New RT-S SE5

[C3517C]

Well after 2 years on the GS, I sold it and made the move to the RT. The GS had been a good soldier, other than going through the whole DPS thing. I picked up my 2011 magnesium RT just last night and hit the road. The first thing I noticed is that the engine and shifting are super smooth. It feels like an auto tranny on a car. If I wasn't hitting the shift button myself I wouldn't know the gears were changing. :thumbup:
Just as I was having my "yahoo" moment, I noticed the suspension didn't seem right. Every little imperfection in the road seemed to hit hard on my butt, coming from the rear tire. Small bumps or dips just about cracked my spine and busted my teeth out. When I tried to adjust the suspension via the button, my data screen turned orange in the suspension display area and read "manual". Great, the bike has 5 miles on it. :gaah:
Maybe this is common, but its day 1 for me. The owners manual says to take it in for service if the "manual" is displayed. Of course, the dealer is closed for the next 2 days. Is it still OK to ride for now if I can tolerate the beating on my back. Does this sound like a flat air shock or bag ? Maybe its as simple as a disconnected air line? I haven't tried to pull anything apart and look yet. Thoughts are welcome.

 

[NancysToy]

I would not ride it, but if you do, the warranty should cover any damage. It was their problem that caused it. JMHO

 

[IWN2RYD]

:welcome::congrats:

As to your issue... Our 2010 RT-S had this very same thing happen. I assume you have the RT-S SE5?

If so... This may be normal the very first actual ryde, and may not be. My suggestion is this (And what our temporary fix was)...

Let your RT idle in the front yard for about two minutes with no ryder on it. Then manually adjust the rear air bag to one notch under max. Then give it a go. Then try it on notch short of the lowest... And see if you can feel the difference (You should BTW...)

If this works and the ryde is better you have one of two possibilities...

1. The pump simply did not get to full pressure as it is so new, and just needed a few moments with no load to get up to snuff.
2. The line is not connected correctly, or you have the first failed rear suspension of 2011. This happened on a few RT's last year and there is a "Volunteer" fix for it. However this is not something we should be seeing on the 2011's as they already remedied the issue.

Either way a call to your dealer on Tuesday is in order... Because the ryde on the RT is wonderful, not rough like you are describing. nojoke

 

[Dudley]

I am going to guess the air bag has no air. We have a BareBone RT, so I am not sure how the RTS works with the auto-air setup. Sounds like what mine felt when it had air retaining issues when we first got it. Riding on just the coil shock is a bit "shockless". I would suggest trying to air it up with the manual operation of the compressor if that's possible.

 

[harddrive]

I had the same ride with my 2010 Silver RT Audio when I road it home. I checked the air pressure and it was at zero. Filled it to 60 psi and with in about 20 minutes, it leaked back down to 0. The dealer fixed the air bag and now the ride is great.

Yours has the compressor and it sounds like it is not running. Maybe try adding air to it manually through the valve under the seat, and then see if the compressor will adjust it...just a thought, but I would still talk to the dealer...

:congrats: and :welcome:

 

[CyncySpyder]

I also have an RT-S SE5. One thing you can try to see if your auto-suspension system is working, is to start it up, let it sit for a couple of minutes while on the machine, then adjust your suspension (using your push button control) to the lowest setting while looking in one of the mirrors. If the system is working correctly, you should see the angle in the mirror change. When I would switch mine in the past, I really couldn't tell a difference, til I did it the way I explained with looking in the mirror to actually SEE the difference in ryde height. You can try the opposite as well, going from the lowest setting to the highest. You should also hear the PSSSSSSS of the compressor going off and on when the system is working correctly.

I've had to have mine replaced once so far. Hope this helps, & IMHO, you should be ok to litely ryde as long as you can handle it, tho I wouldn't recommend highway speeds, as a large bump or pot hole could make you lose control. Again, just my humble opinion. Good luck, there's always bumps in the road, but believe me, the enjoyment you will get from your machine will make it all worth while. :2thumbs:

 

[C3517C]

Thanks for all the valuable input. Im trying a few of the suggestions. I feel better seeing that others have overcome the same type of problem. I found the dealer is open tomorrow, so back I go. I did take it out again just to make sure I wasn't imagining things. I can only describe the ride as brutal, and I could barely keep it in the traveling lane. I'm still optimistic and look forward to some good riding. Thanks for the help.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Thanks for all the valuable input. Im trying a few of the suggestions. I feel better seeing that others have overcome the same type of problem. I found the dealer is open tomorrow, so back I go. I did take it out again just to make sure I wasn't imagining things. I can only describe the ride as brutal, and I could barely keep it in the traveling lane. I'm still optimistic and look forward to some good riding. Thanks for the help.

:2thumbs: Great attitude. & Remember, 2010 was the first year of production for these Very Complex machines, so there's always gonna be bugs to work out. You'll find this Forum & the Members here are an AWESOME Resource for you with everything Spyder related :2thumbs: let us know how it goes?

 

[C3517C]

Fixed

:clap:I was at the dealer first thing this morning. The air pressure on the suspension was at 250 PSI, :yikes: which basically turned it into a rigid frame. As it turns out, a sensor was malfunctioning, causing the compressor to pump all it could pump. Actually I'm pretty impressed it could get to 250, and with no blowouts either. The ride is now smooth and life is good. The spyder did it's job by recognizing there was a problem, and putting notice on the data screen. I love a happy ending.

 

[IWN2RYD]

:clap:I was at the dealer first thing this morning. The air pressure on the suspension was at 250 PSI, :yikes: which basically turned it into a rigid frame. As it turns out, a sensor was malfunctioning, causing the compressor to pump all it could pump. Actually I'm pretty impressed it could get to 250, and with no blowouts either. The ride is now smooth and life is good. The spyder did it's job by recognizing there was a problem, and putting notice on the data screen. I love a happy ending.

Now that is what we like to read :clap::2thumbs::spyder2::doorag::spyder:

 

[CyncySpyder]

YAY!!!

:clap:I was at the dealer first thing this morning. The air pressure on the suspension was at 250 PSI, :yikes: which basically turned it into a rigid frame. As it turns out, a sensor was malfunctioning, causing the compressor to pump all it could pump. Actually I'm pretty impressed it could get to 250, and with no blowouts either. The ride is now smooth and life is good. The spyder did it's job by recognizing there was a problem, and putting notice on the data screen. I love a happy ending.

:yes:Love hearing of a good ending to an annoying problem :clap:

Glad that they got you back in the saddle & you have a nice, comfortable ryde again. Now get out there & enjoy it as much as you can :2thumbs:

 

[rogerb]

:congrats:

 

[napper39]

what a fun day when good things come together,keep us informed on your take about the switch from the good shoulder to the sweet rt.i hope it will work out .:congrats: on the move im thinking on the same thing.

 

[Baxman]

Congrats on the purchase of your new RT....very sweet!! As the new owner of your "old Spyder" I just want to thank you for providing me with such a great machine....had lots of fun these past weeks getting used to it. First day on it got pulled over by police and all he wanted to do was talk about the bike....no ticket, no violations...just questions about the bike!! Happy Riding...your baby is in good hands. :2thumbs: