RT test drive rocking motion

[spydee owner]

I took a 2011 RT for a test drive. It felt like it was rocking from side to side in a constant cyclical roll type feel. Speed was from 50 to 70 mph. Felt very unsettling. I did not like it at all. I have driven my gs almost 40,000 miles and it feels rock solid on the highway at any speed. Based on this experience, I would not purchase the RT model. Could soft front suspension cause this?:dontknow:

 

[AndyIsRiding]

Soft suspension, soft tires, etc.

Also YOU ARE HOLDING THE GRIPS TO HARD.

I know, I did the same thing, luckely I had some experienced guys help me during the demo ride and pointed that out to me.
Ease up on the handle bars, you are fighting the steering assist.
I went; "" you mean it has power steering??""
He went, something liked that, it tries to keep the bike in line, you are trying to keep the bike in line, and somebody has to stop, and the Nanny does not, so it has to be you!!

I am now a happy owner of a RT, we (my boss and her slave driver):shemademe_smilie: did 800+KM in 9 hours, today.
PS, you never drive alone, the Nanny will be with you, had to get used to her, but I like it.

 

[SteveMac]

If you have an GS that long, you probably aren't gripping too tightly, but the RT does not roll as bad as you are describing, even with the soft 2010 suspension. I have a 2010 and I did install Elkas, but the original ryde was nowhere near what you are describing. I think you should test ryde another RT elsewhere. Sounds like an allignment problem of some sort to me.

I LOVE my RT. Wonderful ryde. Very smooth and stable. I can pass 18 wheelers on the interstate at 80 using one hand it is so stable. nojoke

I took a 2011 RT for a test drive. It felt like it was rocking from side to side in a constant cyclical roll type feel. Speed was from 50 to 70 mph. Felt very unsettling. I did not like it at all. I have driven my gs almost 40,000 miles and it feels rock solid on the highway at any speed. Based on this experience, I would not purchase the RT model. Could soft front suspension cause this?:dontknow:

 

[GeoffCee]

It felt like it was rocking from side to side in a constant cyclical roll type feel. Speed was from 50 to 70 mph.

I can make my RT do this any time I like by "resisting" the steering. It stops only when I loosen my hands on the bars and let the RT have its way. It took some time for me to relax, even though plenty of folks hereabouts had said that was the only way to get the best out of the RT. For the first few hundred miles I ended my rides with aching shoulders because I was tensed up. I didn't enjoy riding it much then but things are very different now. :thumbup:

 

[fastfraser]

What was the tire pressure ? What was the setting on the shocks ? How comfortable did you feel when you where riding ? Did you ride it long enough to get the feel of it ?:dontknow:

 

[daveinva]

Spyderlovers commenters are among the most helpful on the web, but I always chuckle at the advice threads, it's like they're always on autopilot:

"I have 40,000 miles on a GS."

Reply with stock answer: "YOU ARE HOLDING THE GRIPS TOO HARD."

Ummm, my guess is no, he isn't... :joke:

 

[spydee owner]

What was the tire pressure ? What was the setting on the shocks ? How comfortable did you feel when you where riding ? Did you ride it long enough to get the feel of it ?:dontknow:

I do not know the tire pressure. The front shocks were two clicks from the top setting. I only drove about maybe 10 miles. My wife (also many miles on the gs) drove and experienced the same phenomenon. Maybe the air suspension has to be set differently? Could windshield height affect handling? It was not a windy day. I just know, I could not wait to get off that bike and back on my own. I am not meaning to condemn all RT bikes its just that I sure did not expect that. It was kind of like if you have ever observed a freight train from an overpass and seen some of the railcars rocking from side to side in a cyclical motion. :dontknow:

 

[Y Rider]

I do not know the tire pressure. The front shocks were two clicks from the top setting. I only drove about maybe 10 miles. My wife (also many miles on the gs) drove and experienced the same phenomenon. Maybe the air suspension has to be set differently? Could windshield height affect handling? It was not a windy day. I just know, I could not wait to get off that bike and back on my own. I am not meaning to condemn all RT bikes its just that I sure did not expect that. It was kind of like if you have ever observed a freight train from an overpass and seen some of the railcars rocking from side to side in a cyclical motion. :dontknow:

There has to be an alignment problem and/or a combination of tire pressure and shock setting. I experienced this rocking sensation but that was with high cross winds. After I put on Elka shocks my :spyder2: tracks straight even in gusty cross winds. :thumbup: Before writing off the RT I would highly recommend another test drive on a different RT. Or at least have them bump up the front shocks to position 4 or 5.

