Question for 2013 RT ONLY

[NancysToy]

I have had an issue from the beginning about my 2013 RT S pulling to the right. Ball Joint's Replaced, Stabilizer Bar Replaced, Shocks Replaced, Alignment and Sensor Done and today tires rotated. Still pulls to the right. I can't let go long enough to grab a water bottle to open to take a drink. I've talked to 2012 owners and no problem. Today I was told that is the way with the 2013's with the new front ends. I would like to hear from other 2013 RT owners on what happens when on a freeway on cruise and you let go of the grips.

It should be noted that unlike a motorcycle, which has some degree of gyroscopic stability and will maintain a lkine when the handlebars are released, the Spyder has no such capability. If the Spyder pulls to one side on level pavement with your hands on the bars, something is wrong. Ride a demo to compare and have your dealer do the same. If your complaint is that it wanders one way or the other when you let go of the bars, you will likely not get much attention from the techs. It is not supposed to be stable under those conditions.

 

[jthornton]

Well I don't have a 2013, I have a 2012 RT but there is not much difference and mine pulled to one side and the steering sensor was not calibrated correctly and I found it impossible to get the tire pressure within factory specs until I made a dual fill to fill both tires at the same time. I can remove my hands from the bars on level roads and it tracks well after I got both tires to the exact same pressure. I still want a laser alignment to see how much it improves the handling.

JT

 

[Harpo]

I appreciate all the input and know there is a difference in the 2013 with bigger wheels and wider stance and that is why I only wanted to hear from owners of the 2013 RT S. Every thing that has been said, tire pressure and the rest have all been done. My dealer (general manager) told me he drove 2 others and they were just like mine. I don't make a habit of driving without hands but in AZ drinking water is a must and all I would like to do is to be able to open a water bottle and take a drink without changing lanes. I told them I'm not closing the case file yet and I'm still not satisfied.

 

[bullant12]

I appreciate all the input and know there is a difference in the 2013 with bigger wheels and wider stance and that is why I only wanted to hear from owners of the 2013 RT S. Every thing that has been said, tire pressure and the rest have all been done. My dealer (general manager) told me he drove 2 others and they were just like mine. I don't make a habit of driving without hands but in AZ drinking water is a must and all I would like to do is to be able to open a water bottle and take a drink without changing lanes. I told them I'm not closing the case file yet and I'm still not satisfied.

Your dealer's GM has no clue of what he's talking about. The 13's he probably rode have the same issue, so that would make me run to another dealer ASAP!
A lot of answers, including mine, are from 2013 owners. And do a little common thinking here: If the 2013 changes are for the better, don't you think they would handle BETTER than 2012's? No pulling on right/left???

Again, take the :spyder2: somewhere else.

 

[spydercatjohn]

Stays straight at all speeds

 

[Lamonster]

If it pulls to the right or left it could be your camber is off. You can cheat the alignment so that it will not pull to the right or left by crabbing the toe one way or the other. It's not much but it will sole your problem. I've had to do that twice now. :doorag:

 

[jcthorne]

I appreciate all the input and know there is a difference in the 2013 with bigger wheels and wider stance and that is why I only wanted to hear from owners of the 2013 RT S. Every thing that has been said, tire pressure and the rest have all been done. My dealer (general manager) told me he drove 2 others and they were just like mine. I don't make a habit of driving without hands but in AZ drinking water is a must and all I would like to do is to be able to open a water bottle and take a drink without changing lanes. I told them I'm not closing the case file yet and I'm still not satisfied.

You still have not said if you have had a laser alignment done. If not, you need one. What the dealer does according to the shop manual with rulers is so far off its pathetic. VERY few spyders that have not been laser aligned are running true. The difference is quite amazing to feel.

 

[BajaRon]

I appreciate all the input and know there is a difference in the 2013 with bigger wheels and wider stance and that is why I only wanted to hear from owners of the 2013 RT S. Every thing that has been said, tire pressure and the rest have all been done. My dealer (general manager) told me he drove 2 others and they were just like mine. I don't make a habit of driving without hands but in AZ drinking water is a must and all I would like to do is to be able to open a water bottle and take a drink without changing lanes. I told them I'm not closing the case file yet and I'm still not satisfied.

The 2013 has bigger wheels but the wheel/tire overall diameter is virtually the same as previous models. Tire width is also identical.
Pre-2013 Front Tire Diameter 22.45"
2013 Front Tire Diameter 22.15"

So you have a total diameter difference of just a bit over 1/4". You'll get that much difference between brands in the same tire size. And you will get that much difference between a new and a worn tire. Not a factor.

The overall width of the suspension (tire to tire) on the 2013 RT is the same as the previous models. No change, Not a factor.

The fact is, front end alignment issues (which may well be your problem) are universal to the Spyder, all years, all models. That is because the Factory and Shop method of alignment are not accurate. That is why it is important to this discussion as to what method of alignment your dealer used on your Spyder.

