WaltH
Senior Member
Like Firefly, I too have installed RT shock absorbers on my 2009 GS. My delivered cost for two shocks was $204 and I had to buy a spring compressor because the shocks do not come assembled. You must order the five part numbers separately. I got the spring compressor from Northern Tool at a cost of $30.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396119_200396119
With the aid of the spring compressor, this is not a difficult job.
There is a noticeable difference in how the Spyder feels, but I don’t know how much of this is because the RT shocks are “stiffer” and how much is just due to the fact that my OEM shocks had a lot of miles (42,500 miles). Both old and new shocks are set at maximum preload. I only have about 300 miles on the new shocks so I don’t know yet what I think of them. Cornering is good, but the ride may be a little “hard”. If so, I may want to back down the adjustment one notch. We shall see. So far, my miles have been mostly on the highway. I need some country roads to let the new shocks show me what they can do. I will post on this when I get some better information.
The handling and cornering of my Spyder is also improved by a performance sway bar and the use of car tires on the front (along with maximum preload). My Spyder handles and corners much, much better than it did when I first got it. The car tires account for a lot of this. I would urge every Spyder owner to consider this alternative.
It was Lamont’s idea to retrofit the RT shocks to the GS/RS. When Lamont thinks, the earth shifts on its axis. Now I wish he would think about the rear shock absorber.:2thumbs:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396119_200396119
With the aid of the spring compressor, this is not a difficult job.
There is a noticeable difference in how the Spyder feels, but I don’t know how much of this is because the RT shocks are “stiffer” and how much is just due to the fact that my OEM shocks had a lot of miles (42,500 miles). Both old and new shocks are set at maximum preload. I only have about 300 miles on the new shocks so I don’t know yet what I think of them. Cornering is good, but the ride may be a little “hard”. If so, I may want to back down the adjustment one notch. We shall see. So far, my miles have been mostly on the highway. I need some country roads to let the new shocks show me what they can do. I will post on this when I get some better information.
The handling and cornering of my Spyder is also improved by a performance sway bar and the use of car tires on the front (along with maximum preload). My Spyder handles and corners much, much better than it did when I first got it. The car tires account for a lot of this. I would urge every Spyder owner to consider this alternative.
It was Lamont’s idea to retrofit the RT shocks to the GS/RS. When Lamont thinks, the earth shifts on its axis. Now I wish he would think about the rear shock absorber.:2thumbs: