Newbie Question about handling

[TomTom]

We just bought a 2021 RTL this past Thursday. They were both 900 lb cruisers so we are accustomed to large and heavy motorcycles. It was a white knuckle drive the 50 miles home from the dealer. There was a strong cross wind and the RTL was absolutely squirrelly in the way it handled. Any little steering input made it feel like I was driving a jet ski or a car that has several inches of play in the steering. The way it wiggles around in the rear as the passenger feels it is absolutely unnerving to my wife.
From what I have been reading in this and other forums seems to be an upgraded sway bar and better shocks that the stock items. Is it possible that BRP thinks this is acceptable handling because they come from the snow mobile world?
I am looking for anything to make this handle better. I have already ordered a Baja Ron sway bar. What have others done to mitigate this?

ok, I got the BajaRon sway bar installed along with the Elka front shocks and the feel of the RTL has improved tremendously. Those two items along with the suggestions from everyone here has gotten me to the point that I am no longer questioning my sanity. It is much different than any motorcycle I have ever owned. I can keep it in the center of the lane even on I-95 with the trucks going past me at 70+. I think I need to get more seat time to see how I feel in a few months.

 

[mecsw500]

I have 47 years experience on 2 wheels.

My 30 mile ride home with my new 21 RT Limited was terrifying. The handling was horrible. I wanted to go back and swap my trade and start over. After a few rides I was getting better but it was still terrible.

So I signed up for the $99 MSF rider training course at the local community college. It was a $250 course for $99 through Can Am's website.

I did the class and oh boy did that help. I learned to have confidence that it wasn't going to flip over on corners and I no longer needed a death grip on the straight bits in between.

Can I add items to improve its handling? Probably. Will it change the fundamentally different way these things drive? Probably not. It's not a motorcycle, nor is it a car really. Will it handle like either? I doubt it. Is it as fast as either my bikes or my cars? Nope. It's just different.

Now it is fun and I enjoy riding it. The power assist on the steering I think is what the death grip and associated twitching makes the thing go all over the place. Ridden with a gentle touch it is as stable as anything out there.

I am not going to change anything on mine for a 1,000 miles or more either and then I might do subtle tweaks one at a time until I'm truly satisfied, or not, as it might be OK as it is anyway.

 

[JohnRuckus]

.... I am not going to change anything on mine for a 1,000 miles or more either and then I might do subtle tweaks one at a time until I'm truly satisfied, or not, as it might be OK as it is anyway.

I took the class, and I recommend it. It isn't going to make you an expert, but it definitely helps with understanding these machines a lot more than the average person would by just jumping on and twisting the throttle.

The more you ryde, the more comfortable you'll get. I'm glad you're finally enjoying it.

 

[Mikey]

:agree: Good way to think!!! There are things that will make a big difference, but like you said in do time!! To many jump, because some one else has done it before they even know what there bikes ride like, they don't know if they need it because they haven't had the seat time. Your heading in a good direction!!! Good luck!!

 

[190243]

Don’t know about a laser job up here in Canada they are calling them old school can’t find anybody that still do them.
Just saying.

 

[190243]

I just sat on my f3 and came home with no issues did corners at 60 mile a hr never been on one before. having a blast on it .

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

been riding two wheels for 50+ years and might need to unlearn some habits.

Not "might need to" but "will need to." And some of them will be good habits for 2 wheeler riding but are not good for 3 wheel riding.

 

[pidjones]

Remember how learning (even though you may have been told) counter-steering on the 2 wheeler made riding so much easier and enjoyable? The thing I learned on a Spyder is to bend your elbows and don't lean on the bars.

 

[Pooch]

On my 2021 RTL I found that the lower tire pressure in front made the most amazing handling change.

The dealer had them at the recommended 20 when I bought it.
During the ride time up to the 3000 mile mark the handling went from “oh chit, why did I do this” to “hey this thing must be settling in..its a very nice ride”.
Had not even looked at the tire pressures all this time.
At the 3000 mile first maintenance the dealer said the front tires were around 18 and he put them back to the recommended 20.
Rear tire had stayed at the recommended 28.

On the ride home the Spyder was a beast again…all over the road..like it was on beach balls.
I rode it a few days with the full air in the fronts, trying to be the operator guide responsible person then got really tired of fighting it on the road… so, sitting cold in the garage one morning I lowered the front tire air to 18-1/2 each (using a new JACO digital gauge).

It has been a pleasure to ride ever since.

 

[cyclerambler]

On my 2021 RTL I found that the lower tire pressure in front made the most amazing handling change.

The dealer had them at the recommended 20 when I bought it.
During the ride time up to the 3000 mile mark the handling went from “oh chit, why did I do this” to “hey this thing must be settling in..its a very nice ride”.
Had not even looked at the tire pressures all this time.
At the 3000 mile first maintenance the dealer said the front tires were around 18 and he put them back to the recommended 20.
Rear tire had stayed at the recommended 28.

On the ride home the Spyder was a beast again…all over the road..like it was on beach balls.
I rode it a few days with the full air in the fronts, trying to be the operator guide responsible person then got really tired of fighting it on the road… so, sitting cold in the garage one morning I lowered the front tire air to 18-1/2 each (using a new JACO digital gauge).

It has been a pleasure to ride ever since.

Will have to try this...my 14' corners horribly.
Tried and no luck. btw...re taking the class...we took the class before buying an RT...big mistake, as the class units were rykers...expected the RT to handle the same...Ferrari vs old buick...