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.

 

[mecsw500]

I'd ride it around for a bit and see what you think the bike needs. Depending upon your riding style and the difference between handling and road holding you might want to consider the sway bar, but just how aggressive a one you fit will depend upon you.

Shock absorbers, stock may be fine, or you may hate either the spring rate, the damping characteristics, or both. Usually actually changing the damping rate, compression or rebound, is often as desirable as changing the preload. Depends upon whether you set and forget, or you love fiddling with such things regularly.

I find the new XPS branded Kenda tires are much better than the originals and so far I haven't been inclined to change them as they were OEM fitment on my 2026 Sea to Sky. Their seemingly better construction made the stock front shocks seem to work better as a cohesive system. They are pretty good in the wet too.

You might want to look at Ikons, formerly Konis, they are a pretty decent shock for the money.

I've kept both of my RTs, the LTD and the S2S, relatively stock and been very happy with the S2S. I'm not such a spirited rider on 3 wheels as I was on 2, but I don't hang about I don't think.

I just bought a BR Ultra sway bar which I'm summoning up the courage to put on, but frankly the standard one I thought was OK-ish if you are prepared to go with the roll a bit. An F3S of course may be a different kettle of fish than an RT type touring rig.

I'd give it a few journeys over differing road types before I started spending big money on things that might just be worth waiting until they wear out to replace. Me, for instance, like the quiet of the stock exhaust. It rides under the radar more. We all have differing objectives.

Perhaps watch a few "martinthevlogger" YouTube videos to see what he has done to his "beast". He also has dozens of rental Spyders of all types and he's made many videos on the parts he's fitted or evaluated. He advertises his business and the parts he sells, which can get a bit tiresome, but some of the parts evaluations and comparisons are worth watching. He means well and he puts work into his testing.

 

[Jb74texan]

Thanks, luckily I haven't seen too many mods that reach full blown crazy cost yet, just curious what works well. I ordered the BR sway bar, exhaust should be done this week (fingers crossed). And I agree on Martin, he's a great dude and is actually the reason I met Ricky at RLS. I signed up for his ride in September, I'm hoping the wife will come as well...

More to come and see what I can squeeze outta this bike!