 60 miles on the back roads of East Texas. These roads have some good twisties so we were able to test the new suspension. The RS (remember) has the RT shocks on the front and now the new Pitbull Brackets. We’ve owned the RS-S longer than the RT-S but put fewer miles on it. I’ve always felt that the RT-S handled the corners better than the RS-S. The addition of the brackets and RT shocks has increased my confidence in my ability to take the RS-S on corners. My impression is the ride handles very well, does not seem to have any additional susceptibility to bumps or vibrations from the road. The road we traveled Monday is one I've ridden several times. The RS handled very well in the curves and I believe the combination of the shocks and brackets is a big improvement over the RS shocks. It will be interesting, given the baseline, how the RS will do with the new brackets and the Elka shocks.
My wife was very pleased with her ride on the RT and she felt it handled in a much more stable manner with the new brackets than on previous rides without them. I'll ride the RT on the same route within the next several days and get back with you on my impression
Reese
The brackets on our Spyders were either the 6[SUP]th[/SUP] or 7[SUP]th[/SUP] attempt at developing this product. These brackets are manufactured from aluminum 6061. One of the goals was that the bracket should be installed with as little effort as possible. The RS-S was the initial model used for determining the installation procedure. The front of the Spyder was disassembled. Once the installation process was refined, the brackets were placed on the RT-S without any disassembling of the front end.
We rode the Spyders home (approximately 200 miles) but had to go through Dallas/Ft. Worth area to do so. I rode the RT-S and my son rode the RS-S (he’s ridden this one before and was impressed with the change in handling due to the brackets). All the riding was done on the interstate and we had to do some of it at night with limited visibility because of fog. My first impression about the brackets was that the suspension was tighter. I found the Spyder riding true when I passed or was passed by trucks, I did not have any stability problems nor did the bike act differently. Riding behind an 18-wheeler in the turbulence zone did not affect the Spyder’s handling. The handling characteristics on interstate roads have improved with the brackets.
My wife and I rode Monday for about 60 miles on the back roads of East Texas. These roads have some good twisties so we were able to test the new suspension. The RS (remember) has the RT shocks on the front and now the new Pitbull Brackets. We’ve owned the RS-S longer than the RT-S but put fewer miles on it. I’ve always felt that the RT-S handled the corners better than the RS-S. The addition of the brackets and RT shocks has increased my confidence in my ability to take the RS-S on corners. My impression is the ride handles very well, does not seem to have any additional susceptibility to bumps or vibrations from the road. The road we traveled Monday is one I've ridden several times. The RS handled very well in the curves and I believe the combination of the shocks and brackets is a big improvement over the RS shocks. It will be interesting, given the baseline, how the RS will do with the new brackets and the Elka shocks.
My wife was very pleased with her ride on the RT and she felt it handled in a much more stable manner with the new brackets than on previous rides without them. I'll ride the RT on the same route within the next several days and get back with you on my impression
Reese
