I've been Squared Away! Front wheel alignment done right!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

SpyderAnn and CptJAM, Joe and Ann Meyers, Squared Away from Las Vegas, spent the day today doing laser alignments in Boise, ID. They're on their way to the Heart of Washington ryde. Local Can Am dealer MotoTech hosted them (at my encouragement!) as they are interested in seeing how well the Outlaw laser alignment compares to the BRP factory method. Nine bikes came in for alignment, a full day for the Meyers! After all the comments I've read here I really wanted to have it done on my 2013 RT. Here is my experience.

First, Travis at Moto Tech aligned my bike about 2200 miles ago in March. I have had no noticeable handling issues since, which was an indication that he had done a really good job of getting it aligned. Before Joe and Ann did the laser alignment Travis took my bike out for a short ride so he would know what the 'before' driving characteristic was.

Joe and Ann found that the alignment was pretty much dead on per the factory spec, 5/16" toe-in., measured at 72" from the wheel centerline. The drive belt tension and tracking were dead on. Travis had done good. They aligned the wheels to right at 1/2" toe-in at 75". The torque sensor setting was dead on and the steering alignment sensor needed no significant adjustment.

Travis then took the bike out for a repeat run for comparison. I then made a run for lunch and came back. Both Travis and I agreed that the handling just felt better. Neither of us could pinpoint any specific change, but the bike just felt more comfortable and smoother in handling in straight road tracking, cornering, and braking. I found on the way home that it's more stable on uneven road surfaces, with less swerving caused by ruts and such.

There is no doubt in my mind now that aligning the front wheels with the laser system is definitely the way to go. It was unquestionably an improvement even over a BRP factory method done perfectly.

An interesting side note. The Moto Tech service manager said that in all his years of association with Can Am products, the Outlaw Laser Alignment system is the first non-BRP maintenance method or product that he has seen BRP endorse. Always before, he said, BRP has either developed the method and equipment, or bought out the system and made it their own.

If you can get to someone who is doing laser alignments, get there! You'll be glad you did.

 

[Bob Denman]

It makes on heckuva difference; doesn't it? :2thumbs:
A little bit of toe-in really makes these bikes track a whole lot better!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Thanks Mac, I'm glad we were able to get you Squared Away. You are very fortunate to have Moto Tech and Travis as your dealer and technician. Ride safe!

 

[cognaccruiser]

I'm looking forward to having mine done by Ann and Joe this Friday.

Gary

 

[cptjam]

Glad to help

Thank you for the kind words. I was also interested in the differences. First, I have to say how lucky you guys are to have Travis! Absolutely fantastic, knowledgeable and experienced. I have met a lot of technicians. He is the standard all others need to strive for! That we were able to make Mac's Spyder ride better is clearly the equipment and process; Travis did a fantastic job. The ROLO / Outlaw alignment system is just a better way to do it, and more accurate. The results tend to speak for themselves.
We love to ride, and making it better for people is very rewarding. We enjoy getting folks Squared Away!

 

[FLAlaserman]

The Moto Tech service manager said that in all his years of association with Can Am products, the Outlaw Laser Alignment system is the first non-BRP maintenance method or product that he has seen BRP endorse. Always before, he said, BRP has either developed the method and equipment, or bought out the system and made it their own.

If you can get to someone who is doing laser alignments, get there! You'll be glad you did.

WasWinger:

I was also surprised by the BRP factory actions...let the service manager know that BRP Engineers probably took my patented laser system apart a hundred ways to Sunday…looking for some smoking mirrors and found none. But I feel they came away knowing that laser aligning to the rear wheel is the most precise alignment you can get. The old way of aligning to the frame doesn’t work….it is true with race cars too. That’s why I invented this system for race cars 12 years ago…it works on race cars and now with some adapting it works on Spyders.

I watched Joe and Ann at a recent Spyder event …and let me just say this….some of my True Laser Track technicians that own and service Spyders are not doing the align perfect…but you are lucky because Joe and Ann do the alignment PERFECT. They cross the T’s and dot the I’s. I have now done over 300 aligns and by watching them…they do it my way too. You are so lucky to have them there.Ride now knowing that you are “toed in” perfect.

 

[PW2013STL]

SpyderAnn and CptJAM, Joe and Ann Meyers, Squared Away from Las Vegas, spent the day today doing laser alignments in Boise, ID. They're on their way to the Heart of Washington ryde. Local Can Am dealer MotoTech hosted them (at my encouragement!) as they are interested in seeing how well the Outlaw laser alignment compares to the BRP factory method. Nine bikes came in for alignment, a full day for the Meyers! After all the comments I've read here I really wanted to have it done on my 2013 RT. Here is my experience.

First, Travis at Moto Tech aligned my bike about 2200 miles ago in March. I have had no noticeable handling issues since, which was an indication that he had done a really good job of getting it aligned. Before Joe and Ann did the laser alignment Travis took my bike out for a short ride so he would know what the 'before' driving characteristic was.

Joe and Ann found that the alignment was pretty much dead on per the factory spec, 5/16" toe-in., measured at 72" from the wheel centerline. The drive belt tension and tracking were dead on. Travis had done good. They aligned the wheels to right at 1/2" toe-in at 75". The torque sensor setting was dead on and the steering alignment sensor needed no significant adjustment.

Travis then took the bike out for a repeat run for comparison. I then made a run for lunch and came back. Both Travis and I agreed that the handling just felt better. Neither of us could pinpoint any specific change, but the bike just felt more comfortable and smoother in handling in straight road tracking, cornering, and braking. I found on the way home that it's more stable on uneven road surfaces, with less swerving caused by ruts and such.

There is no doubt in my mind now that aligning the front wheels with the laser system is definitely the way to go. It was unquestionably an improvement even over a BRP factory method done perfectly.

An interesting side note. The Moto Tech service manager said that in all his years of association with Can Am products, the Outlaw Laser Alignment system is the first non-BRP maintenance method or product that he has seen BRP endorse. Always before, he said, BRP has either developed the method and equipment, or bought out the system and made it their own.

If you can get to someone who is doing laser alignments, get there! You'll be glad you did.

Great to hear this and I agree that it is very diffacult to discribe what you are feeling. I discribe it as the Spyder just feels tighter. Well wourth having this done.:thumbup: