Better tires vs shocks

[Snoking1127]

So a lot of post about installing better shocks got me thinking. My first 2018 Asphalt Grey RTL came to me with stage 1 Elka shocks. I installed Vredestein's and a General out back right away. The newest 2018 RTL got Vredestein's before I took it out on the road, and will get a General out back in a couple weeks. Both handle quite well, and I know that the General out back it going to help the newest one a bit more.

SO, are people throwing shocks at their trike first instead of tires? I ride a bit aggressively when by myself, and like how both tikes handle, and also how the now gone Champaign 2018 RTL with the same tires handled. They all have/had wider PPA wheels and Vredestein 175/55R15 tires.

 

[EdMat]

My experience was doing the sway bar first, big improvement. Vredestein tires front and rear, much more improvement. Stage 1 Elka's last, improvement but not as drastic as the others. Where it did absolutely shine is during hard braking it reduced the amount of nosedive making braking have a better feel.
If I had reversed that order and done the shocks first I don't think I would have noticed the sway bar improvement as much, I think they complement each other well.
If I could only do one option, it would be the tires.

 

[mecsw500]

Just did a trip to Southern Utah. It was a mixture of heavy rain and sunny days.

I have a 2026 S2S. The new XPS branded Kendas I think are a big improvement. I doubt the changes were anything but subtle, but they make a big difference in the real world for me at least. Ultimately I will go to a BajaRon sway bar and better shocks. Tires, I’ll see how these wear as I was not unimpressed by them. I don’t think they were the limiting factor to on road feel or performance to my riding.

They seem much better in the wet than the Kendas on my 2021 RT LTD. They suit the nature of the bike better now I think. They have the same predictable manners as before but do seem to be a better compound and a bit stiffer in the sidewalls. They prefer to run at the advised 20 psi, whereas the old ones were much happier at 18 psi.

Obviously these things are highly personal and there’s not a particular setup that suits everyone. I’m not an overly aggressive rider, but I don’t hang about.

For me the stock setup is OK for the moment, but after I’ve done a few miles I’ll probably look to do upgrades over the winter starting with the BR sway bar. Shocks, I’ll look around as to what kind of shocks I’ll buy and I’ll probably do all three together. My wife likes comfort, so I’ll be making decisions that preserves that aspect of the bike.

She sure likes the new S2S seat and she’ll be well upset if I ruin the touring feel of the bike. So like all things, upgrades will be a compromise for me and won’t focus on absolute performance.

 

[BajaRon]

Suspension improvements increase traction (among other things). But increased traction benefits only to the point where the tires can translate the improvements to the road surface.

Suspension upgrades will give you the greatest amount of improvement. But the right tires will definitely be required to completely cash in on the potential provided by the suspension improvements.

 

[mecsw500]

I’ve ridden an RT with car tires. It was definitely an improvement over the original Kendas I must admit. Now with the latest design, and without back to back comparisons to make, I’m not so unhappy with the XPS branded ones to make me want to rush out and buy new car tires to replace them.

A sway bar I could see the benefits to that, but I think it can wait to be a winter project. Shocks, especially ones with preload adjustment on the front, I’m sure will be a good idea too.

For some reason the S2S seems to suit our weight two up, as well as my “Dave Moss” riding style, out of the crate, so I’m probably luckier than some.

However, winter projects are always fun, but for now I’m not going to take it off the road over the summer riding season.

My guess is I’m lucky too and the thing seems to have reasonably good alignment upon delivery.

I appreciate you publishing your observations over many vehicles as opposed to my experience of two units. My observations are purely my own and probably not that of the average owner.