How does steering and handling of '13 RT compare with Pre-'13's?

[ulflyer]

At Maggie Valley this spring I rode the RT and ST and wasn't at all satisfied with the steering; seemed too twitchy compared to my '11 which tracks with little input. However, mine has both Elka's and Ronbar, so perhaps my comparison is not fair. The ride on them was too short to make any judgement on handling.

With the big discounts being offered now, I'm getting interested and would apprec having some input from those of you who have gone from an older RT to a '13.

Is the 13 going to need Elkas or will a Ronbar and the non-adjustable OEM shocks be sufficient?

 

[Mooseman]

I have a 2013 RT I bought July. I have a little over 2300 miles on it and no problems at all with shocks or steering. We do a lot of 2 up riding also with no problems.

 

[Dan McNally]

My RT Limited handles great . . . at 65 I can release the handle bars and it continues straight for five or six seconds before is slowly starts to move right . . . it rides like it is on rails . . . I have stock shocks and sway bar.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I was one of the beta testers for Ron's bar on the 13. I also was a beta tester for a bad set of factory shocks. I didn't know I had bad shocks until after I had already installed the sway bar so I can't say how the 13 with a good set of factory shocks handles but I can say that it handled great with the BajaRon sway bar and good factory shocks.

 

[MouthPiece]

I have over 14,000 miles on my "13" RT-S. I had a 2010 RT-S with elka shocks. I have ridden extensively the 2011 and 2012 RT-S. My "13" without any mods is far superior to the previous years.

Chris

 

[spyderyderjim]

Your 2011RT Elka shocks ok on 2013 RT; increase front springs preload 5 turns stiffer

At Maggie Valley this spring I rode the RT and ST and wasn't at all satisfied with the steering; seemed too twitchy compared to my '11 which tracks with little input. However, mine has both Elka's and Ronbar, so perhaps my comparison is not fair. The ride on them was too short to make any judgement on handling.

With the big discounts being offered now, I'm getting interested and would apprec having some input from those of you who have gone from an older RT to a '13.

Is the 13 going to need Elkas or will a Ronbar and the non-adjustable OEM shocks be sufficient?

Yes; I have my 2011 Spyder RT front stage 5 Elka shocks with 5 turns stiffer on springs preload, rear Elka stage 1+, put on my 2013 Spyder RT-S SE5 Lamonster special.
2013 RT handles corners like on a rail, big improvement in stiffer 2013 frame front/rear, over 2011 RT. I don't have a BajaRon bar on 2013 RT.
Of course 2014 RT triple,with exhaust pipe under RT will be much better with no heat problems under panels/near brake master cylinder or heat near gas charcoal canister.
Just put heat shield insulation in front & under brake master cylinder; install gas tank vent hose (remove canister), put #9 iridium sparkplug in #2 cylinder on 2013 RT & you should have miles of fun rides!!!
Enjoy. Jim

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm waiting to see how all of this works out...
My 2010 with Elkas and a RonBar was more fun than a berrelfull of monkeys!

Once I get the 2014; I'll have to see what; if anything, it needs... :shocked:

 

[ulflyer]

Yes; I have my 2011 Spyder RT front stage 5 Elka shocks with 5 turns stiffer on springs preload, rear Elka stage 1+, put on my 2013 Spyder RT-S SE5 Lamonster special.
2013 RT handles corners like on a rail, big improvement in stiffer 2013 frame front/rear, over 2011 RT. I don't have a BajaRon bar on 2013 RT.
Of course 2014 RT triple,with exhaust pipe under RT will be much better with no heat problems under panels/near brake master cylinder or heat near gas charcoal canister.
Just put heat shield insulation in front & under brake master cylinder; install gas tank vent hose (remove canister), put #9 iridium sparkplug in #2 cylinder on 2013 RT & you should have miles of fun rides!!!
Enjoy. Jim

Jim, you're saying you put the Elka's you had on earlier machine on the '13 and they fit? Early on, in another thread, I was told the '13 took a diff (longer?) Elka. That would be a big plus if I could transfer my existing one over.

Thanks for info on vent hose and spkplug.

 

[ncll]

13 handling

I have a 2013 RT and just finished a 650 mile ride through California Sierras and Yosemite Park. I was riding with two ST models and worked my ass off.
When I got home my BajaRon sway bar I ordered had come in and I put it on. Back to some twisties and night and day better. However, the brake master cylinder and evaporator canister melted on the trip. My friend from Las Vegas lost her 2013 RT to a fire caused by the same thing.
Wait a month and get A 2014 RT WAY BETTER THAT 2013.

 

[ThreeWheels]

I'm waiting to see how all of this works out...
My 2010 with Elkas and a RonBar was more fun than a berrelfull of monkeys!

Once I get the 2014; I'll have to see what; if anything, it needs... :shocked:

YOU are the MAN. You are my pathfinder.
I'm pretty happy with the way I have my 2010 RT set up.
And I keep convincing myself of that.
I sure hope to heaven that you report the 2014 is no big deal.

 

[spyderyderjim]

2011 RT Elkas 5 turns stiffer springs preload keeps 4 1/2" frame to ground clearance

Jim, you're saying you put the Elka's you had on earlier machine on the '13 and they fit? Early on, in another thread, I was told the '13 took a diff (longer?) Elka. That would be a big plus if I could transfer my existing one over.

Thanks for info on vent hose and spkplug.

My 2011 Elka stage 5 shocks are 18". But with 5 turns stiffer spring preload, the ride height 4 1/2" is same as 2013 stock shocks.
The 2013 stock front shocks are 19" eye to eye length (softer springs/dampening), ride height 4 1/2".
To transfer 2011 Elka stage 5 or stage 1+ to 2014, you may need stiffer springs/dampening on front.
Check with John at Elka, or call Len at PitBull 417-863-1418.
I will transfer my Elka stage 5 shocks to a 2014, even if I need stiffer springs.
If money discount is needed in order to upgrade (to a 2013 RT), it is ok with heat mods.
But 2014 RT should not have any heat problems with exhaust running underneath Spyder RT.
Your choice.
Your welcome for 2013 RT info. Jim