RT front end wobble

[SpyderBen]

Front end wobble

It would seem that as prevalent as the problem is with our vehicles, that the company would recognize that a problem exist and take a more responsible position to identify and eliminate the problem.

I have a 2010 RT and at 45-55 it is a joke to take a look at the handlebars. I have maintain my tears by keeping the air correct and I also use Ride-On. Currently I have a little over 19,000 miles on the front tires with at least 8- to 10,000 miles left on the threads. Rear tire has been replaced.

In the meantime, "Shake, Rattle & Roll".

 

[spydernatic]

Front end wobble

After an extreme effort from my dealer to resolve the same issue I took my wheels off took them to Goodyear asked if they had an adapter to fit my wheels they had, they balanced my wheels and that helped with my problem no more wobble .

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs: Glad to hear that you're back up on three! :2thumbs:

 

[SpyderBen]

BRP should step up and address this issue.

One of the more common complaints related to this machine. It would seem that the company should STEP UP and address this situation, since it is so common.

At send a inquiry to owners to test whether this "problem" is more prevalent than just those of us who are willing to discuss the issue online.

Maybe Lamont can help generate some company interest on our behalf.

 

[Sarge707]

One of the more common complaints related to this machine. It would seem that the company should STEP UP and address this situation, since it is so common.

At send a inquiry to owners to test whether this "problem" is more prevalent than just those of us who are willing to discuss the issue online.

Maybe Lamont can help generate some company interest on our behalf.

Mine is very minor and may happen for a second or 2 Once or twice during a 3 hour ride and usually happens when I have to follow a slow poke in front of me who ,seems to slow down so he can see my Spyder in the rear view mirror?:yikes:
It never wobbles or vibrates at full speed and is a steady as can be at All speeds except that 41-42 MPH once in a Great while.

I didn,t even NOTICE IT until it was brought up and then I had to try to make it happen?

I bet there are More people with the minor occurance than realize! :dontknow:

 

[Bob Ledford]

Update information

It has been over a month now since I had the front end alignment checked by a non dealer. He used the "micro laser alignment" method and rechecked it three times. He could not believe what he was seeing. It was perfect, right dead on target.

The reason he was rejecting being perfect was early that week he had done three others from different dealers and found three different readings from them. All of which he adjusted and had the owners test ride them when done. All reported "big improvement."

The next time I was back to my purchasing dealer I related the check results. He and the Service Manager related they check every new sale before it goes out the door for being right on target.

 

[RedRTS]

Multiple weights question - Help!

It takes old-fashioned investigation by an experienced and dedicated technician (or owner). Check the wheels to see if they run true, both axially and laterally, both inside and outside rims of each wheel. Untrue wheels must be replaced. Check the wheel bearings, and replace any with problems. Check the tires to see if the tread runs true. Best checked on a spin truing machine, but it can be done on the vehicle or on a wheel truing stand or balancing machine. Tire treads can be trued sometimes by shaving the tire, but the tires may need to be replaced if a tire defect is at fault or the tread is thin. Spin balance the tires and check to see they haven't changed. If any have excessive weight to balance them, they should probably be replaced. If the tires have Ride-On or another balancing/sealing material in them, that could be the problem. Improper quantities of the material, or tire defects or irregularities, can cause them to create rather than fix an imbalance. Cold tires or tires that have rested a long time will often be imbalanced by the liquid until you do a few highway miles. This causes a "wobble" if the imbalance points hit the ground at different times, and even can cause a wheel hop effect. In some cases removing the substance will improve things, and in some the tires have to be replaced. Note that wheel alignment issues can enhance imbalance or runout problems, and increase the perception of "wobble". Checking alignment is a good idea in stubborn cases. You may have multiple factors involved, which will make finding the cause very difficult. In those cases it is best to swap wheels and tires with a known good vehicle. If the problem is then gone, both the wheels and tires may have to be replaced.

I realize this is an old thread but I just picked up a RT-S that shakes so bad at 47-56 that you cant see in the mirrors. The shake continues at higher speeds but becomes more of a vibration. It looks like the left fender is bouncing much worse than the right. My right wheel has 7 weights... the left has 14... Is that what you call excessive? Seems like a lot to me but, I am a super newbe. The bike is a '15 but was brand new. Can you advise?

 

[wanderingman]

Front Fender Shake

as well as

I have the same thing at 45 - 55 and both feel it and see the fenders shaking. It seems to have started after I had the tires rotated a couple of weeks ago. Heading to the dealer this week to check the balance.

I am 99.5% sure it is not the belt nor do I think it is the new rear tire ...

I had this same problem when my tires and Spyder were brand new. It turned out to be the belts in the tire were not put in correctly when the tires were made. This is tire belts, not the drive belt. In addition my alignment was out and the steering was trying to make my trike turn right.

