Swar bar/ laser alingment

[JayBros]

I bet there has been no Spyders tipped over in a curve but how many have run off the road?

Two wheels, three wheels, four wheels -- any of them can be run off the road if the pilot is driving over his/her head and/or is unfamiliar with the operating characteristics of the vehicle.

 

[dslim]

Stability of Spyder

I can understand the cushy ride on the RT but at some point it becomes a safety issue... They should easily be able to run the curves at posted speeds without turning the "fun factor" into the "fear factor" and getting rear ended by a minivan. I have been riding 2 wheels for 46 years (the last 20 on BMWs) and the dealer connection is not even close. I bought a Spyder because my 60 year old wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and breast cancer and she really fell for the RTL. I thought it would be a good move so we could continue to ride together but I have never been so disappointed in a new machine... Heck, for 2K more, I could have bought the top of the line BMW and there would be no cheap tires, no vibration at any speed, no alignment issues, and most of all, the dealers will treat you like they should. BRP's commercial that states they are "more stable than a motorcycle" is a joke... Most of us ride in the real world with uneven roads, pot holes, wind, etc. and the pitching and leaning towards the outside of the road is unsettling to say the least.

The Spyder IS way more stable than a 2 wheel motorcycle. I road raced motorcycles for 13 years, I know how to ride a motorcycle, and since I have an RTS I don't worry about pot holes, uneven pavement, wet pavement, or seam sealer on a hot day, I just lean in and forward and turn the handlebars! It did take a short time to get used to not turning the bars the opposite way I want to go, but I caught on pretty fast. My experience and love of riding my snowmobile helped greatly. No front brake lever took longer. Just this last Sept. I went to run Hwy 1 in North Eastern MN, it is the curviest, roughest ( in places ) road to try and tame in our state. I rode with 3 friends, all with racing experience, 1 still races, and they couldn't keep up! They said it looked funny from behind, when they could see me. You say you can't go posted speeds on a Spyder? I can easily go 20 over, and when we just go for a ride, can have the cruise set and go 10-15 over all the time. I even had a Girl run me off the 4 lane on the way to work once. I ran down the center ditch for awhile and the turned back on the road. I hit a hole in the ditch and bent a stabilizer bar. Had I been on 2 wheels, other than a dirt bike I would have fallen down. Do I miss 2 wheels? Sometimes I would like to still drag knee here and there, or loft a wheel from time to time, but Im perfectly happy riding my RTS at almost 60 years old. My wife even naps on our long trips, must not be scary to her either.

 

[Questions]

BRP Quality Control

I am going to quit arguing the point, if your friends couldn't keep up at only 20 mph over says enough for me. Road racing is usually done on a controlled course without potholes, dead animals, etc. I didn't say that I couldn't run the posted speed, I said I didn't enjoy it. On 2 wheels, I needed 6 inches to avoid an obstacle and now I need 6 feet and have to pick 3 lines through obstacles on a curvy rainy county road instead of 1 line. I can remember years ago when we dodged a load of firewood on I-90 in Wyoming at 80 mph. If I would have been on 3 wheels, it would have been impossible to avoid. I too, am 60 years old and I cannot help the neutered feeling that I have on three wheels. I know that there must be others that feel the same way I do...

 

[BajaRon]

I am going to quit arguing the point, if your friends couldn't keep up at only 20 mph over says enough for me. Road racing is usually done on a controlled course without potholes, dead animals, etc. I didn't say that I couldn't run the posted speed, I said I didn't enjoy it. On 2 wheels, I needed 6 inches to avoid an obstacle and now I need 6 feet and have to pick 3 lines through obstacles on a curvy rainy county road instead of 1 line. I can remember years ago when we dodged a load of firewood on I-90 in Wyoming at 80 mph. If I would have been on 3 wheels, it would have been impossible to avoid. I too, am 60 years old and I cannot help the neutered feeling that I have on three wheels. I know that there must be others that feel the same way I do...

Maybe you simply have the wrong machine. If you're not happy it may be time to look around. There are many other options and the Spyder isn't for everyone. But to say 2 wheels are safer than 3 is to defy both logic and physics.

Granted, there may be an odd situation here or there where 2 wheels might be safer than 3. But the list is not that long.

I hit a 4x4 at about 60 mph on a mild curve. On 2 wheels I'd have been over the side, no questions asked. I was going too fast to go inside the obsticle. And to go wide would have put me on a trajectory to be in the oncoming lane (we're talking 2 wheels here). On my Spyder it was no more than a bump.

You simply can't miss everything all the time no matter how good you are or what you ride. Hitting anything, whether it be sand, gravel, a snow spot, road debris, railroad crossing, cattle guard, road anomalies, standing water, an animal, etc., it's always going to come out better on a Spyder than it will on 2 wheels.

I ride both and I'm just trying to be objective here. Both 2 wheels and 3 wheels have advantages and disadvantages. You may feel safer on 2 wheels because you are more at home there. But a reverse trike is simply a safer ride whether the rider feels it or not.

 

[Questions]

BRP Quality Control

You are correct Ron and I will make the Spyder work because my wife really likes it. I guess that I just feel more comfortable on 2 wheels because I instinctively know how to react. Let me end this by apologizing for stirring things up on a Spyder forum with my 2 wheeled ideas. This all started with my disbelief with the lack of BRP quality control. BRP had better hope that BMW never enters the 3 wheeled world.

