If you own an RT and like get'n on the twisties, do yourself a favor & read this post

[MidLifeCrisis]

If you own an RT and like get'n on the twisties, do yourself a favor & read this post

Glad you're installing the bar (of course). I'm sure you will see a great improvement there. It is a very good idea to do one mod at a time (especially a performance mod) so you can do exactly what you intend to do. Find out what is doing what and how much.

But a small suggestion here, well, maybe a huge suggestion. Replace those 2010 stock shocks. They were very bad units for the RT. Just upgrading to the OEM 2011/12 units will noticeably improve your ride. Of course there are other options which are better and more expensive. But you can probably get a good used set of 2012's for not all that much. Len must have a pile of them at Pitbull Powersports.

Hope you love the bar! hyea:

I figured if most folks with 2011 and 12s are riding around on the #4 setting on their stock shocks and backing off to 3 with the bar, then maybe i could back my 2010 settings down to 4. Were the 2010s not just softer or did they miss the mark all around? I've never been on a different Spyder, so I have nothing to compare mine too. I just know it needs help.


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[BajaRon]

I figured if most folks with 2011 and 12s are riding around on the #4 setting on their stock shocks and backing off to 3 with the bar, then maybe i could back my 2010 settings down to 4. Were the 2010s not just softer or did they miss the mark all around? I've never been on a different Spyder, so I have nothing to compare mine too. I just know it needs help.


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Not only were the springs changed on the 2011's but also the hydrolic dampening was changed (both much for the better). Putting the newer OEM shocks on your 2010 won't make as big a difference as the sway bar, but they will make a noticeable, positive difference.

It's one of those things that you didn't know you needed until you try them. And then you wonder how you ever got along without them. Then you get used to it and you don't necessarily appreciate it.

I guess I notice it most when I tend to run up the back of another Spyder rider in the twisties or some other bend in the road. I wonder 'What is the problem?'. Then I realize that they probably don't have a good sway bar on their ride and they are doing the best they can.

I've had customers tell me that they were quite impressed when they first put my sway bar on. Then, after awhile they got used to it and wondered if it was actually making all that much difference.... Until they rode someone else's Spyder that didn't have the bar installed! Then they were impressed all over again.

Good shocks are like that too.

 

[lookerjdc]

It's one of those things that you didn't know you needed until you try them. And then you wonder how you ever got along without them. Then you get used to it and you don't necessarily appreciate it.

Absolutely true....

I knew I wanted the anti sway bar when you first announced it last year, but honestly.... I had no idea what it was going to do (handling wise....)

when I had them installed at PitBull on the first day of Spyderfest (stupid, I should have done it the 2nd day when it was raining, but.... thats a different thread... lol)

so when I had them installed and the PitBull relocators at the same time, when I got back on my ride it was like, HOLY SH*T...... lol

it was a completely different ride... the duck wobble was gone, when I hit my first curve (of course I was ready to lean) and the Spyder just flowed thru the corner... it was AMAZING

thank you Ron, and thank you PitBull

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

If you own an RT and like get'n on the twisties, do yourself a favor & read this post

No more duck wobble? What would I do? My biggest complaint about riding my Spyder is everyone else arrives with a smile and I feel like I just wrestled a rhino and need a nap. A little less fighting will definitely be welcome. I'm not tense on the bike at all, but a ton of core balance goes into keeping us going straight, especially loaded down and 2 up.

I keep reading about the huge improvements and can't wait to feel the difference. Thanks Ron for bursting my bubble on keeping my old shocks. Thought spring rate was the only difference, till you set me straight.


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[rolinfaz]

Installed Ron bar last weekend! It made a big difference while cornering. All I need now is to add the shocks. Time to start looking for some 2011-12 shocks. THANKS RON!!!

 

[Cavman]

So, I've got the fantastic sway bar! What should a set of 2011-12 OEM shocks cost? Elkas are not in my budget. I still have that trailer harness to buy.

 

[cjackg]

How much RT suspension tuning is Enough ?

...And now we've got PitBull PowerSports' shock-mount relocation brackets as the third part to add! :2thumbs:

Gotta agree that Ron's new Anti-Sway bar is the best RT improvement ever for the money, and the Elka's are without question a great improvement for those that dont hesitate to spend the bucks... but, I have yet to be able to pin down just what the relocators are doing for my RT ....

