Can anyone explain what aftermarket end links actually DO?

[Markubis]

Not discussing upgraded sway bars. Discussing what if anything metal END LINKS do, and HOW they do it.

Why do upgraded sway bars improve handling?

Is it because they reduce flex and more efficiently transfer load from one side to the other? What are your thoughts?

 

[DickB]

Why do upgraded sway bars improve handling?

Is it because they reduce flex and more efficiently transfer load from one side to the other? What are your thoughts?

Here is a good article on sway bars:

https://www.drivingline.com/article...pension-mod-you-can-make-heres-how-they-work/

Note that there can be disadvantages:

"An anti-roll bar that is too stiff can upset weight transfer to the degree that a car becomes difficult to control. If you hit a pothole, bump, or track curbing with one side of the car, an overly-stiff bar can send that impact to the other wheel and destabilize the vehicle. This can lead to traction loss and loss of steering control, not to mention seriously bounce around driver and passenger."

 

[BajaRon]

Here is a good article on sway bars:

https://www.drivingline.com/article...pension-mod-you-can-make-heres-how-they-work/

Note that there can be disadvantages:

"An anti-roll bar that is too stiff can upset weight transfer to the degree that a car becomes difficult to control. If you hit a pothole, bump, or track curbing with one side of the car, an overly-stiff bar can send that impact to the other wheel and destabilize the vehicle. This can lead to traction loss and loss of steering control, not to mention seriously bounce around driver and passenger."

This is why I call the sway bar a 'Goldilocks' assembly. You do not want the stiffest bar you can get. Might work fine in ideal traction situations. But when traction is compromised, (rain, etc.) it's not a good idea. If you are riding off road and need a lot of articulation. A sway bar is also not a good idea. For the huge majority of Spyder/Ryker riders, off road articulation is not an issue.

 

[TheSwede]

If the Ryker, especially the Rally with better suspension, is going "all over the road" it probably has other issues than the end links.
Check the alignment, tires, and so on before throwing money at aftermarket parts.

 

[baxter]

What is good about these Spyder discussions is everyone has their opinion on whatever the issue is being discussed. All are good and in many cases informative and helpful to the reader. So, here is my opinion on this topic. I have only experienced Spyders since 2020 with a Rt L and now a 2022 F3L Limited. As you can see from my state map, I have travelled some, granted much on Harleys but with Spyders from Florida to Oregon and Northern Minnesota to Mexican Border and places in-between. I have driven Spyders on all kinds of roads and weather conditions with two up and single. I have not found any problems as to how the stock bike rides and handles. Perhaps the newer bikes have overcome some of the handling issues that the older models may have had. One case in point, I was coming through Salt Lake City Utah a couple years ago and cross winds of 70 mph plus were blowing trucks over but I had no big issue keeping the Spyder heading down the road.