 

[BajaRon]

You are correct Ron and I will make the Spyder work because my wife really likes it. I guess that I just feel more comfortable on 2 wheels because I instinctively know how to react. Let me end this by apologizing for stirring things up on a Spyder forum with my 2 wheeled ideas. This all started with my disbelief with the lack of BRP quality control. BRP had better hope that BMW never enters the 3 wheeled world.

Not a problem, (with me at least). I went through a similar transition myself when I first got the Spyder. It definitely felt all wrong to me. It took about 600 miles for me to start to realize the problem was mostly me. Then I started looking into the suspension aspects that I wanted to improve. Now that I've got it where I want it, my Spyder is every bit as much fun as my 2 wheeled ride. And I am quite happy on either one.

Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find this to be true for you as well.

 

[Captkerosene]

I am 65, formerly raced both dirt and road, and a 20 yer BMW rider. Since I got the Pwr Steering fixed the RT is much better, but still not great. Logic says 3 wheels are safer than two, but the SOFT suspension is a concern. I am ordering the sway bar and bump skid, maybe the shock spacers. Shouldn't have to do this on such an expensive machine. I also witched to the 3 wheel platform because of wife's medical problems. She likes the bike so that is what matters. We can still ride together. However, I still have my trusty GS (150 K on it) and it is still fun to ride. I hope the sway bar helps. Not sold on the can am yet!!

 

[Questions]

BRP Quality Control

I wish that I still had my trusty GS also. I ordered the sway bar and Elka stage 2 shocks to improve on the soft suspension and it greatly improved things in the curves but still not even close to the GS... I agree that we "Shouldn't have to do this on such an expensive machine".

 

[Tom clark]

Shocks, alignment, and anti-sway bar

Ok, I'm new to the forum and Spyders. Just got a 2016 Spyder RT Limited. It is really squirrelly in curves, with a pronounced tendency to over steer with uneven surfaces, or even a downshift in the turn. After reading this thread, it appears that I need BajaRon shocks and a new anti sway bar. Where does one acquire either of these items? And, what is laser alignment and where is it done? Thanks! Tom C.

 

[Gray Ghost]

Ok, I'm new to the forum and Spyders. Just got a 2016 Spyder RT Limited. It is really squirrelly in curves, with a pronounced tendency to over steer with uneven surfaces, or even a downshift in the turn. After reading this thread, it appears that I need BajaRon shocks and a new anti sway bar. Where does one acquire either of these items? And, what is laser alignment and where is it done? Thanks! Tom C.

You can get the BajaRon items directly from him (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?23928-New-sponsor-here-for-Filters-amp-Helmets).

You can find a list of dealers and independents who do the ROLO Laser Alignment at spydercomfort.com/dealers

 

[wanderingman]

Steering Pull

I am new to the Can Am Spyder. I bought a new 2014 carry over RT Limited last March. It also has the problem with it veering to the right at low in town speeds and highway speeds. The dealer never heard of this they did mention they would take a look at it. I talked with another dealer they claim its the crown on the road. I found a dealer in my area that does the laser alignment and am thinking about having this done. I am not totally sure if this will cure the problem. I really like riding the Spyder. My wife and I like to ride long distances. It will get tiring real fast with it pulling to the right. Are there other issues that should be looked at besides alignment? I noticed the right front wheel has 14 weights stuck to the inside of the rim, don't know if this would have any effect or not. Any information would be greatly be appreciated

Like this writer I am new to riding Spyders. Mine also pulled right. In addition the trailing edge of the front fenders has an obvious vibration between 50 mph and 60 mph. It appears I have been blessed with a great dealer, Central Florida power sports. They put me on a loaner and kept my 2015 RTS to troubleshoot it. The main thing they found is tires, not the wheels, causing the shaking. They also found the dynamic steering causing the pull to the right. Using a loaner has also been a real great experience. Now I know how my bike should handle. I have read much about lazed alignment. While I have never aligned a Spyder, as a long time manufacturers Service Rep on high speed rotating equipment I have done hundreds of very precise alignments. I have used everything from simple fixtures and alignment bars with dials and digital indicators to lasers. I am a big fan of lasers, but it must be remembered, a laser is simply the tool used. The result still lies in the skill and care of the technician. A skilled technician using very basic tool can get very accurate results. On the other hand an unskilled or careless technician can use a laser and mess up a piece of equipment very badly.

 

[wanderingman]

Laser Alignment

As I start let me qualify this. I am a laser alignment fan, but as I said in a previous reply, the laser is only the tool used, the outcome is the result of the technicians skill and care. One other point regarding a laser alignment is how long is it good for. Since alignment is simply referring to a relationship between frame, rear wheel and front wheels, it is only valid as long as the relationship remains constant. Move the rear wheel to tighten the belt. Bump a curb with a front wheel or do anything to change these relationships and the last alignment is no longer valid.

 

[jcthorne]

As I start let me qualify this. I am a laser alignment fan, but as I said in a previous reply, the laser is only the tool used, the outcome is the result of the technicians skill and care. One other point regarding a laser alignment is how long is it good for. Since alignment is simply referring to a relationship between frame, rear wheel and front wheels, it is only valid as long as the relationship remains constant. Move the rear wheel to tighten the belt. Bump a curb with a front wheel or do anything to change these relationships and the last alignment is no longer valid.

All very true but in practice, the Spyders hold alignment pretty well until front end work or suspension parts replacement comes to play.