 

[Questions]

If you own an RT and like get'n on the twisties, do yourself a favor & read thi

I installed Ron's bar myself about 3 weeks ago and love it. I'm considering a shock change on my 2012 RT. is this really worth the change or are my shocks just fine. I haven't adjusted them so I'm guessing they are on number 3 so maybe I should change them to number 4. Hmmm...

 

[BajaRon]

So, I've got the fantastic sway bar! What should a set of 2011-12 OEM shocks cost? Elkas are not in my budget. I still have that trailer harness to buy.

Unfortunately, the 2010 RT Shocks were not good in any respect. Too little of everything, probably trying to achieve a really cushy ride. Cushy, maybe, but everything else was sacrificed.

You should be able to pick up a good set of 2011/12 shocks for around $100 delivered. A very cheap fix and a worth while improvement in handling and your Spyder will just ride better as well.

I don't say too much about this aspect because I'm not sure everyone notices it. But with the sway bar on you'll not need to work as hard to get around corners as you did without it. On a long ride this can really make a difference as to how tired you are when you arrive. It's not just your arms and shoulders, but your legs too as you don't have to squeeze the bike as much as when your Spyeder was leaning more.

 

[SpyderDen]

:agree: With Ron. Riding is now nearly effortless. Couldn't believe the difference. Glad I took advise from the "3 Wisemen". (Ron, Len & Harvey). I have the shock relocator s from Len along with Elka stage 1+, and Baja Ron's Sway bar installed by SpyderPop. :thumbup:

 

[StanProff]

I think you're talking about the new sway bar. Installed mine 2 weeks ago and I've got to say, it may well be the greatest addition I made to my RT. I have a 2010 and had already upgraded the shocks to the 2011 model and had them set as firm as possible. With Ron's new sway bar, I've backed the shocks off to the second softest setting and the RT takes the corners FLAT. Love it.:yes:

Same here, 2010 with '11 shocks and installed Ron's sway bar a few weeks before going to Spyderfest. I highly recommend it. Installation was good, If you can turn a wrench you can install it.

 

[StanProff]

I haven't tried ... but I think so. the inside lip of the ramp would be on the inside of the front tires ... my guess is that there would be plenty of room ... but someone probably has tried it here.

thehawk

I use the black plastic ramps sold at Advance auto and other auto supply stores. they work great for the spyder. It drives up on them with no problem. The lift jack would probally be better but I already had the ramps. that's what I used to install the swaybar. No problem.

 

[vrodrjs]

If you own an RT and like get'n on the twisties, do yourself a favor & read thi

I have a set of '12 shocks with about 1000 miles on them that I would part with for $100 if anybody wants them PM me.

Bob

 

[MidLifeCrisis]

If you own an RT and like get'n on the twisties, do yourself a favor & read this post

Another happy customer.

Just finished the installation a couple of hours ago and even with the 2010 shocks I can feel a huge difference. I could actually accelerate in turns and no more oversteer. The bike feels way lighter too. I may actually be able to keep up in twisties for a change. Can't wait to feel the difference with newer shocks

Thanks Ron. A great product indeed.


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[Harley]

Easy to install and we love them...:yes::yes::yes:

 

[CyncySpyder]

And now a word from our Sponsor ....... The OTHER one

OK folks, so our trip to SpyderFest 2013 was our first real long distance test since doing numerous mods and finally putting Teds Red Sled ALL back together again and we made the trip towing our Moto-Mate Camper.

From day one of the RonBar install, we could tell a major difference in handling as most of you have also experienced and reported here as well. But with us also changing from OEM tires to the much stiffer auto tires that we put on, and with towing our camper on this trip, to say I got the sh*t beat out of me would be being kind. I had played with the PSI in the tires trying to find the best compromise between being to stiff and giving a spine shaking ryde to too soft and having a bouncy ryde. Finally found that happy place in between and thought all was well, but over a thousand mile trip my back was telling me otherwise.

