Is the RT stable at highway speeds?

[ulflyer]

With the speedos being way too fast, 80 mph is not much over the speed limit anyway. About all the cars/trucks on I85 in my neck of the woods run that speed. And if you get stuck behind a convoy of 18 wheelers the wind buffeting is pretty bad, so you drop back or pass. Thats my take on it.

 

[chris56]

now she runs stable (RT2010 with 2011 shocks) .. had a problem with unbalanced front wheels and needed new adjusment of the front-bearings .. tested the speed-limit = around 110 mls/hour = OK

 

[Lamonster]

With the speedos being way too fast, 80 mph is not much over the speed limit anyway. About all the cars/trucks on I85 in my neck of the woods run that speed. And if you get stuck behind a convoy of 18 wheelers the wind buffeting is pretty bad, so you drop back or pass. Thats my take on it.

My speedo is about 2 mph faster than my GPS. As far as passing big trucks, I've had a tire come apart while I was behind a big rig and I pass these guys anytime I get the chance. It's not fun dodging chunks of rubber coming at you at highway speeds.
:yikes:

 

[Mr. White]

Lamont, that is a neat video. When I am going west out of Kerrville, TX and the speed limit on IH10W changes to 80, and I am running 80, I have a hard time getting out of the 18 wheelers way...and then there are the rednecks...I just stay in the right lane. :clap:

:spyder2:

 

[azrn8285]

Anything over 65 and my RT starts wandering and swaying. Took it to the shop for 600 mile check and they took it on the interstate and confirmed what I told them. Their response was thats just how the spyders are, you will get used to it. My shocks are at 5 and front PSI 18 and rear 28. someone suggested outting some weights in front trunk. I love my spyder but the interstate still freaks me out.

 

[Trooper]

My speedo is about 2 mph faster than my GPS. As far as passing big trucks, I've had a tire come apart while I was behind a big rig and I pass these guys anytime I get the chance. It's not fun dodging chunks of rubber coming at you at highway speeds.
:yikes:

That happened to me at Spyderfest. Was on an RS that Cowtown graciously lent me for a ride. Was on the highway when a rig about 75 yards in front of me blew a tire and it skidded about 10 feet in front of my bumper.
:yikes:

Had to make a quick trip to the bathroom after that one...pps:

 

[SteveMac]

I would get another dealer then. I promise you that is not "just the way they are" I just made a 500 mile trip from Southeast Missouri to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sitting in a mcdonalds right now, posting via taptalk. These motorcycles track true, I had many times on I57 yesterday running 75-80 with no issues.

So you have one of three things IMHO,
First, a setup/alignment issue or air pressure not equal.
Second, a physical problem ala a bad rim or tire etc
Last, maybe you are subconsciously putting a death grip as you increase speed.

But the machines themselves run true and easy if none of the problems above are in play.

Good luck.

Anything over 65 and my RT starts wandering and swaying. Took it to the shop for 600 mile check and they took it on the interstate and confirmed what I told them. Their response was thats just how the spyders are, you will get used to it. My shocks are at 5 and front PSI 18 and rear 28. someone suggested outting some weights in front trunk. I love my spyder but the interstate still freaks me out.

 

[SteveMac]

Triple ditto
When I hit one of those signs that show your speed along the highway I am consistently two mph off. Running 60 = 58. And AMEN on getting away from those big rigs. I saw a tire blow a few years ago and the outer ring of the split rim rolled across the median, hit an oncoming car head on and caused them to crash. If that happens to us on a bike, well, astalavista baby.

My speedo is about 2 mph faster than my GPS. As far as passing big trucks, I've had a tire come apart while I was behind a big rig and I pass these guys anytime I get the chance. It's not fun dodging chunks of rubber coming at you at highway speeds.
:yikes:

 

[CaptRalph]

at any speed.. to ride behind a semi or on the side of semi in time is asking for problems... What do you think those black rubber things on the side and on the road are? Candy... nope they are tires, pieces, and treds of those semi trailers and you sure don'twon't to be around those when they come off. So get around those semi's as quick as you can.
Just an ole peeps thought.

Forrester, I couldn't agree more!:agree:

 

[Gordy]

I have a 2010 rts have front set at 2 and have no problem at all on the road or passing semis. When passing semis I always listen for any noise coming from wheels and watch tires on my side

 

[boborgera]

When i first got my Spyder 3+ years ago , I was moving along at 70/75 MPH, When out from under the car in front comes a full piece of recap hit it dead on ' Lifted the two front tires off the ground then the rear tire went over it ' Wound up with a cracked front air dam. [plastic welded it back together]
You never know when your out on the road what will come up and bite you.:shocked:

 

[NancysToy]

Anything over 65 and my RT starts wandering and swaying. Took it to the shop for 600 mile check and they took it on the interstate and confirmed what I told them. Their response was thats just how the spyders are, you will get used to it. My shocks are at 5 and front PSI 18 and rear 28. someone suggested outting some weights in front trunk. I love my spyder but the interstate still freaks me out.