All of the information you've received in this thread from non-2013 RT owners is applicable to your 2013 Spyder in this case.

Just because your dealer found that other Spyders are doing the same thing only means that there is something wrong with them also. This is not surprising since a bad front end alignment is so common.

 

[dangme55]

Absolutely correct

It should be noted that unlike a motorcycle, which has some degree of gyroscopic stability and will maintain a lkine when the handlebars are released, the Spyder has no such capability. If the Spyder pulls to one side on level pavement with your hands on the bars, something is wrong. Ride a demo to compare and have your dealer do the same. If your complaint is that it wanders one way or the other when you let go of the bars, you will likely not get much attention from the techs. It is not supposed to be stable under those conditions.

Agree with everyone for the most part. When I got my 2013 RT-S it was abominable in the handling department. It wanted to dart everywhere and had zero dynamic stability. I got a proper alignment done and it is a totally different bike. I agree with NancysToy that you cannot expect to ride this hands off like a motorcycle. Not only does it not have the gyroscopic stability of a motorcycle it is a three track vehicle not a single track vehicle. Unlike a motorcycle which basically runs along the same line the Spyder has three tracks and road can be different in all three tracks

I also agree that it should not pull hard but it will wander with road irregularities. The Spyder IMO needs to be 'driven' at all times it is not a vehicle you can just 'ride along' on.

I would try all the suggestions from the others in particular the alignment. Mine was TOED OUT until it got aligned properly and it was as I said like the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at DL. Make sure they get it toed in - my dealer does 1/16" Now mine is very stable - but does react to road irregularities. As someone mentioned crown etc. Most roads are slanted from center to edge so there is a natural tendency to go right. Motorcycles only see crown when they run out of lean angle.

Also imperative that the steering be *centered* and kept so during the alignment. No center no real alignment. On cars they lock the steering wheel at center or they adjust it afterward - otherwise no real dependable alignment.

Also - we tend to get fixated on the front suspension. Have them check the rear alignment as well. If the rear tire is not centered properly then the thrust from the drive wheel can be off-center. If it is pushing from one side or the other instead of 'straight on' you could get a yawing moment. Does this happen while coasting or just under power? does it get worse under acceleration?

I would find a big parking lot that is level. Start at a slow speed and test it progressively higher and higher speed. Mine has a tendency to get light at higher speeds - 50+ mph. I think they re-engineered the 2014 to add more downforce. Don't think that is an option for the 2013.

But definitely find someone who know what they are doing!

 

[Huddleston]

I appreciate all the input and know there is a difference in the 2013 with bigger wheels and wider stance and that is why I only wanted to hear from owners of the 2013 RT S. Every thing that has been said, tire pressure and the rest have all been done. My dealer (general manager) told me he drove 2 others and they were just like mine. I don't make a habit of driving without hands but in AZ drinking water is a must and all I would like to do is to be able to open a water bottle and take a drink without changing lanes. I told them I'm not closing the case file yet and I'm still not satisfied.

Good luck in this forum when you say "that is why I only wanted to hear from owners of the 2013 RT S". :roflblack: Of course no one expects to be able to ride hands free. But, as you say, there are times you need to briefly turn loose to fix something. As I said earlier, my 13 RTS SE5 always pulled right. I heard the same things from my dealer who said it was the road conditions that caused it. And, he is right that road conditions can affect the tracking. However, I tried it on open stretches of interstate that appeared to be smooth surfaces, with the cruise on, and it consistently pulled right. It was only after I had the ROLO alignment done by Lamont that my Spyder now tracks true. I tried it on the ride home from Lamont's place, and since, on the interstate with cruise control on. The Spyder stayed straight for about as long as I wanted to test it. I don't know how close you are to where you can have the new laser alignment done, but it was well worth a 5 1/2 hour ride each way (in 1 day) for me. :yes:

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

I have a 13 RT/S and one of my very first complaints to the dealer (besides the heat) was the handling. The service writer said to "crank up the rear suspension" which actually made it worse. My bike does not pull to one side but seems to dart back and forth sometimes violently. I'm making arrangements to see Lamont about the laser alignment before I shell out big bucks for Elkas (which I want anyway)

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Same here

Our 2013 RT tracks like it is on rails.

our 2013 RT LTD will Ron straight for miles. I can pull both hands off the bars and she rydes like she is on remote control.

 

[Harpo]

My dealer told me they do and did a laser alignment and that is all I have to go on. Steering sensor alignment reset after. They also have said they were the ones to discover the bad ball joint problem on the 2013's. I have the same pressure in both front tires. I have run higher and lower pressures. Have not notice any difference when braking. If I lived close to TN I would definitely let Lamonster align it. I told the dealer that I was not going to close out the case file.