From a Beloved 2001 Wing to a 2014 Spyder RTL in 23 years

[musicalmessenger]

Hello Spyder Members!

Ok, so we are still acclimating to this strange vehicle with the three wheels. Admittingly we're attempting to bring it to the the same comfort level that we enjoyed with the wing for eight years together on rides. I've about become adapted to the new approach to maneuvering through tighter mountainous curves, but am, like before with the wing, not satisfied with the dampening performance when encountering rough road, of which there seems to be a lot these days. We finally remedied the wing with traxxion dynamics earlier this year, but a month later encountered a rut leading to a deep divot on Hwy 38 towards Big Bear that left us sliding into the guardrail on the opposite side of the road. I rode that bike 190K miles and in one second it transformed to rubble. I'm wondering if upgrading the shocks on our pearl white "Cream Puff" to Elka or Race Tech will make that much of a difference in smoothing out what the road repair workers should be on top of in this country. I realize there's no substitute for well-maintained, smooth roads. $2400 seems like a ridiculous expenditure at this juncture in time. Will it be worth it?

 

[CopperSpyder]

Lots of post on this subject if you use the search box top right side. 1.) Seat time with the Spyder (1000 miles or more) 2.) Laser alignment can help 3.) Bajaron swaybar can help. 4.) Tires. 5.) If you still need help with handling Shocks. Start with the low cost stuff first; it just may fix what you think is wrong. This is just my thoughts. :congrats: On the new to you 2014 Spyder RTL :2thumbs:

 

[Pooch]

If you haven’t already done so, you might want to find a 2020 and up Spyder RTL to demo.. at a dealer, rental or Spyder riding course… just for comparison. Also.. too much air in the tires will leave it bouncing around like a beach ball…

 

[DGoebel]

I've tweaked both a '13 RTL and '18 RTL, starting with Baja Ron Front Shock Preload adjusters, Baja Ron Ultimate sway bar (because I'm 260lbs), If your '14 still has the stock Kenda front tires, consider replacing them with non-kenda tires, and if those don't give you significant improvements, M2 also has upgraded shocks that are custom built / tuned to the Ryder (or Ryder passenger).
My most recent list of front tire possibilities gleaned from this forum includes
Yokohama Avid S34FA 175/55R15,
Kumho Solus KH17 175/65R15
Continental ContiProContact's 165/60 R15
Federal Formoza FD2 165/55 R15
Federal Formoza AZ01 165/55 15
Vredestein Quatrac 165/60/15
Vredestein Q5's 175/55R-15

But before doing any of that, as others have already suggested, get some miles on your new ride (plus it will help you appreciate the finished farkles even more....)

 

[Mikey]

Hello Spyder Members!

Ok, so we are still acclimating to this strange vehicle with the three wheels. Admittingly we're attempting to bring it to the the same comfort level that we enjoyed with the wing for eight years together on rides. I've about become adapted to the new approach to maneuvering through tighter mountainous curves, but am, like before with the wing, not satisfied with the dampening performance when encountering rough road, of which there seems to be a lot these days. We finally remedied the wing with traxxion dynamics earlier this year, but a month later encountered a rut leading to a deep divot on Hwy 38 towards Big Bear that left us sliding into the guardrail on the opposite side of the road. I rode that bike 190K miles and in one second it transformed to rubble. I'm wondering if upgrading the shocks on our pearl white "Cream Puff" to Elka or Race Tech will make that much of a difference in smoothing out what the road repair workers should be on top of in this country. I realize there's no substitute for well-maintained, smooth roads. $2400 seems like a ridiculous expenditure at this juncture in time. Will it be worth it?

Do you have a stock sway bar? If so I would start there, and ride it for a few miles, you will see a difference in a few miles, trust me! BajaRon will fix you up! Then if you want to take it another notch, take the crappy shocks off, that will make another big change. Then tires will be the cherry on top! By doing one thing at a time and putting some miles on between each one you will see the change and be able to make the decision whether that's enough and you will not have to spend any more money, or you have to go further. I have gone up to step two so far with my bike and waiting to wear out my front tires so I can get to step three, but I have found that just the sway bar and shocks have made my pucker factor very much happier than before, and my pocket hasn't got a big hole in it by stretching out the way I have. Good luck, be safe!

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: I owned a 2014 RTL from 2014 to 2020. Put on over 40,000 trouble free miles. That was my favorite of the three RT's I owned over the years.

 

[redrazor]

:welcome: I owned a 2014 RTL from 2014 to 2020. Put on over 40,000 trouble free miles. That was my favorited of the three RT's I owned over the years.

:welcome: I totally love our 2014 RTL as well :2thumbs: