Swerving.. Spyder or human error?

[Spydr in KS]

The new, lower profile tires seem to like a little less pressure than the earlier models did. The new ones are a little more "squirmy" at the higher pressures, from what I have heard...and the increase above the OEM recommended pressure is no longer needed to counteract the tire portion of the body roll with the more rigid tires.

:2thumbs: I ran 18 psi front on my 2008. My STS was delivered with 13 psi. I pumped it up to 18 and didn't like the ride or handling. I settled on 16 as good for me. I doubt tire pressure is the OP's problem, but I'd try 15-16 psi and see if you like it better,

 

[HuckFin]

Scotty, just curious why you think 18 is too high on the 2013? Mine was delivered with 21 in the front and I did drop it down to 18 but I thought 15 - 16 was too low

So far, I've been running 14 on the front and 24 on the back on my 2013 RS-S and love the way it handles.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I will say that when I dropped my front tire pressure from 21 to 18 it did help the handling.

 

[Bob Denman]

And if it wasn't for guys like you and Scotty, I would still be sitting here saying "Duh". I just wanted to thank all you guys for stepping up to the plate with answers so we can go to our dealers a lot more informed.

:agree: :clap: :bowdown: :firstplace:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Why is it that dealerships today have such a long list of 'Can'ts'?

If the front end can't be aligned, then why are there adjustments on the tie rods?

Why is there a detailed procedure for proper alignment from BRP?

Amazing! But the fact remains that if the customer doesn't know more than the dealer you could be in big trouble.

Its really amazing that they would deny doing work for pay through lack of knowledge. This type of thinking is becoming more common with the smaller rural dealerships as their trained techs leave for better paying jobs. When the Spyder first came out the dealerships had to have a trained tech. Now years later there either does not seem to be a requirement anymore or BRP is not checking. This is not a good direction to be heading in for a long term future for the Spyder. While I don't mind riding 110 miles for the next closest dealer I doubt many new riders will se that a ok.

 

[NancysToy]

So far, I've been running 14 on the front and 24 on the back on my 2013 RS-S and love the way it handles.

Be careful about running pressures below the minimum printed on the tire sidewall. Minimums are seldom stated, and when they do it is usually for safety reasons. The front tires on the Spyder have a marked minimum.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Dealer personnel

how could a person invest so much money into a dealer franchise such as BRP offers then hire personnel so dumb and technically illiterate ???

 

[Spydr in KS]

Be careful about running pressures below the minimum printed on the tire sidewall. Minimums are seldom stated, and when they do it is usually for safety reasons. The front tires on the Spyder have a marked minimum.

Itneresting, my 2013 front tire sidewall says 15 psi min. The BRP manual says 13 - 17 psi?

 

[NancysToy]

Itneresting, my 2013 front tire sidewall says 15 psi min. The BRP manual says 13 - 17 psi?

Yes, they have had that in the manual from the beginning. I don't recommend going below 15, however. The tire manufacturer knows better than some flunky writing a manual. Shall we talk about the Ford Explorer debacle?

 

[SpyderMouse22]

tire preasure

I am having some issues with my ST Limited feeling loose in the corners and at 60+ miles per hour. Taking the tire preasure down to 16.5 helped alot. I am going to take some air out of the back next. I can say when i took preasure up in the front it didnt help at all. I figured i would start with tire preasure before messing with shocks or sway bars first. I am going to do the laser alignment next.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I'm getting my shocks replaced tomorrow. :yes:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

how could a person invest so much money into a dealer franchise such as BRP offers then hire personnel so dumb and technically illiterate ???

Because they make a lot more $$$ off of four wheelers, watercraft and snowmobiles. Most dealers are not motorcycle Shops and put their resources where their main business is. Spyders are still a minority product in most areas and with most small dealers. My nearest dealer has at least twenty four wheelers and ten watercraft on the floor. He only has two Spyders, a 2012 RSS and a 2012 RT Limited with a trailer. I asked him about the 2013's and he said yeah I have a few in a crate in the wear house, waiting to sell the 2012's first. Unbelievable stupidly! By the way there are no discounts on the 2012's which are priced at full list! Don't know if it means anything but the manager is 26 years old in his first job as a manager and the store is very successful with their other products.

