2014 questions

[littledeer]

Hello all I traded my white 2013RTL on a cognac 2014RTL yesterday but have not taken delivery of it yet. I asked my dealer about checking the alignment on it before delivery and the say it is not needed because it is set at the factory and if I wanted it done I would be charged for it. Is this something that should be done? also I would like to know if there are and build dates I should stay away from and what seem to be the best tire pressure on the 14s? Thanks

 

[Purple Guy]

:welcome: :congrats: on your new Spyder!

I wouldn't be concerned about your build date, some of the early off the line builds had a couple issues but have been takin' care of.
As more hit the road I'm sure there'll be a few more updates that may need to be applied...

Though I'm sure everyone here would agree that a laser alignment should be standard procedure when the dealer does the build this is not included.

recommended tire pressure:
COLD TIRE PRESSURE
Front tires 138 kPa ± 14 kPa
(20 PSI ± 2 PSI)
Rear tires 193 kPa ± 14 kPa
(28 PSI ± 2 PSI)

 

[Jim&Teresa]

Congrats!

:congrats: on your 2014 RT L COGNAC! Great color choice - I have the same (LOL).:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

I've had mine on the road and it runs fine and true. Someday when I notice it pulling or having issues with the front, I may get it laser aligned. Mine was fine from the dealer in terms of alignment (as far as I can tell with the limited amount of time rydin).

Enjoy your new :spyder2:.... :2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

Ride the bike first...
If the alignment is off; you'll know it! :shocked:
Tire pressures: Start with 20 spi front, and 28 psi rear.
Then; experiment one psi at a time, if you think that it needs changing.

 

[CentralCoastCA]

I had my GS aligned last month & it was waaayyyyy out, along with the drive belt being slightly off the rear sprocket.

When my '14 arrives next month, I will have it aligned soon afterwards; according to Ann, every Spyder they have checked (including her '14 RTS) is out of alignment - some worse than others.

I perfer to be proactive on Spyder upkeep/maintenance. JMHO

 

[MidTNDawg]

FWIW

I have no alignment problems which are discernible. I suppose I am of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, but really appears ok. If this changes, I will post here.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm still getting used to my 2014...
I don't see a need to tinker with it yet. But the season is still young, and some more saddle-time is needed... :2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

RE: Alignment. Pro active dealers will use the new alignment system and check your :spyder2: out. Based on stats mentioned here on the site--most :ani29:'s are coming from the factory out of true spec. The original factory set up, having the dealers use 2 x 4's seems a little wacky for me.

Bob had good advice. Drive it a little first, if you need it, find one of the many dealers or members that are doing the laser alignment. For $125 or so--it sounds like its worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[littledeer]

Thanks all for the info ,keep them coming. We are ready for some warm weather and the new ride.

 

[cmar157]

I just had my 2012 RTS serviced and my dealer told me the laser alignment is now the recommended on the initial set ups. I had it done and could feel the difference.

 

[RUOUTHERE]

Picking up my new 2014 RT-S this week, requested a laser alignment, to my surprise my dealer does not yet have one. So the hunt will be on to find one in New England.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I don't know if dealers will offer this but we (and most of the independent Rolo/Outlaw laser people) will check the alignment on your Spyder for free. If it does not need any adjustments you don't pay. So far we have not had a single Spyder that was properly aligned. I would suggest that you have yours checked and then decide if you want it adjusted.

 

[Bob Denman]

Ann,
What indications would I see or feel, if my bike actually needed the alignment corrected? :dontknow:

 

[spyder-dude]

By the sounds of this dealers attitude I sure wouldn't use them for the alignment. Ride it first and then decide if you think it is needed then figure out how to get Lamont or Spyderpops do their magic with the alignment. :thumbup:

 

[BikerDoc]

Ann,
What indications would I see or feel, if my bike actually needed the alignment corrected? :dontknow:

Bob its more about how much better you will feel in tracking the road after the laser alignment rather than being "able to tell something is wrong".

 

[MidTNDawg]

I read you but

Bob its more about how much better you will feel in tracking the road after the laser alignment rather than being "able to tell something is wrong".

I believe Bob's question is a valid one. When your bike runs straight and true with "no hands" and does left and right curves with ease meaning no tendency to pull one way or the other what indication would cause you to travel for the only purpose of having the alignment checked?

 

[StanProff]

If it needs alignment you will know it. If it runs true in a straight line on the highway, doesn't pull left or right, takes no more effort to turn left or right I wouldn't mess with it. The problem with running true with "hands off of the bars is that most highways do slope from the center line for drainage. it is hard to find a perfectly level interstate. With this in mind you may have a very slight drift one way or the other from the center line. This doesn't mean you have a problem.
Just my opinion.

 

[Bob Denman]

Mine feels a bit on the "skittish" side. :shocked:
I'm currently hoping that it's just me needing to re-hone my skills at the start of the Season.

 

[R30SHIRE]

Mine feels a bit on the "skittish" side. :shocked:
I'm currently hoping that it's just me needing to re-hone my skills at the start of the Season.

Mine felt the same way. I was cruising at about 65 miles per hour and it had a lot of wobble, had to back the speed down. I'm taking it back to the dealer to inspect it. My 2012 was dead on at 65-70 MPH.

 

[BajaRon]

I am not sure that waiting for a laser alignment is a good idea. Just because you don't notice a problem doesn't mean your Spyder is properly aligned. It can be misaligned equally on each side which will give the felling that everything is good. It won't be until you get tire wear issues down the road that you'll say; 'I should have gotten a laser alignment'. Once the tires start to go south it's difficult to get them to wear correctly.

Your dealership doesn't sound like the right place to get an alignment. It sounds like they would use the BRP method which is why you need an alignment in the 1st place! :yikes: You'd be wasting your money.

Most, if not all, good laser alignment shops will not charge you anything if your Spyder is properly aligned, so there is nothing to lose and you don't have to depend on the seat of your pants or tire wear for piece of mind. From talking to those who have done quite a few of these alignments, it is quite a bit less than 10% that are in spec. The odds are not with you on this one.

I've talked with people who said they thought their alignment was fine but figured, why not? Since I don't have to pay if it's right. Only to find that it was out, (sometimes WAY out). Afterwards they said their Spyder steered with less effort and felt more stable both straight ahead and in curves.

Just my 2 cents....