Do I really need a new swaybar?

[Tazzel]

For me not only Swaybar is a problem but also the shocks. But that one I was explaining in the video <strong>

In terms of swaybar, I do drive a lot, I do drive a lot like crazy and I can tell you, the whole bike corners much better with the new swaybar + its much easier to turn, like you do have a powersteering wheel.
I did drive on the friends bike for 3min without the swaybar, and then was the time when I really felt the difference.
Would I do it again - definatelly. Is it really necessery? I dont think so, more the shocks will help.

Yes but I would do the upgraded swaybar first then see. When I had my RS I did the front Elka's first and then a year later did the swaybar just because I had already purchased it at the same time that I purchased the Elka's. Could not really tell the difference that the upgraded swaybar had been installed because the Elka's were doing the job. I believe you only have to do one or the other and since the swaybar is cheaper, I decided to just upgrade the swaybar on my F3. Do I think the Elka's would improve it even more, probably.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Yowser! I got my BajaRon F3 swaybar and billet heimlinks today in the mail very promptly from Spyderpops. There order processing was phenomenally fast. I invited a neighbor over tomorrow morning and we are going to install that "bad" bar and links. As Ron requested, will let folks know what I think about the ride after install and a few rides. Bit by bit, this F3-S is coming together.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Okay BajaRon, Your product with the exception of a few glitches in the instructions is so right on the money that I can't believe it!

The plastic heim links that come stock with the F3-S are pure crap. The BajaRon billet aluminum heim links are so much more robust, beautiful and functional with the increased structural stability. In fact, the heim joints were pretty frozen up on the stock links. Secondly, when I compared the anti-sway bar from you vs. the stock bar, there was no comparison in terms of beefiness. Additionally, the nylon bushing blocks are so much nicer from your kit than the factory plastic ones.

After installation, I went out and rode the F3-S around some cul-de-sacs we have in our private community and the lateral stability of the trike was instantly noticeable and very much improved. I aired up the fronts in between the recommended pressure to 19 psi and the rear to 29 psi which is right in the middle of the recommended three psi range for front and back tires.

The only glitches in the install were the lack of a heads up on removing the two frame bolts that are underneath the sway bar and need to be removed to get the swaybars in and out. The only other omission was the recommendation that I remove the two small underside ABS planels in order to get to the bushing block bolts on both sides. This only took a couple of minutes and made the job much easier. I was using Spyderpop's v 2.2 for the install if that helps sort out where I had gotten the information.

Unfortunately, we have a 107 heat index this afternoon and I didn't have the energy to ride more. However, there is tomorrow morning:yes:

Thanks again for a great product Ron. It is living up to all the hype I read about it and it is NOT a placebo effect (BTW, I have owned about 8 high-performance sport bikes like R1, VTR1000, Ducati 748, etc. so I understand suspension feedback or lack thereof).

 

[ThreeWheels]

I can't speak for the F3, but I can relate my experience with the RT.
I had a 2010 RT that ABSOLUTELY needed suspension upgrades.
I bought my 2014, and right out of the box standard configuration, it handled better than my 2010 with all the upgrades.
Nevertheless, after riding two up for a season, I got the RonBar and, although the upgrade isn't essential, it's still very welcome.

 

[Capt. Bob]

ThreeWheels commented that a RonBar is not essential but welcome. A nice sentiment that I think is born out of the application.

In the case of the Spyder F3-S, after a spirited 120 mile ride this morning, I consider the RonBar with billet aluminum heim links from BajaRon to be essential for the following reasons:

1. It significantly flattens out the lean of my stock 2015 F3-S.
2. It allows for significantly faster cornering with much improved suspension dynamics and I suspect significantly increased safety margin.
3. It supposedly helps with crosswinds but I haven't experienced that yet.

Today, I rode the same twisty roads that I had experienced with my F3-S in a stock configuration. It was truly amazing how differently the trike performed and how much I was comfortably able to significantly step up the pace.

There is an analog to this that occurred with my Harley Tri Glide Ultra which was not designed for spirited high-speed curves but takes them much better than non-Harley trike riders are aware of. A company called DK Customs designed an upgraded lift kit (as have some other designers) that put more weight on the front wheel which makes for increased stopping power, lighter felt handlebar pressure and improved shock response. The mod IMO is not quite as transformative as the RonBar but it really helped with the big Harley trike's handling characteristics.

In the case of the BajaRon anti-swaybar, the transformation really "wakes up the trike" IMO and creates a significantly different experience. I know that with time, I could have gotten more used to the stock setup and body lean and probably ridden at this more spirited pace but the RonBar just made the transition so much easier and seemingly much more effective as a dynamic curve machine which is why I bought it to complement the Tri Glide.

Now my F3-S is "whispering" to me to take it to the NC mountains and let it play to its hearts content which will hopefully happen in the next 30 days.