 

[reverendg]

Because they make a lot more $$$ off of four wheelers, watercraft and snowmobiles. Most dealers are not motorcycle Shops and put their resources where their main business is. Spyders are still a minority product in most areas and with most small dealers. My nearest dealer has at least twenty four wheelers and ten watercraft on the floor. He only has two Spyders, a 2012 RSS and a 2012 RT Limited with a trailer. I asked him about the 2013's and he said yeah I have a few in a crate in the wear house, waiting to sell the 2012's first. Unbelievable stupidly! By the way there are no discounts on the 2012's which are priced at full list! Don't know if it means anything but the manager is 26 years old in his first job as a manager and the store is very successful with their other products.

That is scary!! Where I bought mine they have plenty of watercraft and four wheelers (they are a "marine" sales/service by name) but easily had 10 spyders on the floor, and sitting out on their lawn drawing attention. There were '12's and '13's available in all three styles and a few different colors. The spyders were the first thing you saw entering their sales floor. This could be why I am seeing them fairly often on the streets locally. Since I had only a training permit at the time, the salesgirl jumped on another spyder and escorted me home so as to keep everything legal. The teen looking salesgirl even knew the differences between the 12's and 13's, including the less noticeable stuff like brake and tire size improvements. They didn't gouge me on the 600 mile check-up either. Knowing that most of their product line is BRP products is also a good thing.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm getting my shocks replaced tomorrow. :yes:

:2thumbs:

But replaced with what?? That's the question...

 

[SpyderAnn01]

:2thumbs:

But replaced with what?? That's the question...

With a different set, silly. Nothing more nothing less. Time will tell.

 

[dadunston]

hello all,

I thought I would provide an update on this situation. Finally found a dealership who would was knowledgeable and actually cared to listen to my problem.

After working with BRP this week, they believe its related to my shocks and a new set is on order. Once they are replaced, my hopes are that my issues will be resolved. I'll keep this thread updated on the progress.

I'm ready to finally drive without worrying if the wind blowing to hard or the wrong direction will jerk the steering left or right causing me to wreck.

 

[03hdjill]

new shocks

hello all,

I thought I would provide an update on this situation. Finally found a dealership who would was knowledgeable and actually cared to listen to my problem.

After working with BRP this week, they believe its related to my shocks and a new set is on order. Once they are replaced, my hopes are that my issues will be resolved. I'll keep this thread updated on the progress.

I'm ready to finally drive without worrying if the wind blowing to hard or the wrong direction will jerk the steering left or right causing me to wreck.

I am curious as to what kind of shocks BRP is using to replace the stock shocks on the 2013 ST Limited. Does anyone know? I have approximately 2000 miles on my ST Limited that I have owned for approximately 2 months. Really, I am fine with everything about my Spyder. (other than my brake light sticks, and a reflector fell off my saddlebag) I don't know if it would be better to go in and ask that the shocks be replaced since they are saying that the Spyder will handle better, or leave well enough, alone. What do you think? Jill

 

[NancysToy]

I am curious as to what kind of shocks BRP is using to replace the stock shocks on the 2013 ST Limited. Does anyone know? I have approximately 2000 miles on my ST Limited that I have owned for approximately 2 months. Really, I am fine with everything about my Spyder. (other than my brake light sticks, and a reflector fell off my saddlebag) I don't know if it would be better to go in and ask that the shocks be replaced since they are saying that the Spyder will handle better, or leave well enough, alone. What do you think? Jill

If your Spyder already handles fine, the replacement shocks will do no good. The ones with faulty shocks don't handle well. You said you are fine with it, so I'd just ride the wheels off it!

 

[Shandycat]

I'm about due for my 600 mile service and after reading this thread I'm scared to death! What's a reasonable amount to pay for this service? Were any of you fed any lines of BS that I need to be aware of such as, "Your divariable veeblefritzer is already worn out. A replacement will cost $1000." Can you suggest any questions I might ask to subtly find out the knowledge level of the technicians so I can feel confident in their abilities (or run screaming from the building)?

I just HATE when those divariable veeblefritzers go bad before their time....

 

[Jharpo]

BRP Replaced mine

I'm getting my shocks replaced tomorrow. :yes:

Anne, the dealer replaced my shocks also. New ones are much beefier and bike even corners easier. No more loose and floppy.