First post, long time lurker - Will Elka Stage 2 shocks and a beefier sway bar make appreciable improvements to cornering?

[Jb74texan]

Greeting all!
I recently purchased a 2024 F3T after a brief stint with a 2019 RTL.

The guidance and advice I received here was helpful in my decision and I look forward to contributing where I can. I've been able to avoid many bad purchases, and solve countless issues without having to post...the KB here is priceless.

I spent about a third of my career working with a major tire manufacturer and have some good insight. I never worked in marketing or auto liaison teams (thankfully). After reading some threads here they appear to be somewhat contentious at times. I'm referring to folks who enjoy the benefits of better technology and compounds used during manufacturing of passenger ASR type tires (my preference). Either way, I enjoy listening to the logic some folks apply to this particular matter.

I'm currently waiting on my RLS cat delete and Punisher series exhaust. Thank you to all the folks who provided great write-ups on these products. I've spoken to Rick at RLS several times and I look forward to meeting up with him in a few weeks. I did replace the front tires with Continentals and put a new Kenda Kanine on the rear, since I bought 10 rears from a dealer that was closing a location. Other than extending an SAE connector(s) for car play, it's fairly stock right now.

After that long winded intro I do have a question for the suspension experts...

Elko stage 2. Will these along with a beefier sway bar make appreciable improvements to cornering? The factory tires were pretty horrible for me, the replacements have been a little better with heat dissipation on the shoulders improving by 7 degrees. I'm somewhat of a spirited rider and unfortunately I haven't ridden a Spyder setup with these upgrades so I'm trying to learn before I buy.

Thanks again to all for the great data provided.

 

[Vinkon]

Greeting all!
I recently purchased a 2024 F3T after a brief stint with a 2019 RTL.

The guidance and advice I received here was helpful in my decision and I look forward to contributing where I can. I've been able to avoid many bad purchases, and solve countless issues without having to post...the KB here is priceless.

I spent about a third of my career working with a major tire manufacturer and have some good insight. I never worked in marketing or auto liaison teams (thankfully). After reading some threads here they appear to be somewhat contentious at times. I'm referring to folks who enjoy the benefits of better technology and compounds used during manufacturing of passenger ASR type tires (my preference). Either way, I enjoy listening to the logic some folks apply to this particular matter.

I'm currently waiting on my RLS cat delete and Punisher series exhaust. Thank you to all the folks who provided great write-ups on these products. I've spoken to Rick at RLS several times and I look forward to meeting up with him in a few weeks. I did replace the front tires with Continentals and put a new Kenda Kanine on the rear, since I bought 10 rears from a dealer that was closing a location. Other than extending an SAE connector(s) for car play, it's fairly stock right now.

After that long winded intro I do have a question for the suspension experts...

Elko stage 2. Will these along with a beefier sway bar make appreciable improvements to cornering? The factory tires were pretty horrible for me, the replacements have been a little better with heat dissipation on the shoulders improving by 7 degrees. I'm somewhat of a spirited rider and unfortunately I haven't ridden a Spyder setup with these upgrades so I'm trying to learn before I buy.

Thanks again to all for the great data provided.

View attachment 255378

I found that every little change improved the Spyder's handling. Baja Ron swaybar, car tires, and Elka shocks transformed my F3L into a bike that is so much better handling and fun to ride!

 

[Mikey]

Greeting all!
I recently purchased a 2024 F3T after a brief stint with a 2019 RTL.

The guidance and advice I received here was helpful in my decision and I look forward to contributing where I can. I've been able to avoid many bad purchases, and solve countless issues without having to post...the KB here is priceless.

I spent about a third of my career working with a major tire manufacturer and have some good insight. I never worked in marketing or auto liaison teams (thankfully). After reading some threads here they appear to be somewhat contentious at times. I'm referring to folks who enjoy the benefits of better technology and compounds used during manufacturing of passenger ASR type tires (my preference). Either way, I enjoy listening to the logic some folks apply to this particular matter.

I'm currently waiting on my RLS cat delete and Punisher series exhaust. Thank you to all the folks who provided great write-ups on these products. I've spoken to Rick at RLS several times and I look forward to meeting up with him in a few weeks. I did replace the front tires with Continentals and put a new Kenda Kanine on the rear, since I bought 10 rears from a dealer that was closing a location. Other than extending an SAE connector(s) for car play, it's fairly stock right now.

After that long winded intro I do have a question for the suspension experts...

Elko stage 2. Will these along with a beefier sway bar make appreciable improvements to cornering? The factory tires were pretty horrible for me, the replacements have been a little better with heat dissipation on the shoulders improving by 7 degrees. I'm somewhat of a spirited rider and unfortunately I haven't ridden a Spyder setup with these upgrades so I'm trying to learn before I buy.

Thanks again to all for the great data provided.

View attachment 255378

I am 100% sure you will love the outcome! I would add an alignment to the mix also just to make sure your straight and right! Good Luck, ride safe!

 

[troop]

Yes!

 

[Poppie65]

Absolutely! 100%.

 

[AndysF3S]

Greeting all!
I recently purchased a 2024 F3T after a brief stint with a 2019 RTL.

