Had laser alignment done--- doesn’t feel right.

[johnsimion]

JohnSimion,
Bring it by and I’ll check it for free. You might have a good one from the factory. If so, great. If not, I’ll fix it. Then you ride it, and share your thoughts. Front end alignment has been a known issue since these first came out. So much so that the manual claims that uneven tire wear is normal, and alignment is not a warranty item. Yet, even with the Ryker, laser alignment is recommended. Until the Rolo laser alignment system was introduced, the factory changed the process every year, struggling to find an answer. Once it was presented to them, BRP issued memos that told dealers to buy that system. Some did, some did not. Should every dealer do them? Yes. Do they? No. But, look at your warranty, you will see it is specifically not covered!

Thank you for the offer, but for now I will pass. I hear very good things about your service, but my motto has always been, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Right now I feel very secure as I fly around corners and I can take my hands off the handlebar on a level road and my Spyder will track in a straight line. Unless and until that changes, I'm leaving well enough alone. If my situation changes, I will definitely contact you.

For the record, I never meant to imply that there aren't Spyders out there that need alignment. Far from it. Probably lots of them, because alignment on any vehicle can be thrown off by something as simple as hitting a pothole. It may be as some have commented, that weight of the rider(s) has something to do with the alignment. And yes, I'm sure that **some** Spyders do come misaligned from the factory. There is no factory in the world that produces a 100% perfect product. I just object to generalizing that "all" Spyders come misaligned from the factory.

I found this quote on Lamonster Garage pertaining to laser alignment: "If you own a Spyder, even a brand new Spyder there's a 99.9% chance that the alignment is not perfect. It may be within factory spec but it's not within our spec here at Lamonster Garage." I think this sums it up perfectly. My own alignment may not be perfect but it is clearly within factory spec. It's not Lamonster perfect or Squared Away perfect, but it's good enough that a noob like me doesn't know better!

You are correct that there is no warranty coverage for alignment, but the exact exclusion in the Spyder booklet says: "Tune ups and adjustments including without limitation adjustments of belt, alignment and wheel balance." Those are maintenance issues. Furthermore, according to my own research this is no different than on a car -- alignment always seems to be considered a maintenance issue. See https://www.carchex.com/research-ce...y-bumper-to-bumper-and-powertrain-warranties/. I even looked in the warranty booklet of my BMW (car) and guess what, alignment is excluded. I'm not making excuses for the manufacturers, but the situation makes sense because you could be perfectly aligned when you leave the dealer (be that BMW dealer or Spyder dealer) and hit a big pothole 50' down the road and throw off your alignment right then and there -- and I don't know any warranty that would cover that situation.

I looked in my owner's guide and don't really agree with your reading of the manual on tire wear. This is the actual text from my manual: "It is normal to see uneven wear on tires depending on how the vehicle is driven and road conditions. The front tires external or internal edges and the rear tire center tread will wear unevenly depending on if the vehicle is driven smoothly or aggressively." That sounds like pretty typical weasel words for a warranty. Also, it would be pretty easy for them to say the uneven wear was caused by improper maintenance -- and as I pointed out, alignment is considered to be a maintenance issue.

I also didn't mean to imply that the aftermarket swaybar isn't a benefit. I am 100% certain it is a better piece than stock and it may well be a benefit **for those riders sensitive enough to know the difference** or those who simply want something better than stock. If riders think it will be a benefit, I absolutely think they should upgrade. I just don't like generalizations that imply that the aftermarket swaybar is a **necessity**. It may very well be an improvement, but it's certainly not a necessity. Those of us who are relatively new to Spyders can read this stuff and think OMG, there's a big problem with my Spyder and I have to do this ... and that's simply not true. You can worry yourself sick over this stuff and 99.9% of the time it doesn't even make a difference.

 

[ARtraveler]

The laser alignment worked for us. Both machines ran better than new when Squared Away did ours. PS. I had both machines aligned within a year from the dealer--they did not use Rolo, and have never done it.

Linda's comment when she drove hers after the alignment--wow! this is like a different machine. S/A said hers was one of the worst they ever dealt with.

 

[Peteoz]

I think you missed Joe’s point, John. He was not saying “bring it here and I’ll change it”. He was offering you to “bring it here and I’ll check it’s current settings for free, and if it is not in spec I can set it if you want”. It would be very interesting to most members to see if yours had actually been set perfectly at the factory/dealer, or if it is simply that its current setting just suits you.

Peteh

 

[cptjam]

Exactly. Even when they are close, we ask if they want it done or not. One of the most common remarks are “WOW, I thought it was fine”, and “Boy, what a difference!” We love to ride, and making the Spyder handle properly lets other people love it too!

 

[always young]

OK, the outcome to my alignment issue. I took the bike in this morning. I had typed out what I had found and how it handled and gave this to them. It's much easier for me to have it typed out so I can state everything that needs to be said without getting wound up saying it. It helps to approach them with a good attitude with these issues. Anyway, after 2 1/2 hours the service manager comes out and tells me they had set it 1 inch in the wrong direction and reset it correctly (that would be 2 inches off). Anyway he tells me it was their error and would I like them to put on a new set of tires free of charge to make up for it. Well I tell them don't t bother.... Yah right. I said thank you and yes, I would like a new set of tires. So, Route 1 Motorsports in Palm Bay (they relocated and have a new facility) stood behind their work and made good for their error. They were good to work with and I wouldn't hessitate going back there for future service. No charge for anything, just a hand shake and off I went. What a difference in ride, awesome. I'm now a happy camper again.

 

[cptjam]

Good deal! Glad it worked out, and the bike handles as it should. A good alignment makes the world of difference!