As others have said, this is not normal. Dealers like yours give me a rash! They need to check for play in the suspension/steering components, check that the steering sensors are zeroed, and check alignment (preferably to the revised spec of 3/32" @ 6'). This cures most wandering Spyders. If your dealer won't cooperate, hopefully you can find a better one. If they don't understand how to check alignment, BRP's dealer tech support can explain it to them.

 

[recordingguy]

Two weeks ago while driving on I94 in Michigan I saw a garden shovel in the middle of the inside lang East bond. I could not believe what I saw. I stopped and removed the shovel with out getting run over. Can not imagine what would of happen if I hit the thing. Hard to carry a full shovel on a RT. Bob

 

[MouthPiece]

at any speed.. to ride behind a semi or on the side of semi in time is asking for problems... What do you think those black rubber things on the side and on the road are? Candy... nope they are tires, pieces, and treds of those semi trailers and you sure don'twon't to be around those when they come off. So get around those semi's as quick as you can.
Just an ole peeps thought.

Forrest, as I recall you caught one of those black rubber things riding to Daytona Bike Week either this year or the last. I think I recall some damage to your right fender. Perhaps I'm wrong. Bottom line is that you're absolutely right on your post.

Chris

 

[napper39]

i cant do that at 70mph my right handle bar is jumping so much i cant hardley hold on to it,looks like i got a bent rihht rim.:yikes:

 

[Wardawg]

As others have said, this is not normal. Dealers like yours give me a rash! They need to check for play in the suspension/steering components, check that the steering sensors are zeroed, and check alignment (preferably to the revised spec of 3/32" @ 6'). This cures most wandering Spyders. If your dealer won't cooperate, hopefully you can find a better one. If they don't understand how to check alignment, BRP's dealer tech support can explain it to them.

This is the same crap I'm experiencing and same response.... its frustrating as they don't want to listen to you....

 

[NancysToy]

This is the same crap I'm experiencing and same response.... its frustrating as they don't want to listen to you....

I understand your frustration. A good dealer will hook the Spyder up to BUDS and check the sensors, and jack up the Spyder to check for play, immediately...just to eliminate those possibilities. Checking alignment is a bit more complex, but should be done...especially since in the case described the dealer rode the Spyder and noticed the wandering too. If all these items are eliminated, and tire pressures are correct, shock preload is adjusted evenly, and no shock adjusters are broken, the problem is likely the rider...but the possible physical causes of the problem should be investigated before blaming the rider, IMO!

 

[murphybrown]

My belief: 18 wheelers PASS 'em

My 2010 RT cruises on by them...I have never adjusted the shock from when I got her...don't know how and sort of live by the" it works well, so don't mess with it!!!" motto. Altho, Elkas are next on my mod list (oh yea that comes after the root canal & crown my dentist said I need NOW...dang now there is expense!!!) back to the why Elkas if I'm a happy camper....cause everyone is singing their virtues and great improvement...so hey, I've said many times I am a salesman's delight!!!!
In one of my other lives I used to drive about 100K miles a year in a 1 ton crew cab duelly pulling a loaded 40 ft horse trailer....never had the juice to get around those 18 wheelers and I saw many scary things come off of them..fortunately I never got close and personal, but if I had figured I had a fighting chance...don't believe my odds are that high with Ms Spyder...so I pass them or drop waaaayyyyy back if speed excessive (for me 85 ain't excessive)..no that's not my age!!!!!

 

[Bootie]

18 Wheels

My speedo is about 2 mph faster than my GPS. As far as passing big trucks, I've had a tire come apart while I was behind a big rig and I pass these guys anytime I get the chance. It's not fun dodging chunks of rubber coming at you at highway speeds.
:yikes:

Anybody remember the "Mythbusters" episode where they looked at the damage that a 40mph tire-shred could do? As I recall, they shot the piece of tire out of a contraption and the piece of tire went through a car window and took the head completely off of their test dummy. I for one don't want to be anywhere near that; I go around 'em as fast as I can. Also, if a truck tire blows when you are going around, it will scare the s@%t out of you and you will think that you have been shot at.
I find my '10 RT to be quite stable at any speed. The only time I have had trouble is when I hit standing water at highway speeds:yikes:. That fat rear tire hydroplanes like a greased pig at a county fair. I have found that if you are pulling a trailer, the tendency to hydroplane, or at least to fishtail, is minimized.
BTW I have about 16000mi on my second rear tire. I am going to get it changed out at Cowtown on Fri or Sat before I head to Bonneville. I use "Ride On" and I think it helps balance and longevity issues. I have been running 30psi in the rear tire and it still wears in the center.

 

[retiredsquid]

We have a 2011 RT Limited with Elka shocks and Corbin seating. We have right at 5,000 miles on it now. It is extremely stable on the highway, but the Elka shocks made the difference IMO. My speedo is 2MPH off compared to GPS, too.