Worn mechanical parts have been mentioned. Mechanical parts will permit shaking if bad, but rarely will cause the shake. Often bad mechanical parts are the result of a problem with tires or alignment.

 

[KX5062]

I realize this is an old thread but I just picked up a RT-S that shakes so bad at 47-56 that you cant see in the mirrors. The shake continues at higher speeds but becomes more of a vibration. It looks like the left fender is bouncing much worse than the right. My right wheel has 7 weights... the left has 14... Is that what you call excessive? Seems like a lot to me but, I am a super newbe. The bike is a '15 but was brand new. Can you advise?

It's possible. The tires need to be pulled and rebalanced, just to make sure. That may include removing them from the rims and reinstalling them.

Also, even though it's a new bike, the front end could still be out of alignment. That too needs to be checked. The ROLO laser alignment method is the only sure way to go. Many dealers do not use this method. The method outlined in the BRP manual is crude and imprecise, so the ROLO method is the only sure fire way to go. Unfortunately, you may have to chase down someone in your general area who is a ROLO specialist.

Also, have the dealer check the rear drive belt tension and wheel alignment. Vibrations from the back tire can travel throughout the bike and trick you into thinking the source is different than what it is.

 

[Mango Man]

I have the same problem on my 2014 RTS. Bought it from original owner 6 mos.ago.
Not sure how many miles on the tires but they have plenty of tread.
I get the wobble @ 50 then seems to go away near 60.
Probably going to the dealer with it to check it lt out.


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[RedRTS]

It's possible. The tires need to be pulled and rebalanced, just to make sure. That may include removing them from the rims and reinstalling them.

Also, even though it's a new bike, the front end could still be out of alignment. That too needs to be checked. The ROLO laser alignment method is the only sure way to go. Many dealers do not use this method. The method outlined in the BRP manual is crude and imprecise, so the ROLO method is the only sure fire way to go. Unfortunately, you may have to chase down someone in your general area who is a ROLO specialist.

Also, have the dealer check the rear drive belt tension and wheel alignment. Vibrations from the back tire can travel throughout the bike and trick you into thinking the source is different than what it is.

Thank you for the response. The dealer is going to check it out. It does pull to the right when going down the road. Not bad but just enough to have to keep pulling on the left handlebar. Maybe it's just been sitting up too long......


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[KX5062]

No. It's surely out of alignment.

Sent from my SM-G900V

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thank you for the response. The dealer is going to check it out. It does pull to the right when going down the road. Not bad but just enough to have to keep pulling on the left handlebar. Maybe it's just been sitting up too long......

No. It's surely out of alignment.

Pulling to one side or the other is not an absolute indicator of being out of alignment. My RTS was aligned by Joe and Ann at Spyderfest, and checked and very slightly tweaked by them in Boise in June. It still has a slight pull to the right. I suspect it's the front tires. I'll probably change them out this winter even though they have only 14k miles on them. Another discussion a few weeks ago pointed out that an out of camber condition can also cause a pull to one side. The camber is not adjustable. Also a difference in shock spring length or spring rates can cause a pull. I have Baja Ron's shock spring adjusters on my RTS so I tightened one up a 1/2 turn over the other. Did not change the pulling to the right. Replacing the tires is my best next move at this point.

 

[Mango Man]

Thanks for all the good gouge.
Looks like I'm headed to new tireville! Or a Lazer alignment...

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[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thanks for all the good gouge.
Looks like I'm headed to new tireville! Or a Lazer alignment...

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Do the laser alignment first.

 

[RedRTS]

Do the laser alignment first.

Dealer is checking everything out tomorrow. He said he would break seal on tires and totally rebalance. With 14 weights on one wheel I am curious as to whether he changes the tire. But I want it to b right. It's a new unit. I will update after I get it back.
Thanks everyone for your comments. Makes being a part of a users group so worthwhile.


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[RedRTS]

MUUUCH Better!!!

I want to send great thanks to everyone that replied to my issue. The dealer took my unit in last Thursday and I got it back Saturday late. Remember it was a brand new unit..... how it got 14 weights on the left tire I dont know... but.....

Dealer broke the bead on the tires and reseated them. Probably spun them too because now the left has 4 weights! Dealer took all three tires off, did that operation, rebalanced them and re-installed. Did a lazer alignment on the bike.....

WOW! Now I see what a spyder is supposed to feel like. My last bike was a Gold Wing (ridden Wings for 25 years)... didn't really know what to expect with the Spyder but it just felt unsafe.... now I know.... I took a 250 mile day trip today and feel much better. Still learning the way the spyder rides... but it went from needing a bunch of input to track to almost none.....

I am a happy spyder owner!
Thanks Again to everyone!