I mentioned the harsh ryde to John of Elka Shocks while Teddy and I were at PitBulls having work done on his Red Sled, and that's when John asked if I also had the new RonBar installed which I confirmed. Then John clued me in to what others have reported here, about backing off the suspension a bit. He said with the stiffer Anti-Sway Bar, most ppl with Elkas installed on their RTs could change the preload on the Shocks a Full 2 to 3 revolutions and that should make for a more comfortable ryde.

The day after we returned, I put Teds Red Sled up in the air, and adjusted the pre-load rings 3 full rotations.

:2thumbs:OH MY GOD!!! :bowdown::bowdown: Its like the difference between Corn Beefed Hash and BUTTER :clap::yes: That was the missing piece of the puzzle, getting the suspension dialed in correctly for the improved set-up and now there is once again, JOY IN MUDVILLE :yes::clap::clap: :yes:

:bowdown:Thanks RON for an AWESOME product and JOHN for cluing me in :bowdown: I tell ya, I'm live'n & Learn'n Every Day :thumbup:

 

[va2djd]

Ron Sway bar

 

[Raytyetx]

OK folks, so our trip to SpyderFest 2013 was our first real long distance test since doing numerous mods and finally putting Teds Red Sled ALL back together again and we made the trip towing our Moto-Mate Camper.

From day one of the RonBar install, we could tell a major difference in handling as most of you have also experienced and reported here as well. But with us also changing from OEM tires to the much stiffer auto tires that we put on, and with towing our camper on this trip, to say I got the sh*t beat out of me would be being kind. I had played with the PSI in the tires trying to find the best compromise between being to stiff and giving a spine shaking ryde to too soft and having a bouncy ryde. Finally found that happy place in between and thought all was well, but over a thousand mile trip my back was telling me otherwise.

I mentioned the harsh ryde to John of Elka Shocks while Teddy and I were at PitBulls having work done on his Red Sled, and that's when John asked if I also had the new RonBar installed which I confirmed. Then John clued me in to what others have reported here, about backing off the suspension a bit. He said with the stiffer Anti-Sway Bar, most ppl with Elkas installed on their RTs could change the preload on the Shocks a Full 2 to 3 revolutions and that should make for a more comfortable ryde.

The day after we returned, I put Teds Red Sled up in the air, and adjusted the pre-load rings 3 full rotations.

:2thumbs:OH MY GOD!!! :bowdown::bowdown: Its like the difference between Corn Beefed Hash and BUTTER :clap::yes: That was the missing piece of the puzzle, getting the suspension dialed in correctly for the improved set-up and now there is once again, JOY IN MUDVILLE :yes::clap::clap: :yes:

:bowdown:Thanks RON for an AWESOME product and JOHN for cluing me in :bowdown: I tell ya, I'm live'n & Learn'n Every Day :thumbup:[/QU


When adjusting the pre-load, which way do you turn the ring?

 

[CyncySpyder]

[/QUOTE]When adjusting the pre-load, which way do you turn the ring?[/QUOTE]

I'm at work and honestly don't recall, would have to look at the shocks to tell you. But if you look at the threads, you want to lighten the preload, allowing the red ring to go UP the threads. I'm thinking clockwise would be going DOWN the threads, thereby making them stiffer and counter-clockwise would be going up, thereby reducing the tension and making them more compliant. Hope that helps & if not let me know & I'll confirm this once I get home and PM you back.
dave~

 

[gypsy_100]

[/QU
When adjusting the pre-load, which way do you turn the ring?[/QUOTE]

Just look at the shock and think about "unscrewing" the top ring. If you were looking at a jar with a lid from the same viewpoint, how would you unscrew the lid? Same thing. You want to lengthen the spring, so unscrew the top ring to move it further up the shock body.

I spent time testing and readjusting the preload after the swaybar install, riding rough roads, curvy roads, and interstates with lots of semi's. I finally settled on having the preload two turns softer than where I started. Glad to read in this thread that the experts came to the same conclusion. We took a 750-mile long weekend ride and the ride quality of the RT is much improved. With the better ride, I'd say the lean in the corners was about the same as before the install and it seems the wind stability (had one windy day on the interstate) is the same or better. But with the improved ride quality, it's nonetheless a great overall improvement.