The guidance and advice I received here was helpful in my decision and I look forward to contributing where I can. I've been able to avoid many bad purchases, and solve countless issues without having to post...the KB here is priceless.

I spent about a third of my career working with a major tire manufacturer and have some good insight. I never worked in marketing or auto liaison teams (thankfully). After reading some threads here they appear to be somewhat contentious at times. I'm referring to folks who enjoy the benefits of better technology and compounds used during manufacturing of passenger ASR type tires (my preference). Either way, I enjoy listening to the logic some folks apply to this particular matter.

I'm currently waiting on my RLS cat delete and Punisher series exhaust. Thank you to all the folks who provided great write-ups on these products. I've spoken to Rick at RLS several times and I look forward to meeting up with him in a few weeks. I did replace the front tires with Continentals and put a new Kenda Kanine on the rear, since I bought 10 rears from a dealer that was closing a location. Other than extending an SAE connector(s) for car play, it's fairly stock right now.

After that long winded intro I do have a question for the suspension experts...

Elko stage 2. Will these along with a beefier sway bar make appreciable improvements to cornering? The factory tires were pretty horrible for me, the replacements have been a little better with heat dissipation on the shoulders improving by 7 degrees. I'm somewhat of a spirited rider and unfortunately I haven't ridden a Spyder setup with these upgrades so I'm trying to learn before I buy.

Thanks again to all for the great data provided.

View attachment 255378

Yes

 

[McClendons]

I did a Baja Ron Ultimate bar on my RTL first, and it transformed the experience. No more wondering, far less lean in corners, More direct steering. Dollar for dollar, this is a must do mod and you will be happy. I just installed front/rear Elka Stage 2s and to my surprise the ride improved again. The ride is smoother, very well dampened, and may have even helped a little more with lean in turns. I am very happy I did the shocks, a bigger improvement than I expected, but given cost this could be of less value to some.

I will note, I have a whopping 400 miles on my 2024 that I bought "new" last fall. I was surprised when I swapped shocks at how bad the OEM are. You can just hold them and tell they are total junk. One of my fronts was leaking oil past the seals, the rod actually had a drop of oil on it, and easily soaked a paper towel area when wiped. The rear shock rod was "damp", the seals are weeping slighly.....all with 400 miles on them. The difference in Elka build quality was HUGE.

I've not yet done auto tires. I see the advantage, but am worried about getting tires changed since local dealers will not do car tires on Spyders. Maybe one day.

Given cost, I would say sway bar with 0 doubt, if you ride aggressively or have rouger roads, shocks are medium priority oi not high.

 

[Snoking1127]

I did a Baja Ron Ultimate bar on my RTL first, and it transformed the experience. No more wondering, far less lean in corners, More direct steering. Dollar for dollar, this is a must do mod and you will be happy. I just installed front/rear Elka Stage 2s and to my surprise the ride improved again. The ride is smoother, very well dampened, and may have even helped a little more with lean in turns. I am very happy I did the shocks, a bigger improvement than I expected, but given cost this could be of less value to some.

I will note, I have a whopping 400 miles on my 2024 that I bought "new" last fall. I was surprised when I swapped shocks at how bad the OEM are. You can just hold them and tell they are total junk. One of my fronts was leaking oil past the seals, the rod actually had a drop of oil on it, and easily soaked a paper towel area when wiped. The rear shock rod was "damp", the seals are weeping slighly.....all with 400 miles on them. The difference in Elka build quality was HUGE.

I've not yet done auto tires. I see the advantage, but am worried about getting tires changed since local dealers will not do car tires on Spyders. Maybe one day.

Given cost, I would say sway bar with 0 doubt, if you ride aggressively or have rouger roads, shocks are medium priority oi not high.

Fronts are no issue, except some tire shops do not have the right cone to balance them. Learn to and purchase the correct tools, and you can do the rear yourself. Or find someone in your area willing to help.

 

[Jb74texan]

I am 100% sure you will love the outcome! I would add an alignment to the mix also just to make sure your straight and right! Good Luck, ride safe!

Good to know! My local dealer has a decent laser alignment tool, albeit the old school kind with an rs232 cable for data dump. I'll definitely do that.

 

[Jb74texan]

Fronts are no issue, except some tire shops do not have the right cone to balance them. Learn to and purchase the correct tools, and you can do the rear yourself. Or find someone in your area willing to help.

Luckily my local shop will take care of it. I've got around 8-9k miles on these and probably a lifetime worth of skidoo time. This bike can definitely be improved, but I'm certainly realistic about the platform. I have other toys for carving corners, I just want to see how "good" I can make this platform.

Also, the Continental tires seemed to really like 17.5 psi. I'm able to run them harder than OEM until the body roll starts to plow the chassis.

 

[Jb74texan]

I found that every little change improved the Spyder's handling. Baja Ron swaybar, car tires, and Elka shocks transformed my F3L into a bike that is so much better handling and fun to ride!

Thanks for your response! Which Elko did you decide on?

 

[Mikey]

The Stage 2 is all most guy's really need! I found that once you have the shocks dialed in to your type of ride you will not be messing around with them, why pay the extra money for something that you will not adjust.