Awaiting Works Performane Shocks after Freeway Commute

[Pseudonym]

A few days ago I spoke with Tom Edison at Works Performance and asked them to make me a pair of replacement shocks for the front of my RTS. They are now working on them, and I should hopefully have them in a couple of weeks.

Before I even purchased the RTS, I made up my mind that I would probably want to replace the front shocks, and possibly the rear as well. After commuting on it to work today :yikes: for the first time, those custom shocks can't get here fast enough. Granted I've only put a few hundred miles on my Spyder so far, but today gave me a whole new respect for people that regularly brave the freeways on open vehicles :bowdown:. Grooved pavement, pot holes, haphazard patch seams and wind from heavy traffic combined with the stock suspension made for a harrowing ride. Anytime I got much over 60mph I found myself fighting a tendency to drift/skitter about over rough surfaces. The carpool lane on the 91 freeway was brutal, as were parts of the 710 freeway and the Vincent Thomas bridge.

I've really been enjoying running errands around town and scenic weekend highway drives, but I think I may wait for the new shocks before I use it to commute.

For those who care, I ordered the "Piggyback" series that feature:

• attached external reservoir
• dual rate springs
• threaded spring preload
• 18 position adjustable rebound damping
• 12 month warranty (parts and labor)
• fully rebuildable (i.e. service them at 30-40K miles rather than replace them)
• polished billet aluminum with black springs (to match the Timeless Black RTS)

I received a 10% discount for being a SpyderLovers.com member, putting me at total of $764 + tax and shipping.

They asked for my weight with riding gear, passenger weight, typical driving conditions and style, likely cargo weights, etc. and now their engineers will design the spring rates and valving accordingly.

I got the idea for these after reading these threads with posts from 3Ryder and Clueless:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22909

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23933

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24813

I'll let you know how they work for me after I get them installed and try them out.

Tom at Works Performance was courteous and professional and didn't try to upsale me to features I didn't need. In fact, he talked me out of a more expensive model with extra adjustment features and even suggested I wait on replacing my rear shock until I see how I like these. I mentioned that I was considering getting the trailer in about a year, and he said to save my money until I know for sure so that they can build the rear shock accordingly.

Thomas Edison
Works Performance Products, Inc.
21045 Osborne Street
Canoga Park, CA 91304
(818) 701-1010 Extension #21
www.worksperformance.com

 

[IWN2RYD]

I purchased a set of shocks form Thomas about three years ago.. great guy, great shocks... My Raptor 660 became a new beast in just a few hours. Solid product at a bit more reasonable price point... :spyder2::yes::thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

If you continue to have "darting" problems, and you are sure you are not holding too tightly and over-controlling (easy on a Spyder), you may want to have your alignment checked. After doing a minor alignment and resetting the steering sensors, my RTS became a completely different animal on the freeways. After a couple of sudden, unplanned excursions onto the median and shoulder, it was a very welcome change! Good manners after the alignment.

If you decide to have a rear shock built, remind them that the Spyder RT does not carry the tongue load on the shock...merely on the swingarm. It should not take much more spring rate...if any, unlike other machines where the trailer load is suspended.

 

[clueless]

scotty they actually had 3Ryder's RT in for actual testing for the front and rear shocks ... thats how they knew to build the shocks for front upside down :2thumbs: like the OEM shocks.

supposedly a nice improvement. waiting to check out 3Ryders at Spyderfest hopefully :doorag:

 

[NancysToy]

scotty they actually had 3Ryder's RT in for actual testing for the front and rear shocks ... thats how they knew to build the shocks for front upside down :2thumbs: like the OEM shocks.

supposedly a nice improvement. waiting to check out 3Ryders at Spyderfest hopefully :doorag:

Yes, I like what Works Performance did to build shocks specifically tailored to the Spyder RT. If I ever go the aftermarket shock route, they will be at the top of my list. I also like that dual rate spring.

 

[Dragonrider]

I went to the WP website & can't find a thing about either the RS or RT - what are they listed under??

 

[TicketBait]

supposedly a nice improvement. waiting to check out 3Ryders at Spyderfest hopefully :doorag:

That would be great if it is possible to try other peoples rides at spyderfest, I am thoroughly happy and satisfied with my stock set up being at #5 setting with 16-17 psi in front tires. I feel very stable and in control under all highway speeds and conditions.. Heck a couple of weeks ago I got her up on two wheels and have now discovered a new limit before going up on two:shocked: But I am always open to better:thumbup: if I need it to make the ride more enjoyable, or even more enjoyable than it is now.


Would be a great idea to try out Pseudonym's ride before he has the works installed on a freeway to see if I have the same uncomfortable/unstable feel as he does. And he try mine and get his opinion. Now that would be a great test. I believe we don't live too far apart, or if he is having it installed in Canoga Park at the Works facility is like only 20 miles from my house. Not like there is a right or wrong answer, just to confirm what he is experiencing. (maybe it is his alignment,or maybe not, or maybe it is a desire to have a more controllable experience. Again not like there is a right answer just (fill in right word to describe)

This is kinda like asking before you jump in the pool if it's hot or cold, everybody has a different temperature of what is acceptable. To one the water might be frigid where another's experience might just be refreshingly chilly. If we all wanna swim in bathwater temperatures we would need to be able to put a temperature reading on what is really bathwater temperature. I remember my mom having to boil hot water and pour it in when we ran out of it from our hot water heater.

Heck Performance Works might even sell another set :chat:

TicketBait

 

[Dudley]

We are very happy with our RT basic setup, but if ever I change I am going with RaceTech shocks. They fit the Spyder to a "T".


http://www.racetech.com/

 

[clueless]

first i heard of this company making RT shocks. have you seen any installed yet? whats their pricing. website says call when you do a search for Spyder RT shocks.

 

[TicketBait]

A few days ago I spoke with Tom Edison at Works Performance and asked them to make me a pair of replacement shocks for the front of my RTS. They are now working on them, and I should hopefully have them in a couple of weeks.www.worksperformance.com

So did you get them installed? how is the ride?

We are very happy with our RT basic setup, but if ever I change I am going with RaceTech shocks. They fit the Spyder to a "T".


[URL]http://www.racetech.com/[/URL]

first i heard of this company making RT shocks. have you seen any installed yet? whats their pricing. website says call when you do a search for Spyder RT shocks.

another thread the person posted the price of 3K for racetech, not sure if that was for the RS or RT

How are yours working out Clueless?

That was a great write up you did! here is the link if anyone missed it.http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24394

 

[clueless]

so far has been great and looks great.

but were still in winter mode here. I dont ride my bikes until the first real rain in spring to wash all the road salt away.