Don in E Texas
New member
A view of Spyderfest from a 3 Family RT owner views;
· Functions of this magnitude are only successful if run by volunteers or a large paid staff. I cannot begin to thank all of the MOGang that made this event so grand. (Grand also as in $$ spent at theVendor Village).
· Tip my hat to all the factory folks from Canada working on Spyders plus offering test rides on the 2014 models.
Now some of the details:
· Had my daughters 2011 RT-L in for a Laser Alignment. After a few minutes the gentleman that was doing the alignment said “OMG!!!”. He called over all the other vendors doing alignments. Seems Laura’s bike was 2 5/8” off on one wheel – this set the record for most off alignment. Folks – if you own a Spyder – GET THE LASER ALIGNMENT DONE PRONTO!! After the alignment was done the bike was pushed to the area where a heat block off plate was installed. All work was done and when the bike key was turned on, the battery was DEAD. Okay – just push it back to the battery dude and a new battery was installed. Should mention that all Spyders were pushed inside the large building – no engines running. MOGang to the rescue and did a LOT of pushing.
· My brother, Bob, was next for a taste of FARKLE. Bob had the Laser Alignment and Heat Block Off plate installed. The sway bar was next. When they went to take off the old bar they found the connection link on one end broken in half. Bob also had Elka shocks installed. Bob has a 2012 RT-L with about 3,000 miles onit.
· Last but not least was my 2010 RT-S. Rolled my bike off my trailer – rode to Pit Bulland then off to Vendor Village. Only rode about 3 miles when the instrument panel went nuts – bike into limp mode. What’s up with this? I knew Pit Bull had their hands full, so figured the bike would live on the trailer for the rest of Spyderfest. Met Lamont the next day and he suggested I talk to the factory folks from BRP – seems they are here doing more than test rides. Bike was in their shop about 30 minutes –updated all firmware/software and zeroed out the steering sensor (that was the fault – don’t know how that happened). I had new Elka shocks installed along with the heat plate, sway bar and had the laser alignment done.
After all the work done on the three bikes, this is the result after a run down to Eureka Springs and some great twisty roads.
· Rain groves? What rain groves! All bikes handled great at highway speed heading to Eureka Springs. Thanks to Laser Alignments done.
· Heat block off plates. NO more hot right foot! There are two openings on the right side where heat comes out. On my bike, with Seal boards, they installed the upper plate – the other two bikes are stock and the lower plate was installed on them. No one had a hot right foot. These work!!
Did meet a fellow that had Sheepskin installed on his bike. He almost fell off in a turn - seems the Sheepskin is VERY slippery. So be careful out there.
My brother wanted a test ride on a 2014 - took a while as there is a lot of interest in them and lines were forming. When it was his turn, he thought it rode like his bike == come to find out he was on a 2014 all right, but not a 3 cylinder RT model. He still has not had a chance to test ride a 2014 RT.
Enough from me. Thanks again to everyone that made this a great event. Even had a chance to catch a roll tossed my way. Oh, did I say all the food, service, motel, etc. was all top drawer?.
Don
· Functions of this magnitude are only successful if run by volunteers or a large paid staff. I cannot begin to thank all of the MOGang that made this event so grand. (Grand also as in $$ spent at theVendor Village).
· Tip my hat to all the factory folks from Canada working on Spyders plus offering test rides on the 2014 models.
Now some of the details:
· Had my daughters 2011 RT-L in for a Laser Alignment. After a few minutes the gentleman that was doing the alignment said “OMG!!!”. He called over all the other vendors doing alignments. Seems Laura’s bike was 2 5/8” off on one wheel – this set the record for most off alignment. Folks – if you own a Spyder – GET THE LASER ALIGNMENT DONE PRONTO!! After the alignment was done the bike was pushed to the area where a heat block off plate was installed. All work was done and when the bike key was turned on, the battery was DEAD. Okay – just push it back to the battery dude and a new battery was installed. Should mention that all Spyders were pushed inside the large building – no engines running. MOGang to the rescue and did a LOT of pushing.
· My brother, Bob, was next for a taste of FARKLE. Bob had the Laser Alignment and Heat Block Off plate installed. The sway bar was next. When they went to take off the old bar they found the connection link on one end broken in half. Bob also had Elka shocks installed. Bob has a 2012 RT-L with about 3,000 miles onit.
· Last but not least was my 2010 RT-S. Rolled my bike off my trailer – rode to Pit Bulland then off to Vendor Village. Only rode about 3 miles when the instrument panel went nuts – bike into limp mode. What’s up with this? I knew Pit Bull had their hands full, so figured the bike would live on the trailer for the rest of Spyderfest. Met Lamont the next day and he suggested I talk to the factory folks from BRP – seems they are here doing more than test rides. Bike was in their shop about 30 minutes –updated all firmware/software and zeroed out the steering sensor (that was the fault – don’t know how that happened). I had new Elka shocks installed along with the heat plate, sway bar and had the laser alignment done.
After all the work done on the three bikes, this is the result after a run down to Eureka Springs and some great twisty roads.
· Rain groves? What rain groves! All bikes handled great at highway speed heading to Eureka Springs. Thanks to Laser Alignments done.
· Heat block off plates. NO more hot right foot! There are two openings on the right side where heat comes out. On my bike, with Seal boards, they installed the upper plate – the other two bikes are stock and the lower plate was installed on them. No one had a hot right foot. These work!!
Did meet a fellow that had Sheepskin installed on his bike. He almost fell off in a turn - seems the Sheepskin is VERY slippery. So be careful out there.
My brother wanted a test ride on a 2014 - took a while as there is a lot of interest in them and lines were forming. When it was his turn, he thought it rode like his bike == come to find out he was on a 2014 all right, but not a 3 cylinder RT model. He still has not had a chance to test ride a 2014 RT.
Enough from me. Thanks again to everyone that made this a great event. Even had a chance to catch a roll tossed my way. Oh, did I say all the food, service, motel, etc. was all top drawer?.
Don
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