I always, without fail, stop at the level portion of my driveway and wait for the rear suspension on my 2017 RT Ltd to "get itself settled" when heading out for a trip. It only takes 30-60 seconds, and here is why.
On the weekend I took a mate for a 600 km trip to the border to collect his bike from the officers manning the checkpoint. Prior to the trip I was a little concerned his weight and mine would produce the kind of problems I had in the past with a heavy pillion. He weighs 120 kg, I around 95 kg.
On day 1 at the top of my driveway I stopped on a level surface, set the suspension via the dash switch with the engine running + in gear + my pillion seated on the back. I gave the compressor time to set the ride height correctly (I actually watch it in the rear view mirror via a reference point on the garage door). On day 2 I repeated this when we left our accommodation for the final run to the border, setting the suspension down one notch, then back to maximum again and waiting 60 or so seconds for it to stabilize. We covered some rough roads, some at higher speeds than I'd like to declare.
For the entire journey not once did the rear shock bottom out, nor did the frunk "scrape" any humps in the road surface, and the bike handled superbly.
I preach to my mates that it is worthwhile giving the suspension time to organize itself before riding off with a substantial change in load. When I drop back to just me - I let it settle, when I remove the trailer - I let it settle. I've also learnt that substantial changes in ambient temp warrant doing the same e.g. you stay overnight arriving in 30 degree C temps and rise the next morning to single digit temps for an early departure.
Tip 2 - if your pillion gets off to close a gate - knock the Spyder out of gear to prevent the rear end adjusting its height again. Chances are like mine, it will begin to vent air from the rear and lower the ride height.
I discovered this in 2018 after having a 2018 RTL Loner while my '17 was being repaired by the dealership and was impressed how well the self leveling worked on the '18. When I got my '17 back I began to experiment and discovered this process. Adjusting it on the fly is possible but doesn't seem to yield as good an outcome for the rear air bag when compared to stopping and waiting, I guess the sensors and computer have a more difficult time determining what really is "level"
This applies to those Spyder models with the remotely adjustable air suspension controlled by a switch in the lower dash. It may be a no brainer for some, but very handy for those who have had problems with the rear bottoming out even with their best efforts to avoid it. Try it and see.
On the weekend I took a mate for a 600 km trip to the border to collect his bike from the officers manning the checkpoint. Prior to the trip I was a little concerned his weight and mine would produce the kind of problems I had in the past with a heavy pillion. He weighs 120 kg, I around 95 kg.
On day 1 at the top of my driveway I stopped on a level surface, set the suspension via the dash switch with the engine running + in gear + my pillion seated on the back. I gave the compressor time to set the ride height correctly (I actually watch it in the rear view mirror via a reference point on the garage door). On day 2 I repeated this when we left our accommodation for the final run to the border, setting the suspension down one notch, then back to maximum again and waiting 60 or so seconds for it to stabilize. We covered some rough roads, some at higher speeds than I'd like to declare.
For the entire journey not once did the rear shock bottom out, nor did the frunk "scrape" any humps in the road surface, and the bike handled superbly.
I preach to my mates that it is worthwhile giving the suspension time to organize itself before riding off with a substantial change in load. When I drop back to just me - I let it settle, when I remove the trailer - I let it settle. I've also learnt that substantial changes in ambient temp warrant doing the same e.g. you stay overnight arriving in 30 degree C temps and rise the next morning to single digit temps for an early departure.
Tip 2 - if your pillion gets off to close a gate - knock the Spyder out of gear to prevent the rear end adjusting its height again. Chances are like mine, it will begin to vent air from the rear and lower the ride height.
I discovered this in 2018 after having a 2018 RTL Loner while my '17 was being repaired by the dealership and was impressed how well the self leveling worked on the '18. When I got my '17 back I began to experiment and discovered this process. Adjusting it on the fly is possible but doesn't seem to yield as good an outcome for the rear air bag when compared to stopping and waiting, I guess the sensors and computer have a more difficult time determining what really is "level"
This applies to those Spyder models with the remotely adjustable air suspension controlled by a switch in the lower dash. It may be a no brainer for some, but very handy for those who have had problems with the rear bottoming out even with their best efforts to avoid it. Try it and see.
