Test drove a 2013 RT and a 2013 ST, question about the RT handling

[NoJive]

The Maggie Valley trip was fantastic, but my wife was not so enthused about the stock seating on my GS. She mentioned we should start looking at getting an RT, perhaps next Spring. So, I went to my local dealer, and they let me take out a 2013 RTS, and a 2013 STS. The brakes on both are fantastic, just amazing compared to my GS. Not too thrilled on the throttle by wire, but nothing I couldn't get used to. The ST rode like it was on rails, comfortable, and overall much better than my GS. I loved it! The RT....not so much. It seemed like it wanted to wander a lot, so much so that I was afraid to go over 30mph with it. I just could not keep it in a straight line, and it felt totally wrong. Now I will say that once I got going over 40mph, it calmed down. The tech that was riding along said every RT he had driven was that way, but I don't think so. Was the ball joint issue only on the ST? Or does it cover all 2013 models?

 

[bullant12]

Was the ball joint issue only on the ST? Or does it cover all 2013 models?

All 2013 models. Sounds like that RT did not have the ball joints replaced or they did but not have it aligned. Mine rYdes like in rails too after the ball joints were swapped.

 

[EllijaySpyder]

It was on the RT also. Have the dealer check for the Ball Joint replacement. My 2013 RT had the replacement done by the dealer, and it runs on rails. No wobble ay all. Jerry

 

[bullant12]

I have 2010 RTS model, since i put on the Baja Ron sway bar, Elka Shocks and relocators from Pitbull powersports in Springfield Missouri, it's like driving a BMW and before i was driving a Corolla !!!

Be adviced that this will not resolve the wondering around issue with the 2013's. It needs to have the ball joints replaced before any of these modifications are done! :lecturef_smilie:

 

[NoJive]

Sounds like the ball joints is the issue on that particular one then. I guess that leads to another question. That RT, as far as I know, is one they just got in, as around a month ago, it was in the showroom partially assembled. Do the 2013's now come with the new ball joints? I was under the impression that the recall only affected the initial batch of Spyders, but I could be wrong.

 

[KAPike]

I have 2010 RTS model, since i put on the Baja Ron sway bar, Elka Shocks and relocators from Pitbull powersports in Springfield Missouri, it's like driving a BMW and before i was driving a Corolla !!!

Apples and Oranges. It just amazes me how these threads wonder.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I would hope that your dealer is not using a Spyder without the new ball joints for test drives. If they are I'd start looking for a new dealer. It is my understanding that Spyders have been shipping from BRP with the new ball joints since sometime in early April.

 

[Raknid]

Sorry if stating the obvious but also, did you check he ride setting on the RT? On soft, ours is all over the place....on hard, whole 'nother animal.

 

[bullant12]

Sounds like the ball joints is the issue on that particular one then. I guess that leads to another question. That RT, as far as I know, is one they just got in, as around a month ago, it was in the showroom partially assembled. Do the 2013's now come with the new ball joints? I was under the impression that the recall only affected the initial batch of Spyders, but I could be wrong.

The models out of the factory in April was the timeline where the new ball joints came out, but just because it got assembled a month ago doesn't mean that it came out after April. It could have been in a warehouse sitting there since it was shipped from the factory in the begining of the year...

 

[bullant12]

Sorry if stating the obvious but also, did you check he ride setting on the RT? On soft, ours is all over the place....on hard, whole 'nother animal.

Shocks on the 2013 are not adjustable like the previous years. They got away from that with the new frame.

 

[Raknid]

Shocks on the 2013 are not adjustable like the previous years. They got away from that with the new frame.

Sorry...did not know that.pps:

 

[NoJive]

Sorry if stating the obvious but also, did you check he ride setting on the RT? On soft, ours is all over the place....on hard, whole 'nother animal.

If your are talking about the rear suspension, I believe it was set rather soft, but I doubt that would make it wander.

 

[bullant12]

If your are talking about the rear suspension, I believe it was set rather soft, but I doubt that would make it wander.

:agree: The rear suspension "air bag" is only for passanger comfort. Has little to do with the alignment.

 

[Spacetrucker]

On the rts 2013 is all bout the shocks. I just talk to Len and he is right. The shocks are not the greates. So put on some elks will fix the walking around on the road. I just got my new arts yellow and boy did I think I was doing something wrong when riding it. But no just not the greasy shocks. Now to order some from him the Rts will ride and go down the road a lot better..I also see that when you get in to a coner she will really grab it and I all most fell off. I need seat belt I think? But then I think yap shocks , the only wey to fix it. Anyway my 2 % input hope this helps.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Apples and Oranges. It just amazes me how these threads wonder.

Yup I sure love apples and oranges. There's a whole lot of wandering going on in Spyderlovers and it's not just on the '13 Spyders!

 

[ARtraveler]

Test drove a 2013 RT and a 2013 ST, question about the RT handling

The Maggie Valley trip was fantastic, but my wife was not so enthused about the stock seating on my GS. She mentioned we should start looking at getting an RT, perhaps next Spring. So, I went to my local dealer, and they let me take out a 2013 RTS, and a 2013 STS. The brakes on both are fantastic, just amazing compared to my GS. Not too thrilled on the throttle by wire, but nothing I couldn't get used to. The ST rode like it was on rails, comfortable, and overall much better than my GS. I loved it! The RT....not so much. It seemed like it wanted to wander a lot, so much so that I was afraid to go over 30mph with it. I just could not keep it in a straight line, and it felt totally wrong. Now I will say that once I got going over 40mph, it calmed down. The tech that was riding along said every RT he had driven was that way, but I don't think so. Was the ball joint issue only on the ST? Or does it cover all 2013 models?​

Sooooooooooo, did we get any answer here? :roflblack:

The RT should ride as good or better than the ST. Was there a dealer set up problem? The tech stating that all RT's are that way sure does not sound right to me. If I were new to the product, I would run, run, run.

 

[bruiser]

They're all that way is a stock answer from dealers. I actually have it in writing about an issue I had.

Erick has the correct answer. It may be one that shipped prior to April. Best bet is to make sure the updates were done.

 

[BajaRon]

Sounds like something wrong in the setup on that RT.

It is not a great idea to try and fix setup issues with aftermarket parts. Get the problems fixed and then upgrade the components. Otherwise you may be continually throwing band-aids at your Spyder with less positive results.

 

[ARtraveler]

Sounds like something wrong in the setup on that RT.

It is not a great idea to try and fix setup issues with aftermarket parts. Get the problems fixed and then upgrade the components. Otherwise you may be continually throwing band-aids at your Spyder with less positive results.

:agree: x2

 

[Sny]

Can't say I agree that a 2013 RT should handle as well as a 2013 ST... the RT is several inches taller which moves the center of gravity higher changing the length of the forces leveraging against the suspension which is trying to maintain equal force across the tire ground contact patches to keep your traction budget as high as possible. (wow, run-on much?)

Anyhow, it's like saying a conversion van should handle like a 'vette. They both have V8's right?

Regardless, no vehicle should wander at normal speeds and the 2013 RT's should still impress folks. There's definitely something up with that unit and it seems like all the 2013's are really sensitive to alignment, tire pressure and any modifications made. Could also be ball joints although there we not very many shipped with the bad ones. I was told by BRP something like 450, no idea if that's true tho.

The dealer should spend the time to fix their demo ride or no one will buy it.

Well... someone might...

Dealers are having trouble with this it seems. They're not used to the 2013's and their peculiarities and how to resolve them.

Be very very sure you know what you're doing when you start messing with tire pressures, shocks, swaybars or alignment changes on a 2013. These things are much more finicky than the previous generation of Spyders.