Newbe looking for some help on RT limited handling

[Cmpdman]

My wife got a 16 RT Limited. I'm a Harley rider & my son rides an STS. When I ride my wife's RT it feels unstable at over 50. My sons does not. I've tried adjusting the rear air suspension. Today, I'll check her tire pressure.

What at else do you suggest? No one around does laser alignments. I've been reading about a Ron Baja sway bar.

 

[jaherbst]

My wife got a 16 RT Limited. I'm a Harley rider & my son rides an STS. When I ride my wife's RT it feels unstable at over 50. My sons does not. I've tried adjusting the rear air suspension. Today, I'll check her tire pressure.

What at else do you suggest? No one around does laser alignments. I've been reading about a Ron Baja sway bar.

Suggest both Lazer alignment and Baja Ron's sway bar. No Regrets.

You say west for a location so any suggestion of where to get the above would be meaningless. Where are

you located?

​Jack

 

[bondo]

Rt

Install fox podium kit or Ella's 16 have a bigger bar already went through it when I purchased new one fro st

 

[Bob Denman]

The bike probably feels unstable, because you're used to riding two-wheeled "leaners"...
The BajaRon bar does help a lot, but it's time in the saddle that you really need! nojoke
Since the bike belongs to your Better-Half": what does SHE say about it?

 

[Highwayman2013]

My wife got a 16 RT Limited. I'm a Harley rider & my son rides an STS. When I ride my wife's RT it feels unstable at over 50. My sons does not. I've tried adjusting the rear air suspension. Today, I'll check her tire pressure.

What at else do you suggest? No one around does laser alignments. I've been reading about a Ron Baja sway bar.

Since your location is not known, try here:http://www.spydercomfort.com/dealers.htm

 

[tehrlich]

You MUST upgrade the sway bar and the front shocks.

I started with the shocks and noticed an immediate improvement. I bought the Fox shocks from BRP. I will eventually upgrade the upgrade to Elka shocks.

The anti-sway bar from RonJon added the extra stiffness and confidence to feel like it is on rails going around turns.

Lastly, technique is critical. It isn't the same as riding a two-wheeled motorcycle. When I realized it was like riding a snowmobile, or like body positioning like skiing, everything felt better.

 

[BajaRon]

Install fox podium kit or Ella's 16 have a bigger bar already went through it when I purchased new one fro st

Bad information. Same bar from 2013-2017 on all models.

 

[Explorer]

1. Were you riding one up when you noticed instability?
2. Have your son ride it.
3. If he agrees with you, get it aligned before you spend money on anything else.
Good luck
Roger

 

[Mrs.Dirtfarmerjake]

Did you see this thread? It might help

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?97674-There-are-Dealers-and-there-are-dealers!

 

[Cmpdman]

We're in northern Utah. I checked the air in the tires, they were at 11 psi. I added air to 25 psi. My son will come over next week and take it for a spin.

My wife in new to riding herself. I just want to make sure that she is safe and feels comfortable on the bike.

should I start with an alignment? Not sure in anyone in Utah does it? Order the Baja Ron sway bar, or change out the front shocks?

I understand that it doesn't ride like a two wheeler. I've riden two wheelers, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, you get the idea. Her Spyder felt like it wanted to wander when I was going over 50 on a strait road. I was just me alone.

Thanks for y'alls help!

 

[Bob Denman]

Make sure that the tire pressures are the same on each side up front, and it sounds as if an alignment might also be a good idea...
Good Luck! :thumbup:

 

[jaherbst]

Do not waste your money on new shocks! You do not need them. Suggest Ron's Baja Bar and Laser

Alignment. You will need BOTH. Much cheaper than new shocks and a lot less money. (not to mention a

lot more effective) One of the best to Laser align and install the Bar is Squared Away in Las Vegas. This

would be a short ride to the South if you live in UT. Joe and Ann Meyer at [email protected]. Look

on the Home page. They are a sponsor.


Jack

Joe and Ann will be at Spyders In the Red Rocks September 26 thru the 30th in St. George UT. They will be performing their "magic" there. Call them! It cannot get any easier than that.

 

[Sam Mac]

Do not waste your money on new shocks! You do not need them. Suggest Ron's Baja Bar and Laser

Alignment. You will need BOTH. Much cheaper than new shocks and a lot less money.