 

[teninospyder]

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Many :roflblack:

 

[Highwayman2013]

I never saw the need to rebuild my Spyder with an aftermarket swaybar nor have it laser aligned just as I never saw the need to rebuild the front end of my Chevy truck. I'm sorry guys, but that's the truth.

You remind me of RoadKill. He said the sway bar was a scam until he put one on.

 

[PMK]

OK, the outcome to my alignment issue. I took the bike in this morning. I had typed out what I had found and how it handled and gave this to them. It's much easier for me to have it typed out so I can state everything that needs to be said without getting wound up saying it. It helps to approach them with a good attitude with these issues. Anyway, after 2 1/2 hours the service manager comes out and tells me they had set it 1 inch in the wrong direction and reset it correctly (that would be 2 inches off). Anyway he tells me it was their error and would I like them to put on a new set of tires free of charge to make up for it. Well I tell them don't t bother.... Yah right. I said thank you and yes, I would like a new set of tires. So, Route 1 Motorsports in Palm Bay (they relocated and have a new facility) stood behind their work and made good for their error. They were good to work with and I wouldn't hessitate going back there for future service. No charge for anything, just a hand shake and off I went. What a difference in ride, awesome. I'm now a happy camper again.

Glad you got a good outcome. We have been to the old Route 1, and now the new shop also. Awesome they admitted the mistake and offered to fully correct it.

Route 1 and Central Florida Powersports both typically get high marks in regards to Can Am work and customer service.

I use CFPS when needed. Drive 150 miles or so one way to get there.

Locally we have a bunch of Broward Motorsports dealerships. Regarding Spyders and service, enter at your own risk.

Glad you got it fixed, certainly must feel tight in the steering compared to before with so much toe out.

 

[deer30084]

Thank you for the offer, but for now I will pass. I hear very good things about your service, but my motto has always been, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Right now I feel very secure as I fly around corners and I can take my hands off the handlebar on a level road and my Spyder will track in a straight line. Unless and until that changes, I'm leaving well enough alone. If my situation changes, I will definitely contact you.

For the record, I never meant to imply that there aren't Spyders out there that need alignment. Far from it. Probably lots of them, because alignment on any vehicle can be thrown off by something as simple as hitting a pothole. It may be as some have commented, that weight of the rider(s) has something to do with the alignment. And yes, I'm sure that **some** Spyders do come misaligned from the factory. There is no factory in the world that produces a 100% perfect product. I just object to generalizing that "all" Spyders come misaligned from the factory.

I found this quote on Lamonster Garage pertaining to laser alignment: "If you own a Spyder, even a brand new Spyder there's a 99.9% chance that the alignment is not perfect. It may be within factory spec but it's not within our spec here at Lamonster Garage." I think this sums it up perfectly. My own alignment may not be perfect but it is clearly within factory spec. It's not Lamonster perfect or Squared Away perfect, but it's good enough that a noob like me doesn't know better!

You are correct that there is no warranty coverage for alignment, but the exact exclusion in the Spyder booklet says: "Tune ups and adjustments including without limitation adjustments of belt, alignment and wheel balance." Those are maintenance issues. Furthermore, according to my own research this is no different than on a car -- alignment always seems to be considered a maintenance issue. See https://www.carchex.com/research-ce...y-bumper-to-bumper-and-powertrain-warranties/. I even looked in the warranty booklet of my BMW (car) and guess what, alignment is excluded. I'm not making excuses for the manufacturers, but the situation makes sense because you could be perfectly aligned when you leave the dealer (be that BMW dealer or Spyder dealer) and hit a big pothole 50' down the road and throw off your alignment right then and there -- and I don't know any warranty that would cover that situation.

I looked in my owner's guide and don't really agree with your reading of the manual on tire wear. This is the actual text from my manual: "It is normal to see uneven wear on tires depending on how the vehicle is driven and road conditions. The front tires external or internal edges and the rear tire center tread will wear unevenly depending on if the vehicle is driven smoothly or aggressively." That sounds like pretty typical weasel words for a warranty. Also, it would be pretty easy for them to say the uneven wear was caused by improper maintenance -- and as I pointed out, alignment is considered to be a maintenance issue.

I also didn't mean to imply that the aftermarket swaybar isn't a benefit. I am 100% certain it is a better piece than stock and it may well be a benefit **for those riders sensitive enough to know the difference** or those who simply want something better than stock. If riders think it will be a benefit, I absolutely think they should upgrade. I just don't like generalizations that imply that the aftermarket swaybar is a **necessity**. It may very well be an improvement, but it's certainly not a necessity. Those of us who are relatively new to Spyders can read this stuff and think OMG, there's a big problem with my Spyder and I have to do this ... and that's simply not true. You can worry yourself sick over this stuff and 99.9% of the time it doesn't even make a difference.

Excellent comments.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

Also consider that the factory sway bar is not broke, Bajarons is just better.
I put after market rims on may cars because I liked the looks, not because they were broken.
I put different speakers in because they sounded better to me, not because the factory ones were broken.
I was one of those people who didn't see the need for it when riding one up, but when I am two up and fully loaded with luggage, I didn't like the lean in the curves, made me feel a little uneasy.
I thought the sway bar was pretty inexpensive, so I got it and installed it, and noticed the difference immediately when one up, and a drastic difference when two up and loaded.
The Spyder went down the road pretty straight, it went through the corners pretty good, but I noticed that i struggled a little turning left compared to right. I thought it was just me.
When at the Deadwood Spyder Rally, I had Squared Away look at it and found that it was out of alignment slightly, not a lot, but a little. They asked me if I wanted it changed and I agreed, truthfully thinking it would not make much of a difference with the little it was out.
After the alignment I took it for a run down some twisty roads around Deadwood, and found I could turn left as easy as I could right.
Again, I wouldn't say it was broke, but it sure is better!!