One other thing that made a big difference on the ride this morning were the Spyderpops foam grips (great $14 investment) that I also installed last evening. The stock grips are much too small for my tastes and require more grip than the larger foam grips which allow for a very light touch on the handlebars and for me, increased precision in my steering inputs.

I would imagine that those that are not interested in a bit more spirited riding will find the RonBar to be less impressive. However, for my style of riding for this type of trike, the RonBar is the REAL DEAL! Thanks Ron for taking the time to sort this out and produce a product that has such significant and immediately positive results for some of us. Bob

 

[Deer Slayer]

...

 

[Capt. Bob]

I think it is just something that Sheep do. This is what makes the hobby interesting. But then I don't have a heavy F3 or RT. If you want a machine to handle well keep the weight low. Drop about 50 lbs from your body and notice a great inprovment.:yikes:
:riding:

Well, I don't know? I guess having owned 96 two-wheeled motorcycles and 2 trikes does not make me an expert, that's for sure. However, I have tracked a 748cc sport-bike and raced autocross with a car I owned that would do 0-60 in 2.7 seconds with racing slicks and pull 1.5 g's without wings or 3 g's with front/rear wings, but what would I know:dontknow: Baaaaaaa, the bleating of a sheep:roflblack: Have you even ever seen a stock F3-S sway bar vs. the BajaRon, Ronbar before posting your insightful thoughts? I guess everybody is an expert on the Internet:bowdown:

 

[Pampurrs]

Well, I don't know? I guess having owned 96 two-wheeled motorcycles and 2 trikes does not make me an expert, that's for sure. However, I have tracked a 748cc sport-bike and raced autocross with a car I owned that would do 0-60 in 2.7 seconds with racing slicks and pull 1.5 g's without wings or 3 g's with front/rear wings, but what would I know:dontknow: Baaaaaaa, the bleating of a sheep:roflblack: Have you even ever seen a stock F3-S sway bar vs. the BajaRon, Ronbar before posting your insightful thoughts? I guess everybody is an expert on the Internet:bowdown:

Since we're all sheep, I guess maybe BajaRon should change his name to Baaaaa ha Ron :roflblack:

But he did refer to riding as a "Hobby" so perhaps he was confusing us with his knitting club.

Pam

 

[Malathion]

Why all the hate on OEM links. I was visiting a friend recently that ride BRP sleds and four wheelers. On inspection I seen they use the same plastic links my Spyder has. His machines see terrain and jumps climb over logs and what not all. I ask him if he kept spares in case I'd ever need one and was told he had never broken one yet on any of his six machines.
So are you all having a different experience?

 

[Capt. Bob]

Why all the hate on OEM links. I was visiting a friend recently that ride BRP sleds and four wheelers. On inspection I seen they use the same plastic links my Spyder has. His machines see terrain and jumps climb over logs and what not all. I ask him if he kept spares in case I'd ever need one and was told he had never broken one yet on any of his six machines.
So are you all having a different experience?

Malathion, No hate on this end.

However, in post #33, BajaRon advised "You also get a bit more improvement if you replace the stock plastic Heim Joint Links with the BajaRon Billet Aluminum Heim Joint Links because the stock plastic links stretch a bit absorbing some of the sway bar effect."

What did surprise me is that my 2015 factory demonstrator F3-S Heim Joints with 6k miles were frozen on the stock links. That was not impressive to me. Ron does not seem to overplay the benefits of his billet aluminum links by stating you get a "bit more improvement" and for the extra $60 something bucks, I figured what the heck. When I did remove the OEM links and found the heim joints to be frozen, I figured that they might not be providing as much support for the flexing of the RonBar as the billet aluminum ones. I had asked this specific question in a previous post on this thread to ascertain why I should spend an extra almost $70 for the BajaRon links. Another company selling the RonBar offers their own links (Lamonster) but I figured that Ron had likely done extensive testing before coming to market with his specific links so I went with those. Not being an engineer or having much experience with these machines, I felt it prudent to rely on the inventor's suggestions. No hate whatsoever for the stock setup in general. However, it surprised me how much body lean there was in the stock configuration for the F3-S which is suppose to be a flagship performance trike and I prefer a more taut ride to negotiate twisties more adroitly.

 

[Deer Slayer]

Well, I don't know? I guess having owned 96 two-wheeled motorcycles and 2 trikes does not make me an expert, that's for sure. However, I have tracked a 748cc sport-bike and raced autocross with a car I owned that would do 0-60 in 2.7 seconds with racing slicks and pull 1.5 g's without wings or 3 g's with front/rear wings, but what would I know:dontknow: Baaaaaaa, the bleating of a sheep:roflblack: Have you even ever seen a stock F3-S sway bar vs. the BajaRon, Ronbar before posting your insightful thoughts? I guess everybody is an expert on the Internet:bowdown:

What I really mean is to each their own. Do what works for you. Never been one to just jump on the wagon. I am a member of the 100 mph club at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Goldwings. My RS-S handles just the way I like it. Most unit that need a update on the Sway Bar are heavy to start with. Just trying to have people think.
:riding:

 

[Capt. Bob]

What I really mean is to each their own. Do what works for you. Never been one to just jump on the wagon. I am a member of the 100 mph club at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Goldwings. My RS-S handles just the way I like it. Most unit that need a update on the Sway Bar are heavy to start with. Just trying to have people think. Long known if you want any equipment to handle well, get the weight off.
:riding:

Deer Slayer, I appreciate your concerns for people not doing their due diligence. I appreciate the fact that you have done a ton (100 mph) on your Goldwing which is quite admirable in you exploring some of its upper limits. However, there are some of us who were doing a ton in third gear on our sport bikes and then shifting up to 6th at well over a buck and a half and spending early Sunday mornings with 6 of us locked in a staggered formation about 6 feet apart going between a buck and a buck and half all morning on twisty back roads which was irresponsible (these shenanigans should be played out on tracks where it is safer for the rider but more importantly for bystanders). My stock Yamaha R1 had a top speed of 170 mph out of the box but sadly did not have anywhere near the front end/suspension feedback of my Ducati 748 that could only do 149 mph indicated but was continually "talking" to me and providing supreme reassurance of what my suspension was doing in tighter turns/sweepers. In terms of bike/trike performance, the rider's weight has less to do with performance than the wheels, suspension parts/setup and rider skill. I read a lot of posts before buying my F3-S and there were a lot of posts extolling the benefits of the RonBar. I was unable to find any negative reports on the product and all were extremely positive. There might be a placebo effect for someone who does not push their suspension setup and Ron has mentioned that the harder you push the trike with the RonBar, the more benefits will be noticed.

I think that ThreeWheels' more tepid endorsement might be related to his/her riding a heavier RT and possibly his/her preferred riding style? I think to suggest that we are simply "sheep" following others does not square with the brief empirical evidence that I have personally accumulated in the past two days and the plethora of glowing testimony for the product by other riders of varying skills.

BTW, I appreciate you owning and enjoying a RS-S. I looked very hard at picking up a brand-new 2015 left over version of that higher-performance trike of yours and test rode one. It reminded me much more of my sport bike days with the seating/foot placement positioning and the 990 Rotax has much more sport-oriented characteristics with the revier engine than my 1330. However, at age 67, I decided that my true sport bike days were well behind (did not see myself hanging off the saddle attempting to drag a knee) me with decreased motor skills due to aging. So I went with the slightly porkier F3-S (which BTW does not have a riding position designed for true sport-trike handling) with more low-end torque and went out the next day after the test ride on the RS-S and bought the F3-S. However, just because it is slightly porkier and less designed for strafing the twisties doesn't mean that I couldn't do a simple mod to make it handle significantly better. OK, I am getting off my soapbox now and sorry for the long-winded posts. I did post a picture of the Can-Am and Tri Glide but the RonBar doesn't seem to be working for my unique modified riding style on the Can-Am as can be seen in this picture below. I guess I am too used to the single front wheel?

 

[KJWEB]

I just bought a F3T this past Saturday. I put the Baja Swaybar on my 2015 Limited and it made a world of difference for me on it. However, like many have said and even Ron mention, the F3 is a different riding and setup than the RT. I like the way my new F3T handles and will leave it stock for now. I know what difference the upgraded swaybar makes, and will eventually go that route but, staying stock for now.

 

[wengerda]

Bajaron Swaybar and F4 Custom Windshield

I had owned two other Spyders (2011 Limited and 2015 RTS) and on both bikes I had the Bajaron swaybar installed. I have now a 2016 F3 Limited, and I rode it for a few weeks with stock swaybar and stock windshield. Okay here is my personal opinion. The new F4 Customs windshield made a big difference with the buffering of my helmet and wind, also with some of buffering when large semi trucks were passing me in the highway. After I replaced the stock windshield to the F4 Custom windshield with vent, I rode at least 50 miles with the OEM swaybar. Again large semi trucks were passing me in the highway with less buffering on the bike. This past Saturday, I had the Bajaron Swaybar installed at the dealer, and on Sunday, I rode 150 miles via curves and main roads. I did noticed at least 95% riding improvement with the new swaybar in combination with the windshield. Why 95% improvement because I am waiting for my next week appointment to have my laser alignment done. Then I do expect 100% improvement on my 2016 F3 Limited. This is my personal opinion, but if you want a smoother ride, and taking curves more aggressively, the Bajaron Swaybar and the windshield should be in top of your list.