Sway bar and links

[Tessgo]

Another happy Ryder after a stiffer Swaybar (Bajaron) and new links put on, also as mine is a 2011 RSS I had the suspension fixed too, now sits nice and tight on the road (a lot of our roads, especially off the main highway are not smooth at all!):f_spider:

 

[AY4B]

Hi All,

In August 2015 I purchased a used 2013 STL with 185 miles on it. Totally stock. I put 3000 miles on in the fall and winter. Now that I have spent some time with it in a variety of riding conditions, I am considering some upgrades. Please keep in mind that my questions are from a guy who rides who is not a mechanic.
Question 1: I have read in many posts that I need a Baja Ron Sway Bar. It sounds like that would be my best, first investment for a better ride. However, in many posts it also says to add the replacement links. My question is "Why?" Are the stock links inferior? Will Baja Ron links give me better performance?

Question 2: While my mechanic has the front of the STL disassembled, is there anything else the I MUST DO? I'm talking about things that I can't live without.

Your help is much appreciated.

JCW
Somethings you want feedback from someone that also rydes a ST Limited. Most on this board seem to ryde RT's. Well take it from a fellow ST Brother, Get the Sway Bar AND the links. You will not regret it. If you are able to, get the bumpskid at the same time because it is coming off anyway. You can have it done at the dealer or find someone willing to take it on. Its not difficult to do but just put aside a day and you can figure it out. The trick is to get the front of the Spyder high enough to pull the old one and put the new one in. There are many threads discussing how different people approached it. Be forewarned though if you go to a dealer, they may try to say its unnecessary and talk you out of it.

 

[JCWeatherman]

A couple of years ago there was a series of sway bar links that were defective and were subject to a service bulletin for replacement. That aside, I will say the OEM links are adequate, but with the BajaRon sway bar would not have the margin of safety they do with the factory sway bar. There's no question Ron's links are stronger, but are they REALLY needed? I'm inclined to say probably not unless you ride 2 up and do hard cornering on an RT. That being said, when I put Ron's bar on my 2013 RT I opted to stay with the OEM links simply to save the $. I rode over 23,000 miles, going around corners hard enough to have Nanny kick in many times. The links are still good.

If you are not heavy, will ride one up mostly, and plan to be an easy rider, on an STL I say you'll be OK with the OEM links. But, if you want the added margin for safety go with Ron's links.

Thanks Idaho!
I made it to Idaho for the first time in July 2015. We skirted the eastern edge as we were traveling from Jackson, WY to Butte, MT. Beautiful country.

 

[JCWeatherman]

JCW
Somethings you want feedback from someone that also rydes a ST Limited. Most on this board seem to ryde RT's. Well take it from a fellow ST Brother, Get the Sway Bar AND the links. You will not regret it. If you are able to, get the bumpskid at the same time because it is coming off anyway. You can have it done at the dealer or find someone willing to take it on. Its not difficult to do but just put aside a day and you can figure it out. The trick is to get the front of the Spyder high enough to pull the old one and put the new one in. There are many threads discussing how different people approached it. Be forewarned though if you go to a dealer, they may try to say its unnecessary and talk you out of it.

Thanks for the advice. It's not that I'm afraid to tackle mechanical stuff; I've always worked on my own vehicles. Four years ago I had an accident that left me somewhat challenged physically (perhaps to match my mental state ). It's very difficult for me to work on the floor, and even more difficult to get off of the floor :helpsmilie:.

Fortunately, I have friends, and I work at a Career and Tech school that has a small engine shop. They work on anything from lawnmowers to snow mobiles and motorcycles. Their teacher has agreed to help out. They have the lifts and equipment that can make this job a piece of cake.

I will certainly do the sway bar and links this spring, and maybe throw in the bumpskid too.

 

[opiewhan]

additions

I would also recommend Spyderpops bumpskid if you don't already have one. This will protect the underside of your Spyder from high spots and road kill.

Found that the BUMPSKID also acts as a "Spoiler" as it provides more downforce on the front end giving you better traction. Both the sway bar and bumpskid are wise additions..

 

[robmorg]

Question 2: While my mechanic has the front of the STL disassembled, is there anything else the I MUST DO? I'm talking about things that I can't live without.

Your help is much appreciated.

I didn't see any mention yet about adding BajaRon's shock adjusters. Again, if you are on the lighter side you may not need them, but that does not describe me. I added the sway bar in 2014, and last year when the shock adjusters came out, I added those too. I needed to crank them up 4 turns. That raised the front end of my Spyder over an inch, and I get a much smoother ride, plus no more porpoising at stops. If you would benefit from them, I'd do it at the same time, as the installation cost would be negligible at that time.