Do I need to replace shocks??

[Dan_Ashley]

I have a 2012 RT with 6,000 +\- miles on it. It has a Bajaron sway bar and rides like a dream. The front tires are at 17 and the rear ones at 28. I keep the bile spotless, and I check everthing every time I clean it. There are no leaks from the front or rear shocks. The front shocks are on the middle setting.

A mechanic is telling me that the front shocks are worn out. This seems counter-intuitive to me because the bike rides like a dream. In cars I used to push down on a corner to see the damping effects of the shock absorbers. If the car bounced on the springs, I knew the shocks were worn out. Is there a similar and simple test for a Spyder? One that a non-mecanically inclined person such as myself can do? It is not that I don't trust the mechanic--it's just that after being taken a few tmes over the last 63 years, I just want to be able to confirm what I'm being told.

 

[SNOOPY]

At 6000 miles? I hope not, but I don't know motorcycles well.

 

[Chupaca]

Let's see..!!

there were some issues with the shocks and were replace by BRP. If that's the case they should change them. On the other hand it is strange they should tell you your shocks are worn if you have noticed nothing. With that mileage and the care you take it does seem odd. If you are set at the middle it would be soft to some and could be the reason. If they were bad you would notice it. I would get a second opinion before changing them...jmo..:dontknow:

 

[jerpinoy]

It seems too early for a bad shock.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Some people have said that the stock shocks are throw aways but I don't agree. If your Soyder is handling fine I wouldn't change it that is unless they will give them to you under warranty

 

[Dan_Ashley]

Thanks to all for confirming what I thought....leaves me with one question though...what kind of mileage should I expect from the front shocks? I used to replace shocks on my Yamaha every 15,000 just to ensure safety. But I have no idea on my RT...

 

[Bob Denman]

He's trying to sell some shocks... :gaah:

 

[SpyRyd]

Thanks to all for confirming what I thought....leaves me with one question though...what kind of mileage should I expect from the front shocks? I used to replace shocks on my Yamaha every 15,000 just to ensure safety. But I have no idea on my RT...

I've got over 21,000 miles on my '12 RT Ltd and am still running the original shocks. I understand the 2012 models came with the best shocks then any of the earlier models.

 

[SNOOPY]

Some people have said that the stock shocks are throw aways but I don't agree. If your Soyder is handling fine I wouldn't change it that is unless they will give them to you under warranty

What's a Soyder?

Is that a Spyder made of soybeans? opcorn:


lol

 

[cuznjohn]

shocks

i changed mine because the bike was nose diving and i bought the elkas and wow what a difference

 

[Dan_Ashley]

He's trying to sell some shocks... :gaah:

kinda what I thought. But it's confirmed now. I'll find a new mechanic too.

 

[BajaRon]

Anything is possible, of course. But the 2012 OEM shocks, while not on a plane with Elka's, are a pretty good units. They should be good for 20K or more. Can you get better shocks? Sure! Are your OEM shocks worn out? Very unlikely at 6K. Do you need new shocks? I doubt it.

Don't let someone talk you out of being happy with your ride. Consider the information but be prepared to toss it if it does not fit reality. Just because they are wearing a shop jacket with a name tag and get paid for what they do does not mean they are always right.

 

[SNOOPY]

Anything is possible, of course. But the 2012 OEM shocks, while not on a plane with Elka's, are a pretty good units. They should be good for 20K or more. Can you get better shocks? Sure! Are your OEM shocks worn out? Very unlikely at 6K. Do you need new shocks? I doubt it.

Don't let someone talk you out of being happy with your ride. Consider the information but be prepared to toss it if it does not fit reality. Just because they are wearing a shop jacket with a name tag and get paid for what they do does not mean they are always right.

Personally I appreciate your input on this.

It's nice to hear from informed people on subjects we seem to know little about, thanks. :thumbup:

 

[OldCowboy]

He's trying to sell some shocks... :gaah:

:agree: No way in heck you need new shocks after 6000 miles. Any time a mechanic has told me I have bad shocks, he's been able to show me where they're leaking. If yours aren't leaking, you were having smoke blown up your :cus:.

 

[NancysToy]

First I have to ask, what were the syptoms that made you ask your tech for his opinion...or did he just volunteer it? If he just volunteered it, remember that scheme is one of the oldest phony money makers in the automotive business. Few owners know how to check, and they panic at a planted drop of oil, a squeak, a scrape, or even just the mechanic's word. If you don't realize it is broken, you sure don't need to fix it! If this is the case, I'd find another dealer and turn this one in to BRP and the BBB.

If you are having problems, describe them and maybe we can suggest solutions. Your shocks are on a pretty low setting, and there is performance to be gained from the sounds of it. BTW, the old test of shocks is still the same...push down hard and see if it rebounds repeatedly or makes clanking noises. There are just fewer places to push on a Spyder, so you may need to be creative. If you are just worried, I'd suggest you wait until you notice performance degrading.

 

[SNOOPY]

I just want to know why, if a ST-S is a sportier version of a Spyder, why we don't have any shock adjustments? :banghead:

 

[ulflyer]

You'd get a better ride, with the shocks all the way up. It would seem stiffer at first but you'd soon notice that it handles better on curves and even out on interstate where there is lots of turbulence.

If you know anyone with a similar machine, test the two of them by putting your foot on one peg and pushing up and down to see how much it springs. Use your buddy's to compare. Otherwise go to a dealer and do the same with a new one to get a feel for it.

As others have said; highly unlikely yours are bad.

 

[Bob Denman]

I just want to know why, if a ST-S is a sportier version of a Spyder, why we don't have any shock adjustments? :banghead:

YOu don't get "shock adjustments"l becuase the new front suspensins are more sensitive to ride height changes...

 

[Blue Star]

I have a 2012 RT with 6,000 +\- miles on it. It has a Bajaron sway bar and rides like a dream. The front tires are at 17 and the rear ones at 28. I keep the bile spotless, and I check everthing every time I clean it. There are no leaks from the front or rear shocks. The front shocks are on the middle setting.

A mechanic is telling me that the front shocks are worn out. This seems counter-intuitive to me because the bike rides like a dream. In cars I used to push down on a corner to see the damping effects of the shock absorbers. If the car bounced on the springs, I knew the shocks were worn out. Is there a similar and simple test for a Spyder? One that a non-mecanically inclined person such as myself can do? It is not that I don't trust the mechanic--it's just that after being taken a few tmes over the last 63 years, I just want to be able to confirm what I'm being told.

Dan,
As you know we both bought our RT-S a couple months apart. I am currently at 6200 +/- miles (not bad since I am not retired), so I will go outside and check mine. Okay, I just went out and did the push test on my Spyder, and the shocks seem just fine. On a side note, I have mine set at the high (5) setting. I would be very skeptical of this mechanic, and did he know you have the Bajaron sway bar installed?

 

[Blue Star]

You'd get a better ride, with the shocks all the way up. It would seem stiffer at first but you'd soon notice that it handles better on curves and even out on interstate where there is lots of turbulence.

If you know anyone with a similar machine, test the two of them by putting your foot on one peg and pushing up and down to see how much it springs. Use your buddy's to compare. Otherwise go to a dealer and do the same with a new one to get a feel for it.

As others have said; highly unlikely yours are bad.

Dan,
Are you going to the meeting Saturday? If so, you can compare mine to yours since ours are so close in mileage.