 

[Gordy]

I think the problem is with this particular rt. mine is stock and is rock solid on the road. if this is the case it should be repaired because it will discourage anyone that test drives it.

 

[SteveMac]

Spyderlovers commenters are among the most helpful on the web, but I always chuckle at the advice threads, it's like they're always on autopilot:

"I have 40,000 miles on a GS."

Reply with stock answer: "YOU ARE HOLDING THE GRIPS TOO HARD."

Ummm, my guess is no, he isn't... :joke:

I agree. In this particular case it is HIGHLY doubtful that it is a Ryder issue. He has too many miles of experience on the GS. I hope the O.P. Does a demo on a completely different RT and let's us know the outcome. If he has the same outcome on an entirely different RT,,,, then Ryder comes into question. There are just too many stable RTs out there for a problem as bad as this one is described to be.

 

[BentGamer]

I think the problem is with this particular rt. mine is stock and is rock solid on the road. if this is the case it should be repaired because it will discourage anyone that test drives it.

:agree:
My RT is bone stock also. Handles like a dream. I only have about 5,500 miles riding experience on it. So I doubt that it's the OP.

 

[Bob Denman]

I have found that if the tire pressures vary from side to side by as little as one-half pound of pressure, it unsettles things. I'd suspect dealer setup!

 

[spyder3]

Imagine, a dealer not taking care of the life line to sales, a demo model. :gaah:

If the OP wasnt already a spyder owner, he'd be long gone down the road.

 

[Bad Dog6]

Shock setting

My new RT Limited was the same way on the ride home from the dealer the day I bought it.. Got home, jacked it up and put shocks to position 4. That combined with loosening my death grip on the bars solved the problem. Rock solid now.. :2thumbs:

 

[GeoffCee]

...but I always chuckle at the advice threads, it's like they're always on autopilot:

"I have 40,000 miles on a GS."

Reply with stock answer: "YOU ARE HOLDING THE GRIPS TOO HARD."

Ummm, my guess is no, he isn't... :joke:

I see what you mean. I always get a chuckle out of posts which guess what it ISN'T, without offering any advice as to what it IS. :dontknow:

 

[camper1]

I had the same problem when I drove my new RT home a couple of weeks ago. I'm pretty sure the death grip was the major problem because I have no issues poking around town. When I took ski lessons the instructor suggested I have some wine or beer before class. When I took golf lessons, the pro suggested the same thing. I'm thinking that applying the same solution might not be wise in this instance. Anyway, I'm slowly adapting to a major change in riding style.

 

[GeoffCee]

When I took ski lessons the instructor suggested I have some wine or beer before class. When I took golf lessons, the pro suggested the same thing.

Wow! I'm signing up for both these leisure activities TODAY! :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs: :roflblack::yes:
Oh wait... Golf will cut into Spydering time! :shocked:

 

[GeoffCee]

Aw come on, Bob, I've been tensed up most of my life, I've earned a few belts of relaxation... :cheers:

 

[Leslee]

We bought our 2011 RT-S last week. Both my husband and I felt the same roll (like a train rocking is good description). We have been reading many threads on this and seems many people feel the same thing. If we can get this worked out with suggestions from this site and our dealer's help, we will be happy.

My husband has much more riding experience than I do, and he's more relaxed, but this is still disconcerting when driving. Spyder is getting it's 600 mile service right now. I've asked the dealer to check some of the suggestions you folks have made. Hopefully we'll be as happy as many of you!