Can you feel any Difference in the Suspension between an XT and a RedRock Canyon?

We sat on a base model yesterday (no luggage) and the first thing I noticed was how much it rocked side to side, then how soft/under damped it was in the rear. Much like our 23 RTL before we swapped on the Elkas. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if they use the same shocks.

The salesman was trying to sell us, but I strait up told him it would be a Red Rock or nothing.

Well just sitting on the bike in the show room floor without running the motor and having it in gear will not engage the rear air bag if it has one. That will make a big difference in the impression of what you're going to have on the road. And in my eye's, what really is getting on a bike and rocking it side to side really getting you? You have to get on the thing and rip it down the road, hit the bumps, steer it, hit a curve or two! Just my 2 cents!

Mikey said:

Well just sitting on the bike in the show room floor without running the motor and having it in gear will not engage the rear air bag if it has one. That will make a big difference in the impression of what you're going to have on the road. And in my eye's, what really is getting on a bike and rocking it side to side really getting you? You have to get on the thing and rip it down the road, hit the bumps, steer it, hit a curve or two! Just my 2 cents!

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It was outside, engine running, and my wife rode it down to a flat area to check it out. Feels worse that a floppy POS RT out of the box... not something I would want to take off a smooth road. That is to be somewhat expected since it is a bit taller, so leverage due to the higher roll center is at play while mounting; but at the same time, so is cornering?

Add a sway bar and/or heavier springs for the cornering and then you get less independent wheel compliance to soak up the chop. Pick your poison or buy the right package out of the gate?

If the RedRock's Smart Shox are like most other live valve systems I have worked on, the valves default to closed when the system isn't powered up. I find this to be a benefit on my Jeep when the roof top tent is deployed and it's windy!

Oh, I misunderstood you about the just jumping on part!!! Sorry! It's great that you did get to ride it, even if it was in the driveway! I totally agree with your thoughts on going with the better package up front to start with. It seems a shame that we spend a lot of money for a machine that we have to accessorize with a better suspension package. You watch their videos, and they say they are rider, designers! Do they not take them down a bumpy hilly road? The roads up there must be smoother and straighter in Canada. Good luck in your search for golden combo!!

Mikey said:

Oh, I misunderstood you about the just jumping on part!!! Sorry! It's great that you did get to ride it, even if it was in the driveway! I totally agree with your thoughts on going with the better package up front to start with. It seems a shame that we spend a lot of money for a machine that we have to accessorize with a better suspension package. You watch their videos, and they say they are rider, designers! Do they not take them down a bumpy hilly road? The roads up there must be smoother and straighter in Canada. Good luck in your search for golden combo!!

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A good off road vehicle needs four wheel drive with lockers front and back. If you watch Matt's Off Road Recovery, Trailmater, or Fab Rats, you'll see them recovering all wheel drive cars and SUVs that get stuck on flat terrain.

It will be interesting to hear their comments when they pull out the first Canyon. "You ventured here in a one wheel drive vehicle?"

Yeah, you can feel a difference. The RedRock tends to have a slightly stiffer, more planted suspension, especially in corners or under load, it’s tuned more for performance feel and control.

The XT, on the other hand, is a bit more forgiving, with a softer ride that soaks up bumps better, making it more comfortable for longer, casual rides

kvilian223 said:

Yeah, you can feel a difference. The RedRock tends to have a slightly stiffer, more planted suspension, especially in corners or under load, it’s tuned more for performance feel and control.

The XT, on the other hand, is a bit more forgiving, with a softer ride that soaks up bumps better, making it more comfortable for longer, casual rides

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Hi, it sounds like you've ridden the XT and the RedRock - I'm trying to weigh up if it's worth the extra for the active ride?

Did the XT lean 'out' more during tight turns - the constant problem these trikes have. I'm concerned that making the machine & rider taller will increase the issue - as @CrazyCooter said above:

"That is to be somewhat expected since it is a bit taller, so leverage due to the higher roll center is at play"

So I'm wondering if the active suspension will stiffen up during corners to counter that 'lean out' and keep it more level while turning?

Thanks for any knowledge you have - I have not been able to ride one yet.

CrazyCooter said:

We sat on a base model yesterday (no luggage) and the first thing I noticed was how much it rocked side to side, then how soft/under damped it was in the rear. Much like our 23 RTL before we swapped on the Elkas. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if they use the same shocks.

The salesman was trying to sell us, but I strait up told him it would be a Red Rock or nothing.

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When I picked up my STD model and got it home and checked the air bag pressure it registered 0 psi. I added pressure at the Schraeder valve to 8 lbs (for my weight). This firmed up the rear suspension substantially. I don't know if they ship the air bag empty or mine was just overlooked at assembly.

Tslepebull said:

When I picked up my STD model and got it home and checked the air bag pressure it registered 0 psi. I added pressure at the Schraeder valve to 8 lbs (for my weight). This firmed up the rear suspension substantially. I don't know if they ship the air bag empty or mine was just overlooked at assembly.

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That would make the rebound damping issue I loathe even worse.

Adding air to the bag increases suspension ride frequency requiring less compression/more rebound damping for a balanced result. Does a underinflated or overinflated basketball return to your hand quicker?

I haven't ridden both, but do have about 600 miles on my week old XT. I don't think the XT suspension has excessive lean in turns. That said, it's not optimized for curvy smooth pavement when compared to an RT or F3, both of which I have ridden. Everything is a compromise. On the Canyon, I use more of my body involvement to stay on. I find myself weighting the outside peg and leaning my inside thigh against the Canyon more strenuously than on the others. More of a dirt bike style, without countersteering the 2W bike to lean into the turns. I wonder if lean, which is a slow-ish dynamic, is affected more by spring rate than shock characteristics? That's why a sway bar is effective. It's probably the interaction of both factors. I can say that I'm happy with the XT suspension on rougher roads. It's nice and reactive without bottoming out.