Stiff ride and air suspenion

[Desert Spyder]

I brought home my 15 RT Ltd Monday and noticed the rear suspension was really stiff. I "softened" the ride on the air suspension, I can see the gauge on the display, and I bottomed it out. No change on the ride. I put my old hitch on the new bike and stepped on it and noticed there was no give at all. Turned the engine on and "increased" the pressure. I heard absolutely no noise from the compressor. Either I have the worlds quietest compressor or its not working. But why would the display show its working? My 10 RT didn't have a compressor, I inflated thru the valve under the seat, so I can't compare. Is there supposed to be a hose going to the top of the valve or is everything underneath? The dealer is 80 miles away. Anything I should look for to troubleshoot or remedy? Thanks.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

Is the ACS position sensor linkage connected? Located just in front of the rear shock and spring.

 

[SpyderSteveFL]

More qualified folks can chime in but I've had issue with the ACS system on my 15 RTL. I would get the 'manual' indication on display and it turned out the sensor linkage wasn't connected at bottom. When that was fixed it turned out the compressor was bad too. So for now I adjust via the schrader under seat. If you say you add air at the seat valve manually and it still bottoms out it could be exhaust port leak - I know they checked for that on mine. Also - there is an adjustment they do with blocks, it may need that also. There is also a chart that shows how much pressure there should be and I know I was at 10-15psi, changed it to around 45 manually and makes huge difference. You can see rear of bike raise when you add air. To check compressor I guess you can put it at lowest setting and check psi at valve, then raise it all the way and check again - you should see more psi in it. Also, make sure the bike is running, foot on brake and in gear when adjusting via switch.

 

[ARtraveler]

You may have in issue with the electrics or the compressor itself. Check on the hookup first. If you do have a bad compressor, it is under warranty.

When you push the adjuster button, you should hear the compressor kicking in. :thumbup:

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

More qualified folks can chime in but I've had issue with the ACS system on my 15 RTL. I would get the 'manual' indication on display and it turned out the sensor linkage wasn't connected at bottom. When that was fixed it turned out the compressor was bad too. So for now I adjust via the schrader under seat. If you say you add air at the seat valve manually and it still bottoms out it could be exhaust port leak - I know they checked for that on mine. Also - there is an adjustment they do with blocks, it may need that also. There is also a chart that shows how much pressure there should be and I know I was at 10-15psi, changed it to around 45 manually and makes huge difference. You can see rear of bike raise when you add air. To check compressor I guess you can put it at lowest setting and check psi at valve, then raise it all the way and check again - you should see more psi in it. Also, make sure the bike is running, foot on brake and in gear when adjusting via switch.

The disconnected linkage would make the compressor run non stop trying to continually add more air, causing the compressor to burn out.

 

[spyderCodes]

The ACS only fills when the spyder is in gear and rolling.

 

[Fatcycledaddy]

The ACS only fills when the spyder is in gear and rolling.

Mine will work when I do the following as listed in the manual.

I don't have to be moving, but has to be running, in gear, and parking brake released. Then mine will fill and release.

 

[spyderCodes]

my bad.
But the OP indicated he only started it.
And I don't think he was in gear.

 

[SpyderSteveFL]

The disconnected linkage would make the compressor run non stop trying to continually add more air, causing the compressor to burn out.

Yes, I believe that's what happened. They attached and 'calibrated' then found bad compressor and had to order one. Will bring it back soon to replace it and do first service. But... my point was it did make huge difference in ride just filling it manually to proper psi.

 

[Desert Spyder]

Well I did some snooping and discovered the swing arm sensor was not attached on the bottom. Either the bolt snapped or vibrated out or it was never installed. Anyone know what goes in there? Thanks

 

[Wilson Mc Guire]

missing bolt

I had the same situation on my 14 RTL. I think it was a M10 and use a little lock tite. it was brought to my intention when we were at Spyders in the Smokies last OCT. The Dealer there was the one that discovered the missing bolt. With the help of other venders it was resolved and fixed.

Well I did some snooping and discovered the swing arm sensor was not attached on the bottom. Either the bolt snapped or vibrated out or it was never installed. Anyone know what goes in there? Thanks

 

[Cruzr Joe]

2015 RTL, compressor has failed will be getting a new one soon, in the meantime you can add air to the schrader valve under the seat. 60 lbs seems like a good # for me..


Cruzr Joe

 

[Ben Burped]

So many things

I brought home my 15 RT Ltd Monday and noticed the rear suspension was really stiff. I "softened" the ride on the air suspension, I can see the gauge on the display, and I bottomed it out. No change on the ride. I put my old hitch on the new bike and stepped on it and noticed there was no give at all. Turned the engine on and "increased" the pressure. I heard absolutely no noise from the compressor. Either I have the worlds quietest compressor or its not working. But why would the display show its working? My 10 RT didn't have a compressor, I inflated thru the valve under the seat, so I can't compare. Is there supposed to be a hose going to the top of the valve or is everything underneath? The dealer is 80 miles away. Anything I should look for to troubleshoot or remedy? Thanks.

Please take this in the spirit of education but there are several misconceptions in your thinking about "softening" the ride on the air suspension. To begin with the compressor only operates with the motor running and the transmission in gear. The display is showing what you have instructed the compressor to do once the engine is running with the transmission in gear. Finally, the air adjustable rear suspension only raises or lower the ride height as measured by a sensor connected to the rear swing arm. This may make a difference in handling but it will not "soften" the ride. To test your compressor, simply have someone sit on the passenger seat for a short ride and listen for the compressor to bring the ride height back to where it was. I had this option installed on my base RT and had to learn that the compressor frequently adjusts the ride height especially when a passenger gets on or off.

 

[Bob Denman]