Jack

What he said, if you want to go 1 step more the Baja Ron shock adjusters are well worth the $$ and if you buy the Bar and Adjusters at the same time you'll save a few $$.

 

[Peter Aawen]

We're in northern Utah. I checked the air in the tires, they were at 11 psi. I added air to 25 psi. My son will come over next week and take it for a spin.....

I agree that 11psi is probably too low, but if that 25psi is in the front tires & you are running the original Kenda's, that pressure is probably too high!! If the Spyder is running an alternative 'car' tire then it's DEFINITELY too high, even more so if it's larger in any way than the OE tires!! :shocked:

The heavier construction car tires don't need as much air in them to carry the same load, & while a lightly constructed Kenda will carry the front of most loaded Spyders at around 20-22 psi (Max!), the heavier constructed car tires would be up for carrying about 1300 #'s EACH at 25 psi!! So unless you weigh much over 500#'s, then it's extremely unlikely that you'll need more than about 18 psi in the fronts, possibly even less if it's a bigger tire! :thumbup:

But if the front tires are running the same pressure each side, it's not likely that the pressure is causing the twitchy handling issues anyway! See other's replies above.

 

[BajaRon]

We're in northern Utah. I checked the air in the tires, they were at 11 psi. I added air to 25 psi. My son will come over next week and take it for a spin.

My wife in new to riding herself. I just want to make sure that she is safe and feels comfortable on the bike.

should I start with an alignment? Not sure in anyone in Utah does it? Order the Baja Ron sway bar, or change out the front shocks?

I understand that it doesn't ride like a two wheeler. I've riden two wheelers, 3 wheelers, 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, you get the idea. Her Spyder felt like it wanted to wander when I was going over 50 on a strait road. I was just me alone.

Thanks for y'alls help!

I think we have a Goldielocks process going here. 11 psi is way too low. 25 psi is too high. Try between 18 and 20 psi and try to get the same pressure in both tires as much as possible.

Hope things improve for you.

 

[MOSESS]

Time

time in the saddle is a must. even with out the sway bar .There is a learning curve. If you look at some of my earler post you will see how I felt at first...sense its your wife's bike let her ride...

 

[Judge64]

I agree with Bob.....

I bought a '16 RT Special Series in May and have never ridden 2 or 3 wheels till now. I ride sleds a lot and wanted a sled-like experience in the non-winter months.

It took me some seat time to get used to it but after 2400 miles I am happy with the handling and feel much more comfortable on it.

Just had my first service done today and asked about the laser alignment because I have read so much on here about it. They checked my tire wear and road tested it and they said I didn't need to spend the $250 for the laser alignment.

I may go for the BajaRon sway bar over the winter but at this point I can't say it is a necessity.

We are taking a trip next weekend from Pittsburgh to Gettysburg with some 2-wheeler friends. It will be my longest ride yet. Based on that trip I'll make the decision on whether to go with the sway bar.



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[Cmpdman]

Sorry, typo. I set the front tires to 20 psi, not 25. The manual shows 20 +- 2 lbs. the back is at 28. I'll take it on a spin latter tonight.

Thanks is for everyone's input!

 

[Ohio1ryder]

Baha sway bar and laser Alignment will make a world of difference.

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[BajaRon]

I agree with Bob.....

I bought a '16 RT Special Series in May and have never ridden 2 or 3 wheels till now. I ride sleds a lot and wanted a sled-like experience in the non-winter months.

It took me some seat time to get used to it but after 2400 miles I am happy with the handling and feel much more comfortable on it.

Just had my first service done today and asked about the laser alignment because I have read so much on here about it. They checked my tire wear and road tested it and they said I didn't need to spend the $250 for the laser alignment.

I may go for the BajaRon sway bar over the winter but at this point I can't say it is a necessity.

We are taking a trip next weekend from Pittsburgh to Gettysburg with some 2-wheeler friends. It will be my longest ride yet. Based on that trip I'll make the decision on whether to go with the sway bar.



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$250 for the alignment is too much money. And if they did not check your alignment with the ROLO laser alignment system then they are just guessing. Improper tire wear is a sure sign of misalignment. But no evidence of improper tire wear is not a sure sign of proper alignment. Find a vendor with a reasonable price for this and get it done. You will probably surprised at the results. And, if your dealer is right and you are in spec. Most of the ROLO people won't charge you for the service.