Handling

[SpyderDuck]

Ok, I admit that my RS has Bajaron's anti-sway bar and has been tweaked to handle curves as well as possible; it is as tight as it can be without making the rear end slide out from under me. It is a magnificent beast.

So, I'm less than impressed with my RT Limited's handling. Don't get me wrong; I love the bike, but would like to feel more confident on it in the curves. Right now, it feels like that Jason Derulo song...

You know what to do with that big fat butt... wiggle wiggle wiggle.... :roflblack:

I ordered Ron's anti'sway bar for the 2014 RT yesterday, but do you guys have any more suggestions for improving handling? I know it will never handle like my RS, and I don't expect it to, but would like to make it handle as well as possible.

 

[sddinnh]

Handling is a subjective thing, but I too feel the RT is weak in that department. Since I've already done the Ronbar, my next step is going to be to attack the front shocks to try to stop the body roll. Next up is the tires, because I feel the sidewalls are too weak given the weight of the RT and they are flexing too much in the turns. If I don't get there by then :dontknow:

 

[Tango]

I brought this up at the factory during our tour.:chat: I was told get the new (Fox) shocks which are now adjustable. :hun: New Spyder, needs new shocks? :yikes: They should have come from the factory with these new shocks. :banghead: It's on my list, a long with the Ron bar. :f_spider: Tom :trike:

 

[Bob Denman]

The "RonBar" is the first (and probably the best!), step! :thumbup:
Beyond that; the shocks that can be changed...
As Tom mentioned; Fox shocks are coming; Elkas are also a very good option.
And...
Have you considered a lazer alignment?
If the wheels aren't pointing in the right direction; nothing else matters! :shocked:

 

[SpyderDuck]

I did ask the dealer if they laser aligned new Spyders, and didn't get an answer. My guess is no. So, I plan to check on that, but want to do it where I won't get charged if no change is made, and the dealers just don't work that way. I'm hoping someone will be coming to my area soon.

I have an appointment to take the RS for service next week, so will ask my regular dealer about the shocks then. In case that sounds confusing, the RT did not come from my regular dealer.

 

[CentralCoastCA]

Tri Axis?

I went from a GS to the base RT, and like you noticed the sluggish cornering. Hubby installed BajaRon Ron's sway bar and I got a laser alignment; surprisingly my RT was really, really close to the factory specs but I opted to have the minor adjustment anyway. My RT doesn't have the adjustable rear air shock so when that was checked there was 0 psi - I had ridden about 1k by then. Put 60 psi in and that made a big difference in the handling (still checking to make sure there's no leaking).

With the all that done and the RT running/handling better, I still find I have to work it through the twisties. So my next mod will be the tri axis handlebars. I think my arms are too high and far apart, and with the extra 300-400 lbs added weight over my GS, the incorrect arm position contributes to the sluggish performance feel of the RT.

I'm having frunk key issues, so when I go for my 3k mile service, I will talk with the Service Department about installing the tri axis bars. Service would probably have to tear off the stock bars to fix/replace my ignition switch anyway, so it seems like a good time for the tri axis installation and hopefully save myself a few hours of extra labor charges. Well, actually it would save hubby 8 hours of work

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I did ask the dealer if they laser aligned new Spyders, and didn't get an answer. My guess is no. So, I plan to check on that, but want to do it where I won't get charged if no change is made, and the dealers just don't work that way. I'm hoping someone will be coming to my area soon.

I have an appointment to take the RS for service next week, so will ask my regular dealer about the shocks then. In case that sounds confusing, the RT did not come from my regular dealer.

Mike Loescher, the guy who patented the Rolo/Outlaw Laser System is in South Carolina. Go to his website www.spydercomfort.com and you can get his contact info.

 

[Woodsrider]

Mine is the 2012 RT, but with the ron bar the handling seems great, and I came over from a supersport-touring bike. I do put my 195 pounds far over into the corner, I consider it part of the daily workout . I've been hitting corners and zipping past cages with no slipping in the rear and not a peep from nanny.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

What about the rear tire? I don't know, and I don't have an opinion, I am just asking. This is my question: Lamont reported in another thread that he put on a new rear tire--not OEM, and not a car tire. He said the tire made the spyder feel like it was loose in the rear end. He attributed this to the sidewalks being too weak, thin, or something. So I am asking: What about tires?

 

[SpyderDuck]

Mike Loescher, the guy who patented the Rolo/Outlaw Laser System is in South Carolina. Go to his website www.spydercomfort.com and you can get his contact info.

I'm going there Sunday