2 Questions

[srwilli]

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

 

[bill pitman]

Find someone......

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

Checked that all "front end components are OK", then
In your area, find out who is doing the laser alignment. Now!
Search laser alignment on this site, much info.....
Also, I would think your dealer is uninformed!

2nd question- I had my front tires balanced by the " Hunter Road Force" system.
With this system, both components are checked to see their"balance or heavy points". Then they are matched up to neutralize those points. This helps eliminate some of the weights that might be needed to finish balancing the wheel/tire combination.
Only problem, where you might go, they may not have the correct round adapter disc.
I bought one, just because.....


Bill

 

[rcturner]

Make sure that you have the front suspension set to the fourth highest setting. That seems to make the difference for many riders, me included. (next to the max tension setting)

 

[Pennyrick]

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

I would call your dealer service manager or general manager back and tell them this is NOT normal for this amount of mileage.if you get the same response....run away from that dealer...quickly and find one who knows spyders.

 

[Silvervette05]

I have an 08 rs with 11750 miles on it, front tires have not been replaced, and are wearing fine, should last another 11000 miles by their looks.

 

[NancysToy]

Dealers have been giving that BS excuse since the RT came out...partly at BRP's urging. Your problem is, indeed, improper alignment...namely too little toe-in. The problem is aggravated with a heavy rider or too low suspension settings (2012 & earlier) because the Spyder (especially the RT) toes out as front ride height is lowered (suspension is loaded). Make sure your spring preload (if applicable) is set to at least #4 or more, it will help. What you really need is an alignment, though. Have a laser alignment if you can. If not, you will need to find an informed dealer who has done the BRP procedure before. If you go the BRP route, make sure they double check the setting on the ground with the appriopriate rider weight loaded. They also need to calibrate the steering sensors after either procedure.

 

[BajaRon]

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

As Scotty puts it so delicately,

Question #1: Answer - No, No And Absolutely No. Dealer is either ignorant or lying. Those are the only 2 possibilities.

Question #2: Answer - Yes, on the mounting, more likely no on the balance because they can't mount the Spyder wheel to their machine.

Isn't it a shame that #1, many dealerships have no idea what they are talking about and #2, they give out such bad information. They should be the 'Go To' people. Instead, it's Spyderlovers that ends up being the 'Go To' source.

 

[SpyRyd]

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

1st ? Has been answered by the expert (NancysToy).

2nd ? Answer is yes. I bought General Altimax tires at Walmart but they did not have the proper adapter to mount the Spyder front wheels to their tire balance machine. Took wheels and new tires to Tread Quarters where they mounted and balanced the tires. I'm sure other tire shops could do the same.

 

[murphybrown]

No No No...get a laser alignment done ASAP

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

I have been told that crappola by a couple different dealers...that I just had to accept the wear...I was "blowing" thru OEM front tires at around 8-9k....after Elkas and Len's relocators I am at 13k on this set of OEM's and they are looking great, now showing a little outside wear...will get Lamont or Len to do the laser when I show up for Spyderfest 2014..

My first dealer (who went out of buiness) would only mount OEM's...haven't asked my current dealer..but not an issue for me as I choose to run only OEM's...I know many on SL's have gone to car tires..some have stated that they have gone to tire store and had the fronts mounted, no special issue. Now our rear tire..that is a different "animal" :yikes:...
So because my hot button still gets pushed when I remember having open discussion about alignment and tire wear and getting the pat on the gray head that said "you just have to accept"...well to repeat myself the Laser Alignment is proving that mantra to be BS...:thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Let's see..!!

no vehicle I know of has uneven tire wear as normal. Well maybe those tractors with the V mounted front tires..:roflblack:. Anyone stating that is normal is trying to brush you off or hasn't got a clue and a good reason to avoid them. We have almost 14,000 on all tires and the wear is flat across. Rear is getting low but the fronts are in good shape and will go another 14,000. As to tires I am of the belief of keeping all tires in the same family. If I go to car tires I will change them all keeping ply's and patterns the same. Keeps things wearing and handling better...jmo hyea:

 

[ARtraveler]

Average mileage on :spyder2:'s with no alignment issues:

20,000 - 25,000 on the fronts and 13,000 to 15,000 on the rear tires.

My personal experience--I have replaced three sets of front tires, on three :ani29:'s and four rear tires on three :ani29:'s.

 

[Bob Denman]

Nothing need be added... other than outrage at another dealer trying to feed somebody that line of crap... :gaah:

 

[DrewNJ]

When you go for new tires save yourself a TON of agrivation and tell the tire shop the wheels are off a SMART car. They won't even blink. If you say it's for a Spyder most tire shops don't want to touch it and will tell you to go to a motorcycle shop. That was the advice I was given by our local NTB "off the record".
When I asked the guys at NTB about the center bore on the wheels and balancing they said that they had no issues at all and the cone on the balancer fit just fine. I also asked about the rear and he said he's already done one with no issues but the wheel has to be fully stripped of the hub and bearings.
I think most problems come from a tire shop not wanting to be liable for working on a "motorcycle".


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bob Denman]

I don't know if I'd want to mention The Smart Car around here..
I wouldn't want folks to be getting the wrong idea about me!! :shocked:

 

[DrewNJ]

I don't know if I'd want to mention The Smart Car around here..
I wouldn't want folks to be getting the wrong idea about me!! :shocked:

Tell em' it's for your daughter, or you found it abandoned on the side of the road...:roflblack:

 

[srwilli]

This is what the dealer says is "normal".. Little of 7K miles.. New Potenzas coming today, and will have laser alignment on the 26th.

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[joet82]

During my trip last week I noticed that my front tires were wearing unevenly, with more wear to the inside which to me would indicate an alignment problem. Called my dealer after getting home, and was told that this inside wear is normal.

1st Question: Is this normal wear?
Currently 7000 miles, still have good tread, but with the way it is wearing would expect to replace the fronts soon. Which leads to the second question, dealer says they will not mount anything but BRP recommended tires, so:

2nd Question: Has anyone had front tires mounted/balanced at a shop that is not a Spyder dealer? (Auto Tire Shop for example)

1st Answer - uneven wear isn't going to be corrected with a laser alignment. the best way to adjust that wear is to adjust your shocks. stiffening them up will help eliminate the uneven wear, due to the tires not sliding out as you put weight on the spyder.

 

[srwilli]

1st Answer - uneven wear isn't going to be corrected with a laser alignment. the best way to adjust that wear is to adjust your shocks. stiffening them up will help eliminate the uneven wear, due to the tires not sliding out as you put weight on the spyder.

I ride one up with the shocks set on the next to last setting. During the trip, riding two up with luggage I adjusted the shocks to the highest setting. If it were shocks, would not both tires show the same level of wear? In all my years of experience with cars, this kind of wear was absolutely alignment.

I don't understand.....:helpsmilie:

 

[NancysToy]

1st Answer - uneven wear isn't going to be corrected with a laser alignment. the best way to adjust that wear is to adjust your shocks. stiffening them up will help eliminate the uneven wear, due to the tires not sliding out as you put weight on the spyder.

I'm not sure where you got this information, but in reality both have an effect. Uneven wear on the inside of both Spyder tires is caused by bad alignment. Improper suspension settings for the rider/passenger/cargo weight can lower the front ride height...and toe out the wheels. A proper alignment should correct this, especially if the rider weight is taken into account. Have your suspension set optimally when you have the alignment done. The suspension components should be in good shape, too...or your alignment will have been for naught.

 

[Bob Denman]

No daughter; perhaps I can adapt the story for Sonny-boy's girlfriend... Thanks! :thumbup: