Can someone explain to me objectively the advantages / disadvantages of a stiffer sway bar? Thanks.
I get this question all the time. And frankly, it is a difficult one to answer effectively. If you have ever ridden a go-cart on a track at an amusement park, the affect is similar. Because when you're riding a go-cart it feels like you are in total control and the machine will simply do whatever you ask of it. Now obviously, most of us don't really want a harsh riding, on the ground go-cart. But the beauty of the bar kit is that it gives you much better stability, control and handling without affecting the great ride that we all enjoy on our Spyders.
Because the sway bar increases traction at each tire, not only is handling more controlled and precise, overall stability is also increased. The the bar makes a big difference to any way you ride. As you load the Spyder, add a 2nd rider and then add a trailer. The sway bar works harder for you with each increment of added weight, which the sway bar sees as stress.
One of the most common feedback responses I get from customers goes something like this.
'I didn't think I needed to upgrade my sway bar. I had always been very happy with the way my Spyder rode and handled. But I finally decided to get a bar kit because everyone spoke so highly of the results. Now I wish I had done it a long time ago. I just didn't realize what I had been missing with the stock bar.'
I have been told that some dealerships are telling customers the ride will be more harsh or that you will need a new front end alignment if you install the sway bar kit. That is very unfortunate because neither of these are true. The sway bar has no effect what-so-ever on alignment (other than in turns where the sway bar helps
MAINTAIN proper alignment by keeping the suspension components under control). Nor does the heavier sway bar have any affect when traveling straight ahead, (unless you are being buffeted by heavy cross winds or when passing a big semi-truck at freeway speeds. The sway bar will help stabilize your Spyder in these situations even while traveling straight ahead).
One added advantage to the sway bar upgrade is that if you ever need to make an emergency avoidance maneuver, the sway bar will give you much more control and help to recover from the maneuver much more quickly.
But the only way to really know what the sway bar does is to ride a Spyder with my bar kit installed. Most people can tell the difference in a few hundred feet. The effect will be very obvious.
Hope this helps! :thumbup:
